Cortical Coding of Gustatory and Thermal Signals in Active Licking Mice.

Eating behaviors are influenced by the integration of gustatory, olfactory, and somatosensory signals, which all contribute to the perception of flavor. Although extensive research has explored the neural correlates of taste in the gustatory cortex (GC), less is known about its role in encoding thermal information. This study investigates the encoding of oral thermal and chemosensory signals by GC neurons compared to the oral somatosensory cortex.

Evaluation of In Vitro Synergistic Effects of Tetracycline with Alkaloid-Related Compounds against Diarrhoeic Bacteria.

Diarrhoea remains an important public health concern, particularly in developing countries, and has become difficult to treat because of antibacterial resistance. The development of synergistic antimicrobial agents appears to be a promising alternative treatment against diarrhoeic infections. In this study, the combined effect of tetracycline together with either nitroxoline, sanguinarine, or zinc pyrithione (representing various classes of plant-based compounds) was evaluated in vitro against selected diarrhoeic bacteria (, , , , , and ).

Statistical Analysis of Complex Shape Graphs.

This paper provides developments in statistical shape analysis of shape graphs, and demonstrates them using such complex objects as Retinal Blood Vessel (RBV) networks and neurons. The shape graphs are represented by sets of nodes and edges (articulated curves) connecting some nodes. The goals are to utilize nodes (locations, connectivity) and edges (edge weights and shapes) to: (1) characterize shapes, (2) quantify shape differences, and (3) model statistical variability.

Reproductive tract morphology and symmetry of farmed common eland (Tragelaphus oryx) bulls, and their relationship with secondary sexual traits and social rank.

Common eland bulls are important game ranching animals in southern Africa, for tourism, breeding/live sales, trophy hunting, and game meat production. Interest has grown in their production potential, intensifying animal husbandry and breeding approaches. However, little scientific information is available regarding the intensive management of this species, including information regarding scientifically based selection criteria for breeding bulls.

The Effect of Sex on the Chemical and Mineral Composition of the Meat, Bone and Liver of Giraffe ().

Consumers tend to buy meat based on visual physical characteristics, which are affected by the chemical composition of the meat, and there is very little known about the chemical composition of the meat of giraffe. This study therefore aims to broaden the knowledge base on the chemical composition of giraffe meat, rib bone and liver. Eight different muscles from 15 giraffes were analyzed to determine the chemical composition, yielding an average moisture of 77.

Effects of temperament during handling and social rank on the blood biochemical parameters of common eland (Taurotragus oryx).

Large herbivores are subject to handling and social stress in captivity. These may affect blood biochemical values, which motivated this research. Twelve healthy common eland (Taurotragus oryx) were monitored for 12 months.

Consumer acceptance and quality of game meat "droëwors" sausages with different levels of added fat.

Droëwors (dried sausage) is a unique dried meat product from South Africa, which is not smoked, fermented, nor is nitrite used in its production. The objective of the study was to compare the quality parameters and consumer acceptance of common eland meat droëwors with different quantities of added beef fat. Three treatments containing either 10, 15, or 20% (by weight) added beef fat were compared regarding chemical composition, fatty acid profiles, and sensory properties.

Effects of Immunocastration and Amino Acid Supplementation on Yearling Fallow Deer () Testes Development.

Forty-four fallow deer bucks (10 months old; 22.9 ± 2.4 kg) were utilized to investigate the effects of immunocastration and amino acid supplementation on testes development.

Overview of game meat utilisation challenges and opportunities: A European perspective.

Re-wilding and similar initiatives have resulted in an increase in wildlife suitable for human consumption in Europe. However, game meat production and consumption present several challenges, including infectious diseases which pose risks to livestock, processers, and consumers. This review provides insights into the infectious diseases and toxic contaminants associated with game meat.

Ultrasound modulates neuronal potassium currents via ionotropic glutamate receptors.

Background: Focused ultrasound stimulation (FUS) has the potential to provide non-invasive neuromodulation of deep brain regions with unparalleled spatial precision. However, the cellular and molecular consequences of ultrasound stimulation on neurons remains poorly understood. We previously reported that ultrasound stimulation induces increases in neuronal excitability that persist for hours following stimulation in vitro.

Effects of immunocastration and supplementary feeding level on the performance and blood biochemical markers of farmed yearling fallow deer (Dama dama).

In cervids, blood biochemical markers may reflect changes in various physiological and environmental factors, especially in response to changes in metabolism following nutrient supplementation or the manipulation of hormone production. Decreasing androgen production through immunocastration (IC) to ease the husbandry of male animals is currently a more ethically acceptable method than physical castration, but its commercial use is unexplored in fallow deer. Forty yearlings male fallow deer were grouped into four treatment combinations: IC on high (200 g commercial pellets + 600 g concentrate mixture of 90% oats and 10% wheat grains) or low (100 g commercial pellets + 300 g concentrate mixture of 90% oats and 10% wheat grains) level of feed supplementation, or noncastrated bucks on a high or low level of feed supplementation.

Potential benefits of amino acid supplementation for cervid performance and nutritional ecology, with special focus on lysine and methionine: A review.

Deer farming is a thriving industry for venison, velvet antlers, trophy hunting, and other by-products. Feeding and nutrition are important factors for improving production performance, especially dietary protein and amino acids (AAs), as they are the main components of all tissues. Only a few studies on AA supplementation (Lys, Met, Arg) have been performed on cervids, which show positive effects on weight gain, ADG, feed-:gain ratio, plasma AAs, carcass weight, dressing percentage, yield of high-quality muscles, storage of internal fat during winter, DM and CP digestibility, plasma protein- and fat-related metabolite concentrations, antler burr perimeter, weight, length and mineralisation, velvet antler yield, rumen volatile fatty acids, and microbiome composition.

Carcass and Offal Yields of Farmed Common Eland () Males, as Affected by Age and Immunocastration.

This study investigated the effects of immunocastration and slaughter age on the carcass yield performance of intensively farmed common eland males. Eighteen male eland (five immunocastrated juveniles, three intact juveniles, five immunocastrated sub-adults, and five intact sub-adults) were finished for four months, after which their carcass, offal, primal cut, and individual muscle yields were determined. Juveniles were ~6 months of age at the start of the experiment, while sub-adults were ~1.

spirochetes in European exotic farm animals.

Ticks transmit a broad spectrum of pathogens, threatening both animal and human health. Tick survival and proliferation are strongly dependent on host selection and suitability. The hard tick , which is widespread throughout most of Europe, is a host generalist capable of feeding on many different vertebrate species.

Active Licking Shapes Cortical Taste Coding.

Neurons in the gustatory cortex (GC) represent taste through time-varying changes in their spiking activity. The predominant view is that the neural firing rate represents the sole unit of taste information. It is currently not known whether the phase of spikes relative to lick timing is used by GC neurons for taste encoding.

Physical properties during a 28-day ageing period of blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi) Longissimus thoracis et lumborum and Biceps femoris muscles.

The study aimed to determine the effect of sex, muscle-type, and ageing on the physical properties of blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi) Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) and Biceps femoris (BF) muscles. Randomly assigned steak samples from twenty mature blesbok (10 of each sex) antelope were vacuum-packed and stored at 4.4 ± 1 °C for 2, 4, 7, 10, 17 and 28 ageing days.

The effect of housing system on rabbit growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality characteristics of different muscles.

The present study analysed the effect of housing system (caged versus penned) on the growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of rabbits. The physiochemical quality of five muscles was evaluated, together with the chemical composition and fatty acid profile of the meat from the hind leg. Sensory properties of the longissimus lumborum (LL) was also assessed.

Physical meat quality characteristics of Angolan giraffe (Giraffa giraffa angolensis) as affected by sex and muscle.

Giraffe numbers grow exponentially when farmed, necessitating periodic culling. This study quantified the effect of sex and muscle on the physical quality characteristics of eight giraffe muscles. The Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) was the only parameter to be affected by an interaction between sex and muscle (P < 0.

Preferences and acceptance of Czech and Spanish consumers regarding beef with varying intramuscular fat content.

Understanding the factors affecting meat eating quality and consumer demand is essential for estimating future trends in meat consumption. The objective of the study was therefore to compare Czech and Spanish consumer attitudes and preferences in relation to beef intramuscular fat content. Three hundred and one consumers participated in the study; they completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and evaluated grilled beef samples of three varying intramuscular fat contents (low, medium, high).

Histological composition, physiochemical parameters, and organoleptic properties of three muscles from Fleckvieh bulls and heifers.

The histochemical characteristics, physical attributes, chemical composition, and sensory profile of three muscles (longissimus thoracis et lumborum - LTL, rectus abdominis - RA, triceps brachii - TB) from Fleckvieh (N = 24) bulls and heifers were compared. Samples of each muscle were taken within 1 h of slaughter to assess muscle fibre traits, while physio-chemical meat quality was assessed in each muscle at 48 h post mortem, followed by the sensory assessment of the muscles after 7 days of ageing. Despite identical raising conditions, bulls showed more favourable growth and slaughter performance, but heifers produced meat with more favourable sensory characteristics, as a result of a higher proportion of IIB fibres in their muscles, as well as a higher intramuscular fat content, and lower collagen content.

Muscle yields and physical meat quality characteristics of hot- vs. cold-deboned ostrich (Struthio camelus) meat.

The quality of hot-deboned (within 90 min post-mortem; left leg) and cold-deboned (<4 °C, 24 h post-mortem; right leg) muscles of 15 ostriches were evaluated. The fan fillet, rump, big drum, moon, and triangle steaks were used to establish quality characteristics. Hot-deboning had no effect on the quality parameters; differences amongst muscles were found.

A collaborative approach to adopting/adapting guidelines. The Australian 24-hour movement guidelines for children (5-12 years) and young people (13-17 years): An integration of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep.

Background: In 2018, the Australian Government updated the Australian Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for Children and Young People. A requirement of this update was the incorporation of a 24-hour approach to movement, recognising the importance of adequate sleep. The purpose of this paper was to describe how the updated Australian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Young People (5 to 17 years): an integration of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep were developed and the outcomes from this process.

Carcass Yields and Physical-Chemical Meat Quality Characteristics of Namibian Red Hartebeest () as Influenced by Sex and Muscle.

This study determined the carcass yields of red hartebeest from Namibia and compared the physical-chemical meat quality characteristics of six different muscles () for both males and females. Red hartebeest males were heavier (133.92 kg) than females (114.

A prognostic information system for real-time personalized care: Lessons for embedded researchers.

Embedded researchers could play a central role in developing tools to personalize care using electronic medical records (EMRs). However, few studies have described the steps involved in developing such tools, or evaluated the key factors in success and failure. This case study describes how we used an EMR-derived data warehouse to develop a prototype informatics tool to help oncologists counsel patients with pancreatic cancer about their prognosis.