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The Usual Enemies of Free Speech Go After "Secret Hitler" Board Game
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JLAD Prove Me Wrong
Postby JLAD Prove Me Wrong » 6 months 2 days ago (Sun Jan 13, 2019 10:49 pm)
According to https://www.9news.com.au/national/2019/ ... toy-stores
Australians with links to the Holocaust have said they are shocked and sickened by a board game which assigns players to roles in the Nazi bid for power ahead of World War II.
The sight of the game, "Secret Hitler", being sold in several major games retailers, has led to about 10 complaints to the Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC), a Jewish organisation combating anti-Semitism, in the past week.
A daughter of a Holocaust survivor said she "shook" when she saw the game in a toy store in Bright, a town north of Melbourne's city.
"I started shaking, I literally saw the Holocaust flash in front of me. I felt as if there were Nazis about to storm into the store. I could barely look at the shopkeeper," she wrote in her complaint.
"I felt anti-Semitism alive. I couldn't wait to get out of there."
A grandchild of the Holocaust, in which millions of Jews were killed, said she felt nauseated.
"I was absolutely horrified to see the atrocities of Hitler and his regime played out in a game," Simone said in a statement last week.
The product states it is a social deduction game for up to 10 people to find and stop the "Secret Hitler" among the two teams of liberals and fascists.
But ADC chairman Dvir Abramovich said the game had unsettled Jewish people.
"Everyone is revolted and disgusted that a board game bearing that name and revolving around Hitler, whose many victims live in Melbourne and in other cities, is being sold in stores here," Dr Abramovich said.
"Anyone who suffered under Hitler, or lost families at the hands of the Nazis, would not find this playful and amusing."
The game has been available in Australia since 2017 and is also sold in the US and Canada.
Contrary to the liars in this article, game isn't even about the Holocaust or alleged Nazi atrocities. It is essentially an election board game. This video breaks it down nicely.
Of course, the Usual Enemies of Free Speech are also very dishonest, so what can we expect? They lie about what the game even is about to the sheeple who won't even check if what they are saying is true.
Honestly, they are like spoiled children that complain about anything they don't like. It amazes me how the Western World bows to their power.
If your beliefs cannot stand up to your own sincere scrutiny and skeptical evaluation, they are not worth having.
https://freespeechmonika.wordpress.com/ ... t-details/
Valuable asset
Re: The Usual Enemies of Free Speech Go After "Secret Hitler" Board Game
Postby Hannover » 6 months 2 days ago (Sun Jan 13, 2019 11:58 pm)
Jews like those described in the article are clearly mentally unstable.
An obviously deranged woman said:
"I started shaking, I literally saw the Holocaust flash in front of me. I felt as if there were Nazis about to storm into the store. I could barely look at the shopkeeper".
Clearly the sick woman needs help. Hallucinations are a sign of advanced mental illness.
Nonetheless, here, a righteous & stable Jew calls them out for their lies.
"Alone the fact that one may not question the Jewish "holocaust" and that Jewish pressure has inflicted laws on democratic societies to prevent questions—while incessant promotion and indoctrination of the same averredly incontestable 'holocaust' occur—gives the game away. It proves that it must be a lie. Why else would one not be allowed to question it? Because it might offend the "survivors"? Because it "dishonors the dead"? Hardly sufficient reason to outlaw discussion. No, because the exposure of this leading lie might precipitate questions about so many other lies and cause the whole ramshackle fabrication to crumble."
From the book by Revisionist Jew, Gerard Menuhin, the son of the famed Jewish violinist Yehuda Menuhin:
TELL THE TRUTH & SHAME THE DEVIL
By GERARD MENUHIN
Copyright 2015 by GERARD MENUHIN and THE BARNES REVIEW
THE BARNES REVIEW, P.O. Box 15877, Washington, D.C. 20003
available at: https://shop.codoh.com/book/406
more quotes from his book:
- "Those ultimately responsible for this hopeless situation have succeeded in their conspiracy: they have created, with the aid of "holocaust" professionals and propaganda, the necessary climate of guilt whereby never-ending legal as well as illegal immigration goes unchallenged, resulting in a fractured society, civil unrest and inadequate social funds. The desired massive debt is therefore programmed. Jewish influence has achieved the dissolution of a once cohesive community."
- "Jewish huckstering is most obviously apparent in its frenzied compulsion to uphold the "holocaust" myth, whose exposure would not only refute the Jews' claim to Palestine and to endless financial reparations and atonement for harm not done to them, it would also deliver Jews and their minions to the fury of a world deceived and victimized for centuries by their lies and conspiracies."
also see this discussion:
'quotes from Gerard Menuhin: Revisionist Jew, Son of Famous Violinist'
- Hannover
An obvious question is why do some people want '6M Jews & 5M others' to be dead?
Revisionist research brings good news, those '11,000,000' were definitely not murdered.
One would think that Jews especially would be elated to hear the good news.
Instead, arrests are made for engaging in free speech that brings forth very positive, life affirming information.
If it can't happen as alleged, then it didn't.
Postby stinky » 6 months 2 days ago (Mon Jan 14, 2019 1:49 am)
Honestly, they are like spoiled children that complain about anything they don't like.
who always get their own way
It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled
Postby Lamprecht » 6 months 1 day ago (Mon Jan 14, 2019 10:05 pm)
I watched that youtube video and wish I didn't. That "Game" seems painfully disagreeable, you'd have to pay me to play that...
Further, Hitler is literally the villain in the game, it says "the liberals win... by assassinating Hitler"
The article in the OP reads like satire. Unfortunately, it is not satire
"There is a principal which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments, and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance -- that principal is contempt prior to investigation."
-- Herbert Spencer
alison_quinn
Postby alison_quinn » 5 months 3 weeks ago (Tue Jan 22, 2019 1:57 am)
There is a game called Avalon this is blatantly a copy of. Avalon is fun.
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A brand new hotel has just opened up in an iconic location. We're talking about Msheireb Downtown Doha, a vibrant new retail, commercial and residential development that is the smartest and most sustainable city district in the world that has just seen the launch of Alwadi Hotel Doha by MGallery.
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Egypt's High Administrative Court cancels ban on Uber & Careem
By MB Staff
Posted on February 23, 2019 - Like & Follow Us Follow @MENAbytes
Egyptian High Administrative Court, today, has overturned the ruling of a lower administrative court that ordered Uber and Careem to halt their operations in the country.
The ruling by the lower administrative court was given in March last year after 42 taxi drivers filed a suit saying that Uber and Careem were violating the country's laws by using private vehicles for commercial purposes.
But the implementation of its decision was suspended by Cairo Court of Urgent Matters, saying that both the companies should be allowed to continue their operations until the High Administrative Court makes a final decision – which is why both the companies continued to operate but were still waiting for the verdict of High Administrative Court which today has decided in their favor.
Both Uber and Careem had filed a complaint with the High Administrative Court after the March verdict by lower administrative court was announced.
With this latest ruling by the High Administrative Court, it seems that both the companies are out of legal troubles in Egypt, for now at least.
Uber, last week had also signed an agreement with the Egyptian Tax Authority to pay VAT in the country. Careem, according to their spokesperson, has been paying VAT in Egypt since March 2018.
MB Staff
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Gold miner, Saracen Mineral Holdings Limited (ASX: SAR) has reported record production of 89,208 ounces and outstanding exploration results in the 2019 March quarter, meeting its undertakings to the market on every level. In its quarterly activities report for the March quarter, the company has advised that its production ounces are in line with FY19 guidance.
According to the company's Managing Director Raleigh Finlayson, the company's operations are performing extremely well, as its production is comfortably within annual guidance and its costs are below guidance, providing excellent operating results to meet its wider objective of growing production to 400koz a year.
The company reported quarterly gold production of 89,208oz at AISC of A$1,035 per ounce. Thunderbox delivered a record quarter with production of 40,170 oz at an AISC of A$972/oz with C Zone open pit mine steadily progressing into higher grade / lower strip ratio ore. Carosue Dam produced 49,038oz for the March quarter at an AISC of A$1,097/oz.
During the quarter, around A$7.3 million (unaudited) of gold sales were made from gold recovered from development activities at Whirling Dervish (A$4.6 million) and Thunderbox Underground (A$2.7 million).
During the March quarter, the company's Cash and equivalents increased to A$153.3 Mn, up from A$142.6 Mn at December 31, despite of spending more than $58 Mn on growth and exploration in the 2019 March quarter.
During the March quarter, the company delivered another host of impressive exploration results across the portfolio and received excellent operating results which is why it now believes that it is well on track to meet its goal of growing production to 400koz a year while establishing long mine live.
The company has confirmed that its production outlook for FY19 is unchanged at 345- 365,000oz at an AISC of A$1,050 – 1,100/oz and it is on track to deliver into the 7-year production outlook, with an upside case to 400kozpa.
As at 31 March 2019, the company had total cash, bullion and investments of A$153.3 million with no corporate debt drawn. The company currently has a robust balance sheet with available funding in excess of A$300 million plus operating cash flows and ore stockpiles.
Now, let's have a glance at the company's stock performance and the return it has posted over the past few months. The stock is trading at a price of $2.580, down by 1.527% during the day's trade with a market capitalisation of ~$2.15 billion as on 17 April 2019. The counter opened the day at $2.610 and reached the day's high of $2.610 and touched a day's low of $2.550 with a daily volume of ~3,475,802. The stock has provided a year till date return of -9.97% & also posted returns of 17.49%, -10.27% & -6.43% over the past six months, three & one-month period respectively. It had a 52-week high price of $3.470 and touched 52 weeks low of $1.720, with an average volume of ~5,967,255.


A Chic Celebration at the Westin Annapolis — Wedding Savvy Wedding Consulting, Inc.
Karen is a professional planner in her career life and it was so evident in all the thoughtful details of her day. We were so honored that such a savvy and an accomplished woman would select our team to be with her on her most special day!
Jake was all smiles as well as he was finishing up one job and moving to the next and had time to really soak up and enjoy the big day. Jake was all about making sure his friends and family got to enjoy the party with great food, an awesome band, Primetime/Washington Talent, and of course the hora!!
The early March weather cooperated enough for stunning first look photos outside by the amazing Hamilton photography and the 50 degree weather gave Karen's cheeks the perfect amount of pink as she GLOWED in every picture! I have had the pleasure of working with Karen through out the planning process and she was always stunning and professional but WOW can I just say that she looked AMAZING in a wedding dress on her wedding day? Brains, beauty, she has it all!
Family was hugely important to both Karen and Jake and they opted not to have a bridal party but simply include their family and friends in everything they did! From a room full of getting ready ladies to a guys lunch at Ram's Head to a six flower girl processional down the aisle, it was amazing. On that note, I had a little competition for Day of Coordinator position from our savvy flowergirl - she said she was the wedding planner and she had the moxy to do it I bet!
William at the Westin was instrumental in helping craft the Bride's vision by recommending a fabulous vendor team (thank you, William!) to create the stunningly elegant ceremony drape and chuppah from Event Dynamics accented by Blue Vanda's amazing flowers. It was a moody and romantic feel as the air had a chill as guests' arrived and then walked into a gorgeous amber lit ceremony room. An gently amplified acoustic guitarist provided our prelude, processional and recessional music and it set the tone for an elegant yet relaxed ceremony. Afterwards guests headed out to the foyer while the room was turned for a fun reception!
I really loved Karen & Jake's format of having food stations and dancing all night long. The couple burst right into the room and went right into a dance set! People who wanted to eat right away could, but those that wanted to hit the dance floor as well, could too. I think people really appreciated that it was so reflective of Karen and Jake -we are not going to do hours of toasts and sit everyone at a table for an hour and a half! Guests were up and moving all night long and the menu was out of this world!
Karen did a wonderful job with thoughtful signage througout the event and fun take aways like flip flops for dancing, fishers pop corn for late night room snacks, and amazing sweets from sweet hearts patessiere for guests to eat all night long.
The highlight of night was the Hora dance that kicked things off in a big way with guests getting Karen & Jake up in chairs and then it was party time all the way!
Thank you Karen and Jake for letting us be a part of your fun day. I can honestly say it was one of the most original and fun formats I have ever seen and was definitely the kind of party people want to attend! Well done!


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Beds chaos threat
CARE home bosses today threatened to close its doors to new residents as the row over funding escalated.
CARE home bosses today (Friday, August 22) threatened to close its doors to new residents as the row over funding escalated.
It led to warnings of gridlock within the city's hospitals within two weeks if hundreds of elderly people awaiting discharge have nowhere to go.
At the Royal Liverpool Hospital alone 20 patients A DAY leave needing residential care. The threat has come from private care home owners in Liverpool - representing 2,300 of the 3,300 care beds in the city - who say they face closure unless they get more cash from the council.
Arthur Wood, chair of Liverpool Care Homes Association, says that refusing to take any more referrals from the local authority may be the only way forward.
He said: "We have been emphasising this problem and no one has taken any notice.
"We have seen a spate of home closures and we want to ensure this situation is addressed before any more lives are lost or more homes forced to close.
"One option which we are now considering is refusing to take any more referrals from the local authority."
And Joe Campbell, chief executive of English Care, the action group set up to persuade the government to carry out an independent review into the true cost of care, added:
"We believe that by care homes refusing to take any more referrals from the local authority may be the only way we can get the council to listen to us.
"This is not action which we want to take but we feel we have been left with little option."
Hospital chiefs say they could implement emergency measures through their relationship with social services to ensure there was no bed blocking and all elderly people ready for discharge would be found suitable accommodation as quickly as possible.
But a spokesman for the Royal Liverpool admitted that 60 elderly people are discharged every day and a third of them require residential care.
And Cllr Paul Brant, acting leader of the labour party in Liverpool, believes the care homes action would lead to bed blocking disaster with hospitals gridlocked withing a fortnight.
He added: " We need an emergency meeting to renegotiate the rates which are being offered."
However Cllr Jeremy Chowings, executive member for social care and health in Liverpool, who is also a GP said the council and health chiefs in the city are confident that any action which is taken will not have an impact on any potential winter bed crisis.
He added: "We do not want the care homes to take this action. We are in negotiation to pay them for the quality services which we expect."


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La nitticora di Riunione (Nycticorax duboisi, ) era un uccello appartenente alla famiglia degli Ardeidi, endemico dell'isola di Riunione.

Per lungo tempo l'unica descrizione dell'animale fu quella fornita da Sieur Dubois, esploratore francese che visitò le isole Mascarene nel XVII secolo. Nella sua opera-resoconto pubblicata nel 1674 descrisse così questi uccelli:

Nel 1907 Walter Rothschild la inserì nella sua opera sugli uccelli estinti basandosi sulla descrizione di Dubois e classificò la specie come Ardea duboisi.

Il ritrovamento di alcuni subfossili nelle caverne dell'isola, avvenuto nel XX secolo, ha permesso di confermare l'esistenza di questa specie. La Nycticorax duboisi era più grossa delle due specie di nitticora viventi (Nycticorax nycticorax e Nycticorax caledonicus) e dalle misurazioni effettuate sui resti ossei gli studiosi ritengono che avesse una buona capacità di volo, a differenza delle altre due specie di nitticora estinte (Nycticorax megacephalus e Nycticorax mauritianus).

Le ragioni che portarono alla sua estinzione sono sconosciute, si presume che possano essere legate all'introduzione di predatori prima assenti sull'isola.

Note

Collegamenti esterni

 Nycticorax duboisi in GBIF - Global Biodiversity Information Facility
 Bibliografia da BHL - Biodiversity Heritage Library: Ardea duboisi & Nycticorax duboisi

Ardeidae
Taxa classificati da Lionel Walter Rothschild

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Six Children, Pregnant Mother among Nine Christians Killed in Herdsmen Attack in Nigeria
Home » Six Children, Pregnant Mother among Nine Christians Killed in Herdsmen Attack in Nigeria
Six Children, Pregnant Mother among Nine Christians Killed in Herdsmen Attack in Nigeria2020-04-162020-04-16https://www.copticsolidarity.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Logo-e1447995418310.pngCoptic Solidarityhttps://www.copticsolidarity.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/niger-state-nigeria.-profoss-from-original-by-uwe-dedering.png200px200px
Photo Credit: Niger state, Nigeria. Profoss, from original by Uwe Dedering)
Six children and a pregnant woman were among nine people that Muslim Fulani herdsmen killed in north-central Nigeria Tuesday night (April 14), sources said.
About a dozen herdsmen armed with rifles and machetes raided Hura-Maiyanga village, in the Miango area of Kwall District in Plateau state's Bassa County, shouting the jihadist slogan "Allahu Akbar [God is greater]," sources said.
"They were armed with machetes and AK-47 rifles as they attacked us," Hanatu John, a woman who survived the attack, told Morning Star News. "They attacked our village at about 8 p.m., and they were shouting, 'Allahu Akbar!' as they shot into our houses."
The assailants were speaking Fulfulde, the Fulani language, as they shot into homes, she said.
"Most families had already retired into houses to sleep when these Fulani gunmen came into the village and were shooting into houses," John told Morning Star News in Miango town, where she took refuge. "As the herdsmen shot at us, we all ran out from our houses into the surrounding bushes. Some of the herdsmen chased after us and shot at us, while others were burning down our houses."
Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, director of the Emancipation Centre for Crisis Victims in Nigeria (ECCVN), confirmed the attack.
"Hura hamlet of Maiyanga village in Kwall District, Miango Chiefdom in Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau state was invaded last night on April 14th by suspected armed Fulani herdsmen, who surrounded the entire area and unleashed mayhem on the unsuspecting natives," Mwantiri told Morning Star News by text message. "As a result, nine persons were gruesomely killed and two injured while 33 houses were completely torched by fire. Most of the persons killed were children."
He identified those killed as Angela Daniel, 3; David Yakubu, 15; Luka Magwa, 5; Ishaya Yakubu, 7; Aba Ibrahim, 6; Stephen Ngwe, 7; the pregnant Talatu Daniel, 32, and her unborn child; Sunday Biri, 45; and Izhe Nkama, 43.
Those killed were buried in two separate mass graves, he said. Mwantiri identified the two people wounded as Esther James, 55, and 51-year-old Lami Ibrahim.
"Additionally, over 250 persons, mostly women and children, have been displaced with no means of livelihood," Mwantiri said.
Miango resident Grace Gye sent a message to the Plateau state government on Wednesday (April 15) decrying the Fulani terrorist onslaught on area Christians and calling on state and federal governments "to protect the people and their property." She questioned why Fulani herdsmen were moving about freely in spite of a lockdown in the face of the novel coronavirus.
The Rev. Ronku Aka, a former Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) pastor and now community leader of the Irigwe ethnic group, lamented incessant attacks on predominantly Christian communities.
"So many of my people have been killed over the years, including the attack of last night," he told Morning Star News on Wednesday (April 15). "In spite of promises from the government to my people, the herdsmen have continuously been attacking our communities."
The attack on Maiyanga comes on the heels of attacks by herdsmen in the area last month. On March 31, Christians were killed at Ancha village; the next day three more Christians were slain in the predominantly Christian community of Nkiedow-hro village, and seven others were killed in Hukke village.
On Jan. 14, 2018, armed herdsmen killed one Christian and wounded two others in an attack on Maiyanga village.
Killing, Kidnapping in Niger State
In northwestern Nigeria, Muslim Fulani herdsmen in Niger state on March 24 killed at least 20 people in two predominantly Christian villages and on March 2 kidnapped eight Christians in raids on a mission station, sources said.
The attacks on the villages of Galkogo and Zumba, killing more than 20 people, displaced 3,000 people, area residents told Morning Star News.
In Niger state's Shiroro County, Fulani herdsmen raided a school in Maruba run by Calvary Ministries (CAPRO), kidnapping four missionaries, two volunteer staff members, another staff member and one student, according to Niyi Gbade, the ministry's national director.
"Ask God to release them unharmed now," Gbade told Morning Star News in a text message.
The school's head teacher was shot and received hospital treatment, he said.
"Pray for the remaining missionaries on the base, that they will not be kidnapped, and that those being held should be released from any form of captivity," Gbade said.
Herdsmen also raided Global Glorious Mission in Gofa, Shiroro County, on March 22, forcing missionaries and students to flee into bushes, according to a mission press statement last month.
"The Fulani herdsmen entered, ransacked and looted our Gofa field of Shiroro LGA, Niger and environs," the statement read. "Some of the brethren have gone back in the night, and some returning this morning. Please stand with us in prayer for God's intervention over this menace."
In the past year, armed Fulani herdsmen have carried out a series of raids on Christian communities in the northwest, sending people fleeing to camps for the displaced.
On Jan. 30, Christian Solidarity International (CSI) issued a genocide warning for Nigeria, calling on the Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council to take action. CSI issued the call in response to "a rising tide of violence directed against Nigerian Christians and others classified as 'infidels' by Islamist militants in the country's north and middle belt regions.'"
Nigeria ranked 12th on Open Doors' 2020 World Watch List of countries where Christians suffer the most persecution but second in the number of Christians killed for their faith, behind Pakistan.
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Home > SDNY Blog > Bank of America Derivative Settlement Challenged by Lawyers in Parallel Delaware Action
Bank of America Derivative Settlement Challenged by Lawyers in Parallel Delaware Action
By Charles Michael on April 30, 2012 Posted in SDNY Blog
The proposed settlement of a derivative suit before Judge Castel concerning Bank of America's acquisitions of Countrywide and Merrill Lynch is being challenged by lawyers in a parallel case in Delaware state court. The parties to the federal case told Judge Castel on April 12 that they had settled. The next day, the Delaware lawyers filed a motion to enjoin the settlement, and Judge Castel signed an order to show cause that set a briefing schedule that will be complete by May 4. The motion papers were not (and still are not) available on ECF, but the grounds for the motion were made clear by a story in the New York Times: the Delaware lawyers contend the settlement amount of $20 million is grossly inadequate because it is a fraction of the $150 million SEC fine from the Merrill merger and because the bank's insurance policy would result in the defendants paying nothing out of pocket. A Reuters story later provided additional background, including the unusual fact that two parallel derivative actions would proceed for so long without one case or the other being stayed.
On Friday, the settling plaintiffs opposed the motion before Judge Castel. A sample:
The Settlement not only obtains a payment of $20 million to BAC, but also achieves very substantial corporate governance changes—including the creation of an entirely new, Board level committee of independent directors to assess major new transactions and work in conjunction with BAC's existing Disclosure Committee to ensure that such transactions are properly vetted. Corporate governance changes of this type are often approved as a component (or the entirety) of commendable settlements. The Delaware Objectors—two individual shareholders of BAC who have been content to pursue their claims in Delaware for the last three years (spurning all efforts to cooperate with Lead Plaintiffs until the eleventh hour)—have criticized the monetary component of the Settlement as too low. However, rather than voice their objections at the proper time, in connection with an orderly approval process after notice to all shareholders, the Delaware Objectors have stormed into Court seeking to "enjoin" the Settlement before it is even finalized. As with many such premature protests, the Delaware Objectors have spared no effort to cast the Settlement in alarmist terms, including the spurious charge that it is the product of "collusion" and a "reverse auction" process. Ignoring their own obligations to act in the best interests of BAC and not to cast aspersions for which they have no evidentiary basis, the Objectors and their counsel have publicly denigrated the Settlement and impugned the good faith and motivations of Lead Plaintiffs and Lead Counsel—falsely charging them with a failure to litigate, conduct discovery, or assess the strengths and weaknesses of the claims. As demonstrated below, the record overwhelmingly contradicts the Delaware Objectors' groundless accusations. Lead Plaintiffs and their counsel litigated this Action intensively, prevailed on a hard-fought motion to dismiss, analyzed millions of pages of documents, participated in thirty-one depositions, and reviewed over 100 transcripts from other legal proceedings. The Settlement negotiations spanned over six months, were conducted before one of the nation's most esteemed mediators, and were predicated upon a candid assessment of the claims and the damages recoverable by BAC. In these circumstances and because there is nothing—beyond the sheer label "collusion"—upon which to suppose that BAC's or shareholders' interests are not adequately represented, long-established legal authority bars the Delaware Objectors from being allowed to intervene . . . .
Tags: 09 Civ. 02058, Derivative, Judge Castel, Settlement


I stand corrected thinking that Romney stands for nothing but political gain.
I had to laugh while watching the NBC newscast earlier (muted while on the phone) as they breathlessly showed aerial photographs of Ryan's digs in Wisconsin. Hey NBC folks: it's hard to vilify a man as an out of touch rich dude when he sleeps in his office. Just sayin'.
Via Legal Insurrection, a few videos to quell the nervousness. If anyone is capable of exposing the lie of the left–that we can keep folks forever on the dole while only taxing "the rich"–it's Paul Ryan.
It's a great pick. I just hope Obama's gutter demogoguery doesn't work against Ryan's budget positions.
Admittedly I know very little yet about Mr Ryan, but his apparent comittment to Ayn Rand's philosophy is concerning. Does this indicate a rejection of the church's preferential option for the poor? Ive started studying his economic proposal and it seems to create a better atmosphere for those willing and able to work. I'm concerned about those who due to mental or physical limitations can't.
Since his views on Medicare are frequently mischaracterized as pushing granny off the cliff, is choosing Ryan as a running mate give fuel to Obama's false claims that Mitt only cares about his rich buddies?
Obama is already describing the Romney/Ryan ticket as the end of women's rights.


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Oxytocin: Love, Birth and Bulldogs
By Tracy Ripley
Often, our hormones are viewed as a torment, they shoulder the blame for mood swings, irritability, aggression, forgetfulness, anxiety, weight gain and a host of other issues. It would seem that the more affluent and advanced the culture, the more our hormones are viewed as an interference, particularly where work and productivity may be hampered by our errant bio-chemical messengers. Historically women have been censured for hormonal hysteria, the medical profession were on hand to mollify the middle and upper classes with various tonics and bed rest, however working class women, who couldn't afford large medical bills, did not appear to suffer in quite the same way but were just as likely to encounter fear and ignorance around 'women's problems'. Unfortunately in the worst case scenarios women suffered incarceration and even surgical procedures such as hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) to treat female hysteria, to aid recovery from their hormonal maladies.1
More recently, our hormones, in particular oxytocin, have been subject to investigation and studies which have quadrupled in number in the last decade.
Pregnancy and birth create the foundation of all human relationships and connectedness. Oxytocin is no lone wolf, it works closely with other hormonal peptides and neuro-transmitters to bring about the necessary changes to facilitate successful reproduction2, 3 and for the propagation of our species.
For millennia, Homo Sapiens were, and still are, dependent on cohesive social groups to function and survive in hostile environments, we learn whom we can trust and whom we cannot and our neural pathways serve to remind us of potential dangers and what makes us feel safe. Our hormones are responsible for our version of reality and how we behave in that reality.3, 4
Oxytocin – the name is derived from Greek, meaning rapid-birth5 - is believed to have been around as long as the mammals it serves, approximately 100 million years.
Oxytocin is produced in the posterior pituitary gland along with vasopressin (the word vasopressin is derived from Latin meaning Vessel Pressure).5 Oxytocin and vasopressin are produced and work together and both have several essential jobs maintaining homeostasis. Homeostasis is our body's way of maintaining equilibrium and applies to all of our anatomical systems.
The ways that both oxytocin and vasopressin work are both capable of being epigenetically altered through human experiences and interactions. Both influence adaptations and behavioural responses to external stimuli and 'cement' good or bad experiences into our psyche. Experiences in utero, and, critically, in the 1001 days after birth, develop our neural pathways and impact on us into adulthood.3, 6, 8
Oxytocin is released during pregnancy in pulses via the cardio-vascular system and also in the maternal brain. The pulses become longer, stronger and increasingly frequent towards the last few weeks of pregnancy. In addition, the amount of oxytocin receptors found in the smooth muscular tissue of the uterus rise exponentially from the second (11 f mol/mgDNA) to the third trimester (1140 f mol/mg DNA) and increase in labour to 3550 fmol/mg DNA.3 Although it is not yet confirmed what specifically triggers labour, it is known that a number of hormonal changes occur simultaneously in baby and mother. Melatonin, a hormone released to aid sleep and circadian rhythms (sleep and wakefulness programming), appears to stimulate oxytocin production as well as prolactin, which works with oxytocin to provide breastmilk. Prolactin, which drives 'nesting' instincts, triples in production from approximately 38 to 41 weeks.3, 8
Oxytocin receptors in the uterus are primed for the interplay of hormones that initiate labour, oestrogen levels begin to rise and in turn stimulate prostaglandins softening the cervix in preparation for dilatation and progesterone levels begin to fall. Progesterone has secured the foetus within the uterus throughout pregnancy, and as birth approaches the uterus must change its composition and function to allow the baby to pass through the cervix and into the birth canal. Oxytocin receptors recognise increasing maternal oxytocin levels in the blood stream, a 'lock and key' mechanism ensures that oxytocin and oxytocin receptors bind together to act on the powerful uterine muscle. Hormonal communication initiates a positive feedback loop that will not end until the baby is born.3 ,8
The many hormones of birth
Hormones which inhibit the action of oxytocin are our 'flight or fight' hormones: Adrenaline, cortisol and catecholamines. However, they also have vital roles in the birth journey, such as helping the baby's lungs to mature, protecting the baby's brain from hypoxia during birth and promoting alertness of the newborn for eye contact and bonding after birth. These hormones can co-exist and function together with oxytocin, but if perceived threat or fear take over, oxytocin beats a hasty retreat. It is often noted that women who no longer feel safe in labour will experience diminishing contractions as result of the reduction of oxytocin circulating in the blood stream.2, 3, 8 For some women, just leaving their home or arriving at hospital is enough to stop contractions.
Endogenous oxytocin (that is, oxytocin made within our body) is released in pulses at around three in every ten minutes, usually coinciding with the frequency of surges in an active labour. However recent research indicates that there is a possibility that other hormones also have a role in labour surges as pulses may not necessarily coincide with surges.8 Oxytocin pulses peak at the moment of birth and when the placenta is expelled. Oxytocin is an effective endogenous uterotonic (helps the uterus to contract effectively) and prevents sustained and heavy blood loss, particularly if the mother has experienced a physiological birth or one with minimal intervention.3, 6, 8
If the mother is truly undisturbed, with skin to skin and eye to eye contact with her newborn, a series of biological, emotional and behavioural events are likely to take place2. The mother will want to hold her baby close and may be overwhelmed with feelings of love and euphoria. Endorphins are triggered by the sensations of labour and alleviate discomfort. Dopamine (reward and motivation) and serotonin (belonging and happiness) are circulating to adapt maternal feelings and behaviours to care for and be near to her baby.2, 6
Vasopressin influences protective and defensive behaviours of those who are bonded socially, in addition to maintaining blood pressure. Oxytocin gives way to vasopressin when there is a perceived or real threat – to give an example of a You Tube video that went viral, 'The Battle at Kruger' demonstrates this mammalian behaviour perfectly, a buffalo calf faces certain death as it is encircled and attacked by lions. The maternal bond in this case defied almost certain death, and once the danger is over, oxytocin returns and mother and calf stay close. Transposing this example of the mother-baby bond and protection to a woman and her newborn, interference during this crucial process is something that could seriously impact this vital bond and should therefore be avoided in any situation other than a medical emergency.
Oxytocin is a mild amnesiac, and women and birth workers will recognise how quickly after the birth the woman will forget her discomfort and doubts experienced during labour when she holds her baby for the first time!
The mother will be focused on her baby, picking up on non- verbal cues and cries becoming 'tuned in'. Indeed 'baby brain' is no misnomer, it is a primal function to ensure protection and survival, the mother subconsciously bypasses insignificant stimulus, instead, concentrating on the physical and emotional needs of her new-born.10
Oxytocin and prolactin play a central role in the production of breastmilk. Mother and baby working in tandem to create the optimal behavioural prompts and the appropriate hormonal responses to provide nutrition that is adaptable to her baby's changing requirements.2, 3, 6, 8
Oxytocin has a direct influence on positive maternal behaviours. The formation of secure attachments governs a future blueprint, impacting on both mother and baby, determining their ability to cope with stressful and novel situations. Conversely, its absence may have medium and long term negative effects on the mental and emotional health of both mother and baby.6 Could this have implications in the rising numbers of reported maternal mental health problems which are now recognised as a major public health issue, with a long term cost to society of £8.1 billion for each annual group of births in the U.K.?11
Interestingly, oxytocin is present in significant levels of those who are in proximity during birth or shortly afterwards. Skin to skin contact between the baby and the mother's birth partners initiates oxytocin release and creates new neurological pathways, strengthening bonding and promoting caring behaviours. Grandparents and other family members can be under the influence of oxytocin, prompting adaptive behaviours that protect and nurture the whole family dynamic and serve to promote various physical and emotional health benefits throughout the ageing process.12 In a much wider social context, oxytocin promotes characteristics such as empathy, generosity, altruism, trustfulness and trustworthiness. Currently, Neuro Economists are studying the role of oxytocin and its applications in the world of politics, industry and commerce.13
Oxytocin and Induction
Endogenous oxytocin has a plethora of holistic health and well-being benefits for mothers, babies and our wider social relationships, yet in current maternity systems the support needed to encourage our endogenous hormones to flourish appears to be overlooked in favour of the use of synthetic oxytocin and other medical interventions.3, 14 Given our knowledge of the importance of our natural hormonal systems, what inadvertent harm are we causing women and their babies when we intervene unnecessarily in birth?
In the U.K., inductions of labour have increased to 33% (2018/2019) from 20.4 % (2007/8).15 Some women, or their babies, may benefit from induction of labour however all women who are exposed to this intervention are at higher risk of the negative effects of synthetic oxytocin and other interventions that may follow. Worsening maternal mental health and depression within the first year of birth increases by 32% (an additional 2 in every 100 woman) compared to those who were not exposed to synthetic oxytocin, despite no previous history of depressive symptoms.16 Suboptimal mother- baby bonding, feeding issues and the preparedness of the baby to be born are just some of the other concerns.3, 17 With many women reporting coercive and negative language used by clinicians to persuade or even bully women into interventions,18 it is no wonder that women have diminishing faith in their own bodies' ability to birth without interventions.19 A recent perspective in the BJOG has put forward the case for all women to be induced at term,20 however this medicalised point of view has been challenged with evidence that women who have continuous support in labour are less likely to have interventions and are more likely to report a positive birth experience.
Michel Odent has spoken about the case of bulldogs. Because of a desire to genetically alter the bulldogs' physiology and produce a large head, required by breed standards, vaginal birth became problematic, often resulting in death of the pups and the mother through dystocia. Veterinary assistance helped with artificial insemination and caesarean sections to decrease mortality rates. As dogs are able to reproduce quickly, the longitudinal effects of this intervention have become apparent, bulldog mothers have largely become incapable of giving birth without veterinary assistance by caesarean section. It seems intervention and the inevitable manipulation of hormones has decreased the presence of oxytocin and oxytocin receptors in female bulldogs. But, interruption of oxytocin functionality may disturb more than physiological systems. According to a longitudinal study between 1979 and 2009, Psychology graduates in the United States were found to be 40% less empathic than participants studied just a few decades ago.21 While we don't have the evidence to say that this is caused by the increase in induction, enough is now known about these essential complex hormonal systems to understand that unnecessary hindrance could have unpredictable consequences for future generations.2, 6
Oxytocin: Use it or Lose it
The phrase 'use it or lose it' comes to mind when exploring the debate for safely promoting the physiology of childbirth and protecting our endogenous hormones, the same ones that have precipitated our evolution and protected us as a race for millennia. These hormones deserve recognition and respect. They are becoming vulnerable in the face of increasing interventions and medicalisation of birth. Awareness of the importance and complexity of our hormonal systems is continuously growing through the wonderful dedication of researchers and authors referenced in this article. Pregnant and birthing women need accessible information on their hormonal alchemy, these complex hormonal helpers have surprisingly simple and inexpensive requirements to perform their valuable work during birth: a space that feels safe to the birthing woman, and birth attendants who she knows and trusts.
Based in Yorkshire, Tracy Ripley is a pregnancy, birth and postnatal educator, Doula and holistic integrated therapist, specialising in women's reproductive well-being . She also volunteers for AIMS and Doulas Without Borders.
1. Erinriech, B. & English, D. ( 2005). For Her Own Good: 200 Hundred years of Expert Medical Advice to Women .. 2nd Ed. Anchor: New York
2. Odent , M. (2014) 2nd Ed. Childbirth and the Evolution of Homeo Sapiens. London Pinter and Martin.
3. Buckley, S. J. (2015) Executive Summary of Hormonal Physiology of Childbearing: Evidence and Implications for Woman , Babies and Maternity Care. J Perinatal Education 24 (3) 145-153 doi 10: 101891/1058-1243.24.3.145 [online] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4720867/ (Accessed 13.9.19).
4. Davis-Floyd, R. (2001) The Technocratic, Humanistic and Holistic Paradigms of Childbirth :In, Int. J Gynaecol Obstet. 2001 Nov; 75 Suppl 1:S5-S2 3.[online] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11742639 (Accessed 10.7.19).
5. . Young, L. J., & Flanagan-Cato, L. M. (2012). Editorial comment: oxytocin, vasopressin and social behavior. Hormones and behavior, 61(3), 227–229. doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2012.02.019
6. Carter, S. (2019). Oxytocin Vasopressin and Mother Nature [Online] Available at: https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/oxytocin-in-birth/68463/ (Accessed 22.9.19).
7. Tortora, G. J., & Grabowski, S. R. (1996). Principles of anatomy and physiology. New York, NY, HarperCollins College.
8. Moberg, K. et al (2019) Maternal Plasma Levels of Oxytocin during Physiological Childbirth – a systematic review with implications for uterine contractions and central actions for Oxytocin. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth.19. 285. [online] Available at: https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12884-019-2365-9 (Accessed 19.9.19).
9. Hamilton, D. (2017). Oxytocin, The Opposite of Stress. [online] Available at : http://drdavidhamilton.com/category/oxytocin/ (Accessed 6.10.19).
10. Davis , S. (2018) The Conversation: New study finds baby brain is real but we still don't know what causes it. [online] Available at: https://theconversation.com/new-study-finds-baby-brain-is-real-but-were-still-not-sure-what-causes-it-89916 (Accessed 26.9.19).
11. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. (2011) Good Practice 14: Management of women with mental health Issues during pregnancy and the post- natal period. [online] Available at: https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/good-practice-14/ (Accessed 27.9.19).
12. Huffmeijer, K. et al (2013) Aging and oxytocin: A call for extending human oxytocin research to aging populations - a mini review . Gerontology .59.32-39 https://doi.org/10.1159/000341333 [online] Available at: https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/341333# (Accessed 26.9.19).
13. Zak, P., Kurzban, R. and Matzner, W. (2005). "Oxytocin is associated with human trustworthiness". Hormones and Behaviour. 48 (5): 522–527. doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2005.07.009. PMID 16109416.
14. Cecily, Begley (2016) Professor Cecily Begley Explains the Over medicalisation of Childbirth [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agr5OWcmeTw&t=336s (Accessed on 15.9.19).
15. NHS Maternity Statistics 2019-2019 [online] Available at: https://files.digital.nhs.uk/D0/C26F84/hosp-epis-stat-mat-summary-report-2018-19.pdf
16. Kroll-Desrosiers, A. R., Nephew, B. C., Babb, J. A., Guilarte-Walker, Y., Moore Simas, T. A., & Deligiannidis, K. M. (2017). Association of peri-partum synthetic oxytocin administration and depressive and anxiety disorders within the first postpartum year. Depression and anxiety, 34(2), 137–146. doi:10.1002/da.22599
17. Hickey, K. Induction: First do no harm.[online] Available at: https://www.aims.org.uk/journal/item/induction-care-bundles (Accessed 27.9.19).
18. Daguston, J. 'Beware the dead baby card' [online] Available at: https://www.aims.org.uk/journal/item/beware-the-dead-baby-card (Accessed 8.10.19).
19. Wessberg et al, Women Birth. 2019 Apr 1. pii: S1871-5192(18)30244-0. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2019.03.011.
20. Lightly, K. and Weeks, A. D. (2019), Induction of labour should be offered to all women at term. BJOG: Int J Obstet Gy. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.15933 https://www.bmj.com/content/363/bmj.k4319
21. Konrath, S.H., O'Brien, E,H. and Hsing, C. 'Changes in dispositional empathy in American college students over time ; a meta-analysis',Pers Soc Psychol Rev. 2011May ; 15 (2):180-98 Epub 2010. Cited in: Odent , M. (2014) 2nd Ed. Childbirth and the evolution of Homo Sapiens : London Pinter and Martin
Published on 1st December 2019
Interview with… Kemi Johnson Embracing the female body: What can we learn from history?


Vine selection 667 is one of the "Dijon clones" that have recently come to California from the Cote d'Or in Burgundy, France. This vine stock forms tight compact clusters that generate deeper color and more layers of tannin than other Pinot Noirs previously grown in California.
Pinot Noir 667 does especially well on the gentle slopes of our family-owned San Bernabe Vineyard, where heavier, darker soils are reminiscent of 667's ancestral home in Burgundy. What makes this grape different at San Bernabe is the strong afternoon wind that thickens the naturally thin Pinot Noir skins, lending even more color, flavor, and soft tannins to our wine. To achieve greater flavor complexity, we utilize other esteemed vine stocks such as Pinot Noir 777 (also from Dijon, Burgundy), and 115 which provides less structure but contributes extraordinary aromatics. We also source Pinot Noir from nearby vineyards in Monterey's Santa Lucia Highlands and Arroyo Seco AVAs. The grapes are crushed at the winery built right in the vineyard, to better preserve the superior qualities produced by the time-tested vine stock of Noble Vines.
Because the 667 Pinot Noir clone is naturally tannic and concentrated, winemaker James Ewart adopts careful vinification techniques to bring out its best qualities. He cold soaks the crushed grapes (called "must") for two to three days, using gentle pump-overs to bring out the color and flavor without extracting any bitter seed tannins. He also ferments it at cooler temperatures to lock in that deep color and flavor profile. In fact, he says "I treat it more like a white wine." After fermentation and aging in French oak, he blends in lots of additional clones that add specific aromatic qualities to the finished wine. This gentle care results in a balanced, cool-climate Pinot Noir that showcases clone 667's concentrated flavors and supple tannins.


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Virology Journal
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) origin and animal reservoir
Hamzah A. Mohd1,
Jaffar A. Al-Tawfiq2,3 &
Ziad A. Memish1,4
Virology Journal volume 13, Article number: 87 (2016) Cite this article
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a novel coronavirus discovered in 2012 and is responsible for acute respiratory syndrome in humans. Though not confirmed yet, multiple surveillance and phylogenetic studies suggest a bat origin. The disease is heavily endemic in dromedary camel populations of East Africa and the Middle East. It is unclear as to when the virus was introduced to dromedary camels, but data from studies that investigated stored dromedary camel sera and geographical distribution of involved dromedary camel populations suggested that the virus was present in dromedary camels several decades ago. Though bats and alpacas can serve as potential reservoirs for MERS-CoV, dromedary camels seem to be the only animal host responsible for the spill over human infections.
A novel coronavirus was isolated from a Saudi Arabian patient with severe acute respiratory syndrome in June 2012 and the virus was later named Middle East Respiratory Syndrome - Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) [1]. Since then, multiple outbreaks have been reported in or been epidemiologically linked to the Arabian Peninsula. Up to April 18, 2016, the Saudi authorities reported a total of 1386 cases of which 587 died [2]. With a high mortality rate, lack of antiviral treatment, or preventive vaccine, MERS-CoV remains a major public concern.
The first human coronavirus was cultivated in 1965 on human ciliated embryonal tracheal cells [3]. Literature about human coronaviruses was limited up until the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) outbreak in 2002. The interest in coronaviruses reemerged as a hot topic after MERS-CoV outbreaks. Coronaviruses are enveloped, positive stranded RNA viruses classified as a family within the Nidovirales order. They have a crown appearance under the electron microscopy due to the spike protein on the surface. The coronavirus subfamily is classified into genera: alpha, beta, gama, and delta. Human coronaviruses belong to alpha, and beta coronaviruses [4].
MERS-CoV is a lineage C betacoronavirus with a genotype that is very closely related to bat coronaviruses from the same lineage, such as BtCoV-HKU4 and BtCoV-HKU5, though its evolutionary pathway is still unclear [5].
A limited number of coronaviruses is known to cause human disease. Most of known coronaviruses infect and circulate in animals, mainly bats. So when it comes to a new novel coronavirus with limited geographic distribution, one would think of a zoonotic disease with animal reservoir. This proved to be true with SARS and seems to be the case with MERS-CoV. The origin of the virus and the extent of its involvement in both human and animal populations remain hot topics that are being explored with phylogenicity and surveillance studies. In this review we summarize the current evidence about MERS-CoV origin and animal reservoir.
MERS-CoV origin
It is believed that MERS-CoV, like many other coronaviruses, originated in bats. This is based on the isolation of other lineage C beta-coronaviruses that are very closely related to MERS-CoV on phylogenetic analysis [6, 7].
A large screening study for beta-coronaviruses from 5030 bats' fecal specimens was conducted between 2009 and 2011. In that study 4758 bats of ten different species from Ghana, and 272 Pipistrellus bats from four European countries were included [8]. Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect coronavirus RNA. Of the ten bat species tested in Ghana, only Nycteris gambiensis was found to carry 2c beta-coronavirus. A round one fourth of the 185 Nycteris bats tested positive; this accounted for 1 % of whole tested bat's population from Ghana. Of the Pipistrellus bat species tested in Europe, 40 out of 272 (14.7 %) carried 2c beta-coronavirus. Both 2c beta-coronaviruses isolated are genetically very closely related to MERS-CoV. This relatedness indicates that MERS-CoV likely originated from bats [8]. Though the study had a good sample size and screened different geographical areas, none of those areas is known for MERS-CoV infection in humans or domestic animals.
A report from South Africa identified a bat derived coronavirus that has a very close phylogenetic relationship to MERS-CoV [9]. The virus was isolated from a Neoromicia cf. zuluensis bat sampled in 2011 [9]. In Saudi Arabia, bat fecal samples collected in October of 2012 were tested for MERS-CoV RNA. A product obtained by PCR amplification of nucleic acid from a fecal pellet of a Taphozous perforatus bat captured in Bisha showed 100 % nucleotide match to the MERS-CoV cloned from an index case patient living in the same area [10]. Though it was a single 190-nucleotide segment, it does give a clue that MERS-CoV might be circulating in bats and that Taphozous perforatus (Egyptian tomb bat) might be a source of MERS-CoV.
A study of 821 bats captured in Egypt and Lebanon between February 2013 and April 2015 did not detect MERS-CoV in any of the bats sampled [11]. In that study three species: Taphozous perforatus, Pipistrellus deserti, and Rousettus aegyptiacus, were sampled from Egypt, and four species: Rhinolophus hipposideros, Miniopterus schribersii, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, and Rousettus aegyptiacus, were sampled from Lebanon [11]. Serum samples, oral and rectal swabs were collected and tested from live bats. Homogenized lung and liver material was tested from 72 bats that died or were euthanized upon capture [11]. One limitation of this study is that most of the bats screened belong to one species, R. aegyptiacus (85 %), and limited numbers of the other species were tested, especially T. perforatus (10 %).
To further investigate the role of bats as a potential reservoir for MERS-CoV, an experimental study was conducted on Jamaican fruit bat (Artibeus jamaicensis). Ten bats were inoculated through intranasal and intraperitoneal routes with MERS-CoV [12]. All bats showed evidence of infection as they shed the virus from their respiratory and, to a lesser extent, intestinal tract, but none of the bats showed clinical signs of disease [12]. The ability of MERS-CoV to replicate in bats without clinical signs of disease indicates that they can serve as a reservoir for MERS-CoV.
Thus, MERS-CoV, or its immediate ancestor, could have likely originated in bats, and that bats can serve as an ideal reservoir for MERS-CoV. It is difficult to proof that bats are the direct source of human disease, based on the available bats' screening studies. In addition, here is no clear direct contact between bats and humans, especially in Saudi Arabia where most of the cases are being diagnosed. A summary of important studies that screened bats for beta-coronaviruses and MERS-CoV is shown in Table 1.
Table 1 Summary of important studies that screened bats for beta-coronaviruses and MERS-CoV
Animal reservoir
Does MERS-CoV infect dromedary camels? Is there a role for dromedary camels in human disease?
The first evidence to link MERS-CoV to dromedary camels came from a serological study that investigated different animals: dromedary camels, cattle, sheep, goats and various other camelid species. MERS-CoV specific antibodies were only found in dromedary camels [13].
Another evidence to link MERS-CoV to dromedaries was found after two human cases of MERS-CoV infection, diagnosed in October of 2013, and were linked to a farm in Qatar [14]. In response, all the 14 dromedary camels on that farm were tested with RT-PCR. Eleven dromedary camels had positive nasal swabs for MERS-CoV. The nucleotide sequence of an ORF1a fragment and a 4 · 2 kb concatenated fragment of three dromedary camel samples were very similar to the sequence from the two human cases linked to that farm [14]. Another study from Saudi Arabia described a 43 year old male who owned nine dromedary camels and was in direct contact with them up until he was diagnosed with MERS-CoV infection in November 2013 [15]. Four of his dromedary camels were sick before his symptoms started. Cell cultures from a laboratory confirmed dromedary camel and the patient grew genetically identical MERS-CoV viruses [15].
In addition to providing a virological confirmation of MERS-CoV in dromedary camels, the last two studies indicated a potential cross infection between dromedary camels and humans and that the virus could be transmitted from dromedary camels to humans through close contact [14, 15]. A study that obtained the full genome of MERS-CoV from a dromedary camel in Qatar showed that MERS-CoVs from dromedary camel and humans are nearly identical [16].
A nation-wide cross-sectional serological study done in Saudi Arabia between December 1st 2012 and December 1st 2013 in which serum samples from slightly over ten thousand individuals, whom age and sex distribution largely matched the general population, were tested for MERS-CoV antibodies [17]. Positive results were confirmed in 15 individuals (0.15 %). Of note, seropositivity was significantly higher in dromedary camel exposed individuals compared to the rest of the study population; fifteen times higher in shepherds and twenty three times higher in slaughterhouse workers [17]. This study does not only support the theory of dromedary camel role in human infection but also indicates a higher prevalence of human seropositivity than expected, based on reported cases from Saudi Arabia.
In another study, 498 serum samples obtained from Qatar and Europe between 2013 and 2014 were tested for MERS-CoV antibodies. 294 samples were obtained from persons with occupational dromedary camel contact in Qatar; the remaining 204 samples were obtained from persons with no dromedary camel contacts from both Qatar and Europe. Around 7 % of those with dromedary camel contact tested positive for MERS-CoV antibodies, while none of the samples from persons with no dromedary camel contacts tested positive [18].
A case control study assessed differences in environmental exposure between thirty laboratory confirmed primary MERS-CoV cases and 116 controls. The study was conducted between March and November of 2014, and the cases represented 8 out of 13 regions in Saudi Arabia. The study concluded that direct dromedary camel exposure within two weeks of symptoms onset is independently associated with MERS-CoV infection [19].
So the evidence points to a close dromedary camel contact as a major risk for human infection. In order to better understand the ecology of MERS-CoV infection in dromedary camels, three adult dromedary camels were inoculated with a human isolate of MERS-CoV. Each dromedary camel was inoculated though intratracheal, intranasal and conjunctival routes. Transient, primarily upper respiratory tract infection developed in each of the three camels. Each dromedary camel shed large quantities of virus from the upper respiratory tract, evidenced by the presence of infectious viruses in nasal swab samples and, to a lesser extent, in oral samples. No infectious virus or viral RNA was detected in fecal, urine, serum or whole blood samples [20]. After authentication, the virus was recovered from respiratory tissues and some lymph nodes draining the respiratory system of one dromedary camel, but not in any other organs. These findings were consistent with the data from naturally infected dromedary camels [6, 15, 21, 22]. Some studies reported the detection of MERS-CoV virus from fecal specimen, though virus detection rates were far lower than in nasal swab specimens [22–24]. One study in particular reported detection of MERS-CoV RNA in the milk of five out of seven infected dromedary camels [23].
A vaccine expressing the MERS-CoV spike protein was shown to confer mucosal immunity in dromedary camels with evidence of serum neutralizing antibodies and significant reduction in excreted infectious virus and viral RNA transcripts in vaccinated animals [25].
Based on surveillance and epidemiological studies, it is obvious that MERS-CoV infects dromedary camels, which serve as a reservoir with spell over human infections through close dromedary camel contacts [13–15, 17–19, 24]. The exact routes of transmission are not very well understoodbut direct contacts with Dromedary camels or the handling of surfaces or objects contaminated with dromedary camels' respiratory or fecal material may as well pose a risk for infection.
What is the extent of MERS-CoV infection in dromedary camels?
Multiple surveillance studies explored the extent of MERS-CoV infection in dromedaries. Presence of specific MERS-CoV antibodies in dromedary camels' sera was used as an indicator of previous exposure to the virus, while the presence of MERS-CoV RNA material in nasal secretions, usually identified through RT-PCR, indicated current infection and active viral shedding.
Serum samples from 303 dromedary camels from Saudi Arabia were screened in 2013 and found to have a high seropositivity of 72 % to MERS-CoV [21].
All serum samples from 50 dromedary camels in Oman were positive for MERS-CoV specific antibodies [13]. Similar results were reached from a larger study conducted in United Arab Emirates (UAE), where 500 dromedary camels' sera screened in 2013 revealed 96 % seropositivity [26].
In Africa, a study assessed the geographic distribution of MERS-CoV among dromedaries by investigating serum samples from Nigeria, Tunisia, and Ethiopia. In Nigeria, serum samples collected between 2010 and 2011 from 358 adult dromedaries distributed over 4 provinces were tested, and 94 % were positive for MERS-CoV antibodies. In Tunisia, serum samples collected in 2009 and 2013 from 204 dromedaries distributed over 3 provinces were tested and 48.5 % were positive for MERS-CoV. In Ethiopia, 96.3 % of the serum samples collected between 2011 and 2013 from 188 dromedaries, distributed over 3 provinces, were positive for MERS-CoV antibodies [27].
Another study was conducted in Kano, Nigeria in January 2015. Nasal swabs and blood samples were collected from dromedary camels shortly after slaughter at a slaughterhouse. The samples were tested for the presence of MERS-CoV RNA using RT-PCR from nasal swabs. Sera were tested for the presence of specific MERS-CoV antibodies. Of the 132 dromedary camels screened with nasal swabs, 14 were found to carry the virus RNA (11 %). The overall seropositivity was 95 % [28].
A random group of 105 dromedary camels presented for slaughter in Qatar at two occasions in 2014 were sampled for MERS-CoV. Nasal, oral, bronchial and rectal swabs were tested for MERS-CoV. A high proportion (59 %) of them was actively shedding the virus at the time of slaughter. The percentage of positive samples was the highest for nasal samples, followed by oral swabs, fecal swabs, and bronchial swabs. Co-circulation of multiple MERS-CoV variants, evidenced by five different sequence types, demonstrates multiple virus introductions likely related to the flow of new dromedary camels from different origins [24].
Those findings indicate a widespread exposure to MERS-CoV in the dromedary camel populations of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, to the extent that almost every adult dromedary camel got infected at some point in life.
Do dromedary camels differ in their vulnerability to MERS-CoV infection based on age?
Two hundred and three samples from live dromedary camels in Saudi Arabia were collected in 2013 and found to have a high seropositivity (72 %) to MERS-CoV [21]. Seropositivity was higher among adults dromedary camels (two years and older) compared to juvenile dromedary camels (less than two years of age), 95 % vs. 55 % respectively [21]. Increasing seropositivity with age might be related to increased likelihood of exposure and subsequent infection over time.
In the same study, 202 dromedary camels' nasal swabs were tested for the presence of MERS-CoV RNA material using RT-PCR; 25 % were positive. In other words, one fourth of the tested dromedary camel population was shedding the virus and was potentially infectious. Of those shedding the virus 71 % were juvenile and 29 % were adult dromedary camels older than two years [21]. The results indicate that juvenile dromedary camels might be at higher risk of contracting the virus. An explanation could be that they are naive to the virus and lack neutralizing antibodies.
When was the virus introduced to dromedary camels?
In an attempt to investigate the time frame of MERS-CoV introduction to dromedary camel population, multiple studies screened stored serum samples. 100 % seropositivity was found in 151 dromedary camel serum samples obtained in 2003 from UAE dromedary camels [26]. Archived serum samples, obtained from dromedary camels in Saudi Arabia from1992 through 2010, were found to have a high seropositivity ranging from 72 % to 100 % [21]. 189 stored dromedary camel serum samples from Egypt, collected in 1997, and from Sudan and Somalia, collected between 1983 and 1984, were tested, and 81 % were found to have neutralizing antibodies to MERS-CoV [29]. Another study from Kenya showed similar results [30]. This implies that MERS-CoV has been heavily endemic in both the Middle East and East Africa's dromedary camels for decades.
In addition to evaluating MERS-CoV distribution and the infection burden in dromedary camel populations, screening different geographic areas might also help predict when MERS-CoV was introduced to dromedary camels. Historically and up to the early twentieth century, both dromedary and bactrian camels played a vital role in carrying passengers and goods in North Africa, the Middle East, and East Asia. For the same reason, they were imported to Australia in the nineteenth century. After the invention of automobile and the use of trains, use and travel of dromedary and bactrian camels between countries was limited.
Serum samples collected from 105 dromedary camels living in the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago located just off the southern coast of Morocco, between 2012 and 2013 were tested, and 14 % were found to have antibodies against MERS-CoV [13]. This indicates that a small proportion of Canary Island dromedary camels were exposed to the virus at some point in time. This low percentage, compared to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, might be related to the isolated nature of the Canary Islands, as they are off the West African coast and are governed by Spain. Those two factors might limit the interaction of the island's dromedary camels with those from other parts of Africa. This theory was later supported by another study conducted in early 2015. In this study, a representative sample of 170 dromedary camels on the Canary Islands was investigated; only 4.1 % were seropositive for MERS-CoV. All the seropositive dromedary camels were imported from Africa 20 or more years prior. This led to the conclusion that active infection and shedding didn't take place on the Canary Islands [31].
In an attempt to screen feral camels in Australia, 307 dromedary camels' sera from two different locations were sampled between December 2013 and June 2014. All tested negative for specific MERS-CoV antibodies [32].
In Kazakhstan 550 camels' sera: 455 dormeday and 95 bactrian, camels with two humps (Camelus bactrianus), were screened for MERS-CoV between February and March 2015, and all tested negative [33]. Another surveillance study was conducted in southern Mongolia in November of 2014. In that study, 210 bactrian camels from 12 herds were screened. All samples tested negative, and the study concluded that MERS-CoV was not present in bactrian camels of the screened areas [34].
A serological and virological surveillance study of ten bactrian camel herds in three areas of the West of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (IMAR) was conducted in 2015. One hundred and ninety Bactrian camels were sampled; nasal swab and serum samples were collected from each Bactrian camel. All samples turned negative and the study concluded that there was no MERS-CoV circulating among Bactrian camels in the West IMAR [35].
Based on the above studies, it seems that MERS-CoV infection is limited to dromedary camel populations in Africa and the Middle East. This may indicate that dromedary camel infection could have been introduced at a point in time when the dromedary camel caravans between Asia, Middle East, and Africa were no longer active.
Are there other domestic animal reservoirs for MERS-CoV?
In an attempt to investigate the possibility of other reservoirs, multiple domestic animal populations were screened. In a serological study, conducted in Saudi Arabia between 2010 and 2013, sera from 100 sheep, 45 goats, 50 cattle, and 240 chickens representing different geographical areas within the country were collected. All samples tested negative for MERS-CoV [36]. In another study, serum samples from 36 goats and 102 sheep from central Saudi Arabia tested negative for MERS-CoV antibodies as well [21]. In 2013 a similar study was conducted in Jordan. None of the 150 goats, 126 sheep and 91 cows tested was found positive for MERS-CoV antibodies [37]. Sera from European sheep, goats, and cattle had no evidence of MERS-CoV antibodies as well [13].
Equids were also screened for MERS-CoV antibodies. 192 adult horse samples from UAE and 861 samples from Spain (697 horses, 82 donkeys, and 82 mules) were screened. All were seronegative for MERS-CoV [38].
Dromedary camels seemed to be the only domestic animal reservoir for MERS-CoV up until a recent study conducted in Qatar in April of 2015 investigated the MERS-CoV infection status of 15 healthy alpacas (Vicugna pacos) in a herd of 20 that shared a barn complex with dromedaries. All tested alpacas were seropositive to MERS-CoV (100 %). Of note, MERS-CoV is endemic in Qatar's dromedaries, and nine out of ten dromedary camels that shared the same barn complex were seropositive for MERS-CoV [39]. This indicates the susceptibility of alpacas for natural MERS-CoV infection and the potential for a new MERS-CoV animal reservoir. Of note, a previous study found no evidence for MERS-CoV infection in alpacas from regions where MERS-CoV is not endemic [13].
In another study 3 alpacas were experimentally infected through intranasal insulation of MERS-CoV viruses. All got infected and shed the virus; they also transmitted the infection to two out of three other alpacas that shared the same room. Similar to dromedary camels, infected alpacas didn't develop fever, but unlike dromedary camels, none of the alpacas had any observable nasal discharge over the course of infection. All infected animals were able to mount neutralizing antibodies to MERS-CoV [40].
Those studies indicate that alpacas, similar to dromedary camels, can be infected and potentially serve as a reservoir.
Our experience with MERS-CoV is of zoonotic nature, transmitted to humans from infected dromedary camels. The origin of MERS-CoV viral infection is not very well understood. It could have originated in bats and transmitted to dromedary camels at some unknown time in the past.
The virus seems to be well maintained in dromedaries, which serve as a reservoir with a spill over human infections. Sporadic human cases in areas where MERS-CoV is endemic in dromedary camels are likely to continue to happen.
The awareness of the disease and the easy access to a more developed health care system could explain the higher incidence of MERS-CoV diagnosis in Saudi Arabia compared to other countries in Africa where the disease is likely to be overlooked.
Larger scale serological screening of human populations in areas where MERS-CoV is endemic in dromedary camels should be considered. More extensive screening of bats in Saudi Arabia and East Africa, especially the Egyptian tomb bat, needs to be considered. Screening dromedary camel populations in Africa (Sahara desert and surrounding areas), and East Asia (Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran) will help better delineate the geographical distribution of dromedaries involvement.
Experimental MERS-CoV inoculation of other domestic animals will help define predisposed groups and should be considered so as to guide screening efforts for other potential reservoirs.
IMAR, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region; MERS-CoV, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome - Coronavirus; RT-PCR, Reverse Transcription - Polymerase Chain Reaction; SARS-CoV, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome - Coronavirus; UAE, United Arab Emirates
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HM carried the literature review and wrote the first draft, JAT and ZAM finalized the manuscript and the literature review. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Saudi Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Hamzah A. Mohd & Ziad A. Memish
Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
Jaffar A. Al-Tawfiq
Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, P.O. Box 54146, Riyadh, 11514, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ziad A. Memish
Hamzah A. Mohd
Correspondence to Ziad A. Memish.
Mohd, H.A., Al-Tawfiq, J.A. & Memish, Z.A. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) origin and animal reservoir. Virol J 13, 87 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-016-0544-0
Dromedary
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
Coronaviruses: emerging and re-emerging pathogens in humans and animals


text:
EDWARD AND EMILY (EMMA/EMILA) DUMAUX GAZETTE
Edward Gazette was born February 20, 1835 in Vermont to Joseph and Elizabeth Roebear Gazette. Edward married Emily Dumaux in 1855. Emily was born November 1838 in Quebec, Canada to Francis and Eliza Roberts/Robore/Robro Dumaux.
Edward and Emily had the following children:
Ellen "Ella" Gazette was born May 25, 1858 in Shoreham Township, Addison County, Vermont. She married Hartley J. Warner on April 27, 1875 in Richland Township, Saginaw County, Michigan. Ella died July 20, 1933 and is buried in Lakefield Township Cemetery.
Emma Gazette was born May 28, 1860 in Shoreham Township, Addison County, Vermont.
Eliza Gazette was born August 10, 1861 in Vermont. She married Felix Carpenter around 1886. Eliza Carpenter died on March 24, 1916 in St. Louis, Gratiot County, Michigan. She was living with her husband Felix Carpenter, and her father, Edward Gazette in Jonesfield Township, (Merrill), Saginaw County, Michigan at the time of her death.
Mary Gazette was born in 1864 in Ontario, Canada. She married William Caton on October 22, 1881 in East Saginaw, Saginaw County, Michigan. Mary Caton died on August 16, 1938 in Aberdeen, Grays Harbor, Washington.
Jane "Jenny" Gazette was born in Ontario, Canada. She married William Blanchard on November 28, 1888 in Bay City, Bay County, Michigan. Jenny died January 20, 1935 in South Colby, Kitsap County, Washington.
Edward Gazette Jr. was born in 1868 in Ontario, Canada. He married Anna Phelps on July 29, 1888 in Merrill, Saginaw County, Michigan. Edward Jr. died March 29, 1925 in Wheeler, Gratiot County, Michigan.
Marshall Gazette was born August 8, 1870 in Ontario, Canada.
Marguerite L."Maggie" Gazette was born September 17, 1872. She married John Tribfelner in 1890. Maggie died on April 3, 1948 in Lakefield Township and is buried in the Lakefield Cemetery.
William Gazette was born September 1874 in Michigan.
Frances "Frank" Gazette was born October 20/22, 1876 in Lakefield Township. Frank married May Jones on May 7, 1898. He, also, married Sarah Parker. Frank died November 15, 1940 and is buried in Wheeler Township Cemetery, Gratiot County, Michigan.
Twin – Miles Gazette was born July 21, 1878 in Lakefield Township and died November 11, 1878 in Lakefield Township.
Twin – James Gazette was born July 21, 1878 in Lakefield Township.
Edward served in the Civil War as a Private in Company K 2nd Regiment in the Vermont Infantry.
Edward, Emily, Ellen, Emma and Eliza moved to Ontario, Canada by 1861, where Edward was a farmer. Edward moved his entire family back to the United States by 1871; they lived in Michigan.
On July 15, 1884, the United States General Land Office in accordance with the Homestead Act of May 20, 1862 granted Edward Gazette (Homestead certificate #1392, application #3209) the tract of land on the Southwest Quarter of Section Ten in Township Eleven North Range One East, in the district of lands subject to sale at East Saginaw, Michigan containing one hundred and sixty (160) acres. This property was located on the east side of Fenmore Road between Swan Creek and Roosevelt Roads in Lakefield Township. Signed by Chester A. Arthur.
In 1880, Edward owned 5 acres of tilled land and 155 acres of woodland or forest in Lakefield Township.
According to the United States Soldiers of the Civil War, in 1894 Edward Gazette was residing in the Village of Merrill, Jonesfield Township, Saginaw County, Michigan.
In 1896 Edward still owned 80 acres of land in Section Ten of Lakefield Township. His neighbors were: George Rigg, Joseph Tolfree, Louise Baker, George Long, George Trudgeon, John Baker, F.H. Cooper, Francis Dumaux, William Dumaux and Felix Carpenter.
In 1896, Edward also owned 20 acres of land in the Village of Merrill, Jonesfield Township, Saginaw County, Michigan. His neighbors were his son-in-law, F. Carpenter, John Shannon, J. Robinson, E.D. Franklin, John Girard, and A.D. Kinon.
On the 1916 Village of Merrill Plat Map, Edward Gazette owned 20 acres in the Village of Merrill (Jonesfield Township), Saginaw County, Michigan. The land was located on the corner of Shannon Street and Anderson Street which was between Midland Street (Merrill Road) and Mills Street.
Emily died on February 24, 1909 and Edward died November 26, 1916. At the time of Edward's death, he was living with his son-in-law, Felix Carpenter, in Jonesfield Township, Saginaw County, Michigan. Edward's daughter, Eliza Carpenter had died on March 24, 1916, the same year Edward died.
Emily Gazette is buried in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Lakefield Township, Saginaw County, Michigan. Edward Gazette is buried in Wheeler Township Cemetery, Gratiot County, Michigan.
SOURCES: Civil War Records; James and Miles birth record; Emma Gazette's birth record, Ellen Gazette's birth record; Frances Gazette's birth record; Jenny Gazette's marriage record; Frank Gazette's marriage records; Edward Gazette Jr.'s marriage record; Eliza Gazette's marriage record; 1880 Michigan Agriculture Census, 1896 Lakefield Plat Map and Lakefield Township Plat Map; 1916 Village of Merrill Plat Map; United States General Land Office Homestead Act Records; 1871 Ontario, Canada Census; Anna Gazette's obituary, Frank Gazette's obituary; Edward Gazette Jr.'s death record; Maggie Gazette Tribfelner's obituary and death record; Edward Gazette Sr.'s death record; Emily Dumaux Gazette's death record; Elizabeth "Eliza" Gazette Carpenter's obituary; Miles Gazette's death record; Jenny Gazette Blanchard's death record; Mary Gazette Caton's death record; Emma Gazette's death record.


Italy - Cadac Holdings Ltd., Luton, Beds. UK. CADAC and Outline co-hosted a four-day international distributor event at the end of September. The event held in the Pala Banco di Brecia, in Lombardia, Italy, saw the legendary live sound companies present a rolling schedule of product demonstrations, and 'breakout' hands-on demos and workshops.
The live product demonstrations, in the main auditorium, saw CADAC's new CDC eight digital production console driving Outline's advanced GTO C-12, Mantas and Mini-Compass line array systems. While the breakout workshop sessions, in an adjoin room, featured an additional CDC eight system, the CDC four compact digital console and new LIVE1 analogue desk.