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Veterinary Sciences
Volume 11
Issue 12
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Vet. Sci., Volume 11, Issue 12 (December 2024) – 92 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): Pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 (PPMV-1), a variant of chicken-origin Newcastle disease virus (NDV), causes pigeon Newcastle disease (ND). In this study, we investigate the impact of two key amino acid mutations, G347E and E349D, in the PPMV-1 hemagglutinin–neuraminidase (HN) protein on viral host tropism, replication, and pathogenicity. The mutations reduced viral replication and neuraminidase activity in pigeon cells but enhanced these properties in chicken cells. Additionally, the mutations shifted the receptor binding preference from α-2,6 to α-2,3 sialic acid. In vivo, the mutations decreased pathogenicity and transmission in pigeons but increased virulence and transmissibility in chickens, highlighting their role in modulating host adaptation and interspecies transmission. View this paper
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13 pages, 947 KiB  
Article
Shape of the Doppler Sonographic Systolic Blood Flow Profile of the Pulmonary Artery of Healthy Racing Pigeons and the Influence of Anesthesia
by Carolin Girard, Lajos Koy, Norbert Kummerfeld, Michael Pees, Michael Fehr and Marko Legler
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 679; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120679 - 23 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1071
Abstract
There is scant information available about the blood flow of the pulmonary artery in avian cardiology. In human medicine, the shape of the Doppler sonographic blood flow profile of the pulmonary artery can be used to access the pressure conditions of the right [...] Read more.
There is scant information available about the blood flow of the pulmonary artery in avian cardiology. In human medicine, the shape of the Doppler sonographic blood flow profile of the pulmonary artery can be used to access the pressure conditions of the right heart. With this background, this study focused on the examination of the acceleration and deceleration phase of the pulsed-wave Doppler flow profile of the pulmonary artery of healthy racing pigeons. The results showed a significant difference between the pulmonary artery and aorta. The Doppler flow profile of the aorta was characterized by a short acceleration phase; however, the pulmonary flow profile revealed an acceleration similar to that of the deceleration phase. Neither profile changed considerably under the influence of heart rate changes and anesthesia with isoflurane. A negative correlation of the pulmonary acceleration phase with the left diastolic A wave and the systolic pulmonary blood flow velocities could be found. This indicates the influence of pressure changes in the heart on the flow profiles. The results of this study allow for the use of the shape of the Doppler sonographic blood flow profile of the pulmonary artery in the assessment of cardiovascular diseases in avian medicine, especially in racing pigeons. Full article
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<p>PW Doppler sonographic blood flow profile of the pulmonary artery (<b>a</b>) and the aorta (<b>b</b>). The acceleration phase of the blood flow is marked with a red line, and the deceleration phase with a blue line.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>PW Doppler sonographic examination of the pulmonary blood flow profile of two Congo Grey parrots: (<b>a</b>) PAFP of a healthy Congo Grey parrot with a long AP and short DP; (<b>b</b>) PAFP of a Congo Grey parrot with left and right heart failure; the shape is similar to that of the AOFP, with a short AP and a long DP.</p> Full article ">
20 pages, 1414 KiB  
Article
Sperm Functional Status: A Multiparametric Assessment of the Fertilizing Potential of Bovine Sperm
by Timea Sarah Odinius, Mathias Siuda, Matthias Lautner, Claus Leiding, Stefan Neuner, Heinrich Bollwein and Eleni Malama
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 678; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120678 - 23 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1078
Abstract
Sperm viability is routinely assessed for the quality control of cryopreserved bovine sperm batches but is not usually conclusive regarding their fertilizing potential. In this study, we investigated the fertility predictive value of bull sperm viability in combination with DNA integrity or the [...] Read more.
Sperm viability is routinely assessed for the quality control of cryopreserved bovine sperm batches but is not usually conclusive regarding their fertilizing potential. In this study, we investigated the fertility predictive value of bull sperm viability in combination with DNA integrity or the functional status of viable sperm. In addition to sperm viability, we flow cytometrically assessed the percentage of sperm with high DNA fragmentation index (%DFI) and the fraction of viable sperm with low intracellular Ca2+ content and functional mitochondria using the Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay and a five-color staining panel in 791 and 733 cryopreserved batches with non-return rate (NRR) records after ≥100 first services, respectively. Using linear mixed-effects models and conditional inference trees, we examined the potential of sperm viability combined with either DNA integrity or the functional status of viable sperm to predict the batch-specific NRR. Batches with a %DFI of ≤6.86% were more likely to have a NRR of >60%, whereas %DFI values of >6.86% were more likely to be associated with a 55–60% or lower NRR. Combining post-thaw viability with the functional status of viable sperm did not reliably predict the NRR of individual batches. Concluding, the incorporation of DNA integrity assessment can considerably improve sperm fertility prognostics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sperm Biotechnology in Animals Reproduction)
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<p>The standard deviation (SD, %) of the non-return rate (NRR) of cryopreserved batches 60 to 90 days after artificial insemination (AI), in relation to the minimum number of first AIs recorded for each batch. The mean SD of the NRR computed for different minima of the first services is represented by the horizontal solid red line; the dashed red lines reflect the SD values that lie one standard deviation away from the mean.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>The proportion of cryopreserved batches (with a minimum of 100 first services) scoring different non-return rates (NRRs) 60 to 90 days after artificial insemination. The NRRs are demonstrated in the form of classes at 5-unit half-open intervals (they do not include their lower limit point).</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Predicted values of the batch-specific non-return rate (NRR, %) on day 60 to 90 post-insemination in relation to the percentage of sperm with a high DNA fragmentation index (%DFI, %) in the cryopreserved semen batch immediately after thawing (0 h). The plotted NRR values were predicted by fitting a linear mixed-effects model on the sperm quality data of 791 cryopreserved sperm samples produced from 236 sires and conditioned on the fixed effects of sperm viability, %DFI, bull age, season, and weekday of semen collection.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Decision tree illustrating the predictability of the non-return rate (NRR) class based on the percentage of sperm with a high DNA fragmentation index (%DFI). Classes of the NRR were built with 5-unit intervals (left-open and right-closed intervals) and included NRR scores between 30% and 80%. In each decision split node (nodes 1 and 2), the <span class="html-italic">p</span> value is presented for the selection of a significant predictor. The %DFI cutoff values are shown along the decision branch. The terminal nodes 3, 4, and 5 are in the form of bar plots showing the likelihood of a batch being assigned in a specific NRR class based on its %DFI score. The number of batches (n) landing in each terminal node is also presented.</p> Full article ">
16 pages, 1065 KiB  
Review
Current Insights into Porcine Bocavirus (PBoV) and Its Impact on the Economy and Public Health
by Jelena Prpić, Tomislav Keros, Margarita Božiković, Magda Kamber and Lorena Jemeršić
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 677; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120677 - 22 Dec 2024
Viewed by 789
Abstract
Effective control of animal infectious diseases is crucial for maintaining robust livestock production systems worldwide. Porcine meat constitutes approximately 35–40% of global meat production with the largest producers being China and the European Union (EU). Emerging viral pathogens in swine, like porcine bocavirus [...] Read more.
Effective control of animal infectious diseases is crucial for maintaining robust livestock production systems worldwide. Porcine meat constitutes approximately 35–40% of global meat production with the largest producers being China and the European Union (EU). Emerging viral pathogens in swine, like porcine bocavirus (PBoV), have not garnered significant attention, leaving their pathogenic characteristics largely unexplored. This review aims to bridge this knowledge gap by conducting a comprehensive analysis of the existing literature on PBoV. We explore the virus’s genome structure, discovery, classification, detection methods, pathogenesis, and its potential public health implications. Additionally, we discuss the distribution and economic impact of PBoV, which includes potential losses due to decreased productivity, increased veterinary costs, and trade restrictions. By highlighting the current state of knowledge, this review seeks to enhance the understanding of PBoV, thereby aiding in its prevention and control, and mitigating its economic impact on the swine industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Viral Crossroads: The Interface Between Wildlife and Domestic Animal Health)
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<p>Geographical distribution of PBoV. Map is created with Mapchart [<a href="#B36-vetsci-11-00677" class="html-bibr">36</a>].</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Phylogenetic tree of PBoV and related viruses based on the complete genome sequences. The tree was constructed using the Neighbor-Joining method with 1000 bootstrap replicates. Bootstrap values greater than 50% are shown at the branch nodes. The tree includes various BoV strains from different hosts, including humans, pigs, dogs, cats, cows, and gorillas. The scale bar represents the number of nucleotide substitutions per site. The phylogenetic tree reveals the relationships between PBoV and other bocaviruses. Notably, PBoV is closely related to other bocaviruses, including feline bocavirus and bovine bocavirus.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>The genome structure of PBoV (adapted from [<a href="#B71-vetsci-11-00677" class="html-bibr">71</a>]). The PBoV genome of approximately 5.3 bb contains three ORFs that encode for four proteins (NS1, NP1, VP1, and VP2).</p> Full article ">
19 pages, 1670 KiB  
Article
Subclinical Mastitis in Lacaune Sheep: Etiologic Agents, the Effect on Milk Characteristics, and an Evaluation of Infrared Thermography and the YOLO Algorithm as a Preprocessing Tool for Advanced Analysis
by Marios Lysitsas, Georgios Botsoglou, Dimitris Dimitriadis, Sofia Termatzidou, Panagiota Kazana, Grigorios Tsoumakas, Constantina N. Tsokana, Eleni Malissiova, Vassiliki Spyrou, Charalambos Billinis and George Valiakos
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 676; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120676 - 22 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1345
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the incidence of subclinical mastitis (SCM), the implicated pathogens, and their impact on milk quality in dairy sheep in Greece. Furthermore, we preliminarily evaluated infrared thermography and the application of AI tools for the early, non-invasive diagnosis of [...] Read more.
This study aimed to investigate the incidence of subclinical mastitis (SCM), the implicated pathogens, and their impact on milk quality in dairy sheep in Greece. Furthermore, we preliminarily evaluated infrared thermography and the application of AI tools for the early, non-invasive diagnosis of relevant cases. In total, 660 milk samples and over 2000 infrared thermography images were obtained from 330 phenotypically healthy ewes. Microbiological investigations, a somatic cell count (SCC), and milk chemical analyses were performed. Infrared images were analyzed using the FLIR Research Studio software (version 3.0.1). The You Only Look Once version 8 (YOLOv8) algorithm was employed for the automatic detection of the udder’s region of interest. A total of 157 mammary glands with SCM were identified in 122/330 ewes (37.0%). The most prevalent pathogen was staphylococci (136/160, 86.6%). Considerable resistance was detected to tetracycline (29.7%), ampicillin (28.6%), and sulfamethoxazole–trimethoprim (23.6%). SCM correlated with high total mesophilic count (TMC) values and decreased milk fat, lactose, and protein content. A statistically significant variation (p < 0.001) was identified in the unilateral SCM cases by evaluating the mean temperatures of the udder region between the teats in the thermal images. Finally, the YOLOv8 algorithm was employed for the automatic detection of the udder’s region of interest (ROI), achieving 84% accuracy in defining the ROI in this preliminary evaluation. This demonstrates the potential of infrared thermography combined with AI tools for the diagnosis of ovine SCM. Nonetheless, more extensive sampling is essential to optimize this diagnostic approach. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology)
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<p>Overview of the procedures carried out in this study.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Evaluation of thermal images: (<b>a</b>) manual drawing of L lines for each mammary gland (grayscale); (<b>b</b>) lines on a thermal image of a gland using a rainbow high-contrast filter.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Teat detection in thermal images, including line drawings. Analysis of four thermal image instances (confidence levels produced by the model for detecting the teats are displayed).</p> Full article ">
12 pages, 285 KiB  
Article
Effects of Ganoderma lucidum Powder on the Growth Performance, Immune Organ Weights, Cecal Microbiology, Serum Immunoglobulins, and Tibia Minerals of Broiler Chickens
by Arazay Avain, Md. Abul Kalam Azad, Yaneisy García, Yanelys García and Yordan Martínez
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 675; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120675 - 22 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1290
Abstract
A total of 640 one-day-old Cobb 500 MV × Cobb 500 FF mixed broilers were randomly assigned to one of four experimental treatments with four replicates per treatment and 40 birds per replicate for 32 days. The treatments consisted of a basal diet [...] Read more.
A total of 640 one-day-old Cobb 500 MV × Cobb 500 FF mixed broilers were randomly assigned to one of four experimental treatments with four replicates per treatment and 40 birds per replicate for 32 days. The treatments consisted of a basal diet (control group), basal diet + 0.02% zinc bacitracin (AGP group), basal diet + 0.2% G. lucidum powder (GLP; 0.2% GLP group), and basal diet + 0.3% GLP (0.3% GLP group). The results showed that dietary 0.2% GLP supplementation increased body weight compared to the control and 0.3% GLP groups, and decreased feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the control group, during 19–32 days (p < 0.05). The feed intake was lower (p < 0.05) in both dietary GLP supplementation groups and the AGP group during 1–8 and 1–32 days compared to the control group. Additionally, the FCR was lower in the dietary GLP supplementation group (0.2%) and the AGP group (p < 0.05) compared to the control group. Moreover, the caeca of broiler chickens in the AGP and 0.2% GLP groups had a higher abundance of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Supplementation of feed additives (AGP and GLP) increased the relative weight of the thymus, with no effect on the bursa of Fabricius and spleen. However, AGP supplementation decreased the serum IgM concentration, while supplementing a higher dose of GLP (0.3%) increased the ash content in the tibia. The findings indicate that 0.2% GLP is the recommended supplementation dose as a natural growth promoter to replace AGP in apparently normal chickens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology)
12 pages, 6412 KiB  
Article
Selenium Enhances the Growth of Bovine Endometrial Stromal Cells by PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β and Wnt/β-Catenin Pathways
by Junsheng Dong, Zi Wang, Fan Fei, Yeqi Jiang, Yongshuai Jiang, Long Guo, Kangjun Liu, Luying Cui, Xia Meng, Jianji Li and Heng Wang
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 674; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120674 - 21 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1613
Abstract
The bovine uterus is susceptible to bacterial infections after calving, particularly from Escherichia coli (E. coli), which often results in endometritis. Additionally, postpartum stress in cows can elevate cortisol levels in the body, inhibiting endometrial regeneration and reducing immune function, thereby [...] Read more.
The bovine uterus is susceptible to bacterial infections after calving, particularly from Escherichia coli (E. coli), which often results in endometritis. Additionally, postpartum stress in cows can elevate cortisol levels in the body, inhibiting endometrial regeneration and reducing immune function, thereby further increasing the risk of infection. Selenium (Se) is a common feed additive in dairy farming, known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the regulatory role of Se in the growth of bovine endometrial stromal cells (BESCs) under the conditions of LPS-induced inflammatory damage at high cortisol levels. BESCs were treated with 1, 2, 4 μM Se in combination with co-treatment of LPS and cortisol. The results indicated that LPS inhibited the cell viability and reduced the mRNA expression of CTGF, TGF-β1, and TGF-β3. Additionally, LPS increased apoptosis, hindered the cell cycle progression by blocking it in the G0/G1 phase, and suppressed the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. Furthermore, increased concentrations of cortisol can exacerbate the impacts of LPS on cell proliferation and apoptosis. Conversely, the supplementation of Se promoted cell viability, increased the mRNA expression of TGF-β1 and TGF-β3, and enhanced cell cycle progression, while simultaneously repressing cell apoptosis as well as activating the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. The above findings demonstrated that Se can promote cell proliferation, reduce cell apoptosis, and aid in the growth of BESCs damaged by LPS under high levels of cortisol. The potential mechanisms may be associated with the regulation of the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Bovine Uterine Infection)
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<p>Effects of Se on viability of BESCs were confirmed by CCK-8 assay. * <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05, ** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Impacts of Se on the mRNA level of CTGF (<b>A</b>), TGF-β1 (<b>B</b>), TGF-β3 (<b>C</b>), and VEGF (<b>D</b>) in BESCs was assessed by qRT-PCR analysis of extracted RNA. * <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05, ** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Effects of Se on cell apoptosis of BESCs. (<b>A</b>) The detection of cell apoptosis was performed using flow cytometry. (<b>B</b>) Quantitative analysis of the cell apoptosis rate. (<b>C</b>) The expression of Bcl-2 and BAX proteins was determined using Western blot analysis. (<b>D</b>) Quantitative analysis of the ratio of Bcl-2/BAX. * <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05, ** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>The role of Se in modulating cell cycle distribution in BESCs. (<b>A</b>) Flow cytometry was utilized to analyze the cell cycle progression. (<b>B</b>) Quantification of the cell cycle distribution. * <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>The role of Se in modulating the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway of BESCs. (<b>A</b>) The phosphorylation levels of PI3K, AKT, and GSK-3β was evaluated using Western blot analysis. (<b>B</b>–<b>D</b>) Quantitative analysis of PI3K, AKT, and GSK-3β phosphorylation. * <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05.</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Effects of Se on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway of BESCs. (<b>A</b>) The protein expression level of c-Myc, Cyclin-D1, and β-catenin was evaluated using Western blot analysis. (<b>B</b>–<b>D</b>) Quantitative analysis of c-Myc, Cyclin-D1, and β-catenin level. * <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05, ** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01.</p> Full article ">
8 pages, 424 KiB  
Communication
Recombinant Factor C as an In Vitro Assay for the Residual Pathogenicity Evaluation of Veterinary Autogenous Vaccines
by Antonella Di Paolo, Rosario Liberti, Lucia Anzalone, Claudia Colabella, Andrea Felici, Giulio Severi and Monica Cagiola
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 673; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120673 - 21 Dec 2024
Viewed by 813
Abstract
Background: Veterinary autogenous vaccines, similar to all injectable pharmaceutical products, must be tested to assess endotoxin concentrations. The Limulus Amebocyte Lysate Test (LAL test) is widely used in in vitro quality control assays for endotoxin detection, although it presents some ethical issues related [...] Read more.
Background: Veterinary autogenous vaccines, similar to all injectable pharmaceutical products, must be tested to assess endotoxin concentrations. The Limulus Amebocyte Lysate Test (LAL test) is widely used in in vitro quality control assays for endotoxin detection, although it presents some ethical issues related to the production of reagents and is also characterized by a low specificity due to other contaminants that can activate the reaction. For all these reasons, a new recombinant factor C LAL test was developed. Aim: In this study, we described the comparison between two LAL test methods for in vitro quality control of veterinary autogenous vaccines, with the aim of evaluating the most suitable method and establishing an endotoxin concentration range for two different matrices. Methods: Two hundred batches of two different vaccine matrices were tested using the kinetic chromogenic LAL test and recombinant factor C endotoxin detection assay commercial kits. Results and Conclusions: Statistical analysis conducted after the validation of the recombinant factor C test exhibited a statistically significant correlation between the two methods and for both vaccine matrices, suggesting that the animal-free assay can be used as a routine quality control test for veterinary autogenous vaccines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology)
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<p>Mean endotoxin concentration for KCA and rFC LAL assays. The distribution of the mean endotoxin concentrations of all two hundred samples obtained with KCA and rFC LAL assay methods is represented using a box plot.</p> Full article ">
22 pages, 3022 KiB  
Article
Development and Evaluation of Non-Antibiotic Growth Promoters for Food Animals
by Hanfei Wang, Hengji Zhao, Bocheng Tai, Simeng Wang, Awais Ihsan, Haihong Hao, Guyue Cheng, Yanfei Tao and Xu Wang
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 672; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120672 - 21 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1337
Abstract
The widespread utilization of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) boosts the growth rate of food animals and enhances human living standards. Nevertheless, it is accompanied by escalating antibiotic resistance. Consequently, there is an urgent demand to develop novel alternatives to growth promoters. The objective [...] Read more.
The widespread utilization of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) boosts the growth rate of food animals and enhances human living standards. Nevertheless, it is accompanied by escalating antibiotic resistance. Consequently, there is an urgent demand to develop novel alternatives to growth promoters. The objective of this study was to develop a non-antibiotic growth promoter (NAGP) for augmenting the growth rate of food animals. The growth-promoting effect of plant-derived NAGPs was assessed in mice and broiler chickens, and its growth-promoting mechanism was initially investigated. The results reveal that a combination of hawthorn (also known as shanzha) and astragalus (also known as huangqi) extracts (SQ) enhanced the growth rate of mice both in vivo and in vitro, attributed to their significant capacity to promote muscle growth and improve immunity (p < 0.05). The composite super energy extract M (CSEE-M), further optimized on the basis of SQ, significantly improved growth performance and feed conversion ratio, and elevated the activity of intestinal digestive enzymes (p < 0.05) in both mice and broilers and reshaped the gut microbiota of broilers. The addition of 0.5% CSEE-M to broiler drinking water significantly increased muscle content and improved carcass quality (p < 0.05). In conclusion, both SQ and CSEE-M hold great promise as NAGPs and serve as effective substitutes to AGPs. This research not only furnishes new solutions for the misuse of antibiotics but presents a fresh perspective for the development of growth promoters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Physiology, Pharmacology, and Toxicology)
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<p>SQ promotes muscle growth and improves immunity in mice. (<b>a</b>) Effect of SQ on the viability of C2C12 cells. n = 6; (<b>b</b>) EdU assay. EdU binds to dividing nucleus and shows red fluorescence. Hoechst binds to all nuclei and shows blue fluorescence. Six fields of view were randomly selected to capture images for each experiment. Magnification: 400×. Scale bar: 100 μm; (<b>c</b>) Tissue sections of mouse leg muscles. Left leg muscles of mice were harvested for H&amp;E staining. There were six mice from each group and one section was prepared for each mouse. Magnification: 40×. Scale bar: 400 μm; (<b>d</b>) mRNA expression of myogenic regulators in mouse muscle. n = 6; (<b>e</b>) Macrophage phagocytosis experiment. Macrophage phagocytosis is an epiphenomenon of innate immunity; the stronger macrophage phagocytosis can phagocytose, the more neutral red dye, the redder the cells. Magnification: 100×. Scale bar: 1000 μm; (<b>f</b>) mRNA expression of mesangial innate immunity factors in mouse spleen. n = 6; (<b>g</b>) Mouse spleen and thymus weights and spleen index and thymus index. n = 6. All cellular experiments as well as qPCR experiments were independently repeated three times. For all image data, six fields of view were randomly selected to capture images and show representative data. Analysis by <span class="html-italic">t</span> tests, ****: <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.0001; ***: <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.001; **: <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01; *: <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05; ns: not significant.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Growth performance of mice. (<b>a</b>) Changes in body weight of mice over fourteen days; (<b>b</b>) Body weight of mice in each group on day 0; (<b>c</b>) Body weight gain of mice in each group on day 14; (<b>d</b>) Changes in food consumption of mice over fourteen days; (<b>e</b>) Changes in daily gain of mice over fourteen days; (<b>f</b>) Changes in feed to gain ratio of mice over fourteen days. Blank, blank control; SQ, SQ group (orally administered at a dose of 3 g/kg); CNS, CNS group; CSEE-H, SQ:CNS = 1:5 (<span class="html-italic">v</span>/<span class="html-italic">v</span>); CSEE-M, SQ:CNS = 1:8 (<span class="html-italic">v</span>/<span class="html-italic">v</span>); CSEE, SQ:CNS = 1:10 (<span class="html-italic">v</span>/<span class="html-italic">v</span>). n = 10. Analysis via one-way ANOVA, ****: <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.0001; ***: <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.001; **: <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01; *: <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05; ns: not significant.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Serum biochemistry of mice 14 days after administration (<b>a</b>) Glu, blood glucose; (<b>b</b>) TG, triglycerides; (<b>c</b>) TC, total cholesterol; (<b>d</b>) LDL-C, Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; (<b>e</b>) HDL-C, High-density lipoprotein cholesterol; (<b>f</b>) TBA, bile acids. blank, blank control; SQ, SQ group (dose administered at 3 g/kg); CNS, CNS group; CSEE-H, SQ:CNS = 1:5 (<span class="html-italic">v</span>/<span class="html-italic">v</span>); CSEE-M, SQ:CNS = 1:8 (<span class="html-italic">v</span>/<span class="html-italic">v</span>); CSEE-L, SQ:CNS = 1:10 (<span class="html-italic">v</span>/<span class="html-italic">v</span>). n = 10. Analysis via one-way ANOVA, ****: <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.0001; ***: <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.001; **: <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01; *: <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05. No column markers indicate no significant difference between the two groups.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Changes in intestinal digestive enzymes in mice 14 days after administration. (<b>a</b>–<b>d</b>) The activity of α-amylase in the stomach, duodenum, jejunum and ileum; (<b>e</b>–<b>h</b>) Lipase activity in the stomach, duodenum, jejunum and ileum; (<b>i</b>–<b>l</b>) Protease activity in stomach, duodenum, jejunum and ileum. blank, blank control; SQ, SQ group (administered at 3 g/kg); CNS, CNS group; CSEE-H, SQ:CNS = 1:5 (<span class="html-italic">v</span>/<span class="html-italic">v</span>); CSEE-M, SQ:CNS = 1:8 (<span class="html-italic">v</span>/<span class="html-italic">v</span>); CSEE-L, SQ:CNS = 1:10 (<span class="html-italic">v</span>/<span class="html-italic">v</span>). n = 10. Analysis via one-way ANOVA, **: <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01; *: <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05; ns: not significant.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Growth and slaughter performance of broilers (<b>a</b>–<b>c</b>) Survival rate, average body weight and feed to gain ratio of broilers at 14 days; (<b>d</b>–<b>f</b>) Survival rate, average body weight and feed to gain ratio of broilers at 28 days; (<b>g</b>–<b>i</b>) Survival rate, average body weight and feed to gain ratio of broilers at 28 days; (<b>j</b>) Dressing percentage of broilers at 42 days of age; (<b>k</b>) Leg muscle content of broilers after 42 days of rearing. A, blank control; B, positive control (broiler diet supplemented with guanidinoacetic acid at 600 mg/kg); C, 0.5% CSEE-M; D, 1% CSEE-M; E, 2% CSEE-M. n = 10. Analysis via one-way ANOVA, ****: <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.0001; ***: <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.001; **: <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01; *: <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05; ns: not significant.</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Species richness of broiler gut microbiota in different treatment groups. (<b>a</b>) Principal component analysis (PCA) plots; (<b>b</b>) Ternary phase diagram of the broiler gut microbiota at the phylum level for the three different treatment groups. The three vertices in the plot represent the three sample groups, the circles represent the species, and the size of circle is proportional to the relative abundance, the closer the circle is to a vertex, the more abundant the species is in that group of sample group; (<b>c</b>) The chao1 algorithm estimates the index of the number of OTU-containing elements in a community; (<b>d</b>) Shannon index; (<b>e</b>) Simpson’s index; (<b>f</b>) Uniformity index. n = 5. Abbreviations: Blank, blank control; PC, positive control (broiler diets supplemented with guanidinoacetic acid at 600 mg/kg); Treat, 0.5% CSEE-M group; (<b>g</b>) Differences in broiler gut microbiota at the genus level in each group; (<b>h</b>) Differences in broiler gut microbiota at the species level of in each group.</p> Full article ">Figure 6 Cont.
<p>Species richness of broiler gut microbiota in different treatment groups. (<b>a</b>) Principal component analysis (PCA) plots; (<b>b</b>) Ternary phase diagram of the broiler gut microbiota at the phylum level for the three different treatment groups. The three vertices in the plot represent the three sample groups, the circles represent the species, and the size of circle is proportional to the relative abundance, the closer the circle is to a vertex, the more abundant the species is in that group of sample group; (<b>c</b>) The chao1 algorithm estimates the index of the number of OTU-containing elements in a community; (<b>d</b>) Shannon index; (<b>e</b>) Simpson’s index; (<b>f</b>) Uniformity index. n = 5. Abbreviations: Blank, blank control; PC, positive control (broiler diets supplemented with guanidinoacetic acid at 600 mg/kg); Treat, 0.5% CSEE-M group; (<b>g</b>) Differences in broiler gut microbiota at the genus level in each group; (<b>h</b>) Differences in broiler gut microbiota at the species level of in each group.</p> Full article ">
15 pages, 4709 KiB  
Review
Comparative Insights into Acute Gastroenteritis in Cattle Caused by Bovine Rotavirus A and Bovine Coronavirus
by Vjekoslava Kostanić, Valentina Kunić, Marina Prišlin Šimac, Marica Lolić, Tomislav Sukalić and Dragan Brnić
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 671; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120671 - 21 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1521
Abstract
Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in cattle significantly impacts the economy due to relatively high morbidity and mortality and decreased production. Its multifactorial nature drives its global persistence, involving enteric viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and environmental factors. Bovine Rotavirus A (BoRVA) and bovine coronavirus (BCoV) are [...] Read more.
Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in cattle significantly impacts the economy due to relatively high morbidity and mortality and decreased production. Its multifactorial nature drives its global persistence, involving enteric viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and environmental factors. Bovine Rotavirus A (BoRVA) and bovine coronavirus (BCoV) are among the most important enteric RNA viruses causing AGE in cattle. These viruses infect intestinal enterocytes, leading to cell damage and consequently to malabsorption and diarrhea. BoRVA primarily affects calves under 14 days old with gastrointestinal clinical signs, while BCoV affects all ages, causing gastrointestinal and respiratory distress. The economic impact of BoRVA and BCoV, along with their interspecies transmission potential, warrants attention. This concise review discusses the molecular structure, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, and preventive measures of BoRVA and BCoV while providing a comparative analysis. By offering practical guidance on managing such viral infections in cattle, these comparative insights may prove valuable for veterinarians in clinical practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology)
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<p>(<b>a</b>) Negative-staining electron microscopy reveals the characteristic wheel-like morphology of RV [<a href="#B20-vetsci-11-00671" class="html-bibr">20</a>]. (<b>b</b>) A negative-staining electron micrograph of a CoV virion [<a href="#B21-vetsci-11-00671" class="html-bibr">21</a>].</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>(<b>a</b>) A schematic of a triple-layered RV particle featuring the inner capsid (VP1, VP2, VP3), middle capsid (VP6), outer capsid (VP7), and spike protein (VP4) [<a href="#B22-vetsci-11-00671" class="html-bibr">22</a>]. (<b>b</b>) A diagram of the CoV virion’s structure, featuring the nucleocapsid (N) protein and viral RNA genome at its core, encased in an envelope containing the spike (S), hemagglutinin–esterase (HE), membrane (M), and envelope (E) proteins [<a href="#B23-vetsci-11-00671" class="html-bibr">23</a>].</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>(<b>a</b>) A one-week-old calf exhibiting gastrointestinal signs, showing an example of yellowish diarrhea caused by BCoV [<a href="#B40-vetsci-11-00671" class="html-bibr">40</a>]. (<b>b</b>) Hemorrhagic diarrhea resulting from BCoV infection [<a href="#B40-vetsci-11-00671" class="html-bibr">40</a>]. Both images are courtesy of Cabinet Vétérinaire de Riom-es-Montagnes, Cantal, France.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>(<b>a</b>) A section of an intestine from a calf infected with RV, stained with H&amp;E, reveals villous exfoliation, engorged capillary plexuses, and moderate infiltration of the lamina propria in the ileum [<a href="#B58-vetsci-11-00671" class="html-bibr">58</a>]. (<b>b</b>) An intestinal section from a calf infected with BCoV presents thick homogeneous necrotic material covering the ulcerated mucosa of the colon, as indicated by the arrows [<a href="#B58-vetsci-11-00671" class="html-bibr">58</a>].</p> Full article ">
16 pages, 1858 KiB  
Article
Antibacterial Effect of Canine Leucocyte Platelet-Rich Plasma (L-PRP) and Canine Platelet-Poor Plasma (PPP) Against Methicillin-Sensitive and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius
by Roberta Perego, Gabriele Meroni, Piera Anna Martino, Eva Spada, Luciana Baggiani and Daniela Proverbio
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 670; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120670 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 901
Abstract
Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (SP) is a commensal and opportunistic pathogen of skin and mucosal surfaces, isolated from healthy dogs and from canine pyoderma cases. It has recently gained attention due to its increasing antibiotic resistance. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a biological product, obtained through [...] Read more.
Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (SP) is a commensal and opportunistic pathogen of skin and mucosal surfaces, isolated from healthy dogs and from canine pyoderma cases. It has recently gained attention due to its increasing antibiotic resistance. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a biological product, obtained through a blood centrifugation process, which has antibacterial properties evidenced by in vitro and in vivo studies conducted in both the human and veterinary field. This in vitro study evaluated the antimicrobial effect of canine non-activated and activated leucocyte-rich PRP (L-PRP) and platelet-poor plasma (PPP) against two strains of SP isolated from dogs with pyoderma: one a multidrug-resistant strain (MDR) and one a non-MDR strain. Twenty healthy un-sedated adult blood donor dogs were enrolled for L-PRP and PPP production via a closed semi-automatic system for veterinary use. The evaluation of antimicrobial effect was performed using the micro-inhibition in broth method, exposing SP strains to 10 L-PRP, 10 activated L-PRP and 10 PPP samples, respectively. Bacterial growth was evaluated using CFU count at three timepoints (immediately after incubation T0, after 1 h T1 and after 2 h T2). L-PRP and PPP had a significant antimicrobial effect at all three timepoints which was similar against both non-MDR and MDR SP strains. Activation appeared to reduce the duration of the antimicrobial effect in L-PRP. More studies are necessary to confirm these preliminary results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Internal Medicine)
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<p>Antibacterial effect of L-PRP against non-MDR and MDR SP strains. * statistically significant.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Antibacterial effect of PPP against non-MDR and MDR SP strains. * statistically significant.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Effect of animal sex on the antibacterial activity of L-PRP (<b>A</b>,<b>B</b>) and PPP (<b>C</b>,<b>D</b>) against SP strains. * statistically significant.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Activated L- PRP antibacterial action over time for SP40 (<b>A</b>) and SP67 (<b>B</b>) strains.</p> Full article ">
8 pages, 2448 KiB  
Case Report
Successful Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma Associated with Hypertrophic Osteopathy in a Cat
by Takashi Tanaka, Midori Tanaka, Tomoyuki Tezuka, Kazumi Shimada and Ryo Tanaka
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 669; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120669 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 899
Abstract
An eight-year-old spayed female Abyssinian cat presented with lameness. Palpation revealed swelling, heat, and a reduced range of motion in the stifle and tarsal joints in both hind limbs. A radiographic examination of both hind limbs revealed periosteal proliferation from the distal tibia [...] Read more.
An eight-year-old spayed female Abyssinian cat presented with lameness. Palpation revealed swelling, heat, and a reduced range of motion in the stifle and tarsal joints in both hind limbs. A radiographic examination of both hind limbs revealed periosteal proliferation from the distal tibia to the tarsal and metatarsal bones, which suggested hypertrophic osteopathy. Thorax and abdominal radiographic examinations were performed to identify the primary disease. Complete blood count and routine serum biochemistry tests revealed no abnormalities. No obvious anomalies were evident in the thoracic radiograph; however, a mass was observed near the left kidney on an abdominal radiograph. An abdominal ultrasound was performed, which revealed a hypoechoic renal mass located in the caudal pole of the left kidney. The left nephrectomy was performed after exploration of the abdominal cavity confirmed an abnormality in the left kidney. A histopathological examination revealed renal cell carcinoma. The cat was subsequently fed on a renal prescription diet but received no additional treatment. The periosteal lesion in the distal tibia regressed over time, but the lesions remained in the talus and metatarsal bones. At 1670 days following surgery, blood tests indicated that urea nitrogen and creatinine were above the normal range. In addition, urinalysis revealed an isosthenuria. However, the cat survived over 4500 days following surgery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Focus on Tumours in Pet Animals)
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Graphical abstract

Graphical abstract
Full article ">Figure 1
<p>Radiographs images of a lateral view of the distal ends of the right and left hind limbs. Radiographic examination of the right hind limb (<b>A</b>) and left hind limb (<b>B</b>) showed palisade-like periosteal proliferation in the distal tibia, talus, and metatarsal (thick white arrow). No abnormalities were observed on the articular surfaces of either limb.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Thoracic radiographs in the right lateral (<b>A</b>) and ventral–dorsal position (<b>B</b>). No abnormal findings were observed. Abdominal radiographs in the right lateral (<b>C</b>) and ventral–dorsal position (<b>D</b>). The left kidney was enlarged and slightly displaced ventrally (white arrowhead). The ultrasound examination of the left kidney (<b>E</b>) revealed a hypoechoic renal mass located on the posterior edge of the left kidney (white arrowhead).</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Photograph of the removed left kidney.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Hematoxylin- and eosin-stained slides (<b>A</b>) and magnified image (<b>B</b>) of the excised kidney.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Radiographs images of a lateral view of the distal ends of the <b>right</b> (<b>A</b>) and <b>left</b> (<b>B</b>) hind limb two months after surgery. The periosteal growth of the distal tibia disappeared, whereas the periosteal proliferation of the talus and metatarsal bones decreased compared with before surgery (thick white arrow).</p> Full article ">
18 pages, 1256 KiB  
Article
Health–Economic Impact Attributable to Occurrence of Pleurisy and Pneumonia Lesions in Finishing Pigs
by Clarisse S. Malcher, Fernando A. M. Petri, Laiza P. Arruda, Gabriel A. de Aguiar, Gabriel Y. Storino, Karina Sonalio, Leonardo T. Toledo, Flávio Hirose and Luís Guilherme de Oliveira
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 668; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120668 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1502
Abstract
Respiratory diseases, such as pleurisy and pneumonia, cause significant health and economic losses in pig production. This study evaluated 867 finishing pigs from a farm with a history of respiratory issues, using macroscopic lesion scoring (SPES and CVPC), histopathological analysis, qPCR diagnostics, and [...] Read more.
Respiratory diseases, such as pleurisy and pneumonia, cause significant health and economic losses in pig production. This study evaluated 867 finishing pigs from a farm with a history of respiratory issues, using macroscopic lesion scoring (SPES and CVPC), histopathological analysis, qPCR diagnostics, and economic modeling. Severe pleurisy (scores 3 and 4) was observed in 42.1% of carcasses and was strongly correlated with higher bacterial loads of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, and Pasteurella multocida. Severe lesions reduced the average daily gain (ADG) and carcass weight, leading to increased production costs and lower profitability. Economic analysis revealed that pigs with higher pleurisy scores incurred an additional cost per kg (USD 1.29 vs. USD 1.32 for milder cases), reduced total revenue by 1.36%, and decreased return on investment (ROI) from 5.33% to 3.90%. These findings emphasize the critical impact of respiratory diseases on profitability and the necessity of robust health management strategies, including vaccination and enhanced biosecurity, to minimize economic losses in swine farming. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Education, Veterinary Communication and Animal Behavior)
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<p>Variation in the bacterial prevalence in lung samples in each pleurisy score (SPES) group. Bar graphs show the estimated quantification of each pathogen in samples with an SPES score of (<b>A</b>) 1, (<b>B</b>) 2, (<b>C</b>) 3, and (<b>D</b>) 4. Differences were observed among <span class="html-italic">Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae</span> (Mhyo), <span class="html-italic">Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae</span> (App), and <span class="html-italic">Pasteurella multocida</span> (Pm) in starting quantification (SQ) values. The Kruskal–Wallis test was used (<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05).</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Comparison of serum IgG levels against <span class="html-italic">M. hyopneumoniae</span> across pleurisy scores (SPES) between samples collected at the farm (F) and slaughterhouse (S). A cut-off of 35 was set following the manufacturer’s guidelines.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Correlations between lung health markers, pathogen presence, carcass weight, and immune response indicators in pigs, with statistical significance (<span class="html-italic">p</span>-values) and correlation coefficients (r) displayed for each graph. The solid line represents the linear regression, and the dashed lines indicate the confidence interval (CI 95%).</p> Full article ">
22 pages, 3258 KiB  
Article
Factors That Determine Successful Social Housing of African Green Monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus) in Same-Sex Pairs and Trios
by Amanda M. Murti, Clive C. Wilson, Antonio F. Pemberton, Tatiana M. Corey, Loveness N. Dzikiti, John D. Elsworth and Calvin B. Carpenter
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 667; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120667 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1142
Abstract
Social housing provides a high level of enrichment for captive non-human primates, but providing this in research situations can be challenging. We have developed a multifactorial animal selection and introduction process coordinated by veterinary and animal care behavioral teams. This process sought to [...] Read more.
Social housing provides a high level of enrichment for captive non-human primates, but providing this in research situations can be challenging. We have developed a multifactorial animal selection and introduction process coordinated by veterinary and animal care behavioral teams. This process sought to successfully establish lasting same-sex pairs and trios for African green monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus) in studies lasting from three months to over a year. The selection and introduction process addresses variables that impact a successful grouping, including age, animal weight difference, cage size and configuration. Evaluation and consideration of these initial matchmaking parameters has favorably enhanced pairing/trio bonding. Social housing with females has been typically more successful than with males, with 90–100% of females successfully pair- or trio-housed. Successful pairs and trios exhibit multiple affiliative behaviors and demonstrate better overall health while under study, ensuring benefits both to animal welfare and study data. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Interface between Veterinary Management and Behavioral Management for Captive Nonhuman Primates)
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<p>Typical social enclosure.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Typical quad arrangement of cages. There are a variety of options for mesh barriers between cages, with different sized holes for tactile interaction. The barriers can all be reduced to allow full contact, with a sight barrier remaining. Both central floor panels can be removed to allow animals to access and move throughout all four cages. Natural sunlight and breeze ventilation is provided by the open slatted building walls.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>L configuration of three connected cages.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>C configuration of four connected cages.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Historical pair-housing success by sex: full contact. Full contact refers to a pair of animals that are housed in two individual cages that have the center barrier removed, to allow them full access to each other (see <a href="#vetsci-11-00667-f002" class="html-fig">Figure 2</a>).</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Historical pair-housing success by sex: including protected contact. Protected contact refers to a pair of animals housed next to each other in individual cages, connected by a mesh barrier, allowing the animals to have some physical contact with each other (see <a href="#vetsci-11-00667-f002" class="html-fig">Figure 2</a>).</p> Full article ">Figure 7
<p>Male pair-housing success by cage size. Percentage of success of full-contact male pairs is shown above, comparing the historical method of two individual cages per pair with the new method of <span class="html-italic">n</span> + 1 caging (at least three cages per pair). See <a href="#vetsci-11-00667-f003" class="html-fig">Figure 3</a> and <a href="#vetsci-11-00667-f004" class="html-fig">Figure 4</a>.</p> Full article ">Figure 8
<p>Trio-housing success by sex: full contact.</p> Full article ">Figure 9
<p>Trio-housing success by sex: including protected contact. For description of protected contact, see <a href="#sec2dot3dot1-vetsci-11-00667" class="html-sec">Section 2.3.1</a>.</p> Full article ">
31 pages, 5477 KiB  
Review
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Birds: Opportunities and Challenges for Science and Agriculture
by Nousheen Zahoor, Areej Arif, Muhammad Shuaib, Kai Jin, Bichun Li, Zeyu Li, Xiaomeng Pei, Xilin Zhu, Qisheng Zuo, Yingjie Niu, Jiuzhou Song and Guohong Chen
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 666; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120666 - 19 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1098
Abstract
The only cells in an organism that could do any other sort of cell until 2006 (except sperm or egg) were known as embryonic stem cells, ESC [...] Full article
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<p>Process of Reprogramming iPSCs [<a href="#B19-vetsci-11-00666" class="html-bibr">19</a>] reprinted and modified with permission from [<a href="#B19-vetsci-11-00666" class="html-bibr">19</a>]. Copyright 2016, Elsevier.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Historical background of iPSC production [<a href="#B1-vetsci-11-00666" class="html-bibr">1</a>,<a href="#B25-vetsci-11-00666" class="html-bibr">25</a>,<a href="#B26-vetsci-11-00666" class="html-bibr">26</a>,<a href="#B27-vetsci-11-00666" class="html-bibr">27</a>].</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Methods of Reprogramming Chicken iPSCs [<a href="#B33-vetsci-11-00666" class="html-bibr">33</a>,<a href="#B34-vetsci-11-00666" class="html-bibr">34</a>,<a href="#B35-vetsci-11-00666" class="html-bibr">35</a>,<a href="#B36-vetsci-11-00666" class="html-bibr">36</a>,<a href="#B37-vetsci-11-00666" class="html-bibr">37</a>,<a href="#B38-vetsci-11-00666" class="html-bibr">38</a>].</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Wnt Pathway Mechanism [<a href="#B76-vetsci-11-00666" class="html-bibr">76</a>] reprinted and modified with permission from [<a href="#B76-vetsci-11-00666" class="html-bibr">76</a>]. Copyright 2024, Elsevier.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>TGF-β/activin/nodal signaling pathway mechanism [<a href="#B82-vetsci-11-00666" class="html-bibr">82</a>].</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Mechanism of ERK/MPK signaling pathway [<a href="#B88-vetsci-11-00666" class="html-bibr">88</a>].</p> Full article ">Figure 7
<p>Maintenance of Epigenetic Reprogramming technique [<a href="#B119-vetsci-11-00666" class="html-bibr">119</a>].</p> Full article ">Figure 8
<p>Uses of iPSCs in different fields [<a href="#B122-vetsci-11-00666" class="html-bibr">122</a>].</p> Full article ">Figure 9
<p>Disease modeling and drug testing [<a href="#B135-vetsci-11-00666" class="html-bibr">135</a>] reprinted with permission from [<a href="#B135-vetsci-11-00666" class="html-bibr">135</a>]. Copyright 2014, Elsevier.</p> Full article ">Figure 10
<p>Process of drug testing [<a href="#B142-vetsci-11-00666" class="html-bibr">142</a>].</p> Full article ">
13 pages, 783 KiB  
Article
Dairy Farmers and Veterinarians’ Agreement on Communication in Udder Health Consulting
by Michael Farre, Erik Rattenborg, Henk Hogeveen, Volker Krömker and Carsten Thure Kirkeby
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 665; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120665 - 18 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1343
Abstract
Udder health consulting is an essential aspect of mastitis control and is based on herd-specific intervention often provided by the herd veterinarian, focusing on managing the bulk tank somatic cell count. Effective communication and alignment of expectations between dairy farmers and herd veterinarians [...] Read more.
Udder health consulting is an essential aspect of mastitis control and is based on herd-specific intervention often provided by the herd veterinarian, focusing on managing the bulk tank somatic cell count. Effective communication and alignment of expectations between dairy farmers and herd veterinarians are more critical than ever due to the substantial increase in herd sizes, which amplifies both potential gains and losses. To facilitate future cooperation between dairy farmers and herd veterinarians, it is important to understand the current level of agreement in communication, and therefore, we conducted a study to describe the agreement in the perception of their communication during udder health consulting. From August 2019 to February 2021, herds (n = 88) were selected to participate in the study, with the herd size ranging from 105 to 1291 milking cows. The dairy farmer and herd veterinarian were encouraged to answer a questionnaire to shed light on their perception of communication during udder health consulting. The agreement between the dairy farmer and herd veterinarian regarding their perception of communication during udder health consulting was initially analyzed using Cohen’s weighted kappa. The agreement between farmers and veterinarians ranged from −0.06 and 0.12, indicating that the herd veterinarians’ focus is inconsistent with the dairy farmers’ preferences. The frequency with which udder health is discussed and how potential problems are identified were associated with a significantly lower BTSCC estimate of 427 cells/mL. In contrast, general cooperation between the dairy farmer and herd veterinarian was associated with an estimated increase of 604 cells/mL in BTSCC. Full article
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<p>DAG diagram illustrating the association between the herd explanatory variables (<b>left</b>), each of the constructs used as explanatory variables (<b>middle</b>), and the dependent variable (<b>right</b>).</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Boxplot showing the agreement between the farmers and the herd veterinarians for each of the five constructs in the study, with dots illustrating outliners.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>The agreement of the paired questions of the dairy farmer and herd veterinarian based on the Cohen’s weighted kappa value. The x-axis refers to the question number, and the y-axis refers to the Cohen’s weighted kappa value see <a href="#app1-vetsci-11-00665" class="html-app">Supplementary Material Table S3</a>.</p> Full article ">
10 pages, 1114 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Serum Lipids, Biochemical Parameters, Selected Antioxidant Elements and Oxidative Stress Profiles in Late Pregnant Jennies with Hyperlipemia
by Qingze Meng, Yang Shao, Wei Li, Jia Lu, Xinyue Wang and Liang Deng
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 664; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120664 - 18 Dec 2024
Viewed by 924
Abstract
Donkeys are particularly at risk of hyperlipemia. Hyperlipemia is a metabolic disease caused by the mobilization of fatty acids from adipose tissue, which often impacts pregnant and lactating jennies (female donkeys) during periods of negative energy balance. This study aimed to evaluate the [...] Read more.
Donkeys are particularly at risk of hyperlipemia. Hyperlipemia is a metabolic disease caused by the mobilization of fatty acids from adipose tissue, which often impacts pregnant and lactating jennies (female donkeys) during periods of negative energy balance. This study aimed to evaluate the levels of lipids, biochemical parameters, selected antioxidant elements and oxidative stress parameters in late pregnant jennies affected by hyperlipemia. Compared with the healthy jennies, the hyperlipemic animals exhibited significantly elevated levels of triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol (T-CHO) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.05), coupled with reduced levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and albumin (ALB) (p < 0.05). The serum levels of biochemical parameters related to liver function, such as aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and cholinesterase (CHE), showed a significant increase in the hyperlipemia group compared to the healthy group (p < 0.05). The serum level of selenium was significantly lower (p < 0.05) and positively correlated with TGs (r = 0.85) and ALB (r = 0.73) in the hyperlipemia group. The hyperlipemic jennies showed diminished serum levels of antioxidant capacity and increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA). The area under the curve values for T-CHO, ALB, AKP, CHE, total superoxide dismutase, glutathione and MDA were relatively high. Thus, our findings reflect metabolic disorders, liver dysfunction and oxidative stress in late pregnant hyperlipemic jennies, providing a basis for the improvement of clinical diagnostic methods and early prevention and control of hyperlipemia in jennies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Progress of Equine Medical Research in China and Beyond)
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<p>ROC of serum parameters in hyperlipemic and healthy jennies. (<b>a</b>) ROC of serum lipids; (<b>b</b>) ROC of serum biochemical parameters related to liver function; (<b>c</b>) ROC of serum selenium, zinc and vitamin E; (<b>d</b>) ROC of serum oxidative stress parameters. Abbreviations: ROC, receiver operating characteristic; TG, triglyceride; T-CHO, total cholesterol; HDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; TP, total protein; ALB, albumin; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AKP, alkaline phosphatase; CHE, cholinesterase; T-AOC, total antioxidant capacity; T-SOD, total superoxide dismutase; MDA, malondialdehyde; GSH, glutathione; VE, vitamin E; Se, selenium; Zn, zinc.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Correlation heat map of serum lipids, biochemical parameters, selected antioxidant elements and oxidative stress parameters of hyperlipemic and healthy jennies. *, <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05; **, <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01. Abbreviations: TG, triglyceride; T-CHO, total cholesterol; HDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; TP, total protein; ALB, albumin; AKP, alkaline phosphatase; CHE, cholinesterase; T-AOC, total antioxidant capacity; GSH, glutathione; T-SOD, total superoxide dismutase; MDA, malondialdehyde; VE, vitamin E; Se, selenium; Zn, zinc.</p> Full article ">
18 pages, 3901 KiB  
Article
A Transcriptome Approach Evaluating the Effects of Atractylenolide I on the Secretion of Estradiol and Progesterone in Feline Ovarian Granulosa Cells
by Yuli Guo, Junping Liu, Shuangyi Zhang, Di Sun, Zhiying Dong and Jinshan Cao
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 663; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120663 - 17 Dec 2024
Viewed by 957
Abstract
Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (AMK) as an oriental medicine has been used in the treatment of threatened abortion. Atractylenolide I (AT-I) is one of the major bioactive components of AMK. This study aimed to investigate the effect of AT-I on the secretion of estradiol [...] Read more.
Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (AMK) as an oriental medicine has been used in the treatment of threatened abortion. Atractylenolide I (AT-I) is one of the major bioactive components of AMK. This study aimed to investigate the effect of AT-I on the secretion of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) in feline ovarian granulosa cells (FOGCs), which is necessary for pregnancy. At first, the proliferation of FOGCs after AT-I treatment was measured by CCK-8. Then, the synthesis of E2 and P4 were measured by ELISA. Lastly, transcriptome sequencing was used to detect the DEGs in the FOGCs, and RNA-seq results were verified by RT-qPCR and biochemical verification. It was found that AT-I could promote proliferation and the secretion of E2 and P4 in FOGCs; after AT-I treatment, 137 significant DEGs were observed, out of which 49 were up-regulated and 88 down-regulated. The DEGs revealed significant enrichment of 52 GO terms throughout the differentiation process (p < 0.05), as deciphered by Gene Ontology enrichment analysis. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis manifested that the DEGs were successfully annotated as members of 155 pathways, with 23 significantly enriched (p < 0.05). A relatively high number of genes were enriched for the cholesterol metabolism, ovarian steroidogenesis, and biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids. Furthermore, the contents of the total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were decreased by AT-I treatment in the cell culture supernatant. The results indicated that AT-I could increase the ability of FOGCs to secrete E2 and P4, which might be achieved by activation of cholesterol metabolism. Full article
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<p>Chemical structure of Atractylenolide-I (AT-I).</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Morphological observation and growth curve of the primary FOGCs. (<b>A</b>) The primary FOGCs attach to the substrate around the oocytes and begin to display an elongated or fibroblastic property within the first 24 h of culture. (<b>B</b>) Growth curve of cultivated cells within 48 h. (<b>C</b>) The HE staining of cultivated cells on the substrate. (<b>D</b>) The Giemsa staining of cultivated cells on the substrate. (<b>E</b>) Immunofluorescence of cultivated cells on the substrate: FSHR (green) as the marker expressed in FOGCs; negative-control group and nuclei with DAPI staining (blue). Values are expressed as mean ± S.D. (n = 4). *, <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05; **, <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Effect of AT-I on the FOGCs. (<b>A</b>) Treatment with AT-I in 1, 3, 10, and 30 µmol/L could effectively promote FOGC proliferation from 12 h to 48 h; 100 µmol/L significantly increased FOGC proliferation after 36 h and the increased effect of 300 µmol/L happened at 48 h (<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05). (<b>B</b>) After 10 μmol/L was AT-I-treated for 36 h, the density of granulosa cells increased, and cell viability increased significantly. Values are expressed as mean ± S.D. (n = 4). *, <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05; **, <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01; ns, not statistically significant.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>The effect of 10 μmol/L AT-I on the synthesis of E<sub>2</sub> and P<sub>4</sub> in FOGCs. (<b>A</b>) AT-I could significantly promote the E<sub>2</sub> secretion in FOGCs at 24 h and 36 h, while the increased tendency weakened at 48 h. (<b>B</b>) The P<sub>4</sub> concentration was significantly increased by AT-I treatment from 12 h to 48 h. (<b>C</b>) The ratio of P<sub>4</sub>/E<sub>2</sub> indicated that the E<sub>2</sub> secretion was more obviously increased than P<sub>4</sub> secretion in FOGCs within 36 h after AT-I treatment. However, the secretion pattern of E<sub>2</sub> and P<sub>4</sub> changed at 48 h, in which the FOGCs secreted P<sub>4</sub> more obviously than they secreted E<sub>2</sub>. Values are expressed as mean ± S.D. (n = 3). **, <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01; ns, not statistically significant.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Volcano graph of 137 differentially expressed genes between two groups. Red represents up-regulated DEGs; blue represents down-regulated DEGs.</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>GO classifications of genes in FOGCs. The abscissa is the GO classification, and the ordinate is the number of genes in each category.</p> Full article ">Figure 7
<p>KEGG pathway classification of genes in FOGCs. The abscissa is the name of the KEGG metabolic pathway, and the ordinate is the ratio of the number of genes annotated to the pathway and the number of genes in the annotated genes.</p> Full article ">Figure 8
<p>The significantly enriched KEGG pathway of DEGs. Rich factor, number of differentially expressed genes/total number of genes in this KEGG pathway. The larger the value, the greater the enrichment.</p> Full article ">Figure 9
<p>Verification of transcriptome results after 10 µmol/L AT-I treatment for 36 h. (<b>A</b>) Relative quantification of DEGs by RT-qPCR. The expression of each gene was normalized to the average expression of the endogenous reference gene GAPDH. (<b>B</b>) Biochemical verification. After AT-I treatment, the contents of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol both declined. The values are expressed as mean ± S.D. (n = 3). *, <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05; **, <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt;0.01; ns, not statistically significant.</p> Full article ">
13 pages, 1465 KiB  
Article
Web-Based Passive Surveillance: Multifactorial Assessment of Sonali Chicken Diseases and Antimicrobial Prescription Pattern in Bangladesh
by Ibrahim Khalil, Md. Abu Sayeed, Mitun Sarkar, Md. Nurul Islam, Mozaffar G. Osmani, Meherjan Islam, Sharmin Chowdhury, Md. Abu Shoieb Mohsin and Md. Ahasanul Hoque
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 662; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120662 - 17 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1218
Abstract
Despite the significant growth in Sonali chicken production across Bangladesh, inadequate disease surveillance and control measures along with indiscriminate antimicrobial use remain major challenges to the sector. In this study, we evaluated the disease burden and antimicrobial prescription patterns of Sonali chickens in [...] Read more.
Despite the significant growth in Sonali chicken production across Bangladesh, inadequate disease surveillance and control measures along with indiscriminate antimicrobial use remain major challenges to the sector. In this study, we evaluated the disease burden and antimicrobial prescription patterns of Sonali chickens in Bangladesh using a web-based data recording system from 2020 to 2021 and analyzed 1690 cases. The diagnoses recorded in the system were presumptive, as they were based on clinico-epidemiological history, clinical signs, and gross necropsy findings noted by registered veterinarians. We conducted this study in Bogura, a district renowned for its high concentration of Sonali chicken farms. We estimated a higher prevalence of infection among grower chickens (69.0%) compared to starter chickens (31.0%). Small- to medium-sized flocks (63%) were more frequently infected than larger flocks (37.0%). Most disease cases occurred during the summer season (43.0%), followed by winter (27%), the rainy season (15%), and autumn (14%). Overall, climatic factors contributed to 51% of disease occurrence at temperatures below 25°C, 55% at high humidity (≥75%), and 57% during heavy rainfall (≥29 mm). The most prevalent disease was Newcastle disease (ND) (19.5%), followed by Marek’s disease (9.8%), coccidiosis (7.4%), necrotic enteritis (4.7%), infectious bursal disease (3.2%), and infectious laryngotracheitis (3.2%). The odds of ND were 1.4 (grower chickens vs. starter chickens), 11.4 (summer vs. winter), 4.1 (autumn vs. winter), 3.9 (rainy vs. winter), 3.5 (≥25 °C vs. <25 °C), and 2.6 (≥75% vs. <75%). Tylvalosin (38.0%) was the most frequently prescribed antibiotic, followed by fluoroquinolones (9.0%), aminoglycosides (8.0%), and colistin sulphate (4.0%). These findings suggest that a web-based disease record could be an important tool for a centralized poultry disease surveillance system in low- and middle-income countries like Bangladesh. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Food Safety and Zoonosis)
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<p>Spatial distribution. Distribution of 1690 Sonali chicken cases recorded on <a href="http://bdvets.com" target="_blank">bdvets.com</a> (2020–2021) across Bogura district, Bangladesh.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Distribution of 1690 Sonali cases recorded on <a href="http://bdvets.com" target="_blank">bdvets.com</a> (2020–2021) in Bogura district, Bangladesh, by age, flock size, season, temperature, humidity, and rainfall.</p> Full article ">
16 pages, 2622 KiB  
Article
Updating the Relationship Between the Threshold Value of Average Nucleotide Identity and Digital DNA–DNA Hybridization for Reliable Taxonomy of Corynebacterium
by Haitham Elbir
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 661; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120661 - 17 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1417
Abstract
Currently, bacterial classification at the species level relies on the 95–96% average nucleotide identity (ANI) value that is known to be equivalent to a 70% digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) value. However, during the routine identification of bacteria in the uteri of camels with [...] Read more.
Currently, bacterial classification at the species level relies on the 95–96% average nucleotide identity (ANI) value that is known to be equivalent to a 70% digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) value. However, during the routine identification of bacteria in the uteri of camels with a history of conception failure, we found that four out of the seven strains (2298A, 2569A, 2652, 2571B, 1103A, 2571A, and 335C) could not be assigned to any valid Corynebacterium species. Furthermore, a 70% dDDH value did not correspond to a 95–96% ANI value in strain 2569A. Thus, we aimed to classify these strains and explain the mechanisms underlying gene repertoire diversity and the disagreement we found between the ANI and dDDH cutoff values. For this study, we extracted information from the genomes of 150 Corynebacterium-type species and seven sequenced genomes of uterine Corynebacterium isolates. We found that the 96.67% OrthoANI value should be used in place of the generally accepted 95–96% ANI threshold in order to obtain an equivalent 70% dDDH value. Phylogenomic analysis determined the evolutionary position of each uterine strain. Then, strains 2652 and 2571B were classified as C. camporealensis based on the ANI value (98.44% and 98.72%) and dDDH value (85.8% and 88.5%). Strain 2569A had a 96.58% ANI and a 69.4% dDDH value and was classified as C. urogenitale. The strains 335C, 1103A, 2571A, and 2298A were classified as novel Corynebacterium based on the ANI value (77.12, 94.01%, 94.26%, and 94.03%) and dDDH value (21.3%, 54.1%, 54.9%, and 51.3%), respectively. Genes for menaquinone biosynthesis and the saturation of chains were detected in uterine strains and their closely related type strains. Gene gain predominates as a source of variation in the gene repertoire. Most of these genes are gained by horizontal gene transfer, driven by genomic islands and prophage. In summary, we refined the ANI cutoff value for an accurate diagnosis of Corynebacterium. Moreover, we clarified the mechanism underlying the diversity of the gene repertoire and expanded the number of Corynebacterium species isolated from the camel uterus. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Veterinary Clinical Microbiology)
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<p><span class="html-italic">16S rRNA</span> phylogenetic tree. The green circles above the branches are bootstrap support values. Uterine <span class="html-italic">Corynebacterium</span> isolates are highlighted in yellow color.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Phylogenomic tree inferred from core genes. The green circles above the branches are bootstrap support values. Uterine <span class="html-italic">Corynebacterium</span> isolates are highlighted in yellow color.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Correlation analysis between OrthoANI and dDDH from the pairs of <span class="html-italic">Corynebacterium</span> species.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>GIs are shown on the linear shape of the genome as colored blocks and GIs coloured by cluster. Genomes are represented by linear white bars, whereas gray indicates genome alignments.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>BadiRate analyses results according to branch-free rates model (GD-FR-ML). The numbers on the branches indicate the minimum number of gains (number before the dash) and the minimum number of losses (number after the dash). (<b>A</b>) Subfigure A shows gene turnover for <span class="html-italic">Corynebacterium</span> sp. 2298A highlighted in yellow color. (<b>B</b>) Subfigure B shows gene turnover for <span class="html-italic">C. urogenitale</span> 2569A. (<b>C</b>) Subfigure C shows gene turnover for <span class="html-italic">C. camporealensis</span> 2652 <span class="html-italic">C. camporealensis</span> 2571B, <span class="html-italic">Corynebacterium</span> sp. 1103A, and <span class="html-italic">Corynebacterium</span> sp. 2571A.</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Dot-plot results of FeGenie software, which aids in determining iron-related pathways and genes in the genomes of the six <span class="html-italic">Corynebacterium</span> analyzed here. <span class="html-italic">Corynebacterium</span> species are mentioned on the x-axis, while iron-related gene groups are on the y-axis and shown by different colors.</p> Full article ">
11 pages, 264 KiB  
Article
Residues of Tetracycline, Erythromycin, and Sulfonamides in Beef, Eggs, and Honey from Grocery Stores in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA: Failure of Cooking to Decrease Drug Concentrations
by Shamim Sarkar, Stephen A. Kania, Mohamed A. Abouelkhair, Brian Whitlock and Chika C. Okafor
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 660; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120660 - 17 Dec 2024
Viewed by 908
Abstract
This study evaluated the concentrations of tetracycline, erythromycin, and sulfonamide in beef, eggs, and honey products sold at grocery stores and whether standard cooking to 160 °F (71 °C) reduced the concentrations of antimicrobials spiked into the evaluated food products. In June 2021, [...] Read more.
This study evaluated the concentrations of tetracycline, erythromycin, and sulfonamide in beef, eggs, and honey products sold at grocery stores and whether standard cooking to 160 °F (71 °C) reduced the concentrations of antimicrobials spiked into the evaluated food products. In June 2021, the concentrations of selected antimicrobials in 65 samples (8 beef, 48 eggs, 9 honey samples) purchased from grocery stores within Knoxville, Tennessee, were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The Kruskal–Wallis test was used to assess the differences in the median tetracycline concentrations across food types, while the Mann–Whitney test was used to compare the erythromycin residue concentrations between beef and honey. Linear regression was used to analyze whether standard cooking at 160 °F (71 °C) reduced antimicrobial concentrations. Detectable tetracycline concentrations were found in all beef (8/8, 100%), eggs (46/48, 96%), and honey (9/9, 100%) samples, with median concentrations of 7.73, 5.62, and 13.13 µg/kg, respectively. Honey had significantly higher tetracycline concentrations than eggs (p = 0.002). Detectable erythromycin concentrations were found in beef (5/8, 63%) and honey (9/9, 100%), with median concentrations of 0.14 µg/kg for beef and 0.48 µg/kg for honey. None of the antimicrobial concentrations found in the beef and egg products exceeded the U.S. FDA’s maximum residue limits (MRL). Sulfonamide concentrations were undetectable in the beef and egg products. The concentrations of tetracycline, erythromycin, and sulfonamide spiked into the food products did not change significantly in response to cooking to 160 °F (71 °C). The antimicrobial concentrations found in the selected commercial food products were below the MRL, and cooking appeared to not reduce the spiked antimicrobial concentrations in the evaluated food products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Food Safety and Zoonosis)
15 pages, 2037 KiB  
Article
A Universal Multi-Epitope Vaccine Design Against Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus via Bioinformatics and Immunoinformatics Approaches
by Xinnuo Lei, Zhi Wu, Qi Feng, Wenfeng Jia, Jun Xie, Qingkang Zhou, Jinzhao Ban and Shanyuan Zhu
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 659; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120659 - 16 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1469
Abstract
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) causes reproductive disorders in sows and severe pneumonia in piglets, alongside immunosuppressive effects on the host. It poses a significant global threat to the swine industry, with no effective control measures currently available due to its [...] Read more.
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) causes reproductive disorders in sows and severe pneumonia in piglets, alongside immunosuppressive effects on the host. It poses a significant global threat to the swine industry, with no effective control measures currently available due to its complex pathogenesis and high variability. Conventional inactivated and attenuated vaccines provide inadequate protection and carry biosafety risks. In this study, we designed a universal multi-epitope peptide vaccine against PRRSV using bioinformatics and immunoinformatics approaches to address these limitations. By selecting sequences from seven representative PRRSV strains, we predicted highly conserved and immunogenic T cell (Th and CTL) epitopes across all encoded proteins. These were rationally concatenated with reported B cell neutralizing epitopes into a multi-epitope vaccine construct. We performed comprehensive assessments of the construct’s physicochemical and biochemical properties, along with predictions and refinements of its secondary and tertiary structures. Molecular docking simulations with TLR2 and TLR4 revealed strong potential binding interactions. Immune simulations indicated that the multi-epitope vaccine could induce robust humoral and cellular immune responses. This study provides a scientific foundation for the development of safe and effective PRRSV subunit vaccines and offers new perspectives for designing vaccines against other viral diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology)
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<p>Phylogenetic analysis of seven representative PRRSV strains. A Neighbor-Joining (NJ) tree was constructed based on full-length genomic sequences using the p-distance model with 1000 bootstrap replicates to assess the phylogenetic relationships among these strains.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Design of the finalized multi-epitope vaccine THs-CTLs-NEs. (<b>A</b>) Epitope concatenation order and sequence information. (<b>B</b>) BepiPred 2.0 assessment of the final NEs, with yellow regions indicating predicted B cell epitopes, while green regions are likely not to correspond to B cell epitopes.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Predicted secondary structure of the vaccine construct. (<b>A</b>) Distribution of α-helices, β-strands, and coils among the amino acid residues. (<b>B</b>) Distribution of small non-polar, hydrophobic, polar, and aromatic residues.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Evaluation of the tertiary structure of THs-CTLs-NEs. (<b>A</b>) AlphaFold3-predicted tertiary structure, optimized by GalaxyREFINE. (<b>B</b>) Structural assessment parameters, focusing on Ramachandran Favored regions. (<b>C</b>) Ramachandran plot with red dots representing residues in Favored, outlier, and rotamer outlier regions. A higher concentration in dark regions indicates better structural quality. (<b>D</b>) ProSA-web model quality assessment, where the Z-score evaluates the sample within the typical range for proteins of a similar size.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Molecular docking of THs-CTLs-NEs with porcine TLR2 and TLR4 via the HDOCK server.</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>In silico cloning of the vaccine candidate into PET-28a(+) for prokaryotic expression (<b>A</b>) and pFastBac1 for eukaryotic expression (<b>B</b>).</p> Full article ">Figure 7
<p>Immune response simulation of THs-CTLs-NEs via the C-ImmSim server across three injections: (<b>A</b>) antibody titers, (<b>B</b>) cytokine levels, (<b>C</b>) total B cell population, (<b>D</b>) active B cell population, (<b>E</b>) total Th cell population, (<b>F</b>) active Th cell population, (<b>G</b>) total TC cell population, and (<b>H</b>) active TC cell population.</p> Full article ">
13 pages, 854 KiB  
Article
Impact of Ovarian Suspensory Ligament Rupture on Surgical Stress in Elective Ovariohysterectomy in Bitches
by Pauline Silva dos Santos, Victor Mendes de Oliveira, Keli Cristina Corbellini Oltramari, Vitória Santos Guimarães, Sarah Fernandes, Carla Eduarda dos Santos Ferreira, Agatha Costa Malinski, Vinícius Cardoso de Oliveira, Jéssica Corrêa, Izabelle Moutinho, Dalila Moter Benvegnú, Camila Dalmolin, Gabrielle Coelho Freitas and Fabíola Dalmolin
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 658; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120658 - 16 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1240
Abstract
Ovariohysterectomy (OVH) is a common procedure in bitches, where ovarian suspensory ligament (OSL) rupture facilitates hemostasis but may also have adverse effects. Given the importance of minimizing the surgical stress response, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of OSL rupture in 20 [...] Read more.
Ovariohysterectomy (OVH) is a common procedure in bitches, where ovarian suspensory ligament (OSL) rupture facilitates hemostasis but may also have adverse effects. Given the importance of minimizing the surgical stress response, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of OSL rupture in 20 healthy bitches undergoing elective open OVH; a celiotomy via the ventral midline was performed, and hemostasis achieved using bipolar coagulation, either with OSL rupture (OSL-R) or without (OSL-NR). Pain was assessed over 24 h post-surgery using the Visual Analogue Scale and the Short Form of the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale. The physical parameters, complete blood count, glucose levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and neutrophil oxidative and phagocytic functions were evaluated pre-surgery and at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h, as well as 10 days after. Oxidative metabolism was assessed through vitamin C and protein thiols, reduced glutathione, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. No differences in trans- and postoperative pain were observed between techniques, except for analgesic rescue rates. Differences were noted in the heart rate, total leukocyte count, segmented neutrophils, eosinophils, and monocytes. Both techniques resulted in low oxidative and phagocytic changes. Overall, OSL rupture appears to elicit a slightly more intense surgical stress response than the non-rupture technique. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Surgery)
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<p>Mean values of total leukocytes, segmented neutrophils, eosinophils, and monocytes in bitches undergoing ovariohysterectomy via celiotomy with ovarian suspensory ligament rupture (OSL-R) and without rupture (OSL-NR). Asterisks (*) indicate statistically significant differences between groups (<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05). Uppercase different letters represent differences across time points within the OSL-R group, while lowercase different letters represent differences across time points within the OSL-NR group.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Means and standard deviations of the vitamin C, plasma protein thiols (P-SHs), erythrocyte reduced glutathione (GSH), plasma and erythrocyte thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARSs) of bitches that underwent ovariohysterectomy after ovarian suspensory ligament rupture (OSL-R) or not (OSL-NR). Asterisks (*) indicate statistically significant differences between groups (<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05). Uppercase different letters represent differences across time points within the OSL-R group, while lowercase different letters represent differences across time points within the OSL-NR group.</p> Full article ">
11 pages, 497 KiB  
Brief Report
A Cross-Sectional Serological Study to Assess the Prevalence and Risk Factors of Anaplasmosis in Dromedary Camels in Punjab, Pakistan
by Muhammad Zaeem Abbas, Muzafar Ghafoor, Muhammad Hammad Hussain, Mughees Aizaz Alvi, Tariq Jamil, Muhammad Sohail Sajid, Munazza Aslam, Ali Hassan, Shujaat Hussain, Mian Abdul Hafeez, Muhammad Irfan Ullah, Iahtasham Khan, Khurram Ashfaq, Ghulam Muhammad, Katja Mertens-Scholz, Heinrich Neubauer, Hosny El-Adawy and Muhammad Saqib
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 657; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120657 - 16 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1119
Abstract
Anaplasmosis is an infectious disease transmitted by ticks and caused by obligate intracellular pathogen of belonging to genus Anaplasma Infections of one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) and llamas (Lama glama) have been reported previously. The aim of this study was [...] Read more.
Anaplasmosis is an infectious disease transmitted by ticks and caused by obligate intracellular pathogen of belonging to genus Anaplasma Infections of one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) and llamas (Lama glama) have been reported previously. The aim of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence and risk factors of anti-Anaplasma spp. antibodies in Camelus dromedarius of the Punjab, Pakistan. A cross-sectional study was conducted during 2017–2018 to study the seroprevalence of anaplasmosis in Camelus dromedarius of 13 districts in Punjab province of Pakistan and to assess the associated risk factors including age, breed, gender, body condition score, tick infestation, location, season and management type. Serum samples from 728 camels (433 females and 295 males) were examined for anti-Anaplasma antibodies using a commercially available competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) test kit. A univariable analysis was conducted and extended to multivariate logistic regression to find potential risk factors associated with the disease. Overall, the seroprevalence of anti-Anaplasma antibodies was 8.5% (8.5%, CI 6.6–10.8) with 62 positives in 728 camels. The highest seroprevalence was recorded for camels of the Central Punjab districts (16.1%, CI 11.5–21.7) followed by those of the Northwestern (5.4%, 2.8–9.3) and Southern Punjab (5.2%, 2.9–8.4) districts (p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that location (Central Punjab: OR 2.78, p = 0.004), season (summer: OR 7.94, p = 0.009), body condition score (BCS 2: OR 14.81, p = 0.029) and tick infestation (OR 38.59, p < 0.001) are potential risk factors in the corresponding camel populations. The results showed that the camel population in Pakistan is seropositive for Anaplasma spp. The geographical zone, season, body condition and tick infestation were identified as significantly associated risk factors for seroprevalence of anaplasmosis in dromedary camels. To the best of our knowledge, the results of this current study provide the first evidence of exposure of camels to anaplasmosis in Pakistan. Molecular investigations in the future are highly recommended to determine the dynamics of the disease in camels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasitology Diseases in Large Animals)
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<p>Distribution of anaplasmosis in dromedary camels of different districts of the province Punjab, Pakistan; J&amp;K: Jammu and Kashmir.</p> Full article ">
16 pages, 8398 KiB  
Review
Prevalence of Bacterial Pathogens Isolated from Canines with Pyoderma and Otitis Externa in Korea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Maryum Tanveer, Eurade Ntakiyisumba, Fabrice Hirwa, Hakyoung Yoon, Sang-Ik Oh, Chongchan Kim, Mi Hye Kim, Ji-Seon Yoon and Gayeon Won
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 656; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120656 - 16 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1338
Abstract
Bacterial skin infections, particularly pyoderma and otitis externa, are widespread in dogs, primarily caused by Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas species. This study evaluates the prevalence and types of bacterial pathogens in affected dogs in South Korea using a meta-analytical approach. Following the PRISMA guidelines, [...] Read more.
Bacterial skin infections, particularly pyoderma and otitis externa, are widespread in dogs, primarily caused by Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas species. This study evaluates the prevalence and types of bacterial pathogens in affected dogs in South Korea using a meta-analytical approach. Following the PRISMA guidelines, five electronic databases were searched for relevant studies published between 1990 and 2024. Three researchers independently performed data extraction and quality assessment. A subgroup analysis explored the variability in pathogen prevalence across studies based on bacterial genus, bacterial species, publication year, sampling year, sampling location, infection type, diagnostic method, and sample size. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots and Egger’s regression test, with all analyses conducted using the R program. Of the 944 articles, 29 met the eligibility criteria. The pooled bacterial prevalence among infected dogs was 99.95% (95%CI: 99.85–100). Staphylococcus was the most prevalent genus (95.93%), followed by Pseudomonas (48.43%), Enterococcus (20.32%), and Escherichia (17.63%). The most common species were Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (78.89%), Staphylococcus intermedius (71.43%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (46.13%). This study underscores the need for comprehensive treatment strategies targeting Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, emphasizing further research on antimicrobial resistance patterns and treatment efficacy to enhance canine health outcomes in South Korea. Full article
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Full article ">Figure 1
<p>Study selection process for the systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA flow chart).</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>The sampling locations of canine patients with the reported prevalence of diagnosed bacteria (n represents the number of studies).</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Forest plot illustrating the meta-analysis of 29 studies on the prevalence of bacterial pathogens in dogs infected with pyoderma and otitis externa. (Detailed information on the studies included in this figure is provided in <a href="#app1-vetsci-11-00656" class="html-app">Table S3</a>).</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Forest plot illustrating the meta-analysis of 12 studies on the prevalence of methicillin-resistant <span class="html-italic">Staphylococcus pseudintermedius</span> (MRSP) in dogs infected with pyoderma and otitis externa. (Detailed information on the studies included in this figure is provided in <a href="#app1-vetsci-11-00656" class="html-app">Table S4</a>).</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Meta-regression of study trials on the prevalence of bacterial pathogens in dogs infected with pyoderma and otitis externa based on bacterial genus (<b>a</b>) and species (<b>b</b>). The solid lines (blue) represent the regression illustrating the relationship between the bacterial genus/species and prevalence estimates, while the dashed lines (red) indicate the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the regression model. The circles represent individual study trials in the meta-regression, with their size indicating their weight.</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Funnel plot showing publication bias in the prevalence of bacterial pathogens in dogs with pyoderma and otitis externa. Black circles represent the studies included in this meta-analysis, while red circles indicate the studies imputed using the trim-and-fill method.</p> Full article ">
25 pages, 1957 KiB  
Review
Vitamins, Minerals and Phytonutrients as Modulators of Canine Immune Function: A Literature Review
by Carolina Barroso, António J. M. Fonseca and Ana R. J. Cabrita
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 655; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120655 - 16 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1794
Abstract
Trends in the pet food industry are driven by the humanization of pets, favoring the inclusion of functional ingredients or supplements that promote animal health. Several commercial diets claim to include supplements with benefits for dogs’ immune function, but in vivo evidence that [...] Read more.
Trends in the pet food industry are driven by the humanization of pets, favoring the inclusion of functional ingredients or supplements that promote animal health. Several commercial diets claim to include supplements with benefits for dogs’ immune function, but in vivo evidence that supports their efficacy remains limited. This literature review aimed to better understand the current knowledge on the effects of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients on dogs’ immune function. A total of 27 peer-reviewed articles were identified in PubMed and Web of Science databases. Although vitamin supplementation is often claimed to support immune function, only two studies promoting slight benefits of vitamins C and E were found. The limited research on minerals suggests that organic sources promote a better immune response. Studies evaluating the inclusion of different phytonutrients show that these compounds might exert immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. Despite the increased popularity of commercial diets claimed to support the immune response of dogs, further research is needed in order to substantiate their effects. This knowledge will contribute to the development of effective diets to enhance immune health in dogs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Diet on Small Animal Health—2nd Edition)
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<p>Flow diagram for the literature review. Reviews also include book chapters, editorials and opinion articles. Other studies in dogs comprise case reports, in vitro trials and in vivo studies not related to nutrition. Other dietary trials include the ones that analyzed complete foods or more than one ingredient/supplement, as well as other functional ingredients (polyunsaturated fatty acids, probiotics, prebiotics or yeast-derived ingredients).</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>In vivo effects of vitamins E and C on dogs’ immune function. Upward arrows (<tt>↑)</tt> indicate an increase, while downward arrows (<tt>↓)</tt> indicate a decrease in the parameters analyzed.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>In vivo effects of trace minerals on dogs’ immune function. Purple represents metalloid trace minerals, red indicates transition metals, pink denotes post-transition trace minerals, and blue stands for reactive non-metals. Upward arrows (<tt>↑)</tt> indicate an increase in the parameters analyzed.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Main effects of dietary vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients on canine immune and inflammatory responses.</p> Full article ">
15 pages, 1276 KiB  
Review
Understanding Post-Translational Modifications in Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Infection
by Xiaoyong Chen and Jianlong Zhang
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 654; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120654 - 16 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1544
Abstract
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a highly contagious virus affecting pigs with significant impacts to the swine industry worldwide. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of post-translational modifications (PTMs) associated with PRRSV infection. We discuss the various types of PTMs, [...] Read more.
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a highly contagious virus affecting pigs with significant impacts to the swine industry worldwide. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of post-translational modifications (PTMs) associated with PRRSV infection. We discuss the various types of PTMs, including phosphorylation, ubiquitination, SUMoylation, acetylation, glycosylation, palmitoylation, and lactylation, that occur during PRRSV infection. We emphasize how these modifications affect the function and activity of viral proteins, thereby influencing virus replication, assembly, and egress. Additionally, we delve into the host cellular responses triggered by PRRSV, particularly the PTMs that regulate host signaling pathways and immune responses. Furthermore, we summarize the current understandings of how PTMs facilitate the ability of virus to evade the host immune system, enabling it to establish persistent infections. Finally, we address the implications of these modifications in the development of novel antiviral strategies and the potential for exploiting PTMs as therapeutic targets. This review highlights the significance of PTMs in shaping viral pathogenicity and host antiviral mechanisms and provides valuable insights for future research aimed at developing effective interventions against PRRSV infections. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenesis Mechanism of Swine Viral Diseases)
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<p>The PPRSV genome structure. The genome of PPRSV consists of several ORFs, including ORF1a, ORF1b, and ORF2-7. ORF1a expresses proteins NSP1-8 and ORF1b encodes proteins NSP9-12. ORF2-7 express glycoproteins 2-5, as well as envelope (E), membrane (M), and nucleocapsid (N) proteins.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>PRRSV utilizes phosphorylation to benefit self-replication. As shown, PRRSV could induce various host factors and pathways to block immune response, such as degrading MDA5 and inhibiting IRF3 phosphorylation, therefore contributing to enhanced viral replication.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Host exploits ubiquitination to degrade viral proteins to suppress PRRSV replication. Viral proteins, including NSP1α, NSP12, NSP3, NSP5, NSP2, and N, could be recognized and ubiquitinated by different E3 ligase enzymes, finally delivered to autophagosome or proteasome for degradation, contributing to impaired viral replication.</p> Full article ">
14 pages, 4704 KiB  
Article
Macroalgae Compound Characterizations and Their Effect on the Ruminal Microbiome in Supplemented Lambs
by Adriana Guadalupe De la Cruz Gómez, Huitzimengari Campos-García, German D. Mendoza, Juan Carlos García-López, Gregorio Álvarez-Fuentes, Pedro A. Hernández-García, José Alejandro Roque Jiménez, Oswaldo Cifuentes-Lopez, Alejandro E Relling and Héctor A. Lee-Rangel
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 653; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120653 - 14 Dec 2024
Viewed by 911
Abstract
The impact of macroalgae species on rumen function remains largely unexplored. This present study aimed to identify the biocompounds of the three types of marine macroalgae described: Macrocystis pyrifera (Brown), Ulva spp. (Lettuce), Mazzaella spp. (Red) and their effect on species-specific modulations of [...] Read more.
The impact of macroalgae species on rumen function remains largely unexplored. This present study aimed to identify the biocompounds of the three types of marine macroalgae described: Macrocystis pyrifera (Brown), Ulva spp. (Lettuce), Mazzaella spp. (Red) and their effect on species-specific modulations of the rumen microbiome. The macroalgae were characterized using GC-MS. Twelve Rambouillet lambs were randomly assigned to one of four experimental diets (n = 3 per treatment): (a) control diet (CD); (b) CD + 5 g of Red algae; (c) CD + 5 g of Brown algae; and (d) CD + 5 g of Lettuce algae. After the lambs ended their fattening phase, they donated ruminal fluid for DNA extraction and 16S rRNA gene V3 amplicon sequencing. Results: The tagged 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and statistical analysis revealed that the dominant ruminal bacteria shared by all four sample groups belonged to phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidota. However, the relative abundance of these bacterial groups was markedly affected by diet composition. In animals fed with macroalgae, the fibrinolytic and cellulolytic bacteria Selenomonas was found in the highest abundance. The diversity in chemical composition among macroalgae species introduces a range of bioactive compounds, particularly VOCs like anethole, beta-himachalene, and 4-ethylphenol, which demonstrate antimicrobial and fermentation-modulating properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evaluation of Feeds and Additives on Metabolic or Metabolomic Research on Animal Production)
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<p>Chromatogram of total ion of the volatile compounds in Red algae by CG-MS: 1. 2-Methylbutane; 2. Diethyl ether; 3. 1,1-Dichloroethene; 4. Propanon-2-one; 5. Ethene, 1,2-dichloro-, (E)-; 6. 1-Propanol; 7. 2-butanol; 8. Benzene; 9. 1,2-Dichloroethane; 10. Pental-2-ol; 11. Octane; 12. Ethyl isovalerate; 13. 2-Isopropyl-3-methoxypyrazine; 14. p-menthatriene; 15. etenyl-dimethylpyrazine; 16. 3-nonenal; 17. ethyl 3-(methylthio)propanoate; 18. Limonene oxide; 19. Anethole; 20. Tetradecane; 21. Carbamothioic acid; 22. beta-Himachalene; 23. 2-methyl-1,4-naphthalenedione.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Chromatogram of total ion of the volatile compounds in Lettuce algae by CG-MS: 1. Diethyl ether; 2. Ethyl isovalerate; 3. Acetilpyrazine; 4. ethenyl-dimethylpirazine; 5. 1-2-Cyclopentanedione, 3,4; 6. Methyl salicylate; 7. Nerol; 8. trans-2-Undecenal; 9. beta-ionone; 10. 1,4-Naftalenedion; 11. Clorotalonil.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Chromatogram of total ion of the volatile compounds in Brown algae by CG-MS: 1. Butane; 2. Ethanol; 3. propanona-2-one; 4. Diethyl ether; 5. 1-Propanol; 6. Carbon disulfide; 7. butan-2-one; 8. Tri-chloroethane; 9. 1,2-Dichloropropane; 10. Methyl butanoate; 11. Octane; 12. 1-Heptanol; 13. Al-pha-Phellandrene; 14. Butylbenzene; 15. p-Menthatriene; 16. 4-Ethylphenol; 17. Anethole; 18. trans-2-undecenal; 19. delta-decalactone; 20. Octadecane.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>(<b>A</b>) Rarefaction curves of the four feeding treatments in lambs. (<b>B</b>) Box and whisker plots of three α-diversity indices (Pielou evenness, Richness, and Shannon diversity index) of bacterial communities in each treatment. Different letters above the whiskers denote significant differences between groups determined by Kruskal–Wallis tests (<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05). (<b>C</b>) Nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) of bacterial communities, clustering based on Bray–Curtis similarities. (<b>D</b>) Relative abundances of bacterial genera in microbial composition among lambs fed with different diets.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Bacterial community composition at family (<b>A</b>) and genus (<b>B</b>) levels in the rumen of four feed treatments in lambs.</p> Full article ">
18 pages, 2161 KiB  
Article
Syndecan-1 and E-Cadherin Expression in Canine Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
by Rita Files, Cláudia Cardoso, Justina Prada, Filipe Silva and Isabel Pires
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 652; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120652 - 14 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1028
Abstract
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) in dogs is a locally invasive tumor that typically occurs in areas of poorly pigmented skin due to sun exposure. Identifying new biomarkers, such as syndecan-1 (CD138) and E-cadherin, is fundamental for tumor diagnosis and prognosis. Dysregulation of [...] Read more.
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) in dogs is a locally invasive tumor that typically occurs in areas of poorly pigmented skin due to sun exposure. Identifying new biomarkers, such as syndecan-1 (CD138) and E-cadherin, is fundamental for tumor diagnosis and prognosis. Dysregulation of syndecan-1, expressed in epithelial tissue, fibroblasts, and plasma cells, is associated with poor prognosis in several types of cancer. Similarly, E-cadherin, which plays a crucial role in cell adhesion and epithelial functionality, is also linked to adverse outcomes. This study evaluated the expression of syndecan-1 and E-cadherin in 47 cases of canine cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. The results showed that the intensity of syndecan-1 decreased with increasing tumor aggressiveness, and its presence in the stroma was significantly associated with tumor grade. E-cadherin also demonstrated a decrease in intensity with increasing malignancy. However, the association between syndecan-1 and E-cadherin was not statistically significant. E-cadherin reduction and stromal syndecan-1 positivity seem to be associated with tumor aggressiveness in canine cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Further studies are needed to explore their roles in tumor progression. Full article
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<p>Histological grade of malignancy.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Syndecan-1 labeling intensity in tumors with different histological grades of malignancy.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Syndecan-1 stromal immunoexpression in tumors with different histological grades of malignancy.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Syndecan-1 immunoexpression in canine cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. (<b>A</b>) Membranous labeling with moderate intensity (2) in a well-differentiated tumor (Grade I); (<b>B</b>) Membranous and cytoplasmatic expression with moderate intensity (2) in a well-differentiated tumor (Grade I); (<b>C</b>) Week cytoplasmatic and nuclear labeling in moderately differentiated tumor (Grade II); (<b>D</b>) Stroma immunoexpression in a poorly differentiated tumor (Grade III).</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>E-cadherin labeling intensity in tumors with different histological grades of malignancy.</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>E-cadherin immunoexpression in canine cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. (<b>A</b>) Membranous labeling with strong intensity (3) in a well-differentiated tumor (Grade I); (<b>B</b>) Membranous and cytoplasmatic expression with strong intensity (3) in a moderately differentiated tumor (Grade II); (<b>C</b>) Moderate membranous labeling in poorly differentiated tumor (Grade III); (<b>D</b>) Weak membranous labeling in poorly differentiated tumor (Grade III).</p> Full article ">
13 pages, 4305 KiB  
Article
Integration Analysis of Transcriptome Sequencing and Whole-Genome Resequencing Reveal Wool Quality-Associated Key Genes in Zhexi Angora Rabbits
by Bohao Zhao, Yongqi Yu, Shaoning Sun, Jiawei Cai, Zhiyuan Bao, Yang Chen and Xinsheng Wu
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 651; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120651 - 13 Dec 2024
Viewed by 954
Abstract
Wool quality is a crucial economic trait in Angora rabbits, closely linked to hair follicle (HF) growth and development. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms of key genes regulating HF growth and wool fiber formation is essential. In the study, fine- and coarse-wool groups [...] Read more.
Wool quality is a crucial economic trait in Angora rabbits, closely linked to hair follicle (HF) growth and development. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms of key genes regulating HF growth and wool fiber formation is essential. In the study, fine- and coarse-wool groups were identified based on HF morphological characteristics of Zhexi Angora rabbits. According to the results, the diameters of fine and coarse fibers, and the percentage of coarse fibers, were significantly lower in the fine-wool group than in the coarse-wool group. Additionally, the HF density was higher in the fine-wool group than in the coarse-wool group, and the diameters of both primary hair follicles and second hair follicles were finer in this fine-wool group. Moreover, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and whole-genome resequencing (WGRS) were performed to identify key candidate genes and potential genetic variations between fine- and coarse-wool groups. RNA-seq analysis revealed 182 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with 138 upregulated and 44 downregulated genes in the fine-wool group. The WGRS analysis identified numerous genetic variants including 15,705 InDels and 83,055 SNPs between the two groups. Additionally, the joint analysis of RNA-seq and WGRS showed enrichment of the Wnt, JAK-STAT, and TGF-β signaling pathways. The key overlapping candidate genes such as DKK4, FRZB, CSNK1A1, TLR2, STAT4, and BMP6 were identified as potential crucial regulators of wool growth. In summary, this study provides valuable theoretical insights into wool quality and offers the potential for improving the molecular breeding of Angora rabbits. Full article
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<p>Morphological analysis between fine- and coarse-wool groups on the dorsal skin in Zhexi Angora rabbits. (<b>A</b>) The fine fiber diameter, coarse fiber diameter, and percentage of coarse fibers were measured between the fine- and coarse-wool groups in Zhexi Angora rabbits. (<b>B</b>) Histology of transverse sections of dorsal skin between the fine- and coarse-wool groups. (<b>C</b>) HF-related parameter analysis between the fine- and coarse-wool groups. PHF: primary hair follicle, SHF: second hair follicle. ** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Screening of DEGs between fine- and coarse-wool groups in Zhexi Angora rabbits through RNA-seq. (<b>A</b>) Upregulated and downregulated mRNAs between the fine- and coarse-wool groups are shown in the volcano plot. (<b>B</b>) Validation of mRNA relative expression of DEGs between the fine- and coarse-wool groups through RT-qPCR. (<b>C</b>) GO enrichment analysis of DEGs between the fine- and coarse-wool groups. (<b>D</b>) KEGG enrichment analysis of DEGs between the fine- and coarse-wool groups. (<b>E</b>) The gene network of the DEGs was constructed using the STRING database. ** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analyses of InDels and SNP sites located within genes. (<b>A</b>) GO enrichment analysis of InDel sites located within genes in CC, MF, and BP. (<b>B</b>) KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of InDel sites located within genes. (<b>C</b>) GO enrichment analysis of SNP sites located within genes in CC, MF, and BP. (<b>D</b>) KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of SNP sites located within genes.</p> Full article ">
15 pages, 10691 KiB  
Article
Identification of a New Conserved Antigenic Epitope by Specific Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting the African Swine Fever Virus Capsid Protein p17
by Nengwen Xia, Qi Cao, Anjing Liu, Jiajia Zhang, Hongjian Han, Jun Jiao, Ping He, Ziyan Sun, Zijian Xu, Wanglong Zheng, Sen Jiang, Nanhua Chen, Jianfa Bai and Jianzhong Zhu
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 650; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120650 - 13 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1123
Abstract
African swine fever (ASF) has widely spread around the world in the last 100 years since its discovery. The African swine fever virus (ASFV) particles are made of more than 150 proteins, with the p17 protein encoded by the D117L gene serving as [...] Read more.
African swine fever (ASF) has widely spread around the world in the last 100 years since its discovery. The African swine fever virus (ASFV) particles are made of more than 150 proteins, with the p17 protein encoded by the D117L gene serving as one of the major capsid proteins and playing a crucial role in the virus’s morphogenesis and immune evasion. Thus, monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting p17 is important for the research and detection of ASFV infection. Here, we produced two specific mAbs against p17, designated as 1G2 and 6G3, respectively, and both have been successfully used in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blotting, and immunofluorescence assay. Moreover, we found that both 1G2 and 6G3 mAbs recognize a novel epitope of 72–78 amino acids of p17 protein, highly conserved across all genotype I and II strains. Based on this epitope, an indirect ELISA has been established to effectively detect antibodies during ASFV infection, and it exhibits high consistency with commercial ASFV ELISA kits. In summary, the production of the specific p17 mAbs and the identification of the recognized epitope will significantly promote the serological diagnosis of ASFV. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging and Re-emerging Swine Viruses)
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<p>Production and identification of the p17 truncated fusion proteins. (<b>A</b>–<b>C</b>) Analysis of the transmembrane region (<b>A</b>), hydrophilicity (<b>B</b>), and B cell epitopes colored in yellow (<b>C</b>) of p17 protein using online tools, as described in Methods. In panel C, the yellow and green colors represent plus and minus scores, respectively, whereas the higher the score, the higher probability of being part of epitope. (<b>D</b>,<b>E</b>) The TF-p17 jd (<b>D</b>) and MBP-p17 jd (<b>E</b>) were induced by IPTG at a final concentration of 1 mM at 37 °C and 16 °C. Whole-cell lysate, supernatant, and precipitate were examined for p17 protein expressions by SDS-PAGE plus Coomassie blue staining, with the major band about 68 kD (<b>D</b>) and 53 kD (<b>E</b>) which are red-boxed. (<b>F</b>) The purified p17 fusion proteins were verified by SDS-PAGE plus Coomassie blue staining against standard bovine serum albumin (BSA). Based on the band density relative to BSA bands, the concentration of TF-p17 jd protein is estimated greater than 1 μg/μL, while the concentration of MBP-p17 jd protein is approximately 500 ng/μL.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Characterization of anti-p17 mAbs. (<b>A</b>) Optimization of the amount of coating MBP-p17 jd protein in indirect ELISA detecting ASFV positive serum. (<b>B</b>) The mAbs were tested in MBP-p17 indirect ELISA. The supernatants of hybridoma 1G2 and 6G3 were used as the primary antibodies, the SP2/0 supernatant was used as the negative control, and the serum from immunized mice was used as positive control. ** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01. (<b>C</b>) Subclass of p17 mAbs 1G2 and 6G3 was determined by the monoclonal antibody subclass identification kit (C060101) from CELLWAY-LAB (Luoyang, China). (<b>D</b>) Titer measurement of the ascite mAbs 1G2 and 6G3 using MBP-p17 protein indirect ELISA. The dotted line represents the P/N value of 2.1.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Analysis of the reactivity of p17 mAbs using Western blotting. (<b>A</b>–<b>C</b>) 293T cells were transfected with pCAGGS-p17-HA (1 μg/mL) (<b>A</b>) and pDsRed-p17 (1 μg/mL) (<b>B</b>) with pCAGGS vector and pDsRed vector as the controls. Marc-145 cells were infected with PRRSV-p17 with a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.1 for 72 h (<b>C</b>). Cells were harvested and cell lysates were detected for exogenous p17 using Western blotting with 1G2 and 6G3 mAbs as primary antibodies. (<b>D</b>) Primary PAMs were infected with ASFV (0.1 MOI) or mock-infected for 96 h, and cell lysates were examined for endogenous p17 using Western blotting with the mAbs 1G2 and 6G3 as primary antibodies. (<b>E</b>) Primary PAMs, Marc-145 cells, Vero cells, PK15 cells, and MDCK cells were infected with ASFV (MOI 0.1), PRRSV (MOI 0.1), PEDV (MOI 0.1), PDCoV (MOI 0.1) and SIV (MOI 0.1), respectively. Cells were harvested and cell lysates were detected the specificity of p17 mAbs by Western blotting with 1G2 and 6G3 mAbs as primary antibodies. The replications of PRRSV, PEDV, PDCoV, and SIV were detected using Western blotting with the antibodies indicated. The original images of the Western blot are published as <a href="#app1-vetsci-11-00650" class="html-app">Supplementary Materials</a>.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Analysis of specific reactivity of p17 mAbs by Immunofluorescence. (<b>A</b>) 3D4/21 cells were transfected with pCAGGS-p17-HA and pCAGGS control vectors, respectively. Cells were fixed at 24 h post-transfection and stained with 1G2 or 6G3 mAbs, plus Goat anti-mouse IgG H&amp;L Alexa Fluor 488. Cellular nuclei were counterstained with DAPI. (<b>B</b>) Marc-145 cells were infected with PRRSV-p17 (MOI 0.1). Cells were fixed at 72 h post-infection and stained with 1G2 or 6G3, plus secondary antibody and DAPI.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Precise mapping of the antigenic epitopes recognized by p17 mAbs. (<b>A</b>) Schematic for precise mapping of the epitope. The fragments with reactivity with p17 mAbs are blue marked, whereas those of no reactivity are black marked. (<b>B</b>) Western blotting analyzed the roles of critical C terminal amino acid (<b>left</b>) and N terminal amino acid (<b>right</b>) in reactivity of p17 proteins with the two mAbs 1G2 and 6G3. The aa denotes the abbreviation for amino acid. The original images of the Western blot are published as a <a href="#app1-vetsci-11-00650" class="html-app">Supplementary Material</a>.</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Conservation of the identified novel linear epitope of the p17 protein. (<b>A</b>) Alignment of the epitope (<sup>72</sup>KPPPSYY<sup>78</sup>) of 30 representative genotypes I and II ASFV strains. The red box indicated the identified epitope. (<b>B</b>) Prediction of the p17 structure using Alphafold2 online web tools and visualization with PyMOL. The epitope of the two mAbs is displayed in pink color and shown in the front view (<b>B1</b>) and in flipping 180° along the <span class="html-italic">x</span>-axis (<b>B2</b>), respectively.</p> Full article ">Figure 7
<p>Establishment of epitope-based indirect ELISA to detect ASFV antibodies. (<b>A</b>) The p17 epitope peptide (synthesized by GeneCreate Wuhan, China) was used for coating at concentrations from 0.3125–10 μg/mL. The epitope ELISA was used for detection of ASFV-positive serum (1:5 dilution) and negative normal pig serum to determine the optimized concentration of coating epitope peptide. (<b>B</b>) Optimization of serum dilution with peptide coating concentration at 0.3125 μg/mL. (<b>C</b>) The specificity of the established epitope ELISA. PRRSV, PEDV, SIV, and ASFV positive pig sera and negative pig serum were used. ** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01. (<b>D</b>,<b>E</b>) 24 clinical pig sera were tested with our established indirect epitope peptide ELISA (<b>D</b>) and the commercial ASFV ELISA detection kit (<b>E</b>), with pig-negative serum as the control. The samples marked in red (<b>D</b>) and blue (<b>E</b>) are those with positive detection results.</p> Full article ">
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