Specific Animal Species Research Articles

Watching movies and discovery learning

In this study, we aim to analyze the effects of discovery-based learning through film viewing on students' knowledge about a specific animal species and its habitat. The following hypothesis is tested: students' knowledge about animals and their environment is greater as a result of discovering information through watching videos. The study involved 20 fourth-grade students. In the first phase, a pre-test with 20 items was administered to assess initial knowledge about the topic. In the next phase, students watched videos at home about the studied subject. In the final phase, a post-test similar to the pre-test was conducted at school, and students discussed with the teacher other information they discovered through watching the films. The results confirm that discovery-based learning, facilitated by film viewing, is an effective strategy for stimulating students' interest and facilitating the acquisition of new knowledge.

Scientometric Analysis: An Emerging Tool in Veterinary and Animal Scientific Research.

The present study is an evaluation of published papers in the field of scientometrics-bibliometrics in veterinary or animal studies. The objective was the quantitative evaluation of the scientific content and the bibliometric details of papers that had used scientometrics as a methodological approach to assess various topics within the broad field of veterinary or animal studies. For the search of published papers, the Web of Science database was used; the search string {ALL FIELDS = [scientometric* OR bibliometric*]} AND {ALL FIELDS = [veterinary OR animal*]} was employed. In all, 163 papers were evaluated individually. There was a progressive increase in the number of papers published annually (slope 0.314 ± 0.063) which originated from 58 countries, mostly from the United States of America (n = 24) and 306 organizations. The databases employed most frequently for record search were the Web of Science, Scopus and PubMed (in 105, 60 and 21 papers, respectively); the median timespan of the searches was 25 years (interquartile range (IQR): 31) and the median number of records was 1082.5 (IQR: 4708) (min.: 14, max.: 207,894). The papers were published in 106 journals (Animals (n = 21), Scientometrics (n = 8)), classified into 56 Web of Science categories ('veterinary sciences' (n = 26 journals)). Searches related to 88 different topics. There were 517 unique keywords in the papers, among which 'bibliometric(s)' (n = 45) occurred most often. The median number of co-authors per paper was 4 (IQR: 3) (min.: 1, max.: 17), with a total of 689 individual authors. Most papers (n = 110 (67.5%)) were published under open access. The median number of citations received per paper was 4 (IQR: 9) (max.: 68) and the h-index was 21. In multivariable analysis, the higher number of cited references in papers and the inclusion of specific animal species in the record search emerged as significant for the number of citations received per paper yearly.

Classification of Current Experimental Models of Epilepsy.

This article provides an overview of several experimental models, including in vivo, genetics, chemical, knock-in, knock-out, electrical, in vitro, and optogenetics models, that have been employed to investigate epileptogenesis. The present review introduces a novel categorization of these models, taking into account the fact that the most recent classification that gained widespread acceptance was established by Fisher in 1989. A significant number of such models have become virtually outdated. This paper specifically examines the models that have contributed to the investigation of partial seizures, generalized seizures, and status epilepticus. A description is provided of the primary features associated with the processes that produce and regulate the symptoms of various epileptogenesis models. Numerous experimental epilepsy models in animals have made substantial contributions to the investigation of particular brain regions that are capable of inducing seizures. Experimental models of epilepsy have also enabled the investigation of the therapeutic mechanisms of anti-epileptic medications. Typically, animals are selected for the development and study of experimental animal models of epilepsy based on the specific form of epilepsy being investigated. Currently, it is established that specific animal species can undergo epileptic seizures that resemble those described in humans. Nevertheless, it is crucial to acknowledge that a comprehensive assessment of all forms of human epilepsy has not been feasible. However, these experimental models, both those derived from channelopathies and others, have provided a limited comprehension of the fundamental mechanisms of this disease.

The European livestock resistome.

Metagenomic sequencing has proven to be a powerful tool in the monitoring of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Here, we provide a comparative analysis of the resistome from pigs, poultry, veal calves, turkey, and rainbow trout, for a total of 538 herds across nine European countries. We calculated the effects of per-farm management practices and antimicrobial usage (AMU) on the resistome in pigs, broilers, and veal calves. We also provide an in-depth study of the associations between bacterial diversity, resistome diversity, and AMR abundances as well as co-occurrence analysis of bacterial taxa and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and the universality of the latter. The resistomes of veal calves and pigs clustered together, as did those of avian origin, while the rainbow trout resistome was different. Moreover, we identified clear core resistomes for each specific food-producing animal species. We identified positive associations between bacterial alpha diversity and both resistome alpha diversity and abundance. Network analyses revealed very few taxa-ARG associations in pigs but a large number for the avian species. Using updated reference databases and optimized bioinformatics, previously reported significant associations between AMU, biosecurity, and AMR in pig and poultry farms were validated. AMU is an important driver for AMR; however, our integrated analyses suggest that factors contributing to increased bacterial diversity might also be associated with higher AMR load. We also found that dispersal limitations of ARGs are shaping livestock resistomes, and future efforts to fight AMR should continue to emphasize biosecurity measures.IMPORTANCEUnderstanding the occurrence, diversity, and drivers for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is important to focus future control efforts. So far, almost all attempts to limit AMR in livestock have addressed antimicrobial consumption. We here performed an integrated analysis of the resistomes of five important farmed animal populations across Europe finding that the resistome and AMR levels are also shaped by factors related to bacterial diversity, as well as dispersal limitations. Thus, future studies and interventions aimed at reducing AMR should not only address antimicrobial usage but also consider other epidemiological and ecological factors.

Pandemic preparedness: On the efficacy of non-pharmaceutical interventions in COVID-19 and about approaches to predict future pandemic viruses.

With three major viral pandemics over the last 100 years, namely the Spanish flu, AIDS and COVID-19 each claiming many millions of lives, pandemic preparedness has become an important issue for public health. The economic, social and political consequences of the upheaval caused by such pandemics also represent a major challenge for governments with respect to sustainable development goals. The field of pandemic preparedness is vast and the current article can only address selected aspects. The article looks first backwards and addresses the question of the efficacy of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI) on the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic. The article looks then forward by asking to what extent viral candidates for future pandemics can be predicted by virome analyses from metagenome and transcriptome sequencing, by focusing on the virome from specific animal species and using ecological and epidemiological data about spillover viral infections in veterinary and human medicine. As a comprehensive overview on pandemic preparedness is beyond the capacity of a single reviewer, only selected topics will be discussed using recent key scientific publications. Since COVID-19 has not run its course, a computational program able to predict the future evolution of SARS-CoV-2 is mentioned that could assist proactive mRNA vaccine developments against possible future variants of concern. Ending the COVID-19 epidemic necessitates mucosal vaccines that can suppress the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and therefore this article closes by discussing a promising and versatile protein nanoparticle experimental vaccine approach for inhalation that does not depend on needles nor a cold chain for distribution.

Human and animal skin identified by palaeoproteomics in Scythian leather objects from Ukraine

Leather was one of the most important materials of nomadic Scythians, used for clothing, shoes, and quivers, amongst other objects. However, our knowledge regarding the specific animal species used in Scythian leather production remains limited. In this first systematic study, we used palaeoproteomics methods to analyse the species in 45 samples of leather and two fur objects recovered from 18 burials excavated at 14 different Scythian sites in southern Ukraine. Our results demonstrate that Scythians primarily used domesticated species such as sheep, goat, cattle, and horse for the production of leather, while the furs were made of wild animals such as fox, squirrel and feline species. The surprise discovery is the presence of two human skin samples, which for the first time provide direct evidence of the ancient Greek historian Herodotus’ claim that Scythians used the skin of their dead enemies to manufacture leather trophy items, such as quiver covers. We argue that leather manufacture is not incompatible with a nomadic lifestyle and that Scythians possessed sophisticated leather production technologies that ensured stable supply of this essential material.

Clinical and Molecular Epidemiology of Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome Caused by Orthohantaviruses in Xiangyun County, Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China.

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is a zoonotic disease transmitted by several rodent species. We obtained clinical data of HFRS patients from the medical records of the People's Hospital of Xiangyun County in Dali Prefecture from July 2019 to August 2021. We collected epidemiological data of HFRS patients through interviews and investigated host animals using the night clip or night cage method. We systematically performed epidemiological analyses of patients and host animals. The differences in the presence of rodent activity at home (χ2 = 8.75, p = 0.031 < 0.05), of rodent-proof equipment in the food (χ2 = 9.19, p = 0.025 < 0.05), and of rodents or rodent excrement in the workplace (χ2 = 10.35, p = 0.014 < 0.05) were statistically different in the four clinical types, including mild, medium, severe, and critical HFRS-associated diseases. Furthermore, we conducted molecular detection of orthohantavirus in host animals. The total orthohantavirus infection rate of rodents was 2.72% (9/331); the specific infection rate of specific animal species was 6.10% (5/82) for the Apodemus chevrieri, 100% (1/1) for the Rattus nitidus, 3.77% (2/53) for the Rattus norvegicus, and 12.50% (1/8) for the Crocidura dracula. In this study, a total of 21 strains of orthohantavirus were detected in patients and rodents. The 12 orthohantavirus strains from patients showed a closer relationship with Seoul orthohantavirus (SEOOV) L0199, DLR2, and GZRn60 strains; the six orthohantavirus strains from Rattus norvegicus and Apodemus chevrieri were closely related to SEOOV GZRn60 strain. One strain (XYRn163) from Rattus norvegicus and one strain (XYR.nitidus97) from Rattus nitidus were closely related to SEOOV DLR2 strain; the orthohantavirus strain from Crocidura dracula was closely related to the Luxi orthohantavirus (LUXV) LX309 strain. In conclusion, patients with HFRS in Xuangyun County of Dali Prefecture are predominantly affected by SEOOV, with multiple genotypes of orthohantavirus in host animals, and, most importantly, these orthohantavirus strains constantly demonstrated zoonotic risk in humans.

Influence of the probiotic “Bioseven” on the intestinal biocenose of white rats

The use of probiotics in animal husbandry ensures the maintenance of homeostasis of the digestive tract and prevents the development of factor infections in young animals – colibacteriosis, dyspepsia, and others, promotes the growth of animals with high survival rates. The main advantages of probiotics over chemotherapeutic drugs and antibiotics are that they are harmless to animal organism and are ecologically clean. In connection with the great attention paid to probiotics as ecologically safe drugs, the study of biological properties and the selection of bacterial strains, the most promising in the probiotic sense, are currently being intensified. This is the direction of the selection of species-specific strains for the intestinal biocenosis of a specific animal species, which have high colonization and antagonistic properties. Therefore, the development of the scientific basis for the creation of new probiotic preparations gave an impetus to their improvement and continued research in this direction. The aim of the work was to study the effect of the probiotic “Bioseven” on the intestinal biocenosis of white rats depending on the dose. Objectives of the study: to establish the toxicity of the drug “Bioseven” on laboratory animals with a single dose (“acute toxicity”) according to microbiological indicators; to investigate the toxicity of “Bioseven” on laboratory animals with long-term administration (“subacute toxicity”) according to microbiological indicators. Research work was carried out during 2022 at the department of veterinary and sanitary examination, hygiene of animal husbandry products and pathanatomy named after J. S. Zagaevskii. The toxicological characterization of the probiotic drug “Bioseven” (study of subacute and acute toxicity) was carried out under the conditions of the State Research Control Institute of Veterinary Medicines and Feed Additives (Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology), (Lviv), the manufacturer of the drug was PP “BTU-CENTER” Ladyzhyn, Vinnytsia region. On the 31st day of use of the drug “Bioseven” (a feed additive with probiotic action) in a therapeutic dose, microorganisms of the genus Lactobacillus were sown 0.3 lg CFU/g more from the large intestine of experimental rats, microorganisms of the genus Bifidobacterium were sown at 0.5 lg CFU/g more than in the control group. The number of Candida fungi decreased by 0.6 lg CFU/g, and the total number of Escherichia coli – 0.2 lg CFU/g. When using the “Bioseven” probiotic in a 5-fold therapeutic dose, 0.5 lg CFU/g more microorganisms of the Lactobacillus genus and 0.6 lg CFU/g more Bifidobacterium microorganisms were sown from the large intestine of experimental rats than in the control group. At the same time, the number of Candida fungi decreased by 0.7 lg CFU/g, and the total number of Escherichia coli to 0.4 lg CFU/g. Under the conditions of use of the drug “Bioseven” in a 10-fold therapeutic dose, microorganisms of the genus Lactobacillus were sown from the large intestine of experimental rats, 0.9 lg CFU/g more, microorganisms of the genus Bifidobacterium 1.2 lg CFU/g more than in the control the group At the same time, the number of Candida fungi decreased by 1.1 lg CFU/g, and the total number of Escherichia coli by 0.8 lg CFU/g. Prospects for further research consist in the study of the impact of the biotic drug “Bioseven” on indicators of metabolic processes and productive qualities of farm animals.

Development of machine learning algorithms to estimate maximum residue limits for veterinary medicines.

Establishing maximum-residue limits (MRLs) for veterinary medicine helps to protect the human food supply. Guidelines for establishing MRLs are outlined by regulatory authorities that drug sponsors follow in each country. During the drug approval process, residue limits are targeted for specific animal species and matrices. Therefore, MRLs are commonly not established for other species. This study demonstrates unestablished MRLs can be reliably predicted for under-represented food commodity groups using machine learning (ML). Classification methods with imbalanced data were used to analyze MRL data from multiple countries by implementing resampling techniques in different ML classifiers. Afterward, we developed and evaluated a data-mining method for predicting unestablished MRLs. Seven different ML classifiers such as support vector classifier, multi-layer perceptron (MLP), random forest, decision tree, k-neighbors, Gaussian NB, and AdaBoost have been selected in this baseline study. Among these, the neural network MLP classifier reliably scored the highest average-weighted F1 score (accuracy >99% with markers and ≈88% without markets) in predicting unestablished MRLs. This provides the first study to apply ML algorithms in regulatory food animal medicine. By predicting and estimating MRLs, we can potentially decrease the use and cost of live animals and the overall research burden of determining new MRLs.

Codifying Wildness: Wild Behaviour for Improving Human-Robot Interaction

Animals, even when domesticated, maintain a series of innate characteristics that humans perceive as wild. Human responses to animal behavior vary with many factors such as historical time and culture. Even after their domestication, humans perceive animals’ distinctive behavior patterns that are considered as being wild, even in pets. It is common understanding that these wild patterns are linked to the specific animal species but also that there is a common characteristic to wild behavior in general. In this paper, we present our work on coding such a quality, exemplified in an application to robot pets. We consider that an application of wild character in the behavior of the pet robot can improve its realism and make the human/robot social interaction more captivating. To this aim, we have designed and implemented a behavioral architecture to reproduce well-known behavioral patterns of domestic cats that might be considered wild and applied it to a commercial pet robot that then was used to assess human reaction to its behavior. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach with experiments carried out with humans that found the robot cat “independent” and “unpredictable” to a significant degree, two distinctive features of the wild side of animals.

PREDICTION OF GAS AND ENERGY BALANCE FOR RUMINANTS

Establishing the mechanism of influence on the body of animals by external factors is very important for zootechnical science. The classic methods, which have been used for two centuries to explain their influence, are the study of the digestibility and balance of nutrients and individual organic and mineral elements. For ruminants, it is most accurate to draw up an energy balance as an integral indicator of all metabolic processes The purpose of the work is to develop a methodology for calculating the energy balance based on accounting for the gross energy of the ration and heat production. Knowing the amount of consumed gross and exchangeable energy, with great accuracy, it is possible to determine the amount of digestible energy. Thus, after determining the amount of heat production in respiratory studies and calculating the energy value of the products, the amount of exchangeable energy is determined. The amount of gross energy does not provide an objective estimate of the amount of energy available to the animal. For example, the dry matter of straw contains almost the same amount of gross energy as the dry matter of cereal grain (16.7-18.8 MJ), but the energy of the grain is easily available to animals, while most of it in straw remains unused. The energy of digestible nutrients of feed and rations is determined for a specific animal species. Thus, it is possible to recommend two systems of equations for estimating the content of exchangeable energy in feeds and rations. The first system of equations for determining OE through raw nutrients and energy digestibility. The second system of equations for determining the content of exchangeable energy through digestible nutrients using digestibility coefficients of nutrients established in experiments or taken from a handbook.

Performing encounters (and encountering performance) at Auckland Zoo

Performing encounters (and encountering performance) at Auckland Zoo

A survey on the use of mice, pigs, dogs and monkeys as animal models in biomedical research in Spain

BackgroundThe use of animals in biomedical science remains controversial. An individual’s level of concern is generally influenced by their culture, previous or current experience with animals, and the specific animal species in question. In this study we aimed to explore what people in Spain who had never or who no longer worked with laboratory animals thought of the use of mice, pigs, dogs and monkeys for biomedical research purposes. We also aimed to determine whether or not people currently involved in biomedical research with the aforementioned species felt their work was justified.ResultsThe study comprised a total of 807 participants (never worked = 285, used to work = 56, currently working = 466), almost two thirds of whom were women. Our results revealed that the phylogenetic scale is an important factor in people’s opinions of the use of certain species in research. The percentage of people who were against the use of dogs or monkeys was higher than that of those who were against the use of mice or pigs. The main reasons given for having stopped working with laboratory animals were change of professional career and change in research project. Participants who were currently working with animals believed that their work was justified, but said they did not talk about it with people outside their immediate social circle.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that there is a difference in moral status between monkeys and mice, as well as between companion animals (dogs) and farm animals (pigs). Our results support the idea that working with laboratory animals is a sensitive issue in Spain.

Determination of Cross-Directional and Cross-Wall Variations of Passive Biaxial Mechanical Properties of Rat Myocardia

Heart myocardia are critical to the facilitation of heart pumping and blood circulating around the body. The biaxial mechanical testing of the left ventricle (LV) has been extensively utilised to build the computational model of the whole heart with little importance given to the unique mechanical properties of the right ventricle (RV) and cardiac septum (SPW). Most of those studies focussed on the LV of the heart and then applied the obtained characteristics with a few modifications to the right side of the heart. However, the assumption that the LV characteristics applies to the RV has been contested over time with the realisation that the right side of the heart possesses its own unique mechanical properties that are widely distinct from that of the left side of the heart. This paper evaluates the passive mechanical property differences in the three main walls of the rat heart based on biaxial tensile test data. Fifteen mature Wistar rats weighing 225 ± 25 g were euthanised by inhalation of 5% halothane. The hearts were excised after which all the top chambers comprising the two atria, pulmonary and vena cava trunks, aorta, and valves were all dissected out. Then, 5 × 5 mm sections from the middle of each wall were carefully dissected with a surgical knife to avoid overly pre-straining the specimens. The specimens were subjected to tensile testing. The elastic moduli, peak stresses in the toe region and stresses at 40% strain, anisotropy indices, as well as the stored strain energy in the toe and linear region of up to 40% strain were used for statistical significance tests. The main findings of this study are: (1) LV and SPW tissues have relatively shorter toe regions of 10–15% strain as compared to RV tissue, whose toe region extends up to twice as much as that; (2) LV tissues have a higher strain energy storage in the linear region despite being lower in stiffness than the RV; and (3) the SPW has the highest strain energy storage along both directions, which might be directly related to its high level of anisotropy. These findings, though for a specific animal species at similar age and around the same body mass, emphasise the importance of the application of wall-specific material parameters to obtain accurate ventricular hyperelastic models. The findings further enhance our understanding of the desired mechanical behaviour of the different ventricle walls.

Institutional persistence despite cultural change: a historical case study of the re-categorization of dogs in Germany

Human–animal relations in post-industrial societies are characterized by a system of cultural categories that distinguishes between different types of animals based on their function in human society, such as “farm animals” or “pets.” The system of cultural categories, and the allocation of animal species within this cultural classification system can change. Options for change include re-categorizing a specific animal species within the categorical system. The paper argues that attempts by political actors to adapt the institutional system to cultural change that calls for re-categorization of certain animal species can start a contradictory process that may lead to long-term survival of the respective institution despite the cultural change. It is common to explain the persistence of political institutions with institutional path dependency or policy preferences of the governing parties. This paper introduces a new institutional theoretical approach to the explanation, the approach of “rejecting changing a part for fear of undermining the whole.” This paper uses a case study of a series of failed political efforts to change the treatment of dogs in the framework of the agricultural human–animal policy in the Federal Republic of Germany in the second half of the twentieth century, to evaluate its theoretical argument, using analyses of historical political documents, mass media, and communication documents between civil society actors and policymakers. This paper makes an innovative contribution to the theory and research on institutional change, the sociology of agriculture and food, and the sociology of human–animal relations.

ESBL/pAmpC-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae carriage among veterinary healthcare workers in the Netherlands

BackgroundAnimals are a reservoir for ESBL/pAmpC-producing Escherichia coli/Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-E/K). We investigated the association between occupational contact with different types of animals and the prevalence of ESBL-E/K carriage among veterinary healthcare workers, assessed molecular characteristics of ESBL-E/K, and followed-up on the ESBL-E/K carriage status of participants and their household members.MethodsParticipants completed a questionnaire about their contact with animals at work and at home, health status, travel behaviour and hygiene, and sent in a faecal sample which was tested for the presence of ESBL-E/K. Resistance genes were typed using PCR and sequencing. ESBL-E/K positive participants and their household members were followed up after 6 months. Risk factors were analysed using multivariable logistic regression methods.ResultsThe prevalence of ESBL-E/K carriage was 9.8% (47/482; 95%CI 7.4–12.7). The most frequently occurring ESBL genes were blaCTX-M-15, blaCTX-M-14 and blaDHA-1. The predominant sequence type was ST131. None of the occupation related factors, such as contact with specific animal species, were significantly associated with ESBL-E/K carriage, whereas travel to Africa, Asia or Latin America in the past 6 months (OR 4.4), and stomach/bowel complaints in the past 4 weeks (OR 2.2) were. Sixteen of 33 initially ESBL-E/K positive participants (48.5%) tested positive again 6 months later, in 14 persons the same ESBL gene and E. coli ST was found. Four of 23 (17.4%) household members carried ESBL-E/K, in three persons this was the same ESBL gene and E. coli ST as in the veterinary healthcare worker.ConclusionsDespite the absence of specific occupation related risk factors, ESBL-E/K carriage in veterinary healthcare workers was high compared to the prevalence in the general Dutch population (5%). This indicates that occupational contact with animals is a potential source of ESBL-E/K for the population at large.

Early Warning Diagnostics for Emerging Infectious Diseases in Developing into Late-Stage Pandemics.

The spread of infectious diseases due to travel and trade can be seen throughout history, whether from early settlers or traveling businessmen. Increased globalization has allowed infectious diseases to quickly spread to different parts of the world and cause widespread infection. Posthoc analysis of more recent outbreaks-SARS, MERS, swine flu, and COVID-19-has demonstrated that the causative viruses were circulating through populations for days or weeks before they were first detected, allowing disease to spread before quarantines, contact tracing, and travel restrictions could be implemented. Earlier detection of future novel pathogens could decrease the time before countermeasures are enacted. In this Account, we examined a variety of novel technologies from the past 10 years that may allow for earlier detection of infectious diseases. We have arranged these technologies chronologically from pre-human predictive technologies to population-level screening tools. The earliest detection methods utilize artificial intelligence to analyze factors such as climate variation and zoonotic spillover as well as specific species and geographies to identify where the infection risk is high. Artificial intelligence can also be used to monitor health records, social media, and various publicly available data to identify disease outbreaks faster than traditional epidemiology. Secondary to predictive measures is monitoring infection in specific sentinel animal species, where domestic animals or wildlife are indicators of potential disease hotspots. These hotspots inform public health officials about geographic areas where infection risk in humans is high. Further along the timeline, once the disease has begun to infect humans, wastewater epidemiology can be used for unbiased sampling of large populations. This method has already been shown to precede spikes in COVID-19 diagnoses by 1 to 2 weeks. As total infections increase in humans, bioaerosol sampling in high-traffic areas can be used for disease monitoring, such as within an airport. Finally, as disease spreads more quickly between humans, rapid diagnostic technologies such as lateral flow assays and nucleic acid amplification become very important. Minimally invasive point-of-care methods can allow for quick adoption and use within a population. These individual diagnostic methods then transfer to higher-throughput methods for more intensive population screening as an infection spreads. There are many promising early warning technologies being developed. However, no single technology listed herein will prevent every future outbreak. A combination of technologies from across our infection timeline would offer the most benefit in preventing future widespread disease outbreaks and pandemics.

Closely related Lak megaphages replicate in the microbiomes of diverse animals

SummaryLak phages with alternatively coded ∼540 kbp genomes were recently reported to replicate in Prevotella in microbiomes of humans that consume a non-Western diet, baboons, and pigs. Here, we explore Lak phage diversity and broader distribution using diagnostic polymerase chain reaction and genome-resolved metagenomics. Lak phages were detected in 13 animal types, including reptiles, and are particularly prevalent in pigs. Tracking Lak through the pig gastrointestinal tract revealed significant enrichment in the hindgut compared to the foregut. We reconstructed 34 new Lak genomes, including six curated complete genomes, all of which are alternatively coded. An anomalously large (∼660 kbp) complete genome reconstructed for the most deeply branched Lak from a horse microbiome is also alternatively coded. From the Lak genomes, we identified proteins associated with specific animal species; notably, most have no functional predictions. The presence of closely related Lak phages in diverse animals indicates facile distribution coupled to host-specific adaptation.

Health Effects of Naphthalene Exposure: A Systematic Evidence Map and Analysis of Potential Considerations for Dose-Response Evaluation.

Background:Naphthalene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon that has been associated with health effects, including cancer. As the state of the science on naphthalene toxicity continues to evolve, updated toxicity reference value(s) may be required to support human health risk assessment.Objectives:We present a systematic evidence map of studies that could be used to derive toxicity reference value(s) for naphthalene.Methods:Human and animal health effect studies and physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models were identified from a literature search based on populations, exposures, comparators, and outcomes (PECO) criteria. Human and animal studies meeting PECO criteria were refined to a smaller subset considered most informative for deriving chronic reference value(s), which are preferred for assessing risk to the general public. This subset was evaluated for risk of bias and sensitivity, and the suitability of each study for dose–response analysis was qualitatively assessed. Lowest observed adverse effect levels (LOAELs) were extracted and summarized. Other potentially relevant studies (e.g., mechanistic and toxicokinetic studies) were tracked as supplemental information but not evaluated further. Existing reference values for naphthalene are also summarized.Results:We identified 26 epidemiology studies and 16 animal studies that were considered most informative for further analysis. Eleven PBPK models were identified. The available epidemiology studies generally had significant risk of bias and/or sensitivity concerns and were mostly found to have low suitability for dose–response analysis due to the nature of the exposure measurements. The animal studies had fewer risk of bias and sensitivity concerns and were mostly found to be suitable for dose–response analysis.Conclusion:Although both epidemiological and animal studies of naphthalene provide weight of evidence for hazard identification, the available animal studies appear more suitable for reference value derivation. PBPK models and mechanistic and toxicokinetic data can be applied to extrapolate these animal data to humans, considering mode of action and interspecies metabolic differences. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7381

The examination of biophysical parameters of the skin in Polish Konik horses.

This study aimed to assess the biophysical parameters of the skin in Polish Konik horses (Polish primitive horses). According to the authors, this is the first assessment performed on such a wide scale in this group of animals. The evaluation carried out is innovative both with regards to the breed of the animals and the wide scope of the physicochemical skin assessment. The study group comprised mares, stallions and geldings, and the evaluations concerned transepidermal water loss, corneometry, pH, skin temperature assessment and mexametry. These parameters were assessed in five skin regions: the lips, the right ear, the prosternum, the right side of the neck and the chest. The measurements were taken after spreading the hair apart, with the use of a Multiprobe Adapter System (MPA®) and dedicated probes (Courage + Khazaka electronic GmbH, Cologne, Germany). The measurements revealed statistically significant differences in the values of transepidermal water loss in the lips in mares compared with stallions (P = 0.023) and also in stallions compared with geldings (P = 0.009). Corneometry showed significantly higher results in the neck region in mares compared with stallions (P = 0.037) and the prosternum areas in mares and geldings compared with stallions (P = 0.037 and P = 0.018). Skin pH measurement on the right side of the neck rendered significantly higher values in stallions than in mares (P = 0.037). In geldings, the skin temperature was significantly higher than in stallions (P = 0.049). Once the appropriate physicochemical values for specific animal species and breeds are determined, non-invasive methods of skin examination in many diseases and also methods of evaluation of the efficacy and/or adverse effects of applied medications can be established.