Search Results (32,620)

Work-related stress is an important concern in veterinary medicine because it may affect veterinarians’ work, personal life, and well-being. This study described self-reported work-related stressors and their perceived effects on professional and personal life among veterinarians from selected European countries. Between July 2021 and February 2022, an online questionnaire was completed by 724 veterinarians from Hungary, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, and Norway. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling via online channels and professional veterinary networks. The questionnaire assessed 16 stressors, including fatigue, emotional exhaustion, burnout-related symptoms, fear of making mistakes, client expectations, and negative online comments. Mean Likert-scale scores were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Pearson’s χ² tests. Fatigue and emotional exhaustion were among the most burdensome internal stressors, with the highest mean score in the Hungarian sample (mean: 4.15 ± 1.05) and the lowest in the Finnish sample (mean: 3.68 ± 1.06; ANOVA: p < 0.0001). Euthanasia-related stress was rated lower in Finland (mean: 1.68 ± 0.83) and Sweden (mean: 1.88 ± 0.95) than in Germany (mean: 2.41 ± 1.17) and Hungary (mean: 2.64 ± 1.27; ANOVA: p < 0.0001). In Hungary, younger and female veterinarians reported greater sensitivity to several stressors. The findings are descriptive and exploratory rather than representative cross-country comparisons. Full article

Giardia duodenalis (synonyms G. lamblia and G. intestinalis) and Blastocystis sp. are prevalent zoonotic intestinal protozoans with significant public health and economic importance. Both parasites infect various hosts, including humans and most livestock. G. duodenalis can cause infections ranging from asymptomatic carriage to clinical manifestations such as acute diarrheal disease, growth stunting and malabsorption, whereas Blastocystsi sp. infection is often asymptomatic and its pathogenicity remains debated. Following the rapid expansion of modern equine industries (horse racing, equestrian sports, production, and tourism), concern about the spread of parasitic diseases caused by human–horse contact has gradually increased. In this study, 631 horse fecal specimens were collected from three geographical localities in Shanxi Province, North China. The prevalence and genetic characteristics of the two parasites were determined by amplification of multiple genetic loci (tpi, triosephosphate isomerase; gdh, glutamate dehydrogenase; bg, beta-giardin) for G. duodenalis and the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene for Blastocystis sp. Overall, the prevalence of G. duodenalis and Blastocystis sp. in horses in Shanxi Province was 7.9% and 0.8%, respectively. Sequence analysis identified three assemblages (A, B, and E) of G. duodenalis and two subtypes (ST1 and ST5) of Blastocystis sp. in horses; assemblage B and subtype ST1 were detected more frequently than the other types (subtypes) in this data set. This study is the first to report G. duodenalis and Blastocystis sp. infections in horses in Shanxi Province, and these findings provide baseline molecular epidemiological data for horses in Shanxi Province and support continued hygiene management to reduce potential zoonotic transmission. Full article

Reproductive efficiency is a critical determinant of productivity and profitability in both dairy and beef cattle systems. Progesterone-based estrus synchronization protocols have emerged as essential tools to control the timing of ovulation, enhance artificial insemination efficiency, and optimize herd reproductive performance. These protocols exploit the physiological regulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis, maintaining elevated progesterone levels to suppress ovulation and coordinating luteolysis and follicular wave emergence through prostaglandins, GnRH analogues, and, in some cases, equine chorionic gonadotropin. In beef cattle, progesterone supplementation facilitates fixed-time artificial insemination, shortens calving intervals, and improves calf crop uniformity, whereas in dairy cows it mitigates poor estrus detection, enhances service rates, and reduces days open. Fertility outcomes are influenced by cow physiological status, metabolic condition, and protocol adherence, with pregnancy per AI typically ranging from moderate to high in beef cattle and lower in lactating dairy cows. Economic evaluation indicates that these protocols are cost-effective in herds with moderate to large size, low estrus detection efficiency, and intensive management, although labor, drug costs, and handling requirements must be considered. Critical analysis suggests that synchronization cannot compensate for underlying nutritional, health, or metabolic deficiencies, and future research should focus on precision application, individualized protocols, and integration with automated reproductive monitoring to improve both biological and economic efficiency. This review summarizes physiological principles, protocol designs, practical applications, fertility outcomes, and economic considerations of progesterone-based estrus synchronization in cows, highlighting current challenges and perspectives for enhanced reproductive management. Full article

Reproductive emergencies in male dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) threaten fertility, health, and welfare but remain poorly documented. This review consolidates knowledge on the diagnosis, management, and prognosis of acute reproductive pathologies, including traumatic injuries (testicular trauma, penile hematoma, and preputial laceration), obstructive conditions (urethral obstruction, phimosis, and paraphimosis), vascular emergencies (spermatic cord torsion, priapism), inflammatory diseases (orchitis, epididymitis, pizzle rot), congenital anomalies (persistent frenulum), iatrogenic complications, and pharmacologic-induced dysfunction. Systematic breeding soundness examination and ultrasonography are indispensable for assessing testicular perfusion and guiding intervention. Given the scarcity of camel-specific literature, this narrative clinical review integrates evidence from published camelid studies, relevant reports from other domestic species, and representative clinical observations documented by the authors to provide a practical framework for diagnosis and management. Field constraints, the stoic nature of camels, and harmful ethnoveterinary practices often delay diagnosis and compromise outcomes. Prognosis varies considerably depending on the condition and timeliness of intervention; early aggressive management can preserve reproductive function, while delayed treatment frequently results in permanent infertility or death. Given the economic and cultural importance of camels in arid regions, improving outcomes for reproductive emergencies is essential for sustaining breeding programs and enhancing animal welfare. This narrative clinical review integrates published literature with representative clinical observations and retrospective field cases to summarize the diagnosis, management, and prognosis of reproductive emergencies in male dromedary camels. It also provides a structured clinical framework to support veterinarians in managing these acute conditions and highlights critical gaps requiring further research. Full article

Optimization of nitrogen (N) management is critical for enhancing maize (Zea mays L.) productivity while maintaining soil health. The present study investigated the impact of split-application fertilization strategies on soil chemical properties and grain yield across three distinct soil types (calcaric fluvisol, luvic phaeozem, and stagnic phaeozem) in Mureș County, Romania, over three cropping seasons (2022–2024). Three fertilization variants were evaluated: the first treatment, designated V1, involved the application of 300 kg/ha NPK 20-20-0 + 300 kg/ha urea, the second treatment V2 utilized 300 kg/ha NPK 20-20-0 + 300 kg/ha NAC 27 N-calcium ammonium nitrate, and the third treatment V3 served as the baseline control, receiving (300 kg/ha NPK 20-20-0). Results indicated that significant differences were observed among the three experimental sites representing contrasting soil types for soil chemical properties and maize productivity. Calcaric fluvisol exhibited the highest production potential, attaining a mean yield of 11,702.78 kg/ha. The impact of N supplementation on soil N levels and maize yield was found to be significant. The variant receiving urea supplementation (V1) achieved the highest median yield of 9560 kg/ha in comparison to the 7420 kg/ha obtained in the control. A strong positive correlation was observed between N index and yield across all soil types (ρ = 0.93 to 0.97, p < 0.001). Fertilization significantly influenced soil pH, CaCO₃ content, nitrogen index, phosphorus availability, and maize yield, whereas humus content remained relatively stable among treatments. These findings indicate that a split-fertilization regime combining NPK with urea provides a favorable balance between productivity and cost-effectiveness and maize output in the Transylvanian Plateau. Full article

Acidic subsoils can restrict root growth and nitrogen (N) uptake and increase the risk of N loss; however, the extent of genotypic variation remains unclear. We evaluated two bread wheat cultivars, Haruyokoi and Harukirari, and one spelt line, KU-1025, under limed and acidic subsoil treatments to clarify whether maintaining root growth in acidic subsoil contributes to greater N capture and lower N loss. After 78 days, we measured shoot dry weight, shoot N uptake, root dry weight, total root length, soil nitrate (NO₃-N) concentration, and cumulative N leaching. The acidic subsoil reduced shoot N uptake, root length in the subsoil, deep-root ratio, and NO₃-N depletion, indicating that it restricted root proliferation and N acquisition. KU-1025 showed the greatest shoot dry weight, shoot N uptake, root dry weight, and total root length under both treatments. It also maintained a high deep-root ratio under acidic subsoil conditions and showed lower soil NO₃-N concentrations and less N leaching than the two wheat cultivars. Across genotypes and treatments, shoot N uptake was positively correlated with root dry weight and total root length, whereas N leaching was negatively correlated with these traits. These results suggest that maintaining a large root system, rather than deep rooting alone, is important for improving N capture and reducing N loss under acidic subsoil conditions, and that KU-1025 may provide useful genetic variation for breeding wheat adapted to acidic subsoil environments. Full article

With the increasing demand for sustainable animal production, the utilization of agricultural and processing by-products as functional feed ingredients has gained growing attention. However, the application of Xiasangju processing residues, a by-product generated during the industrial processing of the traditional Chinese herbal formula Xiasangju, in poultry nutrition remains poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional composition, bioactive components, and potential functional effects of Xiasangju processing by-products as a dietary supplement for late-laying hens. Chemical composition was characterized using LC-MS and conventional nutritional analysis, while potential anti-inflammatory mechanisms were predicted via network pharmacology. A total of 288 Jingfen laying hens (55 weeks old) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments supplemented with 0, 0.5%, 1.0%, or 1.5% Xiasangju processing by-products for 56 days. Results showed that 11 major active compounds were identified, including relatively high levels of linarin and rosmarinic acid, along with abundant crude protein, fiber, minerals, and amino acids. Dietary supplementation at 1.5% was associated with higher egg production rate, egg weight, and yolk color without obvious adverse effects on organ indices or serum biochemical parameters. This treatment was also associated with lower inflammatory gene expression, including IL-6 and COX-2 in the ileum and NF-κB, IL-6, COX-2, and TNF-α in the cecum. No significant effects were observed on antioxidant status in yolk or liver, or intestinal morphology. Integrated analyses using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vitro COX-2 inhibition suggested that anti-inflammatory-related responses may involve COX-2-related pathways, while 16S rRNA sequencing indicated changes in gut microbiota composition. In conclusion, Xiasangju processing by-products may serve as a potential functional feed ingredient for late-laying hens, with 1.5% inclusion showing favorable overall performance under the conditions of this study. These effects may be associated with the combined contribution of residual nutrients and bioactive compounds in the residues. Full article

Anatomical variation in the equine tarsus may involve either fusion of the os tarsale primum with the os tarsale secundum or the presence of a separate os tarsale primum. The distal row of tarsal bones is therefore of particular anatomical interest, as an independent first tarsal bone has been only sporadically documented in previous studies. In this study, twelve equine tarsal joints were examined using macroscopic and radiographic methods. In eleven specimens, six tarsal bones were identified, whereas in one specimen (1/12, 8.3%), seven tarsal bones were observed due to the presence of an independent os tarsale primum with an irregular cuboid shape. Radiographic examination confirmed and complemented the macroscopic findings. These results document the morphological characteristics of the distal tarsal region in the examined specimens and may support further anatomical and diagnostic studies of the equine tarsal joint. Full article

Porcine blood meal is a protein and iron-rich animal by-product, but its use in companion animal diets is often limited by poor solubility and variable digestibility caused by thermal processing. This study evaluated whether enzymatic hydrolysis could improve the physicochemical properties, digestibility, iron-related characteristics, and antioxidant capacity of porcine blood meal for potential use in canine diets. Porcine blood meal was hydrolyzed using alcalase or pepsin under controlled conditions, and the resulting hydrolysates were characterized by degree of hydrolysis, electrophoretic peptide profiles, techno-functional properties, in vitro digestibility using a simulated canine gastrointestinal model, heme and non-heme iron fractions, and antioxidant activities. Alcalase treatment produced a higher degree of hydrolysis and more extensive peptide fragmentation than pepsin. Consistent with these structural changes, the alcalase hydrolysate exhibited significantly higher in vitro apparent digestibility. Enzymatic hydrolysis increased extractable heme iron while reducing ferrozine-reactive non-heme iron, suggesting changes in iron binding forms after proteolysis. Hydrolyzed samples also showed enhanced radical scavenging activity and ferric-reducing capacity, whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity decreased following hydrolysis. These findings indicate that controlled enzymatic hydrolysis, particularly with alcalase, could improve apparent digestibility and non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity of porcine blood meal, supporting its potential as an iron-containing ingredient in canine diets. Further in vivo studies would be required to confirm iron availability and nutritional efficacy. Full article

Porcine coronavirus is one of the prevalent enteric coronaviruses in pigs, causing watery diarrhea and even death in suckling piglets and resulting in giant losses to the pig industry. However, effective antiviral strategies against PDCoV remain limited. Notoginsenoside R1 (NG-R1), a saponin extracted from Panax notoginseng, exhibits diverse bioactivities, but its antiviral potential has not been fully characterized. Herein, we systematically investigated the anti-PDCoV effect of NG-R1 and its underlying mechanism. NG-R1 showed no cytotoxic effect on LLC-PK1 cells and exerted antiviral ability against PDCoV infection through targeting the whole life cycle of the virus. In addition, network pharmacology analysis identified calcium signaling as a potentially relevant pathway involved in the antiviral activity of NG-R1. Further data demonstrated that PDCoV infection disrupted intracellular calcium homeostasis, whereas NG-R1 treatment partially restored calcium balance and attenuated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Moreover, NG-R1 modulated the expression of SERCA2, a key regulator of ER calcium transport. Thapsigargin, an inhibitor of SERCA2, showed similar antiviral capacity to NG-R1. Collectively, our findings suggest that NG-R1 exerts antiviral activity against PDCoV, potentially through regulation of calcium homeostasis mediated by SERCA2. This study provides a theoretical basis for the development of novel antiviral agents targeting calcium signaling pathways. Full article

Background/Objectives: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), due to their regenerative and multipotent properties, have emerged as promising therapeutic agents in tissue repair and regeneration. These biological characteristics might contribute to optimized anastomotic healing and to a reduction in postoperative complications following digestive surgery. The present study aimed to evaluate whether intraperitoneal or perianastomotic administration of MSCs provides superior healing outcomes in colonic anastomoses in Wistar rats. Methods: MSCs were isolated from inguinal adipose tissue harvested from 2 Wistar rats. Thirty male Wistar rats were allocated to 3 groups: (i) the control group, with regular anastomosis, (ii) peri-anastomotic injection of MSCs, and (iii) intraperitoneal injection of MSCs. The animals were sacrificed on postoperative day 14. The evaluated outcomes included clinical evolution, adhesion index, histological characteristics, and tissue hydroxyproline content. Results: The incidence of anastomotic leakage and the mortality rate were 0%. Therefore, the present study primarily demonstrates changes in surrogate markers of healing, including inflammatory response, collagen deposition, adhesion formation, and hydroxyproline content. The adhesion index was similar in the groups receiving MSC administration (p = 0.05); however, intraperitoneal administration demonstrated superior outcomes when compared to standard anastomosis in reducing adhesion formation (p = 0.002). Histopathological analysis showed a decreased inflammatory process and an increased collagen deposition at the anastomotic site following MSC administration (p < 0.05). Moreover, tissue hydroxyproline levels were significantly increased after both perianastomotic (0.831 ± 0.02, p < 0.05) and intraperitoneal (0.54 ± 0.02, p < 0.05) MSC administration compared with the control group (0.251 ± 0.006). Conclusions: These results suggest that MSC administration may improve histological and biochemical markers associated with colonic anastomotic healing in a non-ischemic experimental model. The experimental model used is suitable for further studies aimed at determining the optimal indications, routes of administration, and adjunctive agents that may potentiate the effects of MSCs. Full article

Rurbanization and peri-urbanization are among the most dynamic territorial processes affecting metropolitan regions in Morocco, particularly within the Casablanca–Settat region. These transformations, driven by rapid urban growth, demographic pressure, and socio-economic change, generate complex transitional spaces between rural and urban environments. In this context, the present study proposes a hybrid methodology for detecting, classifying, and analyzing the rural–urban continuum by using remote sensing data and artificial intelligence techniques. The approach integrates Sentinel-2 satellite imagery, spectral indices, Global Human Settlement Layer datasets, and socio-demographic indicators derived from the Moroccan census. Two models, Self-Organizing Maps (SOM) and Graph Neural Networks (GNN), were applied to classify territories into four categories: urban, peri-urban, rurban, and rural. Model outputs were combined with expert-based decision rules to improve classification robustness and interpretability. The SOM model achieved up to $89.3\%$ agreement with expert classifications and a Cohen’s Kappa coefficient of $0.842$, demonstrating strong interpretability and consistency, while the GNN model reached $53\%$ agreement and effectively modeled spatial dependencies and neighborhood interactions. Diachronic analysis between 2014 and 2024 revealed a $54\%$ increase in peri-urban municipalities, a $24\%$ decrease in rurban territories, and a decline in rural municipalities, highlighting intensified urban sprawl and fragmentation of agricultural landscapes. Beyond its scientific contribution, this study provides a valuable decision-support framework for urban planners, environmental agencies, and policy makers involved in territorial governance and sustainable development. It can support land-use planning, monitoring of urban sprawl, protection of agricultural lands, and the implementation of adaptive territorial policies aimed at improving the resilience and sustainability of rurban environments. Full article

The Gentile di Puglia sheep breed represents an important component of Southern Italy’s livestock biodiversity, yet its wool traits have not been systematically evaluated for several decades. This study aimed to provide an updated phenotypic assessment of key wool characteristics and to explore the structure of their variability across production contexts. Data were collected from 3089 animals from nine farms over two consecutive years and included fibre diameter, staple length, coefficient of variation in fibre diameter, and clean yield. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, principal component analysis, and mixed-effects models were applied to evaluate phenotypic patterns and partition sources of variability. Fibre diameter and staple length showed moderate variability, with most variation occurring within farm-year units, whereas clean yield exhibited a stronger dependence on farm-year conditions. Correlations among traits were generally weak, indicating a high degree of independence. The multivariate analysis revealed a diffuse structure, with no dominant axis explaining most of the variability. Variance component analysis confirmed that production context had a greater influence on clean yield than on fibre-related traits. These results highlight the importance of both conservation and management strategies. The observed variability may provide useful opportunities for future breeding and conservation strategies, while the sensitivity of clean yield to environmental and management factors underscores the need for improved handling practices. Overall, the Gentile di Puglia breed retains a flexible phenotypic profile that supports its conservation and potential valorisation in sustainable production systems. Full article

Equine asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lower respiratory tract, primarily associated with inhalation of organic dust, microbial particles and environmental aeroantigens. Although the inflammatory and immunological mechanisms underlying equine asthma have been extensively investigated, the potential contribution of neuroimmune pathways remains poorly understood. In humans and rodent models, asthma is increasingly recognised as a disorder involving complex bidirectional interactions between the nervous and immune systems. Sensory nerve activation, neuropeptide release, autonomic dysregulation and neuronal remodelling contribute to bronchoconstriction, airway hyperresponsiveness, mucus hypersecretion and chronic airway remodelling. This review summarises current knowledge of the neuroimmune mechanisms involved in asthma, with particular emphasis on comparative aspects across humans, rodents and horses. Literature searches were conducted using the PubMed database, focusing on studies investigating neurogenic inflammation, airway innervation, neuropeptides, transient receptor potential channels and neuronal remodelling in asthma and chronic airway disease. Existing equine evidence indicates the presence of substance P- and calcitonin gene-related peptide-immunoreactive nerve fibres in the equine airways, increased neurokinin-mediated bronchoconstriction in severe equine asthma, and enhanced airway innervation in affected horses. However, compared with human and rodent studies, horse-specific data remain extremely limited. Current evidence suggests that neuroimmune pathways are unlikely to be the primary initiating mechanism of equine asthma, but may act as important modulators of chronic airway dysfunction and disease progression. The marked scarcity of equine studies investigating neuroimmune signalling represents a major knowledge gap and highlights an important direction for future research in equine respiratory medicine. Full article

Spermatogenesis is a highly coordinated biological process in which diploid spermatogonia undergo mitotic expansion, meiotic division, and terminal differentiation into haploid spermatozoa. This process is tightly regulated by intrinsic germ cell programs and extrinsic signals from Sertoli cells within the seminiferous epithelium. Among the signaling pathways governing male germ cell development, all-trans retinoic acid (RA), a bioactive metabolite of vitamin A, has emerged as a master regulator of meiotic initiation and spermatogonial differentiation in mammals. RA functions through nuclear retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and retinoid X receptors (RXRs), which regulate transcriptional networks essential for germ cell progression, including the activation of Stimulated by Retinoic Acid 8 (STRA8), a key determinant of meiotic entry. Intratesticular RA homeostasis is maintained by a balance between synthesis via aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) enzymes and degradation by cytochrome P450 family 26 (CYP26) enzymes, ensuring precise temporal and spatial control of germ cell development. While rodent models have defined core mechanisms of RA signaling, the canine testis provides a valuable comparative and translational system due to its physiological similarity to human spermatogenesis and relevance to reproductive management. Recent studies highlight conserved RA signaling pathways in dogs, including receptor-mediated transcriptional regulation, feedback control of RA metabolism, and post-transcriptional modulation via microRNAs. Importantly, pharmacological manipulation of RA signaling can reversibly disrupt spermatogenesis, supporting its potential applications in non-hormonal male contraception. This review integrates molecular, developmental, pharmacological, and comparative evidence and presents RA signaling as a central regulatory axis of spermatogenesis with important translational applications. Full article