Hasil untuk "Animal culture"

M. Sporn, N. Dunlop, D. Newton et al.

P. Spencer, Peter B. Nunn, Peter B. Nunn et al.

B. Gähwiler

S. Willadsen

R. R. Colwell, P. Brayton, D. J. Grimes et al.

I. Tischer, H. Gelderblom, W. Vettermann et al.

J. Nocek

Fan Liu, Hongli Pu, Songwen Tan et al.

The genus <i>Scincella</i> Mittleman, 1950 of the family Scincidae currently includes 50 species. However, due to challenges in sample collection, the taxonomy and phylogeny of this genus remain poorly resolved. This study conducted a taxonomic study of the genus <i>Scincella</i> based on three mitochondrial gene fragments (12S, 16S, COI) combined with morphological comparisons. The results indicated the specimens collected in Heishui County, Sichuan Province, China, represented a previously undescribed species. This new taxon is formally described as <i>Scincella heishuiensis</i> <b>sp. nov</b>. Phylogenetically, the new species is most closely related to <i>S. wangyuezhaoi</i>, which is another species recently described in Wenchuan County, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province. As a new species, the uncorrected genetic distance between this new species and its closest relative within the genus, as calculated based on 16S rRNA, is 5.45%. The new species can be distinguished from other closely related species by the following morphological characters: (1) 4 dorsal scale rows between dorsolateral stripes; (2) 5–7 superciliary; (3) 28 midbody scale-rows; (4) 24–25 gulars; (5) during the breeding season, the ventral scales and preanal exhibit a reddish-brown color; and (6) a black lateral stripe extends from behind the eye to the posterior third of the tail near the cloaca. In the phylogenetic analysis, the new species and <i>S. wangyuezhaoi</i> form an independent lineage, distinctly separate from all other taxa included in the study. The new species has currently been recorded and discovered in Heishui County in Sichuan Province, China. This description thus increases the number of members in the genus <i>Scincella</i> in China to 17 species.

P. Richerson, Robert Boyd

Yingxiao Su, Zhanqiang Zhao, Zhanfa Liu et al.

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.

Izabela Janus-Ziółkowska, Joanna Bubak, Massimiliano Tursi et al.

Feline hyperthyroidism is the most frequent endocrinopathy in adult and senior cats, frequently leading to cardiac changes characterised by a hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) phenotype, which may partially reverse with appropriate treatment. However, the structural and molecular alterations in the myocardium can persist and closely resemble those observed in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Despite this clinical overlap, protein expression patterns in the hearts of hyperthyroid cats remain poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the myocardial expression of desmin, a key contractile protein, as well as calreticulin and interleukin-10 proteins involved in cardiac remodelling and response to injury. Left ventricular samples were obtained from 16 hyperthyroid cats, 12 cats with HCM, and 10 healthy controls. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to assess the expression patterns of the selected proteins. Our findings revealed that, despite median left ventricular dimensions not being significantly different from ones observed in healthy animals, cats with hyperthyroidism exhibited similar alterations in desmin and interleukin-10 expression to those seen in HCM-affected cats. These changes were associated with cardiomyocyte degeneration and coronary artery narrowing, suggesting a shared pathway of myocardial injury independent of the primary disease.

J. Saura, J. Tusell, J. Serratosa

N. Pedersen

F eline infectious peritonitis (FIP) was first described as an ‘important disorder of cats’ by Holzworth in 1963 at the Angell Memorial Animal Hospital, Boston and a clinico-pathologic conference on this disorder was published in the following year. The disease was thought to be infectious but no specific etiologic agent was identified at the time. Wolfe and Griesemer were the first to propose that FIP was caused by a virus. Zook et al observed virus particles in the tissues of experimentally infected cats, but were unable to characterize the agent. Ward recognized the close similarities of FIP virus (FIPV) in tissues to members of the family Coronaviridae. In 1972 Montali and Strandberg were the first to report that FIPV infection could be either granulomatous (dry, parenchymatous) or effusive (wet, non-parenchymatous). The close genetic relationship of FIPV to coronaviruses of dogs and swine was first reported by Pedersen et al in 1978. Fully virulent FIPV was first propagated in vitro in autochthonous macrophage cultures from experimentally infected cats and later in tissue culture. It was also replicated in the epithelium of intestinal ring cultures. A strain of FIPV (FIPV-UCD1) was first propagated in continuously passsaged Felis catus, whole fetus-4 (Fcwf-4) cells and shown to be virulent when inoculated into cats. The Fcwf-4 cells were later found to be of

A. P. Evsyukov, I. O. Potapenko

Introduction. The thorny-headed worms (Acanthocephala) are a small group of helminths, currently classified as a phylum. Adult helminths live in the intestines of various vertebrates. Eggs are excreted into the environment with feces, and in this way infest the arthropods, who are the intermediate hosts. The life cycles of some acanthocephala species can get complicated due to inclusion of the facultative, transport, paratenic or postcyclic hosts. Сhiropterans can be the definitive, intermediate or paratenic hosts for the various groups of parasitic worms, therefore they are an important link in the epizootic chains of spreading the invasive diseases. The aim of the articles of this series is to study the species composition of helminths parasitizing in bats of the Rostov Region. In the fourth paper of this series, we present data on thorny-headed worms and sum-up the previously published information.Materials and Methods. The research materials were the articles from the open access databases: PubMed (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov), CyberLeninka (cyberleninka.ru), Google Scholar (scholar.google.com), BHL (www.biodiversitylibrary.org), JSTOR (www.jstor.org), etc. Some data were provided by the colleagues. Results. The list comprising three species of thorny-headed worms that can parasitize in bats in Rostov region was compiled. While analysing the literature sources, one more Nematoda species, not mentioned by us previously, was added to the list of nematodes.Discussion and Conclusion. The results of the review revealed that 15 bat species living in the Rostov region can be parasitized by 3 or 4 Acanthocephala species of 3 genera, 2 families and 2 orders. In total, 104 helminth species of three phyla can parasitize in chiropterans in the Rostov region: Nematoda, Platyhelminthes and Acanthocephala. Whereas, the largest number of parasites falls on the class Trematoda – 42 species. The largest number of helminth species was recorded in the serotine bat (54 species) and the common noctule (50 species). The least amount (4 species) – in the soprano pipistrelle. Our data show that the helminth fauna of bats in the Rostov region, Russia and in the world as a whole is still poorly studied. At the same time, some of the parasitic worm species distinguished in our research have the veterinary and medical significance, moreover, bats participate in the epizootic chains as the facultative hosts.

Husnaeni Husnaeni, Afsitin Joan Tatra, Doddy Ismunandar Bahari

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh teknologi amofer terhadap kualitas fisik dan pH jerami padi organik dan anorganik. Menggunakan rancangan acak lengkap (RAL) pola faktorial (2 faktor), yaitu faktor A: jenis jerami padi (organik dan anorganik) dan faktor B: jenis starter (kontrol, EM4, dan MOL), setiap perlakuan diulang 4 kali. Proses dimulai dengan pembuatan MOL (mikroorganisme lokal) dan dilanjutkan dengan pengolahan jerami padi menggunakan teknologi amofer. Parameter yang diamati meliputi aroma, tekstur, warna, jamur, dan pH. Uji Kualitas fisik dilakukan dengan skoring penilaian silase, sementara pH diukur menggunakan pH meter. Analisis statistik menggunakan uji ANOVA, dengan uji wilayah berganda Duncan untuk perbandingan lebih lanjut. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa interaksi antara jenis jerami padi (faktor A) dan jenis starter (faktor B) tidak berpengaruh signifikan terhadap aroma, tekstur, warna, jamur, dan pH (P>0,05). Faktor A menunjukkan pengaruh tidak signifikan terhadap semua parameter yang diamati. Namun, faktor B, terbukti memberikan peningkatan signifikan pada aroma, warna, tekstur, dan pH (P<0,01) dibandingkan jerami segar. Dengan demikian, kesimpulan dari penelitian ini adalah penggunaan EM4 dan MOL sebagai starter pada proses amofer jerami padi, baik organik maupun anorganik, terbukti meningkatkan kualitas jerami padi secara fisik dan mampu menurunkan nilai pH dibandingkan dengan jerami segar. Tidak ditemukan interaksi signifikan antara jenis jerami padi dan jenis starter terhadap kualitas jerami padi amofer

S. Hellwig, J. Drossard, R. Twyman et al.

Arianna Fedi, Chiara Vitale, Marco Fato et al.

In oncology, the poor success rate of clinical trials is becoming increasingly evident due to the weak predictability of preclinical assays, which either do not recapitulate the complexity of human tissues (i.e., in vitro tests) or reveal species-specific outcomes (i.e., animal testing). Therefore, the development of novel approaches is fundamental for better evaluating novel anti-cancer treatments. Here, a multicompartmental organ-on-chip (OOC) platform was adopted to fluidically connect 3D ovarian cancer tissues to hepatic cellular models and resemble the systemic cisplatin administration for contemporarily investigating drug efficacy and hepatotoxic effects in a physiological context. Computational fluid dynamics was performed to impose capillary-like blood flows and predict cisplatin diffusion. After a cisplatin concentration screening using 2D/3D tissue models, cytotoxicity assays were conducted in the multicompartmental OOC and compared with static co-cultures and dynamic single-organ models. A linear decay of SKOV-3 ovarian cancer and HepG2 liver cell viability was observed with increasing cisplatin concentration. Furthermore, 3D ovarian cancer models showed higher drug resistance than the 2D model in static conditions. Most importantly, when compared to clinical therapy, the experimental approach combining 3D culture, fluid-dynamic conditions, and multi-organ connection displayed the most predictive toxicity and efficacy results, demonstrating that OOC-based approaches are reliable 3Rs alternatives in preclinic.

J. Ekasari, D. Angela, S. H. Waluyo et al.

Z. Bhat, Sunil Kumar, Hina Fayaz

In vitro meat production system is the production of meat outside the food animals by culturing the stem cells derived from farm animals inside the bioreactor by using advanced tissue engineering techniques. Besides winning the favour of animal rights activists for its humane production of meat, in vitro meat production system also circumvents many of the issues associated with conventional meat production systems, like excessively brutal slaughter of food animals, nutrition-related diseases, foodborne illnesses, resource use, antibiotic-resistant pathogen strains, and massive emissions of methane that contribute to global warming. As the conditions in an in vitro meat production system are controlled and manipulatable, it will be feasible to produce designer, chemically safe and disease-free meat on sustainable basis. However, many challenges are to be faced before cultured meat becomes commercially feasible. Although, the production cost and the public acceptance are of paramount importance, huge funds are desperately required for further research in the field.