Search Results (1,899)

While the Ankom RF system facilitates efficient high-throughput in vitro fermentation studies, its high cost and limited flexibility constrain its broader applicability. To address these limitations, we developed and validated a low-cost, modular gas monitoring system (FerME), assembled from commercially available components. To evaluate its performance and reproducibility relative to the Ankom RF system (Ankom Technology, Macedon, NY, USA), in vitro rumen fermentation experiments were conducted under strictly controlled and identical conditions. Whole rumen contents were collected approximately 2 h post-feeding from individual mid- or late-lactation dairy cows and immediately transported to the laboratory. Each fermenter received 50 mL of processed rumen fluid, 100 mL of anaerobically prepared artificial saliva buffer, and 1.2 g of the donor cow’s diet. Bottles were sealed with the respective system’s pressure sensors, flushed with CO₂, and incubated in a 50 L water bath maintained at 39 °C. FerME (New Taipei City, Taiwan) and Ankom RF fermenters were placed side-by-side to ensure uniform thermal conditions. To assess the effect of filter bag use, an additional trial employed Ankom F57 filter bags (Ankom Technology, Macedon, NY, USA; 25 μm pore size). Trial 1 revealed no significant differences in cumulative gas production, volatile fatty acids (VFAs), NH₃-N, or pH between systems (p > 0.05). However, the use of filter bags reduced gas output and increased propionate concentrations (p < 0.05). Trial 2, which employed filter bags in both systems, confirmed comparable results, with the FerME system demonstrating improved precision (CV: 4.8% vs. 13.2%). Gas composition (CH₄ + CO₂: 76–82%) and fermentation parameters remained consistent across systems (p > 0.05). Importantly, with 12 pressure sensors, the total cost of FerME was about half that of the Ankom RF system. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that FerME is a reliable, low-cost alternative for real-time rumen fermentation monitoring and could be suitable for studies in animal nutrition, methane mitigation, and related applications. Full article

Accurately assessing the depth of anaesthesia in animals remains a challenge, as traditional monitoring methods fail to capture subtle changes in brain activity. This review aimed to systematically map and critically evaluate the range of quantitative variables derived from electroencephalography (EEG) used to monitor sedation or anaesthesia in live animals, excluding laboratory rodents, over the past 35 years. Studies were identified through comprehensive searches in major biomedical databases (PubMed, Embase, CAB Abstract). To be included, studies had to report EEG use in relation to anaesthesia or sedation in living animals. A total of 169 studies were selected after screening and data extraction. Information was charted by animal species and reported EEG-derived variables. The most frequently reported variables were spectral edge frequencies, spectral power metrics, suppression ratio, and proprietary indices, such as the Bispectral Index. Methodological variability was high, and no consensus emerged on optimal EEG measures across species. While EEG-derived quantitative variables provide valuable insights, their interpretation remains highly context-dependent. Further research is necessary to refine these methods, explore variable combinations, and improve their clinical relevance in veterinary medicine. Full article

Background: Standard room temperature housing (~22 °C) represents a stress for laboratory mice, resulting in an increased metabolic rate, calorie consumption, heart rate, and catecholamine levels compared to thermoneutral conditions (29–32 °C). Using a recently established two-hit model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) (Angiotensin II + High-fat diet for 28 days; MHS), we investigated how housing temperature modulates cardiac remodelling and function in male and female C57Bl/6J mice. Methods: Using the MHS mouse model, we investigated cardiac remodelling and function in 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice of both sexes housed at 10 °C, 22 °C, and 30 °C for four weeks. Control mice were analyzed in parallel. Before the MHS, the animals were allowed to acclimate for a week before the MHS started. Results: Mice housed at 10 °C consumed more food and had increased fat mass compared to those at 22 °C or 30 °C. This was accompanied by increased heart weight, stroke volume, heart rate, and cardiac output. Mice housed at 22 °C and 30 °C were similar for these cardiac parameters. Following MHS, mice at 10 °C and 22 °C developed marked cardiac hypertrophy, whereas thermoneutral housing attenuated this response and reduced left atrial enlargement. Cold-exposed females showed more diastolic dysfunction after MHS (increased E’ wave, E/E’, and isovolumetric relaxation time) than those at 22 °C or 30 °C. Ejection fraction and cardiac output declined significantly at 10 °C after MHS but were preserved at 22 °C and 30 °C in females. Conclusions: Cold housing exacerbates cardiac dysfunction in mice subjected to HFpEF-inducing stress, with pronounced effects in females. In contrast, thermoneutrality limits the cardiac hypertrophic response. Full article

Background: It is still challenging to develop effective vaccines against tumorigenic human gammaherpesviruses such as Epstein–Barr virus (EBV). A major obstacle is the lack of a small animal model that reproduces the natural infection course of human gammaherpesviruses to allow for proper assessment of vaccine efficacy. Murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV68) is a natural pathogen of wild rodents and laboratory mice and therefore can be used as a surrogate for human gammaherpesviruses to evaluate vaccination strategies. Methods: In this study, two mRNA vaccine candidates were generated, one encoding a fusion protein of the MHV68 gH with the gL (gHgL-mRNA) and the other expressing the MHV68 gB protein (gB-mRNA). The immunogenicity and protective efficacy of the mRNA vaccine candidates were evaluated in a mouse model of MHV68 infection. Results: The gHgL-mRNA but not the gB-mRNA candidate vaccine was able to induce neutralizing antibodies in mice, whereas both vaccines could elicit antigen-specific T-cell responses. Following MHV68 intranasal inoculation, complete blocking of the establishment of viral latency was observed in some mice immunized with individual gHgL-mRNA or gB-mRNA vaccines. Notably, co-immunization with the two mRNA vaccines appeared to be more effective than individual vaccines, achieving sterile immunity in 50% of the vaccinated mice. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that immunization with mRNA platform-based subunit vaccines is indeed capable of preventing MHV68 latent infection, thus validating a safe and efficacious vaccination strategy that may be applicable to human gammaherpesviruses. Full article

The movement towards low-emission and sustainable building practices has driven increased use of natural, carbon-based materials such as wood. While these materials offer significant environmental advantages, their inherent flammability introduces new challenges for timber building safety. Despite advancements in fire protection standards and building regulations, the risk of fire incidents—whether from technical failure, human error, or intentional acts—remains. The rapid detection of fire onset is crucial for safeguarding human life, animal welfare, and valuable assets. This study investigates the potential of monitoring fire precursor gases emitted inside building structures during pre-ignition and early combustion stages. The research also examines the sensitivity and effectiveness of commercial smoke detectors compared with custom sensor arrays in detecting these emissions. A representative structural sample was constructed and subjected to a controlled fire scenario in a laboratory setting, providing insights into the integration of gas sensing technologies for enhanced fire resilience in sustainable building systems. Full article

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been found worldwide in water, soil, plants, and animals, including humans. A primary route of exposure for humans and animals to PFAS is through the diet and drinking water. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a long-chain PFAS with a relatively long half-life, has been associated with adverse health effects in humans and laboratory animals. There are few toxicokinetic studies on PFOS in domestic livestock raised for human food consumption, which are critical for assessing human food safety. This work aimed to develop a simple daily accumulation model (DAM) for predicting PFOS residues in edible beef cattle muscle. A one-compartment toxicokinetic model in a spreadsheet format was developed using simple calculations to account for daily PFAS into and out of the animal. The DAM was used to simulate two case studies to predict resultant PFOS residues in edible beef cattle tissues. The results demonstrated that the model can reasonably predict PFOS concentrations in beef cattle muscle in a real-world scenario. The DAM was then used to simulate dietary PFOS exposure in beef cattle throughout a typical lifespan in order to derive a generic bioaccumulation factor. The DAM is expected to work well for other PFAS in beef cattle, PFAS in other livestock species raised for meat, and other chemical contaminants with relatively long half-lives. Full article

Sourdough fermentation, driven by the biochemical activity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), presents a scientifically promising approach to addressing nutritional limitations in cereal-based staples. This review critically examines both the underlying mechanisms by which LAB enhance the nutritional profile of sourdough and the translational challenges in realizing these benefits. Key improvements explored include enhanced mineral bioavailability (e.g., up to 90% phytate reduction), improved protein digestibility, an attenuated glycemic response (GI ≈ 54 vs. ≈75 for conventional bread), and the generation of bioactive compounds. While in vitro and animal studies extensively demonstrate LAB’s potential to reshape nutrient profiles (e.g., phytate hydrolysis improving iron absorption, proteolysis releasing bioactive peptides), translating these effects into consistent human health outcomes proves complex. Significant challenges hinder this transition from laboratory to diet, including the limited bioavailability of LAB-derived metabolites, high strain variability, and sensitivity to fermentation conditions. Furthermore, interactions with the food matrix and host-specific factors, such as gut microbiota composition, contribute to inconsistent findings. This review highlights methodological gaps, particularly reliance on in vitro or animal models, and the lack of long-term, effective human trials. Although LAB hold significant promise for nutritional improvements in sourdough, translating these findings to validated human benefits necessitates continued efforts in mechanism-driven strain optimization, the standardization of fermentation processes, and rigorous human studies. Full article

Some studies performed in our laboratory on pyrrole and its derivatives pointed towards the enrichment of the evaluations of these promising chemical structures for the potential treatment of neurodegenerative conditions in general and Parkinson’s disease in particular. A classical Paal-Knorr cyclization approach is applied to synthesize the basic hydrazine used for the formation of the designed series of hydrazones (15a–15g). The potential neurotoxic and neuroprotective effects of the newly synthesized derivatives were investigated in vitro using different models of induced oxidative stress at three subcellular levels (rat brain synaptosomes, mitochondria, and microsomes). The results identified as the least neurotoxic molecules, 15a, 15d, and 15f applied at a concentration of 100 µM to the isolated fractions. In addition, the highest statistically significant neuroprotection was observed for 15a and 15d at a concentration of 100 µM using three different injury models on subcellular fractions, including 6-hydroxydopamine in rat brain synaptosomes, tert-butyl hydroperoxide in brain mitochondria, and non-enzyme-induced lipid peroxidation in brain microsomes. The hMAOA/MAOB inhibitory activity of the new compounds was studied at a concentration of 1 µM. The lack of a statistically significant hMAOA inhibitory effect was observed for all tested compounds, except for 15f, which showed 40% inhibitory activity. The most prominent statistically significant hMAOB inhibitory effect was determined for 15a, 15d, and 15f, comparable to that of selegiline. The corresponding selectivity index defined 15f as a non-selective MAO inhibitor and all other new hydrazones as selective hMAOB inhibitors, with 15d indicating the highest selectivity index of >471. The most active and least toxic representative (15d) was evaluated in vivo on Rotenone based model of Parkinson’s disease. The results revealed no microscopically visible alterations in the ganglion and glial cells in the animals treated with rotenone in combination with 15d. Full article

Introduction: Leptospirosis is an under-recognized zoonosis that affects both tropical and temperate regions. While it is often associated with exposure to contaminated water or infected animals, its presentation and epidemiology in Mediterranean countries remain incompletely understood. This retrospective cohort study investigates the clinical and epidemiological profile of leptospirosis in Crete, Greece, a region where data are scarce. Methods: All adult patients with laboratory-confirmed leptospirosis admitted to three major public hospitals in Crete, Greece, between January 2019 and December 2023 were included in the analysis. Diagnosis was made through serologic testing along with compatible clinical symptoms. Results: A total of 17 patients were included. Their median age was 48 years, with a predominance of males (70.6%). Notably, more than half of the patients had no documented exposure to classic risk factors such as rodents or standing water. Clinical presentations were varied but commonly included fever, fatigue, acute kidney injury, and jaundice. Of the patients who underwent imaging, most showed hepatomegaly. The median delay from symptom onset to diagnosis was 11 days, underscoring the diagnostic challenge in non-endemic areas. Ceftriaxone was the most frequently administered antibiotic (76.5%), often in combination with tetracyclines or quinolones. Despite treatment, three patients (17.6%) died, all presenting with severe manifestations such as ARDS, liver failure, or shock. A concerning increase in cases was noted in 2023. Conclusions: Leptospirosis can present with severe and potentially fatal outcomes even in previously healthy individuals and in regions not traditionally considered endemic. The relatively high mortality and disease frequency noted emphasize the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion. Timely diagnosis and appropriate antimicrobial therapy are essential to improving patient outcomes. Additionally, the need for enhanced public health awareness, diagnostic capacity, and possibly environmental surveillance to control this neglected but impactful disease better, should be emphasized. Full article

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is increasingly acknowledged as a critical global challenge, posing serious risks to human and animal health and potentially disrupting poultry production systems. Commensal bacteria such as Staphylococcus spp., Enterococcus spp., and Escherichia coli may serve as important reservoirs and vectors of resistance genes. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the AMR profiles of bacterial strains isolated from industrial chicken farms in the Dél-Alföld region of Hungary, providing region-specific insights into resistance dynamics. Methods: A total of 145 isolates, including Staphylococcus spp., Enterococcus spp., and E. coli isolates, were subjected to minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) testing against 15 antimicrobial agents, following Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Advanced multivariate statistics, machine learning algorithms, and network-based approaches were employed to analyze resistance patterns and co-resistance associations. Results Multidrug resistance (MDR) was identified in 43.9% of Staphylococcus spp. isolates, 28.8% of Enterococcus spp. isolates, and 75.6% of E. coli isolates. High levels of resistance to florfenicol, enrofloxacin, and potentiated sulfonamides were observed, whereas susceptibility to critical antimicrobials such as imipenem and vancomycin remained largely preserved. Discussion: Our findings underscore the necessity of implementing region-specific AMR monitoring programs and strengthening multidisciplinary collaboration within the “One Health” framework with proper animal hygiene and biosecurity measures to limit the spread of antimicrobial resistance and protect both animal and human health. Full article

The most frequently used laboratory animals for studies on adipose tissue properties and obesity are rodents. However, there are significant differences in the types of visceral fat depots between rodents and humans, including fat depots in the heart area. The large human fat depot of greatest interest in cardiac research is the epicardial adipose tissue (EAT). Its properties are widely investigated, because the EAT lies directly on the heart’s surface and can easily affect myocardial physiology. The major fat depot in rodents‘ chest—pericardial fat—is located on the ventral surface of the parietal lamina of the pericardium and is often incorrectly referred to as the EAT. Further confusion arises from reports claiming that rodents are entirely devoid of the EAT. We decided to verify adipose tissues in the heart area of 16 male Sprague Dawley rats under physiological conditions and in obesity. The animals in the NFD group (n = 8) were fed with a standard diet while these in the HFD group (n = 8) were fed with a high-fat diet (31% fat) starting from 4 weeks after birth. When the animals reached 12 weeks, the presence of fat deposits was verified. Additionally, their blood was collected to characterize carbohydrate and lipid metabolism changes, adipokine profile alterations, and their systemic inflammation status. The obesogenic diet caused significant disturbances in their carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, as well as hyperleptinemia. A high-fat diet primarily promoted the accumulation of pericardial fat, which was absent in the NFD rats and observed in 6 out of the 8 HFD animals. In both groups, adipocytes were also found directly on the hearts’ surfaces (EAT), albeit in very small numbers and limited to the atrioventricular groove on the dorsal side of the hearts. These adipocytes were dispersed among the vessels, making quantitative assessment and separation difficult, however, macroscopic evaluation revealed no noticeable differences in its extent. In conclusion, although rats are not entirely devoid of the EAT, their suitability for studying the properties of the EAT appears to be considerably limited. Full article

Developing a new drug costs approximately one to three billion dollars and takes around ten years; however, this process has only a ten percent success rate. To address this issue, new technologies that combine artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing can be leveraged in the pharmaceutical industry. The RSA cryptographic algorithm, developed by Rivest, Shamir, and Adleman in 1977, is one of the most widely used public-key encryption schemes in modern digital security. Its security foundation lies in the computational difficulty of factoring the product of two large prime numbers, a problem considered intractable for classical computers when the key size is sufficiently large (e.g., 2048 bits or more). A future application of using a detailed structural model of a protein is that digital drug design can be used to predict potential drug candidates, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for time-consuming laboratory and animal testing. Knowing the molecular structure of a possible candidate drug can provide insights into how drugs interact with targets at an atomic level, at significantly lower expenditures, and with maximum effectiveness. AI and quantum computers can rapidly screen out potential new drug candidates, determine the toxicity level of a known drug, and eliminate drugs with high toxicity at the beginning of the drug development phase, thereby avoiding expensive laboratory and animal testing. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulatory bodies are increasingly supporting the use of in silico to in vitro/in vivo validation methods and assessments of drug safety and efficacy. Full article

The circadian clock is a self-sustaining oscillator with a period of approximately 24 h, enabling organisms to anticipate daily recurring events, such as sunrise and sunset. Since the circadian period is not exactly 24 h and the environmental day length varies throughout the year, the clock must be periodically reset to align an organism’s physiology with the natural light/dark cycle. This synchronization, known as entrainment, is primarily regulated by nocturnal light, which can be replicated in laboratory settings using a 15 min light pulse (LP) and by assessing locomotor activity. An LP during the early part of the dark phase delays the onset of locomotor activity, resulting in a phase delay, whereas an LP in the late dark phase advances activity onset, causing a phase advance. The clock gene Period 2 (Per2) plays a key role in this process. To investigate its contributions, we examined the effects of Per2 deletion in neurons versus astrocytes using glia-specific GPer2 (Per2/GfapCre) knockout (KO) and neuronal-specific NPer2KO (Per2/NesCre) mice. All groups were subjected to Aschoff type II protocol, where an LP was applied at ZT14 or ZT22 and the animals were released into constant darkness. As control, no LP was applied. Phase shift, period, amplitude, total activity count, and rhythm instability were assessed. Our findings revealed that mice lacking Per2 in neurons (NPer2) exhibited smaller phase delays and larger phase advances compared to control animals. In contrast, mice with Per2 deletion specifically in glial cells including astrocytes (GPer2) displayed normal clock resetting. Interestingly, the absence of Per2 in either of the cell types resulted in a shorter circadian period compared to control animals. These results suggest that astrocytic Per2 is important for maintaining the circadian period but is not required for phase adaptation to light stimuli. Full article

Agroecological transitions in collective urban gardens in Toulouse region were studied through the prism of global health (2011–2022). The specific meaning of “global health” in the context of urban gardens concerns the health of gardeners (well-being and physical health), plants, soil, and animals, as well as the interactions between humans and non-humans, which are crucial for gardeners. A sociotechnical research project was developed on four different collective gardening sites, consisting of the following: 1. surveys issued to 100 garden stakeholders to highlight issues and practices, participation in meetings with the social centers in charge of events, and focus groups; 2. participative agronomic and environmental measurements and field observations, including soil quality analyses; and 3. analysis of the available documentary corpus. In order to produce the results, these three research methods (surveys, agronomy, document analysis) were combined through a transdisciplinary approach, in that both the field experimentation outcomes and retrieved scientific publications and technical documents informed the discussions with gardeners. Consideration of the four different sites enabled the exploration of various contextual factors—such as soil or air quality—affecting the production of vegetables. A rise in the concerns of gardeners about the impacts of their activities on global health was observed, including aspects such as creating and enjoying landscapes, taking care of the soil and biodiversity, developing social connections through the transmission of practices, and regular outside physical activity and healthier eating. The increased consideration for global health issues by all stakeholders promotes the implementation of agroecological practices in gardens to improve biodiversity and adherence to circular economy principles. Four concepts emerged from the interviews: health, production of vegetables, living soil, and social interactions. Notably, nuances between the studied sites were observed, according to their history, environment, and organization. These collective gardens can thus be considered as accessible laboratories for social and agroecological experimentation, being areas that can strongly contribute to urban ecosystem services. Full article

The spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii is an injurious polyphagous pest threatening worldwide soft fruit production. Its high adaptability to new colonized environments, short life cycle, and wide host range are supporting its rapid spread. The most common techniques to reduce its significant economic damage are based on multiple insecticides applications per season, even prior to the harvest, which reduces agroecosystem biodiversity and affects human and animal health. Environmental concerns and regulatory restrictions on insecticide use are driving the need for studies on alternative biological control strategies. This study aimed to assess the effect of T. drosphilae in controlling D. suzukii infestations and its interaction with P. vindemiae, a secondary parasitoid naturally present in Apulia (South Italy). Field experiments were carried out in organic cherry orchards in Gioia del Colle (Bari, Italy) to test the efficacy and adaptability of T. drosphilae following weekly releases of artificially reared individuals. Additionally, the interaction between P. vindemiae and T. drosphilae was studied under laboratory conditions. Results from field experiments showed that D. suzukii populations were significantly lower when both parasitoids were present. However, T. drosophilae was less prone to adaptation, so its presence and parasitism were limited to the post-release period. Laboratory experiments, instead, confirmed the high reduction of D. suzukii populations when both parasitoids are present. However, the co-existence of the two parasitoids resulted in a reduced parasitism rate and offspring production, notably for T. drosophilae. This competitive disadvantage may explain its poor establishment in field conditions. These findings suggest that the field release of the two natural enemies should be carried out with reference to their natural population abundance to not generate competition effects. Full article