bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AWdpCNER: Automated Wdp Chinese Named Entity Recognition from Wheat Diseases and Pests Text
Authors: Zhang Demeng , Zheng Guang , Liu Hebing , Ma Xinming , Xi Lei
Published: June 2023

Chinese named entity recognition of wheat diseases and pests is an initial and key step in constructing knowledge graphs. In the field of wheat diseases and pests, there are problems, such as lack of training data, nested entities, fuzzy entity boundaries, diverse entity categories, and uneven entity distribution. To solve the above problems, two data augmentation methods were proposed to expand sentence semantic information on the premise of fully mining hidden knowledge. Then, a wheat diseases and pests dataset (WdpDs) for Chinese named entity recognition was constructed containing 21 types of entities and its domain dictionary (WdpDict), using a combination of manual and dictionary-based approaches, to better support the entity recognition task. Furthermore, an automated Wdp Chinese named entity recognition model (AWdpCNER) was proposed. This model was based on ALBERT-BiLSTM-CRF for entity recognition, and defined specific rules to calibrate entity boundaries after recognition. The model fusing ALBERT-BiLSTM-CRF and rules amendment achieved the best recognition results, with a precision of 94.76%, a recall of 95.64%, and an F1-score of 95.29%. Compared with the recognition results without rules amendment, the precision, recall, and F1-score was increased by 0.88 percentage points, 0.44 percentage points, and 0.75 percentage points, respectively. The experimental results showed that the proposed model could effectively identify Chinese named entities in the field of wheat diseases and pests, and this model achieved state-of-the-art recognition performance, outperforming several existing models, which provides a reference for other fields of named entities recognition such as food safety and biology.
Risk, Vulnerability, and Resilience in Agriculture and Their Impact on Sustainable Rural Economy Development: A Case Study of Greece
Authors: Kalogiannidis Stavros , Papadopoulou Christina-Ioanna , Loizou Efstratios , Chatzitheodoridis Fotios
Published: June 2023

Promoting rural development is essential for the general economic transformation of people, hence requiring great attention from different government systems. This study assessed the risk, vulnerability, and resilience of agriculture, as well as its impact on sustainable rural economy development, using Greece as the case study. The study employed a quantitative research approach based on a cross-sectional survey design. A survey questionnaire was used to gather data from 304 Greek farmers. The results show that, although farmers are no longer at risk of being short of food and clothing in Greece, they still face different challenges associated with climate change or low productivity, and this can greatly affect yields if not given great attention. The study showed that increasing farmers’ resilience and the efficacy of risk response are both essential tactics to use in order to effectively combat threats to the residential environment. However, the results show that vulnerability in agriculture has a significant negative influence on rural development. This research demonstrates how the development of a new, beautiful nation must involve improvements to and a guarantee of the safety of farmers’ rural living environments, in order to reduce the impacts of risk and vulnerability, as well as strengthen the nation’s resilience. The results show that, in rural governance, the general preservation of living conditions is not only one of farmers’ top priorities, but is also a crucial factor in enhancing their ability to deal with risks, and is the only route to real rural development. Governments should design their social protection programs to enhance agricultural production, safeguard the lives of the most vulnerable populations, strengthen their resilience, and achieve the broadest possible rural transformation.
Using Continuous Output Neural Nets to Estimate Pasture Biomass from Digital Photographs in Grazing Lands
Authors: Woodrow Luis , Carter John , Fraser Grant , Barnetson Jason
Published: June 2023

Accurate estimates of pasture biomass in grazing lands are currently a time-consuming and resource-intensive task. The process generally includes physically cutting, bagging, labelling, drying, and weighing grass samples using multiple “quadrats” placed on the ground. Quadrats vary in size but are typically in the order of 0.25 m2 (i.e., 0.5 m × 0.5 m) up to 1.0 m2. Measurements from a number of harvested quadrats are then averaged to get a site estimate. This study investigated the use of photographs and ‘machine learning’ to reduce the time factor and difficulty in taking pasture biomass measurements to potentially make the estimations more accessible through the use of mobile phone cameras. A dataset was created from a pre-existing archive of quadrat photos and corresponding hand-cut pasture biomass measurements taken from a diverse range of field monitoring sites. Sites were clustered and one was held back per model for testing. The models were based on DenseNet121. Individual quadrat errors were large but more promising results were achieved when estimating the site mean pasture biomass. Another two smaller additional datasets were created post-training which were used to further assess the ensemble; they provided similar absolute errors to the original dataset, but significantly larger relative errors. The first was made from harvested quadrats, and the second was made using a pasture height meter in conjunction with a mobile phone camera. The models performed well across a variety of situations and locations but underperformed when assessed on some sites with very different vegetation. More data and refinement of the approach outlined in the paper will reduce the number of models needed and help to correct errors. These models provide a promising start, but further investigation, refinement, and data are needed before becoming a usable application.
Effects of Apatite Concentrate in Combination with Phosphate-Solubilizing Microorganisms on the Yield of Ryegrass Cultivar Izorskiy
Authors: Timofeeva Tatiana A. , Chebotar Vladimir K. , Demidov Dmitriy V. , Gaidukova Sofia E. , Yakovleva Irina V. , Kamionskaya Anastasia M.
Published: June 2023

Soil microorganisms play a vital role in increasing the availability of phosphorus (P) for plants through mineralization of organic P and solubilization of precipitated P compounds. In this two-year study, we analyzed several P-solubilizing microorganisms (PSMs) of the genus Bacillus and their consortiums for the ability to release soluble P from apatite concentrates of various grinding degrees using ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) as a model plant. The effects were accessed by analyzing plant growth and nutrient assimilation. The greatest effect on root system development and plant biomass accumulation (dry weight) was observed for the apatite concentrate of standard grinding in combination with Bacillus megaterium BI14 and Bacillus subtilis BI2 and Bacillus velezensis BS89 strains. Although the introduction of apatite concentrates led to an increase in the content of total strontium in soil, the levels of strontium did not exceed the maximum allowable concentration, and the accumulation of mobile strontium by plants was unchanged; importantly, the use of tested PSMs led to a decrease in the strontium content in the green biomass of ryegrass. Our results indicate that biologized apatite concentrates in combination with PSMs represent promising fertilizers that can provide a source of soluble P to be readily assimilated by plants.
Cyto-Embryological Analysis of Wild Kentucky Bluegrass Germplasm in Gansu Province, China
Authors: Zhang Jinqing , Ma Huiling
Published: June 2023

Reproduction studies, particularly embryology, represent basic information of any plant. However, the current embryological information is fragmentary for Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.). Here, paraffin sections were used to examine the cyto-embryological characteristics, including microsporogenesis, microgametogenesis, megasporogenesis, megagametogenesis, and apomixis, of wild Kentucky bluegrass germplasm from Gannan (GN) and Longnan (LN) in Gansu Province. The study found no significant differences in pollen diameter, characteristics, viability, and stigma receptivity between the two germplasm materials. The Kentucky bluegrass consisted of three anthers, and each contained four pollen sacs that were divided into left and right halves. After meiosis, the microspore mother cells formed dyads and tetrads, which were primarily symmetrical and underwent mitosis to form three-celled pollen. Kentucky bluegrass has a one-locular ovary, two-feathery stigmas, thick nucleolar and anatropous ovules, and a typical polygonum embryo sac as its reproductive organs. The main type of apomixis observed was apospory, resulting in the coexistence of multiple embryo sacs. Polyembryonic seeds were frequently observed in Kentucky bluegrass due to apospory. Most importantly, our research found that apospory caused early embryogenesis during fertilization, which is a vital embryological feature for identifying sexual reproduction and apomixis in Kentucky bluegrass. Sexual reproduction followed strict double fertilization, while in apomixis a complete seed was only formed through pseudogamy. These embryological characteristics are documented here, and their study can aid in understanding the evolution of Kentucky bluegrass.
Biomass Allocation and Nutrients Utilization in Wheat as Affected by Phosphorus Placement and Salt Stress
Authors: Zhao De-Yong , Zhang Xiao-Lin , Zhao Shuai-Peng , Liu Guo-Lan , Zhang Zai-Wang , Zhao Wang-Feng , Li Xue-Ping , Ali Khan Sabaz , Siddique Kadambot H. M.
Published: June 2023

Phosphorus (P) management in wheat grown under saline soil conditions requires a better understanding of how P placement and salt stress affect spatial root distribution, plant agronomic performance, and nutrient utilization. A column culture experiment was conducted with two wheat genotypes, Alice and LX99, five P placements (‘Top Dressed High P’, TopHP; ‘Top Dressed Reduced P’, TopRP; ‘Deep Banded High P’, DeepHP; ‘Deep Banded Reduced P’, DeepRP; and ‘No P added’, −P), and two salt stress levels (‘salt stress’, +S; ‘non-salt stress’, −S) to investigate differences in biomass accumulation, nutrient utilization, and root distribution (0–20 cm, 20–40 cm, and 40–100 cm) among treatments. Deep P placement under non-salt stress increased root distribution at 20–40 cm soil depth for both genotypes compared to top P placement. P application under salt stress increased root weight at all three soil depths in both genotypes and P accumulation in aboveground plant parts (except for LX99 under TopRP). The highest P utilization efficiency occurred in Alice with TopRP and in LX99 with DeepRP under non-salt and salt stresses. Overall, a coordinated adaptation in allocating biomass between belowground and aboveground plant parts, along with altered nutrient utilization, was necessary to reach a growth compromise in response to P supply changes and salinity. Therefore, genotype, P placement depth, and soil salinity should be considered to improve wheat P utilization efficiency under saline conditions.
Impacts of Grazing Disturbance on Soil Nitrogen Component Contents and Storages in a Leymus chinensis Meadow Steppe
Authors: Chen Sisi , Wang Miao , Zhang Chu , Yu Tianqi , Xin Xiaoping , Bai Keyu , Zhu Xiaoyu , Yan Ruirui
Published: June 2023

Long-term grazing leads to soil degradation in Inner Mongolia grassland. Based on the Hulunbeier meadow steppe, the variation characteristics of soil nitrogen content and storage in soil layers between 0–40 cm, under six different grazing intensities, and the response of vegetation and other physical and chemical properties of soil to grazing were studied. The main results were as follows: (1) Moderate grazing increased soil total nitrogen (TN), soluble total nitrogen (STN) and microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) contents, while heavy grazing decreased MBN content. In the year with more rain, heavy grazing increased nitrate nitrogen (NO3−-N) content and storage, while less rain increased ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) content. (2) The proportion of 0–40 cm nitrogen components showed an upward trend in the year with more rain, and the opposite in the years with less rainfall with the increase of grazing intensity. Soil soluble organic nitrogen (SON) and NO3−-N storages decreased and MBN storage increased in rainy years. (3) Soil nitrogen component contents and storages were correlated with plant growth status, soil moisture (SM) and soil bulk density (SBD), and were significantly negatively correlated with soil temperature (ST) and pH (p < 0.05). The content and storage of soil nitrogen were affected by grazing, soil, vegetation, meteorological and other environmental factors. Moderate grazing was more conducive to the improvement of soil nitrogen storage capacity and the healthy development of grassland.
Photoperiod Induces DNA Methylation Changes in the Melatonin Receptor 1A Gene in Ewes
Authors: He Xiaoyun , Wang Wei , Sun Wei , Chu Mingxing
Published: June 2023

Research has shown that MTNR1A plays an essential role in the estrus cycle and seasonal reproduction changes in sheep. However, few people have focused on the DNA methylation of MTNR1A by season or photoperiod. In this study, using qPCR and Western blotting, we measured the MTNR1A expression in the hypothalamus of ovariectomized and estradiol-treated (OVX + E2) sheep under different photoperiod treatment conditions. Subsequently, the core promoter of the MTNR1A gene was identified, and its methylation level in sheep exposed to different photoperiod treatments was measured by pyrosequencing. The results showed that MTNR1A gene expression significantly differed between the short 42-day photoperiod (SP42) and the LP42 or combined SP-LP42 treatment groups (p < 0.05). In addition, we determined that the core MTNR1A promoter region was within 540 bp upstream of the transcriptional start site (TSS) and that the DNA methylation levels at CpG sites in the SP42 vs. LP42 and SP42 vs. SP-LP42 groups significantly differed. Finally, a significant negative correlation (p < 0.001) between gene expression and DNA methylation levels was revealed, suggesting that photoperiod may induce DNA methylation of the MTNR1A gene and thus change its expression. The findings provide valuable bases for the further study of seasonal reproduction in sheep.
Simplified Light’s Criteria and Acute Phase Proteins Reflect Aetiology of Feline Body Cavity Effusions Better than the Traditional Classification Scheme
Authors: Hazuchova Katarina , Held Susanne , Klemm Isabell , Bauer Natali
Published: June 2023

The traditional veterinary classification (TVC) of effusions based on cell count and total protein (TP) does not adequately reflect the aetiology. Light’s criteria (LC) (activity of lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] in the effusion [LDHef], effusion/serum LDH ratio [LDHr], effusion/serum TP ratio [TPr]), serum–effusion albumin gradient (ALBg), acute phase proteins (APPs) [serum amyloid A (SAA), α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), haptoglobin] might aid classification. The aim was to evaluate the utility of these parameters except LDHr in differentiating exudates from transudates. Sixty-five cats with effusions (33 peritoneal, 31 pleural, 1 pericardial), with 18 transudates and 47 exudates based on aetiological classification (AC), were included. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of several parameters to identify exudates (based on AC) was assessed. APPs were compared between exudates and transudates based on AC and TVC, with receiver operating characteristics analysis identifying the best APP to recognise exudates. Simplified LC (LDHef, TPr) had an accuracy of 79% and TVC of 48%. ALBg had the highest sensitivity (98%) and LDHef the highest specificity (83%) in identifying exudates in cats. All APPs but effusion SAA could differentiate exudates from transudates based on AC (effusion AGP had the largest area under the curve 0.79) but not TVC. All parameters were better than TVC in identifying exudates. The conformity of APPs with AC but not TVC favours the use of AC to classify effusions.
How Do Alternative Protein Resources Affect the Intestine Morphology and Microbiota of Atlantic Salmon?
Authors: Aidos Lucia , Mirra Giorgio , Pallaoro Margherita , Herrera Millar Valentina Rafaela , Radaelli Giuseppe , Bazzocchi Chiara , Modina Silvia Clotilde , Di Giancamillo Alessia
Published: June 2023

The availability and cost of fishmeal constitute a bottleneck in Atlantic salmon production expansion. Fishmeal is produced from wild fish species and constitutes the major feed ingredient in carnivorous species such as the Atlantic salmon. These natural stocks are at risk of depletion and it is therefore of major importance to find alternative protein sources that meet the nutritional requirements of the Atlantic salmon, without compromising the animals’ health. Terrestrial animal by-products have been used in aquaculture feed, but their use is limited by the lack of several essential amino acids and consumer acceptance. In the case of plant ingredients, it is necessary to take into account both their concentration and the extraction methodologies, since, if not dosed correctly, they can cause macro- and microscopic alterations of the structure of the gastrointestinal tract and can also negatively modulate the microbiota composition. These alterations may compromise the digestive functions, growth of the animal, and, ultimately, its well-being. An updated revision of alternative protein sources is provided, with the respective impact on the intestine health in terms of both morphology and microbiota composition. Such information may constitute the premise for the choice and development of Atlantic salmon feeds that guarantee fish health and growth performance without having a significant impact on the surrounding environment, both in terms of depletion of the fish’s natural stocks and in terms of pressure on the terrestrial agriculture. The sustainability of aquaculture should be a priority when choosing next-generation ingredients.
Reptile Evolution and Genetics: An Overview
Authors: Olmo Ettore
Published: June 2023

The study of evolution has been indissolubly linked to the study of heredity since its inception [1]. [...]
Reserves of Calcium, Copper, Iron, Potassium, Magnesium, Manganese, Sodium, Phosphorus, Strontium and Zinc in Goose Egg Yolk during Embryo Development
Authors: Besharati Maghsoud , Fathi Leila , Amirdahri Saeid , Nemati Zabihollah , Palangi Valiollah , Lorenzo Jose Manuel , Maggiolino Aristide , Centoducati Gerardo
Published: June 2023

This study evaluated the changes in calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), sodium (Na), phosphorus (P), strontium (Sr) and zinc (Zn) values in goose egg yolk during the incubation period. This study was conducted on a completely random selection using 200 fertile eggs from a local flock of geese. A selection of 30 fertile eggs were randomly sampled on days 0, 9.5, 19.5, 25 and 30 of incubation (total: 150 eggs), and the yolks of 5 eggs in each replicate were mixed together and considered as one replicate (six replicates in each incubation period). The mineral content of the yolks was measured using the inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy method. The results of this study show that, during the incubation of goose eggs from 0 to 30 days of embryo growth, except for Ca, the yolk content (absolute weight) of all the measured minerals, including Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Sr and Zn, on day 30 of incubation were statistically significantly lower than on day 0 of incubation. Additionally, the yolk concentrations of Fe, K, Mg, Na, P and Zn declined, the yolk concentrations of Ca and Sr increased, and the yolk concentrations of Cu and Mn were unchanged on day 30 compared to the first day of incubation. The results of the current study demonstrate that goose egg yolks’ mineral concentrations change in absolute value during the incubation period, which could be the basis for further studies on chick feeding during the embryonic and post-embryonic phases.
Effects of Atmospheric Ammonia on Skeletal Muscle Growth in Broilers
Authors: Zhao Xin , Wang Guangju , Han Hongyu , Zhou Ying , Feng Jinghai , Zhang Minhong
Published: June 2023

Ammonia, one of the most polluted gases in poultry houses, has always been an urgent problem to solve. Exposure to ammonia can threaten the respiratory tract, induce inflammation, and decrease growth performance. To date, there are few studies investigating the effects of ammonia on skeletal muscle growth. In this experiment, a total of 144 broilers were randomly divided into two groups, and 0 ppm and 35 ppm atmospheric ammonia were administered in the chambers. The trial lasted for 21 days. The breast muscle, thigh muscle, dressed weight, and serum biochemical indexes were measured. The skeletal muscle fibre morphology was observed using light microscopy, and the expressions of genes associated with skeletal muscle development and myosin heavy chain genes were assessed. After 7 days of ammonia exposure, the broilers’ weight in the ammonia group decreased. On the 21st day of the experiment, in the ammonia group, the breast muscle weight, thigh muscle weight, and dressed weight decreased, the blood urea nitrogen content increased, skeletal muscle fibre diameter shortened, the expression of myostatin increased, and the expression of myosin heavy chain-FWM and myosin heavy chain-FRM decreased significantly. This article suggests that 35 ppm atmospheric ammonia seriously affects the skeletal muscle gain rate of broilers, and the myostatin pathway could be a potential regulation of the growth rate of muscle fibre under ammonia exposure.
Relative Impact of Birth Weight and Early Growth on Neonatal Mortality in Puppies
Authors: Mugnier Amélie , Gaillard Virginie , Chastant Sylvie
Published: June 2023

Puppy survival during their first weeks of life can be improved, and early detection of puppies with increased mortality risk is one of the keys to success. In the canine species, the few studies on this subject focused on birth weight, which reflects intrauterine growth. The present work aimed to explore the interconnections between birth weight, early growth and survival until two months of life in the canine species. In total, data from 8550 puppies born in 127 French breeding kennels were analysed. Five different growth rates were calculated to reflect the growth of puppies during their first week of life. Low-birth-weight puppies had lower growth than normal-birth-weight puppies over the first two days of life but higher growth rates thereafter. Growth-rate thresholds allowing the identification of puppies at higher risk of mortality during their first two months of life were lower for low-birth-weight puppies. These thresholds will help breeders and veterinarians to identify puppies at risk with particular needs for monitoring and nursing to improve their chances of survival.
Optimized Small Waterbird Detection Method Using Surveillance Videos Based on YOLOv7
Authors: Lei Jialin , Gao Shuhui , Rasool Muhammad Awais , Fan Rong , Jia Yifei , Lei Guangchun
Published: June 2023

Waterbird monitoring is the foundation of conservation and management strategies in almost all types of wetland ecosystems. China’s improved wetland protection infrastructure, which includes remote devices for the collection of larger quantities of acoustic and visual data on wildlife species, increased the need for data filtration and analysis techniques. Object detection based on deep learning has emerged as a basic solution for big data analysis that has been tested in several application fields. However, these deep learning techniques have not yet been tested for small waterbird detection from real-time surveillance videos, which can address the challenge of waterbird monitoring in real time. We propose an improved detection method by adding an extra prediction head, SimAM attention module, and sequential frame to YOLOv7, termed as YOLOv7-waterbird, for real-time video surveillance devices to identify attention regions and perform waterbird monitoring tasks. With the Waterbird Dataset, the mean average precision (mAP) value of YOLOv7-waterbird was 67.3%, which was approximately 5% higher than that of the baseline model. Furthermore, the improved method achieved a recall of 87.9% (precision = 85%) and 79.1% for small waterbirds (defined as pixels less than 40 × 40), suggesting a better performance for small object detection than the original method. This algorithm could be used by the administration of protected areas or other groups to monitor waterbirds with higher accuracy using existing surveillance cameras and can aid in wildlife conservation to some extent.
SheepFaceNet: A Speed–Accuracy Balanced Model for Sheep Face Recognition
Authors: Li Xiaopeng , Zhang Yichi , Li Shuqin
Published: June 2023

The recognition of sheep faces based on computer vision has improved the efficiency and effectiveness of individual sheep identification, providing technical support for the development of smart farming. However, current recognition models have problems such as large parameter sizes, slow recognition speed, and difficult deployment. Therefore, this paper proposes an efficient and fast basic module called Eblock and uses it to build a lightweight sheep face recognition model called SheepFaceNet, which achieves the best balance between speed and accuracy. SheepFaceNet includes two modules: SheepFaceNetDet for detection and SheepFaceNetRec for recognition. SheepFaceNetDet uses Eblock to construct the backbone network to enhance feature extraction capability and efficiency, designs a bidirectional FPN layer (BiFPN) to enhance geometric location ability, and optimizes the network structure, which affects inference speed, to achieve fast and accurate sheep face detection. SheepFaceNetRec uses Eblock to construct the feature extraction network, uses ECA channel attention to improve the effectiveness of feature extraction, and uses multi-scale feature fusion to achieve fast and accurate sheep face recognition. On our self-built sheep face dataset, SheepFaceNet recognized 387 sheep face images per second with an accuracy rate of 97.75%, achieving an advanced balance between speed and accuracy. This research is expected to further promote the application of deep-learning-based sheep face recognition methods in production.
Effect of Particle Size of Silage of Flint Corn Grain on Dairy Cows Fed Tropical Pasture: Performance, Intake, Ruminal Fermentation, and Digestibility
Authors: Gomide Débora R. , Pereira Renata A. N. , Silva Rayana B. , Carvalho Josué T. R. , Lara Márcio A. S. , Pereira Marcos N.
Published: June 2023

The particle size (PS) of reconstituted corn (REC) can affect the grinding rate and starch digestibility in dairy cows. We evaluated the effect of the PS of REC ensiled for 40 days on the pasture dry matter intake (DMI), lactation performance, total tract digestibility, and ruminal fermentation of grazing dairy cows. The treatments were coarse REC (CO, 1694 µm), fine REC (FI, 1364 µm), or finely ground (GC, 366 µm) flint corn (68% vitreousness) at 29.6 ± 1.4% of diet DM (mean ± SD). Eighteen dairy cows (mean milk yield 21.3 kg/d) were split into three groups by production level and were assigned within each group to a sequence of treatments in 3 × 3 Latin squares of 21-day periods. Cows were individually fed a constant amount of whole-plant corn silage 3 ×/d (2.7 kg DM/d) and corn treatments and soybean meal according to their group. There was no significant interaction between treatment and the production level. Cows fed FI had a lower DMI (16.7 vs. 18.1 kg/d) than those fed GC, and both did not differ from CO (17.7 kg/d). There was no treatment effect on milk yield (mean: 19.2 kg/d). Cows fed CO had the lowest total tract digestibility of starch (86.3 vs. 92.3% of intake) and the highest fecal starch concentration (7.0 vs. 4.0% of DM). The NDF digestibility was lower for GC-fed cows than CO- and FI-fed cows. Plasma glucose was higher in cows fed FI and CO (75.0 mg/dL) than those fed GC (70.8 mg/dL). Ruminal volatile fatty acids and the pH did not differ. Fine grinding of REC increased the feed efficiency relative to CO and GC. Coarse grinding of REC ensiled for 40 days reduced the total tract starch digestibility relative to FI and GC.
Effects of Dietary Lactic Acid Supplementation on the Activity of Digestive and Antioxidant Enzymes, Gene Expressions, and Bacterial Communities in the Intestine of Common Carp, Cyprinus carpio
Authors: Hoseini Seyyed Morteza , Yousefi Morteza , Afzali-Kordmahalleh Alireza , Pagheh Esmaeil , Taheri Mirghaed Ali
Published: June 2023

The present study investigated the effects of dietary lactic acid (LA) supplementation on the growth performance, intestinal digestive/antioxidant enzymes’ activities, gene expression, and bacterial communities in common carp, Cyprinus carpio. Four diets were formulated to contain 0 g/kg LA (control), at 2.5 g/kg LA (2.5LAC), 5 g/kg LA (5LAC), and 10 g/kg LA (10LAC) and offered to the fish over a period of 56 days. The results showed that dietary 5 g/kg LA supplementation improved growth performance and feed efficiency in the fish. All LA treatments exhibited significant elevations in the intestinal trypsin and chymotrypsin activities, whereas the intestinal lipase, amylase, and alkaline phosphatase activities exhibited significant elevations in the 5LAC and 10LAC treatments. All LA treatments exhibited significant elevations in the intestinal heat shock protein 70, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and defensin gene expressions, and the highest expression was observed in the 5LAC treatment. Additionally, dietary LA treatment significantly increased the lysozyme expression and Lactobacillus sp. population in the intestine of the fish, and the highest values were observed in the 5LAC and 10LAC treatments. Aeromonas sp. and Vibrio sp. populations decreased in the LA treatments, and the lowest Aeromonas sp. population was observed in the 10LAC treatment. The intestinal mucin2 and mucin5 expressions, and the hepatic reduced glutathione content, significantly increased, whereas hepatic glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and malondialdehyde significantly decreased in the 5LAC and 10LAC treatments. In conclusion, dietary 5 g/kg LA is recommended for common carp feeding to improve growth rate, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal health.
Computed Tomographic Assessment of Pituitary Gland Dimensions in Domestic Short-Haired Cats
Authors: Costanza Dario , Coluccia Pierpaolo , Auletta Luigi , Castiello Erica , Navas Luigi , Greco Adelaide , Meomartino Leonardo
Published: June 2023

The detection of subtle changes in the pituitary dimensions has relevant clinical implications. In cats, a few studies have established the cut-off values of the pituitary gland’s dimensions using small and inhomogeneous samples. The aims of this study were: to determine by computed tomography (CT) the pituitary linear dimensions and the pituitary-to-brain (P:B) ratio in a sample of domestic short-haired (DSH) cats; to assess the effects of sex, age, and weight on pituitary dimensions; and to evaluate the inter- and intra-observer agreement for such measurements. All skull CTs of DSH cats performed over four years using a multidetector CT and a standardized protocol were retrospectively reviewed. The exclusion criteria were: clinical, laboratory, or CT alterations of the pituitary gland, brain diseases, fractures of the neurocranium, and diabetes. The pituitary dimensions and brain area were assessed by two different observers using multiplanar reconstructions and automated segmentation tools. Fifty-one cats were included in the final sample. The intraclass correlation coefficients for intra- and inter-observer reliability were good/excellent, and moderate/good, respectively. No differences between sexes were detected, and negligible correlations were found between age and weight. According to this study, a pituitary gland with a height > 4 mm or a P:B ratio > 0.49 mm should be considered enlarged.
Decreasing Mob Size at Lambing Increases the Survival of Triplet Lambs Born on Farms across Southern Australia
Authors: Lockwood Amy , Allington Travis , Blumer Sarah E. , Boshoff Johan , Clarke Bronwyn E. , Hancock Serina N. , Kearney Gavin A. , Kenyon Paul R. , Krog Jarryd , Kubeil Lyndon J. , Refshauge Gordon , Trompf Jason P. , Thompson Andrew N.
Published: June 2023

Industry consultation in Australia revealed that the potential impact of the mob size of ewes during lambing on the survival of triplet-born lambs was an important research priority. Previous research has demonstrated that smaller mob sizes at lambing improve the survival of single- and especially twin-born lambs, regardless of ewe stocking rate. Therefore, we hypothesised that lambing triplet-bearing ewes in smaller mobs, regardless of stocking rate, will increase the survival of their lambs. Research sites were established on 12 commercial sheep farms across southern Australia between 2019 and 2021. One farm used Merinos whilst the remainder of the farms used non-Merino breeds, consisting of composite ewes joined to composite or terminal sires. Three of the farms were used in two years of the experiment. Adult, triplet-bearing ewes were randomly allocated into one of two treatments, ‘High’ or ‘Low’ mob size, at an average of 135 days from the start of joining. Ewe and lamb survival were assessed between allocation to treatments and lamb marking. Lamb survival was significantly greater for lambs born in the Low (65.6%) compared with the High (56.6%) mob size treatments (p < 0.001). There was no effect of mob size at lambing on the mortality of triplet-bearing ewes. Analysis of the effect of the actual mob sizes showed that reducing the mob size at lambing by 10 triplet-bearing ewes increased the survival of their lambs to marking by 1.5% (p < 0.001). This study has shown that the survival of triplet-born lambs can be improved by lambing triplet-bearing ewes in smaller mobs regardless of stocking rate when ranging from 0.7–13 ewes/ha.
Prediction Equations for In Vitro Ileal Disappearance of Dry Matter and Crude Protein Based on Chemical Composition in Dog Diets
Authors: Song Yoon Soo , Kim Beob Gyun
Published: June 2023

The aims of this study were to determine in vitro ileal disappearance (IVID) of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) in commercial dog diets and to develop equations for predicting the IVID of DM and CP in dog diets based on chemical composition. Eighteen commercial dog diets were analyzed for IVID of DM and CP using a two-step in vitro procedure for dogs. The diet samples in flasks with digestive enzymes were incubated for 2 h and 4 h to simulate digestion in the stomach and the small intestine, respectively. The contents of CP, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and ash in the diets ranged from 14.4 to 42.5%, 3.5 to 23.5%, 6.4 to 34.6%, and 4.9 to 10.0%, respectively, on an as-is basis. The NDF contents were negatively correlated with the IVID of DM and CP (r = −0.73 and r = −0.62, respectively; p < 0.05). The most suitable prediction equations for the IVID of DM and CP in the dog diets were: IVID of DM (%) = 81.33 + 0.46 × CP − 0.77 × NDF, R2 = 0.78; IVID of CP (%) = 81.25 + 0.33 × CP − 0.49 × NDF, R2 = 0.64, where all nutrients were in % on an as-is basis. In conclusion, dry matter and protein utilization of dog diets based on in vitro digestibility assays can be estimated fairly well using protein and fiber concentrations as independent variables.
Application of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram to 150 Horses with Musculoskeletal Pain before and after Diagnostic Anaesthesia
Authors: Dyson Sue , Pollard Danica
Published: June 2023

The Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE) was developed to facilitate the recognition of musculoskeletal pain. The aim of this study was to document changes in RHpE scores before and after diagnostic anaesthesia was performed to alleviate pain ± when the saddle was changed. One hundred and fifty horses underwent ridden exercise as part of an investigation of poor performance. The RHpE was applied before and after the interventions. Fifty-two (34.7%) horses exhibited a bilaterally symmetrical short step length and/or restricted hindlimb impulsion and engagement. Fifty-three (35.3%) horses had episodic lameness; only forty-five (30.0%) horses were continuously lame. The median maximum lameness grade when ridden was 2/8 (interquartile range [IQR]: 0–3; range: 0–4). Fifty-six (37.3%) horses had an ill-fitting saddle, which was considered likely to influence performance. The median RHpE scores after the interventions (2/24 [IQR: 1–3, range: 0–12]) were significantly lower than before the interventions (9/24 [IQR: 8–11, range: 2–15]) (Wilcoxon signed-rank z = 10.6, p < 0.001). There was no correlation between the RHpE score and maximum lameness grade before diagnostic anaesthesia (Spearman’s rho = 0.09, p = 0.262). It was concluded that the absence of overt lameness does not preclude primary musculoskeletal pain. Gait quality and performance can be improved by diagnostic anaesthesia, with substantial reductions in RHpE scores.
SINE Insertion in the Pig Carbonic Anhydrase 5B (CA5B) Gene Is Associated with Changes in Gene Expression and Phenotypic Variation
Authors: Zheng Yao , Chen Cai , Wang Mengli , Moawad Ali Shoaib , Wang Xiaoyan , Song Chengyi
Published: June 2023

Transposons are genetic elements that are present in mammalian genomes and occupy a large proportion of the pig genome, with retrotransposons being the most abundant. In a previous study, it was found that a SINE retrotransposon was inserted in the 1st intron of the CA5B gene in pigs, and the present study aimed to investigate the SINE insertion polymorphism in this gene in different pig breeds. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to confirm the polymorphism in 11 pig breeds and wild boars), and it was found that there was moderate polymorphism information content in 9 of the breeds. Further investigation in cell experiments revealed that the 330 bp SINE insertion in the RIP-CA5B site promoted expression activity in the weak promoter region of this site. Additionally, an enhancer verification vector experiment showed that the 330 bp SINE sequence acted as an enhancer on the core promoter region upstream of the CA5B gene region. The expression of CA5B in adipose tissue (back fat and leaf fat) in individuals with the (SINE+/+) genotype was significantly higher than those with (SINE+/−) and (SINE−/−) genotypes. The association analysis revealed that the (SINE+/+) genotype was significantly associated with a higher back fat thickness than the (SINE−/−) genotype. Moreover, it was observed that the insertion of SINE at the RIP-CA5B site carried ATTT repeats, and three types of (ATTT) repeats were identified among different individuals/breeds (i.e., (ATTT)4, (ATTT)6 and (ATTT)9). Overall, the study provides insights into the genetic basis of adipose tissue development in pigs and highlights the role of a SINE insertion in the CA5B gene in this process.
Antinociceptive, Sedative and Excitatory Effects of Intravenous Butorphanol Administered Alone or in Combination with Detomidine in Calves: A Prospective, Randomized, Blinded Cross-Over Study
Authors: Maidanskaia Ekaterina Gámez , Mirra Alessandro , Marchionatti Emma , Levionnois Olivier Louis , Spadavecchia Claudia
Published: June 2023

(1) Background: The diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed under sedation or general anesthesia in bovines are numerous. The analgesic drugs that can be legally used are few, making perioperative analgesia challenging. (2) Methods: Calves were administered butorphanol 0.1 mg kg−1 alone (SB) or combined with 0.02 mg kg−1 of a detomidine (DB) IV. The antinociceptive effect (trigeminocervical reflex threshold (TCRt)), as well as the behavioral (sedation and excitation) and physiological (heart and respiratory rate) changes were investigated. Five time windows were defined: BL (30 min pre-injection), T1 (0–30 min post-injection (PI)), T2 (31–60 min PI), T3 (61–90 min PI) and T4 (91–120 min PI). (3) Results: Both groups had a significative increase in TCRt at T1-T4 compared to the BL. The TCRt was significatively higher in DB than in SB at T1, T2 and T4. Heart rate decreased significatively in DB compared to that in BL. Calves were significantly more sedated in the DB group, and significantly more excited in the SB group compared to the BL. (4) Conclusions: Butorphanol alone has a statistically significant antinociceptive effect, but it elicits marked excitation, limiting its clinical applicability under this dosing regimen. The co-administration of detomidine eliminated the excitatory effect and induced consistent sedation and a significantly more pronounced antinociceptive effect.
Clinical Uncertainty Influences Antibiotic Prescribing for Upper Respiratory Tract Infections: A Qualitative Study of Township Hospital Physicians and Village Doctors in Rural Shandong Province, China
Authors: Shen Liyan , Wang Ting , Yin Jia , Sun Qiang , Dyar Oliver James
Published: June 2023

Objective: This study aimed to explore how clinical uncertainty influences antibiotic prescribing practices among township hospital physicians and village doctors in rural Shandong Province, China. Methods: Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 township hospital physicians and 6 village doctors from rural Shandong Province, China. A multi-stage random sampling method was used to identify respondents. Conceptual content analysis together with Colaizzi’s method were used to generate qualitative codes and identify themes. Results: Three final thematic categories emerged during the data analysis: (1) Incidence and treatment of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs) in township hospitals and village clinics; (2) Antibiotic prescribing practices based on the clinical experience of clinicians; (3) Influence of clinical uncertainty on antibiotic prescribing. Respondents from both township hospitals and village clinics reported that URTIs were the most common reason for antibiotic prescriptions at their facilities and that clinical uncertainty appears to be an important driver for the overuse of antibiotics for URTIs. Clinical uncertainty was primarily due to: (1) Diagnostic uncertainty (establishing a relevant diagnosis is hindered by limited diagnostic resources and capacities, as well as limited willingness of patients to pay for investigations), and (2) Insufficient prognostic evidence. As a consequence of the clinical uncertainty caused by both diagnostic and prognostic uncertainty, respondents stated that antibiotics are frequently prescribed for URTIs to prevent both prolonged courses or recurrence of the disease, as well as clinical worsening, hospital admission, or complications. Conclusion: Our study suggests that clinical uncertainty is a key driver for the overuse and misuse of prescribing antibiotics for URTIs in both rural township hospitals and village clinics in Shandong province, China, and that interventions to reduce clinical uncertainty may help minimize the unnecessary use of antibiotics in these settings. Interventions that use clinical rules to identify patients at low risk of complications or hospitalization may be more feasible in the near-future than laboratory-based interventions aimed at reducing diagnostic uncertainty.
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Antibiotic Use and Resistance: A Cross-Sectional Study among Students in Israel
Authors: Dopelt Keren , Amar Almog , Yonatan Nickol , Davidovitch Nadav
Published: June 2023

Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to human health, food security, and development. This study aimed to examine the level of knowledge and awareness regarding antibiotic resistance while comparing students from health sciences to students in other disciplines. A cross-sectional study was conducted based on the “antibiotic resistance” questionnaire developed by the World Health Organization. A total of 371 students participated in the study. All respondents had taken antibiotics in the past. A tenth had taken them on their own without a prescription, and 14% had not received an explanation regarding the use of antibiotics. The average for the knowledge questions was 15.49 ± 5.35 (out of 27). Many students mistakenly associated antibiotics with viral diseases. Despite these misconceptions, there was a high level of awareness and understanding regarding the ways to treat antibiotic resistance. Still, the awareness of the severity of antibiotic resistance was not high. Differences were found between the disciplines in general knowledge and the level of awareness and understanding about the ways to treat antibiotic resistance, where health science students had the highest scores, followed by social science students and finally, computer and management students. No differences were found in the perception of the severity of the phenomenon. This information is essential to developing educational interventions to improve knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antibiotic use among students, especially those unrelated to the health sciences.
Behavioral Components and Context of Antimicrobial Prescription in a Tertiary Hospital in Portugal
Authors: Almeida-Costa Ana Paula Muniz , Paiva José-Artur , Almeida António Jorge Santos , Barbosa Elisabete , Correia Sofia
Published: June 2023

Consumption of antimicrobials is an important driver of antimicrobial resistance. There is limited knowledge of the key determinants of antimicrobial prescribing behavior in hospitals. An understanding of these determinants is required for the successful design, adoption, and implementation of quality improvement interventions in Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASP). This study aimed to describe the main factors that influence the doctor’s decision on antimicrobials prescribing and to identify the behaviors that drive physicians’ decision making. A structured web-based questionnaire focused on behavioral components of antimicrobial prescription was applied to the medical staff of three different departments—Internal Medicine, General Surgery, and Intensive Care Medicine—of a university hospital. All doctors agreed that inadequate use of antimicrobials increases AMR. A total of 77% of the surgeons and 100% of the internists and intensivists perceived antimicrobial prescription as a priority in the department. Full autonomy in antimicrobial prescription was preferred by internists (64%) but not by surgeons (18%) and intensivists (24%). Most physicians were keen to have ASP advice, but most did not want advice from colleagues of the same service. Almost all surgeons ask for advice when prescribing, but only 68% of the internists do it. Less than half of all physicians and only 25% of the surgeons felt free to prescribe contrary to guidelines. Most physicians, particularly in Intensive Care Medicine (94%), adopt the “wait and see” strategy when no microbiologic confirmation is available, but 27% of the surgeons start empirical therapy. In conclusion, the context of antimicrobial prescription, autonomy, and confidence in antimicrobial prescription demonstrated heterogeneity between the three departments and this should be considered when planning ASP.