Search Results (46)

Recent studies on myogenic satellite cells (SCs) in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) documented altered division capacities and impaired regeneration potential of SCs in DMD patients and animal models. It remains unknown, however, if SC-intrinsic effects trigger these deficiencies at pre-contractile stages of myogenesis rather than resulting from the pathologic environment. In this study, we isolated SCs from a porcine DMD model and age-matched wild-type (WT) piglets for comprehensive analysis. Using immunofluorescence, differentiation assays, traction force microscopy (TFM), RNA-seq, and label-free proteomic measurements, SCs behavior was characterized, and molecular changes were investigated. TFM revealed significantly higher average traction forces in DMD than WT SCs (90.4 ± 10.5 Pa vs. 66.9 ± 8.9 Pa; p = 0.0018). We identified 1390 differentially expressed genes and 1261 proteins with altered abundance in DMD vs. WT SCs. Dysregulated pathways uncovered by gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis included sarcomere organization, focal adhesion, and response to hypoxia. Multi-omics factor analysis (MOFA) integrating transcriptomic and proteomic data, identified five factors accounting for the observed variance with an overall higher contribution of the transcriptomic data. Our findings suggest that SC impairments result from their inherent genetic abnormality rather than from environmental influences. The observed biological changes are intrinsic and not reactive to the pathological surrounding of DMD muscle. Full article

Background/Objectives: Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) has gained tremendous traction as a target for tumor imaging and cancer treatment, while also playing a key role in fibrosis. Our study aimed to evaluate [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-DATA^5m.SA.FAPi for PET imaging of replacement fibrosis following myocardial infarction (MI) or interstitial fibrosis associated with hypertrophy. Methods: MI or transverse aortic constriction (TAC)-induced hypertrophy was induced in C57BL/6 mice, with sham-operated animals serving as controls. At multiple time points during disease progression (1, 2, and 6 weeks post-surgery), [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-DATA^5m.SA.FAPi PET/CT scans were performed, followed by ex vivo investigations. Additionally, in vitro cell uptake experiments simulating hypertrophy were conducted. Results: Cardiac uptake of [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-DATA5m.SA.FAPi significantly increased two weeks after MI induction (MI: 2.1 ± 0.2%ID/g, n = 7 vs. SHAM: 1.1 ± 0.2%ID/g, n = 5; p = 0.002), confirmed by ex vivo autoradiography. No significant difference was observed at six weeks post-MI (MI: 1.1 ± 0.1%ID/g, n = 4 vs. SHAM: 0.8 ± 0.0%ID/g, n = 3), indicating infarct healing completion. In contrast, TAC mice showed increased uptake after six weeks (TAC: 1.8 ± 0.2%ID/g, n = 6; p = 0.007), related to interstitial fibrosis progression. Consistently, high-stretched cardiac fibroblasts demonstrated a higher uptake compared to low-stretched conditioned ones, suggesting the stretch mediates regulation of FAP. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the efficacy of [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-DATA^5m.SA.FAPi for longitudinal imaging of cardiac fibrosis in response to different cardiac injuries. In vivo FAP imaging during cardiac remodeling may serve as a valuable tool for diagnosing and predicting disease progression, ultimately aiding in the clinical management of patients. Full article

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by early-onset olfactory dysfunction preceding motor symptoms, yet its mechanisms remain elusive. Based on the studies on microbiota-gut-brain axis, the microbiota–nose–brain axis might be involved in the pathogenesis of PD. However relative studies are rare. Methods: By consecutive 14-days intranasally transplanting bacteria, we established mice models exhibiting nasal microbiota dysbiosis (NMD), including animal group received intranasal drops of fecal bacterial suspension from normal mice (NB group) and animal group received intranasal drops of fecal bacterial suspension from PD mice (PB group), with animals that only received anesthesia used as the control group. Then we analyzed the nasal microbiota composition via 16S rRNA sequencing, evaluated the olfactory and motor functions through behavioral experiments, including buried food test, open field test, pole descent test, and traction test. The neuropathology in olfactory-related and PD-related brain regions, including olfactory bulb, pyriform cortex, hippocampus, substantia nigra and striatum, was also detected by western blotting, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical experiments using the antibodies of NeuN, TH and GFAP. Results: 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that PB mice were primarily characterized by an increase in bacteria associated with inflammation and PD. Behavioral assessments revealed that mice with NMD demonstrated impairments in the buried food test and pole descent test, indicative of olfactory and motor dysfunction. By detecting NeuN and GFAP expression, we identified neuronal loss and astrocytes activation in olfactory-related brain regions and adjacent structures, including the olfactory bulb, pyriform cortex, hippocampus, substantia nigra and striatum of both NMD groups, which may contribute to the observed functional disorders. Notably, animals exposed to PD-derived bacteria exhibited more pronounced changes in nasal bacteria, with more severe neuropathology. Conclusions: We present evidence supporting the microbiota–nose–brain axis, and the NMD-induced astrocyte activation and neurodegenerative pathology along the olfactory pathway may serve as a link between nose and brain. Full article

As societal perceptions of pet ownership shift, an increasing number of individuals are choosing to keep pets, leading to various challenges. In Taiwan, the growing population of stray dogs and cats is largely attributed to insufficient education and inadequate management practices among pet owners, posing public health and safety concerns. This issue primarily stems from a lack of understanding regarding proper pet care. In response, awareness of animal protection and life education has been gaining traction, drawing attention to these concerns. To address this, this study introduces an augmented reality (AR) pet care teaching system aimed at enhancing pet care knowledge through smartphones or tablets. Utilizing interactive AR technology, students are able to meet learning objectives related to pet care and foundational knowledge. This study adopts a quasi-experimental design and incorporates questionnaire surveys involving 61 college students and 8 teachers. The findings indicate that while both AR and traditional teaching methods are effective, the AR group exhibited superior learning outcomes. Furthermore, teacher feedback emphasized that the AR system fosters greater student engagement and significantly improves learning effectiveness. Full article

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a debilitating condition in which surgery is often seen as a last resort. However, this is associated with morbidity and, in some cases, mortality. There are emerging therapies that seek to better modulate the immune response of hosts with IBD. Aims: The main aim of this study is to focus on novel therapies and techniques studied in the last year that are non-surgical treatments of IBD. Methods: We looked at all the research between March 2024 and February 2025 detailing treatment in IBD and focused on the gut microbiome and gene therapy. Results: Novel therapies are gaining traction in safety and popularity. The results from some animal studies show promise and, with FDA approval, some probiotic therapies show optimistic research potential for future human trials. Conclusions: The research into the diagnostics and novel therapies available on the horizon for humans is very promising. Animal studies have shown potentially transferrable and safe therapies that can target specific sites of inflammation. Modulating the inflammatory response is a powerful therapy with what is shown to be a reasonably safe profile to build further research on. Full article

The growing demand for sustainable food systems has led to significant advancements in developing alternatives to animal-derived products. Dairy products are an important dietary source of proteins and fats; however, their production raises environmental concerns, including greenhouse gas emissions, extensive land and water usage, and biodiversity loss. Therefore, there is a need to develop sustainable, scalable solutions that will enable the production of quality replacements for animal-based foods with reduced environmental impacts. Recognizing that replacing animal-based products from a single source is currently not feasible; there is a need for high-quality sources of ingredients that can be combined to mimic the holistic product. In recent years, plant-based dairy alternatives have gained traction; however, their inability to replicate the sensorial experience of real milk—attributed largely to the unique composition and structure of milk fat—remains a key limitation. Cow’s milk fat has distinctive characteristics, including a complex fatty acid profile, which is rich in short- and medium-chain saturated fatty acids with specific positional distribution. These characteristics of cow’s milk play a role in delivering the aroma, texture, and mouthfeel of dairy products. Recent efforts have focused on leveraging precision fermentation and cellular agriculture to mimic these properties. This review explores the unique lipid composition of ruminant milk, the biosynthesis of milk fats, and the challenges of replicating these features in non-mammalian systems. Emphasis is placed on short-chain fatty acids and chain-termination mechanisms in fatty acid synthesis. By integrating insights from diverse biological systems, we aim to contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex processes related to milk fat synthesis. Full article

Genomic applications in beef cattle disease prevention have gained traction in recent years, offering new strategies for improving herd health and reducing economic losses in the livestock industry. Advances in genomics, including identification of genetic markers linked to disease resistance, provide powerful tools for early detection, selection, and management of cattle resistant to infectious diseases. By incorporating genomic technologies such as whole-genome sequencing, genotyping, and transcriptomics, researchers can identify specific genetic variants associated with resistance to pathogens like bovine respiratory disease and Johne’s disease. These genomic insights allow for more accurate breeding programs aimed at enhancing disease resistance and overall herd resilience. Genomic selection, in particular, enables identification of individuals with superior genetic traits for immune function, reducing the need for antibiotic treatments and improving animal welfare. Moreover, precision medicine, powered by genomic data, supports development of tailored health management strategies, including targeted vaccination plans and antimicrobial stewardship. Incorporation of genomic tools in beef cattle management also offers the potential for early disease detection, facilitating proactive interventions that reduce the spread of infections. Despite challenges like cost, data interpretation and integration into current management systems, the potential advantages of genomic applications in disease prevention are substantial. As these technologies advance, they are anticipated to have crucial roles in improving sustainability (by enhancing herd performance), profitability (by improving overall herd longevity), and biosecurity (by decreasing the likelihood of disease outbreaks) of beef cattle production systems worldwide. Full article

While veterinary pharmacy is common overseas, it has yet to gain traction in Japan. To clarify the actual situation in Japan, two surveys were conducted, targeting 4017 facilities (2000 pharmacies/drug stores, 2000 veterinary medical facilities, and 17 university-affiliated veterinary hospitals). We received 324 responses from pharmacy staff and 217 from veterinary hospital staff. Pharmacists were involved in drug therapy for companion animals either via direct discussion with veterinarians or by referrals for prescriptions from veterinarians (11 respondents). Veterinary staff and pharmacists showed a disparity regarding pharmacists’ involvement in companion animal healthcare. Veterinary staff wanted pharmacists to provide pharmaceutical guidance, perform audits, supply drug information, and prepare drugs. Strong demand (72.2% of the veterinary staff) existed for consultations with pharmacists regarding medication issues. Veterinary medicine has evolved to meet the demand for the advanced care of companion animals. Veterinary staff have diverse and substantial requests for pharmacists. Integrating the expertise of both veterinary staff and pharmacists may facilitate a team-based approach to veterinary medicine and improve the quality of care for companion animals. Tailoring approaches to suit Japan’s unique circumstances and creating a conducive environment for effective communication between pharmacists and veterinary staff are pivotal for advancing veterinary pharmacy in Japan. Full article

Cornea tissue engineering is strictly dependent on the development of biomaterials that fulfill the strict biocompatibility, biomechanical, and optical requirements of this organ. In this work, we generated novel biomaterials from the squid gladius (SG), and their application in cornea tissue engineering was evaluated. Results revealed that the native SG (N-SG) was biocompatible in laboratory animals, although a local inflammatory reaction was driven by the material. Cellularized biomaterials (C-SG) demonstrated that the SG provides an adequate substrate for cell attachment and growth, and corneal epithelial cells cultured on this biomaterial were able to express crystallin alpha, a marker for this type of cells. Biomechanical analyses showed that N-SG biomaterials have higher Young modulus and lower traction deformation than control native corneas (CTR), and C-SG showed a similar Young modulus than CTR. Analysis of the optical properties of these samples revealed that the diffuse transmittance of N-SG and C-SG were higher than CTR, with the diffuse reflectance showing the opposite behavior. These results confirm the putative usefulness of this abundant marine-derived biomaterial that can be obtained as a byproduct of the fishing industry. Full article

The emergence and re-emergence of pathogens with pandemic potential has been a persistent issue throughout history. Recent decades have seen significant outbreaks of zoonotic viruses from members of the Coronaviridae, Filoviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Flaviviridae, and Togaviridae families, resulting in widespread infections. The continual emergence of zoonotic viral pathogens and associated infections highlights the need for prevention strategies and effective treatments. Central to this effort is the availability of suitable animal models, which are essential for understanding pathogenesis and assessing transmission dynamics. These animals are also critical for evaluating the safety and efficacy of novel vaccines or therapeutics and are essential in facilitating regulatory approval of new products. Rapid development of animal models is an integral aspect of pandemic response and preparedness; however, their establishment is fraught by several rate-limiting steps, including selection of a suitable species, the logistical challenges associated with sharing and disseminating transgenic animals (e.g., the time-intensive nature of breeding and maintaining colonies), the availability of technical expertise, as well as ethical and regulatory approvals. A method for the rapid development of relevant animal models that has recently gained traction, in large part due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is the use of gene therapy vectors to express human viral receptors in readily accessible laboratory animals to enable virus infection and development of clinical disease. These models can be developed rapidly on any genetic background, making mechanistic studies and accelerated evaluation of novel countermeasures possible. In this review, we will discuss important considerations for the effective development of animal models using viral vector approaches and review the current vector-based animal models for studying viral pathogenesis and evaluating prophylactic and therapeutic strategies, with an emphasis on models of SARS-CoV-2 infection based on the vectorized expression of human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2. Full article

Animal venom has been gaining traction as a potential source of therapeutics for various diseases. Spiders encompass a wide variety of venom-producing species, of which tarantulas of the family Theraphosidae are widely known across the globe. Research towards tarantula venom therapeutics has led to its potential application as antinociceptives. Death receptors are cellular receptors that induce apoptosis—the body’s natural suicide mechanism—to destroy malfunctioning cells. These are particularly of interest in cancer research, as this mechanism is tampered with, resulting in cancer cell proliferation. In this study, the viability of venom toxins from the Theraphosidae family of spiders to induce apoptosis by binding to human death receptors is investigated by carrying out anti-cancer screening, molecular docking, ADMET evaluation, then molecular dynamics and thermodynamic analysis twice, first to ascertain the best receptor–peptide systems per receptor, and secondly to more comprehensively describe binding stability and thermodynamics. Results point to favorable receptor–peptide interactions due to similarities in equilibrium behavior with the death ligand–death receptor systems, along with favorable end-state binding energies and ADMET analysis results. Further inquiry is recommended to assess the real-life efficacy and viability of theraphotoxins as apoptosis therapeutics and further improve on their ability to induce apoptosis. Full article

Heat stress impacts ruminant livestock production on varied levels in this alarming climate breakdown scenario. The drastic effects of the global climate change-associated heat stress in ruminant livestock demands constructive evaluation of animal performance bordering on effective monitoring systems. In this climate-smart digital age, adoption of advanced and developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is gaining traction for efficient heat stress management. AI has widely penetrated the climate sensitive ruminant livestock sector due to its promising and plausible scope in assessing production risks and the climate resilience of ruminant livestock. Significant improvement has been achieved alongside the adoption of novel AI algorithms to evaluate the performance of ruminant livestock. These AI-powered tools have the robustness and competence to expand the evaluation of animal performance and help in minimising the production losses associated with heat stress in ruminant livestock. Advanced heat stress management through automated monitoring of heat stress in ruminant livestock based on behaviour, physiology and animal health responses have been widely accepted due to the evolution of technologies like machine learning (ML), neural networks and deep learning (DL). The AI-enabled tools involving automated data collection, pre-processing, data wrangling, development of appropriate algorithms, and deployment of models assist the livestock producers in decision-making based on real-time monitoring and act as early-stage warning systems to forecast disease dynamics based on prediction models. Due to the convincing performance, precision, and accuracy of AI models, the climate-smart livestock production imbibes AI technologies for scaled use in the successful reducing of heat stress in ruminant livestock, thereby ensuring sustainable livestock production and safeguarding the global economy. Full article

Hypertension is the leading remediable risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the United States. Excess dietary salt consumption, which is a catalyst of hypertension, initiates an inflammatory cascade via activation of antigen-presenting cells (APCs). This pro-inflammatory response is driven primarily by sodium ions (Na⁺) transporting into APCs by the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) and subsequent NADPH oxidase activation, leading to high levels of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress, a well-known catalyst for hypertension-related illness development, disturbs redox homeostasis, which ultimately promotes lipid peroxidation, isolevuglandin production and an inflammatory response. Natural medicinal compounds derived from organic materials that are characterized by their anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-mutagenic properties have recently gained traction amongst the pharmacology community due to their therapeutic effects. Flavonoids, a natural phenolic compound, have these therapeutic benefits and can potentially serve as anti-hypertensives. Flavones are a type of flavonoid that have increased anti-inflammatory effects that may allow them to act as therapeutic agents for hypertension, including diosmetin, which is able to induce significant arterial vasodilation in several different animal models. This review will focus on the activity of flavones to illuminate potential preventative and potential therapeutic mechanisms against hypertension. Full article

Throughout history, the use of animals for agricultural and forestry work has been closely associated with human societies, with multiple references to animal power being utilized for various tasks since the Neolithic period. However, the advent of industrialization has fundamentally transformed the reality of society, leading to a significant shift towards the mechanization of processes. Despite this, animal traction continues to play an important role as a workforce in many developing countries and developed nations, where there is a renewed interest in the use of animal traction, particularly for tasks intended to have a reduced environmental impact and a smaller carbon footprint. The present study conducted a SWOT analysis to examine the potential of animal traction as an alternative for the recovery processes of forest residual woody biomass, particularly when the use of mechanical equipment is not feasible. This can contribute to the creation of value chains for residual products, which can be harnessed for energy recovery. The utilization of modern animal traction can promote the sustainable development of projects at the local and regional level, with efficient utilization of endogenous resources and the creation of value for residual forest woody biomass. This approach can thus facilitate the optimization of supply chains, from biomass to energy. Full article

The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of births according to the categories of calving difficulty and stillbirths and to evaluate the effect of these factors on the longevity of cows. Longevity is one of the traits that affect the overall profit in the dairy industry. A Weibull proportional hazard model was used to evaluate the influence of functional traits such as calving ease and stillbirth. Longevity was expressed as the length of a functional, productive life from the first calving to death or censoring, which was corrected for milk yield. The database included 918,568 calvings, where calving without assistance represented 83.34%, calving with the assistance of one person or the use of a slight mechanical pull represented 14.47%, difficult calving with the assistance of several people, the use of mechanical traction or the intervention of a veterinarian represented 2.16%, and cesarean section represented 0.03%. The mortality of calves, stillborn or dead within 48 h of birth, represented 1.07% and 6.59%, respectively. The frequency of alive female calves was higher (46.84%) than male calves (45.50%). Cows with higher lactations had almost half as many stillborn calves as heifers. The most stillborn calves were found in difficult births (59.48%). In easy calving, this proportion was 2.48%. Using survival analysis, we estimated the significant influence of the factors such as parity, milk production, herd size, age at first calving, herd × year × season, sex of calf, calving ease, and stillbirth on the length of the functional, productive life of cows. The risk of early culling of the cows with moderately difficult calving was 1.259 times higher than in the cows with easy calving. Difficult calving and cesarean section shorten the productive life, and the risk of culling reached 1.711 and 1.894, respectively. Cows that gave birth to a dead calf achieved a 2.939 times higher risk of culling compared to cows that gave birth to a live calf. In this study, a higher risk of early culling was found in cows that gave birth to a male calf. Evaluation of the calving ease and stillbirth can be used as indirect indicators at an earlier age of the animal in the selection process for long-lived animals with good productive and reproductive performance. Full article