Search Results (169)

In this experiment, we used a late 17th century embalming protocol for the long-term preservation (7.2 years) of an infant-sized piglet in order to evaluate the success of this technique over a period of several years. According to the description of the French anatomist Penicher (published in 1699), an 8.8 kg female piglet corpse was treated with a broad spectrum of herbs, seeds, leaves, flowers and dried berries, along with an alcohol-based fluid following subtotal exenteration and a reduction in peripheral muscle mass. The further process of this dry embalming technique was monitored by visual, tactile and olfactory evaluation of the embalmed body, along with a record of the body weight. Repeatedly taking samples from the skin and soft tissues provided insight into eventual changes on a histomorphological level and two whole-body CT scans complemented the evaluation of the internal changes within the corpse, which was eventually examined at autopsy. On the macroscopic level, we recorded slight signs of autolysis and very mild putrefaction within the first few weeks and a very well preserved and stable body over the subsequent years of evaluation. In parallel, we noted a gradual loss of fluid, as shown by a reduction in the body weight. This occurred faster in the first year (reduction in body weight by ca. 25%) than in the following ca. 4 years (with another ca. 25% loss of body weight). The CT scans showed stable osseous and soft tissue structures, while the few remaining internal organs that had been left inside the body after initial evisceration (such as kidneys and internal genitalia) had already completely disappeared after approx. 1 year. On the histological level, the histoanatomy of skin, subcutis and muscle remained intact over the entire observation period. A loss of epidermal cell nuclei was not noted before day 1772 and there were only slight signs of adipocire formation of fat tissue at the end point of observation (day 2634). In summary, we can confirm that excellent body preservation of external skin and soft tissue was maintained over a considerably long period (in this case, 7.2 years) using the applied protocol of dry embalming, but a complete loss of residual internal organs/structures beyond skin, subcutaneous fat tissue and muscle. Previous observations of the excellent preservation of an infant mummy that underwent the dry embalming procedure are very plausible. Full article

Apostichopus japonicus undergoes evisceration in response to adverse environmental stimuli, and its coelomocytes undergo rapid regeneration within 6–24 h to restore innate immune function. FOS, an immediate early gene, regulates cell proliferation and cycle, but its role in A. japonicus coelomocyte regeneration after evisceration is unclear. In this study, AjFOSL from A. japonicus was cloned, which harbors a 609 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding 202 amino acids (aa) with a conserved bZIP domain and is localized on chromosome 14. It shares 58% homology with FOS from Holothuria leucospilota and Lytechinus pictus. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that AjFOSL clusters closely with FOS from Magallana gigas and Mytilus edulis. Tissue distribution analysis showed that AjFOSL was widely expressed in various tissues, with the highest expression level detected in the tentacles. Temporal expression profiling demonstrated that AjFOSL was significantly upregulated by 1.75-fold at 6 h after evisceration. After AjFOSL knockdown, the peak expression of Cyclin A, Cyclin B, and E2F was delayed and the coelomocyte number was consistently reduced compared with that in the evisceration-only group. The AjFOSL acted as an immediate early response gene and was associated with the regulation of coelomocyte regeneration by modulating the expression of cell cycle-related genes. This study provides novel insights into the molecular associations underlying coelomocyte regeneration and the evolutionary adaptation of FOS genes in echinoderms. Full article

Background: Closing/closed gastroschisis (CGS) accounts for approximately 6% of gastroschisis cases globally. Currently, no consensus exists regarding: antenatal predictors of CGS types, optimal antenatal management (ultrasound screening frequency, indications for early delivery), or standardized surgical strategies tailored to CGS type (staging/timing of procedures, enterostomy necessity/level). Methods: Five neonates with CGS were enrolled and classified according to Perrone’s classification: two patients with type B (40%), one with type C (20%), one with type D (20%), one patient was classified as unclear (20%). Gender distribution—80% female (n = 4), 20% male (n = 1); gestational age—median 35 weeks (IQR 35–38); preterm birth rate—80% (n = 4); birth weight—median 2620 g (IQR 2310–3850). Results: Three patients (60%) developed antenatal intestinal obstruction signs at the third trimester, including two who postnatally demonstrated viable intestinal loops. Two patients (40%) with necrosis of eviscerated intestine demonstrated onset of antenatal intestinal obstruction signs at the second trimester. Patients with CGS type B were managed using a staged surgical approach; patients with types C and D received single-stage repair. Patient with CGS type B achieved complete clinical recovery. Three patients (60%) with CGS types C and D developed short bowel syndrome. Conclusions: The appearance of sonographic signs of intestinal obstruction in the second trimester may be a predictor for a high risk of subsequent significant vascular compromise of the eviscerated bowel, leading to more severe types of CGS (C and D). For patients with CGS type B, a staged surgical approach is advisable to maximize bowel length preservation. Full article

Successful organ regeneration depends on coordinated cell-to-cell communication mediated by ligand–receptor interactions that regulate proliferation, differentiation, and axonal guidance. Sea cucumbers, particularly Holothuria glaberrima, exhibit remarkable regenerative capacity following evisceration, regenerating their complete intestinal system within weeks. To identify molecular signals orchestrating these events, we characterized five ligand–receptor groups of axonal guidance molecules (Netrin/UNC5-DSCAM, Ephrin/Eph receptors, Semaphorin/Plexin, RGMα/Neogenin, and SLIT/ROBO) using transcriptomic databases from regenerating intestines and the radial nerve cord. Comparative analyses confirmed these as highly conserved orthologs, retaining characteristic structural domains essential for guidance signaling. Multiple alternatively spliced isoforms were detected, with tissue-specific variants suggesting functional diversification. Differential gene expression analysis across intestinal regeneration stages (12 h to 21 days post-evisceration) revealed distinct temporal patterns: Netrin-1 showed significant upregulation at 7–14 days post-evisceration, coinciding with nerve fiber invasion into the intestinal anlage, while the Ephrin, Semaphorin, and SLIT–ROBO pathways exhibited late-stage expression associated with luminal tissue formation. Single-cell RNA sequencing from 9-dpe regenerating intestines localized Netrin to coelomic epithelial cells and UNC5B to differentiating epithelial cells, with CellChat analysis predicting strong epithelial-to-epithelial signaling. These findings strongly suggest that axonal guidance molecules play dual roles during intestinal regeneration: directing neural innervation in early-to-mid stages and orchestrating tissue boundary formation at later stages. Full article

Sexual dimorphism is a well-recognized factor influencing growth performance and meat quality in poultry; however, its effects remain less explored in Muscovy ducks. This study investigated the effect of sex on carcass traits, meat quality parameters, muscle fiber characteristics, and lipid composition in 14-week-old Muscovy ducks. Carcass dissection, physical and chemical meat analyses, and histological evaluation of breast muscle were performed in males and females. Sex markedly affected carcass performance, with males exhibiting higher live, slaughter, semi-eviscerated, and eviscerated weights, whereas females showed greater abdominal fat deposition and higher drip and processing losses, indicating reduced water-holding capacity. In the breast muscle, females displayed lower ultimate pH, higher yellowness (b*), and lower shear force values, suggesting more tender meat. Chemical composition differed between sexes, with males showing higher moisture and protein contents and lower intramuscular fat, accompanied by sex-related differences in fatty acid composition. Muscle fiber morphology also varied significantly, as males exhibited larger fiber diameters and cross-sectional areas in the breast muscles. Overall, these findings demonstrate that sex is a critical determinant of carcass yield, technological meat properties, and nutritional quality in Muscovy ducks, highlighting its importance for targeted production and processing strategies. Full article

High-quality, well-balanced feeding strategies are essential for optimizing poultry growth performance and for ensuring the safety of poultry products. Here, we evaluated the effects of chelated vs. inorganic trace minerals on the growth, survival and carcass characteristics of Cobb 500 broiler chickens. A large-scale feeding trial involved four dietary treatments at 21–35 days of age, with Group 1 receiving a control diet with mineral supplements of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) in sulfate form, based on a standard formulation. A further three experimental diets contained chelated forms of Zn (Group 2), Cu (Group 3) and a mineral premix MINTREX^® that provides Zn, Cu and Mn (Group 4). Broilers were raised to 42 days of age under commercial production conditions. Feeding chelated trace minerals resulted in significantly higher body weights during the rearing period, including a 10% increase in pre-slaughter weight compared to the controls (p < 0.01). Moreover, survival rates improved from 87% in the controls to 95–96% in the treatment groups (p < 0.001), and carcass evaluation revealed a 15–17% increase in eviscerated carcass weight in birds fed chelated supplements (p < 0.05). Greater yields of muscle, liver and skin with subcutaneous fat were observed, as was improved production of total edible carcass components. Among the treatments, MINTREX^® provided the greatest enhancement effects in performance and slaughter traits. These findings demonstrate that dietary chelated minerals, whether single or combined, may have positive effects on the broiler carcass yield and support their inclusion in poultry production systems. Full article

Maintaining intestinal health is fundamental to immune competence and disease resistance in broiler chickens; however, effective nutritional strategies that enhance gut barrier integrity and systemic health remain under investigation. This study evaluated the effects of a multi-strain probiotic composed of Lactobacillus buchneri, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, and Bacillus subtilis on growth performance, meat quality, immune response, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal health in broilers. The research included 144 Ross 308 broilers aged one day, distributed randomly into two diet groups, each containing 6 replicates of 12 birds. During the 42 d trial, the control group (CON) was fed a basal diet composed of corn and soybean meal, with the compound probiotics (CP) diet additionally containing 0.3% compound microbial preparation. Growth performance, meat quality, serum immune and antioxidant indices, intestinal morphology, intestinal barrier-related genes and cecal microbiota were analyzed. Compared with the CON, CP supplementation significantly increased average daily gain, reduced feed conversion ratio, and improved eviscerated and breast muscle yields (p < 0.05). Meat quality was enhanced, as indicated by higher pH_45min, increased redness (a*), and reduced shear force and drip loss in breast muscle (p < 0.05). In addition, CP broilers exhibited improved amino acid and fatty acid profiles in breast muscle (p < 0.05). Serum analysis revealed elevated immunoglobulin G and interleukin-10 levels, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, and enhanced antioxidant capacity in the CP group (p < 0.05). Probiotic supplementation significantly improved intestinal morphology and upregulated barrier-related genes such as mucin-1 (MUC-1), claudin-1(CLDN-1), zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), and occludin (OCLN) (p < 0.05). Moreover, cecal microbiota analysis demonstrated increased abundance of Bacteroidota and enrichment of beneficial genera, including Megamonas, Ruminococcus, and Prevotella (p < 0.05). Overall, dietary supplementation with 0.3% compound probiotics effectively enhanced growth performance, immune function, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal health in broilers. Full article

This study evaluated changes in nutritional components and antinutritional factors in rapeseed meal before and after microbial fermentation. It further investigated the enhancements in its nutritional value and the growth-promoting effects of fermented rapeseed meal on broiler chickens. A total of 180 one-day-old male Arbor Acres (AA) broilers were randomly allocated into 3 treatment groups, with 6 replicates per group and 10 birds per replicate. The broilers were fed a basal diet (CON), a diet with 5% soybean meal (SBM) replaced by RSM (RSM-5), or a diet with 5% SBM replaced by FRSM (FRSM-5). The date of the experiment was 28 June 2025. The results showed that FRSM improves protein quality and reduces the levels of antinutritional factors, including glucosinolates (GSL), phytic acid (PA), and condensed tannins (CT), compared with unfermented RSM. Additionally, FRSM enhances antioxidant capacity in vitro, significantly enhancing the scavenging rates of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, hydroxyl radicals (•OH), and superoxide anion radicals (O₂•⁻). In the broiler feeding trial, the FRSM-5 group had significantly higher average daily gain (ADG) during the periods of 22–42 d and 1–42 d (p < 0.05), along with a significantly lower feed to gain ratio (F/G) (p < 0.05), compared with the CON and RSM-5 groups. Compared to the CON group, the FRSM-5 group showed a significantly higher slaughter rate (SR), full eviscerated rate (FER), and breast muscle rate (BMR) (p < 0.05), whereas the RSM-5 group had significantly lower SR and FER (p < 0.05). The activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in the serum and liver of the FRSM-5 group were significantly higher than those in the CON and RSM-5 groups (p < 0.05), and the serum immunoglobulin (IgA, IgG, and IgM) levels were significantly elevated (p < 0.05). Furthermore, compared with the CON and RSM-5 groups, the FRSM-5 group exhibited a significant increase in duodenal villus height (VH) (p < 0.05), a significant reduction in duodenal crypt depth (CD) (p < 0.05), and a consequent significant increase in the VH/CD (p < 0.05). In conclusion, microbial fermentation effectively enhances the nutritional value of RSM by improving its nutrient composition and reducing antinutritional factors. Replacing 5% SBM with FRSM in broiler diets significantly improves growth performance, enhances antioxidant capacity and immune function, and optimizes intestinal morphological structure, thereby replacing part of the soybean meal in broiler diets. Full article

The objective of the present study was to apply supervised Machine Learning to predict severe complications after equine orchiectomy. A dataset of 612 cases of orchiectomies in stallions was used for the development of a computational model, among which in 8.5% of cases severe complications (colic, continued stallion-like behaviour, evisceration, funiculitis, haemorrhage, and scrotal infection) were diagnosed post-orchiectomy. Three supervised Machine Learning tools were employed: Logistic Regression (12 different models evaluated), Random Forest (64 models), and Gradient Boosting (8 models). For the prediction of the development of severe complications post-orchiectomy, Logistic Regression was the tool that produced the best discrimination measures, where accuracy, precision and recall were 0.9134, 0.8391, and 0.9133, respectively. The results of the analysis for SHapley Additive exPlanations values for the impact of the independent variables in the prediction of the development of complications indicated that (a) the age of the horse and (b) the surgical technique employed were the two variables that mostly influenced the prediction outcome, findings that were unambiguous in the models developed by any Machine Learning tool. The findings of this study indicate that computational models could be used as adjunct tools to support clinical decisions in the peri-operative management of horses. Full article

The objectives of this work were (i) to evaluate the incidence of complications in male horses after orchiectomy performed in the field, i.e., away from a veterinary hospital, (ii) to describe the post-operative complications that occurred in these animals and (iii) to study the potential predictors for the development of such complications. This study involved 612 animals, on which orchiectomy was performed. The operative part of the study was carried out by one of three experienced veterinary surgeons. Standard pre-operative procedures were followed. Orchiectomy was performed using one of three principal surgical techniques, open, semi-closed or closed, and hemostasis was achieved by means of one of the various procedures, specifically the use of the Henderson instrument, the use of the Reimer emasculator, the ligation of the testicular artery or combinations thereof. In cases of reported complications, these were verified and identified appropriately. At least one (any) post-operative complication was recorded in 145 horses (23.7%). The most frequently observed complication was scrotal swelling/seroma formation, which was observed in 130 animals (21.2% of all animals; 89.7% of animals with at least one (any) complication). Another six different complications were observed, specifically colic, continued stallion-like behavior, evisceration, funiculitis, hemorrhage and scrotal infection. The median age of horses with complications was significantly older than that of animals with no complications: 11 versus 9 years. Animals in which the open technique was applied developed post-operative complications more frequently (30.1% of animals thus operated); further, complications were observed more frequently in animals on which operations were performed by using the Henderson instrument (84.6% of animals) versus animals on which any of the various other procedures were applied (22.4%). In multivariable analysis, the following predictors emerged for the development of complications: the surgical technique employed, the procedure applied for hemostasis, older animal age, and heavier animal bodyweight. The findings confirm that orchiectomy in stallions, even when performed in field conditions, is, in general, a safe procedure. The identification of predictors suggests that veterinarians should take additional care when planning to operate on animals at higher risk or when using surgical approaches that increase the potential for the development of complications. Full article

Meat rabbits are ideal meat-producing animals. However, weaning-induced intestinal inflammation often leads to growth delays, and severe cases impair breeding efficiency. Alfalfa polysaccharides (APSs) have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making them potential natural alternatives to antibiotics. To date, relatively limited research has been conducted on APS in meat rabbits. This research investigated the effects of APS on growth performance, intestinal inflammation, and meat quality in rabbits. Eighty healthy rabbits were randomized into four treatment groups, each group consisting of five replicates, with four rabbits per replicate. The four experimental groups were the control group (CON, basal diet), 400 mg/kg APS group (basal diet + 400 mg/kg APS), 800 mg/kg APS group (basal diet + 800 mg/kg APS), and 1200 mg/kg APS group (basal diet + 1200 mg/kg APS). The results indicated that adding 800 mg/kg APS to the diet significantly increased ADG (p < 0.001) and reduced F/G (p = 0.008). With increasing APS supplementation levels, slaughter weight (p = 0.035), eviscerated weight (p = 0.020), semi-eviscerated weight (p = 0.015), and semi-eviscerated yield percentage (p = 0.035) were all significantly increased. Additionally, dripping loss in muscle was significantly reduced in the 800 mg/kg APS group (p = 0.006). In addition, the villus height of the small intestine and the expression of tight junctions were significantly increased by 800 mg/kg APS supplementation, which reduced intestinal permeability and lowered levels of intestinal inflammatory mediators by inhibiting the PPARγ/NF-κB pathway. Additionally, a diet with APS significantly increased the abundance of Flavonifractor, a butyrate-producing bacterium in the cecum. Cell assays further demonstrated that butyrate could inhibit the release of inflammatory cytokines from RAW264.7 via the PPARγ/NF-κB pathway. In conclusion, APS improved growth performance by reshaping the gut microbiota and increasing the level of butyrate in the cecum, further inhibiting intestinal inflammation through the PPARγ/NF-κB signaling pathway. Full article

A common cause of teeth malocclusion and feeding disorders in guinea pigs is macrodontia and odontogenic abscesses. If the maxillary second or third molar teeth are affected, surgical access to them has so far been achieved through enucleation or orbital evisceration due to their location at the base of the orbit. The study aims to demonstrate a transorbital surgical approach to the apices of the maxillary molar teeth (M2 and M3) in guinea pigs, allowing preservation of the eye. Twenty six apicoectomies of maxillary M2 and M3 were performed. The surgical approach involved a skin incision above the zygomatic arch, followed by soft tissue dissection, incision of the orbital ligament, and gentle dorsolateral displacement of the eyeball. Blunt dissection between the lacrimal and zygomatic glands provided direct access to the affected tooth apices, which were removed using a dental bur. After the procedure, the soft tissues and the eye were repositioned and the skin was sutured. All animals recovered uneventfully. The described method may be applied in cases where it is necessary to perform maxillary second and/or last molar tooth apicoectomy while avoiding damage to the eyeball. Care must be taken to protect the corneal surface of the affected eye. Full article

The study was conducted to determine the apparent total tract digestibility, the rate of digesta passage, growth performance, and physicochemical properties of the digesta of Windsnyer pigs fed on increasing levels of potato hash silage. Diets were formulated to contain 0, 80, 160, 240, 320, and 400 g potato hash silage/kg of diet. Pigs were randomly assigned to six diets according to a completely randomised design. Six pigs were allocated to each dietary treatment. All diets were blended with chromic oxide (Cr₂O₃) to calculate apparent total tract digestibility and rate of passage. Pigs were fed diets containing different levels of potato hash silage for 5 d, following 7 d of adaptation. Thereafter, pigs were subjected to a 35-day growth performance experiment. Thirty-six pigs were slaughtered and eviscerated to determine digesta characteristics and gut compartment weights. There was a positive correlation (p < 0.05) between mean retention time and each of digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein. There was a quadratic increase (p < 0.05) in digestibility of organic matter, crude protein, fibre and feed intake as dietary levels of potato hash silage increased. Average daily gain and gain-to-feed ratio decreased linearly (p < 0.05) in pigs as levels of potato hash silage increased. The swelling capacity (SWC) of the digesta from ileum decreased linearly (p < 0.05) as dietary levels of potato hash silage increased. The SWC of the digesta from the caecum increased linearly (p < 0.05) as dietary levels of potato hash silage increased. The water holding capacity (WHC) of the stomach digesta decreased linearly (p < 0.05) as dietary levels of potato hash silage increased. The WHC of the digesta from the ileum and caecum displayed negative quadratic responses (p < 0.05) as dietary levels of potato hash silage increased. The WHC of digesta from the proximal colon showed a linear decline (p < 0.05) as dietary levels of potato hash silage increased. The WHC of digesta from the distal colon increased linearly (p < 0.05) as dietary levels of potato hash silage increased. The results indicated that Windsnyer pigs can effectively utilise potato hash silage in diets until the 240 g/kg inclusion level beyond which total tract digestibility and feed intake are compromised. Full article

This study investigated the effects of Rhodopseudomonas palustris (R. palustris) supplementation on the rumen microbiota of Leizhou goats and explored its potential mechanisms. Thirty healthy Leizhou goats of similar weight and age were selected and randomly assigned to five groups (six goats per group) using a completely randomized block design for a 75-day feeding trial. The control group (CONRF) was fed a basal diet, and the Photosynthetic Bacteria Medium (PBMRF) group was fed a basal diet + PBM solution. The low-concentration R. palustris (LRPRF), medium-concentration R. palustris (MRPRF), and high-concentration R. palustris (HRPRF) groups were fed a base diet supplemented with 20.0 mL, 40.0 mL, and 80.0 mL of R. palustris solution, respectively. All supplements were administered by mixing them into the feed. On day 75 of the trial, three goats were randomly selected from each group for slaughter and evisceration. Rumen contents were collected, immediately filtered, aliquoted, quick-frozen in liquid nitrogen, and stored at −80 °C for subsequent analysis of rumen microbial diversity. Rumen microbial community structure was analyzed using high-throughput sequencing. The results showed that R. palustris enriched unique operational taxonomic units (OTUs), particularly in the LRPRF group. At the phylum level, Firmicutes and Bacteroidota were dominant; Firmicutes and Euryarchaeota abundance increased, while Bacteroidota decreased in the experimental groups. In addition, Verrucomicrobiota abundance was significantly elevated (p < 0.05). At the genus level, Prevotella was predominant, whereas Selenomonas abundance was significantly reduced (p < 0.01). Meanwhile, compared to the CONRF, PBMRF, and LRPRF groups, the MRPRF and HRPRF groups exhibited higher relative abundances of Christensenellaceae_R-7 group and Anaeroplasma. LEfSe analysis revealed a greater number of differential taxa in the experimental groups compared with the control, including enrichment of beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, which may contribute to optimizing the rumen environment by regulating immune and metabolic functions. Functional prediction indicated that rumen microorganisms were mainly involved in carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. In conclusion, supplementation with R. palustris can beneficially modulate rumen microbial composition and function and promote rumen absorption of nutrients and degradation of crude fiber. This study provides a theoretical basis for green goat farming practices. Full article

Background/Objectives: Enucleation, evisceration, and exenteration remain essential in ophthalmic practice, despite advances in medical and surgical care. Optimal outcomes rely on meticulous technique, implant selection, and long-term socket rehabilitation. This study reports a single surgeon’s 15-year experience managing anophthalmic sockets at a tertiary referral hospital in Southeast Asia. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted. Clinical records were examined for demographics, indications, type of surgery, implant characteristics, wrapping material, complications, and secondary interventions. Results: A total of 175 anophthalmic sockets were managed (82 primary, 88 secondary). Mean age was 34.1 ± 30.0 years, 54.9% males. The most common indications were ocular/orbital tumors and trauma. Among primary cases, 70 underwent enucleation, 7 evisceration, and 5 exenteration. The most common implant placed was porous polyethylene (Medpor). Donor sclera was the most frequently used wrapping material. Fifteen (18.3%) primary sockets developed postoperative complications, implant exposure being the most common. Among secondarily managed sockets, more than half had severe complications, particularly severe socket contraction and post-enucleation socket syndrome. Conclusions: Anophthalmic sockets remain a complex and challenging condition in ophthalmic practice. Tumors and trauma were the leading indications for globe removal in this cohort. Despite refinements in surgical technique, complications persist, emphasizing the need for multidisciplinary, long-term care to optimize functional and aesthetic outcomes. Full article