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Correction: Penagos-Tabares et al. Mixtures of Mycotoxins, Phytoestrogens, and Other Secondary Metabolites in Whole-Plant Corn Silages and Total Mixed Rations of Dairy Farms in Central and Northern Mexico. Toxins 2023, 15, 153
No full textError in Table: In the original publication [ 1], there was a mistake in Table 3 as published. A section
of Table 3 (Fusarium-Metabolites) was unintentionally deleted during the edition process
Unveiling the genetic landscape of infectious laryngotracheitis virus in Switzerland: Evidence for vaccine-like and wild-type strains
No full textInfectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) is a respiratory disease affecting chickens worldwide. Unlike many countries, Switzerland does not vaccinate against ILT. This study analysed ILT samples from 21 natural outbreaks in Switzerland using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and multiple gene sequencing. Chicken embryo origin (CEO) and tissue culture origin (TCO) vaccine strains were included as references. Both vaccine strains were distinguishable, and 14 out of 21 samples resembled the CEO vaccine. Additionally, four distinct non-vaccine-like groups were identified. Sequencing of three genes from selected Swiss samples and those from neighbouring countries revealed four phylogenetic clades. Notably, four Swiss field strains formed two unique clades, not closely related to vaccine strains or ILTV from neighbouring countries. Overall, RFLP results were supported by sequencing data. This study demonstrates the presence of both vaccine-like and wild-type ILT viruses in Switzerland, where vaccination is de facto prohibited.Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved
Video evidence of mountings by female-plumaged birds of paradise (Aves: Paradisaeidae) in the wild: Is there evidence of alternative mating tactics
No full textThe bewildering courtship phenotypes of male birds of paradise (Paradisaedae) represent a classic example of sexual selection through mate choice. While the majority of sexual selection studies have focused on either mate choice or intrasexual competition, males across a variety of taxa adopt alternative mating tactics as additional means of obtaining fertilization when they are otherwise unable to. For example, across various polygynous birds, subordinate males engage in sneak copulations, which may offset the fitness costs of prolonged subordinate periods. Despite exhibiting strong mating skews and male delayed plumage maturation, reports of sneak copulation in the birds of paradise are exceedingly rare. After reviewing an extensive video collection of courtship interactions, we found examples of mountings by female-plumaged birds in three birds of paradise species: the Western parotia Parotia sefilata, Carola\u27s parotia Parotia carolae, and the magnificent bird of paradise Cicinnurus magnificus. While homosexual mountings by females have been documented previously in Lawes\u27 parotia P. lawesii, adult males in the magnificent bird of paradise violently attacked intruding female-plumaged birds attempting to mount receivers, suggesting that they may be immature males engaging in alternative mating tactics. Overall, the rare video footage described here is suggestive of two fascinating, yet unexplored phenomena in polygynous birds: alternative mating tactics and female homosexual behaviour
Protamine 2 and phospholipase C zeta 1 are possible biomarkers for the diagnosis of male subfertility in frozen-thawed stallion semen
No full textSubfertility is one of the main issues in horse breeding and the study of mRNAs in sperm might help in elucidating the reasons that lead to this diagnosis. The present study aims at assessing the differences in the expression of 10 potential candidate genes in stallions of different fertility. Frozen-thawed semen of 29 stallions was included. Each sample was classified into two groups according to pregnancy rates (PR) achieved with this semen: "good fertility" (GF; n = 17; PR ≥ 30 %) or "poor fertility" (PF; n = 12; PR <20 %). All stallions underwent a breeding soundness examination (BSE) before semen production and were only included into the semen cryopreservation program when raw semen characteristics at BSE met minimal requirements. Semen was cryopreserved following European Union regulations and all stallions met the respective health requirements. Each sample was assessed for concentration (NucleoCounter SP-100), motility (CASA), membrane functionality (SYBR-14/PI), mitochondrial membrane potential (JC-1), morphology (SpermacStain), acrosome integrity (SpermacStain), membrane integrity (HOS test) and chromatin integrity (Aniline blue). Sperm RNAs were extracted using the Direct-zol RNA Miniprep Kit (Zymo Research) and RT-qPCR was performed for each target gene. ACTB and RPL32 were included as reference genes (RGs) for normalization. For each variable of each group, mean, standard deviation and SEM were calculated. The difference in gene expression levels between the GF and PF group were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman\u27s rank correlation. Significant results were considered with p < 0.05. Sperm quality parameters did not differ significantly between the two groups except for concentration, that was significantly higher in GF (p = 0.043). In GF a positive correlation was identified for PRM1/PRM2 with r = +0.6, while PRM1/ACR (r = -0.495), PRM2/ZPBP (r = -0.645) and CRISP3/ACR (r = -0.551) were inversely correlated. In PF direct correlations were registered for PRM1/PRM2 (r = +0.629), PRM1/PRM3 (r = +0.657), PRM2/SPA17 (r = +0.685), SPA17/PLCZ1 (r = +0.786) and PRM3/ACR (r = +0.627). In the total sample (GF + PF), positive correlations were detected for PRM1/PRM2 (r = +0.625), PRM1/PRM3 (r = +0.368); PRM2/SPA17 (r = +0.465), SPA17/PLCZ1 (r = +0.637) and PLCZ1/ZAN (r = +0.587). Only two of the genes considered were differentially expressed in the 2 groups: PRM2 and PLCZ1, that were significantly (p < 0.05) overexpressed in the GF group. Stallions frozen-thawed semen with higher expression levels of PRM2 and PLCZ1 are more likely to belong to animals with a good pregnancy rate. Further studies are needed to investigate the role of sperm transcripts in male subfertility in stallions.Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved
Machine Learning to Identify Critical Biomarker Profiles in New SARS-CoV-2 Variants
No full textThe global dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 resulted in the emergence of several variants, including Alpha, Alpha + E484K, Beta, and Omicron. Our research integrated the study of eukaryotic translation factors and fundamental components in general protein synthesis with the analysis of SARS-CoV-2 variants and vaccination status. Utilizing statistical methods, we successfully differentiated between variants in infected individuals and, to a lesser extent, between vaccinated and non-vaccinated infected individuals, relying on the expression profiles of translation factors. Additionally, our investigation identified common causal relationships among the translation factors, shedding light on the interplay between SARS-CoV-2 variants and the host\u27s translation machinery
Detection of PRRSV-1 in tongue fluids under experimental and field conditions and comparison of different sampling material for PRRSV sow herd monitoring
No full textInfection with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) leads to significant economic losses worldwide. One of the initial measures following an outbreak is to stabilise the herd and to prevent vertical transmission of PRRSV. The objective of this study was to detect PRRSV in different sampling material, both in an experimental model and on a commercial piglet producing farm, with a focus on evaluating the suitability of tongue fluid samples.In the experimental model, PRRSV negative pregnant gilts were infected with PRRSV-1 AUT15-33 on gestation day 85 and necropsy of gilts and foetuses was performed three weeks later. 38.3% of individual foetal serum and 39.4% of individual foetal thymus samples were considered PRRSV RT-qPCR positive. Tongue fluids from individual foetuses showed a 33.0% positivity rate. PRRSV RNA was detected in all but one sample of litter-wise pooled processing fluids and tongue fluids. In the field study, the investigated farm remained PRRSV positive and unstable for five consecutive farrowing groups after the start of the sampling process. Tongue fluid samples pooled by litter in the first investigated farrowing group had a 54.5% positivity rate, with the overall highest viral load obtained in the field study. In this farrowing group, 33.3% of investigated litter-wise pooled processing fluid samples and all investigated serum samples (pools of 4-6 individuals, two piglets per litter) were considered positive. Across all investigated farrowing groups, tongue fluid samples consistently showed the highest viral load. Moreover, tongue fluid samples contained the virus in moderate amounts for the longest time compared to the other investigated sampling material.It can be concluded that the viral load in individual foetuses is higher in serum or thymus compared to tongue fluid samples. However, litter-wise pooled tongue fluid samples are well-suited for detecting vertical transmission within the herd, even when the suspected prevalence of vertical transmission events is low
Contrary effects of the gut metabolites deoxycholate and butyrate on the acetylcholine-evoked calcium response in an enteroendocrine cell model
No full textEctotherms have peculiar relationships with microorganisms. For instance, bacteria are recovered from the blood and internal organs of healthy teleosts. However, the presence of microbial communities in the healthy teleost brain has not been proposed. Here, we report a living bacterial community in the brain of healthy salmonids with bacterial loads comparable to those of the spleen and 1000-fold lower than in the gut. Brain bacterial communities share >50% of their diversity with gut and blood bacterial communities. Using culturomics, we obtained 54 bacterial isolates from the brains of healthy trout. Comparative genomics suggests that brain bacteria may have adaptations for niche colonization and polyamine biosynthesis. In a natural system, Chinook salmon brain microbiomes shift from juveniles to reproductively mature adults. Our study redefines the physiological relationships between the brain and bacteria in teleosts. This symbiosis may endow salmonids with a direct mechanism to sense and respond to environmental microbes
Estimating Cognitive Ability in the Wild: Validation of a Detour Test Paradigm Using a Cichlid Fish (Neolamprologus pulcher)
No full textCognitive abilities vary within and among species, and several hypotheses have been proposed to explain this variation. Two of the most prominent hypotheses regarding the evolution of cognition link increased social and habitat complexity with advanced cognitive abilities. Several studies have tested predictions derived from these two hypotheses, but these were rarely conducted under natural conditions with wild animals. However, this is of particular importance if we aim to link cognitive abilities with fitness-relevant factors to better understand the evolution of cognition. The biggest hurdle to assessing cognition in the wild is to find a suitable setup that is easy to use under field conditions. Here, we set out to evaluate an extremely simple test of cognitive ability for use with a broad range of aquatic animals in their natural habitat. We did so by developing a detour test paradigm in which fish had to detour a clear obstacle to reach a food reward. By altering the difficulty of the task, we confirmed that this setup is a valid test of cognitive abilities in wild groups of a Lake Tanganyika cichlid, Neolamprologus pulcher. Subsequently, we probed specific predictions from the two major hypotheses regarding cognitive evolution using the most difficult test configuration. Specifically, we tested the variation in cognitive abilities among groups of different sizes occupying habitats of varying complexity. We find mixed support for both hypotheses, but we hope that our work inspires future investigations on the evolution of cognition in Lake Tanganyika cichlids
Automatisierte nukleäre Morphometrie von kaninen (sub)kutanen Weichteilsarkomen mit Hilfe künstlicher Intelligenz
No full textDiplomarbeit - Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien - 2024Weichteilsarkome (STS) sind lokal expansiv wachsende Neoplasien mesenchymalen Ursprungs, welche bei Hunden häufig in Dermis und Subkutis auftreten. Das System nach Dennis et al. wird häufig für die pathohistologische Klassifizierung (Grading) verwendet. Mit dieser Methode können jedoch inter- und intraobserver Variabilitäten zustande kommen. Ein weiterer Parameter zur prognostischen Beurteilung von Tumoren ist die nukleäre Pleomorphie (Unterschiede der Zellkerngröße und -form). Möglichkeiten die nukleäre Pleomorphie zu beurteilen sind die subjektive Einschätzung durch Pathologinnen und Pathologen und die computergestützte manuelle oder automatisierte nukleäre Morphometrie (das Ausmessen verschiedener Zellkerneigenschaften). In der vorliegenden Arbeit erfolgt die prognostische Beurteilung von kaninen (sub)kutanen Weichteilsarkomen mittels automatisierter nukleärer Morphometrie durch Verwendung künstlicher Intelligenz. Dies soll eine schnellere und genauere Bewertung ermöglichen und die Reproduzierbarkeit der Prognosebestimmung steigern. Um den Algorithmus zu entwickeln, wurden 36.827 Nuclei in fünfzig HE-Bildern annotiert und mittels 48 weiteren nachverfolgten Fällen anschließend validiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Aussagekraft des Algorithmus, aufgrund der geringen prognostischen Relevanz der morphometrischen Parameter, eingeschränkt ist. Das momentane Modell dieser Studie kann somit nicht als alleiniges Instrument, sondern lediglich zur Unterstützung der pathohistologischen Beurteilung von kaninen cSTS verwendet werden. Um die Aussagekraft des Modells zu verbessern und die Fehlerquellen zu minimieren ist in Zukunft eine Überarbeitung des Algorithmus bezüglich der Untersegmentierung nötig, sodass mehrere Nuclei nicht mehr zusammengefasst, sondern als einzeln gewertet werden können. Eine größere Studienpopulation zur Validierung der Ergebnisse könnte die Interpretierbarkeit des Modells erhöhen. Zusätzlich könnten die Ergebnisse des Algorithmus durch manuelle Morphometrie verifiziert werden.Soft tissue sarcomas are common, locally expansive growing neoplasms that originate from mesenchymal tissue and often occur in cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue. The system according to Dennis et al. is often used for pathohistological classification (grading). However, this method shows inter- and intraobserver variability. Nuclear pleomorphism (the differences in size and shape of nuclei) is another parameter for the prognostic assessment of tumors. There are various ways of assessing nuclear pleomorphism. These include subjective estimates by pathologists, and manual or automated nuclear morphometry (the measurement of various variables of Nuclei). In this study, the prognostic utility of automated nuclear morphometry using artificial intelligence was evaluated for canine (sub)cutaneous soft tissue sarcomas. Automated nuclear morphometry could enable a faster and more accurate assessment and increase the reproducibility of the prognostic assessment. In fifty HE-images, 36827 nuclei were annotated to develop the algorithm, which was subsequently validated using 48 additional followed-up cases. The results show that the prognostic utility of this algorithm is limited, as the morphometric parameters have a low significance. Therefore, the current model of this study cannot be used as a sole instrument, but only as a pathohistological tool to pre-evaluate canine cSTS. To increase the prognostic value and minimize the sources of error, the algorithm needs to be improved, especially regarding the subsegmentation so that several nuclei will no longer be grouped but evaluated individually. A larger study population for result validation could also improve the interpretability of this model. Manual morphometry could also support verification of the algorithms results.Diplomarbeit - Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien - 2024Weichteilsarkome (STS) sind lokal expansiv wachsende Neoplasien mesenchymalen Ursprungs, welche bei Hunden häufig in Dermis und Subkutis auftreten. Das System nach Dennis et al. wird häufig für die pathohistologische Klassifizierung (Grading) verwendet. Mit dieser Methode können jedoch inter- und intraobserver Variabilitäten zustande kommen. Ein weiterer Parameter zur prognostischen Beurteilung von Tumoren ist die nukleäre Pleomorphie (Unterschiede der Zellkerngröße und -form). Möglichkeiten die nukleäre Pleomorphie zu beurteilen sind die subjektive Einschätzung durch Pathologinnen und Pathologen und die computergestützte manuelle oder automatisierte nukleäre Morphometrie (das Ausmessen verschiedener Zellkerneigenschaften). In der vorliegenden Arbeit erfolgt die prognostische Beurteilung von kaninen (sub)kutanen Weichteilsarkomen mittels automatisierter nukleärer Morphometrie durch Verwendung künstlicher Intelligenz. Dies soll eine schnellere und genauere Bewertung ermöglichen und die Reproduzierbarkeit der Prognosebestimmung steigern. Um den Algorithmus zu entwickeln, wurden 36.827 Nuclei in fünfzig HE-Bildern annotiert und mittels 48 weiteren nachverfolgten Fällen anschließend validiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Aussagekraft des Algorithmus, aufgrund der geringen prognostischen Relevanz der morphometrischen Parameter, eingeschränkt ist. Das momentane Modell dieser Studie kann somit nicht als alleiniges Instrument, sondern lediglich zur Unterstützung der pathohistologischen Beurteilung von kaninen cSTS verwendet werden. Um die Aussagekraft des Modells zu verbessern und die Fehlerquellen zu minimieren ist in Zukunft eine Überarbeitung des Algorithmus bezüglich der Untersegmentierung nötig, sodass mehrere Nuclei nicht mehr zusammengefasst, sondern als einzeln gewertet werden können. Eine größere Studienpopulation zur Validierung der Ergebnisse könnte die Interpretierbarkeit des Modells erhöhen. Zusätzlich könnten die Ergebnisse des Algorithmus durch manuelle Morphometrie verifiziert werden
Schutzhundeausbildung (nunmehr IGP), Sportschutz und Mondioring aus kynologischer und rechtlicher Perspektive
No full textDie Betätigung als Schutzhund und Mondioring sind beliebte Hundesportarten und Wettkampfdisziplinen, die zunehmend kritisiert werden,da sie ein Angriffs- und Beißtraining auf einen durch Beißärmel bzw Ganzkörperanzug geschützten Menschen beinhalten. Während ein solches Training im Hinblick auf Diensthunde der Sicherheitsexekutive und des Bundesheeres streng reglementiert ist und der öffentlichen Sicherheit dient, stellt sich die Frage, ob bzw unter welchen Voraussetzungen es im Lichte des Tierschutzes und der Sicherheit gerechtfertigt werden kann, dass Hunde in privater Haltung einem derartigen Training unterzogen werden. Der Beitrag geht auf der Grundlage der einschlägigen Fachliteratur der Frage nach, ob die Schutzhundeausbildung aus kynologischer Sicht das Gefahrenpotential eines Hundes erhöhen kann und wie diese Ausbildung im Lichte der geltenden tierschutzrechtlichen und sicherheitspolizeilichen Vorschriften zu beurteilen ist. Im Ergebnis gelangen die Autorinnen zur Auffassung, dass eine Erhöhung des Gefahrenpotential eines Hundes durch Schutzhundeausbildung nicht ausgeschlossen werden kann und die Gefährlichkeit eines Hundes jedenfalls dann steigt, wenn die Ausbildung nicht fachgerecht durchgeführt bzw abgebrochen oder der ausgebildete Hund – zB aufgrund eines Halterwechsels – nicht sachkundig geführt wird. Ausbildungen und Betätigungen von Hunden, die ein Angriffs- und Beißtraining beinhalten, sollten daher für Privathunde und deren Halter verboten oder zumindest – was Zugang,Sachkunde und Dokumentation betrifft – reglementiert werden. Regelungsbedarf besteht zudem im Hinblick auf Hunde und Hundeführer, die von privaten Sicherheitsunternehmen eingesetzt werden