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Animal rights organisations worldwide fight against live shipments of meat animals. The main Israeli NGOs leading the fight are Animals-Now, Israel against Live Shipments, and Let the Animals Live. Their visual rhetoric highlights the cruelty of these shipments. Combined with written messages, photographs of animal suffering appeal to viewers’ emotions and conscience. This article examined ‘Stop the Death Transports!’ – The most extensive campaign led by these NGOs, together with Animals Australia, in 2016. It analysed the campaign poster from the approaches of photography semiotics and visual contextual analysis, informed by theories of visual culture and animal ethics. The campaign represents an intermediate approach between the hardcore and softcore approaches, using visual and verbal references to the Holocaust and slavery. However, though the use of the Holocaust is highly charged for local Jewish viewers thus contributing to the understanding of the immorality of consuming meat, it may in fact assuage their conscience by shifting the moral burden from the meat eaters to the transporters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Resveratrol (Res), a natural plant antitoxin polyphenol, is widely used in animal husbandry due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and current research has focused on humans, sows, and female mice. This study aimed to analyze the effects of dietary Res supplementation in ewes on antioxidant activity, immune responses, hormone levels, rumen microbiota and metabolites across various reproductive stages (estrus, pregnancy, and lactation). Methods: Twenty-four healthy ewe lambs (Hu sheep, 2 months old) with a similar body weight (BW) (mean: 21.79 ± 2.09 kg) were selected and randomly divided into two groups: the control group (Con) and the Res group (Res). The Res group received 10 mg/kg Res (based on BW) in addition to their basal diet. Results: Res increased the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol (E2) in ewes at sexual maturity (p < 0.05). Additionally, Res supplementation induced significant increases in serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), IgG, FSH, and LH levels during estrus (p < 0.05); serum IgA, IgG and IgM during pregnancy and lactation (p < 0.05); and serum LH, glucose, GSH-Px, and catalase (CAT) levels during lactation (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, serum interleukin 1β (IL-1β) (p =0.005) and cholesterol levels (p = 0.041) during the lactation stage decreased following Res supplementation. Notably, colostrum IgA, IgG, and fat concentrations were significantly higher in the Res group than in the Con group (p < 0.05). Moreover, Res altered the rumen microbiota in ewes. Specifically, the relative abundance of Prevotella (p < 0.05) during pregnancy and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group (p < 0.001) during lactation were significantly increased in ewes under Res treatment. The abundance of Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group was positively correlated with the levels of Ig A, Ig M, E2, FSH, LH, GSH-PX, and CAT. Additionally, Res altered the activity of metabolic pathways such as progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation, the estrogen signaling pathway, ovarian steroidogenesis, and the AMPK signaling pathway, and the levels of AICAR and 2-hydroxyestradiol metabolites, both during pregnancy and lactation. Discussion: There findings show that Res can improve health, antioxidant status, and immune activity throughout the reproductive cycle in ewes by regulating rumen microorganisms and metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historians and archaeologists have been debating the scale of animal husbandry in ancient Greece for decades. This study contributes to the debate by examining Classical and Hellenistic faunal assemblages from Magoula Plataniotki, New Halos, and Pherae through non-destructive zooarchaeological methods and a multi-isotopic (87Sr/86Sr, δ13C, and δ18O) approach. Zooarchaeological data suggest that small-scale sedentary animal husbandry focused on caprine production in Magoula Plataniotiki and New Halos, and small-scale and semi-specialised animal husbandry was practised in Pherae. Isotopic data show both sedentary and mobile management of livestock in all sites, indicating different levels of production intensity and variety of goals. Based on our results, we propose an economic model whereby semi-specialised and small-scale animal husbandry co-existed, confirming mixed husbandry models for ancient Greece. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structure of social networks fundamentally influences spreading dynamics. In general, the more contact between individuals, the more opportunity there is for the transmission of information or disease to take place. Yet, contact between individuals, and any resulting transmission events, are determined by a combination of spatial (where individuals choose to move) and social rules (who they choose to interact with or learn from). Here, we examine the effect of the social–spatial interface on spreading dynamics using a simulation model. We quantify the relative effects of different movement rules (localized, semi-localized, nomadic and resource-based movement) and social transmission rules (simple transmission, anti-conformity, proportional, conformity and threshold rules) to both the structure of social networks and spread of a novel behaviour. Localized movement created weakly connected sparse networks, nomadic movement created weakly connected dense networks, and resource-based movement generated strongly connected modular networks. The resulting rate of spreading varied with different combinations of movement and transmission rules, but—importantly—the relative rankings of transmission rules changed when running simulations on static versus dynamic representations of networks. Our results emphasize that individual-level social and spatial behaviours influence emergent network structure, and are of particular consequence for the spread of information under complex transmission rules. This article is part of the theme issue 'The spatial–social interface: a theoretical and empirical integration'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) has evolved from a mere concern into a significant global threat, with profound implications for public health, healthcare systems, and the global economy. Since the introduction of antibiotics between 1945 and 1963, their widespread and often indiscriminate use in human medicine, agriculture, and animal husbandry has led to the emergence and rapid spread of antibiotic-resistant genes. Bacteria have developed sophisticated mechanisms to evade the effects of antibiotics, including drug uptake limitation, drug degradation, target modification, efflux pumps, biofilm formation, and outer membrane vesicles production. As a result, AMR now poses a threat comparable to climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, and projections suggest that death rates will be up to 10 million deaths annually by 2050, along with a staggering economic cost exceeding $100 trillion. Addressing AMR requires a multifaceted approach, including the development of new antibiotics, alternative therapies, and a significant shift in antibiotic usage and regulation. Enhancing global surveillance systems, increasing public awareness, and prioritizing investments in research, diagnostics, and vaccines are critical steps. By recognizing the gravity of the AMR threat and committing to collaborative action, its impact can be mitigated, and global health can be protected for future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Korean demilitarised zone (DMZ) has traditionally been understood as an alienated borderland consistent with ideas of no-man’s lands as abandoned and enclosed spaces. However, far from being an empty space or geopolitical vacuum, the withdrawal of human bodies and activity from the DMZ has (inadvertently) established an ecological haven where non-human life thrives. The near complete inaccessibility of the space poses significant obstacles to researching the species thriving within and, indeed, to how we envision, sense, and engage with the DMZ to begin with. Yet, the difficulties and challenges associated with researching such spaces also provide stimulating ways of thinking with and through the subfield of animal geographies. Drawing upon fieldwork experiences with birds at and along the DMZ, with a particular focus on the red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis), this paper explores how the subfield of animal geographies can itself become a means of exploring, interacting, and engaging with (de)limited spaces. In doing so, it considers how we might push animal geographies beyond its current limits whilst also expanding both the conceptual and methodological toolboxes through which we approach less accessible spaces of study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gene‐editing technology has become a transformative tool for the precise manipulation of biological genomes and holds great significance in the field of animal disease‐resistant breeding. Mastitis, a prevalent disease in animal husbandry, imposes a substantial economic burden on the global dairy industry. In this study, a regulatory sequence gene editing breeding strategy for the successful creation of a gene‐edited dairy (GED) goats with enhanced mastitis resistance using the ISDra2‐TnpB system and dairy goats as the model animal is proposed. This included the targeted integration of an innate inflammatory regulatory sequence (IRS) into the promoter region of the lysozyme (LYZ) gene. Upon Escherichia Coli (E. coli) mammary gland infection, GED goats exhibited increased LYZ expression, showing robust anti‐mastitis capabilities, mitigating PANoptosis activation, and alleviating blood‐milk‐barrier (BMB) damage. Notably, LYZ is highly expressed only in E. coli infection. This study marks the advent of anti‐mastitis gene‐edited animals with exogenous‐free gene expression and demonstrates the feasibility of the gene‐editing strategy proposed in this study. In addition, it provides a novel gene‐editing blueprint for developing disease‐resistant strains, focusing on disease specificity and biosafety while providing a research basis for the widespread application of the ISDra2‐TnpB system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urtica species is an angiosperm plant in the Urticaceae family. It serves as a traditional food and medicinal herb, possessing high nutritional value and various bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides, flavonoids, and polyphenolic compounds. In the realm of animal feeds, Urtica spp. can replace traditional protein feed sources and high-quality forage, thereby reducing feed costs. Moreover, Urtica spp. extract exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and boosts immune regulation. Hence, Urtica spp. plays a beneficial role in enhancing animal performance and improving their immune function. Recently, with the development of sustainable farming techniques, the demand for feed additives that prioritize safety, the absence of drug residues, and environmental friendliness have grown. Consequently, Urtica spp. and its extracts have received widespread attention in animal production. This article summarizes the biological functions of Urtica spp. and its application in animal husbandry while also outlining future prospects for its application. It will provide a scientific basis and reference point for the application of Urtica spp. in animal health and breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ticks carry and transmit a wide range of pathogens (bacteria, viruses, and protozoa) that pose significant threats to human and animal health worldwide. Only few meta-analyses have been conducted on the distribution of ticks and tick-borne spotted fever group rickettsia (SFGR). Therefore, this study aims to examine the tick species and SFGR positivity in China in order to provide support for further research and improvements in the prevention and control of tick-borne diseases. Methodology: This systematic review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Relevant Chinese and English studies were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP database, Chinese Biomedical literature database (CBM) and Wanfang database from inception to January 9, 2023. Pooled SFGR positive rate was meta-analyzed using a random effects model and heterogeneity was assessed by the I2 index. Publication bias was also evaluated by funnel plot and Egger's test. The meta-analysis was performed on R studio 4.0.4. Principal findings: Meta-analysis of 57 studies published between 2000 and 2022 involving 39,380 ticks revealed a pooled SFGR positive rate of 21.4% (Q = 6423.74, I2 = 99%, Q-p<0.001, 95% CI: 15.0–29.6). Most studies of tick-borne SFGR infection rate were conducted in forest areas and developed animal husbandry areas in the northern region. There were slightly more tick species in the southern region, but the differences in tick species (Feeding tick 31.5%, 95%CI: 15.7–53.2, Questing tick 11.5%, 95%CI: 4.4–26.7, Q = 3.29, Q-p = 0.19) between areas (Northern area 20.4%, 95%CI: 14.1–28.7, Southern area 25.5%, 95%CI: 15.0–29.6, Q = 0.21, Q-p = 0.64) were not statistically significant. The most common tick species were Dermacentor silvarum (13%), Ixodes persulcatus (11%) and Haemaphysalis Iongicornis (10%), and the most prevalent SFGR species were Rickettsia raoultii (20%), Rickettsia heilongjiangiensis (11%), and some uncultured species (18%). Conclusions: This study examined the distribution of tick-borne SFGR in China. Our findings revealed that the main tick species were D. silvarum, I. persulcatus and H. iongicornis, and the common SFGR species were R. raoultii, R. heilongjiangiensis, and some uncultured species. Further studies are warranted to identify the potential vectors of SFGR and to better understand the epidemiology and pathogenesis of tick-borne diseases in China. Author summary: Tick-borne rickettsial diseases caused by spotted fever group rickettsia (SFGR) are natural zoonotic diseases that seriously threaten human health worldwide, which mainly transmitted to humans and animals by tick bites. This is the first study systematically examined the distribution of tick-borne spotted fever group rickettsia (SFGR) in China. To analyze the positive rates of tick-borne SFGR in China, we conducted a meta-analysis of 57 studies reporting 39,380 ticks that were published in Chinese and English between 2000 and 2022. Setting the Qinling Mountains-Huaihe River Line as the boundary between northern and southern China, the main tick species in China are D. silvarum, I. persulcatus and H. Iongicornis, and the common SFGR species they carry are R. raoultii, R. heilongjiangiensis, and some unclassified species. The findings highlight awareness of future tick-borne disease prevention and control strategies, such as vaccination programs and public awareness campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) impairs neonatal weight and causes multiple organ dysplasia. IUGR not only threatens human health but is also a significant constraint to the development of animal husbandry. However, the molecular mechanism underlying IUGR remains to be further elucidated. tRNA-derived small RNA (tsRNAs) is a regulative non-coding RNA, which has recently been reported to correlate with the onset and progression of several diseases. In this study, we investigated the tsRNAs expression profiles of IUGR pigs. A tsRNAs dataset for multiple organs in normal and IUGR pigs was generated, including muscle, liver, spleen and intestine. We further analyzed the characteristics of tsRNAs in different organs of pigs, and KEGG pathway analysis was performed to investigate possible pathways involved. This dataset will provide valuable information for further exploring the molecular mechanism of IUGR formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the relationship between the attitude of cattle farmers toward their animals and the occurrence of behavioral and health problems in cattle. Various factors, including animal behavior, husbandry conditions and the frequency of diseases, are taken into account. The results of an online survey of 1,242 German cattle farmers indicated that a range of factors, including the husbandry system, the number of cattle, grazing practices and the human-animal relationship, can influence the occurrence of abnormal behavior in cattle, such as tongue play, mutual sucking, horse-like sitting and standing up as well as diseases, especially musculoskeletal disorders. Additionally, the study identified two distinct types of basic attitudes among livestock farmers toward cattle: emotional and utilitarian attitudes. A robust foundation between the attitude of the livestock owner and the husbandry conditions can therefore facilitate the welfare of cattle in terms of freedom from pain, disease and psychological suffering, as well as the expression of normal behavior. This, in turn, can reduce the occurrence of abnormal behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In this study, we developed a computational pipeline named MeHA to identify candidate genes related to mental health in animals within intensive farming environments, even in the absence of phenotype data. By applying MeHA to pigs, we identified 109 candidate genes associated with memory, cognition, and neural development that also influence traits such as meat quality. Our findings underscore the significance of genetic research in elucidating animal behavior, enhancing farming practices, and illuminating mental well-being in both porcine species and humans. This work illustrates the critical connection between genetics, behavior, and productivity in animal husbandry. Intensively farmed animals such as pigs inevitably experience a certain degree of psychological stress, which leads to a reduction in production performance. Mental health traits are currently difficult to measure, resulting in a gap in understanding their genetic basis. To address this challenge, we propose a computational framework called mental health of animals (MeHA), capable of revealing genes related to animal mental health traits. Using MeHA, we identified 109 candidate genes associated with pig mental health and discovered their intricate connections with critical functions, such as memory, cognition, and neural development, which are essential components of mental health and cognitive performance. Importantly, our findings provide evidence of the potential impact of these genes on economically important traits, including meat quality and piglet survival. This research underscores the importance of genetic studies in enhancing our understanding of animal behavior and cognition, as well as promoting agricultural practices. By applying our approach to study the genetic basis of mental health in pigs as a case, we confirmed that our framework is an effective way to reveal genetic factors affecting animal mental health traits, which contributes to animal welfare and has potential implications for understanding human mental disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotics are frequently used as growth boosters in animal husbandry. Tetracyclines (TCNs) are among the most widely used antibiotics compared to others, leaving traces in animal‐based foodstuffs like milk and meat. Thus, monitoring of TCNs is paramount, especially in the feedstuff. In the present study, a green method is developed to synthesize magnetic Ag/GO‐Fe3O4 nanocomposites using Azadirachta indica leaf extract. The synthesized adsorbent (Ag/GO‐Fe3O4) was analyzed for the residual extraction of oxytetracycline (OTC) and chlortetracycline (CTC) from the fresh milk samples through the magnetic solid‐phase extraction principle. The extraction procedure involved the deproteinization of milk, spiking with antibiotics, followed by magnetic solid‐phase extraction and quantification of TCNs by HPLC with a UV detector. Different factors that affected the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent for the TCNs like pH, temperature, amount of nanocomposite, and time were studied. The inter‐day and intra‐day precision were calculated for OTC (4% and 6%) and CTC (3% and 4%), respectively. The limit of detection and quantification for OTC was 0.5 and 1.5 μgL−1 and for CTC was 0.2 and 0.6 μgL−1 respectively while the percentage extraction was 94%–96%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Cattle behavior recognition is an important field in animal husbandry. It can be used to understand the health status, emotions and needs of cattle. In this paper, an accurate and lightweight behavioral multi-detection model is proposed, which is adapted to real weather conditions. An innovation in the head, neck, detection head and loss function of the model is proposed, which improves the accuracy of behavior detection in cattle, and greatly reduces the number of parameters and calculations. It not only has high accuracy in recognition tasks, but is also very friendly to edge devices. This gives breeders insight into cattle behavior, helping them to better manage their herds, improve breeding efficiency and ensure the health and welfare of their cattle. In modern animal husbandry, intelligent digital farming has become the key to improve production efficiency. This paper introduces a model based on improved YOLOv8, Cattle Behavior Recognition-YOLO (CBR-YOLO), which aims to accurately identify the behavior of cattle. We not only generate a variety of weather conditions, but also introduce multi-target detection technology to achieve comprehensive monitoring of cattle and their status. We introduce Inner-MPDIoU Loss and we have innovatively designed the Multi-Convolutional Focused Pyramid module to explore and learn in depth the detailed features of cattle in different states. Meanwhile, the Lightweight Multi-Scale Feature Fusion Detection Head module is proposed to take advantage of deep convolution, achieving a lightweight network architecture and effectively reducing redundant information. Experimental results prove that our method achieves an average accuracy of 90.2% with a reduction of 3.9 G floating-point numbers, an increase of 7.4%, significantly better than 12 kinds of SOTA object detection models. By deploying our approach on monitoring computers on farms, we expect to advance the development of automated cattle monitoring systems to improve animal welfare and farm management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the most important economic traits for domestic animal husbandry, skeletal muscle is regulated by an intricate molecular network. Adenosine deaminase acting on RNA (ADAR1) involves various physiological processes and diseases, such as innate immunity and the development of lung adenocarcinoma, breast cancer, gastric cancer, etc. However, its role in skeletal muscle growth requires further clarification. Here, we explored the functions of ADAR1 in the myogenic process of goat skeletal muscle satellite cells (MuSCs). The ADAR1 transcripts were noticeably enriched in goat visceral tissues compared to skeletal muscle. Additionally, its levels in slow oxidative muscles like the psoas major and minor muscles were higher than in the fast oxidative glycolytic and fast glycolytic muscles. Among the two common isoforms from ADAR1, p110 is more abundant than p150. Moreover, overexpressing ADAR1 enhanced the proliferation and myogenic differentiation of MuSCs. The mRNA-seq performed on MuSCs' knockdown of ADAR1 obtained 146 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 87 upregulated and 59 downregulated. These DEGs were concentrated in muscle development and process pathways, such as the MAPK and cAMP signaling pathways. Furthermore, many DEGs as the key nodes defined by protein–protein interaction networks (PPI), including STAT3, MYH3/8, TGFβ2, and ACTN4, were closely related to the myogenic process. Finally, RNA immunoprecipitation combined with qPCR (RIP-qPCR) showed that ADAR1 binds to PAX7 and MyoD mRNA. This study indicates that ADAR1 promotes the myogenic development of goat MuSCs, which provides a useful scientific reference for further exploring the ADAR1-related regulatory networks underlying mammal skeletal muscle growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brucellosis is a zoonotic infectious disease that has long endangered the development of animal husbandry and human health. Currently, vaccination stands as the most efficacious method for preventing and managing brucellosis. Alum, as the most commonly used adjuvant for the brucellosis vaccine, has obvious disadvantages, such as the formation of granulomas and its non-degradability. Therefore, the aims of this study were to prepare an absorbable, injectable, and biocompatible hydroxypropyl chitin (HPCT) thermosensitive hydrogel and to evaluate its immunization efficacy as an adjuvant for Brucella antigens. Specifically, etherification modification of marine natural polysaccharide chitin was carried out to obtain a hydroxypropyl chitin. Rheological studies demonstrated the reversible temperature sensitivity of HPCT hydrogel. Notably, 5 mg/mL of bovine serum albumin can be loaded in HPCT hydrogels and released continuously for more than one week. Furthermore, the L929 cytotoxicity test and in vivo degradation test in rats proved that an HPCT hydrogel had good cytocompatibility and histocompatibility and can be degraded and absorbed in vivo. In mouse functional experiments, as adjuvants for Brucella antigens, an HPCT hydrogel showed better specific antibody expression levels and cytokine (Interleukin-4, Interferon-γ) expression levels than alum. Thus, we believe that HPCT hydrogels hold much promise in the development of adjuvants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetracyclines (TCs) rank second globally in the use of animal infection therapy and animal husbandry as growth promoters among all antibiotics. However, large amounts of TCs residue in food products and more than 75% of TCs are excreted into the environment, causing adverse effects on the ecological system and human health. It has been challenging to simultaneously realize low-cost, rapid, and highly selective detection of TCs. Here, inspired by the fluorogenic reactions between resorcinol and catecholamines, we find the fluorescence quenching ability of tetracycline (TC) and firstly propose a fluorescent "turn-off" detection of TC using dopamine and 4-fluororesorcinol. The optimal reaction condition for the fluorescent assay is investigated and the optimized probe showed a good limit of detection (LOD of 1.7 µM) and a wide linear range (10 µM to 350 µM). Moreover, this fluorescent assay proved to be an effective tool for detecting TC in river, Sprite, and beer samples, which represent the aquatic environments and food and may contain tetracyclines residues. Finally, the high selectivity of the method for TC has been confirmed by eliminating the interference from common substances. The proposed strategy provides a high-efficiency and selective solution for the detection of TCs in environment and food and the application fields of this fluorescent assay could be further expanded in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotics are extensively used in human medicine, aquaculture, and animal husbandry, leading to the release of antimicrobial resistance into the environment. This contributes to the rapid spread of antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs), posing a significant threat to human health and aquatic ecosystems. Conventional wastewater treatment methods often fail to eliminate ARGs, prompting the adoption of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) to address this growing risk. The study investigates the efficacy of visible light-driven photocatalytic systems utilizing two catalyst types (TiO2-Pd/Cu and g-C3N4-Pd/Cu), with a particular emphasis on their effectiveness in eliminating blaTEM, ermB, qnrS, tetM. intl1, 16 S rDNA and 23 S rDNA through photocatalytic ozonation and peroxone processes. Incorporating O3 into photocatalytic processes significantly enhances target removal efficiency, with the photocatalyst-assisted peroxone process emerging as the most effective AOP. The reemergence of targeted contaminants following treatment highlights the pivotal importance of AOPs and the meticulous selection of catalysts in ensuring sustained treatment efficacy. Furthermore, Polymerase Chain Reaction-Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) analysis reveals challenges in eradicating GC-rich bacteria with TiO2 and g-C3N4 processes, while slight differences in Cu/Pd loadings suggest g-C3N4-based ozonation improved antibacterial effectiveness. Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism analysis highlights the efficacy of the photocatalyst-assisted peroxone process in treating diverse samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory potential of the leaf hydroalcoholic extract of Piper betleoides C. DC., also known as "Jangli Paan" in Northeast India, using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated both cell culture (RAW264.7, macrophage cells) and animal (albino rat) model of inflammation. Treatment with leaf hydroalcoholic extract of Piper betleoides (PBtE) dose-dependently (5, 10, and 20 µg/mL) decreased the secretion of pro-inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-6, and MCP-1) and increased anti-inflammatory (IL-4 and IL-10) cytokines in LPS-treated macrophages. Similarly, treatment with PBtE also prevented the alternation in mRNA expression of inflammatory markers (TNF-α, CCL-2, IL-6, and IL-10) in LPS-treated macrophages. Dose-dependent supplementation with PBtE further reduced the production of intracellular ROS and increased the phagocytosis efficacies in LPS-treated cells. Further in vivo studies demonstrated that treatment with PBtE dose-dependently (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight) prevented the dysregulation of the secretion of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10) and reduced the circulatory levels of prostaglandin (PGE2) and nitric oxide products (nitrite) in LPS-treated animals. In addition, alternation of blood cell profiling and the liver as well as kidney dysfunctions were also prevented by the treatment with PBtE in LPS-treated rats. The anti-inflammatory potential of PBtE was comparable to those seen in sodium diclofenac (positive control) treated group. LC–MS analyses showed piperine, piperlongumine, piperolactam-A, and dehydropipernonaline and GC–MS analyses demonstrated phytol, caryophyllene, and falcarinol as the phytochemicals present in Piper betleoides, which might play an important role in preventing inflammation and associated pathophysiology. Different treatments didn't cause any toxicity in cell culture and animal models. This study for the first time demonstrated the promising anti-inflammatory potential of the leaf hydroalcoholic extract of Piper betleoides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) belong to a group of biomolecules found in various life forms and form an important part of their defense mechanisms. They are effective against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other parasites and have been categorized into different classes based on their structure and mode of action. Given the current global threat of increasing microbial resistance towards the diverse range of antibiotics, these AMPs represent an alternative approach to treating various infectious diseases and other bodily disorders. Their host specificity and biocompatibility with negligible resistance to various pathogens make them a much-researched substance in modern medical sciences. From screening of various natural resources to in silico design of novel AMPs, numerous AMPs have been discovered, some of which are used for commercial applications. In addition, specialized databases have been established to maintain information on these AMPs, and their fusion with other innovations, such as nanotechnology, has been accomplished. AMPs are also used in the food industry for packaging, and their application in other areas can be further explored and optimized for therapeutic purposes. • Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are part of the innate immunity of an organism against the pathogens. • They exhibit efficacy against wide range of microbes such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, & parasites. • Owing to their diverse mode of action, resistance development against AMPs is negligible. • AMPs show potential medical applications in therapeutic & developing novel antimicrobial drugs. • They are also explored for other industrial applications in food, agriculture, animal husbandry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] The aims of this study are to investigate the evolution of ecosystem service value (ESV) and its influencing factors urbanization in the Karst city cluster and to provide a scientific basis for regional eco-environmental protection ecological function zoning, and ecological compensation decision- making. [Methods] Based on the land use data of urban agglomeration of central Guizhou Province from 2000 to 2020, 16 drivers were selected from natural and socio-economic perspectives, and a Markov-FLUS model was constructed to simulate the land use pattern in 2030 under the scenarios of natural development and ecological constraints. Then, the modified ESV coefficients were used to assess the spatial and temporal evolution of ESV and analyze the factors influencing the spatial differentiation of ESV using Geo detector. [Results] (1) The artificial surface seriously encroached on cropland (53%), forest land (12%), and grassland (10%) from 2000 to 2020. Under the ecological constraint scenario, significant nature reserves were effectively protected, and the artificial surface increased by 55 500 hectares, with a slower growth rate. (2) The ESV as a whole showed a trend of rising and then falling, with regulating services (71.08%)> supporting services (23.59%) cultural services (4.51%) supplying services (0.82%). The value of ESV in 2030 under the natural development scenario was 59.211 billion yuan, and that was 58.906 billion yuan under the ecological constraint scenario. (3) The explanatory power of ESV spatial differentiation factors followed the order: area of districts and counties (0.79)>value-added of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery (0,51)> value-added of primary industry (0.50)>GDP (0.41)>GDP per capita (0.30)>area of built- up area (0.09)>resident population (0.04). The area of districts and counties, value-added of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery, and value-added of primary industry were significantly and positively correlated with ESV, and GDP was significantly and positively correlated with ESV. The area of districts and counties, value-added of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery, and value-added of primary industry were significantly positively correlated with ESV, and GDP was significantly negatively correlated with ESV. [Conclusion Regional ecosystem services are mainly regulating services, and water and woodland ecosystems have a more significant impact on the overall ESV, which is the center of gravity of regional environmental protection and ecological construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: The emergence of the mobilized colistin resistance 1 (mcr-1) gene, which causes colistin resistance, is a serious concern in animal husbandry, particularly in pigs. Although antibiotic regulations in many countries have prohibited the use of colistin in livestock, the persistence and dissemination of this plasmid-mediated gene require effective and rapid monitoring. Therefore, a rapid, sensitive, and specific method combining recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) with an in-house lateral flow assay (LFA) for the mcr-1 gene detection was developed. Methods: The colistin agar test and broth microdilution were employed to screen 152 E. coli isolates from pig fecal samples of five antibiotic-used farms. The established RPA-in-house LFA was validated with PCR for mcr-1 gene detection. Results: The RPA-in-house LFA was completed within 35 min (20 min of amplification and 5–15 min on LFA detection) at 37 °C. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were entirely 100% in concordance with PCR results. No cross-reactivity was detected with seven common pathogenic bacteria or other mcr gene variants. Conclusions: Therefore, the in-house RPA-LFA serves as a point-of-care testing tool that is rapid, simple, and portable, facilitating effective surveillance of colistin resistance in both veterinary and clinical settings, thereby enhancing health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outbreaks of furunculosis cause significant losses in salmonid aquaculture worldwide. With a recent rise in antimicrobial resistance, regulatory measures to minimize the use of antibiotics in animal husbandry, including aquaculture, have increased scrutiny and availability of veterinary medical products to control this disease in production facilities. In such a regulatory environment, the utility of autogenous vaccines to assist with disease prevention and control as a veterinary-guided prophylactic measure is of high interest to the producers and veterinary services alike. However, evolving concepts of epidemiological units and epidemiological links need to be considered during approval and acceptance procedures for the application of autogenous vaccines in multiple aquaculture facilities. Here, we present the results of solid-state nanopore sequencing (Oxford Nanopore Technologies, ONT) performed on 54 isolates of Aeromonas salmonicida ssp. salmonicida sampled during clinical outbreaks of furunculosis in different aquaculture facilities from Bavaria, Germany, from 2017 to 2020. All of the performed analyses (phylogeny, single nucleotide polymorphism and 3D protein modeling for major immunogenic proteins) support a high probability that all studied isolates belong to the same epidemiological unit. Simultaneously, we describe a cost/effective method of whole genome analysis with the usage of ONT as a viable strategy to study outbreaks of other pathogens in the field of aquatic veterinary medicine for the purpose of developing the best autogenous vaccine candidates applicable to multiple aquaculture establishments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper attempts to establish the accurate and timely forecasting model for the total output value of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery (TOVAFAF) in various provinces of China using NPP-VIIRS nighttime light (NTL) remote sensing data and machine learning algorithms. It can provide important data references for timely assessment of agricultural economic development level and policy adjustment. Firstly, multiple NTL indices for provincial-level administrative regions of China were constructed based on NTL images from 2013 to 2023 and various statistics. The results of correlation analysis and significance test show that the constructed total nighttime light index (TNLI), luminous pixel quantity index (LPQI), luminous pixel ratio index (LPRI), and nighttime light squared deviation sum index (NLSDSI) are highly correlated with the TOVAFAF. Subsequently, using the relevant data from 2013 to 2020 as the training set, the four NTL indices were separately taken as single independent variable to establish the linear model, exponential model, logarithmic model, power exponential model, and polynomial model. And all the four NTL indices were taken as the input features together to establish the multiple linear regression (MLR), extreme learning machine (ELM), and particle swarm optimization-ELM (PSO-ELM) models. The relevant data from 2021 to 2022 were taken as the validation set for the adjustment and optimization of the model weight parameters and the preliminary evaluation of the modeling effect. Finally, the established models were employed to forecast the TOVAFAF in 2023. The experimental results show that the ELM and PSO-ELM models can better explore and characterize the potential nonlinear relationship between NTL data and the TOVAFAF than all the models established based on single NTL index and the MLR model, and the PSO-ELM model achieves the best forecasting effect in 2023 with the MRE value for 32.20% and the R2 values of the linear relationship between the actual values and the forecasting values for 0.6460. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to apply a risk management methodology to multiple surface water sources in urban and rural areas of a developing country. The applied methodology enabled the identification of hazards, classification, and the prioritization of risks at 21 collection points in the rural area and 9 collection points in the urban area. Both rural and urban areas exhibited common events with a high-risk level, such as human access (100% in urban areas and 90% in rural areas), climatic events, and inadequate collection structures (100% of points in both urban and rural areas). However, rural areas presented specific risks associated with animal husbandry (70% of points with high risk), a lack of monitoring, limited infrastructure (30% of points with high risk), and wildlife, including birds and worms (50% of points with high risk in rural areas and 10% in urban points). On the other hand, urban areas faced challenges related to vandalism and sabotage (high risk in 40% of points). Understanding these similarities and differences permits integrated risk management among the various stakeholders who can contribute to risk management within a watershed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oats (Avena sativa L.) are rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds, serving as a roughage source for ruminants. This study investigated the impact of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), cellulase (M), and their combinations (LM) on the fermentation quality and metabolic compounds of oat silage. Results demonstrated that all additive treatments significantly increased lactic acid content compared to the control group (P < 0.05), with the lactic acid bacteria treatment group exhibiting the lowest pH value (P < 0.05). Analysis of antioxidant activity and metabolites in oat silage over 60 days revealed 374 differential metabolites with 113 up-regulated and 261 down-regulated, and all treatment groups showing higher antioxidant activity than raw oat materials (P < 0.05). Although no significant differences in antioxidant activity were observed among the various treatment groups in this experiment, notable changes in metabolic pathways were identified. Furthermore, two metabolites (carboxylic acids and derivatives and benzene and substituted derivatives) were identified through non-targeted metabolomics technology, both of which are strongly associated with the antioxidant activity of oat silage. This finding provides a theoretical basis for the efficient use of oat silage in animal husbandry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic residues are widely recognized as major pollutants in the aquatic environment on a global scale. As a significant class of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs), antibiotics are extensively consumed worldwide. The primary sources of these residues include hospitals, municipal sewage, household disposal, and manures from animal husbandry. These residues are frequently detected in surface and drinking waters, sewage effluents, soils, sediments, and various plant species in countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, Europe, the USA, Canada, and India. Antibiotics are used medicinally in both humans and animals, with a substantial portion excreted into the environment as metabolites in feces and urine. With the advancement of sensitive and quantitative analytical techniques, antibiotics are consistently reported in environmental matrices at concentrations ranging from nanograms per liter (ng/L) to milligrams per liter (mg/L). Agricultural soils, in particular, serve as a significant reservoir for antibiotic residues due to their strong particle adsorption capacities. Plants grown in soils irrigated with PhAC-contaminated water can uptake and accumulate these pharmaceuticals in various tissues, such as roots, leaves, and fruits, raising serious concerns regarding their consumption by humans and animals. There is an increasing need for research to understand the potential human health risks associated with the accumulation of antibiotics in the food chain. The present reviews aims to shed light on the rising environmental pharmaceutical contamination concerns, their sources in the environment, and the potential health risks as well as remediation effort. To discuss the main knowledge gaps and the future research that should be prioritized to achieve the risk assessment. We examined and summarized the available data and information on the antibiotic resistance associated with antibiotic residues in the environment. As studies have indicated that vegetables can absorb, transport, and accumulate antibiotics in edible parts when irrigated with wastewater that is either inadequately treated or untreated. These residues and their metabolites can enter the food chain, with their persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity contributing to drug resistance and adverse health effects in living organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the realm of precise management, artificial intelligence has garnered significant attention and adoption, particularly within the domain of smart agriculture. In modern animal husbandry, animal face detection is conducive to individual identification, expression detection and behavior analysis of animals, and this technological advancement holds immense importance in fostering the advancement of intelligent farming practices. In order to solve the challenge of face detection caused by similar appearance features (color, texture, etc.) and no obvious feature differences between the solid-color goats and sheep in the natural environment, this research introduces a novel approach for face detection by combining the capabilities of YOLOv5 and a convolutional block attention module (CBAM). First, datasets of goats and sheep with different angles, scales and densities were constructed. Second, the basic framework of YOLOv5 was used for object detection. To address the obstacle posed by the limited presence of distinguishing features on the faces of goats and sheep, this study aims to overcome the challenge of extracting informative facial characteristics. The CBAM block was introduced to construct the YOLOv5-CBAM model to improve the feature extraction ability. Finally, 2412 images were selected and divided into training set and verification set according to 8:1. The experimental results of this dataset show that the proposed YOLOv5-CBAM model yielded remarkable results with a precision rate of 0.970, a recall rate of 0.890, a mAP@0.5 score of 0.935, an frames per second (FPS) of 140.845, and a model size of 14.680 MB. In comparison to other approaches such as Faster R-CNN, SSD, YOLOv3, and YOLOv5, the proposed model demonstrated superior performance in some aspects. In addition, it excelled in both lightweight design and overall effectiveness, and it is well-suited for real-time detection of animal faces in real-world farming settings, ensuring efficient identification and monitoring of animals within practical agricultural environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diarrheal disease is still the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children, despite significant progress in diarrhea interventions. Zoonotic transmission is the main cause of the emergence and re-emergence of diseases. Domestic animals are often close to humans, particularly in resource-poor countries. Despite evidence of environmental contamination, there have been limited studies conducted to examine the association between domestic animal exposure and diarrheal disease in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis examines the association between domestic animal exposure and diarrheal disease in children under five years of age in LMIC. Methods: The search strategy followed PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines for the reporting of systematic reviews. All appropriate databases were searched to find relevant articles. Research studies were selected for review if they reported an outcome variable that measured diarrhea and exposure variables of any domestic animals. A data extraction form was used to extract information from each study. The quality of the individual articles was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI's) critical appraisal tools. Publication bias was checked using a funnel plot, Egger's regression test, and Begg's test. The heterogeneity of studies was checked using the Galbraith plot and the I-squared test. A sensitivity analysis was conducted, and a meta-analysis was conducted using STATA 17. Results: After reviewing 113 articles, 11 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria hence considered for meta-analysis. The finding of these 11 studies revealed that study participants who had animal exposure had 1.95 higher odds of diarrhea as compared to participants who hadn't animal exposure (OR: 1.95, 95%CI: 1.25, 2.66). Conclusions and recommendations: This study reported that diarrheal disease was associated with study subjects who had domestic animal exposure. Therefore, more comprehensive research is needed on specific behaviors and interventions surrounding animal husbandry that may affect the transmission of pathogens between animals and humans; this would facilitate the design and implementation of measures to reduce animal exposure in the domestic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the domain of precision livestock farming, the integration of diverse data sources is crucial for advancing sustainability and evaluating the implications of farm management practices on cow health. Addressing the challenge of data heterogeneity and management diversity, we propose a key-feature-based clustering method. This approach, merging knowledge-driven feature selection with unsupervised machine learning, enables the systematic investigation of management effects on cow health by forming distinct clusters for analysis. Utilizing data from 3,284 Austrian farms, including 80 features related to feeding, milking, housing, and technology systems, and health information for 56,000 cows, we show how this methodology can be applied to study the impact of technological systems on cow health resulting from the incidence of veterinary diagnoses. Our analysis successfully identified 14 distinct clusters, further divided into four main groups based on their level of technological integration in farm management: "SMART," "TRADITIONAL," "AMS (automatic milking system)," and "SENSOR." We found that "SMART" farms, which integrate both AMS and sensor systems, exhibited a minimally higher disease risk for milk fever (OR 1.09) but lower risks for fertility disorders and udder diseases, indicating a general trend toward reduced disease risks. In contrast, farms with "TRADITIONAL" management, without AMS and sensor systems, showed the lowest risk for milk fever but the highest risk of udder disease (OR 1.12) and a minimally higher incidence of fertility disorders (OR 1.07). Furthermore, across all four groups, we observed that organic farming practices were associated with a reduced incidence of milk fever, udder issues, and particularly fertility diagnoses. However, the size of the effect varied by cluster, highlighting the complex and multifactorial nature of the relationship between farm management practices and disease risk. The study highlights the effectiveness of the key-feature-based clustering approach for high-dimensional data analyses aimed at comparing different management practices and exploring their complex relationships. The adaptable analytical framework of this approach makes it a promising tool for planning optimizing sustainable and efficient animal husbandry practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clostridioides difficile is a spore-forming pathogen and the most common cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea and colitis in the United States. Besides producing the main virulence factors, toxin A (TcdA) and toxin B (TcdB), many of the common clinical strains encode the C. difficile transferase (CDT) binary toxin. The role of CDT in the context of C. difficile infection (CDI) is poorly understood. Inflammation is a hallmark of CDI and multiple mechanisms of inflammasome activation have been reported for TcdA, TcdB, and the organism. Some studies have suggested that CDT contributes to this inflammation through a TLR2-dependent priming mechanism that leads to the suppression of protective eosinophils. Here, we show that CDT does not prime but instead activates the inflammasome in bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). In bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs), the cell binding and pore-forming component of the toxin, CDTb, alone activates the inflammasome and is dependent on K+ efflux. The activation is not observed in the presence of CDTa and is not observed in BMDMs derived from Nlrp3-/- mice suggesting the involvement of the NLRP3 inflammasome. However, we did not observe evidence of CDT-dependent inflammasome priming or activation in vivo. Mice were infected with R20291 and an isogenic CRISPR/Cas9-generated R20291 ΔcdtB strain of C. difficile. While CDT contributes to increased weight loss and cecal edema at 2 days post infection, the relative levels of inflammasome-associated cytokines, IL-1β and IL-18, in the cecum and distal colon are unchanged. We also saw CDT-dependent weightloss in Nlrp3-/- mice, suggesting that the increased weightloss associated with the presence of CDT is not a result of NLRP3-dependent inflammasome activation. This study highlights the importance of studying gene deletions in the context of otherwise fully isogenic strains and the challenge of translating toxin-specific cellular responses into a physiological context, especially when multiple toxins are acting at the same time. Author summary: Clostridioides difficile is a pathogen causing life-threatening diarrhea. C. difficile transferase (CDT) toxin is present in many strains associated with severe disease but its role during C. difficile infection is unclear. In this study, we show that the pore forming subunit, CDTb, activates the inflammasome in myeloid-derived murine cells. While we found that CDT contributes to weight loss in a C. difficile mouse infection model, this was independent of the inflammasome function. This study highlights the importance of studying gene deletions in the context of otherwise fully isogenic strains and the challenge of translating findings in tissue culture models to animal infections. However, it does reveal an additive role for CDT in the tissue edema that occurs in the murine model of acute infection and is consistent with the idea that CDT contributes to the severity of CDI symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Policy intensity is a crucial determinant of policy effectiveness. Analysis of policy intensity can serve as a basis for policy impact evaluation and enable policymakers to make necessary adjustments. Previous studies relied on manual scoring and mainly addressed specialized policies with limited numbers of texts. However, when dealing with text-rich policies, the method inevitably introduced bias and was time-consuming. In this paper, we propose a procedure facilitated by machine learning to analyze the intensity of not only specified but also comprehensive policies with large amounts of texts. Our machine learning-based approach assigns scores to the policy measure dimension, then cross-multiplies with two other dimensions, policy title and document type, to calculate intensity. The efficacy of our approach was demonstrated through a case study of China's environmental policies for livestock and poultry husbandry, which showed improved performance over traditional methods in terms of efficiency and objectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Plant extracts have emerged as a viable alternative to antibiotics in livestock production, contributing to the sustainable development of modern animal husbandry. Among these extracts, tea polyphenols, derived from tea leaves as polyhydroxyphenolic compounds, exhibit diverse bioactive properties. This study aimed to assess the impact of tea polyphenols on serum parameters, rumen microbiota, rumen metabolism, and liver metabolism in Hu sheep. The results indicated that dietary supplementation with tea polyphenols did not significantly affect the serum physiological indices of the sheep but enhanced serum immunity and antioxidant levels. Moreover, Firmicutes dominated the network map of the top 80 abundant microorganisms at the genus level, identifying 13 biomarkers at the genus level. Furthermore, tea polyphenols have been found to modulate both rumen and liver metabolism, particularly in relation to energy and lipid metabolism. Furthermore, strong correlations were observed between liver and rumen metabolites, particularly between rumen succinic acid and liver alanyl−serine and methylmalonic acid. This establishes a theoretical basis for tea polyphenol applications and suggests directions for optimizing future additive dosages. This study investigated the impact of tea polyphenols on serum indices, rumen microorganisms, rumen metabolism, and liver metabolism in Hu sheep. Sixty healthy lambs, aged three months and with similar average weights, were chosen and randomly assigned to control (CON), TP400, TP800, and TP1200 groups, each consisting of fifteen lambs. The control group received a basal diet, while the experimental groups were provided with basal diet supplemented with 400 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg, and 1200 mg/kg of tea polyphenols, respectively. Compared with the CON group, the addition of tea polyphenols to the diet significantly increased serum IgA, GSH−Px, and TSOD. In addition, tea polyphenols were able to increase rumen pH but had no significant effect on the rumen NH3−N, VFA molar content, and the microbial top 10 phylum and genus levels. Moreover, Firmicutes predominated in the network map of the top 80 abundant microorganisms at the genus level, identifying 13 biomarkers at the genus level. In addition, strong correlations were observed between liver and rumen metabolites, particularly between rumen succinic acid and liver alanyl−serine and methylmalonic acid. Furthermore, tea polyphenol additions changed the enrichment of liver and rumen metabolites in the top five KEGG metabolic pathways, but 400−1200 mg/kg additions had no negative impact on the liver and rumen. In summary, TP significantly influences rumen and liver metabolites in Hu sheep, enhancing lamb immunity and antioxidant capacity, with 400 mg/kg being the most effective dosage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is an essential small molecule with diverse biological functions. It plays several key roles, including regulating the secretion of reproductive hormones and the reproductive cycle, enhancing the functionality of reproductive organs, improving the quality of sperm and eggs, and mitigating oxidative stress in the reproductive system. Melatonin effectively inhibits and scavenges excess free radicals while activating the antioxidant enzyme system and reduces the production of inflammatory factors and alleviates tissue damage caused by inflammation by regulating inflammatory pathways. Additionally, melatonin contributes to repairing the intestinal barrier and regulating the gut microbiota, thereby reducing bacterial and toxin permeation. The use of melatonin as an endogenous hormone in animal husbandry has garnered considerable attention because of its positive effects on animal production performance, reproductive outcomes, stress adaptation, disease treatment, and environmental sustainability. This review explores the characteristics and biological functions of melatonin, along with its current applications in animal production. Our findings may serve as a reference for the use of melatonin in animal farming and future developmental directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tibetan sheep industry is a typical representative of plateau animal husbandry and grassland animal husbandry and is also one of the characteristic industries in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau region. The study of this industry is of great significance to promoting the high-quality development of animal husbandry and the region. Based on the production data and statistical data of Tibetan sheep in the main producing areas of Qinghai Province, this paper adopts the entropy method and the coupling coordination degree model to study the high-quality development of animal husbandry in Qinghai province from five dimensions: product quality, production efficiency, economic benefits, environmental friendliness and environmental conditions. The results showed that the high-quality development level and coupling coordination degree of the Tibetan sheep industry in Haibei Prefecture, Hainan Prefecture, Haixi Prefecture and Huangnan Prefecture of Qinghai Province showed an upward trend from 2015 to 2020. Among them, the high-quality development level of the Tibetan sheep industry in Haibei Prefecture and Hainan Prefecture of Qinghai Province significantly increased from 2019 to 2020, but the coupling coordination degree decreased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective animal husbandry aims to produce behavioral profiles consistent with those observed in wild counterparts. However, few studies have examined the impacts of management history on sociality. We investigate social dynamics in a group of Javan gibbons (Hylobates moloch) at Perth Zoo using behavioral and proximity data. The group consists of an aging adult female and her two offspring – a maturing sub-adult female and a juvenile male. This composition diverges from commonly observed groupings in the wild. The study group’s social relationships generally align with species-typical behaviors, with the exception of the patterning of play behavior and resting-in-contact. These results indicate an uncharacteristically close bond between the mother and her maturing same sex-offspring, as well as an unexpectedly distant mother-juvenile bond. These relationships are best explained by the group’s management history and resulting atypical group composition including: the absence of an adult male, the mother’s advanced age, and the hand-rearing of the juvenile male. This study gives insight into the effects of a captive setting on social development and provides further evidence of social flexibility in gibbons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Along bacteria, yeasts are common in forages and forage fermentations as spoilage microbes or as additives, yet few studies exist with species-level data on these fungi's occurrence in feedstuff. Active dry yeast and other yeast-based products are also common feed additives in animal husbandry. Here, we aimed to characterize both fermented and non-fermented milking cow feedstuff samples from Hungary to assess their microbial diversity in the first such study from Central Europe. Results: We applied long-read bacterial metabarcoding to 10 fermented and 25 non-fermented types of samples to assess bacterial communities and their characteristics, surveyed culturable mold and yeast abundance, and identified culturable yeast species. Fermented forages showed the abundance of Aerococcaceae, Bacillaceae, Brucellaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Staphylococcaceae, and Thermoactinomycetaceae, non-fermented ones had Cyanothecaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Erwiniaceae, Gomontiellaceae, Oxalobacteraceae, Rhodobiaceae, Rickettsiaceae, and Staphylococcaceae. Abundances of bacterial families showed mostly weak correlation with yeast CFU numbers, only Microcoleaceae (positive) and Enterococcaceae and Alcaligenaceae (negative correlation) showed moderate correlation. We identified 14 yeast species, most commonly Diutina rugosa, Pichia fermentans, P. kudriavzevii, and Wickerhahomyces anomalus. We recorded S. cerevisiae isolates only from animal feed mixes with added active dry yeast, while the species was completely absent from fermented forages. The S. cerevisiae isolates showed high genetic uniformity. Conclusion: Our results show that both fermented and non-fermented forages harbor diverse bacterial microbiota, with higher alpha diversity in the latter. The bacterial microbiome had an overall weak correlation with yeast abundance, but yeasts were present in the majority of the samples, including four new records for forages as a habitat for yeasts. Yeasts in forages mostly represented common species including opportunistic pathogens, along with a single strain of Saccharomyces used as a feed mix additive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Later Iron Age in Britain was a transformative period: material culture, settlement patterns, technology, trade networks, and the structures of power changed, ultimately leading to the Roman invasion. This paper examines the significance of investigating animal economies in this period within the broader context of socio‐economic developments. It reviews the available evidence regarding animal economies in this period, integrates new osteometric analyses, and discusses diachronic changes using the Roman evidence on a comparative basis. The investigation shows a broad pattern of continuity of practice, with relatively uniform livestock types and management strategies until the very end of the Iron Age. This suggests that the trajectory of local farming practices was largely independent from Mediterranean developments. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of Iron Age societies and their response to external influences, while also informing future research directions in archaeology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Introduction Methods Results Conclusion Anthrax is a World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)‐listed disease that must be reported upon confirmation based on the Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Anthrax poses a serious health issue for unvaccinated livestock, is a threat to humans through interaction with contaminated livestock and animal products and is endemic in many areas throughout the world, including the Transcaucasian Region. Despite several control and eradication efforts that have been implemented by the government of the Republic of Armenia (RA), sporadic cases of anthrax are still reported. We sought to understand the epidemic situation of anthrax in RA during the last 10 years (2012–2023) based on analysis of outbreaks and reported cases in cattle and humans.We collected and evaluated officially reported data from human and animal cases, such as time, location, animal species, disease intensity and spread radius. The data and various parameters were mapped using ArcGIS to prepare a viable risk assessment.Based on the officially available data and reports, there have been 80 human cases and 55 animal cases of anthrax confirmed in RA from 2012 to 2023. We also identified the presence of anthrax spores in soil and environmental samples near animal burial sites in RA in 2015–2017 through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. Upon comparing the human and animal cases by frequency and intensity, the human cases are directly proportional to the animal husbandry practices performed in RA.The detection of the anthrax pathogen at the burial sites highlights the continued threat in these areas. Thus, it is imperative to secure and monitor any areas that have been used for anthrax burial and limit the movement of animals in these areas. In the future, legislation should be updated to prioritise incineration of anthrax‐infected carcasses instead of burial to limit further exposure to animals and humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an important part of building a strong livestock country, the construction of Chinese feed grain supply chain system is a crucial lever for achieving the prosperity of rural industries and increasing the income of farmers. From the perspective of animal husbandry power, the construction of Chinese feed grain system is an important measure to comply with the new requirements of high-quality agricultural development, promote the new direction of rural industry revitalization strategy, and fit the new situation of Chinese path to modernization. The article constructs a Chinese feed grain supply chain system from three aspects: core layer, key layer, and support layer, and analyzes the core functions, key elements, and operating mechanisms of the construction of the Chinese feed grain supply chain system. On this basis, it is proposed to actively layout the construction of digital infrastructure and consolidate the basic support of the feed and grain supply chain. Increase investment in technological innovation and transform the kinetic energy support of the feed and grain supply chain system. Establish a feed and grain capital chain management system to strengthen the financial support of the feed and grain supply chain system. These measures aim to promote the sustainable development of China's feed and grain supply chain and accelerate the process of building a strong animal husbandry country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital inclusive finance, as a new financial format that combines traditional finance and digital technology, has a significant impact on the high-quality development of animal husbandry. This article conducts empirical research using 30 provinces in China from 2013 to 2022 as research samples. The main conclusions are as follows: Digital inclusive finance can significantly promote the high-quality development of animal husbandry. Heterogeneity testing shows that the impact of digital inclusive finance on the high-quality development of animal husbandry is more significant in regions with high levels of marketization and from 2017 to 2022. The mechanism test results reveal that urbanization is an important transmission channel for digital inclusive finance to empower high-quality development of animal husbandry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally, molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis for infectious agents were studied in cell culture or animal models but have limitations on the extent to which the resulting data reflect natural infection in humans. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgent need to rapidly develop laboratory models that enable the study of host-pathogen interactions, particularly the relative efficacy of preventive measures. Recently, human and animal ex vivo tissue challenge models have emerged as a promising avenue to study immune responses, screen potential therapies and triage vaccine candidates. This approach offers the opportunity to closely approximate human disease from the perspective of pathology and immune response. It has advantages compared to animal models which are expensive, lengthy and often require containment facilities. Herein, we summarize some recent advances in the development of ex vivo tissue challenge models for COVID-19, HIV-1 and other pathogens. We focus on the contribution of these models to enhancing knowledge of host-pathogen interactions, immune modulation, and their value in testing therapeutic agents. We further highlight the advantages and limitations of using ex vivo challenge models and briefly summarize how the use of organoids provides a useful advancement over current approaches. Collectively, these developments have enormous potential for the study of infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shaanxi is a leading province in animal husbandry (AH) in China. However, the lack of provincial information on the characteristics and utilization potential of livestock manure (LM) hinders crucial management decisions. Therefore, we investigated the spatiotemporal distribution, availability and biogas potential of LM in Shaanxi, and examine the carbon emission reduction potential of AH. There has been a 1.26-fold increase in LM quantities in Shaanxi over the past 35 years, reaching 4635.6 x 104 t by 2021. LM was mainly concentrated in northern Shaanxi and the eastern part of Hanzhong. Cattle and pig manure were the primary sources of LM, with the average LM land-load of 14.57 t·ha-1 in 2021. While the overall AH in Shaanxi has not exceeded the environmental capacity, the actual scales of AH in Ankang and Hanzhong have already surpassed the respective environmental capacities, posing a higher risk of N and P pollutions. In 2021, the estimated biogas energy potential of LM was 1.2 x 1011 MJ. From 2012 to 2021, the average carbon emission reduction potential in Shaanxi was 22%, with an average potential scale of 10%. The results of this research provide valuable data and policy recommendations for promoting the intensive use of LM and reducing carbon emissions in Shaanxi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Flight is a fundamental characteristic for the majority of bird species, but how well is this behaviour catered for when birds are housed in managed populations under human care? Zoo enclosure design and animal care practices often balance natural behaviour performance and what is feasible in a human-made environment. As zoos focus more on animal welfare, enclosures should be evaluated to ensure they provide adequate space, natural habitat features, and opportunities for natural behaviours. This paper highlights the need for a better understanding of behaviours, using flight in bird as the core example, and recommends posing and then answering directed questions to gather evidence for improved enclosure design to provide for what birds need to do. We call for changing "best practice" guidelines to "better practice guidelines" to emphasise continuous improvement in animal care based on evidence and regular reassessment, and to encourage all stakeholders in zoos to regularly consider the impacts of housing and husbandry on animal behaviour and welfare. Zoo enclosure design, and housing and husbandry protocols, will always be a compromise between what a species has evolved to do and what is possible to offer in a human-created environment. For some species, behaviours that are commonly performed in the wild may be constrained by husbandry practices that are used for ease or aesthetics or are accepted conventions. As zoos place more emphasis on positive animal welfare states, zoo enclosures should be scrutinised to check that what is provided, in terms of useful space, appropriate replication of habitat features, and maximal potential for natural behaviour performance, is relevant to the species and individuals being housed. For some species, zoos need to grapple with tough questions where the answer may not seem immediately obvious to ensure they are continuously improving standards of care, opportunities for the performance of species-typical behaviours, and advancing the attainment of positive welfare states. Determining the importance of flight, for example, and what this behaviour adds to the quality of life of a zoo-housed bird, is an important question that needs addressing to truly advance aviculture and how we determine bird welfare. This paper provides questions that should be answered and poses measures of what flight means to a bird, to provide evidence for the development and evolution of zoo bird housing. If we can devise some way of asking the animals in our care what they need, we can more firmly support decisions made that surround enclosure design, and housing decisions. Ultimately, this means gathering evidence on whether birds like to fly (e.g., from birds in training or demonstration activities) by applying mixed methods approaches of behavioural analysis, data on wild ecology, qualitative behavioural assessment, and cognitive bias testing to develop a robust suite of tools to address avian welfare considerations. Avian welfare scientists should attempt to define what meaningful flight is (i.e., flight that truly suggests a bird is flying) in order to support guidelines on aviary dimensions, space allowance, and welfare outputs from birds in both flighted and flight-restricted populations, and to determine what is most appropriate for an individual species. Changing the term "best practice" husbandry guidelines to "better practice" husbandry guidelines would instil the importance of regular review and reassessment of housing and management suitability for a species to ensure such care regimes remain appropriate. With an increasingly welfare-savvy public visiting zoos, it is essential that we seek more evidence to support and justify how birds are kept and ultimately use such evidence to enact changes to practices that are shown to infringe on avian welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal and plant remains recovered from two archaeological sites in Iași city (NE Romania) were analyzed in this work. The aim of this study was to contribute to the economic and environmental evaluation of an old urban settlement. The analyzed sites, both of value in archaeological preventive research, are dated to the 18th–19th centuries. The archaeozoological analysis consisted of anatomical, taxonomic, and taphonomic identifications, quantification, estimations of age at slaughter and sex, and osteometry. The results revealed that the animal remains are of domestic origin, as indicated by traces of butchering, and can be mainly described in terms of their frequencies (i.e., number of identified specimens and minimum number of individuals), selection for slaughter, morphology, and size. The results show that animal husbandry (e.g., cattle, sheep/goat, pig, and horse) had significant importance in the economy of the settlement, and cattle were preferred for consumption. Few remains were identified for wild mammals (i.e., red deer, wild boar, and hare), birds, and mollusks. The phytolith analysis indicated that some plant resources were used in the economy of this settlement. The identification of opal silica bodies revealed the presence of grasses and cultivated cereals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a kind of aminoglycoside antibiotics, kanamycin (KAN) is widely applied to animal husbandry and aquaculture. However, the abuse of KAN causes the large-scale discharge of it into rivers, lakes and groundwater, which threatens environmental safety and human health. Therefore, it is imperative to develop a method that is applicable to detect KAN in an efficient and accurate way. The colorimetric method based on enzymes provides a feasible solution for the detection of organic pollutants. However, the extensive application of natural enzymes is constrained by high cost and low stability. Herein, a polyoxometalate-based nanozyme, namely [H7SiW9V3O40(DPA)3]·4H2O (SiW9V3/DPA) (DPA = dipyridylamine), is synthesized. As a low-cost nanozyme with high stability compared to natural enzymes, SiW9V3/DPA performs well in laccase-mimicking activity. It can be used to induce chromogenic reaction between 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DP) and 4-aminoantipyrine (4-AP), which generates red products. With the addition of KAN, the color fades. That is to say, KAN can be detected with colorimetric assay in the concentration range 0.1 to 100 μM with high selectivity and low limit of detection (LOD) of 6.28 μM. Moreover, SiW9V3/DPA is applied to KAN detection in lake and river water and milk with satisfactory results. To sum up, polyoxometalate-based nanozyme is expected to provide a promising solution to the detection of organic pollutants in the aquatic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Cattle remains from the Roman period often indicate both small and large individuals. This can be evidenced through the variability in bone measurements related to the stature of living animals. It is widely believed that these differences are too great to be related to the size pattern of cows and bulls from a single population, instead pointing to the presence of different types. The smaller one is usually conceived as autochthonous, while the larger one is interpreted as—originally—introduced Roman cattle. Apparently, for the first time in Central Europe, people would use two or more breeds of the same domestic species. To determine the background of this new production regime, we analysed four stable isotope ratios of bone collagen from small and large specimens from Roman sites, including urban, rural, civilian, military, and ritual. If the two types were raised differently, this should be visible by the isotope ratios providing information about nourishment and origin. The results produced no consistent differences between small and large cattle; rather, these were raised side by side. Apparently, Roman agriculture was complex enough to support various breeds simultaneously, but further research on intra-site variability is needed. In this study, we try to combine traditional archaeozoological biometry, based on outer bone measurements, with stable isotope analyses of bone collagen. Right from the start of archaeozoological research in Central and Western Europe, the important size variability in Roman domestic cattle has puzzled scholars. According to an established view, these differences in bone size are attributed either to the simultaneous presence of different types or even breeds or to the result of crossbreeding of smaller, native, and larger Roman cattle. Likewise, the episodic import of large-sized animals has been considered. First, we selected thirty proximal phalanges of cattle from three sites including five archaeological contexts from eastern Austria (Roman provinces of Noricum and Pannonia). The bone sample comprised the whole hitherto observed metric variability in Roman provincial cattle, and we tried to include minimal and maximal specimens. The results from stable isotope analyses (δ15N, δ13C, δ18O, δ2H) carried out on thirty proximal phalanges indicated that isotope signals were rather site-specific and, generally, not related to bone size. Therefore, we conclude that at least in the area investigated, small and large cattle types were raised and herded in the same areas and not spatially separated. There are, however, uncertain indicators of intra-site differences in isotope signals related to bone size, which should be checked on much larger sample sets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global increase in temperature and the resulting climate change present a significant challenge for animal husbandry. Cattle are particularly affected by heat stress during the summer months. The objective of the study was to quantify the duration of heat stress hours during the summer months on ten farms with new or renovated cattle barns. Furthermore, the heat radiation of different ridge designs was evaluated in comparison to the respective roof construction. All farms experienced heat stress during the summer months, with those two farms utilising digital barn climate regulation exhibiting notable benefits. This suggests that digital barn climate regulation can play a pivotal role in mitigating heat stress in animals. Additionally, the findings validated the efficacy of green roofs in actively cooling through evaporative cooling. The heat input was considerably higher with uninsulated trapezoidal sheet metal roofs and light ridges than with sandwich roofs and membrane ridges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture is calling on companies and research institutions to submit innovative project ideas for the development of sustainable breeding strategies and the improvement of herd health. Project outlines are sought for the development of breeding strategies and for the improvement of herd health, as well as the development of new prevention and treatment strategies. The breeding strategies should improve the health and robustness of agricultural animals while increasing efficiency in food production. There is a high demand for new tools and innovative solutions to reduce multifactorial diseases in agricultural animal husbandry. [Extracted from the article]