Search Results (298)

Drone-based shark surveillance has been implemented as a non-lethal mitigation method to minimise the risk of human–shark interactions along beaches of New South Wales (NSW), Australia. However, real-time misidentification remains problematic, often triggering unnecessary countermeasures due to marine animals that pose little to no risk to humans. We investigated shark misidentification in drone surveys by comparing real-time identification with post-flight verification across 900 flights. Post-flight analyses revealed false-positive detection rates of 53%, 79%, and 100% for bull (Carcharhinus leucas), white (Carcharodon carcharias), and tiger (Galeocerdo cuvier) sharks, respectively, which collectively are the ‘target’ sharks of mitigation measures in NSW. Of the 269 flights in which sharks were identified in real time as target sharks, 62% were confirmed post-flight as other sharks (i.e., whaler species, grey nurse, leopard, or wobbegong), sharks that could not be identified (unknown sharks), or non-shark species (i.e., guitarfish). Conversely, 25% of flights with target sharks identified post-flight were recorded in real time as ‘other’ or ‘unknown’ sharks. Overall, real-time classification overestimated the presence of target sharks, with an apparent prevalence approximately twice the true prevalence. Countermeasure activations based on real-time classification of target sharks were accurate in only 36% of instances. Non-shark species (i.e., guitarfish or gamefish) also triggered 39 countermeasures, including 28 water evacuations. Integrating artificial intelligence or other advances (e.g., higher-resolution video on larger screens) may enhance the effectiveness of drone-based surveillance by assisting pilots with real-time shark detection and identification. Full article

Coffee cherry pulp (CCP; cascara), a major by-product of coffee processing, has gained increasing attention as a sustainable source of phenolic compounds, dietary fiber, and other bioactive constituents with applications in food, nutraceutical, feed, and biomaterial industries. However, its utilization remains limited by compositional variability, anti-nutritional compounds, and inefficiencies in conventional processing. Controlled fermentation has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance the release, transformation, and bioavailability of CCP-derived bioactive through targeted microbial biotransformation and controlled bioprocessing. This review summarizes recent advances in enzymatic pretreatment, microbial fermentation, and metabolite-directed processing, with emphasis on their effects on phenolic transformation, antioxidant activity, and functional properties. The roles of selected lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, and microbial consortia in improving the nutritional, sensory, and biological characteristics of CCP-derived products are critically discussed. Potential applications of fermented CCP in functional foods and beverages, bioactive ingredients, biopolymers, and animal feed are also highlighted within the framework of an integrated circular bioeconomy. Finally, current challenges and future perspectives related to process scalability, metabolite control, regulatory approval, and AI-assisted bioprocess optimization are addressed. Full article

The pineal gland regulates circadian physiology through the periodic production of melatonin (MLT). In addition to its established role as a chronobiotic agent, MLT regulates redox homeostasis and mitochondrial physiology. Mitochondria and redox-active molecules, particularly reactive oxygen species (ROS), play essential roles in reproduction, including gamete physiology, fertilization, and early embryonic development. Although excessive oxidative stress (OS) impairs fertility, controlled ROS signaling is necessary for normal reproductive function. This comprehensive review synthesizes current evidence regarding MLT as a key intermediary linking circadian signaling with mitochondrial physiology and redox homeostasis. We discuss molecular pathways through which MLT regulates mitochondrial function, including activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway, modulation of mitochondrial permeability transition, regulation of electron transport chain (ETC) efficiency, and apoptotic signaling. Furthermore, this study investigates MLT’s ability to scavenge free radicals and activate antioxidant defense mechanisms. Moreover, we review novel findings regarding the effects of MLT in experimental animals and humans, assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), and consider the translational significance of the hormone as an enhancer of fertility. We also highlight gaps in the literature, including methodological inconsistencies, supraphysiologic doses, and insufficient data from large human cohorts. Lastly, we discuss an integrative model whereby MLT may function as an important regulator of mitochondrial redox balance, with potential implications for reproductive physiology and reproductive outcomes, and propose new avenues for investigation. Full article

A chickpea-based milk beverage containing both plant and animal proteins represents an excellent substrate for the production of biologically active peptides through fermentation. Fermentation by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) increases its nutritional value compared to the unfermented beverage while improving the digestibility and bioavailability of essential nutrients via proteolytic enzyme activity. This study investigated the production of bioactive peptides in fermented chickpea water extract using ten bacterial strains isolated from plant and animal sources. The proteolytic activity of each strain was quantified using the trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) method, and the presence of proteolytic genes was confirmed via agarose gel electrophoresis. Peptides released during fermentation were identified through two-dimensional electrophoresis, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), and tandem mass spectrometry. To predict the potential biological activities of the studied peptide sequences, a series of in silico analyses were performed using specialized bioinformatics tools. The identified peptides were predicted to exhibit antioxidant, antihypertensive, anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, antituberculosis, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activities. Based on the results, L. fermentum SB-2 and L. sakei SD-8, were selected as promising candidates for bioactive peptide production in a chickpea water extract-based milk beverage and were subsequently applied in the beverage prototype. Full article

Euterpe oleracea Mart. (açaí), a palm fruit native to the Amazon basin, has attracted growing global scientific interest over the past decade owing to its distinctive phytochemical richness and broad functional potential. This narrative review synthesizes research published between 2015 and 2025 on açaí’s nutritional composition, biological activities, food technological applications, processing innovations, by-product valorization, and sustainability challenges. Açaí pulp contains a distinctive nutrient matrix—including anthocyanins (particularly cyanidin-3-glucoside), polyphenols, oleic and linoleic fatty acids, and dietary fiber—underpinning antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, and antiobesity effects demonstrated primarily in in vitro and animal models, with human clinical evidence still limited. Processing strategies such as ultrasound-assisted extraction, nanoencapsulation, freeze-drying, and supercritical CO₂ extraction have advanced bioactive stability and bioaccessibility, enabling açaí’s incorporation into dairy products, functional beverages, biodegradable packaging, reformulated meat products, and edible films. Processing residues—seeds and pomace—are increasingly repurposed into nutraceuticals, biosorbents, and bio-based polymers, reinforcing the species’ circular bioeconomy potential. Food safety risks, particularly Trypanosoma cruzi contamination in minimally processed products, require standardized mitigation protocols. Key remaining challenges include the absence of validated bioaccessibility methodologies, the scarcity of human clinical trials, and the need for scalable processing technologies suitable for smallholder production contexts. Overall, açaí emerges as a model bioresource at the convergence of nutrition science, food technology, and environmental sustainability. Full article

Early pregnancy diagnosis is a key component of reproductive management in swine production systems. Accurate identification of pregnant and non-pregnant sows within the first 30 days after insemination allows timely reproductive decisions and reduces non-productive days. The present systematic review evaluates the diagnostic efficiency of ultrasonographic and progesterone-based methods used for early detection of pregnancy in sows. A structured literature search was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA Statement guidelines, using major scientific databases. Studies evaluating pregnancy diagnosis in sows within the first 30 days after insemination were included. Diagnostic approaches were analyzed with respect to methodological design, timing of examination, biological sample matrix, and reported indicators of diagnostic accuracy. Ultrasonographic techniques have evolved from early acoustic detection in A-mode to real-time imaging in B-mode and more recently algorithm-assisted interpretation of ultrasound images. Real-time ultrasonography allows direct visualization of gestational structures; in one study, diagnostic accuracy above 95% was reported after approximately 23–24 days of pregnancy under optimal examination conditions. Progesterone-based analyses evaluate luteal endocrine activity and are particularly useful for early identification of non-pregnant animals after luteolysis. The diagnostic efficiency of hormonal assays depends strongly on the timing of sampling and the biological matrix used for analysis, including plasma, serum, dried blood spots, saliva, or feces. The comparative analysis shows that ultrasonography provides morphological confirmation of pregnancy, whereas progesterone analyses serve mainly as functional indicators of luteal activity. These methods play complementary roles in reproductive management. Ultrasonography remains the most reliable method for confirming pregnancy, while progesterone-based analyses are valuable tools for early reproductive screening and identification of non-pregnant sows. Full article

Staphylococcus aureus is a common opportunistic pathogen in rabbits and may cause localized or systemic infections that affect animal health and farm productivity. The present study aimed to investigate the clinical evolution, pathological lesions, and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of S. aureus infections in rabbits raised under traditional extensive systems in Western Romania. A total of 251 rabbits from 11 holdings located in Arad, Timiș, and Caraș-Severin counties were evaluated through epidemiological investigation, clinical examination, necropsy, and bacteriological analysis. Samples were cultured on Brain Heart Infusion medium and 5% sheep blood agar, and isolates were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using an automated system (VITEK 2, bioMérieux) and interpreted according to EUCAST guidelines. Among the examined animals, 68 rabbits (27.1%) showed clinical lesions compatible with S. aureus infection. The most common manifestations included subcutaneous abscesses, otitis externa, rhinitis, mammary abscesses, pyometra, and dental abscesses. Necropsy revealed suppurative and septicemic lesions affecting multiple organs. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing indicated high resistance to penicillin (100%), tetracycline (76.5%), doxycycline (67.6%), and amoxicillin (63.2%). In contrast, florfenicol (69.1% susceptible), ciprofloxacin (61.8%), gentamicin (54.4%), and enrofloxacin (52.9%) showed better antimicrobial activity. The results confirm the clinical and microbiological relevance of S. aureus infections in rabbits raised under traditional conditions and highlight the need for improved biosecurity measures and rational antimicrobial use. Full article

The valorization of agro-industrial byproducts has emerged as an important strategy to improve resource efficiency and promote circular food systems. This study evaluated avocado (Persea americana Mill.) seed as a functional ingredient for frankfurter-type sausages using extrusion followed by enzyme-assisted wet milling. Extrusion modified the techno-functional properties of avocado seed flour, increasing the water absorption index from 2.87 to 3.91 g/g while reducing the oil absorption index from 2.12 to 1.84 g/g. In addition, extrusion reduced the total acetogenin content by approximately 82.8% (11.99 to 2.07 mg/g), indicating a substantial reduction of these endogenous compounds. When incorporated at a concentration of 1% (w/w) to replace commercial soy fiber, avocado seed ingredients produced frankfurter-type sausages with low cooking losses (1.67–3.77%), stable water activity (0.979–0.990), and an acceptable instrumental hardness (1.01–1.41 N) over 35 days of refrigerated storage. Consumer sensory evaluation (n = 106) showed comparable or higher flavor and overall acceptability scores for sausages containing avocado seed flour relative to the control formulation. These findings demonstrate that extruded avocado seed flour can function as a viable upcycled ingredient for emulsified meat products, supporting circular bioeconomy approaches for the development of value-added foods of animal origin. Full article

Background: This study investigates a novel alginate–gelatin hydrogel incorporating polyphenol-rich grape skin extract as a multifunctional therapeutic system for diabetic wound healing. The extract was obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction and formulated into a biopolymer hydrogel designed to combine optimal moisture retention with the controlled release of bioactive compounds. Methods: A streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model was used to evaluate wound contraction, collagen deposition, oxidative stress parameters, and systemic inflammatory markers over a 15-day period. Animals were assigned to four groups: untreated control, silver sulfadiazine (SSD), empty hydrogel (EH), and extract-loaded hydrogel (LH). Results: The LH formulation demonstrated superior wound closure, reaching 97.1% by day 15, significantly outperforming SSD and other groups. Hydroxyproline levels were markedly elevated in LH-treated tissues, indicating enhanced collagen synthesis and extracellular matrix formation. Redox analyses revealed substantial reductions in TBARS and significant increases in SOD, CAT, and GSH, confirming the strong antioxidative activity of the incorporated extract. Moreover, LH treatment produced pronounced decreases in IL-6 and TNF-α, restoring inflammatory balance and facilitating timely progression from the inflammatory to proliferative phase. Conclusions: These effects are attributed to the synergistic actions of grape skin polyphenols which exerted broad biochemical and structural benefits essential for diabetic wound repair. Overall, this sustainable, bioactive hydrogel represents a promising alternative for advanced wound care. Full article

Due to its high efficiency and safety, oocyte vitrification finds broad application in many fields of life sciences, such as clinical assisted reproduction and conservation of animal genetic resources. However, vitrification may cause cellular damage and reduce the quality of oocytes and their cumulus cells (CCs), which could be closely related to disorders in lipid metabolism. At present, the impact of vitrification upon the lipid profile of oocytes and CCs has not been systematically elucidated. In this study, we used porcine germinal vesicle cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) as a model to analyze their lipid characteristics after vitrification and in vitro maturation (IVM), utilizing untargeted lipid metabolomics. Our results showed that an overall count of 37 down-regulated and 8 up-regulated differential lipids was identified in the vitrified oocytes. Pathway analysis confirmed the enrichment in glycerophospholipid metabolism and fat digestion and absorption, etc. Combined with transcriptomic analysis, three enriched pathways were revealed, including the AMPK signaling pathway, metabolic pathways, and fatty acid elongation. On the other hand, a total of four down-regulated and eight up-regulated differential lipids were detected in the vitrified CCs. Pathway enrichment implicated autophagy, glycerophospholipid metabolism, etc. A joint analysis of metabolomic and transcriptomic data revealed four enrichment pathways, including cholesterol metabolism, fat digestion and absorption, regulation of lipolysis in adipocytes, and metabolic pathways. Notably, the supplementation of lysophosphatidylcholine during IVM attenuated oxidative stress, enhanced mitochondrial activity, and enhanced the viability and embryonic development of cryopreserved porcine oocytes. The results indicate that vitrification alters lipids in oocytes and CCs, and the supplementation of lipids plays a role in improving the quality of vitrified oocytes. Full article

Environmental pollutants, lifestyle factors, and intrinsic metabolism can amplify reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) generation beyond antioxidant capacity. The resulting oxidative stress damages macromolecules, perturbs redox signaling, and may accelerate biological aging. This review synthesizes evidence published mainly in 2020–2025 on how major pollutant classes (air pollutants, metals, pesticides, nanoparticles, and micro-/nanoplastics) induce ROS through shared nodes mitochondrial electron transport disruption, NADPH oxidase activation, and redox cycling/Fenton chemistry and how these signals propagate to epigenetic remodeling (DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs). To move beyond descriptive cataloging, we grade the strength of evidence by study context (cell culture, animal models, human observational studies, and clinically oriented biomarker research), highlight convergent findings and unresolved controversies, and specify key methodological limits. We then compare oxidative-stress biomarker platforms by analytical specificity, pre-analytical susceptibility, and translational readiness, distinguishing validated markers from exploratory redox-epigenetic and multi-omics signatures. Finally, we discuss how exposomics and AI-assisted multi-omics integration may support biomarker discovery while emphasizing current constraints (confounding, batch effects, and limited prospective validation) that must be addressed for clinical translation. Full article

Global demand for sustainable protein has intensified amid environmental, public health, and ethical concerns surrounding conventional animal agriculture. Edible mushrooms have emerged as promising next-generation protein sources, delivering 19–35% protein (dry weight) with complete essential amino acid profiles and digestibility rates of 60–80%. Beyond protein, mushrooms provide bioactive compounds, including β-glucans, ergothioneine, phenolic acids, and vitamin D₂, supporting immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory functions. Enzymatically derived bioactive peptides further demonstrate antihypertensive and antimicrobial activity. This review systematically examines mushroom protein properties, processing technologies, and product performance across three application categories: meat analogs, functional snacks, and beverages. Advanced processing technologies including high-moisture extrusion, ultrasonic-assisted extraction, and microencapsulation have improved bioactive preservation and digestibility. From an environmental perspective, mushroom cultivation requires 85–90% less water and land than animal agriculture, with 80% fewer greenhouse gas emissions. However, critical gaps remain: extraction efficiency varies 3-fold across studies, only 15–23% of commercial products are supported by clinical trials, and techno-economic analyses are largely absent. Standardized processing protocols, large-scale clinical validation, and harmonized quality standards are essential to establish mushrooms as viable, commercially scalable protein alternatives. Full article

Background/Objectives: The potential role of domestic animals in DNA transfer, persistence, prevalence and recovery (TPPR) warrants careful consideration in forensic contexts. This mini narrative review aims to provide an updated overview of human DNA transfer involving household dogs and cats as vectors, to clarify their forensic relevance, and to identify key considerations for the design of future experimental research. Methods: A narrative review was conducted using multiple electronic databases as search engines without restriction related to the timing of publication. Results: Experimental evidence shows that dogs and cats readily acquire human DNA following even brief contact, acting as reservoirs for primary DNA transfer. Once acquired, human DNA can be redistributed via secondary transfer to a wide range of substrates, such as gloved hands, vehicle interiors, clothing, and surfaces. Moreover, multi-step and higher-order transfer events have been documented, highlighting the complexity of DNA transfer involving household animals. Conclusions: The sampling on pets may be included in certain scenarios and may contribute to building a Bayesian network together with the experimental data. To deal with uncertainty during probability assignment, more experimental data, especially addressing the main variables impacting DNA TPPR involving pets, should be generated and are highly needed to assist in activity level evaluation. Full article

Animal-assisted services (AASs) are increasingly integrated into healthcare, education, and social support settings. However, empirical evidence on the emotional well-being of participating dogs remains limited. This study investigates how dog, session, handler, and client factors influence dogs’ affective states during animal-assisted activities (AAAs), education (AAE), coaching (AAC), and therapy (AAT). A total of 837 sessions involving 63 dogs and 30 handlers were observed, with behavioural scoring and statistical analyses used to analyse the data. Principal Component Analysis then identified key affective components, including playfulness, comfort, anxiety, and uncertainty, which explained 45–61% of the variance. Session circumstances, as well as the characteristics of handlers, clients, and individual dogs—including age, experience, and gender—significantly influenced dogs’ responses. Specifically, older dogs were less playful but more settled, while experience was linked to positive affect in AAAs and AAT, but not in AAC. Female dogs demonstrated increased uncertainty and arousal in AAAs and AAE. The impact of session length varied by context. In AAC, unfamiliar handlers increased tension. Additionally, younger clients were associated with heightened uncertainty or tension in dogs across AAAs, AAC, and AAE. In light of these findings, optimising dog welfare requires matching dogs to suitable roles, attentive session planning, and managing workload. Full article

Assistive mobility devices for small animals require reliable monitoring to ensure safe and comfortable operation without increasing system complexity or invasiveness. This study presents a low-cost monitoring platform that integrates a laser-induced graphene (LIG) contact-temperature sensor into a passive mobility device for small dogs, supported by a lightweight Internet of Things (IoT) architecture. The system combines contact temperature, ambient temperature, speed, and obstacle distance using an energy-aware acquisition strategy and prioritized wireless transmission for near-real-time monitoring. An unsupervised anomaly detection framework based on Isolation Forest identifies potentially unsafe operating conditions without labeled pathological data by leveraging absolute temperature and the differential feature $\Delta T$ between contact and ambient measurements. Experimental validation was conducted under controlled indoor conditions across six independent sessions with a small-breed dog, including static and dynamic phases to ensure repeatability. The system achieved packet delivery ratios of approximately 95%, with typical end-to-end latencies below 500 ms and worst-case delays below 850 ms. The proposed approach detected localized thermal deviations associated with friction or prolonged contact while remaining robust to normal activity- and environment-driven variations. These results demonstrate the feasibility of integrating LIG-based sensing and unsupervised analytics into assistive animal mobility platforms to enhance safety through continuous, non-invasive monitoring. Full article