Search Results (7,469)

Reducing enteric methane emissions from ruminants has emerged as a critical environmental priority in the face of global climate change, given the substantial contribution of methane to agricultural greenhouse gas outputs. This study evaluated the potential of spearmint essential oil (SEO) to reduce methane production and enhance energy utilization efficiency using an in vitro rumen fermentation system. The experiment comprised a control (CON, no additive), three SEO doses (L-SEO: 100 mg/L; M-SEO: 200 mg/L; H-SEO: 400 mg/L), and a commercial essential oil blend (AGL: 150 mg/L). Results indicated that M-SEO and H-SEO significantly reduced methane production at 24 h from 58.11 mL/g DM in CON to 47.93 and 46.58 mL/g DM, respectively (p < 0.001), corresponding to reductions of 17.5% and 19.8%. Furthermore, M-SEO increased total volatile fatty acid concentration from 48.41 to 58.10 mmol/L and elevated the molar proportion of propionate, while significantly enhancing microbial crude protein production (p < 0.001). Microbial community analysis revealed that M-SEO increased bacterial alpha-diversity (Shannon index) (p = 0.001) and significantly enriched specific functional guilds, particularly the propionate-producing genus Succiniclasticum and the butyrate-producing genus Butyrivibrio. Interestingly, the abundance of dominant methanogens (Methanobrevibacter) was not reduced, suggesting a metabolic inhibition mechanism rather than a biocidal effect. Functional prediction analysis further supported this, indicating a downregulation of pathways associated with methanogenesis, including key enzymes such as methyl-coenzyme M reductase. In conclusion, SEO supplementation at 200 mg/L effectively reduced methane production by redirecting metabolic hydrogen toward propionate formation, without affecting overall fermentation. Therefore, the current study indicated that SEO could serve as a sustainable feed additive for mitigating enteric methane emissions in ruminants. Full article

Gonad loss triggers severe endocrine disorders and altered energy metabolism, yet the precise mechanisms remain poorly understood. In swine production, surgical castration is widely performed to eliminate boar taint and aggressive behavior, but it impairs feed efficiency, increases fat deposition, and raises animal welfare issues. Castration reduces testosterone and estrogen levels, leading to elevated gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and its downstream follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Traditionally viewed as a reproductive hormone, FSH has recently emerged as a critical regulator of peripheral metabolism. Based on these findings, we designed and developed a novel FSH vaccine comprising an FSHβ13AA-tandem-ovalbumin conjugate, which has been demonstrated to effectively regulate growth and metabolism in castrated boars. In conclusion, this review underscores the previously underrecognized metabolic functions of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and proposes a novel immunomodulatory strategy targeting FSH for fine-tuning organ function and energy metabolism. This approach shows considerable potential for advancing sustainable, welfare-oriented swine production. Full article

Coal preparation tailings from the K18 seam of the Abayskaya mine were evaluated as a potential secondary source of critical rare earth elements (REEs). The study showed that REEs are predominantly associated with the mineral fraction of coal; therefore, during beneficiation, approximately 70% of their total content is transferred to flotation tailings. The concentrations of valuable elements in the tailings are as follows (g/t): Li—65; Sc—16; Y—17; Yb—2.5; V—135; and Ti—2293. These values significantly exceed the Clarke values and are comparable to those of some low-grade primary ores, indicating the potential of coal preparation wastes as a technogenic raw material for critical elements. To extract REEs from the resistant aluminosilicate matrix, a fluorine–ammonium sulfate thermochemical activation method was proposed. Using a probabilistic–deterministic experimental design approach, a mathematical model of the process was developed and optimal parameters were determined (400 °C, 120 min, (NH₄)₂SO₄ consumption—140% relative to Al, NH₄HF₂ consumption—110% relative to Si), providing a feed liberation degree (by Al extraction) of up to 94%. Under optimal conditions, high leaching efficiencies of key elements were achieved: Sc (95%), Y (100%), Yb (100%), and Li (100%). The results demonstrate the significant potential of coal preparation tailings as a secondary resource of rare earth elements and confirm the efficiency of fluorine–ammonium sulfate technology for processing this type of technogenic waste. Full article

Nitrogen (N) utilization by ruminants affects production efficiency, feeding costs, and environmental N losses in confined production systems. Palm kernel cake (PKC), an abundant agro-industrial by-product in tropical regions, has been increasingly used in ruminant diets, although its effects on nitrogen dynamics remain inconsistent. In this study, we systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed the effects of dietary PKC inclusion on N intake, excretion, absorption, and retention in confined cattle, goats, and sheep. Eleven studies published between 1995 and 2025, comprising 44 treatment means and 322 experimental units, were included in the meta-analysis. A random-effects model was applied, and the ruminant species was used as a moderator, defining a significant level at 0.05. Overall, the pooled effects indicated that species significantly influenced N intake (p < 0.01) and N absorption (p < 0.01). Species also showed a tendency to influence N in feces (p = 0.062) and manure N (p = 0.073), whereas N in urine (p = 0.194) and N retention (p = 0.170) were not affected. In subgroup analysis, PKC inclusion reduced N intake in goats (Standardized Mean Difference (SMD)) = −0.792; 95% CI (Confidence Interval) = −1.428 to −0.155; I² (Heterogeneity) = 76.7%) and cattle (SMD = −1.576; 95% CI = −2.250 to −0.902; I² = 65.7%), N in urine in cattle (SMD = −0.478; 95% CI = −0.806 to −0.150; I² = 0%), N absorption (SMD = −0.873; 95% CI = −1.517 to −0.229; I² = 77.1%), and N retention (SMD = −0.875; 95% CI = −1.338 to −0.412; I² = 64.1%) in goats. Conversely, PKC had a positive effect on N absorption in sheep (SMD = 1.137; 95% CI = 0.016 to 2.258; I² = 72.4%). Overall, this study highlights the species-dependent responses of N dynamics to PKC inclusion, emphasizing the importance of species-specific dietary strategies when using agro-industrial by-products to improve nitrogen utilization efficiency and potentially mitigate N losses in confined ruminant systems. Full article

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease with a strong genetic component (~70% heritability). Early identification of individuals at risk is crucial for early intervention or risk assessment. Although polygenic risk scores (PRS) have shown promise in risk assessment, most current approaches remain constrained by linear assumptions and limited generalizability. We aimed to develop a neural network-driven classifier using T1D-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In addition, we explored the inclusion of an entropy-derived feature as a complementary variable, representing the degree of genetic variability within an individual’s genotype profile across the 67 T1D-associated SNPs, to evaluate its potential additive contribution to the model performance. We analyzed genotype data from 11,909 individuals in the UK BioBank (546 T1D cases and 11,363 controls). Sixty-seven well-known SNPs associated with T1D were utilized as inputs to the model, using two distinct allele-encoding strategies. A feed-forward neural network was evaluated under varying case–control ratios through five-fold cross-validation. Performance was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) on a held-out test set and on an external European cohort as a validation cohort. Across five-fold cross-validation, the best configuration achieved a median AUC of 0.903. On the held-out UK Biobank test set, the model generalized well, with an AUC of 0.8889 (95% CI: 0.8516–0.9262). A probability-based risk framework, constructed using five risk groups (“very low”, “low”, “intermediate”, “high”, and “very high” risk), yielded a negative predictive value (NPV) of 98.9% for the “very low” risk group and a Positive Predicted Value (PPV) of 61.9% with a specificity of 97.3% for the “very high” risk group, assuming a 10% T1D prevalence. External validation in the German Diabetes Study reproduced clear case–control separation; for individuals with recent onset diabetes and glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GADA+) vs. controls, specificity reached 91.9% in the “high” risk group (PPV of 94.3%) and 97.6% in the “very high” risk group (PPV of 95.7%). The proposed neural network reliably predicts T1D genetic risk using a compact SNP panel of 67 SNPs and maintains accuracy in both internal and external European cohorts. Its probabilistic output enables clinically interpretable risk thresholds, while entropy features contributed modestly to performance. These results demonstrate that a neural network-based approach achieves discriminative performance that is comparable to established T1D genetic risk models, while offering flexible probability-based risk stratification and architectural extensibility for future integration of additional features. Full article

Post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) in piglets is a common multifactorial disease in global swine production. Traditional prevention and control strategies relying on high-dose zinc oxide and antibiotics face limitations due to antimicrobial resistance and environmental concerns. This review systematically elucidates the mechanisms of action of plant extracts as alternative interventions against PWD, focusing primarily on categories such as polysaccharides, polyphenols, essential oils, and alkaloids. This review discusses how plant extracts exert their effects through various mechanisms, including improving feed intake, enhancing antioxidant and immune capacities, modulating gut microbiota, repairing intestinal barrier function, and inhibiting pathogens—to alleviate diarrhea induced by weaning stress and pathogenic infections. The findings indicate that plant extracts offer advantages such as multi-target effects, natural origin, and a low propensity for inducing resistance, highlighting their promising potential as alternatives to conventional additives. However, challenges related to compositional complexity, stability, and bioavailability require further investigation and optimization. Full article

Donor human milk (DHM) provided by human milk banks is considered the optimal feeding alternative to mother’s own milk for premature or medically compromised infants. Before distribution, DHM is subjected to Holder pasteurization (HoP) by milk banks to eliminate potential pathogens. In this study, FT-IR, GC and GC-MS were applied to characterize changes in the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and lipid components of human milk (HM) samples that were treated by HoP. FT-IR analysis revealed changes in specific band regions, indicating modifications to triglycerides and fatty acid (FA) organization and possible disruption of the milk fat globule membrane. There was also an increase in ester groups, suggesting that HoP increases lipid oxidation. GC analysis showed a reduction in long-chain FAs, including certain omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs). GC-MS analysis showed that HoP-treated samples contained higher levels of alkanes, aldehydes, aromatics and ketones than raw HM. Conversely, other compounds, including furans, and alkynes, were found exclusively in pasteurized HM. These results show that HoP affects the lipid and VOC components of HM, highlighting the need for research into alternative pathogen elimination strategies in human milk bank practices. Full article

Vernonia amygdalina Delile (Asteraceae), commonly known as bitter leaf, is a tropical shrub that may potentially serve as a biopesticide against the Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a key pest of potatoes. The beetle’s behavioral response to the methanolic leaf extract of V. amygdalina was evaluated in this study. Using no-choice, dual-choice, and wind-tunnel assays under laboratory conditions, we evaluated responses of larvae and adults to potato leaf discs treated with V. amygdalina extract in a randomized complete block design, measuring feeding behavior, leaf damage levels, and remaining leaf area. The results showed that V. amygdalina had no biocidal effects against the beetle, as no mortality was incurred. However, dose-linked antifeedant effects were evident in both no-choice and dual-choice arenas. Vernonia amygdalina minimized leaf-area loss most effectively at the highest concentration, especially against the larvae. The extract showed no olfactory repellency but acted as an antifeedant, possibly through contact or taste (gustatory) receptors. The consistent behavioral avoidance at higher concentrations suggests that V. amygdalina acts as a form of deterrent against the Colorado potato beetle. Full article

The need for new feed ingredients that could reduce methane (CH₄) emissions from dairy cattle while maintaining rumen function is essential for sustainable milk production. This study aimed to evaluate the CH₄ mitigation potential of selected microalgae and macroalgae, along with an agro-industrial by-product, using two feeding strategies, and hypothesized that lipid- and polyphenol-rich materials would reduce CH₄ production in an inclusion-dependent manner. An in vitro batch culture study (24 h) was conducted to evaluate microalgae (Euglena gracilis and Aurantiochytrium spp.), macroalgae (Undaria pinnatifida), and an agro-industrial by-product (grape marc) either as feed additives (5%) or as a partial replacement of the concentrate mixture (30%, 50%, and 70%) in a basal diet consisting of 50% Klein grass hay and 50% concentrate mixture. As a feed additive, grape marc stands out for its potential to reduce CH₄ yield by about 43.3% without adversely affecting digestibility, pH, or total volatile fatty acid concentrations. When used as feed replacements, Euglena-, Aurantiochytrium-, and grape marc-based feeds reduced CH₄ yield at the highest replacement levels (50 and 70%); however, these effects were accompanied by decreased total gas production and volatile fatty acid concentrations, indicating reduced fermentation activity. Meanwhile, at a 30% replacement level, they showed promising efficiency as alternative feeds. Overall, CH₄ mitigation depends more strongly on inclusion strategy rather than feed type. Lipid-rich microalgae showed potential as concentrate replacements up to 30%, whereas grape marc was most effective as a feed additive for reducing CH₄ emissions. Full article

Skin pigmentation is a crucial factor influencing the market value of gilthead seabream. A three-month feeding trial evaluated the effects of dietary inclusion of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa on skin and fillet pigmentation of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). Four diets containing yeast were tested in triplicate tanks using 120 fish in total. Skin and fillet colours were assessed via computer-based image analysis in CIELAB, RGB and HSB spaces. Analysis of total carotenoids was also performed. Yeast inclusion increased L* and Whiteness values in the operculum and enhanced lightness in ventral skin regions. In the abdominal area, RGB values decreased, particularly in the 3% diet. Fillet responses were limited to the red muscle, where the 3% diet significantly increased a* and Chroma values. Overall, inclusion of R. mucilaginosa exceeding 2% influenced seabream skin brightness and total carotenoid content, while 3% inclusion enhanced red muscle pigmentation, suggesting potential as a natural pigment source in seabream feeds. Full article

Advances in semiconductor technologies, particularly in power transistors and switching diodes, have enabled higher switching frequencies and converter efficiency, renewing interest in Switched Reluctance Motors (SRMs) for electric vehicles. This work presents a data-driven approach utilizing a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network capable of effectively managing temporal dependencies for estimating rotor position without sensors in SRMs. The motor investigated was custom-designed, subsequently manufactured as a prototype. The LSTM was trained and validated with experimental data collected at various speeds and load conditions. The outcomes demonstrate the model’s strong performance, with a mean squared error (MSE) of ${1.77}^{{°}^2}$, a mean absolute error (MAE) of 1.09°, and 97.35% accuracy. Compared to typical estimation methods such as back-electromotive force (EMF)-based techniques, fuzzy logic, model predictive control, feed-forward neural networks (FFNNs), and back-propagation neural networks (BPNNs), the LSTM stands out as one of the most effective and widely used models. Previous neural networks (NN)-based studies typically report ±5° accuracy, whereas LSTM keeps the error about 1° in this study. This strategy eliminates position sensors, reduces cost and complexity, and enables reliable real-time SRM control. Results indicate that the method has significant potential for electric motor drives, particularly for SRMs. Full article

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), the fourth most important food crop worldwide, serves as a multi-purpose resource for food, feed and industrial raw materials, and plays a pivotal role in safeguarding food security, diversifying dietary structure and boosting the development of agricultural economy. With increasing consumer demand for nutritional quality, elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of potato quality traits has become a research priority. In this study, three potato cultivars with distinct coloration were employed as materials. Metabolomic profiling identified a total of 1128 metabolites, and revealed that pigmented potato cultivars accumulated higher levels of flavonoids and linoleic acid derivatives compared with the white-fleshed cultivar. Transcriptomic analysis uncovered numerous differentially expressed genes (DEGs) among the three cultivars; notably, DEGs in pigmented cultivars were significantly enriched in pathways related to terpenoid backbone biosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis, linoleic acid metabolism, and starch and sucrose metabolism. Integrated multi-omics analysis revealed that the high expression of structural genes in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway is strongly associated with flavonoid accumulation in pigmented potatoes, suggesting that transcriptional upregulation of these genes may be a key driver of flavonoid biosynthesis. Furthermore, several MYB and WD40 family transcription factors were identified as potential regulators of flavonoid and anthocyanin biosynthesis in potato. Collectively, our study provides insight into the regulatory mechanisms underlying the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in potato by combining transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches, and the findings provide a valuable theoretical basis for the genetic improvement of potato nutritional quality in future breeding programs. Full article

High-concentrate diets are widely used to enhance growth performance in fattening beef cattle; however, they often compromise rumen epithelial integrity, increasing the risk of rumenitis and systemic inflammation. Supplementation with alkaline mineral complex (AMC) has been shown to alleviate these adverse effects, although the underlying mechanisms remain largely unexplored. In this study, AMC supplementation was associated with improved rumen epithelial integrity and remodeling of the rumen microbiota, characterized by a reduction in Bacteroidota and Prevotella, and an enrichment of Sarcina sp. DSM11001 and Fibrobacter spp., with the latter identified as a key microbial biomarker in the AMC group. Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses revealed activation of the tryptophan metabolism pathway and accumulation of several anti-inflammatory metabolites, including sulfinpyrazone, Thr-Leu, and 4-guanidinobutyric acid. These metabolomic changes were correlated with the upregulation of tight junction pathways and increased expression of related proteins, which in turn were associated with enhanced epithelial barrier integrity and reduced systemic inflammation in the AMC group. Collectively, these findings suggest that AMC supplementation may protect rumen epithelial integrity by modulating the microbial community and altering ruminal metabolite profiles. This study provides insights into nutritional strategies to prevent epithelial damage under high-concentrate feeding conditions and support the potential use of AMC to maintain rumen health in fattening cattle. Full article

The yellow peach moth, Conogethes punctiferalis, is a destructive polyphagous pest and poses a severe threat to the fruit industry and field crops worldwide with its continuously increasing population and expanding host range in recent years. Despite the severe damage caused by C. punctiferalis larvae, their antennae and mouthparts, equipped with abundant sensilla responsible for feeding behavior, have not been investigated in detail. In our study, the antennae, mouthparts, and associated sensilla of first-instar and mature larvae of C. punctiferalis were examined with light and scanning electron microscopy. Our results revealed no obvious morphological differences between the two instars in the basic composition of the antennae and mouthparts, or in the types, distribution, and numbers of sensilla. The antenna is three-segmented, with no sensilla on the scape, three sensilla basiconica and two sensilla chaetica on the pedicel, and three sensilla basiconica and one sensillum styloconicum on the flagellum. The mouthparts of C. punctiferalis are typically mandibulate and consist of a labrum-epipharynx, paired mandibles, a pair of maxillae, a labium, and a hypopharynx. Six types of sensilla were primarily concentrated on the labrum-epipharynx, maxilla, and labial palp, including sensilla chaetica, sensilla basiconica, sensilla styloconica, sensilla digitiformia, sensilla epipharyngea, and sensilla placodea. We conducted a systematic analysis of the characteristics of sensilla and discussed their variation in the context of Lepidoptera phylogeny. The potential functions of the sensilla have also been inferred. The study could advance our understanding of the behavioral ecology of C. punctiferalis and provide potentially useful information on the development of pest control technologies. Full article

The soybean pod borer, Leguminivora glycinivorella, is a monophagous pest that threatens soybean production. Its larvae feed concealed within pods, which limits the efficacy of conventional insecticides. Elucidating its chemosensory system is therefore essential for developing green, behavior-based management strategies. Reference-based transcriptomics across multiple tissues of L. glycinivorella identified a comprehensive repertoire of chemosensory genes, including 76 odorant receptors (ORs), 15 gustatory receptors (GRs), 18 ionotropic receptors (IRs), 52 odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), 18 chemosensory proteins (CSPs), and 4 sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs). Sequence and phylogenetic analyses characterized these candidates within the context of known insect chemosensory families. Notably, canonical bitter GRs and specific IR lineages (e.g., IR100/IR85a) were not detected in our dataset, potentially reflecting adaptation to the specialized soybean-feeding habit of this pest. Expression profiling further revealed pronounced sexual and tissue dimorphism: male antennae showed significant enrichment of putative pheromone receptors (PRs) and LglySNMP1, whereas several OBPs and ORs exhibited female-biased expression, suggesting roles in host location and oviposition. Additionally, the high expression of GR43a homologs points to fructose sensing, while the lack of detectable CO₂ receptor components (except LglyGR2) suggests atypical carbon dioxide perception mechanisms. Collectively, this study provides a valuable expression atlas of chemosensory genes in L. glycinivorella and identifies sex-specific candidate genes for future functional validation and behavior-based pest management. Full article