Ewing, D. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2025

Magnetoencephalography Reveals Neuroprotective Effects of COVID-19 Vaccination in Non-Human Primates

SUMMARY PARAGRAPHCOVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, can lead to widespread neurological complications, including cognitive deficits and neurodegenerative symptoms, even in the absence of significant structural brain abnormalities. The potential neuroprotective effects of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination remain underexplored. Here, we demonstrate the neuroprotective effects of a psoralen-inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in a non-human primate model using resting-state magnetoencephalography (MEG), a non-invasive neurophysiological recording technique with sub-millisecond temporal and submillimeter spatial resolution. MEG scans demonstrated substantial preservation of neural activity across multiple brain regions in vaccinated subjects compared to unvaccinated controls following viral challenge. This approach not only underscores the role of vaccination in mitigating severe neurological outcomes but also highlights the capability of MEG to detect subtle yet significant changes in brain function that may be overlooked by other imaging modalities. These findings advance our understanding of vaccine-induced neuroprotection and establish MEG as a powerful tool for monitoring brain function in the context of viral infections.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2022

Patterns of mortality in domesticated ruminants in Ethiopia

BackgroundIn Ethiopia, there are limited data on the causes of ruminant mortality and reproductive losses which is hampering the development of interventions to improve livestock health. The present study aimed to establish the causes and magnitude of mortality and reproductive losses in cattle, sheep and goats across all smallholder production systems in Ethiopia. MethodsThe study, consisting of three data sources, was conducted to collect data on mortality and reproductive losses in cattle, sheep and goats. Nine regional states; Afar, Amhara, Benishangul Gumuz, Gambela, Harari, Oromia, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region, Somali, and Tigray were surveyed, as well as the city administrations of Dire Dawa and Addis Ababa. Questionnaire surveys were conducted with farmers and key stakeholders, as well as data collected from regional diagnostic laboratories. Data from the Living Standards Measurement Study were also included. Generalised linear mixed and hurdle models were used for data analysis, with results summarized using predicted outcomes. ResultsAnalyses indicated that most herds experienced zero mortality and reproductive losses, with rare occasions of larger losses. Diseases causing deaths varied greatly both geographically and over time. There was little agreement between the different datasets. While the models aid the understanding of patterns of mortality and reproductive losses, the degree of variation observed limited the predictive scope. ConclusionsThe models revealed some insight into why mortality rates are variable over time and are therefore less useful in measuring production or health status, and it is suggested that alternative measures of productivity, such as young stock mortality, would be more stable over time and likely more indicative.

bioinformatics↗