Topic Review
Dairy Cow Health and Methane Emissions
The dairy industry is facing criticism for its role in exacerbating global GHG emissions, as climate change becomes an increasingly pressing issue. These emissions mostly originate from methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2). An optimal strategy involves the creation of an economical monitoring device to evaluate methane emissions from dairy animals.
  • 45
  • 13 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Pig Sedation and Anesthesia
Anesthesia plays a crucial role in ensuring the ethical treatment of research animals and obtaining reliable and accurate data. Pig anesthesia is a significant aspect of clinical veterinary practice, especially when performing surgical procedures, diagnostic imaging, various medical interventions, and scientific research procedures. Proper anesthesia protocols ensure that the animals are kept unconscious and do not experience pain or distress, which is not only ethically responsible but also needed by regulatory bodies and animal welfare standards.
  • 78
  • 29 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Ribonucleic Acid Degradation and Diagnostic Testing
Successful downstream molecular analyses of viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) in diagnostic laboratories, e.g., reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) or next-generation sequencing, are dependent on the quality of the RNA in the specimen. In swine specimens, preserving the integrity of RNA requires proper sample handling at the time the sample is collected on the farm, during transport, and in the laboratory until RNA extraction is performed. Options for proper handling are limited to maintaining the cold chain or using commercial specimen storage matrices.
  • 46
  • 29 Feb 2024
Topic Review
The Structural Proteins of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus
Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus (PEDV) is one of the main pathogens causing diarrhea in piglets and fattening pigs. The clinical signs of PED are vomiting, acute diarrhea, dehydration, and mortality resulting in significant economic losses and becoming a major challenge in the pig industry. PEDV possesses various crucial structural and functional proteins, which play important roles in viral structure, infection, replication, assembly, and release, as well as in escaping host innate immunity.
  • 155
  • 26 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Endocrine Diseases in Donkeys
Hyperlipemia, defined as abnormally high blood triglyceride concentrations, is the most common metabolic disease in donkeys. In contrast, metabolic syndrome, insulin dysregulation (ID) and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) are the most common endocrine disorders in this species. Although diagnostic approaches for these conditions are similar to horses, donkey-specific protocols must be used.
  • 61
  • 26 Feb 2024
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
Animal Models in Neuroscience: What is the “Culture of Care”?
In situations where animal models (AMs) are necessary, as in the field of neuroscience, a strong culture of care must be supported and established. The pivotal question remains: how can we uphold a robust “culture of care”? In the multifaceted domain of neuroscience research, AMs traverse a spectrum shaped by conflicting viewpoints, anthropocentrism and pathocentrism, where established scientific norms intersect with ethical deliberations. Anthropocentrism, representative of conventional scientific approaches, may prioritize scientific goals potentially to the detriment of animal welfare. Conversely, pathocentrism places significant importance on the ethical treatment and well-being of AMs. This divergence of approach prompts the imperative development of a robust culture of care framework within research institutions, advocating for animal welfare, ethical responsibility, and adherence to regulatory standards. In this review, we refer to a European view of animal care, discussing internationally valid concepts that find rebuttal in the current European legislation. This review meticulously analyzes the many facets of the culture of care, particularly for neuroscience studies involving AMs, illustrating the principles, practices, and collaborations critical to overcoming ethical expectations. This commitment increases credibility and builds trust in the public and research spheres, underscoring the critical importance of a culture of care in the ethics of neuroscience research.
  • 548
  • 02 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus
Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a porcine enteric coronavirus, which is one of the main causative agents of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED), with 100% morbidity and 80–100% mortality in neonatal piglets. Since 2010, large-scale PED caused by highly pathogenic variants of PEDV has occurred successively in China and other countries in the world, posing a great threat to the global pig industry.
  • 78
  • 01 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Ultrasonography for Detecting Neoplasms in Dogs and Cats
Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography is based on the intravenous injection of contrast media constituted by microbubbles. This imaging modality provides information on the tissue perfusion and allows the investigation of macro- and micro-circulation. Studies on different organs and tissues were performed in dogs and cats and revealed a tendency of malignant tumors to present faster transit of the contrast media (time to wash in, peak and wash out). These advanced techniques associated with other imaging modalities can be used as screening tests and can potentially represent an alternative to the invasive sampling methods required for cytological and histopathological analysis.
  • 57
  • 23 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Immune Responses Potentially Involved in Brucella-Induced Pregnancy Complications
Infection by Brucella species in pregnant animals and humans is associated with an increased risk of abortion, preterm birth, and transmission of the infection to the offspring. The pathogen has a marked tropism for the placenta and the pregnant uterus and has the ability to invade and replicate within cells of the maternal–fetal unit, including trophoblasts and decidual cells. Placentitis is a common finding in infected pregnant animals. Several proinflammatory factors have been found to be increased in both the placenta of Brucella-infected animals and in trophoblasts or decidual cells infected in vitro. As normal pregnancies require an anti-inflammatory placental environment during most of the gestational period, Brucella-induced placentitis is thought to be associated with the obstetric complications of brucellosis.
  • 81
  • 22 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Cetacean Strandings in Chile between 2015 and 2020
Strandings caused by anthropogenic factors are one of the most worrying threats in relation to the conservation of cetacean species, and in the case of Chile, due to its geography and large extension of the coastline, monitoring and access to these events is difficult, making their study more complex. According to the Chilean government official database, researchers described that the main causes of unusual mortality events (UME) and mass strandings from 2015 and 2016 were acute poisoning by biotoxins and strandings by multiple possible causes, respectively, while individual strandings would have their causes in anthropogenic activities, such as entanglements in fishing and aquaculture gears and collisions with vessels. The predominant species in mass strandings was the sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis). The geographical area of greatest prominence in mass strandings was the Aysén Region in the Central Patagonia of Chile, while the species mostly involved in individual strandings along the south-central, central, and northern coasts of Chile was the small porpoise (Phocoena spinipinnis). The most common gross pathological findings were advance decay of the carcasses and non-specific wounds of different natures.
  • 78
  • 18 Jan 2024
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