Physiological impacts of overweight on semen parameters and fertility in male broiler breeders.

A negative correlation between growth and reproductive traits has declined fertility in the second half of the flock's reproductive life. Excessive weight gain in males is one of the crucial reasons for the reduction of fertility rate in broiler breeder flocks. Field data from commercial flocks were collected at different ages to determine the excess weight of roosters.

Differences in Medicare payment and practice characteristics for orthopedic surgery subspecialties.

Background: Medicare payment, practice, and patient characteristics give perspective on the lifestyle, challenges, and attractiveness unique to each orthopedic surgery subspecialty. Changes to Medicare reimbursement may also affect health care delivery, warranting policy change. We analyzed differences in orthopedic surgery subspecialty characteristics and Medicare payments.

Oncolytic reprogramming of tumor microenvironment shapes CD4 T-cell memory via the IL6ra-Bcl6 axis for targeted control of glioblastoma.

Oncolytic viruses (OVs) emerge as a promising cancer immunotherapy. However, the temporal impact on tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment, and the nature of anti-tumor immunity post-therapy remain largely unclear. Here we report that CD4 T cells are required for durable tumor control in syngeneic murine models of glioblastoma multiforme after treatment with an oncolytic herpes simplex virus (oHSV) engineered to express IL-12.

Folded-flap palatoplasty is not superior to cut-and-sew staphylectomy for the treatment of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome in English Bulldogs.

Objective: To determine whether folded-flap palatoplasty (FFP) results in improved respiratory outcomes compared to standard staphylectomy (SS).

Methods: English Bulldogs were randomized to receive FFP or SS in a parallel, equal-allocation, prospective study design at a single institution. Exercise-tolerance testing (ETT), arterial blood gas, head CT, and an owner survey were completed preoperatively and at recheck (approx 30 days postoperatively).

Research note: Effects of L-carnitine and L-arginine on sperm quality and fertility potential of aged broiler breeder roosters.

This objective of this study was to investigate the effects of L-arginine (L-Arg) and L-carnitine (LC) and their mixture in the diet (at lower levels) on sperm quality in aging broiler breeder roosters. Thirty-two broiler breeder roosters of the Arian breed were kept at 50 wk of age after a 12-wk acclimatization period. The birds were divided into four treatments and eight replicates in a completely randomized design.

Efficacy of hyperimmunized egg yolk antibodies (IgY) against Campylobacter jejuni: In Vitro and In Vivo evaluations.

Campylobacter infections are a prevalent cause of diarrheal disease in humans and are the most significant zoonotic pathogens worldwide. Human campylobacteriosis is generally via ingestion of contaminated poultry products. However, based on recent studies chicken egg yolk antibody (IgY) powder has great potential to reduce the cecum load of Campylobacter jejuni (C.

A Scale-Out Study of an Evidence-Based Family Meals Program Delivered in the Head Start Setting: Results, Challenges, and Opportunities.

There is need to identify evidence-based early childhood obesity prevention programs that are feasible and demonstrate cost-effectiveness for a broader health impact. This scale-out study leveraged community-engaged principles to compare the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of three delivery modes of a childhood obesity prevention family meals program (Simple Suppers) that demonstrated positive impacts on child and caregiver diet/nutritional health-related outcomes in a previous experimental trial tested among elementary-aged children. This three-arm (in-person, online, hybrid) pre-(T0) and post-(T1)-test study included families recruited from Head Start.

Dogs neutered prior to perineal herniorrhaphy or that develop postoperative fecal incontinence are at an increased risk for perineal hernia recurrence.

Objective: To identify risk factors for recurrence and surgical site infection (SSI) after perineal hernia repair surgery in dogs.

Methods: Medical records of male dogs undergoing perineal herniorrhaphy from 2008 to 2023 at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Data pertinent to patient signalment, surgical repair methods, risk factors for SSI, and risk factors for recurrence were collected.

DSIF factor Spt5 coordinates transcription, maturation and exoribonucleolysis of RNA polymerase II transcripts.

Precursor messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) is processed into its functional form during RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcription. Although functional coupling between transcription and pre-mRNA processing is established, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. We show that the key transcription termination factor, RNA exonuclease Xrn2 engages with Pol II forming a stable complex.

Structure of the Nipah virus polymerase complex.

Nipah virus is a highly virulent zoonotic paramyxovirus causing severe respiratory and neurological disease. Despite its lethality, there is no approved treatment for Nipah virus infection. The viral polymerase complex, composed of the polymerase (L) and phosphoprotein (P), replicates and transcribes the viral RNA genome.

Diagnosis and hybrid interventional and surgical removal of ectopic heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) in a dog.

An adult male castrated French bulldog mix was presented for suspected caval syndrome and bilateral pelvic limb paresis. After emergency transjugular heartworm extraction, abdominal ultrasound revealed occlusive adult heartworms in the abdominal aorta extending into the pelvic limb arteries. Hybrid interventional and surgical extraction was pursued, and heartworms were removed via bilateral femoral arteriotomy and caudal abdominal aortotomy.

Risk factors affecting all-cause mortality in cats hospitalized by a referral soft tissue service.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to describe the all-cause mortality rate in cats hospitalized by the soft tissue surgery service of an academic referral hospital over a 5-year period and to identify specific risk factors for mortality. The hypotheses were that the all-cause mortality rate during hospitalization would be low, and cats undergoing emergency surgery and those with an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status of 3 or more would be at increased risk for mortality.

Methods: The case log of cats hospitalized by the soft tissue surgery service at the University of Georgia was searched retrospectively to identify all cats hospitalized in the years 2015-2020.

Neural net analysis of NMR spectra from strongly-coupled spin systems.

Extracting parameters such as chemical shifts and coupling constants from proton NMR spectra is often a first step in using spectra for compound identification and structure determination. This can become challenging when scalar couplings between protons are comparable in size to chemical shift differences (strongly coupled), as is often the case with low-field (bench top) spectrometers. Here we explore the potential utility of AI methods, in particular neural networks, for extracting parameters from low-field spectra.

Dogs receiving cyclooxygenase-2-sparing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and/or nonphysiologic steroids are at risk of severe gastrointestinal ulceration.

Objective: To report the incidence and characteristics of gastrointestinal ulceration lesions in dogs receiving an NSAID and/or corticosteroid.

Animals: 33 dogs.

Clinical Presentation: Medical records of dogs with gastrointestinal ulceration receiving NSAIDs and/or corticosteroids within 30 days of diagnosis between January 2012 and July 2022 at multiple referral institutions were reviewed.

Comparison of the effect of anticoccidial drug, probiotic, synbiotic, phytochemicals and vaccine in prevention and control of coccidiosis in broiler chickens challenged with Eimeria spp.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of an anti-coccidiosis drug, vaccine, probiotic, symbiotic, and phytochemicals in the prevention and control of coccidia infection in broilers. A total of 525 one-day-old Ross 308 chicks were randomly allocated to 7 experimental diets with 5 replicates of 15 birds each in a completely randomized design. Experimental diets consisted of negative control (NC) without any additives and not challenged.

Structure of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase P2 from the cystovirus φ8.

The replication of RNA viruses relies on the activity of RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRps). Despite large variations in their genomic sequences, viral RdRps share a common architecture generally known as a closed right hand. The P2 polymerase of cystovirus φ6 is currently among the best characterized viral RdRps.

Effect of repeated steam sterilizations on insertional torque, torque to failure, and axial pullout strength of 3.5-mm and 2.0-mm cortical bone screws.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of repeated steam sterilization cycles on the biomechanical properties of surgical screws.

Methods: 42 3.5-mm and 42 2.

FITT Odyssey: A Scoping Review of Exercise Programs for Managing Rotator Cuff-Related Shoulder Pain.

To summarize the FITT (frequency, intensity, time, type), components of exercise programs included in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared 2 or more programs for managing rotator cuff-related shoulder pain (RCRSP). Scoping review. Electronic searches were conducted up to May 2023.

Structures of H5N1 influenza polymerase with ANP32B reveal mechanisms of genome replication and host adaptation.

Avian influenza A viruses (IAVs) pose a public health threat, as they are capable of triggering pandemics by crossing species barriers. Replication of avian IAVs in mammalian cells is hindered by species-specific variation in acidic nuclear phosphoprotein 32 (ANP32) proteins, which are essential for viral RNA genome replication. Adaptive mutations enable the IAV RNA polymerase (FluPolA) to surmount this barrier.

Improved predictability is needed for calculators used to preoperatively determine the etiology of splenic masses in dogs: an external validation study of the HeLP score and T-STAT.

Objective: To assess the predictability of the hemangiosarcoma likelihood prediction (HeLP) score and the Tufts Splenic Tumor Assessment Tool (T-STAT) for hemangiosarcoma and malignancy, respectively.

Animals: 261 dogs undergoing splenectomy for a splenic mass.

Methods: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed; variables for the HeLP score and T-STAT were collected, and scores were assigned.

Diagnostic and surgical treatment for traumatic bile peritonitis in dogs and cats.

Objective: To describe short-term outcomes of dogs and cats undergoing surgery for traumatic bile peritonitis.

Animals: 13 dogs and 4 cats.

Methods: Multi-institutional, retrospective study.