Acute fever is a frequently-seen disease in the department of paediatrics. This study aims to evaluate the antipyretic efficacy of dexibuprofen suppositories in pediatric patients with high fever. 100 children with high fever who received antipyretic treatment in our hospital from March 2022 to March 2023 were retrospectively analysed. Among them, 57 children treated with dexibuprofen suppositories were taken as the study group and 43 children treated with ibuprofen suspension were taken as the control group. The body temperatures of the two groups were analyzed and compared before medication and at 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6 hrs after medication. The two groups were compared in the therapeutic effects and adverse reactions. Independent sample t-tests and repeated measures analysis of variance were used for comparisons between groups and chi-square tests or Fisher's exact tests were used for categorical variables. The study group had significantly lower temperatures at 0.5, 2, 4 and 6 hrs (P < 0.0001), with similar overall efficacy (P > 0.05) and fewer adverse reactions (P = 0.0272). Multivariate logistic regression analysis determined that the disease course and admission body temperature were independent risk factors. Dexibuprofen suppository provides rapid and effective antipyresis with better safety in pediatric emergency settings.

With climate change, birds will face increasing thermoregulatory demands, which may alter reproductive behaviors such as offspring provisioning. Experimental studies have shown that the provisioning capacity of female tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) is limited by their risk of overheating. Given that parental investment strategies may vary between sexes, the thermal environment may have a different impact on males. We experimentally trimmed ventral feathers from male tree swallows to create a "thermal window" through which they could dissipate heat. We remotely monitored provisioning rate and core body temperature of males and their female partners. At high temperatures, all males decreased their nestling provisioning rates irrespective of trimming treatment. In addition, trimmed males maintained core body temperatures similar to those of controls. This suggests that in contrast to previous work with females, males limit provisioning rates to levels below the threshold at which they would overheat. Regardless of male treatment, females adjusted their own activity to match that of their male partners; whether there are costs to females is unknown. Combined, these studies highlight that sex-specific differences in thermal physiology and behavior must be considered when predicting responses to climatic warming.

BACKGROUND Perioperative hypothermia is a common complication of gastrointestinal surgery and is associated with an increased risk of surgical site infections and other complications. However, the relationship between comprehensive temperature management quality, including monitoring, protocol adherence, timely intervention, and postoperative infection outcomes, remains insufficiently studied, particularly in relation to surgical approach and patient comorbidities. AIM To investigate the impact and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of perioperative temperature management nursing quality on postoperative infectious complications in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery. METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on 45 patients who underwent elective gastrointestinal surgery at our institution between 2020 and 2025: Nine patients with postoperative infections within 30 days and 36 uninfected controls. A temperature-management compliance score was constructed and conditional logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk of postoperative infection. The effect modification was assessed in subgroups stratified by surgical approach and diabetes status. Differences in the microcirculatory, metabolic, and inflammatory mechanism-related indicators were compared between groups. RESULTS The case group had significantly lower intraoperative and immediate postoperative body temperatures, intraoperative active warming use, and temperature management compliance score and a longer hypothermia duration than the control (P &lt; 0.05). The proportion of patients who underwent preoperative warming was not significantly different (P &gt; 0.05). Multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis revealed that “lowest intraoperative body temperature” and “temperature management compliance scores” were independent risk factors for postoperative infections (P &lt; 0.05). Surgical approach and diabetes status significantly affected the association between the lowest intraoperative body temperature and postoperative infection (P &lt; 0.05). The case group had significantly higher intraoperative core temperature variability, core-to-skin temperature gradient, postoperative serum interleukin-6 levels, temperature management response delay time, and intraoperative fraction of inspired oxygen exposure index (P &lt; 0.05), whereas intraoperative lactate clearance and immediate postoperative peripheral perfusion index were significantly lower (P &lt; 0.05). CONCLUSION Perioperative hypothermia and inadequate nursing quality for temperature management are independent risk factors for postoperative infections following gastrointestinal surgery. Enhanced temperature monitoring and active warming via standardized individualized temperature management protocols may reduce the risk of postoperative infection, especially in patients undergoing open surgery and those with diabetes.

This study was carried out to ascertain the influence of fortifying sorghum, which replaces maize, with turmeric and garlic on the attainment of sexual maturity and temperature indices in quails. Nine hundred and sixty (960), one-week old unsexed Japanese quail chicks were used in the study which lasted for a period of sixteen (16) weeks. The birds were randomly assigned in a completely randomized design into 16 different dietary groups of sixty (60) birds per group and each was sub-divided into three (3) replicates of twenty (20) birds each with a factorial arrangement. The groups consisted of two basal diets: Maize diet as positive control (Ma) and Sorghum diet (T1). To fortify the sorghum-based diet, turmeric and garlic meals were combined at five (5) different levels of 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 %, and three (3) (0, 0.50 and 1.00%) levels, respectively, hence making a total of 15 combination groups (1 + 3 x 5). Body and rectal temperatures were measured weekly. In females, the onset of puberty was assessed as the first day of egg production and female calling while in males, the first day of foam production from the cloacal gland and crowing were indicated as the onset of puberty. The mean body and rectal temperatures ranged between 38º – 41°C and 40º – 43°C, respectively. The onset of puberty was accelerated in females on the positive control (Maize) earlier compared to those on the negative control (Sorghum) by one day. Foam production was initiated earlier in male quails fed Maize (positive control) than those fed sorghum (negative control) by 3 (three) days whereas, at levels of 0.50 – 1.00%, garlic, and turmeric supplementation synergistically affected foam production in male Japanese quails. Results revealed that supplementation of garlic and turmeric did not affect the onset of puberty and sexual maturity in females. From our findings, the temperature obtained indicated that the birds had normal body temperature and were not under heat stress conditions while onset of puberty was accelerated in females on the positive control (Maize) earlier compared to those on the negative control (Sorghum) by one day. Initiation of puberty in female Japanese quails on T10 (G0.50T1.00), T11 (G1.00T0), T12 (G1.00T0.25), T13 (G1.00T0.50) and T15 (G1.00T1.00) was similar to that of control (Maize), whereas puberty was delayed by 1 (one) to 4 (four) days in quails on other treatments. Japanese quails on T10, T12 and T15 had their onset of foam production hastened when compared with maize based diet (positive control). Sexual maturity in Japanese quails was enhanced by sorghum diets – T11 and T13 and was similar to the maize diet. Hence, substituting maize for sorghum and fortifying it with turmeric and garlic did not show any adverse effect on temperature and sexual maturity of quails and can be incorporated in quail diet.

This study aimed to (1) develop a novel method for fabricating simulated root canals, (2) introduce a reliable approach for detecting file fractures, and (3) establish a direct measurement technique for determining the number of cycles to failure (NCF) in bending fatigue tests of rotary files. Bending fatigue tests were conducted using a custom setup consisting of a simulated root canal, a handpiece-controller unit, and a signal extraction module for monitoring motor current and encoder signals. The simulated canals were fabricated to match the geometry of 25.06 ZenFlex rotary files, and included five configurations with varying radii (2, 5, and 8 mm) and angle of curvature (30°, 45°, and 60°). Tests were performed at room and body temperatures. File fracture was identified by an abrupt drop in motor current, and the NCF was directly determined from encoder-derived revolution counts. To verify accuracy, encoder-based revolution counts were compared with those measured with a mechanical counter. In addition, the proposed method was benchmarked against the conventional time-based calculation of NCF. The fabricated canals provided precise confinement of the files, ensuring reproducible curvature with negligible torsional distortion. Fractographic analysis revealed fatigue features, including striations radiating from the crack origin and dimples in the fast-fracture zone, confirming bending fatigue as the dominant failure mechanism. Encoder-based revolution counts closely matched those from the mechanical counter, with discrepancies of less than one revolution, and yielded slightly lower values than the conventional time-based method. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the proposed and conventional methods (p > 0.05). Fatigue life was significantly reduced at body temperature compared with room temperature (p < 0.05) and increased with larger radii of curvature (p < 0.05), while angle of curvature had no significant effect (p > 0.05). The proposed simulated root canals improved reproducibility and standardization of in vitro fatigue testing of files. The signal extraction method provided accurate revolution counts and a more realistic estimation of NCF than conventional time-to-failure methods, which overestimated actual values by 1.85 to 6.28% in this study.

Body temperature strongly constrains insect activity, performance and survival, yet the mechanisms governing heat gain under solar radiation remain incompletely understood. In ectothermic insects, passive thermal traits may modulate body heating independently of energetically costly behavioral or physiological thermoregulation. Passive thermal responses were experimentally quantified in 147 freshly dead beetle specimens belonging to 34 Coleoptera species exposed to simulated solar radiation. Three complementary descriptors of body warming were measured - initial heating rate (IHR), final heating rate (FHR) and time required to reach 40°C (T40) - capturing distinct phases of passive heat acquisition. Elytral thickness emerged as the strongest morphological predictor of heating dynamics, showing a consistent negative effect on both IHR and FHR and a positive effect on T40. Body size influenced only the initial heating phase and had no effect on thermal resistance during prolonged exposure, indicating a partial decoupling between body size and passive thermal performance, whereas elytral darkness appeared to have only a slight influence on FHR. Substantial interspecific variation persisted after controlling for morphology and air temperature, revealing species-specific passive thermal strategies likely driven by unmeasured structural or compositional properties of the exoskeleton. These findings identify elytral thickness as a key determinant of passive thermal resistance in beetles while demonstrating that passive heating responses cannot be explained by body size alone. The persistence of species-specific differences suggests that additional, currently unknown exoskeletal traits contribute to thermal performance, highlighting passive thermal architecture as an underappreciated axis of ecological differentiation and thermal adaptation in Coleoptera.

To identify body temperature dynamic patterns and develop a machine learning model for the early detection of nosocomial infections. A retrospective and observational study of patients hospitalised in the haematology department of the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital between January 2014 and December 2023. A latent class trajectory model was used to discover patterns in patients' body temperatures over time. Machine learning models were then built to predict nosocomial infections and evaluated using standard metrics (AUROC, sensitivity, specificity). SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) values were used to interpret the final model. Among 6989 patients, we identified four distinct body temperature trajectories. Bloodstream infections were most common in patients exhibiting either a slow rise followed by a gradual decrease or a rapid rise followed by a quick decrease in body temperature. The XGBoost model showed excellent predictive performance (AUROC = 0.801), with balanced sensitivity (0.718) and specificity (0.701). The top five predictors of nosocomial infections were elevated procalcitonin, neutropenia, prolonged central venous catheter use and two specific temperature trajectories: 'stable and relatively high' and 'a rapid rise followed by a quick decrease'. The XGBoost model effectively predicted nosocomial infections. Dynamic body temperature trajectories provided early, objective warning signs of infection. This predictive tool empowered nursing staff to proactively monitor nosocomial infection, allowing for timely, data-driven interventions in vulnerable hematologic patients. The developed machine learning predictive tool can help clinical medical staff identify nosocomial infections as early as possible, facilitate personalised rehabilitation and health management plans, aligning with the philosophy of patient-centred precision nursing. Further, the four body temperature trajectory patterns identified provide nurses with objective, dynamic indicators for recognising potential infection subphenotypes, supporting a shift from experience-driven reactive care towards data-driven proactive nursing. Previous studies suggested that body temperature could indicate the severity and prognosis of infections, but the pattern was unknown. In this study, we found that body temperature trajectories could signal infection subphenotypes, such as bloodstream infections being most common in patients with a slow rise followed by a gradual decrease in body temperature or with a rapid rise followed by a quick decrease. By integrating body temperature trajectories with key clinical biomarkers, the developed prediction model enables early and accurate identification of nosocomial infections in hematologic patients. The application of this tool may significantly shorten the time window between infection onset and intervention, potentially reducing infection-related complications, mortality and healthcare costs, thereby improving overall care quality and patient outcomes. The study adhered to the relevant EQUATOR reporting guidelines, the TRIPOD Checklist for Prediction Model Development and Validation. The research team included nursing staff and clinicians responsible for infection surveillance and control in the hospital, who contributed real-world insights into the definition of predictors, interpretation of temperature trajectories, clinical implications of the prediction model and preparation of the manuscript. Their expertise helped ensure that the study addressed relevant clinical questions and that the findings are interpretable and actionable in practice.

Context Residual feed intake (RFI) and residual intake and gain (RIG) are widely used metrics to assess feed efficiency in sheep. However, their practical implementation in breeding programs remains limited owing to the high cost and complexity of individual feed intake measurements. Consequently, alternative indicators, such as physiological responses and infrared thermography (IRT), have been proposed as potential proxies for identifying animals with superior feed efficiency under different environmental conditions. Aims This study aimed to evaluate the relationships between RFI and RIG classifications and physiological parameters, as well as surface body temperatures obtained via IRT, in Texel ewes exposed to natural heat stress. Methods Thirty-nine young Texel ewes were monitored for 57 days in a covered facility equipped with an automated feeding and watering system with individual intake recording. Animals were classified into low, medium, and high-efficiency groups according to their RFI and RIG values. Physiological responses, including respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR), rectal temperature (RT), and the heat tolerance coefficient (HTC), were recorded. Additionally, surface temperatures of the eye, muzzle, hooves, and vulva were measured using infrared thermography (IRT). Statistical analyses included ANOVA and principal component analysis (PCA) to explore associations among traits. Key results No significant differences were detected among RFI or RIG classes for RR, HR, RT, or HTC. Similarly, IRT-derived surface temperatures did not differ across efficiency classifications. PCA showed that RR and HTC explained the greatest proportion of total variance, whereas RFI and RIG contributed to other independent components. Conclusions Neither physiological parameters nor IRT-based surface temperatures were effective indicators of feed efficiency in Texel ewes under natural heat stress. Implications The results indicated that RFI and RIG cannot be accurately inferred from physiological or IRT variables under field conditions. Future research should integrate additional phenotypic and behavioral indicators to identify reliable, low-cost biomarkers for metabolic efficiency in sheep.

As demand for sustainable and biocompatible technologies grows, low-toxicity mid-infrared materials, such as silver chalcogenides, have attracted significant interest. Herein, we report mid-wavelength infrared tunable Ag2Te colloidal quantum dots through a post-growth method starting from short-wavelength infrared Ag2Te colloidal quantum dots. Using the synthesized Ag2Te colloidal quantum dots, we successfully fabricate a photodetector covering the full mid-wavelength infrared spectral range (3-5 μm) with an onset wavelength extending to 6.9 μm. At 78 K, the photodetectors exhibit a photoresponse time of 230 ns (rise) and 576 ns (fall). Responsivity varies from 1.9 × 10-3 A W-1 at 0.02 V to 1.1 A W-1 at 0.5 V, depending on the applied bias, and the specific detectivity of the device is 1.2 × 109 Jones at 0.02 V. The measured noise-equivalent temperature difference of 0.3 K enables us to reliably distinguish temperature variations between 37 °C and 40 °C, directly enabling the diagnosis of fever-level body temperatures.

Understanding thermoregulation within the range of low body temperatures (Tb) in homeotherms is of special interest in various life science fields. Here, we report that mice exhibit long-lasting hypothermia induced by the administration of an A1 adenosine receptor (A1AR) agonist, N6-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA), in combination with pretreatment with bezafibrates (BZ), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) agonist. Before the induction of hypothermia by CHA administration at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg, CBA/N mice were fed 0.5% BZ-supplemented food for 10 days at an ambient temperature of 23-24°C. Ten days after BZ treatment, intraperitoneal CHA administration induced low Tb (<33°C) lasting for 6 hr, while mice provided the control food without BZ supplementation experienced low Tb lasting for <1 hr after CHA administration. The combined administration of these drugs also marked decreased oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide output, and energy expenditure compared with those in control mice that received CHA injections alone. These findings demonstrate that BZ-induced PPARα activation enhanced the sensitivity of A1AR, thereby prolonging low Tb. Both receptors are considered key factors in controlling torpor and/or hibernation; however, a synergistic relationship between these receptors has not been reported. Therefore, our findings suggest that metabolic activation of lipid catabolism via PPARα signaling may potentiate the hypothermic effects induced by A1AR activation.

Inadvertent Hypothermia in Urological Surgery: Incidence and Risk Factors.

Larvae of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella have become an increasingly important in vivo model for biomedical research, providing a practical, ethical, and biologically relevant alternative to vertebrate organisms. Its suitability as a model system lies in its low maintenance cost, ease of handling, and ability to survive at both ambient and mammalian body temperatures. Most importantly, G. mellonella exhibits an innate immune system with functional and structural parallels to that of mammals, allowing meaningful insights into infection dynamics and immune responses. This review summarizes the biological and immunological foundations that underpin the use of G. mellonella in experimental research and examines its expanding range of applications. The model has been successfully employed to study microbial pathogenicity, antimicrobial efficacy, host-pathogen interactions, and toxicological responses. In recent years, its use has extended to emerging fields such as nanomedicine, immunomodulation, and environmental biotechnology, reflecting its growing translational value. The adoption of G. mellonella also aligns with current ethical principles in science, particularly the 3Rs framework (replacement, refinement, and reduction), by minimizing the use of vertebrate animals while maintaining robust experimental outcomes. However, certain challenges persist, including the lack of adaptive immunity and the need for methodological standardization to enhance data reproducibility and comparability across laboratories. Collectively, the growing body of evidence supports G. mellonella as a reliable and versatile experimental model that bridges the gap between invertebrate and mammalian systems. Continued methodological refinement and integration with molecular and omics approaches are expected to further consolidate its role in translational and preclinical research. © 2026 The Author(s). Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Ophisops elegans, a widespread lizard species, serves as an ideal model organism for investigating how environmental and morphological parameters influence the thermal ecology of lizards. In this study, the thermal ecology of O. elegans was examined from a single population from central Turkey by recording body temperatures alongside various morphological and environmental parameters. Additionally, microclimate temperatures were measured using dataloggers and modeled using NicheMapR. Thermoregulatory efficiency was calculated separately using field recorded and NicheMapR modeled temperatures. As expected, substrate and air temperatures emerged as the most significant factors influencing thermal biology, with body size further modulating thermal dynamics through interactions with substrate temperature. Thermoregulatory efficiency values remained biologically stable across the season (E ~ 0.78), with field recorded and modeled thermal indexes being very similar, validating NicheMapR as a robust tool for characterizing the thermal characteristics of ectotherms. These findings provide a critical baseline for forecasting the response of O. elegans populations to shifting climatic regimes.

Abstract In-vitro testing is widely used to evaluate the hemodynamic performance of transcatheter aortic valves (TAVs). However, many studies assess self-expanding valves using blood analogs matched in viscosity at room temperature, despite the temperature-dependent mechanical behavior of nitinol stent frames. This study investigates the independent and combined effects of temperature and viscosity on the in-vitro performance assessment of a self-expanding TAV. Rheological characterization was performed to identify water-glycerin solutions with matched viscosities at room temperature and physiological temperature (37°C). A patient-specific aortic model was cast in silicone. A self-expanding Medtronic Evolut R valve was deployed within the compliant model and evaluated using a pulse-duplicating left heart simulator under physiological flow and pressure conditions. The transvalvular pressure gradient and effective orifice area (EOA) were calculated. Rheometry identified two fluid conditions with comparable viscosities at room and body temperatures. Heating the blood analog to 37°C resulted in significantly reduced transvalvular pressure gradient and increased EOA compared to the viscosity-matched room temperature condition (p&amp;lt;0.0001). At physiological body temperature, the higher viscosity fluid (42% glycerin) yielded further improvements in valve performance relative to the lower viscosity fluid(38% glycerin), with lower pressure drop and larger EOA (p&amp;lt;0.0001). These results demonstrate that temperature dependent effects influence the hemodynamic performance of self-expanding nitinol TAVs beyond viscosity matching alone. Combined consideration of temperature and viscosity is therefore necessary to ensure physiologically relevant in-vitro assessment of self-expanding TAVs.

ABSTRACTBrown adipose tissue (BAT) is a unique tissue with mitochondria specialized for thermogenesis via the BAT-specific uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1).Ucp1-/-mice cannot tolerate acute exposure to cold, illustrating the necessity of UCP1 for efficient mitochondrial thermogenesis. However, these mice adapt to low temperatures through a gradual acclimation process, suggesting a high degree of mitochondrial plasticity in brown and beige fat cells. This phenomenon, which remains to be fully elucidated, indicates the potential for these mitochondria to implement effective thermogenic mechanisms in the absence of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). Here, we investigated mitochondrial remodeling in beige and brown fat ofUcp1-/-mice to determine how they fulfill their thermogenic role. Upon gradual acclimation to a cold environment, Ucp1-/-mice exhibited body metabolic parameters and temperatures in the interscapular region similar to those of wild-type mice of BAT, highlighting effective thermogenesis. Interestingly, mitochondrial patch-clamp analysis and a mitochondrial Ca2+swelling assay revealed a dramatic increase in Ca2+uptake depending on the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) in BAT mitochondria fromUcp1-/-mice when robust thermogenesis was required. Mitochondrial remodeling was accompanied by markedly increased tethering between mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) inUcp1-/-mice, confirming a significant restructuring of the contact sites between the ER and mitochondria, likely to adapt to a new Ca2+homeostasis. Respiratory complexes also underwent significant reorganization, which partly led to a reduction in their assembly. Levels of ATP synthase and its F1 subcomplex increased, suggesting a major source of ATP consumption and energy expenditure. We propose a new role for MCU as a key regulator of mitochondrial plasticity, enabling efficient thermogenesis in beige and brown adipose tissues in the absence of UCP1.

I employ the comparative method to improve understanding of the metabolic rates expressed by mammalian hibernators when hibernating at body temperatures ≤ 10°C (deep hypothermia). The weight of evidence is that the mass-specific metabolic rate of adult hibernators in hibernation (HibMR) is constant or nearly constant regardless of body size. I compare to HibMR the metabolic rates of neonatal mice of two species when the neonates are in deep hypothermia. The neonates have mass-specific metabolic rates statistically identical to the HibMR of adult hibernators, suggesting that mammals may express a relatively fixed minimum mass-specific metabolic rate during deep hypothermia, regardless of the cause of hypothermia (hibernation or neonatal cooling). I also compare the relationship between metabolic rate and body size in polar species of teleost fish with the metabolism-size relationship in hibernating mammals. The mass-specific metabolic rates of resting polar fish at polar temperatures – although similar in order of magnitude to mass-specific HibMR in hibernating mammals – exhibit unambiguous allometry in relation to body size, in contrast to the lack or near-lack of allometry in the mammals, suggesting that comparative studies of the two groups might help reveal the mechanisms underlying a switch between allometry and lack of allometry.

BackgroundWe evaluated whether preoperative warming combined with dexmedetomidine reduces postoperative delirium (POD) in older patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.MethodsThis single-blind randomized trial (March–November 2021) enrolled 197 patients aged ≥50 years scheduled for hip fracture surgery. Participants were randomized to warming plus dexmedetomidine (WD), warming alone (W), or control (C). The primary outcome of this manuscript was POD incidence, assessed twice daily from postoperative day (POD) 1 to 3 using the 3D-CAM. Secondary outcomes included delirium days, intraoperative temperature, pain scores (days 1–3), MoCA (days 1 and 3), serum S100β, IL-6, TNF- α, cortisol, and perioperative adverse events.ResultsOf the 174 randomized patients, 153 completed the study and were included in the final analysis. Postoperative delirium occurred in 49.1% of patients in the control group, 26% in the warming group, and 14% in the warming combined with dexmedetomidine group (P < 0.001). Delirium duration was significantly shorter in the combined intervention group. Intraoperative body temperatures were consistently higher in the warming and combined groups than in the control group. Postoperative pain scores were significantly lower in the intervention groups. Patients receiving warming combined with dexmedetomidine demonstrated significantly higher postoperative MoCA scores, indicating improved cognitive function. Postoperative inflammatory markers and adverse events were also reduced in the combined group.ConclusionsPreoperative warming combined with dexmedetomidine was associated with a lower incidence and shorter duration of POD in older patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.Clinical Trial RegistrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100042142) http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=62146.

Appropriate clothing is important for maintaining operative capability during cold weather operations. This study examined the impact of different cold weather combat uniforms on body temperature, manual performance, comfort and perspiration among nine male soldiers (aged 24 ± 4 years) in field conditions (–2 to 5 °C). They completed three trials, consisting of a 1-h walk at 5 km/h and 1 h passive standing, wearing uniforms with varying insulation levels (1.9, 2.2 and 2.5 Clo). The results show that uniform type and insulation significantly affect skin temperature, moisture accumulation and manual dexterity in mild sub-Arctic winter conditions. Results also indicate that the insulation and design of hand protection significantly influence hand and finger skin temperatures, which in turn affects manual performance, independent of overall clothing insulation. Finally, while models like required clothing insulation (IREQ) are useful for initial recommendations, individual adjustments are needed to maintain comfort and prevent cold weather injuries.

Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis (S. Choleraesuis) causes septicemic salmonellosis in pigs, which requires differential diagnosis from African swine fever (ASF). Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) facilitates S. Choleraesuis dissemination. Herein, we determined the pathogenicity of S. Choleraesuis and the synergistic effect of PRRSV in septicemic salmonellosis. Furthermore, we compared the pathological characteristics of septicemic salmonellosis and ASF. Two experimental studies were conducted using weaning pigs (8- and 6-week-old pigs). In the first study, 8-week-old pigs (n = 36) were divided into three groups and inoculated with S. Choleraesuis (SC group), Salmonella Typhimurium (ST group), and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, control group). Necropsies and Salmonella quantification were performed at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days post-inoculation (dpi). Salmonella was isolated only from mesenteric lymph nodes in the SC (3–14 dpi) and ST (3 dpi) groups. The SC group showed relatively higher body temperatures, more severe clinical signs, and pronounced histopathological lesions in mesenteric lymph nodes and Peyer’s patches than did the ST group. In the second study, 40 pigs were assigned to four groups: 12 pigs coinfected with S. Choleraesuis and PRRSV (PRRSV + SC group), 12 pigs infected with S. Choleraesuis (SC group), 8 pigs infected with PRRSV, and 8 pigs inoculated with PBS (control group). They were monitored until 16 dpi and euthanized on 2, 6, 8, and 16 dpi to determine body weight, clinical signs, hematological changes, histopathological examination, and S. Choleraesuis colonization. PRRSV + SC pigs had the lowest average daily weight gain and higher mean values, including body temperatures and clinical signs than those of the other groups. They also showed more extensive tissue colonization with S. Choleraesuis than that in the SC group. Compared to the principal pathological characteristics of ASF, some pigs in the SC and PRRSV + SC groups showed splenomegaly with dark discoloration and gastrohepatic lymph node enlargement without hemorrhage. However, renal lymph nodes remained unaffected. Pigs infected with S. Choleraesuis revealed higher pathogenicity than did those infected with S. Typhimurium, and coinfections with PRRSV enhanced systemic infection. Distinct lesions in gastrohepatic and renal lymph nodes aid differential diagnosis between septicemic salmonellosis and ASF.

Heat stress represents a major challenge in rabbit production in tropical regions, where high temperature-humidity index (THI) values compromise thermal homeostasis and animal welfare. This study evaluated the effect of providing cool drinking water as a heat stress mitigation strategy on growth performance, carcass traits, water intake, and physiological responses in growing New Zealand White rabbits. Sixteen male rabbits were assigned to receive either drinking water at ambient temperature (33.9 ± 1.5 °C) or cooled water (16.7 ± 1.8 °C) supplied during periods of highest thermal load (10:00-17:00 h) over a four-week experimental period. Ambient temperature and relative humidity were monitored to calculate THI, and body temperatures were recorded during morning and afternoon periods. Average daily gain, carcass traits, and water intake were not affected by drinking water temperature (p > 0.05). However, the feed-to-gain ratio over the overall experimental period was higher in rabbits receiving cooled water (p = 0.03). In contrast, rectal temperature during the afternoon was significantly reduced in rabbits receiving cooled water, as reflected by a significant water × period interaction (p = 0.03), representing a 0.62% reduction compared with rabbits receiving normal drinking water, particularly during periods of greater thermal challenge, whereas ear and body surface temperatures were mainly influenced by the experimental period (p < 0.01). These results indicate that moderate cooling of drinking water elicits measurable physiological responses associated with short-term thermoregulatory adjustment, without improving growth performance. Providing cool drinking water represents a practical strategy to support thermoregulation under heat stress conditions in rabbit production systems in tropical climates.