Aged Animals Research Articles

Pathological characterization of pulmonary lesion and identification of associated bacteria and parasite infection in sheep and goat slaughtered at Dessie municipal abattoir, North-East Ethiopia

BackgroundLung is susceptible and vulnerable to many infectious and non-infectious agents. From this, a large number of specific and nonspecific diseases conditions can be diagnosed. A cross-sectional study design was conducted from December 2022 to May 2023 on major pulmonary lesion of sheep and goat slaughtered at Dessie municipal abattoir with the objective of characterizing the pulmonary pathological lesions, and isolating and identifying potential aerobic bacteria and parasite from pneumonic lung.Materials and MethodsA total of 420 (302 sheep and 118 goats) were examined for gross lung lesions and histopathological investigation using standard techniques. Additionally, detailed pathological investigation was conducted on purposively selected lung lesions. Besides, pneumonic lesions were subjected to routine bacteriological and parasitological analysis.ResultsThe overall abattoir prevalence of pulmonary abnormalities in sheep and goat was 81.2% (341/420). The common gross lesions encountered were Pneumonia (55.5%), emphysema (7.1%), atelectasis (3.3%), Hydatid cyst (4.3%), congestion (2.4%), haemorrhage (3.1%), Anthracosis (0.9%), adhesion (0.7%), and Bronchoectasis (0.7%) respectively. Pneumonia, hydatidosis, and pulmonary emphysema were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with animal age groups. Pneumonia was the most common disorder, accounting for 233 (55.5%). Dictyocaulus filaria (47.7%), Mullerius capillaries (23.2%) and Protostrongylus rufescens (17.16%) were isolated lung worm parasites; whereas E. coli (20.6%), Klebsiella Pneumoniae (12.7%), Mannheimia haemolytica (10.8%), Streptococcus species (4.9%), Staphylococcus aurous (7.8%) and Pasteurella multocida (2.9%), Pseudomonas (6.9%), Proteus (1.9%) and Cornybacterium (1%) were the isolated bacteria. Moreover, 18 (4.3%) Hydatid cysts were identified by cyst viability test. The pulmonary disorder of sheep and goats in the study are relatively high prevalent and posing great health and economic impacts.ConclusionPulmonary infection with different agents is very common in the study areas. Feasible and affordable control measures and using latest diagnostic techniques like molecular detections of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, is necessary.

An Enterobacteriaceae bloom in aging animals is restrained by the gut microbiome.

The gut microbiome plays important roles in host function and health. Core microbiomes have been described for different species, and imbalances in their composition, known as dysbiosis, are associated with pathology. Changes in the gut microbiome and dysbiosis are common in aging, possibly due to multi-tissue deterioration, which includes metabolic shifts, dysregulated immunity, and disrupted epithelial barriers. However, the characteristics of these changes, as reported in different studies, are varied and sometimes conflicting. Using clonal populations of Caenorhabditis elegans to highlight trends shared among individuals, we employed 16s rRNA gene sequencing, CFU counts and fluorescent imaging, identifying an Enterobacteriaceae bloom as a common denominator in aging animals. Experiments using Enterobacter hormaechei, a representative commensal, suggested that the Enterobacteriaceae bloom was facilitated by a decline in Sma/BMP immune signaling in aging animals and demonstrated its potential for exacerbating infection susceptibility. However, such detrimental effects were context-dependent, mitigated by competition with commensal communities, highlighting the latter as determinants of healthy versus unhealthy aging, depending on their ability to restrain opportunistic pathobionts.

The case of a mass death of livestock in the Early Iron Age in the steppe zone of Kazakhstan

A mass burial of complete and almost complete cattle and small ruminant skeletons found in a pit within the Early Iron Age settlement of Abylai in Central Kazakhstan (49°15'N, 75°07'E) has been studied. The results of archaeological research and archeozoological contexts have shown that the animals’ burial was a single event. The aim of the work was to determine the reasons for the formation of this accumu-lation. The analysis of skeletal element composition, animal age composition, and the season of their death has been performed. A com-parison of species composition, skeletal element composition, age composition, season of animals’ death and taphonomic features be-tween samples from the pit and the cultural layer of the settlement has been made. Significant differences between these samples have been revealed. The animals from the settlement layer were slaughtered during late autumn-winter, while animals from the pit died in early spring. The bones from the pit were almost all intact, while those from the settlement layer had characteristics typical of household waste. Bones from the “layer” have significantly more postmortem modifications than those from the “pit”. The age composition and the skeleton parts ratio between the samples are different. The analysis of the obtained data shows that in the beginning of spring 89 small ruminant and 6 cattle individuals were buried in the pit in a short period of time. According to ethnographic data, this could possibly be interpreted as the burial of animals who died as a result of spring jute. In the steppe zone of Eurasia, jute is the most frequent extreme event leading to mass death of ungulates. Jutes can happen in summer, when grass burns out with drought. But the most large-scale and frequent are winter jutes, when, due to catastrophic snowfalls, grass becomes inaccessible to animals, and spring jutes, when frosts come after a thaw. During jute, many animals die from starvation in a short time. Small ruminants are the most vulnerable because they are the least adapted to breaking ice crusts with their hooves. Cattle are less vulnerable, and even less so are horses. The following archaeological situation has been observed: all animals died in early spring; many of them were buried in a short time; the remains of small ruminants prevail, there are few cattle and no horses; most animals were probably skinned. This picture is most consistent with the burial of animals killed by jute. As an alternative hypothesis, a sacrificial nature of death of the animals has been considered. However, the combination of characteristics of the archaeological and archeozoological contexts of pit filling allows us to reject the latter hypothesis.

Oleanolic acid exerts bone anabolic effects via activation of osteoblastic 25-hydroxyvitamin D 1-alpha hydroxylase

Oleanolic acid (OA) is previously shown to exert bone protective effects in aged animals. However, its role in regulating osteoblastic vitamin D bioactivation, which is one of major causes of age-related bone loss, remains unclear. Our results revealed that treatment of OA significantly increased skeletal CYP27B1 expression and circulating 1,25(OH)2D3 in ovariectomized mice (p <0.01). Moreover, OA upregulated CYP27B1 protein expression and activity, as well as the vitamin D-responsive bone markers alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and osteopontin (OPN) protein expression, in human osteoblast-like MG-63 cells (p<0.05). CYP27B1 expression increased along with the osteoblastic differentiation of human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). CYP27B1 expression and cellular 1,25(OH)2D3 production were further potentiated by OA in cells at mature osteogenic stages. Notably, our study suggested that the osteogenic actions of OA were CYP27B1 dependent. In summary, the bone protective effects of OA were associated with the induction of CYP27B1 activity and expression in bone tissues and osteoblastic lineages. Hence, OA might be a potential approach for management of age-related bone loss.

Cardiomyocyte-specific deletion of GCN5L1 reduces lysine acetylation and attenuates diastolic dysfunction in aged mice by improving cardiac fatty acid oxidation.

Cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction is a critical contributor to the pathogenesis of aging and many age-related conditions. As such, complete control of mitochondrial function is critical to maintain cardiac efficiency in the aged heart. Lysine acetylation is a reversible post-translational modification shown to regulate several mitochondrial metabolic and biochemical processes. In the present study, we investigated how mitochondrial lysine acetylation regulates fatty acid oxidation (FAO) and cardiac function in the aged heart. We found a significant increase in mitochondrial protein acetylation in the aged heart which correlated with increased level of mitochondrial acetyltransferase-related protein GCN5L1. We showed that acetylation status of several fatty acid and glucose oxidation enzymes (long-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase, hydroxyacyl-coA dehydrogenase, and pyruvate dehydrogenase) were significantly up-regulated in aged heart which correlated with decreased enzymatic activities. Using a cardiac-specific GCN5L1 knockout (KO) animal model, we showed that overall acetylation of mitochondrial proteins was decreased in aged KO animals, including FAO proteins which led to improved FAO activity and attenuated cardiac diastolic dysfunction observed in the aged heart. Together, these findings indicate that lysine acetylation regulates FAO in the aged heart which results in improved cardiac diastolic function and this is in part regulated by GCN5L1.

Comprehensive approaches to diagnose thoracic cavity disorders (TCD) in cattle

The aim of the study was to document the prevalence and diagnosis of thoracic cavity disorders (TCD) in cattle. All the selected animals subjected to detailed anamnesis; physical, clinical haemato-biochemical, electrolytes, cardiac biomarker, thoracic radiography and ultrasonographic examination were performed. The prevalence of TCD was 0.76%, among these; cardiac disorders (CD) was in 37.0%, lung disorders (LD) in 22.0%, lung and cardiac disorders (LCD) in 22.0% and diaphragmatic hernia (DH) in 19.0%. Highest prevalence of thoracic cavity disorders was recorded in Jersey cross bred cattle (62.0%). More than 3 years of age and pregnant animals were the mostly affected. The most predominant clinical signs was recorded in the order of grunting, dyspnea, abduction of elbow, brisket edema, jugular vein engorgement, jowl edema, rumen hypo-motility and muffled heart sound. Haematology revealed significant reduction of Hb, PCV and RBC. Significant decrease in the mean values of serum TP, albumin, glucose, cholesterol and increases in ALP and AST levels were observed. Significant increase in the cardiac biomarkers (CK-MB, LDH and cTnI) was noticed. The presences of foreign body, DH and pericardial effusion were in radiographic examination. Ultrasound examination revealed anechoic fluid (37.50%), mixed echogenic fluid (18.75%), echogenic fibrinous strands (21.85%) on both of respiratory and cardiac disorders. Comprehensive approaches could facilitate early diagnosis of thoracic cavity disorders, as well as to assess the diseases status and to initiate appropriate therapeutic protocols in cattle.

RETRACTED: Sixteen years of canine hepatic copper concentrations within normal reference ranges in dogs fed a broad range of commercial diets.

To examine the effects of age, sex, breed, liver histopathology, and year of death/sample collection on liver copper concentrations in dogs fed various commercial dog foods throughout their lives. During necropsy, 336 samples were collected between the years 2006 and 2022 from dogs that were fed a variety of commercial dog foods on the market. This study utilized all liver samples available and did not require specific criteria for sample selection. Liver samples (n = 336) were analyzed as dry weight for copper concentration by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. The potential effects of animal age and year of death/collection (scatterplots and linear regression), sex, liver histopathology (t test), and breed (ANOVA) on liver copper concentration were assessed. Labrador Retrievers had lower liver copper concentrations than Beagles, but mixed breeds did not differ from Beagles or Labrador Retrievers. Analysis of year of death showed that liver copper concentrations decreased from 2006 through 2011, increased in 2012, decreased in 2013, and peaked in 2016, decreasing thereafter. Mean copper concentration of abnormal liver histopathology samples was lower than mean copper concentrations of normal liver histopathology samples. Age (12.9 ± 2.6 years) and sex had no effect on liver copper concentrations. Of note, some samples showed abnormal hepatic pathology. Liver copper concentrations varied significantly with breed and year of death; however, average liver copper concentrations of each year were within normal. However, this was a retrospective population study and diet histories of the dogs were unknown, requiring further investigation.

Dietary E. coli promotes age-dependent chemotaxis decline in C. elegans

An animal’s ability to sense odors declines during aging, and its olfactory drive is tuned by internal states such as satiety. However, whether internal states modulate an age-dependent decline in odor sensation is unknown. To address this issue, we utilized the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and compared their chemotaxis abilities toward attractive odorants when aged under different dietary conditions. Feeding with the standard laboratory diet, Escherichia coli attenuated the chemotaxis ability toward diacetyl, isoamyl alcohol, and benzaldehyde when aged. On the other hand, feeding with either the lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus reuteri or food deprivation selectively maintained the chemotaxis ability toward diacetyl. Our results suggest that ingestion of E. coli causes age-dependent chemotaxis decline. The changes in the chemotaxis behavior are attributed to the different expressions of diacetyl receptor odr-10, and the chemotaxis behavior of aged animals under food deprivation is shown to be dependent on daf-16. Our study demonstrates the molecular mechanism of how diet shapes the trajectory of age-dependent decline in chemosensory behaviors.

КОЗЬЕ МОЛОКО КАК ПЕРСПЕКТИВНОЕ СЫРЬЕ В ПРОИЗВОДСТВЕ СГУЩЕННЫХ ПРОДУКТОВ НА ПРИМЕРЕ ЗААНЕНСКОЙ ПОРОДЫ МИНИ-ФЕРМЫ «ДАНИРИНЫ КОЗЫ» ЯРОСЛАВСКОЙ ОБЛАСТИ

The aim of research is to study the main chemical and biological indicators of goat milk as a new raw material for the production of condensed products with increased biological value, produced at the Daniriny Kozy mini-farm in the Yaroslavl Region. Objectives: to conduct a comparative chemical analysis of cow and goat milk as a raw material base for the production of condensed products; to determine the main physical properties of goat milk: heat stability and acidity; to identify the best indicators of fat and moisture content in the milk of goats at different lactation periods. The object of research is goat milk obtained from a herd of Saanen goats (aged 2–5 years) at the Daniriny Kozy enterprise in the Yaroslavl Region. The method of daily milk (milk yield) recording was used. Control milkings were carried out from 01.06.2023 to 31.08.2023. The unit of measurement is liters, due to the small volumes of milk and livestock. The daily milk yield, total for 3 milkings (morning, afternoon and evening), was taken into account. The amount of milk was recorded in a measuring container for each goat separately. Samples were collected and prepared according to GOST 26809-86. Determination of heat resistance, acidity, microbiological contamination of raw materials was carried out on the basis of the chemical-analytical laboratory of the livestock technology department of the Yaroslavl Research Institute of Animal Husbandry and Forage Production. Milk was tested for fat, protein and dry nonfat milk residue content using the Laktan 1-4 device. During the experiment, the chemical composition of cow's and goat's milk was determined, a comparative analysis of the organoleptic properties, fat and moisture content in the milk of goats of different lactation periods was carried out. Goat's milk obtained from goats of the 1st and 2nd year of lactation is character¬rized by higher fat content and lower moisture content. Such indicators not only improve the quality of the finished product, but also reduce its cost due to the energy efficiency of the industrial production process of the condensed product. The product obtained from goat milk was called Condensed goat milk.

A coming-of-age story: adult neurogenesis or adolescent neurogenesis in rodents?

It is surprising that after more than a century using rodents for scientific research, there are no clear, consensual, or consistent definitions for when a mouse or a rat becomes adult. Specifically, in the field of adult hippocampal neurogenesis, where this concept is central, there is a trend to consider that puberty marks the start of adulthood and is not uncommon to find 30-day-old mice being described as adults. However, as others discussed earlier, this implies an important bias in the perceived importance of this trait because functional studies are normally done at very young ages, when neurogenesis is at its peak, disregarding middle aged and old animals that exhibit very little generation of new neurons. In this feature article we elaborate on those issues and argue that research on the postnatal development of mice and rats in the last 3 decades allows to establish an adolescence period that marks the transition to adulthood, as occurs in other mammals. Adolescence in both rat and mice ends around postnatal day 60 and therefore this age can be considered the onset of adulthood in both species. Nonetheless, to account for inter-individual, inter-strain differences in maturation and for possible delays due to environmental and social conditions, 3 months of age might be a safer option to consider mice and rats bona fide adults, as suggested by The Jackson Labs.

Direct and Indirect Factors Affecting the Forced Swim Test to Investigate the Level of Depression in Rodents

Context: The forced swim test (FST) is employed to examine depression and depressive-like behaviors in rodents, such as mice and rats. In this test, increased periods of immobility and decreased swimming by the animal indicate heightened despair and depression-like behaviors. Evidence Acquisition: This review discusses the impacts of the animals' race, gender, age, and weight and environmental factors like light, noise, and smell on the FST. Results: Our review reveals that racial differences in rats and mice can influence their behavior. Differences in the nervous system structure and sex hormones related to gender are also significant. Additionally, animals that are very young or old, and those that are either very overweight or underweight, are unsuitable for the FST. Environmental factors such as light, noise, and smell were identified as confounding factors that could influence the outcomes and compromise the study's reliability. Conclusions: It is essential to consider these factors and enhance the conditions and environment to carry out a standardized test. Furthermore, by acquiring more detailed information about these factors and minimizing or eliminating their effects, studies can yield more reliable results.

Abstract B082: A pro-tumorigenic, aged microenvironment may aid in worsened disease progression in an HGSOC model

Abstract Over 70% of HGSOC patients are diagnosed after 55 and the average patient succumbs to disease at 70 years old. Despite this, most ovarian cancer research, and cancer studies generally, utilize young mice that are mimetic of human teenagers and/or do not investigate age as a variable despite it being the top cancer risk factor. An improved understanding of how age affects HGSOC progression may enable development of alternative treatment strategies aimed at intercepting metastasis and preventing cancer cells from establishing in the peritoneum. Our preliminary studies show tumor burden and disease severity are significantly higher in aged versus young animals. We developed an epithelial cell line derived from C57Bl/6 oviducts and used CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing to develop a syngeneic tumorigenic line harboring Trp53, Pten, and Brca2 deletions. After intraperitoneal injection into 6-week and 14-month-old immunocompetent C57Bl/6 mice, we observed a stark increase in tumor burden in aged mice. Furthermore, older mice died at a faster rate; all aged mice succumbed to disease within 1-month of inoculation compared to young mice surviving up to 3 months. Total RNA-sequencing of tumors harvested from aged and young mice is ongoing. Characterization of the tumor-naïve peritoneal compartment revealed the aged microenvironment to be highly inflammatory. When assessed via cytokine array, peritoneal fluid of aged mice had higher concentrations of inflammatory markers including soluble TNF receptor-1 (sTNFR-1), L-selectin, and VCAM-1. Flow cytometry of peritoneal lavage indicated an over 2-fold increase in the number CD45+ cells present in the peritoneal cavity, coinciding with cytokine array results. Within this population, there was nearly complete depletion of macrophage and neutrophil populations and a significant increase in B cells and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The percentage of PD-1+ CD8+ cells also increased. In addition to increased signs of inflammation, a significantly higher concentration of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I) and higher concentrations of the associated IGF binding proteins -3 and -6 were found in peritoneal fluid of aged mice. In addition, during tissue collection, organs of the aged mice were found to be much larger than young mice, a common effect of elevated IGF-I; aged omentum weighed 2-4 times that of young. Notably, IGF-I is known to inhibit apoptosis and promote proliferation and increased IGF-I is correlated with increased risk of breast, prostate, and lung cancer. A drastic difference in disease severity occurs when identical cancer cells are injected into 6-week and 14-month-old mice. To identify possible microenvironmental differences in the two populations, a broad panel of cytokines was assessed, and immune populations were quantified in pre-cancerous mice. Overall, multiple pro-inflammatory markers and the number of lymphocytes were upregulated in the aged peritoneal cavity, and markers of immune fatigue were present. Further work is aimed at identifying immune cell state via further cytometry and sequencing. Citation Format: Katherine A. Cummins, Ronny I. Drapkin, Matthew Knarr. A pro-tumorigenic, aged microenvironment may aid in worsened disease progression in an HGSOC model [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Ovarian Cancer; 2023 Oct 5-7; Boston, Massachusetts. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(5 Suppl_2):Abstract nr B082.

Socialization of Making Fermented Forages for Animal Feed in Nagari Sariak Laweh

Sariak Laweh is a Nagari in the Indonesian province of West Sumatra's Akabiluru sub-district, Limapuluh Kota Regency. Farmers and breeders of livestock provide the majority of people's livelihoods. Nagari Sariak Laweh has much potential for planting crops like rice and vegetables. In addition, farmers and breeders in Sariak Laweh report a need for more livestock feed. This program aims to educate farmers about fermented forage animal feed and provide them with the necessary skills. Farmers can autonomously create and produce animal feed, which can reduce the amount of input and associated costs. The community engagement service was delivered through lecture and discussion techniques, which included direct conversations, practice sessions, and presentations by subject-matter experts. In order to manufacture fermented forage animal feed, farmers receive training from students. Therefore, this training would help breeders become more adept at using fermented forage animal feed in the field. The products from the training were prepared rice straw and processed corn waste that are ready for fermentation so that farmers can use them as feed samples in the future.

Young Plasma Rejuvenates Blood DNA Methylation Profile, Extends Mean Lifespan, and Improves Physical Appearance in Old Rats.

There is converging evidence that young blood conveys cells, vesicles, and molecules able to revitalize function and restore organ integrity in old individuals. We assessed the effects of young plasma on the lifespan, epigenetic age, and healthspan of old female rats. Beginning at 25.6 months of age, a group of 9 rats (group T) was intraperitoneally injected with plasma from young rats until their natural death. A group of 8 control rats of the same age received no treatment (group C). Blood samples were collected every other week. Survival curves showed that from age 26 to 30 months, none of the group T animals died, whereas the survival curve of group C rats began to decline at age 26 months. Blood DNAm age versus chronological age showed that DNAm age in young animals increased faster than chronological age, then slowed down, entering a plateau after 27 months. The DNAm age of the treated rats fell below the DNAm age of controls and, in numerical terms, remained consistently lower until natural death. When rats were grouped according to the similarities in their differential blood DNA methylation profile, samples from the treated and control rats clustered in separate groups. Analysis of promoter differential methylation in genes involved in systemic regulatory activities revealed specific GO term enrichment related to the insulin-like factors pathways as well as to cytokines and chemokines associated with immune and homeostatic functions. We conclude that young plasma therapy may constitute a natural, noninvasive intervention for epigenetic rejuvenation and health enhancement.

34 A survey of the Oklahoma State University Cowculator user preferences

Abstract The Oklahoma State University Cowculator is a free, easy to use model designed to assist cattle producers in making informed decisions regarding the nutrition of their herd. The Cowculator operates as a spreadsheet-based model, which collects information from the 2016 National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine’s Nutrient Requirements for Beef Cattle, previous editions of the book, and previous research data. Producers have the option to adjust animal characteristics, feed and forage values, and diet composition to fit certain production objectives. In 2022, a Qualtrics survey was developed to determine perception of users of the program and their likes and dislikes. When users download the program, they are required to enter their name, email address, and zip code. A link to the survey was emailed to each address registered within the Cowculator database, with an email reminder sent out 30 days later. The survey yielded 233 responses. According to user download data, in 2022 the Cowculator was downloaded 2,090 times from 41 states and 53 countries. Based on email addresses ending in “.edu” the program was downloaded by faculty or students from 135 different universities, colleges, or other technical institutions. Of the respondents, 60% identified as beef cattle producers, 16% as industry professionals (e.g., consultants, veterinarians), 11% as extension personnel, 7% as research or teaching faculty, and 6% as students. Regarding the type of enterprise which the program was used for, 52% responded with cow/calf, 33% growing or stocker cattle, and 15% finishing cattle. The survey indicated that 88% of respondents were able to utilize the program effectively to evaluate or modify their nutrition program, while 16% indicated they were not successful in using the program. The survey asked respondents to give their opinion on the accuracy of the program. 69% indicated that it yielded “mostly accurate” projections, 23% responded with “very accurate”, and 5% perceived the program to be inaccurate or marginally accurate. Users of the program estimated the average annual benefit of the program to be $1,500. The respondents were asked to select what they liked about the program and what they felt needed improvement. It was indicated that the most liked features were that the program was free and that it was easy to use. The features that were indicated as needing improvement where the limited pre-added list of feedstuffs and the lack of availability of a simplified app version of the program. The results of this survey provide valuable insights regarding user demographics, as well as what can further be adjusted within the Cowculator to best fit the needs of the users.

31 Pastureland Ecology 1 provides hands-on training in grazing management for USDA-NRCS professionals

Abstract Pastureland Ecology 1 is a 2-wk continuing education course taught by cooperating faculty at NC State University for USDA-NRCS Staff. The course was founded in the early 1990s and has been taught 23 times to over 500 participants from all 50 states. Participants primarily include grazing specialists, soil conservationists, and district conservationists. Instruction is split between classroom lectures and hands-on experience with grazing management. Lecture topics include; introduction to pasture ecology, principles of plant growth, determining animal forage needs, pasture design, principles of soil health, principles of grazing management, and grazing management systems for small ruminants, horses and cattle. Small groups of students work with groups of goats, sheep, horses, and beef cattle throughout the course, learning concepts of forage allocation, temporary electric fence, and adaptive management. Popular demonstrations developed over the years include; the reel race, dung beetle buckets, burying underwear to demonstrate soil health, exploring root diversity, and troubleshooting electric fence. Farm tours are conducted to show how concepts being taught are applied on commercial farms. In 2023 there were 29 students from 13 states including VA (4), MD (4), PA (3), OK (4), MI (1), UT (2), TN (3), WV (1), MA (1), OH (1), NM (1), WA (3), and RI (1). Participants had 8.4 ± 1.39 (AVG ± SEM) years of experience with NRCS with a range of 1 to 27 yr. Students self-assessed their understanding of major concepts before and after the course. On a 1 to 5 scale students increased their understanding by an average of 1.05 ± 0.129, averaged over all topics. Topics more familiar to participants had less increase including; Soil Health (0.38), Pasture Condition Evaluation (0.51), and Grazing Management for Beef Cattle (0.79). Less familiar topics had greater increases including Grazing Management for Horses (1.27) and Small Ruminants (1.27), and Temporary Electric Fence (1.43). Pastureland Ecology 1 remains a critical part of the Amazing Grazing Program at NC State University, impacting pasture-based livestock producers across the country. This educational model has proven to be an effective way of teaching the principles of pastureland ecology.

Antibiograms, multidrug resistance, and milk-related parameters of bacteria isolated from milk of dairy cattle in Phatthalung, Thailand.

Milk, a nutritious food, is widely consumed in human diets; however, contamination by micro-organisms can negatively impact its quality and consumer health. Contamination by micro-organisms affects the quality of milk, which can affect the quality of the milk production chain. This study aimed to determine the changes in milk composition and antibiotic susceptibility related to bacteria isolated from dairy cow milk. Raw milk samples were collected from 72 dairy cows. All milk samples were subjected to the California Mastitis Test (CMT) for CMT score determination. We also investigated milk composition, bacterial culture (BC), and antibiotic susceptibility. About 47.22% and 30.56% of dairy cattle were positive for CMT + BC and automatic somatic cell count (ASCC) + BC, respectively. Fecal appearance and animal age were found to be risk factors for ASCC + BC positivity in dairy cattle. Bacteria were found in approximately 76% of milk samples, with the most common isolated species being α-hemolytic Streptococcus spp., coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp., and Escherichia coli. Of these, 70% are resistant to at least one antibiotic. Variation in the multidrug resistance pattern was high in Klebsiella spp. Fecal appearance and animal age are risk factors for ASCC + BC positivity in dairy cattle. This study identified antibiotic and multidrug resistance patterns, which require comprehensive studies and effective surveillance systems. Remarkably, the use of antibiotic therapy in dairy cattle should be monitored.

See no evil: Attentional bias toward threat is diminished in aged monkeys.

Prior evidence demonstrates that relative to younger adults, older human adults exhibit attentional biases toward positive and/or away from negative socioaffective stimuli (i.e., the age-related positivity effect). Whether or not the effect is phylogenetically conserved is currently unknown and its biopsychosocial origins are debated. To address this gap, we evaluated how visual processing of socioaffective stimuli differs in aged, compared to middle-aged, rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) using eye tracking in two experimental designs that are directly comparable to those historically used for evaluating attentional biases in humans. Results of our study demonstrate that while younger rhesus possesses robust attentional biases toward threatening pictures of conspecifics' faces, aged animals evidence no such bias. Critically, these biases emerged only when threatening faces were paired with neutral and not ostensibly "positive" faces, suggesting social context modifies the effect. Results of our study suggest that the evolutionarily shared mechanisms drive age-related decline in visual biases toward negative stimuli in aging across primate species. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Cognitive performance in aged rats is associated with differences in distinctive neuronal populations in the ventral tegmental area and altered synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus.

Deterioration of cognitive functions is commonly associated with aging, although there is wide variation in the onset and manifestation. Albeit heterogeneity in age-related cognitive decline has been studied at the cellular and molecular level, there is poor evidence for electrophysiological correlates. The aim of the current study was to address the electrophysiological basis of heterogeneity of cognitive functions in cognitively Inferior and Superior old (19-20 months) rats in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the hippocampus, having Young (12 weeks) rats as a control. The midbrain VTA operates as a hub amidst affective and cognitive facets, processing sensory inputs related to motivated behaviours and hippocampal memory. Increasing evidence shows direct dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic input from the VTA to the hippocampus. Aged Superior and Inferior male rats were selected from a cohort of 88 animals based on their performance in a spatial learning and memory task. Using in vivo single-cell recording in the VTA, we examined the electrical activity of different neuronal populations (putative dopaminergic, glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons). In the same animals, basal synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity were examined in hippocampal slices. Electrophysiological recordings from the VTA and hippocampus showed alterations associated with aging per se, together with differences specifically linked to the cognitive status of aged animals. In particular, the bursting activity of dopamine neurons was lower, while the firing frequency of glutamatergic neurons was higher in VTA of Inferior old rats. The response to high-frequency stimulation in hippocampal slices also discriminated between Superior and Inferior aged animals. This study provides new insight into electrophysiological information underlying compromised cerebral ageing. Further understanding of brain senescence, possibly related to neurocognitive decline, will help develop new strategies towards the preservation of a high quality of life.

Ovaries of estrogen receptor 1-deficient mice show iron overload and signs of aging.

Estrogens are crucial regulators of ovarian function, mediating their signaling through binding to estrogen receptors. The disruption of the estrogen receptor 1 (Esr1) provokes infertility associated with a hemorrhagic, cystic phenotype similar to that seen in diseased or aged ovaries. Our previous study indicated the possibility of altered iron metabolism in Esr1-deficient ovaries showing massive expression of lipocalin 2, a regulator of iron homeostasis. Therefore, we examined the consequences of depleting Esr1 in mouse ovaries, focusing on iron metabolism. For that reason, we compared ovaries of adult Esr1-deficient animals and age-matched wild type littermates. We found increased iron accumulation in Esr1-deficient animals by using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Western blot analysis and RT-qPCR confirmed that iron overload alters iron transport, storage and regulation. In addition, trivalent iron deposits in form of hemosiderin were detected in Esr1-deficient ovarian stroma. The depletion of Esr1 was further associated with an aberrant immune cell landscape characterized by the appearance of macrophage-derived multinucleated giant cells (MNGCs) and increased quantities of macrophages, particularly M2-like macrophages. Similar to reproductively aged animals, MNGCs in Esr1-deficient ovaries were characterized by iron accumulation and strong autofluorescence. Finally, deletion of Esr1 led to a significant increase in ovarian mast cells, involved in iron-mediated foam cell formation. Given that these findings are characteristics of ovarian aging, our data suggest that Esr1 deficiency triggers mechanisms similar to those associated with aging.