Chicken coccidia can suppress the host immune response through CD4+CD25+ T cells, compromising the effectiveness of immune prophylaxis and potentially leading to immune failure. However, the role of chicken CD4+CD25+ T cells in chicken coccidia infection is not well understood. This study aimed to elucidate the immunomodulatory function of CD4+CD25+ T cells during Eimeria maxima infection and assess the impact of CD25+ cell depletion on immune response and infection outcomes. The study comprised three trials: (1) examining CD4+CD25+ T cells and cytokine changes post-E. maxima infection, (2) assessing the impact of in vitro CD25+ cell depletion on the immunomodulatory function of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and (3) evaluating the effects of in vivo CD25+ cell depletion on PBMC function and E. maxima infection. The results revealed that E. maxima infection significantly increased CD4+CD25+ T cell proportions in PBMCs and spleen, along with upregulated mRNA levels of IL-10, TGF-β and IL-4. In vitro CD25+ cell depletion enhanced PBMC proliferation as well as Th1, Th2 and Th17 response. In vivo CD25+ cell depletion partially disrupted E. maxima infection, as evidenced by reduced weight loss, alleviated intestinal lesions, lower oocyst shedding, and an anticoccidial index (ACI) exceeding 120. In conclusion, E. maxima infection upregulates CD4+CD25+ T cells along with their associated cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-β) and the surface molecule CTLA-4; and the depletion of CD25+ cells restores protective Th responses (Th1, Th2 and Th17), while blockade of CD25 in vivo mitigates the E. maxima infection process. This study demonstrates the immunomodulatory role of CD4+CD25+ T cells during E. maxima infection, providing key insights for elucidating the immune evasion mechanisms of this parasite.
Non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) in plant-based swine diets can reduce nutrient availability, and the use of exogenous NSP-degrading enzymes has been proposed as a practical approach to improve digestive utilization. This study examined the effects of a commercial enzyme mixture through both in vitro assessment and an in vivo trial in nursery pigs. The in vitro evaluation of seven commercial diets showed that enzyme supplementation increased dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, and crude fiber digestibility, with the most notable improvements observed in finisher, gestating, and lactating diets. In the in vivo experiment, pigs fed the enzyme-supplemented diet showed higher average daily gain (464 vs. 361 g/d; <i>p</i> = 0.07) and an improved feed conversion ratio (1.82 vs. 2.39; <i>p</i> = 0.07), together with numerically greater cecal butyrate concentration (2.13 vs. 1.06 mmol/dL; <i>p</i> = 0.10) and increased villous height in the jejunum and ileum. Although these responses did not reach statistical significance, they represent consistent trends that align with the in vitro findings and suggest potential benefits in nutrient utilization and gut morphology. Overall, the results indicate that NSP enzyme supplementation may support digestive function under specific dietary conditions, particularly in diets containing moderate to high NSP levels, and provide useful information for its practical application in swine nutrition.
Astaxanthin has attracted considerable interest, owing to its potent antioxidant and pigmentation properties. To investigate its effects of astaxanthin on body color variation in <i>Lutjanus erythropterus</i>, fish were divided into a control group and a treatment group fed an astaxanthin-supplemented diet. Body color parameters, growth performance, and liver antioxidant enzyme activities were measured at the end of the experiment. Tissues, including skin, intestine, liver, and blood, were subsequently collected for transcriptome sequencing. The results demonstrate that the astaxanthin-treatment group exhibited significantly enhanced body coloration alongside improved body length, body weight, and specific growth rate compared to the control group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Specifically regarding the red–green value (a*), the treatment group showed significantly higher values on the ventral skin, dorsal skin, and gill cover (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The yellow–blue (b*) and lightness (L*) values were also significantly elevated in the ventral skin and gill cover (<i>p</i> < 0.05), although no significant differences were observed in the dorsal skin (<i>p</i> > 0.05). The skin was identified as the tissue with the highest total carotenoid content. Astaxanthin supplementation enhanced liver antioxidant capacity, evidenced by significantly elevated total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity and significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the treatment group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Catalase (CAT) activity did not differ significantly between groups (<i>p</i> > 0.05). Transcriptomic analysis identified several coloration-associated genes, such as bco1, bco2, gstt1, and gstz1. It also revealed significant enrichment in key metabolic pathways (fatty acid, cholesterol, and retinol metabolism) and signaling pathways (PPAR and PI3K-Akt). Furthermore, the expression of multiple solute-carrier family members and apolipoproteins was detected, with notable enrichment in lipid digestion and absorption, cholesterol metabolism, and several key immune-related signaling pathways. These findings provide a theoretical basis for understanding the molecular mechanisms of carotenoid-mediated pigmentation in <i>L. erythropterus</i>.
Diego Alejandro Benavides-Sánchez, Jorge Eliecer Pérez-Monroy, Sandra Blas-Yañez
El queso Paipa, único queso madurado de leche cruda de vaca con Denominación de Origen (DO) en Colombia, refleja una calidad diferenciada sustentada en un paisaje cultural ganadero particular. Sin embargo, no existen estudios que definan ni documenten este paisaje como una unidad estructurada que respalde dicha diferenciación. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar los factores naturales, productivos y socioculturales que configuran el paisaje cultural ganadero en los municipios de Paipa y Sotaquirá, con el fin de comprender su contribución a la diferenciación territorial del queso Paipa protegido con DO. Se empleó un enfoque exploratorio-descriptivo, combinando observación participante, encuestas y entrevistas en 24 sistemas productivos de los municipios de Paipa y Sotaquirá durante los años 2023 y 2024. Los hallazgos revelan que las condiciones de alta montaña, el uso de razas adaptadas, las prácticas de pastoreo con forraje fresco y el conocimiento tradicional transmitido en entornos familiares, son componentes centrales del paisaje cultural ganadero. Estos elementos permiten avanzar en la comprensión del vínculo entre territorio, sistema productivo y diferenciación agroalimentaria del queso Paipa.
The various strains of influenza virus cause respiratory symptoms in humans every year and annual vaccinations are recommended. Due to its RNA-type genes and segmented state, it belongs to a virus that mutates frequently with antigenic drift and shift, giving rise to various strains. Each year, the World Health Organization identifies the epidemic strains and operates a global surveillance system to suggest the viral composition for the influenza vaccine. Influenza viruses, which have multiple viral strains, are produced in the format of multivalent vaccine. However, the multivalent vaccine has a possibility of causing immune interference by introducing multiple strain-specific antigens in a single injection. Therefore, evaluating immune interference phenomena is essential when assessing multivalent vaccines. In this study, the protective ability and immunogenicity of multivalent and monovalent vaccines were evaluated in mice to assess immune interference in the multivalent vaccine. Monovalent and multivalent vaccines were manufactured using the latest strain of the 2022–2023 seasonal influenza virus selected by the World Health Organization. The protective abilities of both types of vaccines were tested through hemagglutination inhibition test. The immunogenicity of multivalent and monovalent vaccines were tested through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure the cellular and humoral immunity expression rates. As a result of the protective ability and immunogenicity test, higher level of virus neutralizing ability and greater amount of antibodies in both IgG1 and IgG2 were confirmed in the multivalent vaccine. No immune interference was found to affect the protective capacity and immune responses of the multivalent vaccines.
Bergmann Sven Michael, Wang Yingying, Li Yingying
et al.
Herpesviruses are common agents in animals of the aquatic environment. They infect many species of fish but only lead to disease in one or two species. Nevertheless, infected fish without clinical symptoms can actively transfer infectious agents to disease-susceptible species. The aim of the study was to identify and prove the natural presence of different herpesviruses.
O. A. Katsaraba, R. M. Sachuk, Ye. Ye. Kostyshyn
et al.
Clinical studies were conducted in the treatment of hypofunction of the ovaries to increase the fertility of cows and heifers with the newly created drug “Surfadev” (solution for injections) in complex therapy. VLZ “Surfadev” (solution for injections). The drug stimulates the secretion of gonadotropins by the pituitary gland in a maximum of 2–3 hours after administration. The increased content of gonadotropins in the blood persists for 4–5 hours after administration. Unlike natural luliberin, the biological activity of the drug is 50 times greater, which allows the use of this drug in microdoses and short courses. The drug decomposes under the influence of enzymes more slowly than natural luliberin, which provides a stronger biological effect on the pituitary gland. “Devivit Complex” is a complex multivitamin preparation (Vitamins A, D3, E, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12), which is used to correct and normalize metabolic processes in animals. Vitamins included in the preparation take part in biochemical processes in animal organisms (in the form of enzyme vitamins, hormone vitamins, antioxidants). When ovarian function is stimulated or corrected, 90.0 % of the treated animals show the arousal stage of the sexual cycle within 3–15 days, and their fertilization rate from the first insemination is 70.0 % on average. The high efficiency of using “Surfadev” in combination with “Devivit Complex” for ovarian hypofunction has been established. 83.3–95.6 % of the treated cows showed sexual desire, and the fertility from the first insemination reached 70.0 %. Further studies will be the next stage of pre-registration trials aimed at studying the effectiveness of the veterinary drug “Surfadev” (solution for injections) in complex therapy in the treatment of ovarian hypofunction and follicular cysts, which is mandatory material of the fourth part “Preclinical and clinical documentation” of the dossier for this medicine.
Jungin Kwon, Yu-Sheng Yeh, Satoko Kawarasaki
et al.
Summary: The high thermogenic activity of brown adipose tissue (BAT) has received considerable attention. Here, we demonstrated the role of the mevalonate (MVA) biosynthesis pathway in the regulation of brown adipocyte development and survival. The inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), the rate-limiting enzyme in the MVA pathway and the molecular target of statins, suppressed brown adipocyte differentiation by suppressing protein geranylgeranylation-mediated mitotic clonal expansion. The development of BAT in neonatal mice exposed to statins during the fetal period was severely impaired. Moreover, statin-induced geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) deficiency led to the apoptosis of mature brown adipocytes. Brown adipocyte-specific Hmgcr knockout induced BAT atrophy and disrupted thermogenesis. Importantly, both genetic and pharmacological inhibition of HMGCR in adult mice induced morphological changes in BAT accompanied by an increase in apoptosis, and statin-treated diabetic mice showed worsened hyperglycemia. These findings revealed that MVA pathway-generated GGPP is indispensable for BAT development and survival.
Ahmad Thoriqul Firdaus, Gandul Atik Yuliani, Tri Wahyu Suprayogi
et al.
Background: Hypercholesterolemia is one of the most common diseases in the world, with cholesterol levels exceeding normal levels. Hypercholesterolemia can cause various systemic disorders in the body. One of the signs is by decreasing HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol levels. Dragon fruit peel contains many ingredients, such as vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin C, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and other minerals that can affect the increase in HDL production and reduce total cholesterol levels. Purpose: To know the effect of red dragon fruit peel extract (Hylocereus polyrhizus)on increasing levels of High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) in male rats (Rattus norvegicus) hypercholesterolemia. Methods: Male rats were made hypercholesterolemic using a mixture of lard (3 ml) and egg yolk (1 g) for 14 days orally. 20 hypercholesterolemic male rats were further divided into 5 treatment groups and given dragon fruit peel extract therapy with different treatments, namely T0 negative control (CMC-Na 1% + aquadest), T1 positive control (Simvastatin 0.0013 mg/200 g BW), T2, T3 and T4 (each 100, 150, 200 mg/kg BW red dragon fruit peel extract) for 14 days orally. Blood serum was taken on day 36 and tested in the laboratory using a chemical analyzer machine; then the data were analyzed using the univariant multiple way one-way ANOVA statistical test with a significant difference (p>0.05). Results: The P4 treatment group has an effective dose (200 mg/kg BW) to increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, while the P3 treatment group (dose 150 mg/kg BW) is less effective but can still have an effect. Conclusion: This research showed that red dragon fruit peel extract could increase HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol levels with an effective 200 mg/kg BW dose.
Case series summary Three cats presented for clinical signs of respiratory distress and varying etiologies of anemia. Echocardiograms revealed evidence of cardiac dilation without other significant structural or functional heart disease. Thoracic imaging via point-of-care ultrasound and/or radiographs confirmed evidence of volume overload by pleural effusion. Each cat was diagnosed with presumed high-output cardiac failure secondary to anemia. Mainstays of treatment included controlling congestion and correcting the anemia with transfusions in the short-term while addressing the underlying etiology of the anemia in the long-term. Relevance and novel information Reports, treatment and management of high-output failure in the veterinary literature are limited. Extrapolating from human medicine, cats presenting with anemia and findings consistent with volume overload will benefit from treatment of their anemia to reduce neuroendocrine activation and the associated sodium and water retention. Therefore, blood transfusion should neither be avoided nor delayed in anemic cats with changes consistent with volume overload and congestive heart failure.
Lea Hemmeter, Christian G. Bien, Corinna I. Bien
et al.
Abstract Background Autoimmune mechanisms represent a novel category for causes of seizures and epilepsies in humans, and LGI1‐antibody associated limbic encephalitis occurs in cats. Hypothesis/Objectives To investigate the presence of neural antibodies in dogs with epilepsy or dyskinesia of unknown cause using human and murine assays modified for use in dogs. Animals Fifty‐eight dogs with epilepsy of unknown cause or suspected dyskinesia and 57 control dogs. Methods Serum and CSF samples were collected prospectively as part of the diagnostic work‐up. Clinical data including onset and seizure/episode type were retrieved from the medical records. Screening for neural antibodies was done with cell‐based assays transfected with human genes for typical autoimmune encephalitis antigens and tissue‐based immunofluorescence assays on mouse hippocampus slices in serum and CSF samples from affected dogs and controls. The commercial human und murine assays were modified with canine‐specific secondary antibody. Positive controls were from human samples. Results The commercial assays used in this study did not provide unequivocal evidence for presence of neural antibodies in dogs including one dog with histopathologically proven limbic encephalitis. Low titer IgLON5 antibodies were present in serum from one dog from the epilepsy/dyskinesia group and in one dog from the control group. Conclusion and Clinical Importance Specific neural antibodies were not detected using mouse and human target antigens in dogs with epilepsy and dyskinesia of unknown origin. These findings emphasize the need for canine‐specific assays and the importance of control groups.
Shuolei Chen, Zhuoran Wu, Ole Russell Sleipness
et al.
Dog ownership and dog walking brings various health benefits for urban dwellers, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, but trigger a number of controversies. Dog parks have become increasingly significant public resources in the pandemic to support these benefits while facing intense conflicts. To develop effective dog parks in urban settings, growing numbers of scholars have provided insights into the design and management strategies for addressing the benefits and conflicts. The objective of this study is to synthesize and analyze various aspects of dog park design and management and to assess identified strategies for enhancing their benefits while mitigating their drawbacks. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic study was conducted to synthesize the benefits, conflicts, and management strategies of dog parks, supported by Citespace. Benefits and conflicts in dog park design and management have been synthesized and organized according to their frequency of presence and the statistical results. We analyzed and assessed existing design and management strategies. Through this systematic study, we discovered the need obtain o po experimental evidence on effective dog park design and management to enhance their benefits while mitigating their sources of conflict and limitations in the intensity of park visitors’ physical activity in off-leash areas. Guidelines for the design and management strategies for effective dog parks were made to enhance their benefits while alleviating conflicts in the future development of sustainable dog parks that promote healthy relationships between canines and residents in urban built environments.
Francesco Pellegrini, Ahmed Hassan Omar, Canio Buonavoglia
et al.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), emerged in Wuhan city (Hubei province, China) in December 2019, and the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an international public health emergency on 11 March 2020 [...]
Abstract Avian coccidiosis caused by Eimeria leads to huge economic losses on the global poultry industry. In this study, microneme adhesive repeat regions (MARR) bc1 of E. tenella microneme protein 3 (EtMIC3-bc1) was used as ligand, and peptides binding to EtMIC3 were screened from a phage display peptide library. The positive phage clones were checked by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Competitive ELISA was applied to further verify the binding capability between the positive phages and recombinant EtMIC3-bc1 protein or sporozoites protein. The inhibitory effects of target peptides on sporozoites invasion of MDBK cells were measured in vitro. Chickens were orally administrated with target positive phages and the protective effects against homologous challenge were evaluated. The model of three-dimensional (3D) structure for EtMIC3-bc1 was conducted, and molecular docking between target peptides and EtMIC3-bc1 model was analyzed. The results demonstrated that three selected positive phages specifically bind to EtMIC3-bc1 protein. The three peptides A, D and W effectively inhibited invasion of MDBK cells by sporozoites, showing inhibited ratio of 71.8%, 54.6% and 20.8%, respectively. Chickens in the group orally inoculated with phages A displayed more protective efficacies against homologous challenge than other groups. Molecular docking showed that amino acids in three peptides, especially in peptide A, insert into the hydrophobic groove of EtMIC3-bc1 protein, and bind to EtMIC3-bc1 through intermolecular hydrogen bonds. Taken together, the results suggest EtMIC3-binding peptides inhibit sporozoites entry into host cells. This study provides new idea for exploring novel strategies against coccidiosis.