Different Groups Of Animals Research Articles

Synergistic Antiemetic Effects of Nerolidol on Domperidone, Hyoscine, and Ondansetron: In Vivo and in Silico Investigations on Receptor Binding Affinity.

The present study was designed to measure the potential antiemetic properties of nerolidol (NDL) via in vivo and in silico studies. To induce emesis copper sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO4.5H2O) was administered at a dose of 50 mg/kg (orally) to 2-day-old chicks. The test sample (NDL) was given at two doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg. b.w. orally. Additionally, aprepitant (16 mg/kg), domperidone (6 mg/kg), hyoscine (21 mg/kg), ondansetron (5 mg/kg), and diphenhydramine (10 mg/kg) were given also orally as positive controls. To observe the modulatory effects of the test sample, combination therapies with reference drugs were also administered to three different groups of animals. Molecular docking and visualization of ligand-receptor interaction were performed against several emesis-inducing receptors (5HT3, D2, D3, H1, and M1-M5) using diverse computational tools. Pharmacokinetics and drug-likeness of the selected ligands were also calculated. Findings demonstrated that NDL significantly (p <0.05) dose-dependently lessens the mean number of retches and delays the emetic onset in the chicks. The combined drug therapy with ondansetron exposed better antiemetic activity. In addition, in silico analysis, NDL has greater binding affinity (-7.3 kcal/mol) against M2 and M3 receptors. In conclusion, NDL exerted mild antiemetic activity with synergistic properties through muscarinic receptors.

Qualitative Phytochemical Analysis and Assessments of Analgesic and Antidiarrheal Activity of the Methanolic Leaf Extract of Cheilanthes tenuifolia: In Vivo Study.

Cheilanthes tenuifolia (Burm.f.), commonly known as the Sword Fern or Narrow-leaved Cloak Fern, is a little evergreen fern that belongs to the Pteridaceae family and is abundant in various bioactive compounds exerting promising medicinal properties. The current study is designed to evaluate in vivo analgesic and antidiarrheal activity of the methanol leaf extract of C. tenuifolia (MCT). For this purpose, Swiss albino mice were used to investigate the analgesic and antidiarrheal properties using acetic acid-induced writhing and castor oil-induced diarrhea methods, respectively. The mice were administered orally with different doses of MCT (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg). The vehicle performed as a negative control (NC), while diclofenac sodium (DCN) (25 mg/kg), loperamide (LOP) (3 mg/kg), bismuth subsalicylate (BSS) (10 mg/kg), and nifedipine (NDP) (2.5 mg/kg) were supplied as positive controls (PC) (p.o.). In both models, combination treatment of MCT (higher dose) and PC was also administered to different groups of animals for assessing potential antagonistic or synergistic activity. Findings of the in vivo study demonstrated that MCT dose-dependently significantly (p < 0.05) exhibited analgesic and antidiarrheal properties by reduction in the number of writhing and reductions in the total fecal output in contrast to the NC group. Moreover, in combination treatment, MCT significantly (p < 0.05) synergized the activity of PC in both models, exerting potential analgesic and antidiarrheal activity. In conclusion, MCT has analgesic and antidiarrheal activity; it might be beneficial for the management of pain and diarrhea.

Effects of the new ghrelin receptor antagonist agrelax on compulsive overeating induced by acute and chronic stress in rats

BACKGROUND: Intense and prolonged stress can be detrimental to both psychological and physical health. Stress often leads to the development or worsening of compulsive overeating. Compulsive overeating is characterized by recurrent episodes of consuming large amounts of food, accompanied by a sense of loss of control. AIM: To study the effects of the ghrelin receptor antagonist Agrelax on compulsive overeating induced by acute and chronic stress in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 150 male and 15 female Wistar rats. To simulate compulsive overeating, the animals received a high-calorie mixture based on chocolate paste three times a week, while maintaining free access to standard food and water. Compulsive behavior was assessed using the marble burying test. Different groups of animals were exposed to various stressors, including maternal deprivation, limb electrical stimulation, partial sensory and complete social isolation, and acute vital stress. Agrelax, a ghrelin receptor antagonist, was administered intranasally at a dose of 1 μg/μL, 10 μL in each nostril, for 7 days. RESULTS: Compulsive behavior was evaluated using the marble burying test. The experimental group on a high-calorie diet buried significantly more marbles than the control group (p 0.01). After a 7-day course of Agrelax, the number of buried marbles significantly decreased, reaching the control group values (p 0.05). A model of compulsive overeating in rats was successfully developed by providing high-calorie food three times a week. After a 7-day course of Agrelax, the consumption of high-calorie food significantly decreased (p 0.05). Limb electrical stimulation significantly increased the consumption of high-calorie food (p 0.05). After a 7-day course of Agrelax, the consumption of high-calorie food significantly decreased (p 0.01). Maternal deprivation stress significantly increased the consumption of high-calorie food (p 0.001). After a 7-day course of Agrelax, the consumption of high-calorie food decreased, reaching the control group values. In animals raised under partial sensory and complete social isolation, Agrelax did not significantly reduce the consumption of high-calorie food. In animals subjected to acute vital stress, Agrelax did not reduce the consumption of high-calorie food. CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained suggest new ways for synthesizing peptide pharmacological agents based on ghrelin and its antagonists to treat eating disorders.

Snakes as sentinel of zoonotic yeasts and bio-indicators of environmental quality.

Reptiles in the wild or as pets may act as spreaders of bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. However, studies on the mycobiota of these animals are scanty. This study investigates the occurrence of yeasts from the cloacal swabs of snakes of different origins and the antifungal profile of the isolated strains. A total of 180 cloacal samples of snakes were collected from Morocco (Group I: n = 68) and Italy (Group II: n = 112). Yeast species were biochemically and molecularly identified. A total of 72 yeast strains belonging to 13 genera, 8 from snakes in Group I and five from snakes in Group II were identified. The most frequently isolated species were Trichosporon asahii (22.2%) and Candida tropicalis (15.3%) from snakes in Group I and Debaryomyces spp. (16.7%) and Metahyphopichia silvanorum (11.1%) from snakes in Group II. Multiple azole and amphotericin B (AmB) resistance phenomena were detected among isolated yeasts. Azole multi drug resistance phenomena were detected among yeasts from Group I and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa from Group II, whereas AmB resistance phenomena among those from Group II. Data suggest that snakes may harbor pathogenetic yeasts, being potential reservoirs and spreaders of these organisms in the environment. Since the yeast species community from different groups of animals as well as their antifungal profile reflects the epidemiology of human yeast infections in the same geographical areas, the results indicate that snakes may be considered as sentinels for human/animal pathogenic microorganisms and bio-indicators of environmental quality.

Effect of genetically engineered drugs in aseptic necrosis of the femoral head in rats

Bone tissue is a dynamic structure with a metabolic function. The maintenance of bone homeostasis is carried out due to the continuous process of its renewal, remodeling. At the same time, a number of pathological processes, such as ischemic catastrophe, can lead to a violation of the balance of maintaining the constancy of the bone structure. One of these diseases is aseptic necrosis of the femoral head. The presented study analyzes the dynamics of expression of genes involved in maintaining bone tissue homeostasis, changes in the histological picture during the development of aseptic necrosis of the femoral head in laboratory rats that did not receive genetically engineered drugs and against the background of the use of inhibitors of biological action IL-6, TNF-α. After induction of aseptic necrosis in the proximal epiphysis of the femur, the histological picture in animals of different groups was not the same. More preserved bone architectonics and a larger volume of bone plates were recorded in rats receiving genetically engineered drugs compared to animals without the introduction of biological agents. The latter also had the most vivid picture of osteodestruction with increased expression of proinflammatory cytokine genes. In animals, against the background of the use of drugs of inhibitors of the biological action of IL-6, TNF-α, from the second week after induction of aseptic necrosis of the mRNA, the profile of the spongiose bone of the proximal epiphysis of the femur tended to increase the expression of osteoreparation genes. At the same time, the greatest inhibition of osteoclastogenesis gene expression was obtained in rats after injection of a monoclonal antibody to the IL-6 receptor.

Anthropozoonotic parasitoses of dogs and cats in the urban ecosystem of Vladivostok, Russia

To investigate the role of domestic dogs and cats in the spread of parasitoses in the Vladivostok urban ecosystem. Biological materials from 782 dogs and 189 cats were used in the research, which were examined by methods of complete parasitological autopsy, microscopy and flotation of faecal samples using saturated solutions of zinc sulfate and sodium nitrate.Fourteen parasite taxa have been identified: nematodes (Nematoda) Ancylostoma caninum, Dirofilaria immitis, Toxascaris leonina, Toxocara canis, T. mystax, Uncinaria stenocephala, Taenia sp., T. hydatigena; tapeworms (Cestoda) Diphyllobothrium latum, Dipylidium caninum, Hydatigera taeniaeformis; flukes (Trematoda) Metagonimus sp.; and parasitic alveolates (Conoidasida) Cystoisospora sp., C. felis. The paper presents the values of the prevalence of infection and statistical reliability of their differences for different groups of animals, depending on gender and age. Nematodes were the core taxa of the parasitofauna identified. Explanations for the results obtained are offered and possible sources of human infection are described. Despite the fact that parasitic‐faunal complexes in the ecosystem of a modern city are much less branched and represented by fewer species than in the wild, there remains a high risk of human infection with zoonotic parasites in urban biocenoses due to the high level of intensive population interactions. Therefore, there is a requirement of high alertness of supervisory authorities in relation to anthropozoonotic parasitoses in an urban environment.

LInear measurements of carcases of the Myrhorod breed pigs

Objective. To evaluate the dependence of carcass characteristics of pigs of the Myrhorod breed on the starting capabilities of animals in the neonatal period of development. Methods. Three groups of pigs were formed, differing among themselves in the number of piglets in the litter at birth. For the purpose of comparative assessment, indexes for three groups as a whole were also determined. Young boars were selectedfor fattening and further slaughter. All piglets were received in one period, had free access to feed in accordance with the needs of sex and age groups. This stage of research was conducted at the experimental base of Institute of Pig Breeding and AIP NAAS. The main measurements of pig carcasses were taken at the meat processing plant of "Prodfoodservice" LLC in Poltava. Animals with a live weight of 100 kg were selected for the assessment. General rules were followed for the assessment of pig carcasses. The topography of fat deposition on the carcass was determined by the following points of taking measurements of the thickness of lard with skin: at the withers; at the level of 6 - 7 thoracic vertebrae; on the waist; on the crosses in three points; at chest level. The formula proposed by N. V. Pivniak was used to determine the average thickness of lard along the spine (watering of the carcass). To compare animals of different groups of pigs of the Myrhorod breed, the full meatiness index (FMI) was calculated. The research results were processed using the traditional method of variational statistics. Results. The differences between the different groups were insignificant in relation to the girth of the sternum. According to the latitudinal parameters of the bacon half of the carcass, there were also no significant differences between different groups of pigs, with a slight shift of preference towards the third group. Regarding the ratio of the front to the back parts of the bacon halves, the smallest values were found in the animals of the second group, and the largest in the first group. Regarding the determination of fat thickness at different points of taking measurements, a clear picture regarding the superiority of a certain group was not determined, although according to most indexes, the carcasses of animals of the first group were marked by larger actual measurements. The animals of all three groups did not meet the requirements for the first extra and the second category of pigs for slaughter according to the fat thickness index at the level of 6 - 7 thoracic vertebrae. All evaluated carcasses were assigned to the third category, which corresponds to the type of productivity of Myrhorod breed of pigs. According to the comprehensive assessment of carcass watering, the highest values were obtainedfor the first group, the average values for the second group, and the smallest values for the third group, respectively. The opposite picture was observed for the full meatiness index, although differences in this index were also unlikely. By comparing the main and most important indexes of the linear diameters of the carcasses of three different groups with the same indexes for all evaluated animals, the animals of the third group were the closest to the average values in relation to the front to the back parts of the bacon halves, the thickness of the lard at the level of the 6 - 7th thoracic vertebrae. At the same time, the animals of the second group were the closest to the average values according to the full meatiness index. Conclusions. As a result of the conducted research, it was found that there is no dependence of meatiness indexes, quality characteristics ofpig carcasses, and in particular, their salinity, etc. from the starting capabilities of animals in the neonatal period of development. Non-compliance with the requirements for the first extra and second categories of pigs for slaughter was found, which indicates that the productivity of the new generation of animals of the Myrhorod breed still belongs to animals of universal and fatty genotypes, although the carcasses according to the lard thickness index are at the level of 6 - 7 thoracic vertebrae were at the lower limit of the third category of pigs for slaughter. Keywords: pigs, Myrhorod breed, slaughter qualities, pig carcasses, lard, meatiness, watering of carcasses.

LInear measurements of carcases of the Myrhorod breed pigs

Objective. To evaluate the dependence of carcass characteristics of pigs of the Myrhorod breed on the starting capabilities of animals in the neonatal period of development. Methods. Three groups of pigs were formed, differing among themselves in the number of piglets in the litter at birth. For the purpose of comparative assessment, indexes for three groups as a whole were also determined. Young boars were selectedfor fattening and further slaughter. All piglets were received in one period, had free access to feed in accordance with the needs of sex and age groups. This stage of research was conducted at the experimental base of Institute of Pig Breeding and AIP NAAS. The main measurements of pig carcasses were taken at the meat processing plant of "Prodfoodservice" LLC in Poltava. Animals with a live weight of 100 kg were selected for the assessment. General rules were followed for the assessment of pig carcasses. The topography of fat deposition on the carcass was determined by the following points of taking measurements of the thickness of lard with skin: at the withers; at the level of 6 - 7 thoracic vertebrae; on the waist; on the crosses in three points; at chest level. The formula proposed by N. V. Pivniak was used to determine the average thickness of lard along the spine (watering of the carcass). To compare animals of different groups of pigs of the Myrhorod breed, the full meatiness index (FMI) was calculated. The research results were processed using the traditional method of variational statistics. Results. The differences between the different groups were insignificant in relation to the girth of the sternum. According to the latitudinal parameters of the bacon half of the carcass, there were also no significant differences between different groups of pigs, with a slight shift of preference towards the third group. Regarding the ratio of the front to the back parts of the bacon halves, the smallest values were found in the animals of the second group, and the largest in the first group. Regarding the determination of fat thickness at different points of taking measurements, a clear picture regarding the superiority of a certain group was not determined, although according to most indexes, the carcasses of animals of the first group were marked by larger actual measurements. The animals of all three groups did not meet the requirements for the first extra and the second category of pigs for slaughter according to the fat thickness index at the level of 6 - 7 thoracic vertebrae. All evaluated carcasses were assigned to the third category, which corresponds to the type of productivity of Myrhorod breed of pigs. According to the comprehensive assessment of carcass watering, the highest values were obtainedfor the first group, the average values for the second group, and the smallest values for the third group, respectively. The opposite picture was observed for the full meatiness index, although differences in this index were also unlikely. By comparing the main and most important indexes of the linear diameters of the carcasses of three different groups with the same indexes for all evaluated animals, the animals of the third group were the closest to the average values in relation to the front to the back parts of the bacon halves, the thickness of the lard at the level of the 6 - 7th thoracic vertebrae. At the same time, the animals of the second group were the closest to the average values according to the full meatiness index. Conclusions. As a result of the conducted research, it was found that there is no dependence of meatiness indexes, quality characteristics ofpig carcasses, and in particular, their salinity, etc. from the starting capabilities of animals in the neonatal period of development. Non-compliance with the requirements for the first extra and second categories of pigs for slaughter was found, which indicates that the productivity of the new generation of animals of the Myrhorod breed still belongs to animals of universal and fatty genotypes, although the carcasses according to the lard thickness index are at the level of 6 - 7 thoracic vertebrae were at the lower limit of the third category of pigs for slaughter. Keywords: pigs, Myrhorod breed, slaughter qualities, pig carcasses, lard, meatiness, watering of carcasses.

Assessment of chemical parameters and group composition of humus of excretory litter of different groups of animals

The excrements of various animal groups provide a biological cycle of substances in ecosystems. As a result of the decomposition of undigested residues of organic mass of plant and animal origin, an acceleration of the release (leaching) of nutrients for plants has been revealed, which are again involved in the biological cycle and used by plants to create a new organic mass. The article considers some properties and indicators of animal excrement, conditionally divided by trophic characteristics into phytophagous (moose, white hare), omnivorous (bear, wild boar) and predators (fox, wolf). The chemical composition of different groups of animals has a characteristic difference and depends on nutrition. And as a result of the accumulative function of humic substances during the decomposition of excrement in soils, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and other elements necessary for the vital activity of plants and microorganisms accumulate in the form of organic compounds. Phytophages and partly omnivorous terrestrial mammals play an important role in the transformation and mineralization of plant organic matter and actually act as indirect reducers in ecosystems (in this case, the assessment was carried out at the entrance and exit from the animal's body and the splitting of organic matter is considered as a function of this organism). Predatory animals take part in the circulation of substances to a lesser extent than phytophages and omnivores, transforming and mineralizing mainly protein substances. In the future, undigested residues are only crushed, but not decomposed material and its further processing is carried out independently of animals, that is, outside their organisms.

Anti-manic effect of deep brain stimulation of the ventral tegmental area in an animal model of mania induced by methamphetamine.

Treatment of refractory bipolar disorder (BD) is extremely challenging. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) holds promise as an effective treatment intervention. However, we still understand very little about the mechanisms of DBS and its application on BD. The present study aimed to investigate the behavioural and neurochemical effects of ventral tegmental area (VTA) DBS in an animal model of mania induced by methamphetamine (m-amph). Wistar rats were given 14 days of m-amph injections, and on the last day, animals were submitted to 20 min of VTA DBS in two different patterns: intermittent low-frequency stimulation (LFS) or continuous high-frequency stimulation (HFS). Immediately after DBS, manic-like behaviour and nucleus accumbens (NAc) phasic dopamine (DA) release were evaluated in different groups of animals through open-field tests and fast-scan cyclic voltammetry. Levels of NAc dopaminergic markers were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. M-amph induced hyperlocomotion in the animals and both DBS parameters reversed this alteration. M-amph increased DA reuptake time post-sham compared to baseline levels, and both LFS and HFS were able to block this alteration. LFS was also able to reduce phasic DA release when compared to baseline. LFS was able to increase dopamine transporter (DAT) expression in the NAc. These results demonstrate that both VTA LFS and HFS DBS exert anti-manic effects and modulation of DA dynamics in the NAc. More specifically the increase in DA reuptake driven by increased DAT expression may serve as a potential mechanism by which VTA DBS exerts its anti-manic effects.

Bright daylight produces negative effects on affective and cognitive outcomes in nocturnal rats

The daily light/dark cycle affects animals' learning, memory, and cognition. Exposure to insufficient daylight illumination negatively impacts emotion and cognition, leading to seasonal affective disorder characterized by depression, anxiety, low motivation, and cognitive impairment in diurnal animals. However, how this affects memory, learning, and cognition in nocturnal rodents is largely unknown. Here, we studied the effect of daytime light illuminance on memory, learning, cognition, and expression of mRNA levels in the hippocampus, thalamus, and cortex, the higher-order learning centers. Two experiments were performed. In experiment one, rats were exposed to 12 L:12D (12 h light and 12 h dark) with a 10, 100, or 1000 lx daytime light illuminance. After 30 days, various behavioral tests (novel object recognition test, hole board test, elevated plus maze test, radial arm maze, and passive avoidance test) were performed. In experiment 2, rats since birth were raised either under constant bright light (250 lx; LL) or a daily light-dark cycle (12 L:12D). After four months, behavioral tests (novel object recognition test, hole board test, elevated plus maze test, radial arm maze, passive avoidance test, Morris water maze, and Y-maze tests) were performed. At the end of experiments, rats were sampled, and mRNA expression of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (Bdnf), Tyrosine kinase (Trk), microRNA132 (miR132), Neurogranin (Ng), Growth Associated Protein 43 (Gap-43), cAMP Response Element-Binding Protein (Crebp), Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (Gsk3β), and Tumour necrosis factor-α (Tnf-α) were measured in the hippocampus, cortex, and thalamus of individual rats. Our results show that exposure to bright daylight (100 and 1000 lx; experiment 1) or constant light (experiment 2) compromises memory, learning, and cognition. Suppressed expression levels of these mRNA were also observed in the hypothalamus, cortex, and thalamus. These results suggest that light affects differently to different groups of animals.

Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Propolis from Meiganga (Cameroon) on Type 2 Diabetes in Rats

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. In Cameroon, the traditional treatment of this pathology is based on the use of Propolis. The present study aims to evaluate the antidiabetic and antioxidant properties of the ethanoic extract of Meiganga propolis (Adamawa Region, Cameroon). To confirm the different properties of this extract, the glycaemia, lipid profile and oxidative stress parameters of different groups of animals were assessed in a type 2 diabetes model induced by the Hypercaloric Sucrose Diet combined with dexamethasone. Simultaneous administration of the ethanolic extract of Meiganga propolis (EEMP 300 mg/kg) and the hypercaloric sucrose diet to rats for 30 days prevented a significant increase in fasting blood glucose levels compared with animals in the diabetic control group, whose fasting blood glucose levels were 78.25 ± 2.29 and 156.5 ± 2.75 mg/dL respectively on day 30. In terms of lipid profile, the administration of propolis extract (300 mg/kg) prevented a significant increase in LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels compared with animals in the diabetic control groups. The values were 27±2.71 mg/dL and 97.8±2.92 mg/dL for LDL-cholesterol. In terms of oxidative stress, simultaneous administration of propolis extract (300 mg/kg) and a high calorie diet to rats for 30 days prevented a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels compared with animals in the diabetic control group. Values for this superoxide dismutase in the liver were 81.72 U/g of organ for EEMP 300 mg/kg and 58.6 U/g of organ in the liver of diabetic rats. These results justify the use of ethanoic extract of Meiganga propolis in the prevention of type 2 diabetes in Cameroon.

Discussion of Josh Milburn’s Just Fodder: The Ethics of Feeding Animals

In Just Fodder: The Ethics of Feeding Animals, Josh Milburn thinks through the implications of feeding animals by focusing on the relationships between humans and three different groups of animals: (1) animal companions; (2) animal neighbours; and (3) wild animals. In my comments, I concentrate on how the actions and agency interests of these animals problematise some of Milburn’s assumptions and normative prescriptions. My overall aim is to show how giving animal agency more prominence in our thinking about what we owe to them has significant implications. It is my view that current theorising about other animals focuses too heavily on their experiential welfare and not enough on what animals do and the normative significance of what they do. Though I agree with Milburn that all animals have a right against being killed and made to suffer, a full ethical analysis of our relations with other animals must also consider their (equally weighty) interest in self-determination.

AST/ALT ratio: A new approach over old biochemistry tools

AST/ALT ratio: A new approach over old biochemistry tools

Balkhash-Alakol Basin animal world database creation process for the purpose of cadastre maintenance

This paper describes the database (DB) development process of the cadastre of the fauna of the Balkhash-Alakol Basin that will be used for analyzing the spatial and temporal dynamics of population status and the graphical display of spatial data. The data was organized using the methods of relational database organization (SQL) with sets of individual criteria adapted for different groups of animals (parasitofauna, malacofauna, arachnofauna, entomofauna, ichthyofauna, herpetofauna, ornithofauna, and theriofauna). This database considers several additional technical aspects of its further integration with other databases, for example, geographical, climatic, etc., which allows for a deep analysis of the relationship between various environmental factors and population dynamics. For the functioning of the user interface, server architecture, and program interface, an application on the Django framework was developed, which simplified the processes of software development and allowed specialists to flexibly adapt the database to the own needs and project goals while simultaneously increasing the autonomy, security, and stability of the database.

Сравнительная оценка мясной продуктивности молодняка овец при различных способах откорма

Purpose. Comparative analysis of meat productivity of rams of the Edilbaev breed during their grazing and fattening. Materials and Мethods. Scientific and production experience was carried out in the peasant farm Abdulkhalikov M.A. (Svetloyarsky district, Volgograd region) on two groups of rams of Edilbaev breed. The total number of animals participating in the experiment is 40. The formation of experimental groups was carried out according to the principle of analogues according to the methodology of A.I. Ovsyannikov (1976). The duration of the main experimental period was 120 days. The dynamics of live weight of rams was determined by measuring this indicator in each animal in the morning, before feeding, at the age of 4, 6 and 8 months. The rams were slaughtered (3 heads from each group) when the animals reached the age of 8 months. When studying meat productivity, we took into account: the weight of animals after fasting, the weight of the chilled carcass, the yield of the carcass, the weight and yield of internal fat, the fat tail weight and the yield of fat tail, slaughter weight, slaughter yield. All digital material obtained during the research was processed using statistical methods and Microsoft Excel software and determination Student-Fisher's reliability criterion of the difference. Results. Data on the dynamics of live weight at the age of 8 months indicate that the average live weight of fattening rams was 55.20 kg versus 50.80 kg for their peers in grazing. The difference in favor of fattening rams was 4.40 kg or 8.66% and was significant. Their superiority in absolute and average daily growth was 3.70 kg and 30.8 g, respectively. Over a period of 4 to 8 months, i.e. over 120 days of research, the average daily gain of fattening rams was 185.0 g versus 154.2 g for grazing rams of the same age. Fattening animals were superior to their peers in other slaughter indicators: in carcass weight - by 1.96 kg or 3.6% (P≤0.01), in internal fat weight - by 0.20 kg or 17.24 % (P≤0.01), in fat tail weight – by 0.60 kg or 18.30% (P≤0.05), by slaughter weight – by 3.93 kg or 14.41% (P≤0.01). At the same time, the slaughter yield for fattening rams was 58.10%, which is 1.90% higher than for grazing animals. According to morphological indicators, fattening rams are superior to their peers in fattening in terms of pulp weight by 2.08 kg or 12.17%. There was no significant difference in the mass of bone and connective tissue between animals of different groups. According to the meatiness index, grazing rams were inferior to their peers by 0.43 absolute values. Conclusion. Intensive fattening of young sheep of Edilbayev breed is a more effective method of fattening compared to grazing. The level of profitability of mutton production for fattening rams was 36.16% versus 13.47% for grazing rams of the same age. The difference in favor of fattening rams was 22.69%.

Estrogen receptor β exerts neuroprotective effects by fine-tuning mitochondrial homeostasis through NRF1/PGC-1α

BackgroundEstrogen deficiency causes mitochondrial defects that precede pathological changes related to Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the mouse model of postmenopause. The aim of this study was to investigate in such a mouse model whether and how estrogen receptor β (ERβ) was involved in prevention of mitochondrial damage and protection of neurons in the hippocampus. MethodsA mouse model of postmenopausal AD was created by ovariectomizing female 3xTg-AD mice, some of which were subcutaneously injected for six weeks with the non-steroidal ERβ agonist diarylpropionitrile. ERβ expression in female C57BL/6J mice was knocked down using shRNA interference. The different groups of animals were compared in terms of cognitive function using the Y-maze test, new object recognition test, and Morris water maze test, expression of numerous proteins related to mitochondrial biogenesis, mitophagy, apoptosis, and mitochondrial membrane potential, as well as deposition of amyloid β and neurofibrillary tangles. To complement these in vivo studies, we probed the effects of diarylpropionitrile on ERβ expression, apoptosis, and mitochondrial homeostasis in primary rat hippocampal neurons treated with amyloid β. ResultsERβ knockdown in C57BL/6J mice produced cognitive impairment, reduced mitochondrial biogenesis by downregulating PGC-1α, NRF1, mtTFA, and TOM20, and decreased mitophagy by downregulating Pink1, Parkin, and LC3B while upregulating PARIS and p62. ERβ knockdown promoted neuronal apoptosis by upregulating Cleaved-Caspase 9, Cleaved-Caspase 3, and Bax, while downregulating Bcl2 in hippocampus. Diarylpropionitrile mitigated cognitive decline in ovariectomized 3xTg-AD mice, which was associated with downregulation of BACE1, reduction of Aβ deposition, neurofibrillary tangles, and tau hyperphosphorylation, and upregulation of ERβ, increases in mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy, and decreases in apoptosis. The effects of diarylpropionitrile in mice were recapitulated in Aβ-injured primary rat hippocampal neurons. ConclusionsERβ activation can support learning and memory and alleviate AD symptoms in the postmenopausal AD model, which may involve regulation of neuronal mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy via NRF1/PGC-1α. This study supports further research on ERβ as a therapeutic target for postmenopausal women with AD.

Whole genome sequence-based analysis of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from bovine mastitis in Thuringia, Germany.

Bovine mastitis is a common disease of dairy cattle causing major economic losses due to reduced yield and poor quality of milk worldwide. The current investigation aimed to gain insight into the genetic diversity, antimicrobial resistance profiles and virulence associated factors of Staphylococcus (S.) aureus isolated from clinical bovine mastitis in dairy farms in Thuringia, Germany. Forty Staphylococcus aureus isolates collected from clinical bovine mastitis cases from 17 Thuringian dairy farms were phenotyped and genetically characterized using whole genome sequencing. Out of 40 S. aureus, 30 (75%) were confirmed as methicillin resistant isolates. The isolates showed elevated antimicrobial resistance against penicillin, tetracycline and oxacillin, i.e., 77.5, 77.5, and 75%, respectively. Lower resistance rates were found against moxifloxacin, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, i.e., 35, 35, 30, and 22.5%, respectively. While resistance against clindamycin and erythromycin was rarely found (5 and 2.5%, respectively). All isolates were susceptible to linezolid, teicoplanin, vancomycin, tigecycline, fosfomycin, fusidic acid and rifampicin. These isolates were further allocated into five different sequence types: ST398 (n = 31), ST1074 (n = 4), ST504 (n = 3), ST582 (CC15) (n = 1) and ST479 (n = 1). These isolates were also assigned to seven clusters with up to 100 SNP which has facilitated geographical mapping and epidemiological distribution in Thuringia. Strains belonging to ST398 were classified into clusters 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7. The isolates of ST504 were of cluster 5, those of ST1074 were belonging to cluster 6. Resistance genes blaZ, blaI and blaR associated with penicillin resistance were found in 32 (80%) strains, all except one were belonging to ST398. Methicillin resistance associated mecA was identified in 30 (96.8%) isolates of ST398. All tetracycline and erythromycin resistant isolates were of ST398, and all harbored both tetM and ermA. About 90.3% of tetracycline resistant isolates assigned to ST398 were also carrying tetK gene. The point mutations parC_S80F, gyrA_S84L and parC_S80Y in gyrA and parC associated with quinolone resistance were found in all phenotypically resistant isolates to ciprofloxacin and moxifloxacin (n = 14). Sixty-eight virulence genes were identified among isolates. Both lukD/E and lukM/F-PV-P83 were identified in 22.5% of isolates, all were non-ST398. In this study, ST398 had the highest potential to cause disease and had a massive prevalence in bovine mastitis cases. Five different sequence types and seven clusters were identified in the federal state of Thuringia. The circulation of some clusters in the same region over several years shows the persistence of cluster-associated infection despite the intensive veterinary care. On the other hand, some regions had different clusters at the same year or in different consecutive years. Different sequence types and associated different clusters of S. aureus were geographically widely distributed among dairy farms in Thuringia. The findings of this study show that various clusters have the potential to spread over a large geographical scale. The detection of LA-MRSA on dairy farms, which is known for cabapility to widely spread among different groups of animals, humans and their environment urges for the implementation of national wide strategic programs. The identification of CA-MRSA among the isolates such as ST398 poses a significant risk for the transmission of such strains between animals and humans on dairy farms.

Ruscogenin timing administration mitigates cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury through regulating circadian genes and activating Nrf2 pathway

BackgroundRuscogenin (Rus), a steroidal sapogenin extracted from Ophiopogon japonicus (L. f.) Ker-Gawl., has the effect of alleviating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), acute lung injury. At present, the chronopharmacological effects of Rus are still unknown. PurposeThis study explored the alleviating effect and mechanism of Rus timing administration on mice cerebral IRI. MethodsThe animals in different groups were administrated Rus (10 mg/kg) by gavage at four time points (23:00–01:00, 05:00–07:00, 11:00–13:00, 17:00–19:00) respectively for 3 days. On the 4th day, middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) surgery was operated during 5:00–7:00. Behavioral tests were executed and the brain was collected for infarct volume, qPCR and immunoblot detection. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were detected by qPCR. Glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in serum and cerebral cortex were detected. The clock genes were tested by western blot. Based on these results, 17:00–19:00 was selected to administrate Rus for further mechanism study and Nrf2 blocker group was administrated all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) at 14:00 for 3 days. ResultsAdministration of Rus reduced cerebral infarcted volume, ameliorated the behavior score and upregulated the mRNA and protein expression of Per1, Bmal1, Clock, Rev-erbα, transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1). Administration of Rus during 17:00–19:00 had better preventive effect than other three time points. Combined administration of ATRA blunted the preventive effect of Rus. ConclusionThe preventive effect of Rus is affected by the time of administration, which was regulated by Nrf2 pathway. Taken together, we provide solid evidence to suggest that different administration time point affect the effectiveness of Rus in alleviating IRI.

The nature of changes in endocrine and immune factors at the initial stage of the formation of chronic wounds

Aim. The work aimed to study the nature of changes in endocrine signals (insulin and cortisol) and bioactive molecules that control inflammation and activation of process synthesis (interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-8 (IL-8), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), amino-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP)), at the initial stage of the formation of chronic wounds in the experiment.&#x0D; Materials and methods. The study was conducted in 2 groups of Wistar rats. The first group is represented by intact animals. Animals of the second group were modeled chronic wounds. On the 3rd day of the experiment, all animals were euthanized. The concentration of studied bioactive molecules was measured in blood serum by enzyme immunoassay. Selected areas of the wound were subjected to histological examination.&#x0D; Results. The levels of cortisol, insulin, VEGF, IL-2, and PIIINP in animals with chronic wounds at the stage of inflammation were significantly higher compared to intact animals. A tendency towards a decrease in the expression of IL-8 was shown. Relationships between the levels of bioactive molecules in animals of different groups were studied. According to the results of studies a correlation between the concentrations of IL-8 and cortisol in rats of the intact group was established. In the group of rats on the 3rd day after wound induction, a positive correlation was noted between the levels of IL-8 and IL-2. Wound defects healed under the scab. Microscopic analysis showed that the histoarchitectonics of tissues in the area of damage on the 3rd day corresponded to the classic manifestations of the process of healing wounds at this stage. The main part of the wound was filled with fibrin strands with a predominantly inflammatory cellular component. In some areas, signs of growth and development of young granulation tissue were noted. In the marginal sections, signs of re-epithelialization of the wound defect were observed.&#x0D; Conclusions. Even though in our study, the histoarchitectonics of tissues in the area of damage corresponded to the classical manifestations of the wound healing process at the stage of inflammation, the obtained changes and the relationship between endocrine and immune factors may be harbingers of the formation of the chronic wound in the future.