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This study aimed to investigate the impact of intradermal (ID) and intramuscular (IM) vaccination with a porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV)-modified live vaccine (MLV) in piglets on serum copeptin levels and hematological profile. This study included 104 suckling piglets (2 weeks of age) from a commercial farrow-to-finish pig farm suffering from positive unstable PRRSV status. Animals were assigned to four groups, with two replicates (13 piglets/group/replicate); group A: IM vaccination with a PRRSV MLV vaccine, group B: ID vaccination with the same vaccine, group C: ID of Diluvac Forte, and group D: IM of Diluvac Forte. Blood samples were collected from the same three pigs/group/replicate at 4, 7, and 10 weeks of age. Blood samples were used for the performance of the complete blood count, and they were also examined by PCR for PRRSV and by ELISA for copeptin. No significant differences in serum copeptin levels and the number of blood cell counts (packed cell volume—PCV, numbers of white blood cells—WBCs, and platelets number—PLTs) were noticed in the same group over time and among groups. In conclusion, it seems that the vaccination against PRRSV does not affect the levels of the released copeptin. Based on our results, the measurement of serum copeptin could not be proposed as a potential stress biomarker in pigs.

Subacute rumen acidosis (SARA) is a current issue in intensive livestock farming, and it is particularly associated with feeding high-concentrate diets. This study investigated the prevalence and impact of SARA in forty-two Greek dairy sheep flocks by recording rumen pH, milk composition, and milk yield over a period of nine months. Moreover, it explored the use of computerized rumen colorimetry as a management and diagnostic tool for SARA in dairy sheep. In culled ewes, computerized rumen mucosal colorimetry was applied, and rumen wall samples taken for histological examination. SARA cases were identified in 19 farms (45%, n = 42). Farms with SARA cases had lower milk fat levels, while milk yield and milk protein levels did not differ based on the SARA status of the farms. In culled ewes, rumen color was significantly associated with the flock’s SARA status, and affected ewes showed increased thickness in non-keratinized and total epithelial layers. It was concluded that computerized rumen mucosal colorimetry in aged, culled ewes shows promise as an indicator, post mortem, of SARA present in dairy sheep flocks whose impact can be minimized by making significant changes in dietary management.

In the summer of 2021, Greece experienced significant forest fires and mega-fires across multiple regions, leading to human casualties and damage to the natural environment, infrastructure, livestock, and agriculture. The current study aims to assess the ecosystem condition in terms of the natural regeneration and soil conditions of an area burnt by a forest fire (2021), specifically in the Ancient Olympia region situated in West Peloponnese (Ilia Prefecture), Greece. A standardized field sampling methodology was applied to record natural regeneration at chosen sites where a forest fire had also previously occurred (in 2007), resulting in the natural re-growth of the Pinus halepensis forest. Furthermore, an analysis was conducted on the geochemical, mineralogical, and sedimentological properties of soils obtained from this location. The findings of the research demonstrate the decline in the established natural regeneration of the Pinus halepensis forest and the overall tree layer. Species characteristic of post-fire ecological succession were observed in the shrub and herb layers, displaying varying coverage. The examination of soil mineralogy, sedimentology, and geochemistry indicated that the soil characteristics in the area are conducive to either natural or artificial regeneration. Ultimately, recommendations for landscape rehabilitation strategies are provided to inform decision-making processes, considering future climate conditions.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most widely utilized pharmaceuticals worldwide. Besides their recognized anti-inflammatory effects, these drugs exhibit various other pleiotropic effects in several cells, including platelets. Within this article, the multifaceted properties of NSAIDs on platelet functions, activation and viability, as well as their interaction(s) with established antiplatelet medications, by hindering several platelet agonists’ pathways and receptors, are thoroughly reviewed. The efficacy and safety of NSAIDs as adjunctive therapies for conditions involving inflammation and platelet activation are also discussed. Emphasis is given to the antiplatelet potential of commonly administered NSAIDs medications, such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen and ketoprofen, alongside non-opioid analgesic and antipyretic medications like paracetamol. This article delves into their mechanisms of action against different pathways of platelet activation, aggregation and overall platelet functions, highlighting additional health-promoting properties of these anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents, without neglecting the induced by these drugs’ side-effects on platelets’ functionality and thrombocytopenia. Environmental issues emerging from the ever-increased subscription of these drugs are also discussed, along with the need for novel water treatment methodologies for their appropriate elimination from water and wastewater samples. Despite being efficiently eliminated during wastewater treatment processes on occasion, NSAIDs remain prevalent and are found at significant concentrations in water bodies that receive effluents from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), since there is no one-size-fits-all solution for removing all contaminants from wastewater, depending on the specific characteristics of the wastewater. Several novel methods have been studied, with adsorption being proposed as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method for wastewater purification from such drugs. This article also presents limitations and future prospects regarding the observed antiplatelet effects of NSAIDs, as well as the potential of novel derivatives of these compounds, with benefits in other important platelet functions.

The aim of this in vivo study was to investigate the effects of a novel mycotoxin detoxifier whose formulation includes clay (bentonite and sepiolite), phytogenic feed additives (curcumin and silymarin) and postbiotics (yeast products) on the health, performance and redox status of weaned piglets under the dietary challenge of fumonisins (FUMs). The study was conducted in duplicate in the course of two independent trials on two different farms. One hundred and fifty (150) weaned piglets per trial farm were allocated into two separate groups: (a) T1 (control group): 75 weaned piglets received FUM-contaminated feed and (b) T2 (experimental group): 75 weaned piglets received FUM-contaminated feed with the mycotoxin-detoxifying agent from the day of weaning (28 days) until 70 days of age. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARSs), protein carbonyls (CARBs) and the overall antioxidant capacity (TAC) were assessed in plasma as indicators of redox status at 45 and 70 days of age. Furthermore, mortality and performance parameters were recorded at 28, 45 and 70 days of age, while histopathological examination was performed at the end of the trial period (day 70). The results of the present study reveal the beneficial effects of supplementing a novel mycotoxin detoxifier in the diets of weaners, including improved redox status, potential hepatoprotective properties and enhanced growth performance.

Haematological indicators may resent physiological variation by age. Vitamin B12 promotes haematopoiesis. The aims of this study were: 1) to compare the values of the haematological variables and the concentration of vitamin B12 in pre- or post-weaned veal calves and 2) to identify the possible association between the values of the haematological variables and the concentration of B12 in the blood of veal calves. Blood was collected on the same day from 31 pre-weaned and 31 weaned calves of the Limousine breed from the same farm. The complete blood count, including the blood cell morphology evaluation, was performed and the serum B12, total protein and albumin concentrations were determined. The serum concentration of vitamin B12, the haematocrit (HCT), the haemoglobin concentration (HGB), the platelet count and the lymphocyte count were significantly higher in the weaned calves. A very strong positive correlation was found between the concentration of the vitamin B12 and HCT and HGB before weaning, while these correlations were moderately positive following weaning and in the total population tested as well. The observed variation in the blood cell count and morphology, such as poikilocytosis and the presence of macrocytes and hypersegmented neutrophils, along with the age of the animal seem to be related to the vitamin B12 concentration.

Modified live virus (MLV) vaccines for the control of porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus (PRRSV) have been associated with the vertical and horizontal transmission of vaccine viruses. The present study aimed to describe pathological lung lesions in piglets born by gilts vaccinated with PRRSV-1 MLV. In total, 25 gilts were vaccinated at late gestation (100th day) and were divided into five groups according to the different vaccines (Vac) used: no vaccine—control group, Vac-1—strain DV, Vac-2—strain VP-046 BIS, Vac-3—strain 94881, Vac-4—strain 96V198. Within the first 0–9 h of the farrowing, blood samples were collected from all newborn piglets and lung samples were exanimated grossly, histopathologically and with scanning electron microscopy. PRRSV (RT-PCR-positive) and antibodies were detected in the serum of piglets from gilts vaccinated with Vac-2. In these piglets, moderate to severe interstitial pneumonia with thickened alveolar septa was noticed. Type II pneumocyte hyperplasia was also observed. The rest of the trial piglets showed unremarkable lung lesions. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the 98.7% similarity of the PRRSV field strain (GR 2019-1) to the PRRS MLV vaccine strain VP-046 BIS. In conclusion, the Vac-2 PRRSV vaccine strain can act as an infectious strain when vaccination is administrated at late gestation, causing lung lesions.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of a commercial phytogenic feed additive (PFA) on the prevention of post-weaning diarrhea and oxidative stress in piglets. The concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and protein carbonyls (CARBS) were investigated as biomarkers for oxidative damage, as were the health and performance parameters of weaned piglets. In total, 100 weaned piglets were divided into two groups: a control group (T1), which was fed regular weaning feed; an experimental group (T2), which was fed regular weaning feed supplemented with a phenolic feed additive (PFA) for 3 weeks. The TBARS and CARBS concentrations in plasma samples from 20 piglets per group were measured at 45 and 65 days of age. Fecal samples were collected from 24 weaned piglets per group using FTA ELUTE cards. Diarrhea score, body weight (BW) at weaning, and average daily weight gain (ADWG) were recorded. The TBARS (p < 0.001) and CARBS (p = 0.001) concentrations were significantly higher in the T1 group compared to those in the T2 group. The lowest diarrhea score was noted in the T2 group for the age groups of 45 (p < 0.001) and 65 days (p = 0.008). In conclusion, the use of a phenolic PFA in the current study had beneficial antioxidative and antimicrobial effects on weaned piglets, which improved their health and growth performance.

Long-term treatment outcomes for patients with high grade ovarian cancers have not changed despite innovations in therapies. There is no recommended assay for predicting patient response to second-line therapy, thus clinicians must make treatment decisions based on each individual patient. Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tumors have been shown to predict drug sensitivity in ovarian cancer patients, but the time frame for intraperitoneal (IP) tumor generation, expansion, and drug screening is beyond that for tumor recurrence and platinum resistance to occur, thus results do not have clinical utility. We describe a drug sensitivity screening assay using a drug delivery microdevice implanted for 24 h in subcutaneous (SQ) ovarian PDX tumors to predict treatment outcomes in matched IP PDX tumors in a clinically relevant time frame. The SQ tumor response to local microdose drug exposure was found to be predictive of the growth of matched IP tumors after multi-week systemic therapy using significantly fewer animals (10 SQ vs 206 IP). Multiplexed immunofluorescence image analysis of phenotypic tumor response combined with a machine learning classifier could predict IP treatment outcomes against three second-line cytotoxic therapies with an average AUC of 0.91.

This study aimed to research the involvement of enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) and C. difficile or C. perfringens type C in the aetiology of neonatal piglet diarrhoea in Greece and to identify preventive factors for them. A total of 78 pooled faecal samples were collected randomly from 234 suckling piglets (1–4 days of age) with diarrhoea from 26 pig farms (3 piglets × 3 litters × 26 farms = 234 piglets = 78 faecal pool samples). The collected samples were initially screened for the presence of E. coli and C. difficile or C. perfringens via cultivation on MacConkey and anaerobic blood agar, respectively. Subsequently, the samples were pooled on ELUTE cards. From samples tested, 69.23% of those in the farms were ETEC F4-positive, 30.77% were ETEC F5-positive, 61.54% ETEC were F6-positive, 42.31% were ETEC F4- and E. coli enterotoxin LT-positive, 19.23% were ETEC F5- and LT-positive, 42.31% were ETEC F6- and LT-positive, while LT was found in 57.69% of those in the farms. C. difficile was involved in many cases and identified as an emerging neonatal diarrhoea etiological agent. Specifically, Toxin A of C. difficile was found in 84.62% and Toxin B in 88.46% of those in the farms. Antibiotic administration to sows in combination with probiotics or acidifiers was revealed to reduce the detection of antigens of ETEC and the enterotoxin LT of E. coli.

Advanced digital solutions are increasingly introduced into manufacturing systems to make them more intelligent. Intelligent Waste Management Systems in industries allow for data collection and analysis to make better-informed decisions, monitor and manage processes remotely, and improve waste management. In many industries, scrap is collected in large waste containers located on the factory floor, usually close to its source. In most cases, monitoring of waste containers’ fill levels is either manually performed by visual inspection by the operators working in close proximity or by employing intrusive mechanical systems such as weight sensors. This work presents a computer vision system that uses Deep Learning (DL) and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for the automated estimation of the fill level in industrial waste containers of metal scrap. The training method and parameters as well as the classification performance of VGG16 CNN that was retrained upon images collected in the field, are presented in detail. The proposed method has been validated upon an industrial case study from the copper tube production industry in which the fill level of two waste containers is estimated. A total of 9772 images were captured for the first container and 11,234 images for the second container. The VGG16 model achieved an accuracy from 77.5% to 95% on the testing dataset. The industrial case study demonstrates that the proposed computer vision system has sufficient accuracy for classifying the fill levels of metal scrap containers which allows for the development of waste management applications in industrial environments.

For reliable and efficient network planning and operation, accurate estimation of Quality of Transmission (QoT) is necessary. In optical networks, a physical layer model (PLM) is typically used as a QoT estimation tool (Qtool) including a design margin to account for modeling and parameter inaccuracies, to ensure acceptable performance. Such margin also covers the performance variations of the transponders (TPs) which are relatively low in a single vendor environment. However, for disaggregated networks that utilize TPs from multiple vendors, such as partial disaggregated networks with open line system (OLS), this traditional approach limits the Qtool estimation accuracy. Although higher TP performance variations can be covered with an additional margin, this approach would reduce the efficiency and consume the benefits of disaggregation. Therefore, we propose PLM extensions that capture the performance variations of multi- vendor TPs. In particular, we propose four TP vendor dependent performance factors and we also devise a Machine Learning (ML) scheme to learn these performance factors in offline and online network planning scenarios. The proposed extended PLM and ML training scheme are evaluated through realistic simulations. Results show a design margin reduction of greater than 1 dB for new connection requests in a disaggregated network with TPs from four vendors. On top of this, the results also show a ~0.5 dB additional Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) saving for new connection requests by proper selection of the TPs.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) causes respiratory disease in weaning and growing pigs. A vaccination against PRRSV is one of the most important control measures. This trial aimed to evaluate the effect of the intradermal (ID) administration of a PRRSV-1 modified live virus (MLV) vaccine in comparison to the intramuscular (IM) administration on the piglets’ health and performance. A total of 187 suckling piglets of a PRRSV-positive commercial farrow-to-finish farm were assigned to four groups: group A—PRRSV ID, group B—PRRSV IM, group C—control ID, and group D—control IM. At 2 weeks of age, all the study piglets were either vaccinated with a PRRSV-1 MLV vaccine or injected with the vaccine adjuvant (controls). The collected blood serum samples were tested by ELISA and qRT-PCR. The side effects, body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), mortality rate, and lung and pleurisy lesions scores (LLS, PLS) were also recorded. The ELISA results indicated that the vaccination induced an important seroconversion at 4 and 7 weeks. Significant differences in the qRT-PCR results were noticed only at 10 weeks in group A vs. group C (p < 0.01) and group B vs. group C (p < 0.05). High viral loads, as evidenced by the qRT-PCR Ct values, were noticed in animals of both non-vaccinated groups at 7, 10, and 13 weeks. An ID vaccination has a positive impact on the BW at the piglets’ slaughter, while both an ID and IM vaccination had a positive impact on the ADG. The mortality rate was lower in vaccinated groups at the finishing stage. The LLS and PLS were significantly lower in the vaccinated groups. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that the ID vaccination of suckling piglets with a PRRSV-1 MLV vaccine has a positive effect on the piglets’ health and performance, including an improved BW and a lower LLS and PLS index at their slaughter, as well as a decreased mortality rate at the growing/finishing stage.

The Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) induces apoptosis in different organs. Angiotensin II (Ang II) is the main effector of the renin-angiotensin system and participates in apoptosis. Thus, this study aimed to investigate changes in piglet serum Ang II levels following intradermal (ID) and intramuscular (IM) vaccination with a commercial PRRS modified live virus (MLV) vaccine. The trial was conducted in a commercial pig farm, including 104 piglets which were randomly allocated to four groups: Group A—Porcilis PRRS ID, Group B—Porcilis PRRS IM, Group C—Diluvac ID and Group D—Diluvac IM. The study piglets were either vaccinated or injected at 2 weeks of age and they were tested by qRT-PCR for PRRSV and by ELISA for Ang II. The results indicated differences in viremia of tested piglets at 7 weeks of age, while piglets at 10 weeks of age were all found qRT-PCR positive for PRRSV. In addition, significant differences were noticed in Ang II in 7-week-old piglets. In conclusion, the present study provides evidence that ID vaccination induces less tissue damage, based on the lower measurements of Ang II in the serum of ID vaccinated piglets.

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing (ESBL) bacteria in swine. Thus, 214 fecal samples were collected from suckling and weaned piglets from 34 farms in Greece (out of an overall population of about 14,300 sows). A subset of 78 (36.5%) ESBL producers were identified as E. coli (69/78, 88.5%), K. pneumoniae spp. pneumoniae (3.8%), P. mirabilis (5.1%), E. cloacae complex (1.3%) and S. enterica spp. diarizonae (1.3%). Resistance to at least one class of non-β-lactam antibiotics was detected in 78 isolates. Among the E. coli strains, resistance was identified with regard to aminoglycosides (n = 31), fluoroquinolones (n = 49), tetracycline (n = 26) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (n = 46). Of the three K. pneumoniae spp. pneumoniae, two displayed resistances to aminoglycosides and all were resistant to fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. As for the four P. mirabilis isolates, three had a resistant phenotype for aminoglycosides and all were resistant to imipenem, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Molecular characterization of the isolates revealed the presence of CTX-M, SHV and TEM genes, as well as of genes conferring resistance to fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, sulfonamides, trimethoprim, macrolides and colistin. High levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) were demonstrated in Greek swine herds posing a concern for the efficacy of treatments at the farm level as well as for public health.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential risks of the four commercial PRRS-1 MLV vaccines in pregnant vaccinated gilts at the last stage of gestation under field conditions. The study was conducted at four pig farms, including 25 gilts from each farm (25 × 4 = 100 gilts), which were equally allocated to five different study groups. A PRRS-1 MLV vaccination was applied on the 100th day of their pregnancy with the different commercial vaccines that are available in the Greek market. The results indicated virus congenital infection and viremia in piglets (20/200 = 10% PRRSV infected piglets), and detection of PRRSV-specific antibodies (181/200 = 90.5% piglets found with PRRSV antibodies). The subsequent phylogenetic analyses revealed high percentages of similarity between the PRRSV-1 strain detected in infected litters and the PRRSV-1 vaccine strain to which the study gilts had been previously exposed to. Health status analyses of trial piglets resulted in differences between litters from vaccinated sows and litters from non-vaccinated sows at 110th day of gestation as regards the number of weak-born piglets, mummies, and piglets with splay-leg and/or respiratory symptoms. The current study’s results indicate several potential dangers of the PRRS MLV vaccination in late gestation.

The NEPHELE hybrid electro-optical datacenter network (DCN) architecture is proposed as a dynamic network solution to provide high capacity, scalability, and cost efficiency in comparison to the existing DCN infrastructures. The details of the NEPHELE DCN architecture and its various key parts are introduced, and the performance of its implementation is evaluated through an end-to-end NEPHELE demonstrator, which was built at the National Technical University of Athens. Several communication scenarios are demonstrated in real time, exploiting a scalable optical data-plane architecture with a software-defined network (SDN) control plane capable of slotted operation for dynamic allocation of network resources. Real-time end-to-end functionality and integration of various software and hardware components are verified in a six-host prototype datacenter cluster.

The genus Salmonella, a group of important zoonotic pathogens, is having global economic and political importance. Its main political importance results from the pathogenicity of many of its serovars for man. Serovars Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium are currently the most frequently associated to foodborne infections, but they are not the only ones. Animal food products contaminated from subclinically infected animals are a risk to consumers. In border free markets, an example is the EU, these consumers at risk are international. This is why, economic competition could use the risk of consumer infection either to restrict or promote free border trade in animals and their products. Such use of public health threats increases during economic recessions in nations economically weak to effectively enforce surveillance. In free trade conditions, those unable to pay the costs of pathogen control are unable to effectively implement agreed regulations, centrally decided, but leaving their enforcement to individual states. Free trade of animal food products depends largely on the promotion of safety, included in "quality," when traders target foreign markets. They will overtake eventually the markets of those ineffectively implementing agreed safety regulations, if their offered prices are also attractive for recession hit consumers. Nations unable to effectively enforce safety regulations become disadvantaged partners unequally competing with producers of economically robust states when it comes to public health. Thus, surveillance and control of pathogens like Salmonella are not only quantitative. They are also political issues upon which states base national trade decisions. Hence, the quantitative calculation of costs incurring from surveillance and control of animal salmonelloses, should not only include the cost for public health protection, but also the long term international economic and political costs for an individual state. These qualitative and qualitative costs of man and animal Salmonella infections should be calculated in the light of free trade and open borders. Understandably, accurate calculation of the economic and political costs requires knowledge of the many factors influencing nationally the quality and safety of pork products and internationally free trade. Thus, how Salmonella pig infections affect commerce and public health across open borders depends on a state’s ability to accurately calculate costs for the surveillance and control of animal salmonelloses in general, and pig infections as a particular example.

Background: Allergen immunotherapy is effective in allergic individuals however efforts are being made to improve its safety, convenience, and efficacy. It has recently been demonstrated that allergen-linked immunostimulatory DNA (ISS) is effective in stimulating an allergen-specific Th1 response with decreased allergenicity. The objective of this study is to investigate whether ISS linked to purified ragweed allergen Amb-a-1 (AIC) can inhibit local allergen-specific Th2 and induce allergen-specific Th1 responses in explanted nasal mucosa of ragweed-sensitive subjects. In addition, we set out to determine whether AIC is more effective compared to stimulation with unlinked Amb a 1 and ISS. Methods: Tissue from ragweed-sensitive patients (n=12) was cultured with whole ragweed allergen (RW), Amb-a-1, AIC, Amb-a-1 and ISS (unlinked), or tetanus toxoid (TT) for 24 hours. IL-4, −5, −13, TNF-α and IFN-γ mRNA-positive cells were visualized by in situ hybridization and T cells, B cells and neutrophils were enumerated using immunocytochemistry. Results: RW or Amb-a-1 increased the number of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 mRNA+cells in the tissue compared to medium alone. AIC had similar cytokine mRNA reactivity as control tissue. AIC and TT increased IFNγ-mRNA expression. Unlinked Amb-a-1 and ISS showed similar effects to AIC, however this response was weaker. The number of TNF mRNA+ cells, T cells, B cells and neutrophils remained unchanged. Conclusions: AIC is effective in stimulating a local allergen-specific Th1- and abolishing Th2-cytokine mRNA reactivity in the nose and may be considered as a strong candidate for an improved approach to immunotherapy in ragweed-sensitive individuals.

Abstract Asthma was originally described as an inflammatory disease that predominantly involves the central airways. Pathological and physiological evidence reported during the past few years suggests that the inflammatory process extends beyond the central airways to the peripheral airways and the lung parenchyma. The small airways are capable of producing T-helper-2 cytokines, as well as chemokines, and they have recently been recognized as a predominant site of airflow obstruction in asthmatic persons. The inflammation at this distal site has been described as more severe than large airway inflammation. These findings are of great clinical significance, and highlight the need to consider the peripheral airways as a target in any therapeutic strategy for treatment of asthma.