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Simple Summary: Gym-based exercise in a group setting promotes health and wellness among veterans. However, some veterans are not inclined to participate in gym-based exercise, and alternative options should be considered. We found that providing a companion dog for three months improved the surveyed veterans' ability to walk longer distances and stand up from a sitting position in a specific amount of time. The number of steps walked and the amount of time physically active throughout the day also increased. Through questionnaires, we found that the veterans were strongly attached to their dogs, and all the veterans reported that their dogs provided love and affection, companionship, and emotional support and facilitated improved social activity participation. We suggest that having a household dog may be an effective alternative to gym-based exercise to promote health and wellness among veterans. GeroFit is a gym-based exercise program that promotes health and wellness among older sedentary veterans. The aims of the current study were to determine whether providing a companion dog as an alternative to gym-based exercise would similarly affect whole health outcomes. A total of 15 (n = 15) veterans (62 ± 11 years of age; 13 of 15 >54 years of age) underwent physical function testing, completed global and whole health questionnaires, and wore an accelerometer for 7 days before (baseline) and 3 months after a dog came into their home. The participants completed the Pet Attachment Scale (PAS), Dog Owner-Specific Quality of Life (DOQOL), and Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research questionnaires at 3 months. Cardiorespiratory endurance, lower body strength, daily steps, and time spent engaging in moderate physical activity all increased compared to the baseline levels. Body weight decreased among veterans whose body mass index was ≥30 (n = 11). The PAS and DOQOL scores indicated high attachment and positive effects on quality of life after having a dog in the home, with all veterans agreeing that having a dog improved the number of social activities they performed. We conclude that providing a companion dog to veterans not inclined to participate in gym-based exercise is an effective alternative method of promoting health and wellness in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Insects can represent a sustainable and alternative feed ingredient to conventional feedstuffs, thanks to a rich nutritional profile, and possibly helping to reduce the feed-food competition. Among various insect species, the mulberry silkworm is of great interest. Silkworm chrysalis is a silk industry by-product, and it is a rich source of high-quality protein and healthy oil. At present, research is required to understand its potential in different food-producing animal species, optimum inclusion levels, and possible side effects. The present research contributes to provide a better understanding of the potential of silkworm chrysalis as a feedstuff for laying quails. The results of the present study demonstrated that the silkworm chrysalis meal could be used in laying quail feed formulation up to 12% inclusion, providing optimal performance and egg physical quality. The present research was conducted to determine the optimal inclusion level of full-fat silkworm chrysalis meal (SWM) into laying quails' diets, focusing on performance traits and egg physical quality. A total of 240 31-day-old female Japanese quails were randomly assigned to four dietary groups (12 replicates/treatment; 5 quails/replicate); quails were initially fed a standard commercial diet for pullets until 63 days of age. When oviposition started, the experimental groups received the following diets: a conventional corn and soybean-based diet (control diet—C) and three other diets, including 4%, 8%, or 12% of full-fat SWM (SWM4, SWM8, SWM12, respectively). Experimental diets were provided until quails reached 119 days of age. Birds displayed satisfactory productive performance throughout the trial. SWM12 and SWM8 had higher (p < 0.001) egg production but also a higher feed conversion ratio compared to C. At the end of the trial, the eggs edible portion increased, and shell weight decreased with increasing the SWM dietary inclusion level (p < 0.001). At the same time, SWM12 displayed an increase in albumen pH (p < 0.05), even though in the normal range for quail egg. Overall, full-fat SWM (up to 12%) can be considered a promising feed ingredient for laying quails, although higher inclusion levels (>8%) require special attention because SWM also contains anti-nutritional factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is a frequent disease that considerably reduces the quality of life of horses, while also affecting their physical performance, even when the disease is subclinical. In this study, we hypothesized that two analytes, calprotectin (CALP) and aldolase, could be measured in saliva with commercially available assays and be potential biomarkers of EGUS in horses. We investigated the changes in the salivary CALP and aldolase in 131 horses divided into 5 different groups: controls (healthy horses), with equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD), with equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD), with combined ESGD and EGGD, and horses with other intestinal pathologies but clinical signs similar to EGUS. The two assays were precise and accurate, and, in both cases, they showed differences between horses with EGUS and healthy horses, but they did not show significant differences between horses with EGUS and horses with other diseases. Our data showed that CALP has a high ability to differentiate between healthy horses and horses with EGUS. Therefore, it could have potential use as a biomarker since a value of CALP in the range of healthy individuals could indicate that the animal is not likely to have EGUS at gastroscopy. Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is a highly prevalent disease that affects horses worldwide. Within EGUS, two different forms have been described: equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD) and equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD). The associated clinical signs cause detrimental activity performance, reducing the quality of life of animals. Saliva can contain biomarkers for EGUS that could be potentially used as a complementary tool for diagnosis. The objective of this work was to evaluate the measurements of calprotectin (CALP) and aldolase in the saliva of horses as potential biomarkers of EGUS. For this purpose, automated assays for the quantification of these two proteins were analytically validated and applied for detecting EGUS in a total of 131 horses divided into 5 groups: healthy horses, ESGD, EGGD, combined ESGD and EGGD, and horses with other intestinal pathologies. The assays showed good precision and accuracy in analytical validation, and they were able to discriminate between horses with EGUS and healthy horses, especially in the case of CALP, although they did not show significant differences between horses with EGUS and horses with other diseases. In conclusion, salivary CALP and aldolase can be determined in the saliva of horses and further studies are warranted to elucidate the potential of these analytes as biomarkers in EGUS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Biodiversity is one of the key principles of sustainability for food and agriculture. The Veneto region, in Northern Italy, is one of the regions with the highest number of local chicken breeds. Padovana and Polverara are tufted, white eggshell breeds, and different plumage varieties exist. Pepoi, Ermellinata di Rovigo, Robusta Maculata, and Robusta Lionata are dual-purpose and tinted eggshell breeds. The laying rate changed according to the breed. The eggs produced by these breeds differed in weight, eggshell traits (e.g., colour, shape, and thickness), yolk-to-albumen ratio, Haugh units, and meat and blood spots. The consumer can choose a diversified egg quality according to their cooking purposes. The aim of this study was to compare yield performance (from 39 to 50 weeks of age) and egg physical characteristics (at 50 weeks of age) of eight autochthonous chicken breeds of the Veneto region (Italy). Four white eggshell breeds, namely Padovana Camosciata (PA-C, chamois plumage), Padovana Dorata (PA-G, golden plumage), Polverara Bianca (PO-W, white plumage), and Polverara Nera (PO-B, black plumage), and four tinted eggshell breeds, namely Pepoi (PP), Ermellinata di Rovigo (ER), Robusta Maculata (RM), and Robusta Lionata (RL) from a conservation centre were considered in the trial. Significant differences (p < 0.05) among breeds were observed for yield performance and egg quality. From 39 to 50 weeks of age, the hen-day egg production was higher in PA-C and RM than in RL, and PO-W and ER were intermediate; PA-G, PO-B, and PP were the lowest. The hen-day egg production changed according to the age of the hens. From 39 to 42 weeks of age, ER showed the highest hen-day egg production and PA-G the lowest; from 47 to 50 weeks, PA-C, PO-W, and RM were the highest and PP the lowest. The tinted eggshell breeds, with the exception of PP, had higher egg weights than white eggshell breeds. PP egg weight was similar to PO-B. As regards the tinted eggshell breeds, RM eggs had the highest eggshell a* and b*, and PP the lowest. PA-C had the most spherical eggs, and PO-B and ER had the most ovoid eggs. PO-W and RM had the highest eggshell thickness and ER had the lowest. The highest eggshell ratio was observed for PO-W and PO-B, and the lowest for ER. The yolk-to-albumen ratio was higher in the white eggshell breeds than in PP, ER, and RL. ER had the highest Haugh units and PA-G the lowest. PO-W, PO-B, PA-C, PA-G, and ER had the lowest egg inclusions, and RL and RM the highest. Tinted eggshell eggs differed from white eggshell eggs by having higher meat spots. Results indicated that the eggs produced by the eight local chicken breeds differed according to the laying rate and a wide range of physical external and internal characteristics which allow the consumer to distinguish them for their genetic origin by the eggshell shape and colour, and to use them for different purposes to valorise poultry biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Raw materials used in the manufacture of pig feed may contain anti-nutritional elements. These include β-mannans: oligosaccharides that produce a state of unnecessary inflammation in the intestine, hindering the absorption of nutrients and worsening animal performance. In this trial, an enzyme that degrades these sugars was used throughout the growing–finishing period, also reducing the energy of this feed (HC), compared to a control feed (CON). The animals were weighed, and growth and FCR were calculated. In addition, fecal consistency, gastric lesions at slaughter and a battery of 16 biomarkers in feces and tissues, indicators of intestinal integrity and immune stimulation, were studied. HC animals grew as well as CON animals and had a lower FCR. In addition, an anti-inflammatory state was observed in feces and in jejunum and ileum tissue at slaughter, suggesting that the use of this enzyme effectively controls the β-mannan-derived immune reaction. The presence of β-mannans in feed can produce a futile and chronic immune stimulation in fattening pigs. In this trial, a 1-4-endo-D-β-mannanase was added to the feed (HC) during growth and fattening (0.03% of Hemicell HT) and physical performance and pathological data were recorded, and intestinal integrity and immune activation were studied by molecular biomarkers, compared to a control group (CON). The treatment diet was reduced in energy content by 40 Kcal/kg NE. From each group, 113 and 112 animals housed in 8 pens were individually identified and weighed three times: at 7th, 63rd and 116th days in feed. The FCR was calculated for groups of two pens and ADG individually. There was no difference in ADG (CON = 0.836, HC = 0.818) nor in FCR between groups (p = 0.486). During growth, there was a higher frequency of normal feces in HC and there were also no differences in the frequency of gastric lesions. A significant increase in Claudin, Occludin, IFN-γ and IL8 was observed in the CON in feces and a significant decrease in IL-6 in HC. In tissues, there were differences for IL-12p40, TNF-alpha in jejunum (increased CON) and TGF-β in ileum and jejunum, (decreased HC). The economic performance was EUR 4.7 better in the treated group. In conclusion, the addition of 1-4-endo-D-β--mannanase to the feed with a 1.6% reduction in net energy compared to the control, allowed the animals to perform as well as the animals on the higher energy diet, with lower prevalence of diarrhea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Ambient air contains a mixture of pollutants, the effects of which on animal and human health have been widely described. In contrast, the effects on physical performance are poorly understood, largely due to the difficulty of implementing an experimental model to study this problem. Thoroughbred horse racing involves many animal athletes, of similar genetics, environmental exposure, training, and diet, who participate by breathing varying mixtures of ambient air. This paper presents an analysis strategy based on the homogeneity of the races, the distance, and the design of the track. This paper presents a preliminary analysis in which we observe that the level of performance is decreased by concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, NO2, NO, and CO in the air. Thus, we note that this natural experiment may constitute a model of interest to advance the understanding of the problem. This study proposes the theoretical principles for the selection of a sample of horse races to study the relationship between air pollutants and performance. These criteria were then applied to an original dataset comparing the correlations between these variables obtained in "Handicap" versus "Conditional" type races. Methods: The mean concentration of pollutants during the six hours prior to the race and the speed of the test were determined in 441 official races at a racecourse in Santiago, Chile, during the summer and winter months of 2012. Using layout, track condition and distance (1000, 1100 and 1200 m) as criteria, a homogeneous group of races ("Handicap"; n = 214) versus a heterogeneous group ("Conditional"; n = 95) were compared using simple correlations (Spearman's test). Results: Race speed was related to greater levels of PM10, PM2.5, NO2, NO and SO2 and it was positively related to O3, a trend that was observed in the 1000, 1100 m races and in the total "Handicap" group. Similar results were observed only in 1000 m for the "Conditional" group with lower Rho, except for PM10 and PM2.5. The total races of the conditional group showed lower Rho values and significant associations of the same trend for CO, NO2, NO and SO2. Conclusions: Horse races between 1000 and 1200 m of the "Handicap" type appear to be an interesting group to study the relationship between air pollutants and the performance of racehorses. In the future, our observations should be expanded to other distances and other types of races. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Young ruminants possess an undeveloped rumen when first born. Encouraging good rumen development in early life is vital for young ruminants as they transition to a solid feed diet, to ensure optimum growth post-weaning. This study aimed to investigate the effect of three different rearing regimens on rumen development in lambs reared artificially. Weaning of lambs at 42 d of age improved rumen fluid n-butyric content and also resulted in a thicker rumen dorsal wall. Feeding lambs pellets with low fibre and weaning them early increased rumen fluid n-valeric content. Papillae width, density, and rumen wall muscle thickness were affected by rearing treatment. Empty rumen weight, rumen volume, papillae development, and rumen fluid iso-butyric and iso-valeric content had positive associations with dry matter intake and nutrient intakes from solid feed. The majority of volatile fatty acids in the rumen fluid had a positive association with papillae height on the rumen dorsal wall. These results suggest that lamb diet and age at weaning influenced rumen function and physical development. Further studies examining how rumen microbial composition and rumen gene expression are influenced by rearing regimens are required. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of three different rearing regimens on rumen development in lambs reared artificially. Romney ram lambs were randomly allocated to one of three treatments: commercial milk replacer fed to 57 d of age and high fibre concentrate pellets (HFP57); commercial milk replacer, high fibre concentrate pellets, and early weaning from milk replacer at 42 d of age (HFP42); high protein milk replacer from 2–16 d of age followed by commercial milk replacer, low fibre concentrate pellets, and early weaning from milk replacer at 42 d of age (LFP42). Lambs were slaughtered at 57 d of age. Volatile fatty acid content in rumen fluid at slaughter was analysed and rumen tissue samples were collected for histological examination. The rumen n-butyric content was greater (p < 0.05) in both LFP42 and HFP42 treatment lambs compared to HFP57 lambs. The n-valeric content was greater (p < 0.05) in LFP42 lambs compared to both HFP57 and HFP42 treatment lambs. Thickness of the rumen dorsal wall determined by ultrasound scanning at 49 d was greater (p < 0.05) in both HFP42 and LFP42 lambs compared to HFP57 lambs. There was an interaction (p < 0.05) between treatment and site of rumen tissue sampling on papillae width, density, and rumen muscular layer thickness. Collectively, early weaning and the provision of a low fibre pellet leads to improved rumen function and physical development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Explosive detection canines safeguard lives and property by searching out and identifying explosive threats. The handlers, trainers, and leaders who work closely with these canines best understand what they are asked to do when tasked to search for explosives. This study used interviews with these highly experienced individuals to identify the requirements of explosive detection canines in team performance and in the physical, climate, operational, and explosive odor environments. These canines are used in different ways, and these differences influence their requirements. Despite these utilization differences, many requirements common to all explosive detection canines were identified. Searching for explosives is a team effort, and the handler likely has the greatest influence on the canine's performance. A key requirement is appropriate preparation for the expected operational environment. The results of this study can inform the training, assessment, and utilization of these canines and guide future research in explosive detection canine research. Explosive detection canines (EDC) play an important role in protecting people and property. The utilization of and research on EDCs is often based on personal experience or incomplete knowledge. EDC practitioners (handlers, trainers, and leaders) possess the institutional knowledge necessary to understand EDC operational requirements. This study utilized a qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews of EDC experts (n = 17) from across the employment spectrum. The interviews elicited EDC expert perceptions of the performance of the EDC team and the operational requirements in the physical, climate, operational, and explosive odor environments. Analysis of the data revealed commonalities across all EDCs and utilization-specific differences. To be effective, the EDC team must function well on both ends of the leash, and the handler likely has the greatest impact on the EDC's performance. Common requirements include expectations to perform at a high level in a variety of manmade and natural physical environments and under a range of climate conditions. EDCs must work through the visual, olfactory, and auditory challenges of the operational environment and the countermeasure efforts of those utilizing explosive devices. Utilization-specific differences like patrol or assault training and utilization add additional requirements for some EDCs. The results of this study can be used to inform EDC selection, training, assessment, and deployment, and further research into EDC performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The excessive or improper use of antibiotics in chicken feed has led to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, drug residues in the tissue, and other relevant issues, and this situation is severe in China. From 31 December 2020, antibiotics were banned for use as supplemental growth promoters in animal feed in China; therefore, antibiotic substitutes are urgently needed in China. People are searching for ideal antibiotic alternatives, and probiotics have proven their potential use for this. Our current trial aims to evaluate the effects of the Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) YW1 strain on laying hens, including the effects on performance, morphology, cecal microbiota, and intestinal barrier function. Our study showed that orally administering laying hens with probiotic B. subtilis cannot significantly improve their overall egg production, can induce a healthier microbiota composition characterized by a higher ratio of beneficial bacteria, and strengthens the physical barrier function of the intestine by inducing a higher expression of the tight junction protein. This makes it a valid probiotic alternative to antibiotics, and also a reference strain for clinical application in the poultry industry. We investigated the efficacy of a single bacterium strain, Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) YW1, on the performance, morphology, cecal microbiota, and intestinal barrier function of laying hens. A total of 216 28-week-old Hy-line Brown laying hens were divided into three dietary treatment groups, with six replicates of 12 birds each for 4 weeks. The control group (Ctr) was fed a basal diet and the treatment groups, T1 and T2, were fed a basal diet supplemented with B. subtilis at a dose rate of 5 × 108 CFU/kg and 2.5 × 109 CFU/kg, respectively. Dietary supplementation with B. subtilis did not significantly affect overall egg production in both groups, with no obvious changes in average egg weight and intestine morphology. B. subtilis administration also improved the physical barrier function of the intestine by inducing significantly greater expression levels of the tight junction protein occludin in T1 (p = 0.07) and T2 (p < 0.05). Further, supplementation with B. subtilis effectively modulated the cecal microbiota, increasing the relative level of beneficial bacteria at the genus level (e.g., Bifidobacterium p < 0.05, Lactobacillus p = 0.298, Bacillus p = 0.550) and decreasing the level of potential pathogens (e.g., Fusobacterium p < 0.05, Staphylococcus p < 0.05, Campylobacter p = 0.298). Overall, B. subtilis YW1 supplementation cannot significantly improve the egg production; however, it modulated the cecal microbiota towards a healthier pattern and promoted the mRNA expression of the tight junction protein occludin in laying hens, making B. subtilis YW1 a good probiotic candidate for application in the poultry industry, and further expanding the resources of strains of animal probiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Physical exercise induces various stress responses leading to a disturbance of homeostasis and a number of regulatory systems are called upon to return the body to a new level of equilibrium. The aim of this study was to evaluate the peripheral modulators of serotoninergic function and neurohumoral factors' changes in athletic horses during an official jumping competition, and to evaluate their relationship with the physical performance of competing horses. The findings obtained in the current survey showed that jumping exercise influenced the levels of tryptophan, leucine, valine, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), dopamine, and prolactin and that these changes are related to the physical performance of competing horses. These findings suggest that the serotoninergic system may be involved in fatigue during jumping exercise. The current study aimed to investigate whether peripheral modulators of serotoninergic function and neurohumoral factors' changes in athletic horses during an official jumping competition, and to evaluate their relationship with the physical performance of competing horses. From 7 Italian Saddle mares (6–9 years; mean body weight 440 ± 15 kg), performing the same standardized warm-up and jumping course during an official class, heart rate (HR) was monitored throughout the competition. Rectal temperature (RT) measurement, blood lactate and glucose concentration, serum tryptophan, leucine, valine, the tryptophan/branched-chain amino-acids ratio (Try/BCAAs), dopamine, prolactin, and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) were assessed before the exercise event (T0), at the end of the competition stage (5 min ± 10 s following the cessation of the exercise, TPOST5), and 30 min after the end of competition (TPOST30). Highest HR values were recorded during the course and at the outbound (p < 0.0001); blood lactate concentration and RT increased after exercise with respect to the rest condition (p < 0.0001). Lower leucine and valine levels (p < 0.01), and higher tryptophan, Try/BCAAs ratio, and NEFAs values were found at TPOST5 and TPOST30 with respect to T0 (p < 0.0001). A higher prolactin concentration was found at TPOST5 and TPOST30 compared to T0 (p < 0.0001), whereas dopamine showed decreased values after exercise compared to rest (p < 0.0001). Statistically significant correlations among the peripheral indices of serotoninergic function, neurohumoral factors, and athletic performance parameters were found throughout the monitoring period. The findings provide indirect evidence that the serotoninergic system may be involved in fatigue during jumper exercise under a stressful situation, such as competition, in which, in addition to physical effort, athletic horses exhibit more passive behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]