Hasil untuk "Veterinary medicine"

Hannah F. Nicholson, Christopher Zdyrski, Christina M. Leyson et al.

Abstract High pathogenicity avian influenza viruses pose a growing threat to poultry, livestock, wildlife, and humans as they undergo accelerated expansion of host and geographical ranges. Since 2020, these viruses have driven a panzootic characterized by extensive viral diversification and spillover into species previously considered to be resistant. There is currently a lack of physiologically relevant in vitro models that can be used to screen the rapidly changing viral landscape. To address this need, we describe the first chicken lung organoids derived from adult stem cells of specific pathogen free White Leghorns. We analyze their gene expression with bulk RNA sequencing, confirm their cellular heterogeneity via single-nuclei RNA sequencing, and provide basic morphological characterization using hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicate that the organoids contained several cell types, including non-ciliated columnar, cuboidal, squamous, and mucin-producing cells, representative of different regions of the avian respiratory system. Furthermore, expression of genes relevant to influenza A virus infection and replication appeared to be conserved across organoid and tissue samples. Infections revealed that chicken lung organoids support robust replication of both low and high pathogenicity avian influenza A viruses, with high pathogenicity strains showing more rapid amplification. Therefore, these organoids have the potential to effectively model viral infection, enabling the investigation of viral pathogenesis and evolutionary potential, virus-host interactions, and antiviral targets.

Dickson Stuart Tayebwa, Dickson Stuart Tayebwa, Colin Ssekandi et al.

IntroductionUganda ranks among the top ten countries globally for reported dog bites, with an average of 14,865 cases annually, and records an estimated 486 human rabies deaths per year—partly due to the overwhelming number of free-roaming dogs (FRDs). Given that FRDs stem from societal mismanagement, sustainable control strategies must be rooted in meaningful community involvement. However, such community-based data remains largely unavailable in Uganda, hindering efforts to manage the growing FRD population.MethodsWe conducted a structured survey of 3,307 participants split between selected urban and rural areas in Uganda in 2023 to assess public attitudes and perceptions toward FRDs. Respondents were also asked to suggest appropriate control measures. We used chi-square tests to analyze sociodemographic differences and logistic regression to identify factors associated with attitudes toward FRDs.ResultsThe results showed that 81.9% of urban and 64.9% of rural respondents encountered FRDs daily. Attitudes toward FRDs were predominantly negative: 81.8% of respondents considered them a public health threat, and 57.1% viewed them as a nuisance. However, 76.3% also expressed empathy toward roaming dogs. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that positive attitudes toward FRDs were associated with having a religious background, higher income, lower education levels, and residence in rural areas. Community-suggested control strategies included sterilization, public education on responsible dog ownership, and, controversially, poisoning.DiscussionThe findings highlight strong community awareness of the FRD issue, particularly as two of the top proposed measures—sterilization and public education—align with the World Organisation for Animal Health’s (WOAH) recommended strategies for managing roaming dog populations. Authorities can leverage the prevailing negative perceptions to design and implement humane, community-supported control strategies. Simultaneously, those who express empathy toward FRDs can be encouraged to translate their concern into proactive measures that reduce roaming behaviour.

Taoxun Zhou, Bingying Zhang, Runxin Zhu et al.

Macrophages execute host defense against pathogens by releasing extracellular traps (METs) composed of DNA meshwork and antimicrobial proteins. Although MET-mediated pathogen immobilization is well documented, the induction mechanisms of MET generation by helminth parasites remain elusive. Here, we demonstrate that Strongyloides stercoralis larvae induce rapid chromatin extrusion in murine macrophages. Unlike neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation, MET formation does not require NADPH oxidase and exhibits distinct ultrastructural characteristics, including endoplasmic reticulum vesiculation, perinuclear space dilation, and inner nuclear membrane budding. Phosphoproteomic analysis revealed that MET formation is coordinately regulated by ERK and AKT signaling, F-actin cytoskeletal remodeling, histone acetylation, and phosphorylation of nuclear envelope (NE) proteins. Specifically, we show that protein kinase C zeta isoform (PKCζ)-mediated lamin A/C phosphorylation drives the NE budding and subsequent DNA expulsion. This work represents the first systematic delineation of the cellular dynamics and molecular machinery underlying MET formation, providing new insights into macrophage-directed anti-helminth immunity.

Ahmed S. Mandour, Haney Samir, Ahmed Farag et al.

Abstract Introduction The intraventricular pressure gradient (IVPG) measured by color M-mode echocardiography (CMME) and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) have emerged as novel imaging techniques for heart function evaluation. Various experimental and clinical studies have been conducted on animals, but reports on ruminant species are limited. Objectives This study aimed to determine the concomitant changes in IVPG and 2D-STE in goats before and after sedation and highlight the relationship between the parameters obtained from the two imaging techniques. Methods Ten male goats were included and the full conventional echocardiographic protocol, including 2D, M-mode, spectral Doppler, tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), 2D-STE, and CMME were performed before and after sedation with xylazine (50 ug /kg BW/IM). The analysis of 2D-STE at the apical and mid-levels of the left ventricle and the IVPG were assessed using special software. Results The results showed good quality data obtained for the evaluation of heart functions through conventional echocardiography, CMME, and 2D-STE. Xylazine administration significantly reduces mitral inflow and TDI velocities as well as the total IVPG and basal IVPG. (P < 0.05). Sedation also significantly disturbed the contractility of the segmental myocardium at the mid and apical levels. The radial and circumferential strains and strain rates, in addition to the synchrony time index, were reduced accordingly (p < 0.05). Conclusion This study utilizes two novel imaging techniques to assess changes observed in cardiac function in goats after sedation. Xylazine, an α2-agonist, induces loading alterations that disproportionately affect wall mechanics, reducing circumferential and radial shortening as well as IVPG parameters. Our findings confirm that CMME and 2D-STE are sensitive tools to detect subtle, region-specific alterations in the IVPG and myocardial function, respectively, in ruminants, complementing conventional echocardiographic indices. This may have important implications for both clinical monitoring and experimental designs where α₂-adrenergic agonists are employed.

John Cassius Moreki, Shame Bhawa, Leungo P. Kamwanga et al.

Although quail farming is still in its infancy in Africa, it is commonly practiced in Asia, with China producing about 38% of global production. About 10% of the world’s egg production comes from quail, while their meat represents about 0.2% of the global poultry meat production. This review presents the status of quail farming in Africa and highlights the sub-sector’s challenges and opportunities. Quail farming is one of the least exploited poultry sub-sectors on the African continent; hence, there is limited production and consumption data. The consumption of quail meat and eggs is still low in Africa, but these have the potential to flourish as people become more aware of their nutritional and health benefits. As an evolving industry with great potential, quail farming faces many challenges, including a lack of access to markets, lack of access to credit, inadequate extension support, unavailability of specific quail feeds, and poor housing. Many opportunities exist in feed manufacturing, expanding existing hatcheries and establishing new ones, establishing breeding and rearing facilities, and further processing of quail meat and eggs. Some potential identified challenges include intensifying farmer education, forming cooperative societies to improve market access, developing support programs to encourage farmers to venture into quail farming, and investing in affordable and durable housing to mitigate theft, predation and escaping. We conclude that African governments should consider encouraging quail farming, as it has the potential to play an important role in income generation, job creation and food and nutrition security.

Antonia Troillet, Doreen Scharner

Cecocolic intussusceptions are a rare condition of acute colic in horses requiring immediate surgical intervention due to persistent uncontrollable pain and ongoing ischemic cecal necrosis. Particularly in cases where reduction of the intussusception is surgically not feasible surgical interventions such as partial typhlectomy through colotomy (partial cecal amputation) combined with or without cecal bypass techniques are described. Alternatively, surgical interventions can also be performed without partial typhlectomy via incomplete bypass ileocolostomy. Information regarding applicable techniques and outcomes base on sparse literature of single case reports or small case series. Therefore, this case series aims to add more cases treated with incomplete bypass ileocolostomy without typhlectomy to existing literature and to compare the outcome by reviewing medical records from January 2009 to March 2024 in context to literature. Five horses were surgically treated and were followed-up between 1 and 9 years. Minor short-term complications were recorded during hospitalization such as transient mild colic and febrile episodes. Long-term outcome revealed that horses received or exceed their previous level of use. By adding the hereby presented cases to published data horses treated with ileocolostomy without partial typhlectomy had a long-term survival rate of 100%. However, numbers of published cases are still low with 49 horses being included in the literature review whereof 42 recovered from surgery. The overall long-term survival rate was 53%. The added value of this study is based on the comprehensive documentation of a cohort of five horses successfully treated with an incomplete bypass procedure, demonstrating favorable long-term outcomes. Furthermore, the study advances the surgical technique by implementing the closure of mesenteric gap. The evidence for the application of the surgical technique has been strengthened.

Holly K. Kindsvater, Maria‐José Juan‐Jordá, Nicholas K. Dulvy et al.

Abstract Understanding how growth and reproduction will adapt to changing environmental conditions is a fundamental question in evolutionary ecology, but predicting the responses of specific taxa is challenging. Analyses of the physiological effects of climate change upon life history evolution rarely consider alternative hypothesized mechanisms, such as size‐dependent foraging and the risk of predation, simultaneously shaping optimal growth patterns. To test for interactions between these mechanisms, we embedded a state‐dependent energetic model in an ecosystem size‐spectrum to ask whether prey availability (foraging) and risk of predation experienced by individual fish can explain observed diversity in life histories of fishes. We found that asymptotic growth emerged from size‐based foraging and reproductive and mortality patterns in the context of ecosystem food web interactions. While more productive ecosystems led to larger body sizes, the effects of temperature on metabolic costs had only small effects on size. To validate our model, we ran it for abiotic scenarios corresponding to the ecological lifestyles of three tuna species, considering environments that included seasonal variation in temperature. We successfully predicted realistic patterns of growth, reproduction, and mortality of all three tuna species. We found that individuals grew larger when environmental conditions varied seasonally, and spawning was restricted to part of the year (corresponding to their migration from temperate to tropical waters). Growing larger was advantageous because foraging and spawning opportunities were seasonally constrained. This mechanism could explain the evolution of gigantism in temperate tunas. Our approach addresses variation in food availability and individual risk as well as metabolic processes and offers a promising approach to understand fish life‐history responses to changing ocean conditions.

V. Melnychuk, V. Yevstafieva, I. Kolomak et al.

Feather mites (Acariformes, Astigmata) are a large group of species in which mites of the genus Proctophyllodes Robin, 1868. Analgoidea are among the most common parasites of passerines. These mites are permanent obligate ectoparasites localized on the flight feathers, greater wing coverts, and on the tail. Most species of feather mites are characterized by high host specificity. The taxonomy and fauna of feather mites of the genus Proctophyllodes, and their morphological identification characters in different countries of the world are still a matter of research. The aim of our work was to describe the morphological features and metric parameters of feather mites of the species P. musicus Vitzthum, 1922, isolated from the common blackbird Turdus merula Linnaeus, 1758 in Ukraine. 32 parameters are determined in males and females of P. musicus mites, which characterize both their general structure of the body and sexual dimorphism. The structure and sizes of the body, gnathosoma, idiosoma, prodorsal and hysteronotal shields, epimerites I, setae cp and c3, and the distance between setae of the scapula se–se and si–si are described. In males, the sizes of adanal sucker discs, epigastric shields, genital arch, setae ps2, h3, h2, the distance between setae 4a–4a, g–g, ps3–ps3, ps1–ps1 are additionally described and determined. Lamellae in males are wide, tongue-shaped, do not overlap. The aedeagus is short, slightly extending beyond the posterior margin of the genital arch. In female mites, the dimensions of the lobar shield, terminal appendages, and terminal recess are additionally described and determined, taking into account the location of setae ps1, h2, the dimensions of setae cp, c3, h3, h2, the distance between setae h1–h1, the distance between hysteronotal and lobar shields. The mite eggs were measured in the body of the female and on the feathers of the birds. The scientific data obtained in this study expand the already existing data on morphological and metric characters of feather mites of the species P. musicus (Proctophyllodidae) isolated from the common blackbird.

Alberto Falco, Mikolaj Adamek, Patricia Pereiro et al.

The high proliferation of microorganisms in aquatic environments has allowed their coevolution for billions of years with other living beings that also inhabit these niches. Among the different existing types of interaction, the eternal competition for supremacy between the susceptible species and their pathogens has selected, as part of the effector division of the immune system of the former ones, a vast and varied arsenal of efficient antimicrobial molecules, which is highly amplified by the broad biodiversity radiated, above any others, at the marine habitats. At present, the great recent scientific and technological advances already allow the massive discovery and exploitation of these defense compounds for therapeutic purposes against infectious diseases of our interest. Among them, antimicrobial peptides and antimicrobial metabolites stand out because of the wide dimensions of their structural diversities, mechanisms of action, and target pathogen ranges. This revision work contextualizes the research in this field and serves as a presentation and scope identification of the Special Issue from <i>Marine Drugs</i> journal “The Immune System of Marine Organisms as Source for Drugs against Infectious Diseases”.

Zhiming Zhang, Song Zhang, Kangkang Nie et al.

We investigated the effect and interaction of lysolecithin (LPL) and nutrition level on growth performance, nutrient ileal digestibility, expression of growth-related genes and nutrient transporter genes in broilers. A total of 1280 one day old Ross 308 mixed sex chicks with an average body weight 42.23 ± 2.4 g were randomly allotted into 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (20 replicates per treatment and 16 chickens per replicate) with two types of diet (Normal nutrition treatments starter, grower and finisher diets with ME of 3000 kcal/kg, 3100 kcal/kg and 3200 kcal/kg, respectively, and CP level of 22%, 21%, and 20%, respectively; high nutrition treatments diets with 50 kcal/kg ME and 0.5% CP higher than normal nutrition treatment at each stage). Two levels of LPL supplementation (0 and 500 mg/kg) were also employed. From day 21 to day 35 and full stage of the experiment, the birds fed a high nutrition (HN) diet had a greater body weight gain (BWG) and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) than those fed a normal nutrition (NN) diet (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Besides, lysolecithin increased BWG significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The birds fed a diet with LPL revealed increasing fat digestibility compared to birds fed the basal diet (<i>p</i> < 0.05). LPL significantly increased the ileal digestibility of amino acids, including Ile, Thr, Phe, His, Arg, Tyr, Glu, Pro, Gly, Ala (<i>p</i> < 0.05). No interaction was found between LPL and nutrition level in BWG, FCR and nutrient digestibility. In HN diet, the genes expression of myogenic differentiation 1 (MYOD1), myogenin (MYOG), cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36), fatty acid-binding protein (FABP1), cationic amino acid transporter 1 (CAT1) and Y + L amino acid transporter 1 (y+, LAT1) were significantly elevated via LPL supplementation (<i>p</i> < 0.05). In NN diet, LPL significantly increased the genes expression of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), MYOD1 and y+, LAT1 (<i>p</i> < 0.05). In conclusion, upregulating the nutrients transporter gene and growth-related gene expression of the host, independent of nutrition level changes, may be the action mechanism of lysolecithin on growth promotion in animals.