Lower Animals Research Articles

Animal and vegetable protein intake and malnutrition in older adults: a multicohort study.

Malnutrition is a global concern in older adults, as it negatively affects morbidity and mortality. While higher animal protein intake may help prevent and treat malnutrition, it might also increase the risk of chronic diseases and death. Conversely, vegetable protein intake might have a lower anabolic effect and not be as effective to improve nutritional status. We studied whether animal and vegetable protein intake are associated with changes in nutritional status in older adults. We used pooled data from two Spanish cohorts: the Seniors-ENRICA 1 and Seniors-ENRICA 2. 2,965 community-dwelling adults aged 62-92 years. Protein intake was estimated at baseline via an electronic, validated diet history. Nutritional status was assessed at baseline and after 2.6 years with the GLIM (Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition) phenotypic criteria: weight loss, low body mass index, and reduced muscle mass. The odds of improvements in nutritional status were assessed with logistic regression models, extensively adjusted for potential confounders. Higher animal and vegetable protein intake were associated with improvements in nutritional status [odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) per 0.25 g/kg/day were 1.15 (1.00, 1.32) and 1.77 (1.35, 2.32), respectively]. Cereal protein intake drove most of the latter association [2.07 (1.44, 2.98)]. Replacing 0.25 g/kg/day of total animal protein, meat, or fish protein (but not dairy or egg protein) with vegetable protein was associated with improvements in nutritional status [1.54 (1.13, 2.09), 1.70 (1.20, 2.41), and 1.77 (1.18, 2.64), respectively]. Higher animal and, especially, vegetable protein intake were associated with improvements in nutritional status in older adults. Replacing total animal protein, meat, or fish protein with vegetable protein may help improve malnutrition.

A Theoretical Study on the Cell Differentiation Retaining the Meristems in Higher Plants

The perennial trees regenerate new twigs when some branches are removed and some of such trees also regenerate roots from a separated branch when it is put into the soil. Many species of grasses regenerate blades from left root even if the blades are pinched off. Not a few groups of plants perform vegetative reproduction and clonal growth as well as the reproduction by gametes. Although these properties of higher plants are usually interpreted in terms of meristems, it is proposed in the present paper that they arise from the faster proliferation rate of self-reproducible undifferentiated cells than the transition rate of these cells to the differentiated mode. Such process of cell differentiation is mathematically formulated to indicate that a common property of undifferentiated cells are retained with a considerable amount even after the differentiated cells constitute the root, stem, leaves and even flowers and that the ratios of the numbers of the respective types of differentiated cells are determined in a straightforward way by the transition probabilities from the self-reproducible mode to the differentiation mode, the long-range interaction between the distinctive types of cells and the short-range interaction between the same type of cells, in contrast with the higher animal where the cell differentiation advances forming the so-called “stem cells” and the ability of regeneration is lower. This process of cell differentiation in the higher plants explains the vegetative reproduction and the clonal growth as well as the high ability of regeneration, although it is a future problem to identify the signal transmission that rouses the vegetative reproduction or clonal growth from the undifferentiated cells in subterranean stem.

Metal nanoparticles functionalized with nutraceutical Kaempferitrin from edible Crotalaria juncea, exert potent antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Kaempferitrin (KF), a flavonol glycoside, was isolated from the edible plant Crotalaria juncea. Optimization for the synthesis of silver (AgNPs) and copper (CuNPs) nanoparticles using C. juncea extract and kaempferitrin were attempted for the first time. A detailed study on size and stability analysis have been reported. Efficacy of KF@AgNPs and KF@CuNPs against biofilm formation and planktonic mode of growth on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) along with possible mechanisms has been explored. Release of Cu(II) upon prolonged treatment with KF@CuNPs in the presence of MRSA was quantified through Alizarin red test, indicating the antibacterial effect is initiated by the CuNPs itself. Time kill curve depicted both the NPs have similar kill kinetics to curtail the pathogen and imaging with Crystal violet assay, Fluorescent live dead imaging and SEM analysis revealed a 60% reduction in biofilm formation at the Sub-MIC concentration of KF@AgNPs and KF@CuNPs. Furthermore, the membrane permeability and cell surface hydrophobicity were altered in the presence of both the NPs. The colony count from the in vivo infection zebrafish model in the treatment group showed a decline of > 1.8 fold for KF@AgNPs and > two fold for KF@CuNPs. Toxicity studies did not reveal any abnormality in liver and brain enzyme levels. Liver morphology images show no severe cytological alterations when treated with KF@AgNPs and were almost similar to the normal liver. Thus, KF@AgNPs was nontoxic and caused significant reduction in biofilm formation in MRSA, also reduced bacterial bioburden in the infected zebrafish, which has the potential to be explored in higher animal models.

Assessing the Accuracy of Bioluminescence Image-Guided Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy of Orthotopic Pancreatic Tumors Using a Small Animal Irradiator.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has shown promising results in the treatment of pancreatic cancer and other solid tumors. However, wide adoption of SBRT remains limited largely due to uncertainty about the treatment's optimal fractionation schedules to elicit maximal tumor response while limiting the dose to adjacent structures. A small animal irradiator in combination with a clinically relevant oncological animal model could address these questions. Accurate delivery of X rays to animal tumors may be hampered by suboptimal image-guided targeting of the X-ray beam in vivo. Integration of bioluminescence imaging (BLI) into small animal irradiators in addition to standard cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging improves target identification and high-precision therapy delivery to deep tumors with poor soft tissue contrast, such as pancreatic tumors. Using bioluminescent BxPC3 pancreatic adenocarcinoma human cells grown orthotopically in mice, we examined the performance of a small animal irradiator equipped with both CBCT and BLI in delivering targeted, hypo-fractionated, multi-beam SBRT. Its targeting accuracy was compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided targeting based on co-registration between CBCT and corresponding sequential magnetic resonance scans, which offer greater soft tissue contrast compared with CT alone. Evaluation of our platform's BLI-guided targeting accuracy was performed by quantifying in vivo changes in bioluminescence signal after treatment as well as staining of ex vivo tissues with γH2AX, Ki67, TUNEL, CD31 and CD11b to assess SBRT treatment effects. Using our platform, we found that BLI-guided SBRT enabled more accurate delivery of X rays to the tumor resulting in greater cancer cell DNA damage and proliferation inhibition compared with MRI-guided SBRT. Furthermore, BLI-guided SBRT allowed higher animal throughput and was more cost effective to use in the preclinical setting than MRI-guided SBRT. Taken together, our preclinical platform could be employed in translational research of SBRT of pancreatic cancer.

CRISPR-Cas Toxin-Antitoxin Systems: Selfishness as a Constructive Evolutionary Force.

A recent paper (Li et al.) reports a novel RNA-based Cas-dependent toxin-antitoxin system with the effect of 'addicting' cells to the cassette. Broadly-defined addiction systems could stabilize diverse genomic features, raising the question of the role of selfish elements and intragenomic conflict in the evolution of biological complexity.

Vildagliptin plasticized hydrogel film in the control of ocular inflammation after topical application: study of hydration and erosion behaviour

Abstract Vildagliptin (VID) is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor used in controlling blood glucose level in type 2 diabetes. Vildagliptin improves beta cells function and is also suggested to effectively control the inflammation. The possible ocular anti-inflammatory property of vildagliptin has been explored using topically applied plasticized ocular film formulation. Film formulation was prepared by solvent cast and evaporation method using triethanolamine (TEA), dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), and polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400) as the plasticizer in HPMC hydrogel matrix base. Anti-inflammatory study was carried out in the carrageenan induced ocular rabbit model. Analytical methods confirmed that the drug was present almost in completely amorphized form in the film formulation. Level of hydration, swelling and erosion rate of the film played the controlling factor in the process of drug release, ocular residence and permeation. Maximum swelling rate of 363 h−1 has been shown by VHT compared to other formulation of VHD and VHP (174 and 242 h−1 respectively). Film containing DMSO exhibited highest in vitro release as well as ex vivo ocular permeation. Film formulation has shown a fast recovery of ocular inflammation in contrast to the untreated eye after inducing inflammation. Plasticized vildagliptin hydrogel film formulation could be utilized in the management and control of ocular inflammation particularly with diabetic retinopathy after proper clinical studies in higher animal and human individuals.

Evidence for reduced immune gene diversity and activity during the evolution of termites.

The evolution of biological complexity is associated with the emergence of bespoke immune systems that maintain and protect organism integrity. Unlike the well-studied immune systems of cells and individuals, little is known about the origins of immunity during the transition to eusociality, a major evolutionary transition comparable to the evolution of multicellular organisms from single-celled ancestors. We aimed to tackle this by characterizing the immune gene repertoire of 18 cockroach and termite species, spanning the spectrum of solitary, subsocial and eusocial lifestyles. We find that key transitions in termite sociality are correlated with immune gene family contractions. In cross-species comparisons of immune gene expression, we find evidence for a caste-specific social defence system in termites, which appears to operate at the expense of individual immune protection. Our study indicates that a major transition in organismal complexity may have entailed a fundamental reshaping of the immune system optimized for group over individual defence.

가족 이데올로기에 대한 영화적 상상력의 의미와 교양교육 콘텐츠로서의 효용성 : 봉준호 영화를 중심으로

Bong Joon-ho"s films, through combing various genre, reveal the themes of social irrationality, tyranny of authority, economical inequality and conflict of class. These themes are materialized especially through critical understanding of ‘family’, the usual structure of a society, which is detailed in the plot where ‘patriarchy’ conspiring with capitalism imposes distortion of identity. Not just telling the usually told problems-the despotism of upper class of capitalism, Bong’s films show problems of capitalism in more diverse view to disclose selfishness of characters who cannot fight adequately the tyranny of privileged class and therefore, as for patriarch, uses patriarchal privilege to secure his or her status in ‘family’ or as for ‘family’ members, acquiesce the patriarchal privilege and to manifest the patriarchal ‘family’ members" distorted recognition of the world and the self.<BR> Particularly, incompetent government, unjust society enforce ‘family’ to pursue self-help solution. Unjust environment where law and justice cannot prevail adequately prevents characters who undergo the problems and deception of capitalism-combined ‘patriarchy’ from dreaming structural change and proceeding towards ‘struggle for recognition’. Experience of alienation and separation, which is the foundation of recognition of injustice and aspiration of change, only results in catastrophic anger-driven crimes. Bong’s two films, "A higher animal’ and ‘Parasite’, have common background of anger-driven crimes of patriarch. While a little extent of regret and possibility of restoration remain in ‘A higher animal’, ‘Parasite’ takes gloomy conclusion that main character"s ‘patriarchy’ is transmitted to and repeated by his son, so to more harshly criticize our society. Through irrational ‘ideological recognition’ and violent ‘struggle for recognition’ which are originated in ‘patriarchy’, Bong Joon-ho discloses two conflicting aspects of recognition as the apparatus of subjectivization as well as the apparatus of identity distortion and submissiveness, with use of delicate film skill.<BR> Bong"s films in which social problems are diagnosed through cinematic imagination, can be used widely as contents of various liberal arts. Utilizing Bong"s films as material for discussion class, debate class, writing class and so forth can induce the logical thinking ability to criticize traditional values and universal understandings as well as can bring about advance both in cognition and affect area. Also, Bong"s films can be used in liberal arts like sociology, women"s studies etc. as apparatus to see social problems from diverse standpoints or as texts to recollect the ultimate goal of gender equality.

Evaluating the effectiveness of live animal shows at delivering information to zoo audiences

ABSTRACT Live animal shows, which combine animal facts with trained behaviours, are commonly used to engage zoo visitors globally. However, such shows have been criticised for portraying a potentially unhelpful image of ‘performing animals’ and have raised issues of animal welfare ethics. Little is known about the educational effectiveness of these shows. Furthermore, the impact of ‘tricks’, used as attention-grabbing hooks, has received limited research attention. We evaluated the impact of a sea lion and a mixed species bird show on audience knowledge of animal facts. Over a quarter of zoo visitors attended some form of live animal show, demonstrating quantitatively that they are a major potential source of knowledge transfer. Show audiences were questioned immediately before (n = 299) or after (n = 265) each performance about relevant show content knowledge. Additionally, a general zoo visitor survey (n = 160) investigated post-visit knowledge recall. Audiences demonstrated significantly higher animal knowledge post-show compared to pre-show. Conservation action awareness showed weak positive change post-show. Audience education levels and weather conditions also had a weak positive effect on correct responses. However, animals performing trick-type behaviours were found to cause confusion regarding natural adaptations. We conclude that live animal shows should prioritise natural behaviours with a focus on conservation action.

A Theoretical Study on the Cell Differentiation Forming Stem Cells in Higher Animals

The recent genome sequencing of multicellular diploid eukaryotes reveals an enlarged repertoire of protein genes for signal transmission but it is still difficult to elucidate the network of signal transmission to drive the life cycle of such an eukaryote only from biochemical and genetic studies. In the present paper, a theoretical study is carried out for the cell differentiation, the formation of stem cells and the growth from a child to the adult in the higher animal. With the intercellular and intracellular signal transmission in mind, the cell differentiation is theoretically derived from the process by the transition of proliferated cells from proliferation mode to differentiation mode and by both the long-range interaction between distinctive types of cells and the short-range interaction between the same types of cells. As the hierarchy of cell differentiation is advanced, the original types of self-reproducible cells are replaced by the self-reproducible cells returned from the cells differentiated already. The latter type of self-reproducible cells are marked with the signal specific to the preceding differentiation and become the stem cells for the next stage of cell differentiation. This situation is realized under the condition that the differentiation of cells occurs immediately after their proliferation in the development. The presence of stem cells in the respective lineages of differentiated cells strongly suggests another signal transmission for the growth of a child to a definite size of adult that the proliferation of stem cells in one lineage is activated by the signal from the differentiated cells in the other lineage(s) and is suppressed by the signal from the differentiated cells in its own lineage. This style of signal transmission also explains the metamorphosis and maturation of germ cells in higher animals.

Türkiye, Doğu Anadolu Bölgesi ve Muş İlinde Çayır Mera Yem Bitkileri ve Hayvancılığın Bugünkü Durumu

Hayvancılıkta karlı bir üretim için, yem maliyetlerinin düşürülmesi gerekmektedir. 2018 yılı Türkiye İstatistik Kurumu (TUİK) resmi verileri üzerinden yapılan hesaplamalara göre, Türkiye 18,6 milyon büyükbaş hayvan birimine (BBHB) denk gelen hayvan varlığının toplam kaba yem ihtiyacı 85 milyon tondur. Ancak Türkiye‘nin toplam kaba yem üretimi toplamı 59 milyon ton olup, bunun 10 mil. tonu çayır meralardan, 18 milyon tonu yem bitkilerinden, 31 milyon tonu diğer bitkisel artıklardan karşılanmaktadır. Ülkedeki toplam kaba yem açığı 26 milyon ton olup, bu da toplam ülkenin toplam kaba yem ihtiyacının %30‘una tekabül etmektedir. Kaliteli kaba yem açığı ise bunun çok üzerindedir. Doğu Anadolu Bölgesinde ise kaba yem açığı 3,5 milyon ton (% 19) olarak hesaplanmıştır. Muş‘ta ise üretilen kaba yemin, mevcut hayvan varlığına yeterli olduğu belirlenmiştir. Hayvancılığın genel olarak meraya dayalı olarak yapıldığı Doğu Anadolu Bölgesinde üretilen yem bitkileri miktarı da Türkiye ortalamasının üzerindedir. Türkiye kaba yem açığının kapatılması için mera alanlarının ıslahı ve tekniğine uygun kullanılarak bu alanlardan daha yüksek verim alınması, tarla tarımı içerisinde yem bitkileri ekim alanlarının artırılması gerekmektedir. Kaba yem açığının kapatılması ile daha yüksek hayvansal üretim elde edilebilecek, girdi maliyetleri düşebilecek ve hayvan üreticilerin gelir seviyesi artacak ve hayvansal ürünlerin fiyatı düşebilecektir. Çalışmada Türkiye, Doğu Anadolu Bölgesi ve Muş İli çayır mera yem bitkileri durumu, kaba yem üretim durumu, kaba yem açığı konuları irdelenmeye çalışılmıştır.

Importance and Feasibility of Animal Welfare Measures from a Consumer Perspective in Germany

The subject animal welfare is increasingly in the public discourse. Consumers and policymakers are increasingly demanding products that are produced under increased animal welfare standards. The profession of the farmer involuntarily gets into disrepute. Many consumers want fundamental changes in pig farming, but are not aware of the consequences of implementation. In this representative study, consumers (n = 1101) were asked about their assessment of 33 animal welfare measures with regard to their importance and the feasibility of implementing those measures. With the help of a four-field matrix, both the perceived importance and the feasibility of the animal welfare measures surveyed were brought together. The results show four possibilities: important and easy to implement, important and not feasible, not important and easy to implement as well as not important and not feasible. The results show that any outdoor access to pasture ranks first, followed by any outdoor access to straw bedding. The results can make a significant contribution to future communication with critical consumers concerning the implementation of higher animal welfare levels, as it becomes clearer how realistic consumers are about the feasibility of several animal welfare measures. Furthermore, the results could prove useful for the design of animal welfare programs and could help famers making targeted decisions concerning stable construction and management.

Ants Can Add Up Using Learned Numeric Symbols

The workers of the ant Myrmica sabuleti have been shown to be able to add numbers of elements after having seen them simultaneously, side by side, during training, and to be able to acquire single as well as multiple symbolism. It was here examined if these ants could make additions using learned symbols. In fact, after having learned the required symbols during a first conditioning, the ants could, thanks to a second conditioning, carry out operations 1 + 1, 1 + 2, 2 + 2 and 3 + 1 by using the quantities of elements presented as well as their corresponding symbols. This ability results from the ants&amp;rsquo; learning of the correspondence between symbols and numbers of elements by an operative conditioning, and from their ability to add up two quantities viewed simultaneously. A comparison of the ants&amp;rsquo; score when adding elements and when adding their corresponding symbols suggests that the use of symbolism may represent some facility for the execution of simple arithmetic operations, as is the case in higher animal species.

Assessment of living conditions in wild boars by analysis of oxidative stress markers

ABSTRACT This study demonstrated that it is possible to differentiate wild boars living in habitats with different animal densities by the measurement of oxidative stress markers. Therefore, reactive oxygen metabolites, the antioxidant barrier, i.e., the biological antioxidant potential and the antioxidative power (OXY-Adsorbent), as well as cortisol were measured in freely ranging wild boars. In two different areas of a State Forest in the Campania Region (Italy), 42 freely ranging, managed wild boars were captured with a corral trap, and blood samples were collected. The wild boars were divided by age (>1 year old and <1 year old) and sex (male and female). Animals in one area showed significantly higher values of oxidative stress parameters than those living in the other area. The annual boar censuses of areas highlighted a higher population density in the first area than in the second one, and this would explain the results obtained. Since the health or nutritional status of animals is reflected by oxidative stress, wild boars in areas with higher animal densities may live under worse conditions than animals in areas with lower densities which becomes evident by measuring oxidative stress markers. As cortisol in blood is only reflecting a short period, the measurement of oxidative stress level may be a better indicator to evaluate the living conditions of wild boars.

Protein intake and breast cancer incidence and mortality.

1569 Background: Associations between dietary protein intake and breast cancer are unclear, in part due to limitations of dietary self-report. Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) investigators compared the accuracy of food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) data on energy and protein intake with objective measures of dietary intake using biomarkers (doubly labeled water for energy and urinary nitrogen for protein [n=544]). Subsequently, regression equations incorporating participant characteristics were developed acknowledging differential reporting dietary data errors based on participant characteristics (Neuhouser Am J Epidemiol). FFQ findings were then used to determine biomarker- adjusted animal vs vegetable protein ratios. Methods: We examined associations of energy and protein intake with breast cancer incidence and mortality in Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) participants 50-79 years of age at entry between1993-1998, with breast cancers verified by medical record review and survival enhanced by serial National Death Index (NDI) searches through 2016. Associations between sources of protein intake (animal versus vegetable) quintiles and breast cancer incidence and mortality were estimated using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: With 100,024 eligible participants, after 14 years follow-up, women with higher total protein intake had greater body mass index, were more likely White, menopausal hormone therapy users with higher total energy intake and fat intake. With 6,340 incident breast cancers, 764 deaths from breast cancer and 2,059 deaths after breast cancer, higher vegetable protein intake was associated with significantly lower breast cancer incidence (P for linear trend = 0.01) while higher animal protein intake was associated with significantly higher breast cancer incidence (P for linear trend = 0.03). Higher vegetable protein intake was also associated with significantly lower risk of death after breast cancer (P &lt;0.001) but not with lower risk of deaths from breast cancer (breast cancer followed by death attributed to breast cancer). Animal protein intake was not associated with deaths from breast cancer or deaths after breast cancer. Conclusions: Based on findings from biomarker-calibrated determination of protein intake by source, higher vegetable protein intake was associated with significantly lower risk of breast cancer incidence and of death after breast cancer while higher animal protein intake was associated with significantly higher risk of breast cancer incidence, but not mortality.

Does maximal entropy production play a role in the evolution of biological complexity? A biological point of view

A considerable literature has developed around the concept that the complexity of biological organisms, and the development of ever increasing complexity during biological evolution, is driven, in some way, by the maximization of entropy production (MEP). Most of these studies deal in very general terms with the living state and do not examine specific biological models. In the present study, we discuss some of the basic postulates of MEP as they are applied to living organisms. It is concluded that the MEP ideas seem to have little relevance either for the development of biological complexity or biological evolution.

Oxidative Stress-induced Toxicity and DNA Stability in Some Agri-field Based Livestock/Insect by Widely used Pesticides.

Humans continuously use pesticides in the field to control the pest population and weeds for considerable agricultural productivity. Side-by species like grazinganimals, insects and other species are adversely affected by or become resistant to pesticides. Insects, birds and cattle are highly abundant dwellers of the agriculture-field and represent three distinct phyla having versatile physiological features. Besides higher agricultural-productivity, protection to several species will maintain ecological/environmental balance. Studies on the effect of widely used pesticides on their DNA-stability and important enzymatic-activities are insufficient. Antioxidant-activity (Superoxide-dismutase; SOD/Catalase- by gelzymogram- assay) and DNA-stability (fragmentation-assay) in hepatic/gut tissues were studied after in vitro exposure of Chlorpyrifos, Fenvalerate, Nimbecidine or Azadirachtin to goat/cow/poultry-hen/insect. In general, all pesticides were found to impair enzymatic-activities. However, lower organisms were affected more than higher vertebrates by azadirachtin-treatment. DNA fragmentation was found more in insects/poultry-birds than that of the cattle in hepatic/gut tissues. Inversely, toxicity/antioxidant marker-enzymes were more responsive in insect gut-tissues. However, mitochondrialtoxicity revealed variable effects on different species. It has been noticed that chlorpyrifos is the most toxic pesticide, followed by Fenvalerate/Nimbecidine (Azadirachtin, AZT). Nevertheless, AZT revealed its higher DNA-destabilizing effects on the field-insects as compared to the other animals. Field-insects are highly integrated into the ecosystem and the local bio-geo-chemical cycle, which may be impaired. Pesticides may have toxic effects on higher vertebrates and may sustain in the soil after being metabolized into their different derivatives. Some of the sensitive biochemical parameters of this organism may be used as a biomarker for pesticide toxicity.

Laboratory Animal Welfare Meets Human Welfare: A Cross-Sectional Study of Professional Quality of Life, Including Compassion Fatigue in Laboratory Animal Personnel.

Laboratory animal personnel may experience significant stress from working with animals in scientific research. Workplace stress can be assessed by evaluating professional quality of life, which is comprised of compassion fatigue (i.e., burnout and secondary traumatic stress) and compassion satisfaction. This research aimed to explore the associations between risk factors and professional quality of life in laboratory animal personnel. In a cross-sectional, convenience sample design, laboratory animal personnel were recruited from widespread online promotion. A total of 801 personnel in the United States or Canada completed an online survey regarding professional quality of life, social support, euthanasia, enrichment, stress/pain levels, and human-animal interactions. Participants worked in a wide range of settings (e.g., industry, academia), research types (e.g., basic, applied, regulatory), species (e.g., non-human primates, mice), and roles (e.g., animal caretaker, veterinarian). Data were analyzed using general linear models. Personnel who reported higher compassion fatigue also reported lower social support, higher animal stress/pain, higher desire to implement more enrichment, and less control over performing euthanasia (p's < 0.05). Higher burnout was associated with less diverse/frequent enrichment, using physical euthanasia methods, and longer working hours. Higher secondary traumatic stress was associated with more relationship-promoting human-animal interactions (e.g., naming animals) and working as a trainers (p's < 0.05). Higher compassion satisfaction was associated with higher social support, less animal stress/pain, and more human-animal interactions (p's < 0.05). Surprisingly, neither personnel's primary animal type (e.g., non-human primates, mice) nor frequency of euthanasia (e.g., daily, monthly) were associated with professional quality of life (p's > 0.05). Our findings show that the professional quality of life of laboratory animal personnel is associated with several factors. Personnel reporting poorer professional quality of life also reported less social support, higher animal stress/pain, less enrichment diversity/frequency and wished they could provide more enrichment, using physical euthanasia, and less control over performing euthanasia. Poorer professional quality of life was also seen in personnel working as trainers, at universities, and longer hours. This study contributes important empirical data that may provide guidance for developing interventions (e.g., improved social support, decreased animal stress, increased animal enrichment diversity/frequency, greater control over euthanasia) to improve laboratory animal personnel's professional quality of life.

Grazing pressure and tree competition affect cattle performance and native pastures in Eucalypt woodlands of Queensland, north-eastern Australia

Context Well managed grazing pressure will optimise animal and pasture production, and preserve the soil to maintain a viable beef business on native pastures in eucalypt woodlands. Aims A cattle grazing experiment was established to measure animal and pasture performance under management practices used in the Aristida/Bothriochloa native pastures in central Queensland. Methods Performance of Brahman-cross steers and pastures were measured in an experiment with three grazing pressures by two tree densities in a Eucalyptus populnea woodland in north-eastern Australia over 8 years in paddocks of 4–18 ha. Key results At low grazing pressure with trees killed by herbicide (‘cleared’), stocking rate increased 35% as pasture composition and biomass improved over 8 years. At low grazing pressure where treed, stocking rate remained constant, however, at high grazing pressure where treed, it was reduced after 4 years. The annual liveweight gain increased from 0.37 to 0.45 to 0.51 kg/head.day as grazing pressure was reduced from high to medium to low grazing pressure respectively, and across grazing pressures it decreased from 0.49 where cleared to 0.39 kg/head.day where treed. Liveweight gain per hectare increased under low grazing pressure and declined at medium and high pressures. Body condition scores responded positively to lower grazing pressure and a lack of tree competition to pastures. This treatment combination also produced higher animal sale values. Pasture biomass, basal area and ground cover were all affected negatively by increasing grazing pressure. Conclusions Grazing 25% of autumn pasture improved dry matter production, species composition and land condition, and increased steer growth rates, body condition and their market value. This grazing pressure produced an increasing trend in stocking rates relative to the decline at higher grazing pressures. Higher liveweight gain/ha was produced initially at high grazing pressure (75% utilisation), however, after 4 years animal condition and pastures deteriorated, requiring a reduction in stocking rate to maintain the condition of both the remaining animals and the pastures. Managing tree competition to pastures is necessary to maintain the higher animal production potential. Implications This objective information demonstrates the benefits for cattle, pastures and long-term economic outcomes of managing for conservative grazing pressure and controlling tree competition to pasture in this woodland. Applying these findings can improve beef business outcomes and provide management groups with objective educational resources.

The prospects of the use of insects as an alternative source of proteins and medicine for human

Insects are highly efficient source of protein for humans, either through a direct consumption or as food supplements for many nations have already been using it. The high protein content is an indication that the insects can be of value in man and animal ration and can eventually replace higher animal protein usually absent in the diet of rural dwellers in developing countries. The protein content differs by species of insects, but generally is of a good quality and high digestibility. This review sheds a limelight on the prospect use of insects as an alternative source of human protein and medicine. However, the West refuses entomophagy as disgusting, businesses, industry, governments, and research will be positively impacted once the eating of insects is widely accepted. Replacing vertebrate livestock-derived foods and food ingredients with those derived from insects will also substantially improve the health of the earth’s natural environment. In this respect, the review explain the latest information on nutritional contents and supplements, insect as animal feed, efficiency, health value and insects as the future prospect of human meat.