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Background/Objectives: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli are priority antimicrobial-resistant pathogens with significant implications for food safety and public health. Food-producing animals and their derived products represent a key interface for zoonotic transmission, yet prevalence data across Nigeria remain fragmented and unsynthesized. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the prevalence, species distribution, geographical patterns, and detection methods of ESBL-producing E. coli in food-producing animals and animal-derived food products across Nigeria. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and African journals online was conducted for studies published between January 2000 and January 2026, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Twenty eligible studies collectively analyzed 5104 samples, and 984 ESBL-positive isolates were included in the meta-analysis. Results: The overall pooled prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli was 17.0% (95% CI: 13.0–21.0%; I² = 89.4%). Subgroup analysis by animal species revealed the highest pooled prevalence among caprine (32.0%, 95% CI: 17.0–52.0%), bovine (24.0%, 95% CI: 17.0–33.0%), porcine (17.0%, 95% CI: 7.0–36.0%) and avian species (13.0%, 95% CI: 9.0–19.0%). Animal-derived food products showed a pooled prevalence of 19.0% (95% CI: 17.0–21.0%). Regional analysis showed the highest pooled prevalence in South-West (19.0%, 95% CI: 13.0–27.0%) and South-South (19.0%, 95% CI: 9.0–34.0%). Studies using combined culture and molecular methods reported higher pooled prevalence (19.0%, 95% CI: 14.0–25.0%) than culture alone (12.0%, 95% CI: 8.0–18.0%). However, the difference between subgroups was not statistically significant (test for subgroup differences: p = 0.0563). Conclusions: These findings confirm extensive ESBL-producing E. coli circulation in Nigerian food-producing animals and highlight critical gaps in antimicrobial stewardship, veterinary surveillance, and food safety infrastructure, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated One Health strategies to contain the spread of resistant strains through the food chain. Full article

The primary productivity of phytoplankton (PP_eu) is critical to the carbon cycle in aquatic ecosystems. However, in complex lakes covered by ice, the estimation of PP_eu using remote sensing techniques is constrained. To address this limitation, this study developed an estimation model for ice-covered PP_eu by incorporating optical parameters such as the ice surface refractive index and the extinction coefficient of the ice layer into the vertical generalized production model (VGPM). This approach overcomes the challenges associated with remote sensing-based estimation of PP_eu during ice-covered periods. The results indicate that the annual carbon sequestration of the WLSHL is 1.72 × 10⁴ t C, with an average annual PP_eu of 316.96 mg C·m⁻²·d⁻¹. In addition to the indicators that are directly involved in the estimation of PP_eu, the environmental factors that affect PP_eu include water temperature (WT), ice thickness (IT), snow, water depth (D), total dissolved solids (TDSs), salinity (S), ammonia nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N), nitrate nitrogen (NO₃⁻-N), and oxidation–reduction potential (ORP). The PP_eu in the ice period is found to be only 17% lower than that in the ice-free period. However, the PP_eu during the ice period is considerably higher than that during the ice + snow period. The findings indicate that the impact of freezing on PP_eu during the winter is relatively limited, whereas the influence of snowfall is more pronounced. In order to mitigate the elevated PP_eu and the occurrence of algal blooms during the summer, the intensity of underwater radiation can be regulated on a periodic basis. To optimize the function of the carbon sink in winter lakes, the PP_eu can be enhanced through initiatives such as water replenishment prior to freezing and snow removal following freezing. Full article

Uterine microbiome homeostasis and antioxidant capacity are critical for sow fertility. While high-fiber diets and N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) individually enhance sow fertility, their synergistic effects on the antioxidant status, microbiota, metabolites, and transcriptome remain unclear. Here, sows were assigned to the low-fiber (3.73%) or high-fiber (7.46% crude fiber) group, each without or with 0.05% NCG, throughout the 114-day gestation. Sex hormones and antioxidants in serum were detected. Multi-omics approaches were employed to investigate the impact of a high-fiber diet supplemented with NCG (H + N) on uterine microbiota, metabolites, and gene expression profiles. The study revealed that H + N significantly increased total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) level in serum. Metagenomic analysis revealed an increased abundance of Clostridium disporicum in the uterine microbiota. Plasma metabolomics identified hydroxylysine as a key metabolite mediating this effect, and this metabolite was positively correlated with elevated abundance of Clostridium disporicum. Subsequent transcriptomic profiling revealed activation of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, closely linked to improved T-AOC level. Overall, these findings demonstrated that H + N could modulate the uterine microbiota (specifically Clostridium disporicum), increase hydroxylysine production, and activate the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. These effects further enhanced hormonal activity and antioxidant capacity, ultimately improving sow reproductive efficiency. Full article

Indigenous pigs constitute crucial genetic reservoirs. Adipose tissue is central to pig growth and metabolism, yet its molecular ontogeny remains poorly characterized in indigenous breeds such as the Ningxiang pig. We employed mass spectrometry to profile backfat proteomes across six postnatal stages (60–360 days). Proteomes clearly separated early (60–120 days) from late stages (300–360 days). Older pigs showed enrichment in processes linked to energy metabolism, translation, immune function, and mitochondrial activity. We identified 43 lipid metabolism proteins exhibiting significant age-dependent abundance. Weighted co-abundance network analysis revealed four protein modules significantly correlated with lean meat percentage, fat percentage, and carcass weight. Intramodular analysis identified four hub proteins—ALDH18A1, FABP4, FBP1, and HADHB—as putative candidates associated with lipid transport, gluconeogenesis, and fatty acid oxidation. This study links temporal proteomic profiles with key carcass traits, providing a data resource and a network-based framework for future research. Full article

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) causes lethal enteritis in neonatal piglets, yet the mechanisms underlying rapid intestinal injury remain unclear. In particular, it is unknown whether different regulated cell death pathways act separately or cooperatively to worsen mucosal damage. To address this question, we performed multi-omics analyses of infected intestinal tissues and found concurrent activation of pyroptosis and ferroptosis during PEDV infection. PEDV infection activated the Caspa-se-1/GSDMD pathway in the duodenum and jejunum, as shown by generation of the Caspase-1 p20 fragment and cleavage of GSDMD into its active N-terminal form, indicating pyroptosis. At the same time, infected tissues displayed key features of ferroptosis, including weakened antioxidant defenses, increased lipid peroxidation, iron accumulation, lipid remodeling, and dysregulated ACSL4 and GPX4 expression. These two processes were closely linked and together contributed to tight junction disruption and barrier instability. Molecular docking further suggested that PEDV NSP1 and S proteins may interact with Caspase-1, providing a possible explanation for pyroptosis induction. Correlation analysis also showed strong associations between pyroptosis-related genes and ferroptosis-associated metabolites. Overall, our findings indicate that pyroptosis and ferroptosis cooperate to drive PEDV-induced intestinal inflammation and barrier damage, highlighting their joint inhibition as a potential strategy to reduce PEDV pathogenicity. Full article

Sea buckthorn, a homologue of medicine and food, contains a host of bioactives that can prevent many diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases. The association between oxidative stress (OS) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) has been well-established, with OS ultimately leading to CVDs through lipid peroxidation and other mechanisms. In this study, antioxidant components were isolated from sea buckthorn by polyamide medium-pressure chromatography coupled with an HPLC-DPPH activity screening system. Two potential compounds were isolated and identified as Tetrahydroharmol and Isorhamnetin3-O-(6-O-E-sinapoyl)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-2)-β-D-glucopyranoside-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside. Molecular docking technology was used to explore the binding ability of two antioxidant active components to target proteins (LDH, SOD, Nrf2, iNOS, and eNOS). In addition, the antioxidant capacity was determined by EA.hy926 human umbilical vein endothelial fusion cell experiments. The results demonstrate the efficacy of this method for isolating high-purity antioxidants from sea buckthorn. These two activity compounds exhibit potential effects against cardiovascular diseases through antioxidant mechanisms. Full article

The aim of this study was to identify SNPs in the cattle genome associated with estimated breeding values of feet (EBV_feet) in Holstein-Friesian (HF) cows in Hungary. Foot health is of major importance in dairy cattle industry whereas claw disorders are leading to lameness and thus result in low fertility rates and productivity. Genotyping was performed using the EuroG_MDv4 microarray platform. The final database comprised 2963 animals and 59,151 SNPs. EBV_feet values have been divided into high and low groups. All calculations regarding the genetic differentiation (genome-wide and locus-specific) between high- and low-value groups for EBV_feet, linear regression, and haplotype association tests have been performed with the SNP and Variation Suite software. Thirty-nine SNPs associated with EBV_feet were determined on BTAs 3, 7, 8, 15, 21, and X. The maximum values of the identified SNPs were 0.22 for F_{st_marker}, 23.1 for the −log10(p) of the linear regression, and 26.3 for the −log10(p) of the haplotype association tests on BTA 3. The closest genes to SNPs associated with estimated breeding values for feet (EBV_feet) are mainly associated with tissue structure, immune response, metabolism, growth, development, transport and signaling. Our results could add additional information to the genetic programs focusing on the improvement of foot health in HF cattle. Full article

Due to an insufficient understanding of the dynamic mechanisms underlying seasonal variations in Daqu fermentation quality, such as microbial community succession, enzyme activity, and metabolic regulation, precise control of Daqu quality and consistency across different seasons has not yet been achieved. Environmental factors, especially temperature and humidity, exert a significant influence on the microbial community structure and enzyme activity during the production process of Daqu. To this end, the recent research progress on changes in microbial community structure and succession, regulation of enzyme activity and metabolic pathways, and biosynthesis of flavor compounds in Daqu across different seasons was reviewed. Furthermore, we proposed strategies to leverage seasonal microbial patterns for precise control over Daqu production throughout varying seasons. This work aims to enhance the quality and consistency of Daqu across seasons and effectively improve the quality of Baijiu products. Full article

Livestock manure resources are abundant in the upper Yellow River basin on the eastern Tibetan Plateau, where rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is grown under cold, short-season alpine conditions. To identify a suitable organic fertilizer substitution proportion, a two-year randomized complete block field experiment was conducted on Chestnut soil (Kastanozem) to compare mineral fertilization with 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% replacement of mineral N by an organic fertilizer produced from composted cattle and sheep manure under equal total N, P, and K inputs. Grain yield was highest at 50% substitution, increasing by about 14% relative to mineral fertilization (p < 0.05), whereas 100% substitution slightly reduced yield. Increasing manure inputs enlarged soil organic carbon and total nutrient pools, but these increases were not accompanied by proportional increases in plant-available nutrients. Compared with mineral fertilization, 50% substitution increased available N, P, and K by about 18%, 34%, and 10%, respectively, and also increased the proportions of total N, P, and K present in available forms. Activities of the measured extracellular enzymes were generally 12–72% higher under 50% substitution than under mineral fertilization. A piecewise structural equation model indicated that yield improvement was associated mainly with greater nutrient uptake and recovery efficiency. Overall, moderate substitution best balanced nutrient accumulation, nutrient availability, efficiency, and productivity under the tested alpine conditions. Full article

Microplastics (MPs), defined as plastic particles ranging in size from 0.1 μm to 5 mm, have gained significant scientific attention worldwide due to their widespread occurrence and potential risks for human health and the environment. MPs can accumulate in water and soil, affecting organisms across multiple trophic levels and negatively impacting agricultural productivity and animal husbandry. Agricultural practices, such as plastic mulching, compost, and sewage sludge application, contribute to environmental plastic contamination, while irrigation and wastewater reuse facilitate their transport and deposition across ecosystems. Given the limited efficiency and high costs of physicochemical remediation methods, microbial biodegradation has attracted growing attention as a potentially sustainable strategy. This review focuses primarily on the metabolic potential of bacteria and fungi and the mechanisms underlying MP degradation. In the context of environmental safety, such studies are of particular importance. Under optimal laboratory conditions, reported microbial degradation efficiencies varied with microplastic type, microbial strain(s), and experimental conditions, ranging from 4% to >97%. Moreover, the literature review identifies key barriers to practical application, including environmental variability and the limited transferability of laboratory findings to field settings. Future research should therefore prioritize testable, application-oriented approaches. Addressing these gaps is essential to developing effective microbial degradation strategies for mitigating microplastic pollution. Full article

H5 subtype avian influenza virus (AIV) can infect both chickens and ducks, leading to substantial economic losses. Nevertheless, certain strains cause silent infections in ducks. In this study, a goose-origin clade 2.3.4.4h H5N6 AIV was isolated, which caused high mortality in mixed-gender white leghorn chickens but no deaths in mixed-gender mallard ducks. After independent serial in vitro passage in duck embryo fibroblasts (DEFs) and in vivo passage in specific-pathogen-free (SPF) ducks, the DEF-passage 10 (P10) virus induced markedly higher mortality rates and viral loads in SPF ducks compared to the DEF-P1 virus and the original parental virus prior to passage. Similarly, the in vivo-passaged P3 and P4 viruses exhibited significantly higher mortality rates than the P1 virus in SPF ducks, with 100% mortality and markedly increased viral titers in the organs. A whole-genome SNP analysis identified seven high-frequency mutations in the M1, NA and NS1 proteins. The NS1-F161L substitution virus exhibited significantly increased mortality rates, viral loads in multiple tissues, and a robustly induced innate immune response in ducks. Furthermore, dynamic evolutionary variations in the NS1 protein among global H5 avian influenza viruses revealed that the NS1-F161L substitution became dominant in clade 2.3.4.4b viruses in 2021 and subsequent years. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that host-driven adaptation can rapidly increase the pathogenicity of H5N6 AIVs in ducks and identify NS1-F161L as a critical virulence marker. These results offer novel insights relevant to the molecular surveillance, virulence prediction, and risk assessment of circulating H5 AIVs in waterfowl. Full article

The present study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with Bacillus coagulans DSM 32016 on growth performance, hematological and biochemical parameters, and nitrogen metabolism in weaned Danube White pigs reared under standard production conditions. While supplementation did not result in statistically significant changes in average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), hematological indices, or serum lipid profile, numerical trends indicated slightly higher ADG, improved FCR, and subtle stabilization of hematological parameters in the probiotic supplemented group. Notably, serum urea concentration was significantly reduced (3.78 vs. 3.21 mmol/L; p = 0.017; Cohen’s d = 1.01), suggesting a potential positive effect on nitrogen metabolism and protein utilization efficiency. These findings are consistent with previous reports that probiotics may exert beneficial physiological effects even in the absence of statistically significant systemic changes. The observed trends highlight the potential of Bacillus coagulans to support growth performance and metabolic efficiency in Danube White pigs, emphasizing the importance of breed and age-specific responses in probiotic supplementation. Full article

Blood is a key component of organisms, serving numerous functions, including metabolism, innate and humoral responses, and hemostasis. Variations in hematological parameters can indicate the presence of infectious and non-infectious diseases, chronic stress, and other pathological or physiological conditions. Complete blood count testing is common in human and veterinary medicine and, when combined with clinical examination, contributes to disease diagnosis and prognosis and the monitoring of therapeutic progression. Nevertheless, hematological analysis is not routinely performed in sheep due to the lack of case-specific reference intervals, complicating the interpretation of the results. Indeed, hematological parameters may be affected by various non-pathological (environmental, genetic, physiological) and pathological factors, and they require further understanding and relevant adjustments to be universally applicable. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to summarize the existing literature and describe how various pathological and non-pathological factors affect hematological parameters in sheep, thereby supporting their incorporation into health management practices. Full article

Our previous work demonstrated that bovine milk-derived extracellular vesicles (mEVs) could alleviate the inflammatory response of mice colitis, along with hundreds of differentially expressed (DE) mRNAs. This study further analyzed the profiles of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and explored the correlation with DE mRNAs by constructing ceRNA networks. Six-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were fed either a control diet or a diet added with mEVs for 30 days. Then the mice were given dextran sulphate sodium in drinking water for 7 days to induce colitis. A total of 40 miRNAs, 541 lncRNAs and 643 circRNAs exhibited changes in mEVs pretreatment group. Among these DE miRNAs, mEVs pretreatment significantly increased the expressions of miR-122, miR-147, miR-210, miR-1224, miR-148a, and miR-212, which might participate in the inflammatory response of the colitis models. The expression of Tug1 increased after mEVs pretreatment, while Snhg5 and H19 decreased, which might be involved in intestinal barrier restoration. Functional analysis of the DE ncRNAs suggested mEVs might exert protective effects not only through modulation of inflammatory responses but also by enhancing intestinal stem cell function and epithelial regeneration, which were mainly regulated by Wnt and Hippo signaling pathways according to the ceRNA networks. Full article

This study explored the flavor profiling of baked potatoes, with a focus on how maturity affects the volatile flavor. By using HS-SPME-GC-MS, sensory evaluation, multivariate statistical analysis and computational modeling, a total of 99 volatile compounds were finally identified. Multivariate statistical analysis yielded 36 different important compounds (VIP > 1, p < 0.05). Subsequently, combined with relative odor activity value (ROAV), four key compounds including 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2,6-diethylpyrazine, ethyl acetate and benzeneacetaldehyde were identified as potential indicators of baked potatoes with different maturities. Further, molecular docking analysis revealed the interactions between key pyrazine compounds and human olfactory receptors OR5K1 through hydrogen bonds and other interactions. These findings provide new insights into the relationship between potato maturity and flavor differences, and also lays a foundation for in-depth exploration into flavor identification and perception. Full article