Low Production Research Articles

Highly Selective On‐Surface Dehydrogenative Aromatization of n‐Hexyl to Phenyl Substituents

AbstractDehydrogenative aromatization of alkyl substituents represents a powerful approach to aryl‐substituted functional molecules. However, the inertness of alkyl groups and the need for harsh reaction conditions accompanied by low product selectivity hamper its widespread applications. Here, we demonstrate the highly selective on‐surface thermal aromatization of n‐hexyl substituents on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to their phenyl‐substituted analogues under mild conditions. After depositing two representative precursor molecules, n‐hexyl‐substituted hexaphenylbenzene (HPB‐Hex) and bianthryl octacarboxylic tetraimide (BATI‐Hex), onto a pre‐heated Au(111) substrate, dehydroaromatization of the peripheral n‐hexyl groups into phenyl rings occurs, following the planarization of hexaphenylbenzene and bianthryl core. This process involves sequential intramolecular C−C bond rotations, dehydrogenation, and cyclodehydrogenation reactions, yielding phenyl‐substituted hexabenzocoronene (HBC‐Ph) and bisanthene octacarboxylic tetraimides (BSTI‐Ph). The reaction sequences were monitored using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and bond‐resolved non‐contact atomic force microscopy (nc‐AFM), offering structural proof of both intermediates and final products. These experimental techniques were complemented by density functional theory (DFT) simulations, which facilitated the detection of crucial steps in the conversion of n‐hexyl to phenyl groups. Moreover, the effect of alkyl aromatization on the electronic properties of the newly formed aromatic hydrocarbons was elucidated using scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS).

PENDAMPINGAN KELOMPOK TERNAK AYAM UNTUK PEMBUATAN JAMU HERBAL (CARA FERMENTASI) DI DESA URAUR, KECAMATAN KAIRATU KABUPATEN SERAM BAGIAN BARAT

Free-range chicken farming is a business that has the potential to meet family needs, and has a large role in supporting the community's economy. Many of these farms are found in rural areas, generally of a traditional nature. Simple housing and simple feeding such as providing kitchen waste. The rest of the chickens themselves have to try to survive and fulfill their food needs in the yard. The negative impact of maintenance like this is low production and damage to yard plants. The main aim of this activity is to maintain livestock health by making and administering herbal medicine/fermented herbal medicine which is made together in groups (demonstration plots). Apart from that, train and motivate farmers to improve the rearing system so that they can develop free-range chicken farming businesses and become providers of chicken seeds. The target of implementing community service activities is a group of village chicken breeders in Uraur village, Kairatu sub-district, who have the will to implement new innovations to increase production and welfare of their families/community as well as for the chicken breeder community in general. The success of this activity is measured by the farmer's attention to chicken farming. Chickens given herbal medicine have better body resistance to disease and extreme environmental influences.

Dual‐Site NiO/Bi3O4Br Heterojunction Catalyst for High‐Efficiency CO2‐to‐CH4 Conversion

AbstractSolar light‐driven conversion of CO2 into chemicals with high calorific value is regarded as an upcoming carbon utilization technology for alleviating the energy crisis. This technique faces the challenge of low CO2 conversion and product yield due to charge recombination in the catalyst. In this paper, a dual‐reaction site heterojunction catalyst was designed and fabricated by combining NiO with Bi3O4Br nanosheets, for the separation of CO2 reduction and H2O oxidation semireactions, which effectively promoted electrons and holes separation. The resulting catalyst exhibited a high CH4 production rate (8.12 µmol/g) and selectivity (94.69%). Electron distribution and band structure were investigated to explain the satisfactory catalytic performance. In addition, combining the in‐situ DRIFTS results, a formic acid‐intermediated CO2‐to‐CH4 reaction pathway was proposed. This work aims to pave the way for CH4 production via CO2 photoreduction with high efficiency and selectivity.

Effects of Leadership Styles on Employees Job Performance: A Case Study of a Public Sector Organization in Ghana

Institutions are supervised by managers who are expected to direct their subordinates towards the achievements of organizational goals. Achievement of goals in an organization largely depends on the relationship between the supervisors and subordinates. Leadership styles play a crucial role in every organization in terms of industrial harmony and achievement of goals. Managers depending on the situation could employ democratic, autocratic or laissez-faire leadership styles to get organizational goals and objectives achieved. Primary data from public sector employees was used for this study based on the objectives of the study. Data was gathered from 50 employees using closed-ended questionnaires. The number of respondents was selected randomly from a population of 135 and determined using Yamane, 1974 formula and Browly proportional formula as indicated by Kumar 1976. The questionnaire were divided into three sections thus background characteristics of the respondents, respondents’ perception of their superiors’ leadership styles, employees’ assessment of their job performance respectively. The leadership styles were categorized autocratic, democratic and laissez-faire. The leadership and performance scales were measured using a 5-point Likert scale thus, 5=strongly agree; 4=agree; 3=undecided; 2=disagree; 1=strongly disagree. The outcome of the research was to the effect leadership exist in organizations have positive or negative impact on the job performance of workers. The results showed that a democratic leadership style has a significant positive impact on job performance within an organization, while autocratic and laissez-faire leadership styles contribute to apathy and lower work performance. Moreover, it was suggested among other things that the use of laissez-faire and autocratic styles should be discouraged since they are could be a recipe of creating lawless working environment which could result in low productivity.

Experimental Study on Interlayer Interference Characteristics During Commingled Production in a Multilayer Tight Sandstone Gas Reservoir

In this study, a practical and comprehensive experimental technique has been proposed to investigate the interlayer interference characteristics in multilayer tight sandstone gas reservoirs with multi-pressure systems and different reserves. Firstly, single-layer depletion simulation experiments were conducted to measure the gas flow rate and gas extraction efficiency for each of the six layers. A series of physical simulation experiments were then conducted to monitor gas production and pressure variations in commingled multilayer production scenarios under various conditions. Finally, interlayer interference characteristics and gas extraction efficiencies and the main controlling factors were evaluated, analyzed, and identified. The interlayer pressure differential is found to be the primary factor dictating both interference and gas production, followed by initial gas production rates, and permeability variations in the order of positive significance. A higher interlayer pressure differential, a lower initial gas production rate, and a larger permeability variation result in an increase in interlayer interference and a reduction in gas production during commingled production. Increasing the number of commingled layers leads to an overall increase in gas production losses of 10.95% for two layers to 13.35% for four layers. Layers exhibiting small interlayer pressure difference are positively compatible for commingled production.

Based on STM32 SCM Intelligent Greenhouse

With the continuous growth of the global population and the continuous development of agricultural production, there are many problems in the traditional agricultural production mode, such as resource waste, low production efficiency, environmental pollution, and the urgent need for innovative solutions to meet the growing food demand and sustainable development goals. This paper introduces an intelligent greenhouse system based on STM 32 single-chip microcomputer, using advanced technology and automation functions, in improving the efficiency, quality and sustainability of agricultural production. The hardware composition of the intelligent greenhouse system includes STM 32 MCU, various sensor actuators, ESP8266 module and user interface module.

Synthesis of motexafin gadolinium: A promising radiosensitizer and imaging agent for cancer therapy

Abstract An improved, greener synthesis of motexafin gadolinium (MGd), a promising radiosensitizer and imaging agent that has the potential to treat or diagnose cancer, has been developed. Notably, this study addresses critical difficulties related to MGd synthesis and analysis of possible approaches, minimizing hazardous reagents/solvents, without column chromatography. The synthesis has been improved to enhance the overall yield and purity of MGd. The process changes outlined in this study are intended to lower production costs and time while maintaining the compound’s characteristics. This synthesis of MGd is an important step toward attaining its full potential in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Enhancing the productivity of mould shop using continuous improvement tools and simulation

In today’s competitive manufacturing environment, enhancing productivity and operational efficiency is crucial for companies to meet the rising customer demands and expectations driven by recent technological advancements. This study presents a case of productivity enhancement in mould shop manufacturing, which was experiencing bottlenecks and non-value-added (NVA) activities, leading to inefficiencies that limit the throughput. A Discrete Event Simulation (DES) model is developed for the mould shop considering the major components such as Hub, Mainframe, and Planet Carrier. Bottleneck resources are identified from the DES model. The validation of the simulation results is carried out using Pareto analysis. Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Five Whys (5-Why) analysis are used to brainstorm the causes that lead to lower productivity. Time-reduction strategies using the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) improved the throughput. The improvements are incorporated into the DES model, and updated results are obtained. As a result, throughput for the hub improved by 60% for the hub, 40% for the mainframe, and 55.88% for the planet carrier. These results show how integrating continuous improvement tools with simulation models enables streamlining operations and substantially increases productivity. The scenario reveals that Lean principles successfully overcome real-world manufacturing problems.

F. prausnitzii potentially modulates the association between citrus intake and depression.

The gut microbiome modulates the effects of diet on host health, but it remains unclear which specific foods and microbial features interact to influence risk of depression. To understand this interplay, we leveraged decades of dietary and depression data from a longitudinal cohort of women (n = 32,427), along with fecal metagenomics and plasma metabolomics from a substudy (n = 207) nested in this cohort, as well as an independent validation cohort of men (n = 307). We report that citrus intake and its components are prospectively associated with a lower risk of depression and altered abundance of 15 gut microbial species, including enriched Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. In turn, we found a lower abundance of F. prausnitzii and its metabolic pathway, S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) cycle I in participants with depression. To explore causality, we found that lower SAM production by F. prausnitzii may decrease intestinal monoamine oxidase A gene expression implicated in serotonin and dopamine synthesis. These data underscore the role of diet in the prevention of depression and offer a plausible explanation for how the intestinal microbiome modulates the influence of citrus on mental health. Video Abstract.

PH Dependence of Dihydroxyacetone Oxidation by Electrocatalytic Viologen Self-Assembled Monolayers on Gold Electrodes.

Carbohydrate fuel cells garner much research interest as the world's focus shifts from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Many catalyst options are available for carbohydrate fuel cell development, including enzymes and microbes, various metal-based catalysts, and natural or synthetic mediators. Research challenges include low power output, system fouling and poisoning, inefficient electron release, and complex mechanisms, with multiple pathways leading to low product selectivity. Here, we further investigate a novel approach to catalyze carbohydrate oxidation using Au electrodes with viologen self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). SAM-mediated fuel cells have the potential to address the challenges of other catalyst systems by protecting the electrode surface and controlling the local concentration and structure to increase current generation. The effects of increasing pH on dihydroxyacetone (DHA) oxidation by three viologen SAMs on Au electrodes are presented. Current and power generated during DHA oxidation at varying pH were measured and compared to those of bare Au performance. Two of the SAMs produced more current and power than bare Au at elevated pH. The SAM system produced more current and peak power per molecule than both dilute and concentrated homogeneous viologen systems in the same cell setup. These results demonstrate the benefits and limitations of electrodes modified with redox-active groups for the production of electricity from simple sugars and other carbohydrate sources. These results are encouraging for the development of new strategies for electrical power generation from renewable resources.

Optimizing Irrigation and Nitrogen Levels for Enhanced Cabbage Growth in Yobe's Semi-Arid Region

This study investigated the effects of irrigation schedules and nitrogen fertilizer application rates on the growth and productivity of cabbage in Damaturu, Yobe State. Using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a 3x5 factorial arrangement with three replications, we tested three irrigation intervals “3, 6, and 9 days” and five nitrogen fertilizer levels “0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 kg ha⁻¹” on an improved cabbage variety (Datdiku-5m). Results indicated cabbage growth positively responded to optimal irrigation intervals and increasing nitrogen fertilizer rates. The combination of 6-day irrigation intervals and 100 kg ha⁻¹ of nitrogen fertilizer resulted in impressive outcomes: a tallest head height of 18.92 cm, the largest head diameter of 16.95 cm, maximum plant height of 24.92 cm, the largest plant spread of 37.12 cm, a maximum marketable yield of 63.5 t/ha, and the highest total yield of 71.52 t/ha (Table 3). This combination ensures an adequate supply of water and nutrients, promoting robust growth and significant yield in semi-arid region. In contrast, lower irrigation intervals (9 days) and reduced nitrogen levels (0-50 kg ha⁻¹) led to stunted growth and lower productivity metrics, illustrating the critical role of proper water and nutrient management in achieving optimal cabbage yields. Therefore, adopting a 6-day irrigation schedule and applying 100 kg ha⁻¹ of nitrogen fertilizer may effectively increase cabbage yield. Future research should explore different nitrogen fertilizer rates and the combined effects of various nutrients with different irrigation intervals to further assess their impact.

Evaluation of Capital Utilization Efficiency in Agricultural Listed Firms Based on a Three-Stage Data Envelopment Analysis

Rural revitalization is intricately tied to national prosperity, with listed companies in agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fisheries playing pivotal roles in driving this transformative agenda. However, these sectors face critical challenges, notably resource constraints and environmental pressures, which underscore the necessity of evaluating capital utilization efficiency. This study employs a combined three-stage DEA model and Malmquist index to analyze capital utilization efficiency across 85 listed companies within China’s agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery industries over the period 2018–2022. The primary objectives are to quantify capital utilization efficiency, identify pathways for industry optimization, advance ecological agricultural sustainability, and offer valuable insights to investors and policymakers. Key findings include: (1) When grouped by sub-sector and adjusted to account for external environmental factors and random disturbances, the initial comprehensive capital utilization efficiency in agricultural companies was found to be significantly overestimated. Subsequent third-stage adjustments revealed decreases in average comprehensive efficiency, technical efficiency, and scale efficiency by 29.79%, 3.03%, and 27.37%, respectively, largely driven by a marked decline in scale efficiency, ultimately diminishing overall efficiency. (2) The capital utilization efficiency in agricultural trading firms remains suboptimal, with scale efficiency posing a critical limitation. High dependency on government subsidies and excess specialized personnel further constrain efficiency improvements. (3) Dynamic analysis using the DEA-Malmquist model indicates low total factor productivity in the agricultural sub-sector, primarily due to inefficiencies in capital management and suboptimal scale allocation. These findings underscore the need for targeted strategies to enhance resource allocation and management, bolster talent development and financial management frameworks, and drive technological research and development, innovation, and efficient capital allocation across the agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery sectors.

Genetic Characterization of Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and Synergy Assessment of Antimicrobial Combinations

Background/Objectives: A. baumannii is a prominent nosocomial pathogen due to its drug-resistant phenotype, representing a public health problem. In this study, the aim was to determine the effect of different antimicrobial combinations against selected multidrug-resistant (MDR) or extensive drug-resistant (XDR) isolates of A. baumannii. Methods: MDR or XDR A. baumannii isolates were characterized by assessing genes associated with drug resistance, efflux pumps, porin expression, and biofilm formation. The activities of antimicrobial combinations including tigecycline, ampicillin/sulbactam, meropenem, levofloxacin, and colistin were evaluated using checkerboard and time-to-kill assays on isolates with different susceptibility profiles and genetic characteristics. Results: Genetic characterization of MDR/XDR strains (n = 100) included analysis of OXA-24/40 gene carbapenemase (98%), genes encoding aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes (44%), and parC gene mutations (10%). AdeIJK, AdeABC, and AdeFGH efflux pumps were overexpressed in 17–34% of isolates. Omp33-36, OmpA, and CarO membrane porins were under-expressed in 50–76% of isolates; CarO was overexpressed in 22% of isolates. Isolates showed low biofilm production (11%). Synergistic activity was observed with levofloxacin-ampicillin/sulbactam and meropenem-colistin, which were able to inhibit bacterial growth. Conclusions: Genetic characteristics of A. baumannii were highly variable among the strains. Synergistic activity was observed with meropenem-colistin and levofloxacin-ampicillin/sulbactam combinations in the checkerboard method, but not in the time-to-kill assays. These discrepancies among both methods indicate that further studies are needed to determine the best therapeutic combination for treating infections by A. baumannii.

Differential contributions of the gut microbiota and metabolome to pathomechanisms in ulcerative colitis: an in vitro analysis

ABSTRACT The gut microbiota has been implicated in onset and progression of ulcerative colitis (UC). Here, we assess potential causal involvement of the microbiota and -associated fecal water (FW) metabolome in altering key functional parameters of the colonic epithelium. Fecal samples were collected from N = 51 healthy controls (HC), N = 36 patients with active UC (UC-A), and N = 41 subjects in remission N = 41 (UC-R). Using in vitro incubation experiments, the FW metabolome’s impact on butyrate oxidation rates/gene expression and cell death (cytotoxicity) of HT-29 cells, cytokine production by PBMC, and barrier integrity of Caco2 monolayers was evaluated. The FW metabolome from patients and individuals hosting the Bacteroides 2 (Bact2) enterotype (69% of UC-A, 31% of UC-R, 3% of HC), characterized by lower levels of median- and short-chain fatty acids and furan compounds, left butyrate oxidation rates unaltered but affected associated gene expression profiles. UC patients/Bact2-carriers’ FW lowered PBMC IL-8 production and increased IL-1β production. Patients’ FW increased cytotoxicity, associated with sulfide compound levels. Bact2 carriers’ FW, displaying higher levels of bile acids, lowered barrier function upon incubation of monolayers. The FW metabolome of patients and individuals hosting a dysbiotic microbiota could contribute to the disruption of functional processes of the colonic epithelium as observed in UC.

Perfusion Process Intensification for Lentivirus Production Using a Novel Scale-Down Model.

Process intensification has become an important strategy to lower production costs and increase manufacturing capacities for biopharmaceutical products. In particular for the production of viral vectors like lentiviruses (LVs), the transition from (fed-)batch to perfusion processes is a key strategy to meet the increasing demands for cell and gene therapy applications. However, perfusion processes are associated with higher medium consumption. Therefore, it is necessary to develop appropriate small-scale models to reduce development costs. In this work, we present the use of the acoustic wave separation technology in combination with the Ambr 250 high throughput bioreactor system for intensified perfusion process development using stable LV producer cells. The intensified perfusion process developed in the Ambr 250 model, performed at a harvest rate of 3 vessel volumes per day (VVD) and high cell densities, resulted in a 1.4-fold higher cell-specific functional virus yield and 2.8-fold higher volumetric virus yield compared to the control process at a harvest rate of 1 VVD. The findings were verified at bench scale after optimizing the bioreactor set-up, resulting in a 1.4-fold higher cell-specific functional virus yield and 3.1-fold higher volumetric virus yield.

Agricultural trade deficit and its impact on Nepalese economy: A comprehensive review

International trade is essential for a country’s economic development and modernization, driven by the dynamics of imports and exports. This review comprehensively examines Nepal’s trade deficit and its impact on the national economy. Nepal’s trade landscape is characterized by a significant imbalance, with imports consistently surpassing exports, as evidenced by an import-to-export ratio of 10.26 in the fiscal year 2022/23. This trade deficit has profound implications for national income, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, inflation rates, and foreign exchange reserves. This review identifies key factors contributing to the trade deficit, including geographical constraints, limited export diversification, heavy reliance on imports, infrastructural deficiencies, insufficient promotion and advertisement, political instability, low productivity, and dependency on remittances. This study underscores the critical need for export diversification as a strategy for mitigating trade deficits. Developing sectors with high potential such as tourism, information technology, hydropower, and organic farming are essential. Additionally, improving the quality and value addition of exported goods, expanding market access through proactive trade diplomacy, and supporting small and medium enterprises are highlighted as necessary measures. This study also emphasizes the importance of substantial investments in infrastructure, education, and skill development to enhance productivity and competitiveness. Promoting a national brand and leveraging digital marketing platforms can boost Nepal’s export profile. Sound monetary policies and a stable economic environment are crucial for addressing the adverse effects of exchange rate volatility and inflation. Political stability and a conducive business environment are vital to fostering long-term economic growth. The effective utilization of remittances through productive investments and reducing dependency on external aid are pivotal for achieving sustainable development. Through coordinated efforts across various sectors, Nepal can work towards reducing its trade deficit, enhancing economic stability, and achieving sustainable economic growth.

Carbon Flow Allocation Patterns of CH4, CO2, and Biomass Production Vary with Sewage and Sediment Microbial and Biochemical Factors in the Anaerobic Sewer Environment.

Understanding the carbon (C) fate in municipal sewers is imperative for optimizing current sewer-C-degradation control and treatment efficiency, aligning with China's C-neutrality strategy in determining the exact C budget of the wastewater system. This study used laboratory batch tests mimicking the anaerobic sewer environment and sewage-sediment stratification to evaluate C flow allocation (CFA) patterns in response to biotic and abiotic variables. We quantified the C equivalent mass (CEM) and used absolute quantitative 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to characterize the microbiome. The substantial methane production (CH4, 17.2%-18.8%) required both activated sediment and exogenous C, while biomass production (BP, 63.1%-74.9%) formed C sink predominated as the main CFA direction under the stratified state. This was supported by the high diversity, interspecific interactions, and metabolic capacity of the sediment microbiome. However, CH4 and BP patterns demonstrated non-synchronicity and opposite dynamic characteristics. Carbon dioxide (CO2, 64.0%-81.3%) production dominated the sewage CFA. The absolute abundance of the sediment microbiome, which was 5.6 times higher than that of the sewage, exhibited a strong increase in magnitude across the phases. It was primarily associated with biomass growth and N metabolism, whereas sewage showed differentiated and competing communities and appeared to act mainly as the exogenous C sources. We constructed a binary quadratic linear model revealing the non-linear relationship between ACK activity, DOC degradation rate, and CEMCH4 rate; the former maintained low CH4 production when the available substrate was insufficient. The influence of N and S factors on the CFA is complex and multi-faceted. These findings highlight the importance of further investigations into the process-based framework of the sewer C budget, focusing on the C source-emission-sink functions and mass balance.

Pseudoalteromonas flavipulchra as a dual-functional probiotic for aquaculture: enhancing microalgae growth and antagonizing Vibrio pathogens

Vibrio disease is a prevalent bacterial infection in aquaculture, and using bacteria with antagonistic properties against Vibrio species as probiotics has emerged as a promising method for disease prevention. Additionally, low biomass productivity of microalgae feed remains a significant bottleneck in bivalve aquaculture. Therefore, it is essential to screen for bacteria that both enhance microalgae growth and inhibit Vibrio pathogens. In this study, seven bacterial strains capable of promoting microalgae growth were screened for their ability to inhibit three Vibrio pathogens, i.e., Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio cholerae, and thus serve as a dual-functional probiotic for aquaculture. The antagonistic mechanism of these bacteria was further investigated by analyzing the inhibitory effects of their extracellular products (ECP) on Vibrio species. Results indicated that Pseudoalteromonas flavipulchra exhibited antagonistic effects against all three Vibrio species tested. The ECP of P. flavipulchra displayed stable antibacterial activity, though this ability was lost after the ECP was treated with heat, alkali, or proteinase K. The proteinaceous fraction isolated from the ECP by precipitation with 90% saturated ammonium sulfate demonstrated concentration-dependent antibacterial activity. These findings suggest that P. flavipulchra could serve as a promising dual-functional probiotic for aquaculture, warranting further research to optimize its application in this field.

Case report: Complications after using the “blind-stitch” method in a dairy cow with a left displaced abomasum: treatment, outcome, and economic evaluation

A fourth lactation dairy cow that was 35 days in milk was referred to the clinic for treatment after undergoing unsuccessful treatment of a left displaced abomasum (LDA). The physical examination revealed complications after using the “blind-stitch” method for correction of the LDA; the cow had an abnormal general demeanor, decreased gastrointestinal motility, and local inflammation of the abdominal wall at the site of the suture. Systemic antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and intravenous fluids were administered, and a right flank laparotomy and omentopexy according to Dirksen were performed after cutting the suture and breaking down the adhesions of the localized peritonitis between the abdominal wall and the abomasal puncture site. The cow was monitored clinically and discharged 2 weeks after referral. The cow was milked for another two lactations producing a total of 18,000 kg of milk, with a lifetime production of 59,141 kg. The total cost for the case was 310 € for the first intervention using the “blind-stitch” method and 897 € for the second laparotomic intervention. The costs (excluding tax) of both procedures including physical examination, surgery, medications, diagnostics, and labor were calculated. The lost revenue associated with the withdrawal period and lower milk production was 4,168 €. Percutaneous LDA fixation techniques, such as the “blind-stitch” and “toggle-pin” methods, have gained popularity because they are quick and cost-effective and involve minimal labor. However, many buiatricians are critical of these techniques because of the high risk of complications. The following four factors require careful consideration when choosing a method for LDA correction: (1) Percutaneous methods require precision and adherence to the described inclusion, exclusion, and cancelation criteria; (2) Operator skill is essential, and therefore regularly performing laparotomies increases surgical experience and enables the veterinarian to better manage different and more complex abdominal disorders; (3) By performing a laparotomy, other underlying abdominal disorders such as reticuloperitonitis and abomasal ulcers may be detected; (4) Postoperative husbandry and treatment are important factors affecting the outcome. The cost calculated for this case underlines the potential benefit and necessity of successful animal health management and the importance of a highly skilled veterinarian and farm workforce.

Gastrointestinal Helminth Infections in Dogs in Sheep and Goat Farms in Greece: Prevalence, Involvement of Wild Canid Predators and Use of Anthelmintics

The objectives of the present work were the investigation of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in dogs in small ruminant farms in Greece, the elucidation of potential predictors for these infections and the description of practices related to administration of anthelmintics to dogs. This study was carried out in 444 small ruminant farms in Greece. Faecal samples were collected directly from the rectum of the dogs in the farms. The samples were processed by means of conventional parasitological techniques, specifically, a combined sedimentation flotation technique. There were dogs in 92.8% of the farms, with a median number of four dogs per farm. The following variables were associated with the presence of dogs in the farms: the presence of wild mammal predators near the farms, the increased daily period of farmers’ presence at the farm, goats as the livestock species at the farm and the management system applied in the farm. Helminth eggs were detected in samples from 72.6% of the farms. The main helminth eggs detected were those of hookworms (Uncinaria/Ancylostoma) and Toxocara canis, in 68.6% and 51.3% of the farms, respectively. In our multivariable analyses, an association emerged between the presence of canid predators near a farm and the detection of these helminths in faecal samples: in 76% and 60% of the samples, respectively, versus in 58% and 39% of the samples from farms with no canid presence. Of farmers with dogs, 16.0% reported that they omitted the administration of anthelmintics to the animals. In multivariable analysis, the semi-extensive or extensive management system applied in the farm, the lower annual milk production per animal and the lack of collaboration with a veterinary practice were the significant predictors for the omission of anthelmintic administration to the farm dogs. There was also a clear association in the omission of anthelmintic administration to the dogs and to the livestock on the farm. The most frequently administered anthelmintic was praziquantel, which was used in 93.6% of the farms.