Abstract Wool curvature is one of the most valuable characteristics of Zhongwei goat fur. As the goats grow, the curvature progressively diminishes, which has a substantial impact on the quality and market value of wool. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of noncoding RNA and play vital roles in animal growth and development. However, the expression and function of circRNAs in the wool curvature of Zhongwei goats are unclear. In our study, we conducted circRNA expression profiling of Zhongwei goat skin exhibiting divergent curvature wool phenotypes at two developmental stages using the RNA‐seq. In total, 12,682 circRNAs and 158 differentially expressed circRNAs (DE circRNAs) were identified. KEGG analysis illustrated that host genes of DE circRNAs were significantly enriched in the signaling pathways of Ras, JAK/STAT5, and cAMP, which might affect wool curvature. We further validated five circRNAs using qRT‐PCR, which were consistent with the sequencing results. Functional verification assay demonstrated that circRNA8782 regulated fibroblast proliferation. In addition, we constructed a regulatory competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network and predicted circRNA3173‐miR‐16b‐5p‐IGF1 axes involved in the regulation of wool curvature. Our result will provide the foundation for uncovering the regulatory mechanisms of underlying wool curvature patterns in goats.
Daiana de Souza Machado, Rogério Ribeiro Vicentini, Luana da Silva Gonçalves
et al.
Despite the growing preference for cats as companion animals, beliefs and misperceptions about them are still common. Cultural and sociodemographic aspects can influence society’s attitudes towards cats, affecting the way they are kept and cared for and, consequently, their welfare. This narrative review aimed to identify and categorize beliefs and misconceptions about domestic cats commonly described in the scientific literature, particularly those related to behavior, sociality, health, and management, in order to foster critical thinking about these perceptions. Our bibliographic search included three electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed and Scopus). This review highlights a set of recurrent beliefs of general society reported by the scientific literature, such as the perception of cats as independent and non-social animals, bringers of bad luck, incapable of forming emotional bonds with their guardians, or in need of outdoor access to thrive. Although widespread, many of these beliefs lack empirical support. Identifying and fostering critical reflection on such beliefs can contribute to deconstructing them, improving the guardian–cat relationship and enhancing the welfare of both cats and humans.
Jessica Harvey-Carroll, Daire Carroll, Jose Luis Crespo-Picazo
et al.
Abstract Background Understanding animal behaviour is critical for the design of effective conservation and management strategies. Animal-borne tri-axial accelerometers constitute a type of biologging device which have the potential to provide continuous high-resolution behavioural data. For marine animals, device attachment position may influence both the accuracy of behavioural predictions and the hydrodynamic profile of the animal. We present a case study on the use of accelerometers for the behavioural classification of two sea turtle species in captivity: the loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) turtle. Accelerometers were placed on the first and third scute to represent extreme placement scenarios. We trained Random Forest (RF) models to classify behaviour and assessed the impact of placement and sampling frequency on accuracy. In addition, we assessed the impact of device position on carapace drag coefficient using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Results We achieved a high accuracy for behavioural classification (0.86 for loggerhead and 0.83 for green turtles). We determined that overall RF accuracy for both species is significantly higher for devices positioned on the third scute compared to the first scute (P < 0.001) and with a smoothing window of 2 s compared to 1 s (P < 0.001). We found no significant effect of sampling frequency and therefore recommend the use of 2 Hz in future work to optimise battery life and device memory. CFD modelling indicated an increase in drag coefficient from a maximum of 0.028 without a device to a maximum of 0.064 with a device for an isolated turtle carapace. Attachment to the first scute significantly (P < 0.001) increased drag coefficient relative to the third scute. Conclusions Moving forward, the attachment and sampling protocols we present here may be adopted in future studies involving captive sea turtles. Further research is needed to assess their applicability and effectiveness under free-ranging conditions to enable their use in wild populations.
Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) is the most important economic freshwater fish species in China. The stable production of high-quality grass carp depends significantly on excellent germplasm. In recent years, the generation of new germplasm based on genome editing has been applied to various cultured fish species. However, until now, there has been very few reports on the application of genome editing technology in grass carp. In this study, one-cell-stage embryos of grass carp were acquired through hormone-induced artificial spawning, thereby enabling the performance of genome editing in this species. The tyrb gene was isolated and chosen as the target of CRISPR/Cas9, because of its easily observable phenotype in F0 mutants. RT-PCR results indicated a high expression level of the tyrb gene in both skin and fin tissues. Subsequently, after the microinjection of the guide RNA (gRNA) and Cas9 protein mixture, targeted mutations were successfully identified through Sanger sequencing. Phenotypic analysis of the F0 mutants revealed that the disruption of tyrb led to a distinct golden phenotype, accompanied by a reduction or even absence of melanophores. Moreover, our data demonstrated that the combined utilization of two or three gRNAs caused large DNA fragment loss and a higher mutation rate in the F0 generation. Overall, this represents an application of CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing technology in grass carp and may hold great significance for the future generation of new golden grass carp germplasm.
Michele N. Maughan, Jenna D. Gadberry, Caitlin E. Sharpes
et al.
Since the advent of the Universal Detector Calibrant (UDC) by scientists at Florida International University in 2013, this tool has gone largely unrecognized and under-utilized by canine scent detection practitioners. The UDC is a chemical that enables reliability testing of biological and instrumental detectors. Training a biological detector, such as a scent detection canine, to respond to a safe, non-target, and uncommon compound has significant advantages. For example, if used prior to a search, the UDC provides the handler with the ability to confirm the detection dog is ready to work without placing target odor on site (i.e., a positive control), thereby increasing handler confidence in their canine and providing documentation of credibility that can withstand legal scrutiny. This review describes the UDC, summarizes its role in canine detection science, and addresses applications for UDC within scent detection canine development, training, and testing.
David G. Fielder, Todd A. Hayden, Thomas R. Binder
et al.
Abstract Double-Crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auratus), Walleyes (Sander vitreus), and Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) are migratory predators that undergo extensive movements in Lake Huron. Stocking of juvenile salmonid fish (Oncorhynchus and Salmo sp.) is an important component of fishery management in Lake Huron and assessing the spatial and temporal extent of predator movements is a useful consideration for determining when and where to stock juvenile fish to reduce predation and maximize survival. Previous investigation indicated that some Walleyes migrate to the main basin of Lake Huron in spring from Saginaw Bay. Similarly, telemetry studies of Lake Trout movement in Lake Huron have indicated an onshore movement in the spring. We used detection histories of Walleyes implanted with acoustic transmitters tagged in Saginaw Bay and Lake Trout implanted in northern Lake Huron to estimate the arrival date of migrating adults at eight ports in Lake Huron, where hatchery reared juvenile salmonids are stocked. Satellite telemetry of Cormorants that return to nesting grounds in northern Lake Huron were used to estimate their arrival dates at the same Lake Huron ports. Arrival of Walleye at Lake Huron ports ranged from April 10th to May 7th. Cormorants arrived earlier than Walleye at most Lake Huron ports (April 11th–April 18th). Lake Trout were more variable with a range of onshore movement from March 28th to May 16th. Our results suggested stocking efforts at these ports should generally occur before April 14th to decrease predatory impact from Cormorants, Walleyes, and Lake Trout.
Seesma Subramaniyan, P. T. Dinesh, S.Sooryadas
et al.
A study was conducted to assess the prevalence of canine hip dysplasia (CHD) among
dog population during a period of one year from January 2021 to December 2021. Canine hip
dysplasia was confirmed by clinical orthopedic and radiographic examinations. Of the 231 dogs
presented with lameness suspected to be originating from hip joint, 140 animals had dysplastic
hips. The incidence was more in large breeds of dogs in an age group of 6 months to 12 months.
Thirty five percent of the animals showed unilateral affection while in the remaining 65 percent it
was bilateral. Females were more affected with this condition as per the findings of this study. Other
than hip dysplasia, traumatic hip dislocation and osteoarthritis contributed to lameness originating
from hip joints.
Gabriel Vinderola, Paul D. Cotter, Miguel Freitas
et al.
Fermented foods are often erroneously equated with probiotics. Although they might act as delivery vehicles for probiotics, or other ‘biotic’ substances, including prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics, stringent criteria must be met for a fermented food to be considered a ‘biotic’. Those criteria include documented health benefit, sufficient product characterization (for probiotics to the strain level) and testing. Similar to other functional ingredients, the health benefits must go beyond that of the product’s nutritional components and food matrix. Therefore, the ‘fermented food’ and ‘probiotic’ terms may not be used interchangeably. This concept would apply to the other biotics as well. In this context, the capacity of fermented foods to deliver one, several, or all biotics defined so far will depend on the microbiological and chemical level of characterization, the reproducibility of the technological process used to produce the fermented foods, the evidence for health benefits conferred by the biotics, as well as the type and amount of testing carried out to show the probiotic, prebiotic, synbiotic, and postbiotic capacity of that fermented food.
Metallocenes are toxic chemicals that are used for the growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The study of the toxicity of metallocenes on plants is very important. It governs the issues of genetics. Toxicity studies should consider (I) the growth kinetics of carbon nanotubes, (II) the chemical reaction of metallocenes inside carbon nanotubes, and (III) investigations into the electronic properties of filled carbon nanotubes. Toxicity studies are influenced by the investigation of the growth processes of metallocene-filled carbon nanotubes, the evaporation of metals, and the formation of multiple-walled carbon nanotubes. Investigations into the modification of the Fermi level of filled carbon nanotubes also play a role in toxicity studies. Metallocenes are filled into carbon nanotubes through the various methods discussed here, including solution methods and gas-phase methods, each differing in methodology and requiring optimization. Many authors have published different methods of filling carbon nanotubes with metallocenes. They lead to high-filling ratios and allow future modifications of the electronic properties of carbon nanotubes. The kinetics of carbon nanotube growth are investigated with different methods. Environmental transmission electron microscopy is applied to studies with a time resolution of several nanoseconds. Here, we use Raman spectroscopy to study the growth process, which is revealed to have activation energies, growth rates, and temperature dependence. The dependence of growth temperature on the tube diameter and metallocene-type is revealed. It is shown that the growth temperature increases with the larger diameter of inner CNTs. The growth temperature increases for ferrocene compared to nickelocene and cobaltocene. With X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, we show that the heating of metallocene-filled SWCNTs at 360–600 °C causes the n-doping of SWCNTs. Heating at higher temperatures results in p-doping. The obtained data are needed to tailor the toxicity issues of metallocene-filled carbon nanotubes on plants.
Mariola Dreger, Aleksandra Deja, Milena Szalata
et al.
Synthetic seed technology and cold storage methods provide genetic uniformity, paving the way for pest- and disease-free plants that are easy to handle. The aim of this study was to develop protocols for the cold storage of nonencapsulated and alginate-capsulated explants of <i>Cannabis sativa</i> L. Axillary shoot tips derived from in vitro-grown plants that were used as explants and stored for up to 9 months at 4 °C in the dark. Somatic seeds were produced in 3% sodium alginate and Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium salt and stored for up to 3 months. After 6 months of cold storage, the highest regrowth of 45% was recorded for the nonencapsulated explants. The recovery of somatic seeds was 90% under the same storage condition after 3 months. Well-developed, regenerated plants from encapsulated explants successfully acclimatized.
Abstract Background The Tibetan antelope Pantholops hodgsonii (Abel) (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) is an endangered species of mammal endemic to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Parasites and parasitic diseases are considered to be important threats in the conservation of the Tibetan antelope. However, our present knowledge of the composition of the parasites of the Tibetan antelope remains limited. Methods Large numbers of nematode parasites were collected from a dead Tibetan antelope. The morphology of these nematode specimens was observed using light and scanning electron microscopy. The nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences, i.e. small subunit ribosomal DNA (18S), large subunit ribosomal DNA (28S), internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1), were amplified and sequenced for molecular identification. Moreover, phylogenetic analyses were performed using maximum likelihood (ML) inference based on 28S and 18S + 28S + cox1 sequence data, respectively, in order to clarify the systematic status of these nematodes. Results Integrated morphological and genetic evidence reveals these nematode specimens to be a new species of pinworm Skrjabinema longicaudatum (Oxyurida: Oxyuridae). There was no intraspecific nucleotide variation between different individuals of S. longicaudatum n. sp. in the partial 18S, 28S, ITS and cox1 sequences. However, a high level of nucleotide divergence was revealed between the new species and its congeners in 28S (8.36%) and ITS (20.3–23.7%) regions, respectively. Molecular phylogenetic results suggest that the genus Skrjabinema should belong to the subfamily Oxyurinae (Oxyuroidea: Oxyuridae), instead of the subfamily Syphaciidae or Skrjabinemiinae in the traditional classification, as it formed a sister relationship to the genus Oxyuris. Conclusions A new species of pinworm Skrjabinema longicaudatum n. sp. (Oxyurida: Oxyuridae) is described. Skrjabinema longicaudatum n. sp. represents the first species of Oxyurida (pinworm) and the fourth nematode species reported from the Tibetan antelope. Our results contribute to the knowledge of the species diversity of parasites from the Tibetan antelope, and clarify the systematic position of the genus Skrjabinema.
Tahir Mahmood Qureshi, Aniqa Amjad, Muhammad Nadeem
et al.
Objective The present study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant potential of paneer, a soft cheese supplemented with various water soluble date extracts during storage. Further, the whey obtained from all the paneer samples was also investigated for its antioxidant potential. Methods The date cultivars were evaluated for their physico-chemical characteristics and date extracts were assessed for their antioxidant potential. Physico-chemical evaluation, microbiological quality and further antioxidant potential of the prepared paneer were carried out during storage period (0 to 8 days, 5°C). Results All the date extracts were found to have considerable antioxidant activity due to presence of total phenolics and flavonoids. Owing to the presence of phenolics and flavoinds in date extracts, supplemented paneer showed higher trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, reducing power and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity than control paneer. Paneer supplemented with Rabi extracts had the highest total phenolics (190.7 μg gallic acid equivalent/g paneer), DPPH radical scavenging activity (928.1 μmol equivalent of Trolx/g paneer) and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (9.2 μmol equivalent of Trolx/g paneer). The whey obtained from control paneer showed lower values of total phenolics, total flavonoids, DPPH, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity and reducing power as compared to the values of whey obtained from paneer supplemented with date extracts. Conclusion Paneer supplemented with date extracts and its whey may offer potent antioxidant activity.
Pontus Öhlund, Juliette Hayer, Hanna Lundén
et al.
Metagenomic studies of mosquitoes have revealed that their virome is far more diverse and includes many more viruses than just the pathogenic arboviruses vectored by mosquitoes. In this study, the virome of 953 female mosquitoes collected in the summer of 2017, representing six mosquito species from two geographic locations in Mid-Eastern Sweden, were characterized. In addition, the near-complete genome of nine RNA viruses were characterized and phylogenetically analysed. These viruses showed association to the viral orders <i>Bunyavirales</i>, <i>Picornavirales</i>, <i>Articulavirales</i>, and <i>Tymovirales</i>, and to the realm Ribovira. Hence, through this study, we expand the knowledge of the virome composition of different mosquito species in Sweden. In addition, by providing viral reference genomes from wider geographic regions and different mosquito species, future in silico recognition and assembly of viral genomes in metagenomic datasets will be facilitated.
Objective This study aimed to investigate the effects of prepartum body condition score (BCS) on the milk yield, lipid metabolism, and oxidative status of Holstein cows. Methods A total of 112 multiparous Holstein cows were divided into 4 groups according to the BCS at 21 days before calving: medium BCS (3.0 to 3.25, MBCS), high BCS (3.5 to 3.75, HBCS), higher BCS (4.0 to 4.25, HerBCS), and highest BCS (4.5 to 5.0, HestBCS). Blood samples were collected on 21, 14, and 7 days before calving (precalving), on the calving day (calving), and on 7, 14, and 21 days after calving (postcalving). The indices of lipid metabolism and oxidative status were analyzed using bovine-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Colostrum were taken after calving and analyzed by a refractometer and milk analyzer. The individual milk yield was recorded every 3 days. Results The density and levels of immune globulin and lactoprotein of colostrum from Holstein cows in the HestBCS group were the highest (p<0.05). These animals not only had the highest (p<0.05) levels of serum non-esterified fatty acids and beta-hydroxybutyrate, but also had the highest (p<0.05) levels of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, vitamin A, and vitamin E. In addition, greater (p<0.05) BCS loss was observed in the HestBCS cows. Conclusion This study demonstrates that the milk yield, lipid metabolism, and oxidative status of Holstein cows are related to prepartum BCS and BCS loss during the transition period. HestBCS cows are more sensitive to oxidative stress and suffer greater loss of BCS after calving, whereas the MBCS animals had better milk yield performance.
Abstract Ticks are obligate blood-sucking arachnid ectoparasites from the order Acarina, and many are notorious as vectors of a wide variety of zoonotic pathogens. However, the systematics of ticks in several genera is still controversial. The mitochondrial genome (mt-genome) has been widely used in arthropod phylogeny, molecular evolution and population genetics. With the development of sequencing technologies, an increasing number of tick mt-genomes have been sequenced and annotated. To date, 63 complete tick mt-genomes are available in the NCBI database, and these genomes have become an increasingly important genetic resource and source of molecular markers in phylogenetic studies of ticks in recent years. The present review summarizes all available complete mt-genomes of ticks in the NCBI database and analyses their characteristics, including structure, base composition and gene arrangement. Furthermore, a phylogenetic tree was constructed using mitochondrial protein-coding genes (PCGs) and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes from ticks. The results will provide important clues for deciphering new tick mt-genomes and establish a foundation for subsequent taxonomic research.
Aeromonas is recognized to cause a variety of diseases in man. In humans, they are associated with intestinal and extraintestinal infections. With the growing importance of Aeromonas as an emerging pathogen, it is important to combat this organism. It is indisputable that Aeromonas strains may produce many different putative virulence factors such as enterotoxins, hemolysins or cytotoxins, and antibiotic resistance against different antibiotics. The ability of these bacteria to grow competitively at 5°C may be indicative of their potential as a public health hazard. Comprehensive enteric disease surveillance strategies, prevention and education are essential for meeting the challenges in the years ahead. It is important for us to promote the value of enteric cultures when patients have a gastrointestinal illness or bloody diarrhea or when multiple cases of enteric disease occur after a common exposure. With the growing importance of Aeromonas as an emerging pathogen, it is important to combat this organism. It is indisputable that Aeromonas strains may produce many different putative virulence factors, such as enterotoxins, hemolysins or cytotoxins. It has been established that aerolysin is a virulence factor contributing to the pathogenesis of Aeromonas hydrophila infection. Fish and chicken play an important role in the transmission of this pathogen to humans. In the present study, the high prevalence of toxin-producing strains was found among the Aeromonas isolates. The ability of these bacteria to grow competitively at 5°C may be indicative of their potential as a public health hazard. The present review was constructed with a view to highlight the zoonotic importance of Aeromonas pathogen in fish and chicken meat.
Sylvie Skalickova, Zbynek Heger, Ludmila Krejcova
et al.
The threat of a worldwide influenza pandemic has greatly increased over the past decade with the emergence of highly virulent avian influenza strains. The increased frequency of drug-resistant influenza strains against currently available antiviral drugs requires urgent development of new strategies for antiviral therapy, too. The research in the field of therapeutic peptides began to develop extensively in the second half of the 20th century. Since then, the mechanisms of action for several peptides and their antiviral prospect received large attention due to the global threat posed by viruses. Here, we discussed the therapeutic properties of peptides used in influenza treatment. Peptides with antiviral activity against influenza can be divided into three main groups. First, entry blocker peptides such as a Flupep that interact with influenza hemagglutinin, block its binding to host cells and prevent viral fusion. Second, several peptides display virucidal activity, disrupting viral envelopes, e.g., Melittin. Finally, a third set of peptides interacts with the viral polymerase complex and act as viral replication inhibitors such as PB1 derived peptides. Here, we present a review of the current literature describing the antiviral activity, mechanism and future therapeutic potential of these influenza antiviral peptides.
Significant SNPs associated with Warner-Bratzler (WB) shear force and sensory traits were confirmed for Hanwoo beef (Korean cattle). A Bonferroni-corrected genome-wide significant association (p<1.3×10−6) was detected with only one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on chromosome 5 for WB shear force. A slightly higher number of SNPs was significantly (p<0.001) associated with WB shear force than with other sensory traits. Further, 50, 25, 29, and 34 SNPs were significantly associated with WB shear force, tenderness, juiciness, and flavor likeness, respectively. The SNPs between p = 0.001 and p = 0.0001 thresholds explained 3% to 9% of the phenotypic variance, while the most significant SNPs accounted for 7% to 12% of the phenotypic variance. In conclusion, because WB shear force and sensory evaluation were moderately affected by a few loci and minimally affected by other loci, further studies are required by using a large sample size and high marker density.