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The purpose of this study is to investigate challenges and tensions encountered by university supervisors working with student teachers in dual language immersion (DLI) settings. Despite the growth of Utah's statewide DLI program, Utah university teacher programs have few faculty members familiar with the partner cultures and languages of Utah's DLI model. Drawing from a larger multiple case study, this study examines three non-Chinese university supervisors' written reflections and focus group transcripts during supervision in Chinese DLI classrooms. Findings suggest the challenges and tensions encountered by these supervisors were not just cultural in nature; at times, university supervisors were unfamiliar with the DLI model and/or unsure of whether challenges were products of cultural differences, the DLI program, or other influences.

Abstract Background Liver fibrosis is a common pathological process of chronic liver disease, characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been found to have potential therapy effect on liver fibrosis, but the mechanism involved was still unclear. The objective of this study is to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) on the treatment of liver fibrosis, with particular emphasis on elucidating the underlying mechanism of action through which ADMSCs inhibit the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Methods ADMSCs were isolated from adipose tissue and injected intravenously into hepatic fibrosis model of rats. The histopathological changes, liver function, collagen deposition, the expression of fibroin and Hippo pathway were evaluated. In vitro, ADMSCs were co-cultured with HSCs activated by transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), and the inhibitor of Hippo pathway was used to evaluate the therapeutic mechanism of ADMSCs transplantation. Results The results showed that after the transplantation of ADMSCs, the liver function of rats was improved, the degree of liver fibrosis and collagen deposition were reduced, and the Hippo signaling pathway was activated. In vitro, ADMSCs can effectively inhibit the proliferation and activation of HSCs induced by TGF-β1 treatment. However, the inhibitory effect of ADMSCs was weakened after blocking the Hippo signaling pathway. Conclusions ADMSCs inhibit HSCs activation by regulating YAP/TAZ, thereby promoting functional recovery after liver fibrosis. These findings lay a foundation for further investigation into the precise mechanism by which ADMSCs alleviate liver fibrosis.

Abstract The Kizilsu River Basin in China is located in the desert Gobi area with high sediment content and high hardness. After 4798h operation, the maintenance of a high‐head Francis turbine in this basin found that the guide vane was seriously worn, and even most of the top and lower skirts of the front of the guide vane were worn off. In this study, the k‐ε turbulence model, ZGB cavitation model and sediment erosion prediction model were used to simulate the solid‐liquid two‐phase flow and cavitation of guide vane. The research results show that the guide vane of a high‐head Francis turbine in a sandy river has a high sediment velocity and serious surface erosion, with the maximum erosion rate of 1.0 × 10−6 kg/(m2·s), while the area near the skirt of the guide vane is a low‐pressure area lower than the saturated steam pressure, and cavitation is very easy to occur, with the maximum vapor volume fraction of 0.9. Serious cavitation erosion occurs near the skirt of the guide vane, and the combined effect of sand erosion and cavitation erosion on the surface of the skirt of the guide vane aggravates the damage of the skirt structure. The research results provide a technical basis for the antiabrasion design of the guide mechanism of the high‐head Francis turbine and the operation and maintenance of the hydropower station in the sandy river.

Abstract In recent years, dental implants have become a trend in the treatment of human patients with missing teeth, which may also be an acceptable method for companion animal dentistry. However, there is a gap challenge in determining appropriate implant sizes for different dog breeds and human. In this study, we utilized skull computed tomography data to create three-dimensional models of the mandibles of dogs in different sizes. Subsequently, implants of various sizes were designed and subjected to biomechanical finite element analysis to determine the optimal implant size. Regression models were developed, exploring the relationship between the average weight of dogs and the size of premolar implants. Our results illustrated that the regression equations for mean body weight (x, kg) and second premolar (PM2), third premolar (PM3), and fourth premolar (PM4) implant length (y, mm) in dogs were: y = 0.2785x + 7.8209, y = 0.2544x + 8.9285, and y = 0.2668x + 10.652, respectively; the premolar implant diameter (mm) y = 0.0454x + 3.3506, which may provide a reference for determine suitable clinical implant sizes for dogs.

BackgroundProbiotics, which are beneficial to the host, have been shown to benefit the health of cats. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are commonly used probiotics, but most strains used for cats are not derived from cats, leading to reduced efficacy and poor adaptation to cats. The objective was to identify LAB with promising probiotic potential specific to cats.MethodLABs were isolated from fecal samples of 20 healthy cats. Gram staining and the survival rate in the simulated gastrointestinal tract were used for preliminary screening. Candidate strains were identified by 16S rDNA sequencing, and further evaluated for adhesion ability, growth characteristics, antibacterial activity, antioxidant capacity, and safety.Results24 Gram-positive isolates were identified, with 10 (F1-F10) showing robust viability in the simulated gastroenteric fluid. These 10 strains exhibited excellent adhesion to Caco-2 cells and strong auto-agglutination properties. They also possessed the capacity to antagonize and aggregate pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Salmonella Braenderup H9812, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1), Moreover, all strains demonstrated tolerance to H2O2 concentrations ranging from 0.5–2 mmol/L and the ability to scavenge 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals, indicating a certain level of antioxidant activity. Safety tests showed no hemolytic activity, and all but F6 were highly sensitive to antibiotics, with over 62.5% sensitivity to 16 antibiotics. Remarkably, F4 (Lactobacillus reuteri) and F10 (Lactobacillus brevis) exhibited exceptional viability in the simulated gastrointestinal tract, coupled with robust growth potential, enhanced adhesion efficiency, significant antibacterial and antioxidant properties.ConclusionOur findings revealed that F4 (Lactobacillus reuteri) and F10 (Lactobacillus brevis) hold promising potential as probiotics. This research lays a solid scientific foundation for the selection and application of probiotics tailored specifically for cats.

IntroductionLactic acid bacteria (LAB) are Gram-positive bacteria that produce lactic acid during fermentation, with some strains enhancing host health by modulating the gut microbiota, boosting immune responses, and reducing inflammation.MethodsIn this study, 6 LAB strains were isolated from two dog milk samples, and their probiotic properties were comprehensively evaluated. The evaluation included growth properties, stress resistance, antipathogen activity, adhesion activity, safety assessment, antioxidant capacity, and prebiotic metabolites assessment.ResultsIn comparison to the control strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus LGG, all 6 LAB isolates exhibited favorable probiotic properties. Additionally, the results of the antioxidant tests indicated that these strains demonstrated high tolerance to 0.5 mmol/L H2O2 and exhibited significant scavenging abilities for the free radicals 1,1-diphenyl-2-trinitrophenylhydrazine (DPPH) and hydroxyl (OH−). Furthermore, the 6 LAB isolates were found to produce elevated concentrations of prebiotic metabolites, including exopolysaccharides (EPS), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and bile salt hydrolase (BSH).DiscussionThis study presents a comprehensive analysis of LAB isolates derived from canine milk. These isolates exhibited multifunctional properties, with strain L221 performing the best overall, making it a promising candidate for probiotic use in dogs.

IntroductionGuided endodontics represents an effective method for achieving safe and reliable endodontic surgery in human medicine. However, it is rarely employed in small animal dentistry. This study employed finite element analysis and three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques to explore the feasibility of guided endodontics in Beagle mandibular teeth.MethodsThe methodology included the processing of Computed Tomography (CT) data, the creation of mathematical and 3D printing templates of the root canal pathways, and the evaluation of dog 3D printing guided endodontics compared with classic root canal method using radiograph.ResultsIn this experiment, the coordinates of the central point of pulp crown and apex point for each tooth were recorded. Based on the extension line of the central point of dental root canal orifice and the apex point, guided endodontic templates were designed on each root canal of 20 teeth in the Beagle mandible. Among them, the average relative deviation of guided endodontics and classic root canal method was 4.28% ± 2.75%, and the mean angular deviation was 1.90 ± 0.25°.DiscussionOur research indicated that dog 3D printing guided endodontics has accurate position, direction, and length, which may assist veterinary dentistry in root canal treatment in small animals.

The clearance exists inevitably between the turbine guide vanes and the fixed wall, and the resulting tip leakage vortex leads to the increase of hydraulic loss. Based on the fluid simulation software ANSYS CFX, the hydrofoil was numerically simulated under different flow velocity conditions. The trajectory and energy dissipation of the tip leakage vortex are discussed. The results show that the jet entrainment with the main flow to form the tip leakage vortex, which is mainly divided into main leakage vortex and separation vortex. The flow evolution of tip leakage vortex can be divided into three stages. The evolution of tip leakage vortex can be divided into three stages: independent development of main leakage vortex and separation vortex, fusion stage, and dissipation of main leakage vortex. The strongest turbulent kinetic energy dissipation occurs in the clearance, which confirms that the clearance causes non-negligible energy dissipation for hydraulic machinery. The results provide guidance for tip leakage vortex control of hydraulic hydrofoil.

BackgroundHeat stress significantly impacts dairy cows, primarily through oxidative stress, which undermines their health. The problem is exacerbated by the ongoing global warming trend. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are safe, economical, and readily accessible options for enhancing the host’s antioxidant defenses and preventing oxidative damage. They have been proven effective in alleviating heat stress-related damage, making them an excellent choice for protecting dairy cows from the adverse effects of heat stress.MethodIn this study, five strains of LAB from Holstein cow milk (Lactobacillus plantarum L5, L14, L17, L19, L20) were evaluated for their heat resistance and antioxidant capacity by evaluating the growth characteristics and tolerance of the strains under high-temperature conditions, as well as their H2O2 tolerance, free radical scavenging ability (DPPH, OH−, ABTS), reducing ability, and EPS production ability. Furthermore, we employed Caco-2 cells to assess the adhesion rate of the strain, thereby confirming its ability to successfully colonize the host’s intestinal tract and ensuring the effective execution of its probiotic functions. The strain with excellent heat resistance and antioxidant capacity was then subjected to genomic analysis to gain insight into the molecular mechanisms behind their heat resistance, antioxidant capacity, and safety.ResultsAmong the two strains, Lactobacillus plantarum L19 emerges as a highly promising candidate. The strain exhibits robust growth even at high temperatures at 40°C and maintains a survival rate of 16.42% at the extreme temperature of 65°C. Furthermore, it demonstrates superior tolerance to hydrogen peroxide (27.3%), and possesses a notably higher free radical scavenging capacity with a high adhesion rate to Caco-2 cell (22.19%) compared to the other four strains tested. Genomic analysis revealed its’ genome has 17 genes related to antioxidants and three genes related to heat resistance. Importantly, L19 lacks any resistance genes, ensuring its safety as a probiotic.ConclusionThe results imply that Lactobacillus plantarum L19 has the potential to serve as an effective food additive in mitigating damages associated with heat stress. This research offers a valuable reference for the prevention and management of heat stress in dairy cows, while also expanding the scope of applications for LAB derived from cow milk.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a formidable challenge due to high recurrence rates and limited efficacy of conventional treatments. Immunotherapy holds potential, but its effectiveness is often restricted by low patient responsiveness. This study presents a novel therapeutic strategy using GSH/pH-responsive copper-based cascade nanocomplexes to induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) in OSCC. The fabricated nanocomplex, PC@B-H, leverages the acidic and reducing tumor microenvironment to release copper ions and plumbagin, triggering a cascade of cell death mechanisms including cuproptosis, ferroptosis, and necroptosis. This multifunctional system not only enhances oxidative stress but also depletes glutathione, promotes lipid peroxidation, and disrupts mitochondrial function, leading to robust tumor inhibition. Additionally, the induction of ICD facilitates dendritic cell maturation and cytotoxic T lymphocyte infiltration, providing durable anti-tumor immunity. The study demonstrates that PC@B-H achieves a 92.3 % tumor growth inhibition rate with minimal systemic toxicity, offering a promising avenue for enhancing the efficacy of OSCC treatment through combined cell death pathways and immune activation.

IntroductionThe most common factor leading to renal failure or death is renal IR (ischemia-reperfusion). Studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their exosomes have potential therapeutic effects for IR injury by inhibiting M1 macrophage polarization and inflammation. In this study, the protective effect and anti-inflammatory mechanism of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (ADMSC-Exos) after renal IR were investigated.MethodInitially, ADMSC-Exos were intravenously injected into IR experimental beagles, and the subsequent assessment focused on inflammatory damage and macrophage phenotype. Furthermore, an in vitro inflammatory model was established by inducing DH82 cells with LPS. The impact on inflammation and macrophage phenotype was then evaluated using ADMSC and regulatory miR-146a.ResultsFollowing the administration of ADMSC-Exos in IR canines, a shift from M1 to M2 macrophage polarization was observed. Similarly, in vitro experiments demonstrated that ADMSC-Exos enhanced the transformation of LPS-induced macrophages from M1 to M2 type. Notably, the promotion of macrophage polarization by ADMSC-Exos was found to be attenuated upon the inhibition of miR-146a in ADMSC-Exos.ConclusionThese findings suggest that miR-146a plays a significant role in facilitating the transition of LPS-induced macrophages from M1 to M2 phenotype. As a result, the modulation of macrophage polarization by ADMSC-Exos is achieved via the encapsulation and conveyance of miR-146a, leading to diminished infiltration of inflammatory cells in renal tissue and mitigation of the inflammatory reaction following canine renal IR.

BackgroundProteus mirabilis is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium widely found in natural environments. It is known for causing a range of severe illnesses in mammals, particularly urinary tract infections (UTIs). This study evaluates the therapeutic efficacy of phage P2-71 against Proteus mirabilis in vivo and in vitro environments.MethodsThe in vitro therapeutic potential of bacteriophage P2-71 was assessed through the ability of phage to kill Proteus mirabilis by using a plate counting assay, and biofilm inhibition and biofilm lysis assays using a microtitre plate method. Additionally, an in vivo UTI model in C57BL/6Jmice was developed via urethral inoculation of the bacterium. Phage therapy was administered through urethral injection over a period of 5 days. Therapeutic outcomes were measured by analyzing bacterial load, phage titer, inflammatory markers, and histopathological changes in the urine, urogenital tissues, and spleen.ResultsIn vitro, bacteriophage P2-71 achieved significant reductions in P. mirabilis concentrations, with log reductions of 1.537 and 0.7009 CFU/mL in laboratory and urine environments, respectively (p 0.05). Concurrently, phage titers decreased over time. Importantly, phage treatment notably reduced bacterial load in the bladder, kidneys, and spleen (p

IntroductionProbiotics, especially Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB), can promote the health of host animals in a variety of ways, such as regulating intestinal flora and stimulating the host’s immune system.MethodsIn this study, 206 LAB strains were isolated from 48 canine fecal samples. Eleven LAB strains were selected based on growth performance, acid and bile salt resistance. The 11 candidates underwent comprehensive evaluation for probiotic properties, including antipathogenic activity, adhesion, safety, antioxidant capacity, and metabolites.ResultsThe results of the antipathogenic activity tests showed that 11 LAB strains exhibited strong inhibitory effect and co-aggregation ability against four target pathogens (E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella braenderup, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The results of the adhesion test showed that the 11 LAB strains had high cell surface hydrophobicity, self-aggregation ability, biofilm-forming ability and adhesion ability to the Caco-2 cells. Among them, Lactobacillus acidophilus (L177) showed strong activity in various adhesion experiments. Safety tests showed that 11 LAB strains are sensitive to most antibiotics, with L102, L171, and L177 having the highest sensitivity rate at 85.71%, and no hemolysis occurred in all strains. Antioxidant test results showed that all strains showed good H2O2 tolerance, high scavenging capacity for 1, 1-diphenyl-2-trinitrophenylhydrazine (DPPH) and hydroxyl (OH−). In addition, 11 LAB strains can produce high levels of metabolites including exopolysaccharide (EPS), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and bile salt hydrolase (BSH).DiscussionThis study provides a thorough characterization of canine-derived LAB strains, highlighting their multifunctional potential as probiotics. The diverse capabilities of the strains make them promising candidates for canine dietary supplements, offering a holistic approach to canine health. Further research should validate their efficacy in vivo to ensure their practical application.

Abstract The objective of this study was to analyze the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) characteristics produced by antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and gene cassettes in Escherichia coli isolated from the feces of captive black bears. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by using the disk diffusion method, and both MGEs and integron gene cassettes were detected by polymerase chain reaction. Our results showed that 43.7% (62/142) of the isolates were multidrug resistant strains and 97.9% (139/142) of the isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic. The highest AMR phenotype was observed for tetracycline (79.6%, 113/142), followed by ampicillin (50.0%, 71/142), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (43.7%, 62/142) and cefotaxime (35.9%, 51/142). However, all isolates were susceptible to tobramycin. tetA had the highest occurrence in 6 ARGs in 142 E. coli isolates (76.8%, 109/142). Ten mobile genetic elements were observed and IS26 was dominant (88.0%, 125/142). ISECP1 was positively associated with five β-lactam antibiotics. ISCR3/14, IS1133 and intI3 were not detected. Seventy-five E. coli isolates (65 intI1-positive isolates, 2 intI2-positive isolates and 8 intI1 + intI2-positive isolates) carried integrons. Five gene cassettes (dfrA1, aadA2, dfrA17-aadA5, aadA2-dfrA12 and dfrA1-aadA1) were identified in the intI1-positive isolates and 2 gene cassettes (dfrA1-catB2-sat2-aadA1 and dfrA1-catB2-sat1-aadA1) were observed in the intI2-positive isolates. Monitoring of ARGs, MGEs and gene cassettes is important to understand the prevalence of AMR, which may help to introduce measures to prevent and control of AMR in E. coli for captive black bears.

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-EC) is regarded as one of the most important priority pathogens within the One Health interface. However, few studies have investigated the occurrence of ESBL-EC in giant pandas, along with their antibiotic-resistant characteristics and horizontal gene transfer abilities. In this study, we successfully identified 12 ESBL-EC strains (8.33%, 12/144) out of 144 E. coli strains which isolated from giant pandas. We further detected antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), virulence-associated genes (VAGs) and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) among the 12 ESBL-EC strains, and the results showed that 13 ARGs and 11 VAGs were detected, of which blaCTX-M (100.00%, 12/12, with 5 variants observed) and papA (83.33%, 10/12) were the most prevalent, respectively. And ISEcp1 (66.67%, 8/12) and IS26 (66.67%, 8/12) were the predominant MGEs. Furthermore, horizontal gene transfer ability analysis of the 12 ESBL-EC showed that all blaCTX-M genes could be transferred by conjugative plasmids, indicating high horizontal gene transfer ability. In addition, ARGs of rmtB and sul2, VAGs of papA, fimC and ompT, MGEs of ISEcp1 and IS26 were all found to be co-transferred with blaCTX-M. Phylogenetic analysis clustered these ESBL-EC strains into group B2 (75.00%, 9/12), D (16.67%, 2/12), and B1 (8.33%, 1/12), and 10 sequence types (STs) were identified among 12 ESBL-EC (including ST48, ST127, ST206, ST354, ST648, ST1706, and four new STs). Our present study showed that ESBL-EC strains from captive giant pandas are reservoirs of ARGs, VAGs and MGEs that can co-transfer with blaCTX-M via plasmids. Transmissible ESBL-EC strains with high diversity of resistance and virulence elements are a potential threat to humans, animals and surrounding environment.

Porcine circovirus (PCV) typically causes severe immune suppression in pigs, leading to mixed clinical infections with various pathogens that can cause significant harm to the pig industry. PCV has four subgenotypes, with PCV4 being an emerging virus that requires investigation due to its potential for epidemic outbreaks. Therefore, there is a need to develop a method that can detect all four PCV strains simultaneously. In this study, four pairs of specific primers and TaqMan probes were designed based on the conserved sequence of the PCV1–4 ORF2 gene to establish a PCV1–4 TaqMan multiplex real-time quantitative PCR method. The novel method was compared to six commercial testing kits for its efficacy. Then, a total of 595 mixed samples of spleen and lymph node collected from 12 districts in Chengdu from July to December 2021 were tested using the novel method. The results showed that the novel PCV1–4 TaqMan multiplex real-time quantitative PCR detection method has satisfied specificity, sensitivity, and repeatability. The positive rates of PCV1, PCV2, and PCV3 in Chengdu were 2.18%, 31.60%, and 15.29%, respectively, while no positive PCV4 was detected. The mixed infection rate of PCV2 and PCV3 was 5.21%. Our novel method may be as a potential method for PCV1–4 detection. Currently, PCV2 is the main epidemic PCV subtype in Chengdu, while the potential threat of PCV4 should also be considered.

Proteus mirabilis, a prevalent urinary tract pathogen and formidable biofilm producer, especially in Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection, has seen a worrying rise in multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains. This upsurge calls for innovative approaches in infection control, beyond traditional antibiotics. Our research introduces bacteriophage (phage) therapy as a novel non-antibiotic strategy to combat these drug-resistant infections. We isolated P2-71, a lytic phage derived from canine feces, demonstrating potent activity against MDR P. mirabilis strains. P2-71 showcases a notably brief 10-minute latent period and a significant burst size of 228 particles per infected bacterium, ensuring rapid bacterial clearance. The phage maintains stability over a broad temperature range of 30-50°C and within a pH spectrum of 4-11, highlighting its resilience in various environmental conditions. Our host range assessment solidifies its potential against diverse MDR P. mirabilis strains. Through killing curve analysis, P2-71’s effectiveness was validated at various MOI levels against P. mirabilis 37, highlighting its versatility. We extended our research to examine P2-71’s stability and bactericidal kinetics in artificial urine, affirming its potential for clinical application. A detailed genomic analysis reveals P2-71’s complex genetic makeup, including genes essential for morphogenesis, lysis, and DNA modification, which are crucial for its therapeutic action. This study not only furthers the understanding of phage therapy as a promising non-antibiotic antimicrobial but also underscores its critical role in combating emerging MDR infections in both veterinary and public health contexts.

Abstract Transportation stress is one of the most serious issues in the management of yak. Previous studies have demonstrated that transport stress is caused by a pro-oxidant state in the animal resulting from an imbalance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant status. In this context, vitamin C has the ability to regulate reactive oxygen species (ROS) synthesis and alleviate oxidative stress. Although this effect of vitamin C is useful in pigs, goats and cattle, the effect of vitamin C on the mitigation of transport stress in yaks is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to better assess the metabolic changes induced by the action of vitamin C in yaks under transportation stress, and whether these changes can influence antioxidant status. After the yaks arrived at the farm, control or baseline blood samples were collected immediately through the jugular vein (VC_CON). Then, 100 mg/kg VC was injected intramuscularly, and blood samples were collected on the 10th day before feeding in the morning (VC). Relative to the control group, the VC injection group had higher levels of VC. Compared with VC_CON, VC injection significantly (P 0.05) in GGT, ALP, TBA, TP, ALBII, GLO, A/G, TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, GLU and l-lactate between VC_CON and VC. The injection of VC led to greater (P 0.05) the serum concentrations of LPO and ROS. The injection of VC led to greater (P 0.05) in GSH, GSH-ST and GR was observed between VC_CON and VC. Compared with the control group, metabolomics using liquid chromatography tandem–mass spectrometry identified 156 differential metabolites with P 1.5 in the VC injection group. The injection of VC resulted in significant changes to the intracellular amino acid metabolism of glutathione, glutamate, cysteine, methionine, glycine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, alanine and aspartate. Overall, our study indicated that VC injections were able to modulate antioxidant levels by affecting metabolism to resist oxidative stress generated during transport.

Abstract Background Adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) and their extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a promising source of therapies for ischaemia‐reperfusion (IR) because of their potent anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Objectives The aims of this study were to explore the therapeutic efficacy and potential mechanism of ADMSC‐EVs in canine renal IR injury. Methods Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and EVs were isolated and characterised for surface markers. A canine IR model administered with ADMSC‐EVs was used to evaluate therapeutic effects on inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage and apoptosis. Results CD105, CD90 and beta integrin ITGB were positively expressed in MSCs, while CD63, CD9 and intramembrane marker TSG101 were positively expressed in EVs. Compared with the IR model group, there was less mitochondrial damage and reduction in quantity of mitochondria in the EV treatment group. Renal IR injury led to severe histopathological lesions and significant increases in biomarkers of renal function, inflammation and apoptosis, which were attenuated by the administration of ADMSC‐EVs. Conclusions Secretion of EVs by ADMSCs exhibited therapeutic potential in renal IR injury and may lead to a cell‐free therapy for canine renal IR injury. These findings revealed that canine ADMSC‐EVs potently attenuate renal IR injury‐induced renal dysfunction, inflammation and apoptosis, possibly by reducing mitochondrial damage.

Sediment erosion damage is one of the main causes of structural failure in reaction turbine units. To study the mechanism through which sediment erosion affects the water-guiding mechanism of a reaction turbine unit, this study obtained the average concentration and particle size of sediment during the flood season based on the statistics of the measured sediment data from the power station. Additionally, the characteristics of the solid–liquid two-phase flow of the diversion components of the reaction hydraulic turbine were numerically calculated. Based on the velocity triangle change in the guide apparatus and the flow similarity principle, a flow-around wear test device for the guide apparatus of the reaction turbine was designed. Furthermore, the similarity of the sand–water flow field between the guide apparatus of the prototype unit and the test device was compared and analyzed. The results demonstrated that the sand–water flow field of the diversion components of the prototype unit was axisymmetric and exhibited a potential flow distribution. Additionally, uniform sand–water flow occurred within the guide apparatus, with a small sand–water velocity gradient near the wall of the stay vanes (SV) and the guide vanes (GV). The maximum volume fraction of sediment particles was observed in the tailing area of the spiral casing, indicating an enrichment phenomenon of sediment particles. The velocity of the sediment particles on the surface of the guide vane in the single-channel sediment wear test device and prototype unit ranged from 6.2 to 7.8 m/s, and the velocity of the sediment particles on the surface of the stay vane ranged from 5.1 to 14.6 m/s, and the difference of the sediment particles’ velocity near the wall was 1 to 3 m/s. The trailing vorticity of the guide vane reached a maximum of 120 s−1. Consequently, the single-channel sediment erosion test device can unveil the sediment erosion mechanism of the guide apparatus of a reaction turbine.

Abstract Driving distraction caused by cellphone usage has become a common safety threat. As distraction detection methods based on driver's position or eye movement may raise privacy issues, a promising way is to analyze the vehicle's lane‐keeping performance. This paper proposed a detection algorithm based on eXtreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), to develop a real‐time driving distraction detection based on lane‐keeping performance. The algorithm includes knowledge‐based volatility feature extraction and feature selection by recursive feature elimination (RFE). To obtain dynamic patterns of lane‐keeping performance affected by different types of cellphone usage, browsing a short message, browsing a long message, and answering a phone call, a driving simulator experiment was conducted on 28 drivers. Results showed that the proposed XGBoost‐RFE method is reliable and promising to predict phone usage with 80% accuracy. The results also evoke the fact that sliding window size, which is about 80% of subtask duration, can be appropriate for real‐time detection of multiple cellphone usages. For overlap percentages, 67% of sliding window size can balance the efficiency and continuity of data in adjacent sliding windows. The paper's potential application includes the design of a real‐time driving distraction detection system.

Enterococcus spp., as an opportunistic pathogen, are widely distributed in the environment and the gastrointestinal tracts of both humans and animals. Captive Asian elephants, popular animals at tourist attractions, have frequent contact with humans. However, there is limited information on whether captive Asian elephants can serve as a reservoir of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The aim of this study was to characterize AMR, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), virulence-associated genes (VAGs), gelatinase activity, hemolysis activity, and biofilm formation of Enterococcus spp. isolated from captive Asian elephants, and to analyze the potential correlations among these factors. A total of 62 Enterococcus spp. strains were isolated from fecal samples of captive Asian elephants, comprising 17 Enterococcus hirae (27.4%), 12 Enterococcus faecalis (19.4%), 8 Enterococcus faecium (12.9%), 7 Enterococcus avium (11.3%), 7 Enterococcus mundtii (11.3%), and 11 other Enterococcus spp. (17.7%). Isolates exhibited high resistance to rifampin (51.6%) and streptomycin (37.1%). 50% of Enterococcus spp. isolates exhibited multidrug resistance (MDR), with all E. faecium strains demonstrating MDR. Additionally, nine ARGs were identified, with tet(M) (51.6%), erm(B) (24.2%), and cfr (21.0%) showing relatively higher detection rates. Biofilm formation, gelatinase activity, and α-hemolysin activity were observed in 79.0, 24.2, and 14.5% of the isolates, respectively. A total of 18 VAGs were detected, with gelE being the most prevalent (69.4%). Correlation analysis revealed 229 significant positive correlations and 12 significant negative correlations. The strongest intra-group correlations were observed among VAGs. Notably, we found that vancomycin resistance showed a significant positive correlation with ciprofloxacin resistance, cfr, and gelatinase activity, respectively. In conclusion, captive Asian elephants could serve as significant reservoirs for the dissemination of AMR to humans.

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is a zoonotic pathogen that causes lymphadenitis in humans, livestock, and wildlife. In this study, C. pseudotuberculosis biovar equi strains were isolated from three alpacas. Antibiotic susceptibility tests and pathogenicity tests were also conducted. Moreover, one strain was sequenced using DNBSEQ and Oxford Nanopore technology. The three strains exhibited resistance to aztreonam, fosfomycin, and nitrofurantoin. The median lethal doses (LD50) of strains G1, S2 and BA3 in experimentally infected mice was 1.66 × 105 CFU, 3.78 × 105 CFU and 3.78 × 105 CFU, respectively. The sequencing of strain G1 resulted in the assembly of a chromosomal scaffold comprising 2,379,166 bp with a G + C content of 52.06%. Genome analysis of strain G1 revealed the presence of 48 virulence genes and 5 antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Comparative genomic analysis demonstrates a high degree of genetic similarity among C. pseudotuberculosis strains, in contrast to other Corynebacterium species, with a clear delineation between strains belonging to the two biovars (ovis and equi). The data of the present study contribute to a better understanding of the properties of C. pseudotuberculosis biovar equi strains and the potential risk they pose to alpacas and other livestock, as well as the necessity of ongoing surveillance and monitoring of infectious diseases in animals.

IntroductionProteus mirabilis is a multi-host pathogen that causes diseases of varying severity in a wide range of mammals, including humans. Proteus mirabilis is resistant to multiple antibiotics and has acquired the ability to produce expanded spectrum of β-lactamases, leading to serious public health problems. However, the available information on P. mirabilis isolated from feces of dogs, is still poorly understood, as is the correlation between its virulence-associated genes (VAGs) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs).MethodIn this study, we isolated 75 strains of P. mirabilis from 241 samples, and investigated the swarming motility, biofilm formation, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), distribution of VAGs and ARGs, as well as the presence of class 1, 2, and 3 integrons in these isolates.ResultsOur findings suggest a high prevalence of intensive swarming motility and strong biofilm formation ability among P. mirabilis isolates. Isolates were primarily resistant to cefazolin (70.67%) and imipenem (70.67%). These isolates were found to carry ureC, FliL, ireA, zapA, ptA, hpmA, hpmB, pmfA, rsbA, mrpA, and ucaA with varying prevalence levels of 100.00, 100.00, 100.00, 98.67, 98.67, 90.67, 90.67, 90.67, 90.67, 89.33, and 70.67%, respectively. Additionally, the isolates were found to carry aac(6′)-Ib, qnrD, floR, blaCTX-M, blaCTX-M-2, blaOXA-1, blaTEM, tetA, tetB and tetM with varying prevalence levels of 38.67, 32.00, 25.33, 17.33, 16.00, 10.67, 5.33, 2.67, 1.33, and 1.33%, respectively. Among 40 MDR strains, 14 (35.00%) were found to carry class 1 integrons, 12 (30.00%) strains carried class 2 integrons, while no class 3 integrons was detected. There was a significant positive correlation between the class 1 integrons and three ARGs: blaTEM, blaCTX-M, and blaCTX-M-2. This study revealed that P. mirabilis strains isolated from domestic dogs exhibited a higher prevalence of MDR, and carried fewer VAGs but more ARGs compared to those isolated from stay dogs. Furthermore, a negative correlation was observed between VAGs and ARGs.DiscussionGiven the increasing antimicrobial resistance of P. mirabilis, veterinarians should adopt a prudent approach towards antibiotics administration in dogs to mitigate the emergence and dissemination of MDR strains that pose a potential threat to public health.

Flexible ferrite film has high potential applications in electronic skins and wearable devices. However, it is an enormous challenge to fabricate flexible ferrite film because of its high fragility. This work uses a novel etching sacrificial Sr3Al2O6 (SAO) layer to synthesize flexible Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 (MZFO) ferrite film. The MZFO film remains its single crystal structure after being transferred onto a flexible substrate. Owing to the great lattice mismatch between SAO and MZFO, the as-grown and transferred MZFO films exhibit the difference in magnetic properties, which is more sensitive along out-of-plane direction. The controllable magnetic properties of the film under the bending test are characterized by ferromagnetic resonance (FMR). A huge FMR field (Hr) shift of 704 Oe is achieved along out-of-plane direction when the bending radii are 5 mm. Meanwhile, the FMR linewidth (δH) of bent MZFO film (1267 Oe) is about 4 times higher than that of the unbent film (310 Oe). These controllable changes mainly come from the contribution of the two magnon scattering (TMS) effect. Finally, the Hr and δH almost return to their initial states when the stress is released, indicating a great recoverability.

Purpose – The presentation of in-vehicle warnings information at risky driving scenarios is aimed to improve the collision avoidance ability of drivers. Existing studies have found that driver’s collision avoidance performance is affected by both warning information and driver’s workload. However, whether moderation and mediation effects exist among warning information, driver’s cognition, behavior and risky avoidance performance is unclear. Design/methodology/approach – This purpose of this study is to examine whether the warning information type modifies the relationship between the forward collision risk and collision avoidance behavior. A driving simulator experiment was conducted with waring and command information. Findings – Results of 30 participants indicated that command information improves collision avoidance behavior more than notification warning under the forward collision risky driving scenario. The primary reason for this is that collision avoidance behavior can be negatively affected by the forward collision risk. At the same time, command information can weaken this negative effect. Moreover, improved collision avoidance behavior can be achieved through increasing drivers’ mental workload. Practical implications – The proposed model provides a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing collision avoidance behavior, thus contributing to improved in-vehicle information system design. Originality/value – The significant moderation effects evoke the fact that information types and mental workloads are critical in improving drivers’ collision avoidance ability. Through further calibration with larger sample size, the proposed structural model can be used to predict the effect of in-vehicle warnings in different risky driving scenarios.

The flexible physical sensors have the advantage of pliability and extensibility and can be easily twisted or curved. The development of flexibility from rigidity has significantly increased the application situations for sensors, especially in intelligent robots, tactile platforms, wearable medical sensors, bionic devices, and other fields. The research of membrane-based flexible physical sensors relies on the development of advanced materials and technologies, which have been derived from a wide range of applications. Various technical methods and principles have gradually matured according to the different applications and materials used. The first section of this review discusses membrane substrates and functional materials, summarizing the development of flexible physical sensors. According to the technical sensing principles, the review is concerned with the state of research on physical sensing platforms. Lastly, the difficulties and chances for the design of emerging membrane-based flexible physical sensors in the coming years are presented.

Nickel-based alloys that contain chromium are widely used in corrosion-resistant applications in industry, but they are sensitive to the environment when the passive chromium oxide layer is damaged. In Ni600 and Ni625 alloys, precipitates can deplete the surface layer of chromium oxide. To better characterize and analyze the nickel alloy surfaces and their chromium carbides, chemical etching with different etchants and electrolytic etching were applied to sample surfaces. This paper revealed their efficacy in etching various carbides within the nickel alloys, and orange phases ranging from 2 to 20 μm in optical micrographs were identified as titanium-containing compounds. Carbides located on the grain boundaries were determined to be Cr23C6 and were surrounded by chromium-depleted zones. The findings and figures in this paper provide a more intuitive reference for future analysis of carbides and titanium nitrides, enhancing the understanding of their impact on the corrosion resistance of these alloys, which will not only contribute to the material science field but also aid in developing the Ni-based alloys for industrial applications.

Controlling the spin Hall angle is significant to tunable and energy-efficient spintronic devices. Here, the authors demonstrate that the spin Hall angle in Bi2Se3 can be tuned and even enhanced about 600% reversibly by the electric field.

Abstract Fermentation of dietary nutrients in ruminants' gastrointestinal (GI) tract is an essential mechanism utilized to meet daily energy requirements. Especially in lactating dairy cows, the GI microbiome plays a pivotal role in the breakdown of indigestible plant polysaccharides and supply most AAs, fatty acids, and gluconeogenic precursors for milk synthesis. Although the contribution of the rumen microbiome to production efficiency in dairy cows has been widely researched over the years, variations throughout the lactation and the lower gut microbiome contribution to these traits remain poorly characterized. Therefore, we investigated throughout lactation the relationship between the rumen and lower gut microbiomes with production efficiency traits in Holstein cows. We found that the microbiome from both locations has temporal stability throughout lactation, yet factors such as feed intake levels played a significant role in shaping microbiome diversity. The composition of the rumen microbiome was dependent on feed intake. In contrast, the lower gut microbiome was less dependent on feed intake and associated with a potentially enhanced ability to digest dietary nutrients. Therefore, milk production traits may be more correlated with microorganisms present in the lower gut than previously expected. The current study's findings advance our understanding of the temporal relationship of the rumen and lower gut microbiomes by enabling a broader overview of the gut microbiome and production efficiency towards more sustainable livestock production.

This study evaluated the effects of inoculation with adult goat ruminal fluid on growth, health, gut microbiota and serum metabolism in lambs during the first 15 days of life. Twenty four Youzhou dark newborn lambs were selected and randomly distributed across 3 treatments (n = 8/group): autoclaved goat milk inoculated with 20 mL sterilized normal saline (CON), autoclaved goat milk inoculated with 20 mL fresh ruminal fluid (RF) and autoclaved goat milk inoculated with 20 mL autoclaved ruminal fluid (ARF). Results showed that RF inoculation was more effective at promoting recovery of body weight. Compared with CON, greater serum concentrations of ALP, CHOL, HDL and LAC in the RF group suggested a better health status in lambs. The relative abundance of Akkermansia and Escherichia-Shigella in gut was lower in the RF group, whereas the relative abundance of Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group tended to increase. Metabolomics analysis shown that RF stimulated the metabolism of bile acids, small peptides, fatty acids and Trimethylamine-N-Oxide, which were found the correlation relationship with gut microorganisms. Overall, our study demonstrated that ruminal fluid inoculation with active microorganisms had a beneficial impact on growth, health and overall metabolism partly through modulating the gut microbial community.

Mites have been a persistent infectious disease affecting both humans and animals since ancient times. In veterinary clinics, the primary approach for treating and managing mite infestations has long been the use of chemical acaricides. However, the widespread use of these chemicals has resulted in significant problems, including drug resistance, drug residues, and environmental pollution, limiting their effectiveness. To address these challenges, researchers have shifted their focus towards natural products that have shown promise both in the laboratory and real-world settings against mite infestations. Natural products have a wide variety of chemical structures and biological activities, including acaricidal properties. This article offers a comprehensive review of the acaricidal capabilities and mechanisms of action of natural products like plant extracts, natural compounds, algae, and microbial metabolites against common animal mites.

There are massive bacteria in the raw milk, especially the lactic acid bacteria (LABs), which have been considered probiotics in humans and animals for a long time. Novel probiotics are still urgently needed because of the rapid development of the probiotic industry. To obtain new LABs with high probiotic potential, we obtained 26 LAB isolates, named L1 ~ L26, from local Holstein raw milk collected from a farm whose milk had never been used for LAB isolation. We identified them at the species level by biochemical and 16S rDNA sequencing methods. Their antagonistic activities against four target pathogens (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, and Salmonella enterica H9812), co-aggregative ability with these target pathogens, survivability in the simulated gastrointestinal tract conditions and phenol, auto-aggregation and hydrophobicity, hemolytic activity, and antibiotic susceptibility, were evaluated in vitro. Five Lactiplantibacillus plantarum isolates (L5, L14, L17, L19, and L20) showed more promising probiotic potential than others. Specifically, these five isolates conglutinated with and inhibited all the target pathogens, and survived in the simulated gastric juice (92.55 ~ 99.69%), intestinal juice (76.18 ~ 83.39%), and 0.4% phenol (76.95 ~ 88.91%); possessed considerable auto-aggregation (83.91 ~ 90.33% at 24 h) and hydrophobicity (79.32 ~ 92.70%); and were non-hemolytic, sensitive to kinds of common antimicrobials. Our findings demonstrated that these five isolates could be preliminarily determined as probiotic candidates because they have better probiotic potential than those previously reported. Again, this study highlighted the potential of raw milk for probiotic isolating and screening and provided the probiotic industry with five new LAB candidates.

ABSTRACT Blastocystis is a common protistan parasite inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract of a wide range of hosts including humans and domestic and wild animals. Many studies have revealed the associations between Blastocystis and gut microbiome in humans. However, only a few studies have focused on the associations between Blastocystis and gut microbiome of animals, especially in forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii). We investigated the effects of the Blastocystis colonization on the intestinal bacterial community compositions using amplicon sequencing targeting the V4 variable region of the 16S rRNA. Two subtypes of Blastocystis (ST5 and ST10) and Blastocystis-free (control) were included in this study. We found that compared with the forest musk deer without Blastocystis, ST10-colonized forest musk deer had higher bacterial richness and diversity, while ST5-colonized forest musk deer showed a comparable bacterial diversity. Likewise, beta diversity revealed significant differences in bacterial community structure between ST10-colonized and Blastocystis-free forest musk deer. The proportion of Bacteroidetes were significantly enriched in ST10-colonized forest musk deer. Bacterial community structure between ST5-colonized and Blastocystis-free forest musk deer did not differ significantly. The present study explored the associations between Blastocystis and gut microbial community of forest musk deer for the first time, and revealed ST10 colonization, instead of ST5, is associated with higher bacterial diversity and shifted microbial structure. Our data provides valuable insights into the associations between gut microbiomes and parasites. IMPORTANCE Forest musk deer is listed as an endangered species by International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, and the Chinese government has introduced captivity breeding measures to curb the rapid decline of the musk deer population since the 1950s. It has been suggested that Blastocystis colonization can modulate the composition of the host's intestinal microbiota, thereby affecting the host health. The present study investigated the effects of the Blastocystis colonization on the gut microbiota in the feces of forest musk deer in Sichuan Province, China. Two subtypes (ST5 and ST10) have differential effects on the bacterial diversity and community composition, suggesting that the study of Blastocystis should be distinguished at the subtype level. Because the pathogenicity of Blastocystis is controversial, pathogenic, or commensal, continuous monitoring of the impact of Blastocystis colonization on the intestinal microbiota is of great significance to assess its health effects on forest musk deer.

Cryptosporidium muris is a zoonotic protozoan. Characterization of genetic diff erentiation can be exploited to trace the origins of the parasite. A Cryptosporidium isolate from brown rat was obtained by microscopy and genetically characterized. C. muris was identified with minor nucleotide diff erences. Further subtype analysis was performed using a multilocus sequence typing (MLST) tool. At each locus, the C. muris isolate was confirmed to be M12, M4, M1 and M2 subtype, representing as a new MLST subtype. Therefore, the results suggest that there was probably a new source of infection for C. muris in the study region.

This study evaluated the protective effect of Bacillus subtilis HH2 on beagles orally challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). We assessed the physiological parameters and the severity of diarrhea, as well as the changes in three serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, and IgM), plasma diamine oxidase (DAO), D-lactate (D-LA), and the fecal microbiome. Feeding B. subtilis HH2 significantly reduced the severity of diarrhea after the ETEC challenge (p < 0.05) and increased serum levels of IgG, IgA, and IgM (p < 0.01). B. subtilis HH2 administration also reduced serum levels of DAO at 48 h after the ETEC challenge (p < 0.05), but no significant changes were observed in D-LA (p > 0.05). Oral ETEC challenge significantly reduced the richness and diversity of gut microbiota in beagles not pre-fed with B. subtilis HH2 (p < 0.05), while B. subtilis HH2 feeding and oral ETEC challenge significantly altered the gut microbiota structure of beagles (p < 0.01). Moreover, 14 days of B. subtilis HH2 feeding reduced the relative abundance of Deinococcus-Thermus in feces. This study reveals that B. subtilis HH2 alleviates diarrhea caused by ETEC, enhances non-specific immunity, reduces ETEC-induced damage to the intestinal mucosa, and regulates gut microbiota composition.

Streptococcus agalactiae is a significant pathogen that can affect both human beings and animals. The extensive current use of antibiotics has resulted in antibiotic resistance. In our previous research, we found that zinc oxide quantum dots (ZnO QDs) had inhibitory effects on antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. In this study, a strain of Streptococcus agalactiaeWJYT1 with a broad antibiotic-resistant spectrum was isolated and identified from Lama glama at Sichuan Agricultural University Teaching Animal Hospital. The genome for the resistance and virulence genes was analyzed. Additionally, the antibacterial effects and anti-virulence mechanism of ZnO QDs for S. agalactiaeWJYT1 were investigated. The results showed that the genome of S. agalactiaeWJYT1 is 1,943,955 bp, containing 22 resistance genes and 95 virulence genes. ZnO QDs have a good antibacterial effect against S. agalactiaeWJYT1 by reducing bacterial growth and decreasing the expression of virulence genes, including bibA, hylB, sip, and cip, which provides a novel potential treatment for S. agalactiae.

Extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-EC) is regarded as one of the most important priority pathogens within the One Health interface. However, few studies have investigated the occurrence of ESBL-EC in giant pandas, along with their antibiotic-resistant characteristics and horizontal gene transfer abilities. In this study, we successfully identified 12 ESBL-EC strains (8.33%, 12/144) out of 144 E. coli strains which isolated from giant pandas. We further detected antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), virulence-associated genes (VAGs) and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) among the 12 ESBL-EC strains, and the results showed that 13 ARGs and 11 VAGs were detected, of which blaCTX-M (100.00%, 12/12, with 5 variants observed) and papA (83.33%, 10/12) were the most prevalent, respectively. And ISEcp1 (66.67%, 8/12) and IS26 (66.67%, 8/12) were the predominant MGEs. Furthermore, horizontal gene transfer ability analysis of the 12 ESBL-EC showed that all blaCTX-M genes could be transferred by conjugative plasmids, indicating high horizontal gene transfer ability. In addition, ARGs of rmtB and sul2, VAGs of papA, fimC and ompT, MGEs of ISEcp1 and IS26 were all found to be co-transferred with blaCTX-M. Phylogenetic analysis clustered these ESBL-EC strains into group B2 (75.00%, 9/12), D (16.67%, 2/12), and B1 (8.33%, 1/12), and 10 sequence types (STs) were identified among 12 ESBL-EC (including ST48, ST127, ST206, ST354, ST648, ST1706, and four new STs). Our present study showed that ESBL-EC strains from captive giant pandas are reservoirs of ARGs, VAGs and MGEs that can co-transfer with blaCTX-M via plasmids. Transmissible ESBL-EC strains with high diversity of resistance and virulence elements are a potential threat to humans, animals and surrounding environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]