Land Use Change Consistently Reduces α- But Not β- and γ-Diversity of Bees.

Land use change threatens global biodiversity and compromises ecosystem functions, including pollination and food production. Reduced taxonomic α-diversity is often reported under land use change, yet the impacts could be different at larger spatial scales (i.e.

Edible Berries-An Update on Nutritional Composition and Health Benefits-Part II.

Purpose Of Review: Berries are a great source of fiber, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and beneficial secondary metabolites (polyphenols). Various phytochemicals present in berries (glycosidic-linked flavonoids, anthocyanins, etc.) provide potential health benefits to consumers.

Edible Berries- An Update on Nutritional Composition and Health Benefits- Part III.

Purpose Of Review: The diverse polyphenolic components present in these berries are responsible for their functional properties in human health. Hence, there is an increasing demand for research in berry bioactive components to understand the mechanism of action in alleviating and preventing diseases. Therefore, in this last part-III of the review series, mulberry, raspberry, salmonberry, Saskatoonberry, and strawberry are discussed in terms of their bioactive components and corresponding substantial health benefits.

Edible Berries- An Update on Nutritional Composition and Health Benefits-Part I.

Purpose Of Review: This review delves comprehensively into the nutritional profiles and diverse biological activities of different berries. So far 19 different types of berries have been identified for human consumption and studied for their nutritional and biological activities. Among them, acai berry, blueberry, blackberry, black currant, boysenberry, and bilberry have been summarized in this review (Part I).

Economic effects of livestock disease burden in Ethiopia: A computable general equilibrium analysis.

The burden of animal disease is widespread globally and is especially severe for developing countries dependent on livestock production. Ethiopia has the largest livestock population in Africa and the second-largest human population on the continent. Ethiopia is one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa; however, much of the population still lives in extreme poverty, and most households depend on agriculture.

Ocular and perineal squamous cell carcinomas in a Holstein Friesian cow.

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in domestic cattle is an economically significant malignant neoplasm and has been documented primarily in ocular and periocular tissues, vulva, and perineum. SCCs are often slow-growing and locally invasive, but metastasis is uncommon. Increased risk of developing SCC has been predominantly associated with high levels of sunlight exposure and hypopigmentation (skin and conjunctiva).

Effects of a pre-weaning socialization system on piglet livability, lifetime growth performance, and subsequent sow performance.

A total of 3,307 (PIC L 42) sows and 55,160 piglets were used to determine the effects of different farrowing systems on piglet livability and lifetime growth performance. Treatments were assigned to farrowing rooms and consisted of a conventional farrowing system (sows and piglets housed in individual farrowing stalls) or a pre-weaning socialization system (stall dividers removed between farrowing stalls and walkways within 6 to 24 h post-farrowing such that 12 to 32 litters of piglets were co-mingled). A total of 40 farrowing rooms with 80 stalls each were used with 20 rooms per treatment.

The effect of temporal resolution and contact duration on Real-Time location system-based contact networks for confined feedlot cattle.

Empirical data on livestock contact networks are scarce but digital technologies are increasingly used to characterize animal behavior and describe the dynamics of contact networks. The objective of this study was to use contact network analysis to quantify contacts within three pens of feedlot cattle across three consecutive years at varying temporal resolutions to better inform the construction of network-based disease transmission models for cattle within confined-housing systems. We also aimed to describe the influence of the variation in Real-Time Location System (RTLS) average tag read rates and the effect of increasing minimum contact duration (MCD) on the contact networks of feedlot cattle.

Diaci v3.0: chromosome-level assembly, de novo transcriptome, and manual annotation of Diaphorina citri, insect vector of Huanglongbing.

Background: Diaphorina citri is an insect vector of "Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus" (CLas), the gram-negative bacterial pathogen associated with citrus greening disease. Control measures rely on pesticides with negative impacts on the environment, natural ecosystems, and human and animal health. In contrast, gene-targeting methods have the potential to specifically target the vector species and/or reduce pathogen transmission.

Dynamic principles of the microbiome and the bovine vagina: a review.

The role of microbes inhabiting various body sites in supporting host physiology and health is substantial, and recent advancements in DNA sequencing technology have facilitated a more in-depth understanding of these microbial contributions. The influence of microbiota within a given organ can be broadly categorized as having two main functions: (1) promoting organ homeostasis and (2) creating conditions that inhibit the growth of pathogenic microorganisms, thereby protecting the host from diseases. In livestock production, numerous phenotypes critical to industry outcomes are affected by the microbiome, which has sparked considerable academic interest in recent years.

Prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria species and associated risk factors for contamination of milk and cottage cheese along the value chains in Ethiopia.

This study aimed to comprehensively examine the prevalence of L. monocytogenes and Listeria spp. in dairy products including raw milk, pasteurized milk, and cottage cheese, and identify potential risk factors for contamination throughout the dairy value chain in major milk sheds in Ethiopia.

Influence of added 1,25(OH)D-glycoside on nursery pig growth performance, bone measurements, and cytokine concentrations.

A total of 2,268 crossbred pigs (L337 × 1050, PIC; initially 5.5 ± 0.18 kg) were used in a 42-d growth study to evaluate the effects of 1,25(OH)D-glycoside provided from a plant extract on growth performance, bone characteristics, and serum criteria of nursery pigs.

Determination of Protein Interaction in Milk Protein Concentrate Powders Manufactured from pH-Adjusted and Heat-Treated Skim Milk.

The influence of heating as a pretreatment on the structural and functional attributes of milk protein concentrate (MPC) powders derived from ultrafiltered/diafiltered (UF/DF) skim milk is under-reported. This research delves into the impact of pH and heat treatment on skim milk's properties before UF/DF and how these changes affect the resulting MPC powders. By adjusting the pH of skim milk to 6.

Associations Between Sociodemographic Factors and Adolescent Food Consumption During Independent Eating Occasions.

Associations were examined between sociodemographic characteristics of a US online survey sample of caregiver/adolescent dyads ( = 533) and food intake during independent eating occasions. Caregivers reported sociodemographic characteristics for dyads. Adolescents reported daily intake frequency of sugar-sweetened beverages, junk foods, sugary foods, fast food, and fruits and vegetables during independent eating occasions.

Using diagnostic data from veterinary diagnostic laboratories to unravel macroepidemiological aspects of porcine circoviruses 2 and 3 in the United States from 2002-2023.

Porcine circoviruses (PCVs), including porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) and porcine circovirus 3 (PCV3), have been associated with clinical syndromes in swine, resulting in significant economic losses. To better understand the epidemiology and clinical relevance of PCV2 and PCV3, this study analyzed a dataset comprising diagnostic data from six veterinary diagnostic laboratories (VDLs) in the United States of America. The data comprised of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results, sample type, and age group for PCV2 and PCV3 submissions from 2002-2023.

An industry survey of the composition and variability of soybean gums and soapstocks across US soybean processing plants.

Depending on the soybean processing plant, gums and soapstocks may be added back to soybean meal during soybean processing. Despite potential effects on soybean meal quality, there is limited information available on the composition and variation in soybean by-products and the resulting soybean meal if by-products are added back during processing. A total of 36 soybean by-product samples from 14 plants across 8 different companies were examined in an industry survey evaluating the composition and variation of soybean gums and soapstocks across the United States.

Effect of shade and limit feeding in growing beef heifers during periods of heat stress.

Experiments were conducted during the summers of 2021 and 2022 to evaluate the effects of feeding strategy and shade on growth performance, animal comfort, water usage, apparent diet digestibility, and ruminal fermentation characteristics of growing heifers during periods of heat stress. In Exp. 1, 852 heifers (initial body weight [BW] = 251 ± 13 kg) were assigned to one of 4 treatments: high-energy diet limit-fed at 2.

A revision and addition to Zopheridae (Coleoptera: Tenebrionoidea) in Baltic amber: possible connections between modern Holarctic distributions and Eocene 'amber forests'.

One new extinct genus and six new extinct species of Zopheridae are described and illustrated from Eocene Baltic amber: Usechus andrushchenkoi Alekseev et Bukejs sp. nov., Coxelus carstengroehni Alekseev et Bukejs sp.

Spatiotemporal occupancy patterns of chronic wasting disease.

Introduction: Chronic wasting disease (CWD) among cervids in Kansas has seen a consistent rise over the years, both in terms of the number of infections and its geographical spread. In this study, we assessed the occupancy patterns of CWD among white-tailed deer and mule deer across the state.

Methods: Using surveillance data collected since 2005, we applied a dynamic patch occupancy model within a Bayesian framework, incorporating various environmental covariates.

Molecular Structure of the Na,K-ATPase α4β1 Isoform in Its Ouabain-Bound Conformation.

Na,K-ATPase is the active ion transport system that maintains the electrochemical gradients for Na and K across the plasma membrane of most animal cells. Na,K-ATPase is constituted by the association of two major subunits, a catalytic α and a glycosylated β subunit, both of which exist as different isoforms (in mammals known as α1, α2, α3, α4, β1, β2 and β3). Na,K-ATPase α and β isoforms assemble in different combinations to produce various isozymes with tissue specific expression and distinct biochemical properties.

Probiotics and eating disorders: a systematic review of humans and animal model studies.

Background: Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that significantly impact physical and mental well-being. Current research suggests a potential link between eating disorders and the gut microbiota, highlighting the role of gut-brain communication and its influence on nutrient absorption. Probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria, have shown promise in modulating the gut microbiota and may offer complementary interventions in the treatment of eating disorders.

Sensory Issues and Their Impact Among Autistic Children: A Cross-Sectional Study in Northern Sri Lanka.

Background: Sensory processing issues are among the key diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). As altered sensory processing causes autistic children to react differently to sensory experiences and has a profound impact on their development, affecting their learning ability, social interaction, and ability to adapt to a new environment, there is a need to recognize and address these issues in children diagnosed with ASD during assessments and interventions. This study aimed to identify the patterns of sensory issues and their impact, and selected correlates among autistic children attending a center for neurodevelopmental disorders in northern Sri Lanka.