Animals

DOG1 is a transmembrane protein highly expressed in human GISTs. In dogs, DOG1 has been studied to a limited extent in GISTs, where its diagnostic value is considered comparable to KIT, while its expression in other canine tissues remains uncharacterized. The aim of this study is to assess the expression of DOG1 in canine normal and neoplastic tissues, with particular emphasis on a large cohort of GISTs to verify their diagnostic role in comparison with KIT. To achieve this, we analyzed a total of 143 FFPE samples of normal (n = 55) and neoplastic canine tissues (n = 88) by immunohistochemistry. DOG1 was strongly expressed in several cell types, with distribution and intensity patterns that partially overlap those reported in humans. In canine GISTs, DOG1 showed strong and widespread reactivity with a sensitivity slightly inferior to KIT (92% vs. 96%); however, one intestinal mesenchymal tumor KIT-negative/DOG1-positive highlights the importance of combining both markers to maximize the correct diagnosis. Moderate to strong immunohistochemistry for DOG1 has been found in several other tumors, sometimes comparable to that of GISTs. This suggests that DOG1 should not be associated exclusively with GISTs and may provide a basis for further investigation into the role of DOG1 in canine malignancy.

It is important to understand the ecological information of Metapenaeopsis dalei to better conserve and manage the stocks in Asia. In this study, we employed research vessels to collect the field data including biomass and number of M. dalei in each survey stations along with environmental data including depth, water temperature, and salinity from November 2018 to September 2019 in the region of 26.50–35.00° N and 120.00–127.00° E in the southern Yellow and East China Seas of China. We found that the annual mean catch per unit effort of weight and number (CPUE_w and CPUE_n) was 15,235.89 g∙h⁻¹ and 17,319.13 ind∙h⁻¹, respectively. Metapenaeopsis dalei was found in 10–130 m. The greatest biomass occurred at 10–20 m in spring, 30–40 m in summer, 10–100 m in autumn, and 10–40 m in winter. The greatest abundance occurred at sea bottom temperature (SBT) 14–15 °C in spring, 19 °C in summer, 15–20 °C in autumn, and 10–12 °C in winter. The greatest abundance occurred at sea bottom salinity (SBS) 32–33 in spring, 32 in summer, 32–35 in autumn, and 31–32 in winter. We found the lowest SBT of M. dalei at 10–11 °C in spring and summer. The juveniles were found at SBT 21 °C and SBS 34 in autumn. The total CPUE_w and CPUE_n rankings were winter > spring > autumn > summer, and the mean average individual weight (AIW) ranking was summer > spring > winter > autumn. Fishing grounds of Haizhou Bay–Lvsi and Zhoushan–Yushan may be the spawning grounds for M. dalei. These findings can benefit fishery management action and planning in the future.

Effective nitrogen management in dairy cow diets is essential for optimising milk production and minimising environmental nitrogen emissions. This study develops a simplified model to estimate nitrogen excretion in dairy farms, distinguishing excretion by animal category (lactating cows, heifers, calves) and organic matrix (faeces, urine), with nitrogen intake as a key input. A comprehensive literature review guided the selection of equations for estimating nitrogen excretion based on dietary nitrogen content, dry matter intake and milk yield. The model was specifically calibrated for Holstein dairy herd in the Po Valley (Italy) context using data collected from ten Lombardy dairy farms over 30 months, focusing on diet composition and nitrogen excretion via faeces, urine, and milk. Validation against established the literature and the Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC) excretion factors demonstrated the model’s alignment in estimating nitrogen excretion. Within this context, the proposed framework may support nitrogen management at farm level by providing a practical, descriptive tool to explore nitrogen flows and to identify potential areas for improving nutrient efficiency and reducing environmental impacts.