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Describes a genetic engineering project to build an intelligent mouse. Cites understanding the molecular basis of learning and memory as a very important step. Concludes that while science will never create a genius mouse that plays the stock market, it can turn a mouse into a quick learner with a better memory. (YDS)

Discusses beavers and their geomorphic impacts on their environment. Considers dam building, bank burrowing, and canal building. Suggests using the beaver as a classroom and field trip example to illustrate animals' effects on the physical landscape. Provides a review of published works on beavers in their roles as geomorphic agents. (DK)

Traces the history of using mice for medical research and discusses the benefits of using these animals for studies in bacteriology, virology, genetics (considering X-linked genetic homologies between mice and humans), molecular biology, immunology, hematology, immune response disorders, oncology, radiobiology, pharmacology, behavior genetics, convulsive disorders, aging, deafness, and muscular dystrophy. (JN)

Presents information about rodents and lagomorphs, including definitions and the characteristics of these animals. Contains teaching activities such as "Habitats for Hoppers,""Cartoon Gnawers," and "The Great Rodent Expedition." Reproducible handouts for two of the activities are provided. (TW)

Describes three methods and their advantages and disadvantages for introducing genes into animals. Discusses the predictability and tissue-specificity of the injected genes. Outlines the applications of transgenic technology for studying gene expression, the early stages of mammalian development, mutations, and the molecular nature of chromosomes. (RT)

Four means of altering fat levels in laboratory mice, contrasting invasive injection techniques with non-invasive dietary and behavioral means, are described. Relates these investigations concerning obesity to the practicality of using animal models as an approach in searching for physiological knowledge about human beings. (CS)

With "mice" as a theme, this classroom learning center is designed for independent use by kindergarten and first grade children, whether or not they have yet learned to read. Its activities focus on reading, language, thinking, and writing skills. A bilbiography of children's books about mice is appended. (SJL)

Describes a guinea pig (cavy) breeding and management program developed as part of an elementary school science curriculum. Includes comments on show competitions (sponsored by the American Rabbit Breeders Association) to measure the success of the breeding program and to enable children to experience the business world. (Author/JN)

Described are the basic materials and procedures used to study defensive burying behavior and suggested laboratory projects. Discusses live targets, non-living targets, social variables, and previous experiences of the subjects. (CW)

Provides references and addresses to obtain information to help in the purchase, care, and showing of guinea pigs (cavies). Includes line drawings of six common guinea pigs suitable for class use. (JM)

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EpETrEs) are bioactive lipid mediators of arachidonic acid cytochrome P450 oxidation. In vivo, the free (unbound) form of EpETrEs regulate multiple processes including blood flow, angiogenesis and inflammation resolution. Free EpETrEs are thought to rapidly degrade via soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH); yet, in many tissues, the majority of EpETrEs are esterified to complex lipids (e.g. phospholipids) suggesting that esterification may play a major role in regulating free, bioactive EpETrE levels. This hypothesis was tested by quantifying the metabolism of intraperitoneally injected free d11-11(12)-Epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (d11-11(12)-EpETrE) in male and female rats. Plasma and tissues (liver, adipose and brain) were obtained 3 to 4 min later and assayed for d11-11(12)-EpETrE and its sEH metabolite, d11-11,12-dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (d11-11,12-diHETrE) in both the free and esterified lipid fractions. In both males and females, the majority of injected tracer was recovered in liver followed by plasma and adipose. No tracer was detected in the brain, indicating that brain levels are maintained by endogenous synthesis from precursor fatty acids. In plasma, liver, and adipose, the majority (>54 %) of d11-11(12)-EpETrE was found esterified to phospholipids or neutral lipids (triglycerides and cholesteryl esters). sEH-derived d11-11,12-diHETrE was not detected in plasma or tissues, suggesting negligible conversion within the 3-4 min period post tracer injection. This study shows that esterification is the main pathway regulating free 11(12)-EpETrE levels in vivo.

Invasive commensal rodents are the source of significant harms across diverse ecosystems globally, including biodi­versity loss on islands, economic damage in agricultural settings, and disease spread in urban areas. Genetic tools can provide unique insights and solutions for rodent management or eradication, adding to the toolbox of integrated pest management opera­tions. In real world conditions, the utility of genetic tools for rodent management is constrained by ecological factors such as mating and dispersal behavior, landscape variation, and ongoing management strategies. Here we describe two distinct uses of genetic tools for rodent management and their ecological considerations. First, we describe how patterns of genetic connectivity can inform the establishment of functional management units, discern among scenarios leading to island eradication failure, and provide insights into rodent management outcomes. Second, we discuss the utility and risks of using gene drive systems to eradicate invasive house mice from island environments. We describe aspects of risk assessment and mitigation as well as the utility of computational models for improving gene drive preparedness. Together, we outline the importance of ecologically-informed implementation strategies when using genetic tools, both currently available and in development, for the management of commensal rodents.

Somatosensory coding in rodents has been mostly studied in the whisker system and hairy skin, whereas the function of low-threshold mechanoreceptors (LTMRs) in the rodent glabrous skin has received scant attention, unlike in primates where the glabrous skin has been the focus. The relative activation of different LTMR subtypes carries information about vibrotactile stimuli, as does the rate and temporal patterning of LTMR spikes. Rate coding depends on the probability of a spike occurring on each stimulus cycle (reliability), whereas temporal coding depends on the timing of spikes relative to the stimulus cycle (precision). Using in vivo extracellular recordings in male rats and mice of either sex, we measured the reliability and precision of LTMR responses to tactile stimuli including sustained pressure and vibration. Similar to other species, rodent LTMRs were separated into rapid-adapting (RA) or slow-adapting based on their response to sustained pressure. However, unlike the dichotomous frequency preference characteristic of RA1 and RA2/Pacinian afferents in other species, rodent RAs fell along a continuum. Fitting generalized linear models to experimental data reproduced the reliability and precision of rodent RAs. The resulting model parameters highlight key mechanistic differences across the RA spectrum; specifically, the integration window of different RAs transitions from wide to narrow as tuning preferences across the population move from low to high frequencies. Our results show that rodent RAs can support both rate and temporal coding, but their heterogeneity suggests that coactivation patterns play a greater role in population coding than for dichotomously tuned primate RAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the diversity and causes of senescence patterns in the wild remains a challenging task, in particular among fast‐living species for which senescence patterns have been poorly studied. Early life environmental conditions can shape senescence by influencing trade‐offs between early and late life performance (disposable soma theory) or individual fitness through lifelong positive effects (silver spoon effects). Using a 23‐year‐long monitoring dataset of two populations of Siberian flying squirrels (Pteromys volans L.) in western Finland, we analysed the occurrence, onset and rate of senescence in female survival, body mass and reproductive performance. We also examined how early life pulsed resources (tree masting during the year of birth) influence age‐specific variations in these traits. Our results indicate that survival senescence occurs after sexual maturity from 3 years of age. Females experiencing high resource availability at birth tended to survive better, but the age‐specific trend was not affected by early life resource conditions. Maternal body mass declined slightly with age, starting at 4 years, regardless of early resource conditions. Similarly, among reproductive traits, we showed late‐onset senescence in both litter size and annual reproductive probability, with no evidence supporting an effect of early life resources on these trends. We found no decline in juvenile body mass or in the juvenile size‐number trade‐off with maternal age. Our findings suggest that pulsed resources experienced at birth have a limited long‐lasting impact on the life‐history traits of this fast‐living rodent, with no significant effect on senescence patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytogenetics contributed to our knowledge about the diversity of a wide range of species. In this report, we present the karyotype of 28 specimens of 10 species distributed in four genera of family Echimyidae, collected in the Amazonian Forest. These rodents are between the most diverse groups of the Neotropical region and highlights the importance of obtaining chromosome suspension in field conditions. Several of these karyotypes (Makalata sp. 2n = 68, FNa = 100 or 102; Mesomys sp. 1, 2n = 62, FNa = 73 or 75; Mesomys sp. 2, 2n = 62, FNa = 76 or 78; and Mesomys sp. 3, 2n = 62 and FNa = 64 or 66) differ from those previously reported, suggesting that the cytogenetic diversity of Neotropical rodents is far from being properly described and understood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bottom-up, data-driven, large-scale models provide a mechanistic understanding of neuronal functions. A new study in PLOS Biology builds a biologically realistic model of the rodent CA1 region that aims to become an accessible tool for the whole hippocampal community. Bottom-up, data-driven, large-scale models can provide a mechanistic understanding of neuronal functions. This Primer explores a new study in PLOS Biology that builds a biologically realistic model of the rodent CA1 region that aims to become an accessible tool for the whole hippocampus community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rosavirus is a newly discovered member of the family Picornaviridae that was initially detected in wild rodents and subsequently in children with diarrhoea. Nevertheless, there is a significant gap in our understanding of the geographical distribution, phylogenetic relationships, evolutionary patterns, and transmission of rosaviruses. To address these issues, we analysed 434 rodents and shrews from five different species that were collected in southern China. Using PCR screening of faecal samples, we detected rosaviruses in Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) and identified two previously undocumented host species: tanezumi rats (Rattus tanezumi) and Asian house shrews (Suncus murinus). Rosaviruses were particularly common in these animals, with an overall prevalence rate of 32.49% (141/434). For genetic and evolutionary analyses, we selected six representative positive samples to amplify the complete genomes of rosaviruses. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis suggested that our sequences clustered within the genus Rosavirus, where genotype B sequences are the closest relatives. The elevated nonsynonymous-to-synonymous ratios observed in rosavirus B may be attributed to relaxed selection pressures driven by virus spillover events. On the basis of the available data, it is hypothesized that the genus Rosavirus may have originated from Norway rats around the year 1339. In summary, these findings provide valuable insights into the complex evolutionary history of rosaviruses and underscore the urgent need for ongoing surveillance of this virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the rediscovery of Microtus bavaricus in Germany, a small mammal that had not been recorded here in more than 60 years. Between 2012 and 2014, a citizen science project addressed cat owners and farmers to collect rodents killed by cats and traps. Until 2017, we conducted 3,432 live trap nights to rediscover the species in and around the area of its discovery. However, only a three-step approach (screening large areas for the occurrence of pine voles using camera trapping, live trapping for collecting genetic material, DNA-barcoding) allowed for the rediscovery of this elusive species near Mittenwald in 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited vouchered records exist for Cuniculus paca, the second-largest living caviomorph rodent, documenting its southernmost occurrence. Here, we introduce four new recording sites based on skulls probably discarded by local hunters, with three located in Misiones Province and the fourth marking the first supported evidence in the neighboring Corrientes Province in Argentina. The data remains inconclusive as to whether the latter location signifies a southern expansion of this rodent due to climate change or simply an overlooked population that has long been established. Regardless, these findings underscore the importance of increased fieldwork and specimen collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhipidomys is a Sigmodontinae genus with a great diversity in western Amazonia, including Rhipidomys gardneri and Rhipidomys leucodactylus. These species shared the same diploid number of 44, however, two fundamental numbers were attributed to R. leucodactylus and one to R. gardneri. A new karyotype for R. leucodactylus is described, with a diploid and fundamental number shared by other Rhipidomys species. Data confirmed three karyotypes for R. leucodactylus, only one for R. gardneri, the presence of R. leucodactylus in the Brazilian state of Acre and extend the distribution of R. gardneri to Manoel Urbano, in Acre, showing both species occurring in the high Purus River basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nesting is a central topic in the behavioural ecology of many species, but data on the materials used to construct mammal nests are rarely reported. This paper describes the most commonly used components from 25 summer nests of the garden dormouse, a small threatened rodent endemic to Europe. Median nest dry weight of 25 nests was 15.5 g (10.3–21.1 g) and moss was the most common material (78 %), followed by leaves (9 %). Mosses were also the most frequently used material, with Hypnum cupressiforme being the most frequently used taxon in 11 out of 25 nests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Specialist carnivores are often among the first species disappearing from transformed, human-dominated landscapes. However, some carnivore species can exploit abundant food sources in human-dominated landscapes. In this study, we investigated the diet of a specialist carnivore, the serval (Leptailurus serval), inhabiting artificial and natural landscapes surrounding a petrochemical plant in the Highveld of Mpumalanga, South Africa. From 2013 to 2018, for each year, we collected and analysed a total of 264 scat samples. We found that rodent species dominated the serval diet, while other prey items like birds, insects, and unidentified prey contributed little to the diet. In terms of biomass consumed, Otomys sp (56.94 %), Mastomys sp (19.12 %), and Rhabdomys sp (8.68 %) were the most important rodent prey. We further found that biomass consumed is only affected by species, not season or species–season interactions. Our results concur with previous studies that serval is primarily a rodent specialist and that specialisation holds even in human-altered landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hippocampus of vertebrates and the central complex of insects are both engaged by navigational tasks that require spatial memory or inference. The hippocampus builds flexible place maps of both real and abstract spaces. The insect central complex comprises ordered arrays of cells that are well suited to encode and compute with vectors. Both the hippocampus and central complex feature heading-direction signals based on ring attractor networks, and both structures receive input from partially segregated 'where' and 'what' pathways. Current understanding of the differences between vertebrate and invertebrate navigational systems might reflect ecological, historical, and methodological differences. Future comparative approaches will help to reveal fundamental relationships between brain circuits and navigational and cognitive abilities across species. Across species, navigation is crucial for finding both resources and shelter. In vertebrates, the hippocampus supports memory-guided goal-directed navigation, whereas in arthropods the central complex supports similar functions. A growing literature is revealing similarities and differences in the organization and function of these brain regions. We review current knowledge about how each structure supports goal-directed navigation by building internal representations of the position or orientation of an animal in space, and of the location or direction of potential goals. We describe input pathways to each structure – medial and lateral entorhinal cortex in vertebrates, and columnar and tangential neurons in insects – that primarily encode spatial and non-spatial information, respectively. Finally, we highlight similarities and differences in spatial encoding across clades and suggest experimental approaches to compare coding principles and behavioral capabilities across species. Such a comparative approach can provide new insights into the neural basis of spatial navigation and neural computation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thomasomys is the most diverse genus of the Sigmodontinae subfamily, comprising at least 51 species. Despite recent systematic advances, the monophyly of this genus, the proposed species groups and their content, and the species limits are not yet firmly established. Using a well‐sampled mitochondrial dataset, we aim to test the monophyly of the genus, infer phylogenetic relationships among species and species groups and test the limits between valid species and candidate species. For this, we used a large matrix of 272 partial non‐redundant sequences of the cytochrome b mitochondrial gene from 40 valid and 20 candidate species. Using probabilistic approaches on this dataset, we inferred Thomasomys phylogenetic relationships and explored species boundaries using four unilocus species delimitation methods (ABGD, ASAP, bPTP and GMYC). Thomasomys sensu stricto was recovered monophyletic and well‐supported, excluding a Peruvian lineage misidentified as part of the genus. Analyses consistently recovered 10 well‐supported major clades and several paraphyletic or polyphyletic species. Delimitation methods and genetic divergences estimated that Thomasomys comprises between 81 and 93 putative species, thus potentially doubling the species diversity of Thomasomys. Such a result clearly calls for an urgent taxonomic revision of this genus and the use of further molecular loci within an integrative taxonomic approach to describe its diversity and understand its evolutionary history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes pacificus are important vectors of multiple pathogens in the United States. However, their role in transmission of Bartonella spp., which are commonly reported in rodents and fleas, has been debated. Our previous investigation on Bartonella spp. in host-seeking I. scapularis and I. pacificus showed Bartonella spp. were absent in the ticks, suggesting the two species are unlikely to contribute to Bartonella transmission. It is unclear whether the absence of Bartonella spp. in the host-seeking ticks was attributable to ticks not being exposed to Bartonella in nature or being exposed but unable to acquire or transstadially transmit the bacterium. To assess the likelihood of exposure and acquisition, we tested Ixodes spp. ticks collected from rodents for Bartonella infections. Methods: Blood-fed I. scapularis ticks (n = 792; consisting of 645 larvae and 147 nymphs), I. pacificus ticks (n = 45, all larvae), and Ixodes angustus ticks (n = 16, consisting of 11 larvae and 5 nymphs) collected from rodents from Minnesota and Washington were tested for Bartonella spp. using a quadruplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicon next-generation sequencing approach that targets Bartonella-specific fragments on gltA, ssrA, rpoB, and groEL. In parallel, rodents and fleas collected from the same field studies were investigated to compare the differences of Bartonella distribution among the ticks, fleas, and rodents. Results: Bartonella spp. were commonly detected in rodents and fleas, with prevalence of 25.6% in rodents and 36.8% in fleas from Minnesota; 27.9% in rodents and 45.2% in fleas from Washington. Of all tested ticks, Bartonella DNA was detected by gltA in only one larval I. scapularis tick from Minnesota. Conclusions: The high prevalence of Bartonella spp. in rodents and fleas coupled with extremely low prevalence of Bartonella spp. in blood-fed ticks suggests that although Ixodes ticks commonly encounter Bartonella in rodents, they rarely acquire the infection through blood feeding. Notably, ticks were at various stages of feeding on rodents when they were collected. Laboratory transmission studies are needed to assess acquisition rates in fully blood-fed ticks and to assess transstadial transmission efficiency if ticks acquire Bartonella infections from feeding to repletion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The caviomorph rodent Abrocoma uspallata Braun, J.K. and Mares, M.A. (2002). Systematics of the Abrocoma cinerea species complex (Rodentia: Abrocomidae), with a description of a new species of Abrocoma. J. Mammal. 83: 1–19, doi: 10.1093/jmammal/83.1.1, stands as the most recently described species within its genus and remains one of the least studied. Known from two localities in northwestern Mendoza Province, Argentina, this elusive rodent has been the subject of four field studies conducted during 2022. The obtained evidence, including craniodental remains and fecal samples, suggest a moderate abundance of the species and a broader geographical range spanning at least 1,050 km2. Abrocoma uspallata has scattered occurrences at mid-elevations, typically around 2,000 m, across the Sierra de Uspallata and adjacent hilly systems. These findings point the species as a pre-Andean Abrocoma Waterhouse, 1837, together with Abrocoma schistacea Thomas, O. (1921). On mammals from the Province of San Juan, Western Argentina. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 8th Series 9: 214–221, which occurs in the nearby province of San Juan. In addition, although treated as Vulnerable according to the last Argentinean conservation assessment, the species should be considered Least Concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent evidence suggests that different hypoxic modalities might accelerate the rehabilitation process in injured athletes. In this review, the application of hypoxia during rehabilitation from musculoskeletal injury is explored in relation to two principles: (1) facilitating the healing of damaged tissue, and (2) mitigating detraining and inducing training adaptations with a reduced training load. Key literature that explores the underlying mechanisms for these themes is presented, and considerations for practice and future research directions are outlined. For principle (1), passive intermittent hypoxic exposures might accelerate tissue healing through angiogenic and osteogenic mechanisms. Experimental evidence is largely derived from rodent research, so further work is warranted to establish whether clinically meaningful effects can be observed in humans, before optimal protocols are determined (duration, frequency, and hypoxic severity). Regarding principle (2), a hypoxia-related increase in the cardiometabolic stimulus imposed by low-load exercise is appealing for load-compromised athletes. As rehabilitation progresses, a variety of hypoxic modalities can be implemented to enhance adaptation to energy-systems and resistance-based training, and more efficiently return the athlete to competition readiness. While hypoxic modalities seem promising for accelerating musculoskeletal injury rehabilitation in humans, and are already being widely used in practice, a significant gap remains regarding their evidence-based application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type I spiral ganglion neurons are peripheral neurons essential for hearing perception. While they can be subdivided in mice based on characteristic gene expression patterns, detailed examinations of these subtypes in primates and humans are lacking. In this study, we investigated the developmental subtypes of spiral ganglion neurons in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). We confirmed that Type I spiral ganglion can be divided based on the characteristic gene expression patterns of several marker genes. However, some combinations of these genes differ from those in rodents, suggesting common marmoset's suitability for advancing our understanding of human cochlear development. Additionally, identifying the essential time points for subtype specifications and subsequent maturation will aid in studying the primate-specific developmental biology of the inner ear. This could lead to new treatment strategies for hearing loss in humans and be valuable for studying age-related hearing loss, as well as designing regenerative therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most scientists agree that subjective tinnitus is the pathological result of an interaction of damage to the peripheral auditory system and central neuroplastic adaptations. Here we investigate such tinnitus related adaptations in the primary auditory cortex (AC) 7 and 13 days after noise trauma induction of tinnitus by quantifying the density of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the AC of Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). The ECM density has been shown to be relevant for neuroplastic processes and synaptic stability within the cortex. We utilized a mild monaural acoustic noise trauma in overall 22 gerbils to induce tinnitus and a sham exposure in 16 control (C) animals. Tinnitus was assessed by a behavioral response paradigm. Animals were separated for a presence (T) or absence (NT) of a tinnitus percept by a behavioral task. The ECM density 7 and 13 days after trauma was quantified using immunofluorescence luminance of Wisteria floribunda lectin-fluoresceine-5-isothiocyanate (WFA-FITC) on histological slices of the primary AC, relative to the non-auditory brainstem as a reference area. At both timepoints, we found that the WFA-FITC luminance of the AC of NT animals was not significantly different from that of C animals. However, we found a significant increase of luminance in T animals' ACs compared to NT or C animals' cortices. This effect was found exclusively on the AC side contralateral to the trauma ear. These results point to a hemisphere specific process of stabilization of synaptic connections in primary AC, which may be involved in the chronic manifestation of tinnitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many plants exhibit a canopy seed bank, where seeds persist within the canopy for prolonged periods, gradually descending over time and potentially influencing seed predation and animal‐mediated dispersal. However, the impact of delayed seed drop on animal predation and seed dispersal remains unclear. We used Chinese Armand pine seeds to simulate delayed seed drop of the canopy seed bank by releasing 7800 pine seeds in both winter and the following summer over 2 years, tracking their fates to investigate its effect on seed predation and dispersal by rodents in a pine plantation in southwest China. Results showed significant seasonal differences in seed fate. In summer, seeds experienced higher predation rates (62.08% vs 3.80% in winter) and lower scatter‐hoarding rates (4.18% vs 15.40% in winter). Additionally, seeds in summer were dispersed farther (4.20 m vs. 3.56 m in winter) and primarily formed single‐seed caches, as opposed to multi‐seed caches in winter. Although delayed seed drop increased immediate predation risks, favorable summer conditions allowed for rapid germination, reducing long‐term exposure to predation. In conclusion, while delayed seed drop increases immediate predation risks and reduces caching, it concurrently enhances dispersal distances and reduces cache size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lassa fever is an acute viral zoonotic illness endemic in parts of West Africa. In Nigeria, the disease causes periodic large outbreaks, putting strain on healthcare resources and infrastructure. This article reviews the burden and socioeconomic impact of Lassa fever in Nigeria. The vast majority of cases are mild or asymptomatic, however severe illness still occurs in 20% of patients. Late-stage pregnancy infection has high fatality rates. Diagnosis is challenging and early supportive care is critical for survival. The disease affects all age groups in endemic regions, especially impoverished rural communities. Outbreaks disrupt local economies and agriculture and require increased healthcare spending. Specific economic impacts include industry shutdowns, expenditure on protective equipment for healthcare workers, costs for specialized training programs and treatment facilities, high treatment costs for patients, deterrence of investors and businesses, job losses, and declines in tourism revenue. Social impacts include stigmatization of patients. Recommendations for control emphasize improvements to rural healthcare infrastructure, disease surveillance, affordable diagnostics and treatment access, community outreach and education programs, and fostering local economic growth and sustainability. A multidimensional approach engaging all levels of government and civil society is required to mitigate the burden of Lassa fever on Nigeria. This article covers the disease background, populations affected, economic and social impacts, and recommendations to address the substantial public health burden of Lassa fever outbreaks on Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth of bacteria and fungi may cause disease inf human or spoilage of food. New antimicrobial substances need to be discovered. Lactoferricin (LFcin) is a group of antimicrobial peptides derived from the N-terminal region of the milk protein lactoferrin (LF). LFcin has antimicrobial ability against a variety of microorganisms, which is significantly better than that of its parent version. Here, we review the sequences, structures, and antimicrobial activities of this family and elucidated the motifs of structural and functional significance, as well as its application in food. Using sequence and structural similarity searches, we identified 43 new LFcins from the mammalian LFs deposited in the protein databases, which are grouped into six families according to their origins (Primates, Rodentia, Artiodactyla, Perissodactyla, Pholidota, and Carnivora). This work expands the LFcin family and will facilitate further characterization of novel peptides with antimicrobial potential. Considering the antimicrobial effect of LFcin on foodborne pathogens, we describe the application of these peptides from the prospective of food preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]