Agents In Animals Research Articles

Pharmacokinetics of florfenicol and its metabolite florfenicol amine in the plasma, urine, and feces of fattening male donkeys following single oral administration.

Florfenicol (FF) is a commonly used antibacterial agent in animals. We investigated the pharmacokinetics of FF and its metabolite florfenicol amine (FFA) in donkeys. Donkeys were administered FF (30 mg/kg bodyweight, p.o.). Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using a non-compartmental model. The FF (FFA) pharmacokinetics parameters were characterized by along elimination half-life (t1/2 kz) of 5.92 h (15.95 h), plasma peak concentration (Cmax) of 0.13 μg/mL (0.08 μg/mL), and the time taken to reach Cmax (Tmax) of 0.68 h (0.72 h). The area under plasma concentration-time curve and mean residence time of FF (FFA) in plasma were 1.31 μg·mL-1·h (0.47 μg·mL-1·h) and 10.37 h (18.40 h), respectively. The t1/2 kz of FF and FFA in urine was 21.93 and 40.26 h, and the maximum excretion rate was 10.56 and 4.03 μg/h reached at 25.60 and 32.20 h, respectively. The respective values in feces were 0.02 and 0.01 μg·h-1 reached at 33.40 h. The amount of FF and FFA recovered in feces was 0.52 and 0.22 μg, respectively. In conclusion, FF (FFA) is rapidly absorbed and slowly eliminated after a single oral administration to donkeys. Compared to FF, FFA was more slowly eliminated. FF (FFA) is mostly excreted through urine.

Antibacterial and antifungal activity of curcumin and methylene blue associated with laser on bacterial and fungal strains

Objective: To analyze the effect of methylene blue and 10% curcumin in fungi and bacteria through an in vitro study using photodynamic therapy (PDT). Methods: Curcumin and methylene blue were photosensitized by a Photon Lase III laser applied for 90 s in a dark environment within a laminar flow chamber. Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans strains were cultured and standardized. Then, a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay was conducted for these photosensitizers, with concentration variations and incubation to evaluate their antimicrobial activity. Results: With PDT, Curcumin had significant antibacterial activity against E. faecalis (MIC = 250 µg/mL). In contrast, methylene blue had antibacterial activity against E. faecalis (MIC < 12.5 µg/mL with PDT) and antifungal activity against C. albicans (MIC <12.5 µg/mL with or without PDT). Both agents showed greater efficacy in the presence of the laser. The results suggest that curcumin and methylene blue associated with laser may effectively treat microbial infections. Conclusion: Further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of using these agents in animal and human models and their effectiveness against different bacterial and fungal strains.

Farklı evcil hayvanların derisindeki bakteri ve mantar etkenlerinin tespiti

It is important for public health to monitor infectious agents in domestic animals. This study aimed to detect of bacterial and fungal agents in the skin of various domestic animals. A total of 263 skin samples were collected during 2021-2023 from 147 cats, 102 dogs, 10 cows, 3 rabbits, and 1 iguana. Bacteriological examination indicated that 37.6% of the samples were positive. S. pseudintermedius (35.4%) was the dominant bacteria in all isolates, followed by P. aeruginosa (23.2%). S. aureus was isolated from one rabbit sample and P. aeruginosa from one iguana sample. These findings add to the limited number of studies on these species. As a result of mycological examinations, 61.6% of all samples were identified as positive by cultural examination. Saprophytes were found in 41.1% of all samples, specifically A. niger (30.6%), Penicillium spp. (28.7%), A. fumigatus (16.7%), Alternaria spp. (15.7%), Mucor spp. (4.6%), and A. flavus (3.7%). The high prevalence of saprophytes was correlated with environmental contamination. Dermatophytes were isolated in 20.5% of all samples. M. canis was the dominant dermatophyte (64.8%), followed by T. mentagrophytes (31.5%) and M. ferrugineum (3.7%). The higher prevalence of dermatophytosis in spring (51.9%), was associated with rainy seasonal conditions in Turkey.

An Update on Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infection in Captive Wild Animals in Bangladesh.

Gastrointestinal parasites cause health problems and even death in captive animals. These animals are more susceptible to parasitic infestations because of confinement and stress. The aim of the study is to describe parasitic causal agents in captive wild animals at the Bangladesh National Zoo, Chittagong Zoo, and Tilagarh Eco Park, in Sylhet. A total of 54 fecal samples were collected from the Bangladesh Zoo, Chittagong Zoo, and Tilagarh Eco Park from April 2022 to November 2022. Samples were collected from animals of the groups Aves (16), Reptiles (4), Artiodactyla (23), Perissodactyla (8), and Proboscidea (3). All samples were examined using a modified formalin ether sedimentation technique. Fecal examination consoled an overall occurrence of 61.1%. Out of 54 samples, 33 were positive for parasitic infection. The parasites observed were as follows: Ascarididae eggs (57.58%), Capillaria spp. (18.18%), Strongyloides spp. (9.09%), Trichuris spp. (6.06%), and mixed infection (9.09%). The order Reptiles had a 100% infection rate, while Aves had the lowest infection rate (50%). Only nematodes were detected in this study. Without showing evident, clinical signs and symptoms of disease, the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites is high. This indicates a subclinical infection. This study shows that more epidemiological research and sanitation management programs, including regular antihelminthic therapy for controlling parasitic infection, should be adopted in zoos and ecoparks.

Efficacy of Opuntia Ficus Extract as a lipid-lowering agent in experimental animals

Introduction: the therapeutic use of medicinal plants; It has been very useful to cure diseases since ancient times in application to "traditional medicine". There is an increase in "Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases", such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, and stroke. Aim: therefore, the lipid-lowering activity of Opuntia Ficus Indica was evaluated in Wistar rats. Methods: seven groups of seven animals each were formed, normal group, negative (without treatment), positive (atorvastatin), group (Opuntia Streptacantha), 3 groups (opuntia ficus indica different doses). Initial values of the lipid profile were determined, hyperlipidemia was induced from the administration of a hypercaloric diet (31,52 % carbohydrates and 28,33 % total fat) for 60 days, once dyslipidemia was verified, the treatments were administered to each group, respectively. Determinations of lipid profile values were made at 7, 14 and 21 days of treatments. Results: the results obtained: total cholesterol from the seventh day of administration of the post-hyperlipidemia treatments, regularized to normal values such as (58,1 ± 10 mg/dl), compared to the negative control (group B ) (127,25 ± 14,12 mg/dl), maintaining this trend on day 21 of treatment. The HDL from day 7 of administration the values began to normalize in all the OFI treatment groups (18,3 ± 3,4 mg/dl), on day 21 the group that was administered the dose of 62.5 mg/Kg, in which the HDL values (25,6±3,3 mg/dl) were normalized. Conclusion: it is concluded that OFI extracts regulated lipid values in experimental animals

What is in an action? Preschool children predict that agents take previous paths and not previous goals.

Developmental science has experienced a vivid debate on whether young children prioritize goals over means in their prediction of others' actions. Influential developmental theories highlight the role of goal objects for action understanding. Yet, recent infant studies report evidence for the opposite. The empirical evidence is therefore inconclusive. The current study advanced this debate by assessing preschool children's verbal predictions of others' actions. In five experiments (N=302), we investigated whether preschool children and adults predict agents to move towards their previous goal (that is, show goal-related predictions) or predict agents to move along the same movement path that they pursued before. While Experiments 1a, 1b and 1c presented young children and adults with animated agents, Experiments 2a and 2b presented participants with human grasping action. An integrative analysis across experiments revealed that children were more likely to predict the agent to move along the same movement path, Z=-4.574, p ≤ 0.0001 (r=0.304). That is, preschool children were more likely to predict that agents would move along the same trajectory even though this action would lead to a new goal object. Thus, our findings suggest that young children's action prediction relies on the detection of spatial and movement information. Overall, we discuss our findings in terms of theoretical frameworks that conceive of action understanding as an umbrella term that comprises different forms and facets in which humans understand others' actions. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: We investigated whether preschool children predict agents to move towards their previous goal or to move along the same movement path that they pursued before. Unlike adults, preschool children predicted that agents would move along the same trajectory even though this action would lead to a new goal. Adults' goal-based predictions were affected from contextual details, whereas children systematically made path-based predictions. Young children's action prediction relies on the detection of spatial and movement information.

The European Union One Health 2022 Zoonoses Report.

This report by the European Food Safety Authority and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control presents the results of the zoonoses monitoring and surveillance activities carried out in 2022 in 27 Member States (MSs), the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) and 11 non-MSs. Key statistics on zoonoses and zoonotic agents in humans, food, animals and feed are provided and interpreted historically. In 2022, the first and second most reported zoonoses in humans were campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis, respectively. The number of cases of campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis remained stable in comparison with 2021. Nineteen MSs and the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) achieved all the established targets in poultry populations for the reduction of Salmonella prevalence for the relevant serovars. Salmonella samples from carcases of various animal species, and samples for Campylobacter quantification from broiler carcases, were more frequently positive when performed by the competent authorities than when own checks were conducted. Yersiniosis was the third most reported zoonosis in humans, followed by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and Listeria monocytogenes infections. L. monocytogenes and West Nile virus infections were the most severe zoonotic diseases, with the most hospitalisations and highest case fatality rates. In 2022, reporting showed an increase of more than 600% compared with 2021 in locally acquired cases of human West Nile virus infection, which is a mosquito-borne disease. In the EU, the number of reported foodborne outbreaks and cases, hospitalisations and deaths was higher in 2022 than in 2021. The number of deaths from outbreaks was the highest ever reported in the EU in the last 10 years, mainly caused by L. monocytogenes and to a lesser degree by Salmonella. Salmonella and in particular S. Enteritidis remained the most frequently reported causative agent for foodborne outbreaks. Norovirus (and other calicivirus) was the agent associated with the highest number of outbreak human cases. This report also provides updates on brucellosis, Coxiella burnetii (Q fever), echinococcosis, rabies, toxoplasmosis, trichinellosis, infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (focusing on Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium caprae) and tularaemia.

Alfaxalone increases measured progesterone concentration in neutered male cats when determined by immunoreactivity.

Alfaxalone is a commonly used anesthetic agent in small animals. In cats, alfaxalone can be administered as an IM agent to achieve clinically useful sedation or anesthesia, negating the need for IV injection in difficult patients. The molecular structure of alfaxalone is similar to the hormone progesterone (P4). It is hypothesized that alfaxalone would cross-react with the assay measuring progesterone causing a false elevation. 8 healthy neutered male, domestic shorthair cats that were privately owned were enrolled in the study. Male neutered cats were administered 3 mg/kg of alfaxalone IM. Blood samples were collected at set time points (baseline, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 3 hours, 6 hours, and 10 hours after administration), and serum concentrations of progesterone immunoreactivity (IR) were determined using the Siemens Immulite 1000 automated immunoassay system. Statistical analysis was performed with repeated measures ANOVA and a Tukey-Cramer multiple comparisons test. A P value of < .05 was used for significance. Serum progesterone IR was significantly elevated at 30 minutes, 1 hour, and 3 hours (P < .05) when compared to baseline progesterone immunoreactivity. Progesterone immunoreactivity had returned to baseline by 6 hours. This study suggests that alfaxalone administered IM in cats may interfere with immunoassay measurement of serum progesterone for up to 6 hours. Caution should be used when interpreting serum progesterone immunoreactivity results in cats within 4 hours of alfaxalone.

From Animal Models to Clinical Trials: The Potential of Antimicrobials in Multiple Sclerosis Treatment.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, autoimmune, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Microbes, including bacteria and certain viruses, particularly Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), have been linked to the pathogenesis of MS. While there is currently no cure for MS, antibiotics and antivirals have been studied as potential treatment options due to their immunomodulatory ability that results in the regulation of the immune process. The current issue addressed in this systematic review is the effect of antimicrobials, including antibiotics, antivirals, and antiparasitic agents in animals and humans. We performed a comprehensive search of PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus for articles on antimicrobials in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis animal models of MS, as well as in people with MS (pwMS). In animal models, antibiotics tested included beta-lactams, minocycline, rapamycin, macrolides, and doxycycline. Antivirals included acyclovir, valacyclovir, and ganciclovir. Hydroxychloroquine was the only antiparasitic that was tested. In pwMS, we identified a total of 24 studies, 17 of them relevant to antibiotics, 6 to antivirals, and 1 relevant to antiparasitic hydroxychloroquine. While the effect of antimicrobials in animal models was promising, only minocycline and hydroxychloroquine improved outcome measures in pwMS. No favorable effect of the antivirals in humans has been observed yet. The number and size of clinical trials testing antimicrobials have been limited. Large, multicenter, well-designed studies are needed to further evaluate the effect of antimicrobials in MS.

Fenbendazole Exhibits Differential Anticancer Effects In Vitro and In Vivo in Models of Mouse Lymphoma.

Fenbendazole (FBZ) has been safely used as an antiparasitic agent in animals for decades, and the anticancer effects of FBZ have been studied through various mechanisms. However, there is a lack of in vivo studies that include lymphoma. Therefore, this study examined the effects of FBZ on EL-4 cells and a mouse T lymphoma model. FBZ induced G2/M phase arrest in EL-4 cells, resulting in cell death and decreased metabolic activity. However, FBZ had no anticancer effects on an EL-4 mouse lymphoma model in vivo, as evident by rapid weight loss and tumor growth comparable to the control. The FBZ-treated EL-4 cells expressed higher levels of PD-L1 and CD86, which are associated with T cell immunity in the tumor microenvironment (TME), than the controls. Furthermore, the hematoxylin and eosin staining of the FBZ-treated tumor tissues showed a starry sky pattern, which is seen in actively proliferating cancer tissues, and an immunohistochemical analysis revealed a high percentage of immunosuppressive M2 macrophages. These changes in the immune activity in the TME contradict the results of the in vitro experiments, and further studies are needed to determine the detailed mechanisms by which FBZ induces these responses.

PSIX-11 Testing the Anti-Inflammatory Effects of brewer’s Yeast Extract on Macrophage Cell Lines in Vitro

Abstract Recent studies have demonstrated that brewer’s yeast may modulate gastrointestinal and immune health. Yeasthas been reported to contain bioactive components that possess anti-inflammatory properties in vitro and in animal models, but source of yeast and processing conditions are unique to each product and require testing. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of a novel brewer’s yeast product in response to a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge using two macrophage cell lines (Raw 264.7 cells; J774A.1 cells) in vitro. Once cells were stable, they were exposed to one of the following treatments for 24 h: sterile phosphate-buffered saline (placebo), brewer’s yeast extract (low dose or high dose), LPS only (positive control), and LPS + brewer’s yeast extract (low dose or high dose). Quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) was used to analyze relative mRNA production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1α and IL-1β) in response to the treatments. Statistical analysis was performed using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS, testing for the main effect of treatment. Significance was declared as P ≤ 0.05. As expected, LPS increased expression of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1α and IL-1β to greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) concentrations than that of the placebo and yeast treatments in both cell lines. The results also showed that brewer’s yeast treatment in RAW 264.7 cells led to greater (P ≤ 0.01) mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-1α and IL-1β during LPS challenge compared with control (LPS only) cells. In J774A.1 cells, brewer’s yeast treatments reduced (P ≤ 0.01) the mRNA expression of IL-1α and IL-1β during LPS challenge in a dose-dependent manner. However, no differences were observed in the mRNA abundance of TNF-α or IL-6 in J774A.1 cells. These findings suggest that the brewer’s yeast extract tested may possess anti-inflammatory effects in macrophage cell lines in vitro, although the responses varied across cell lines and yeast extract concentrations. Further research is needed to explore the potential applications of brewer’s yeast as an anti-inflammatory agent in the target animals of interest.

Ovine invasion: sheep as protest objects and animal agents in the Larzac campaign

Abstract In their posters and in their protests, the peasants of the Larzac deployed sheep to help them fight back against the French Army’s plans to expropriate them from the land as part of the expansion of a local military base. In Paris, as in regional courtrooms, sheep served as a visible and disruptive contrast to urban modernity, emblematized in ovine invasions which invited animals to make themselves heard (and smelt) in courtrooms, townhalls and even beneath the Eiffel Tower. This article considers sheep as objects and agents of protest in the Larzac campaign, showing how they embodied contested visions of rural modernity, offered both opportunities for and shaped new methodologies of protest, and came to characterize the way in which this pacifist campaign resonated internationally.

Raw Meat and Antibiotic Resistance: A Comprehensive Study on Prevalence of Pathogens in Food Animals

This review examines the use of antimicrobial agents in food animals and their impact on human health, particularly the emergence and spread of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). While antimicrobial agents are commonly used in food animal production to prevent and treat bacterial infections, overuse has been linked to AMR. Various strategies to reduce antimicrobial use in food animals, including vaccines, improved animal husbandry practices, and alternative therapies, are discussed. However, the review acknowledges the limitations of these strategies, such as cost-effectiveness and potential unintended consequences. Information on the percentage of antimicrobial use and resistance in food animals is provided for different classes of antibiotics. The percentages of use and resistance vary among these classes, with tetracyclines having the highest percentage of use and erythromycin and tylosin having the highest percentage of resistance. The review cites studies on the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in food animals, including Escherichia coli isolates from broiler chickens in the UK and Egypt. The review highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to reducing antimicrobial use in food animals and controlling the spread of AMR, including implementing more effective regulatory policies, promoting responsible use of antimicrobial agents, and developing alternative therapies and management practices. Overall, the review emphasizes the importance of addressing the issue of AMR in food animals to preserve the effectiveness of antimicrobial agents for both animal and human health.

Sensitivity to the role of an animated agent from observed interactions in newborn chicks (Gallus gallus).

Few month old human infants are able to detect the social roles of artificial agents and consistently choose the object behaving as 'approacher' rather than 'repulser'. This preference has been considered evidence of a pre-linguistic and pre-cultural origin of the social mind. Similar preferences have not been described in other species, though comparative data could help clarify the nature of this phenomenon and its evolutionary origin. In this study, we investigated sensitivity to the social role of an artificial agent in domestic chicks. Birds offer an excellent model to study the evolutionary roots of cognitive abilities, since they separated from mammals over 300 Ma. Moreover, the investigation of newly hatched chicks allows control for previous experience. After being exposed to computer-presented animations depicting an interaction among two agents, chicks underwent a free choice test among those same objects. While no initial evidence of a clear preference emerged from the planned analysis, chicks in the experimental condition showed a preference for the 'approacher' when controlling for side bias, mirroring human infants behaviour. This suggests the existence of an early ability to discriminate agents from their interactions, independent from any social experience.

Forensic analysis of toxic substances in fatalities with suspected companion animal cruelty

The increasing prevalence of toxic substance-exposure in pets in South Korea endangers the health and safety of numerous companion animals, and has become a cause for concern. Notably, the annual incidence of forensic analysis in pets has increased by more than 150% in South Korea, mainly in populous regions such as Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi. In response to this growing issue, veterinary forensic examinations were conducted on 549 dogs and cats from 2019 to 2022. This study revealed the presence of various toxic substances, including pesticides, insecticides, and drugs such as analgesics, anesthetics, antidepressants, and muscle relaxants, in pets. Among the 38 different toxins identified in pets, coumatetralyl, methomyl, terbufos, and buprofezin were the most frequently detected. In this study, toxic substances for pets were identified based on the “toxic agent list for humans,” developed by the National Forensic Services, because no list of toxic agents for animals currently exists and data regarding potentially toxic substances for dogs and cats is limited. This is one of the limitations of this study, and necessitates the establishment of a toxic agent list for animals. Continued monitoring and research is also recommended to reveal the incidence, causes, and solutions of toxicity in animals.

Natural Products as Mite Control Agents in Animals: A Review.

Mites have been a persistent infectious disease affecting both humans and animals since ancient times. In veterinary clinics, the primary approach for treating and managing mite infestations has long been the use of chemical acaricides. However, the widespread use of these chemicals has resulted in significant problems, including drug resistance, drug residues, and environmental pollution, limiting their effectiveness. To address these challenges, researchers have shifted their focus towards natural products that have shown promise both in the laboratory and real-world settings against mite infestations. Natural products have a wide variety of chemical structures and biological activities, including acaricidal properties. This article offers a comprehensive review of the acaricidal capabilities and mechanisms of action of natural products like plant extracts, natural compounds, algae, and microbial metabolites against common animal mites.

EVALUATION OF LOCAL THERAPEUTIC AGENTS IN ANIMALS WITH EXPERIMENTAL PERIODONTITIS

Main etiological factor in the development of generalized periodontitis is considered to be the presence of periodontopathogens of the red complex, namely Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Bacteroides forsythus in the oral cavity. Among the widely used local therapeutic agents for periodontal diseases, researchers highlight chlorhexidine. Chlorhexidine is available in the form of toothpaste, mouthwashes, gels, sprays, and inserts (PerioChip). In dentistry, the antiseptic is commonly applied in concentrations of 0.2%, 0.12%, and 0.06%. The aim of this study was to propose and evaluate new local therapeutic agents in experimental animals with modeled chronic periodontitis. The study included 36 experimental animals. We suggested using an insert with subgingival application, soaked with chlorhexidinebased official products – Dentaid Perio-Aid Gel and Perio-Aid Protect Gel. The animals were divided into groups as follows: Group I intact rats, Group II modeled periodontal pathology without treatment on the 7th day of modeling, Group III rats with experimental periodontitis without treatment on the 12th day of modeled pathology, Group IV rats with experimental periodontitis treated with an insert soaked in 0.12% chlorhexidine gel (Dentaid Perio-Aid Gel), and Group V rats with experimental periodontitis treated with an insert soaked in 0.2% chlorhexidine gel + hyaluronic acid (PERIO-AID Protect Gel).&#x0D; The experimental periodontitis was induced using an ultrasonic device. On the 7th and 12th days of the experiment, the rats from Groups IV and V were treated according to the specified scheme, preceded by removal of dental deposits using manual instruments. Group IV was treated with an insert with subgingival application soaked in Dentaid Perio-Aid Gel, and Group V was treated with an insert soaked in Perio-Aid Protect Gel. Euthanasia of the rats and sampling of blood and periodontal tissues (gingiva, alveolar process) were performed on the 7th and 12th days in the animals with modeled periodontitis. The assessment of the modeled pathological process was based on clinical examination and biochemical analysis. After the experiment, it was observed that the probable reduction in antioxidant defense during the treatment of experimental animals with Dentaid Perio-Aid Gel and Perio-Aid Protect Gel, applied on the insert, was associated with a decrease in lipid peroxidation. At the same time, alkaline phosphatase activity increased, both in serum and in the homogenate, which may indicate activation of bone formation processes.

Effectiveness of motivational agents on reducing foreign language anxiety

Utilizing resources focused on artificial intelligence (A.I.) and its influence on education, this paper analyzes the impact of “animated agents” to aid students in learning and understanding a new language. We used these articles to understand the effect that A.I. has on the anxiety levels of students and how these learners respond to differing motivational agents. Foreign Language Anxiety (FLA) is a term used to describe the stress exhibited by learners of a new language, specifically when being negatively evaluated by others or when perceiving an inability in themselves. FLA is a major barrier when it comes to the overall growth of a student and his/her proficiency in the new language, as it increases stress and decreases motivation to learn by making students think that they are not good enough. Because this has led to a notable decline in learners’ performance in that subject, pedagogical methods have been developed and examined to provide emotional support. With a group of 56 students and an e-learning system, researchers utilized either motivational or explanatory feedback through the use of text, voice, or animated agents (characters that can engage students and present information), and measured anxiety levels across the different combinations. While the motivational support of an agent was most sufficient, gender played a big role in the efficacy of different pedagogical methods; therefore, incorporating the gender of the learner into artificial intelligence systems and animated agents in the future would personalize feedback in forms that males and females can better take in and implement. To provide more equity in education, these results can be applied to other anxiety barriers that actively prevent students from developing the skills essential for their learning. With the proper assistance from A.I., FLA can become a thing of the past, and language learners can no longer suffer from the stress of learning something entirely new.

Investigation of 29 Antimicrobial Compounds in Soil Using Newly Developed UHPLC-MS/MS Method.

While the prudent and reasonable use of veterinary antimicrobial agents in food-producing animals is necessary, researchers over the decades have shown that these antimicrobial agents can spread into the environment through livestock manure and wastewater. The analysis of the occurrence of antimicrobial compounds in soil samples is of a great importance to determine potential impacts on human and animal health and the environment. In this study, an affordable, rugged and simple analytical method has been developed for the determination of twenty-nine antimicrobial compounds from five different classes (tetracyclines, fluoro(quinolones), macrolides, sulfonamides and diaminopirimidines). Liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) with extract filtration combined with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was the best strategy for the simultaneous determination of all analytes. The developed method was validated according to the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/808. The limit of detections (LODs) ranged from 0.5 to 2.0 µg/kg, while the limit of quantitation (LOQ) was established at 1.0 to 20.0 µg/kg. The developed method was successfully applied for the determination of antimicrobial residues in one hundred and eighteen soil samples obtained from four European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, Estonia and Portugal). Doxycycline in the concentration levels of 9.07 µg/kg-20.6 µg/kg was detected in eight of the analysed samples. Samples were collected from areas where natural fertilizers (swine or cow manure) were applied. Our method can be efficiently used to monitor anti-microbial compounds in soil samples.

Coded aperture and Compton imaging for the development of 225 Ac-based radiopharmaceuticals.

Targeted alpha-particle therapy (TAT) has great promise as a cancer treatment. Arguably the most promising TAT radionuclide that has been proposed is 225 Ac. The development of 225 Ac-based radiopharmaceuticals has been hampered due to the lack of effective means to study the daughter redistribution of these agents in small animals at the preclinicalstage. The ability to directly image the daughters, namely 221 Fr and 213 Bi, via their gamma-ray emissions would be a boon for preclinical studies. That said, conventional medical imaging modalities, including single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) based on nonmultiplexed collimation, cannot be employed due to sensitivitylimitations. As an alternative, we propose the use of both coded aperture and Compton imaging with the former modality suited to the 218-keV gamma-ray emission of 221 Fr and the latter suited to the 440-keV gamma-ray emission of 213 Bi. This work includes coded aperture images of 221 Fr and Compton images of 213 Bi in tumor-bearing mice injected with 225 Ac-basedradiopharmaceuticals. These results are the first demonstration of visualizing and quantifying the 225 Ac daughters in small animals through the application of coded aperture and Comptonimaging.