Asymptomatic infection and antibody prevalence to co-occurring avian influenza viruses vary substantially between sympatric seabird species following H5N1 outbreaks.

Emerging infectious diseases are of major concern to animal and human health. Recent emergence of high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) (H5N1 clade 2.3.

Detection of genetic variability in dairy cattle infectivity for bovine tuberculosis.

This study investigated the genetics of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) infectivity in Holstein-Friesian dairy cows using British national data. The analyses included cows with recorded sires from herds affected by bTB outbreaks between 2000 and 2022. Animals were considered bTB-positive if they reacted positively to the skin test and/or had positive post-mortem findings.

Meat yields and primal cut weights from beef carcasses can be predicted with similar accuracies using in-abattoir 3D measurements or EUROP classification grade.

Three-dimensional (3D) measurements extracted from beef carcass images were used to predict the weight of four saleable meat yield (SMY) traits (total SMY and the SMY of the forequarter, flank, and hindquarter) and four primal cuts (sirloin, ribeye, topside and rump). Data were collected at two UK abattoirs using time-of-flight cameras and manual bone out methods. Predictions were made for 484 carcasses, using multiple linear regression (MLR) or machine learning (ML) techniques.

Mosquitoes Reared in Nearby Insectaries at the Same Institution Have Significantly Divergent Microbiomes.

The microbiome influences critical aspects of mosquito biology and variations in microbial composition can impact the outcomes of laboratory studies. To investigate how biotic and abiotic conditions in an insectary affect the composition of the mosquito microbiome, a single cohort of Aedes aegypti eggs was divided into three batches and transferred to three different climate-controlled insectaries within the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. The bacterial microbiome composition was compared as mosquitoes developed, the microbiome of the mosquitoes' food sources was characterised, environmental conditions over time in each insectary were measured, and mosquito development and survival were recorded.

Effect of a single rectal fecal microbiota transplantation on clinical severity and fecal microbial communities in dogs with chronic inflammatory enteropathy.

Background: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been advocated as a treatment for chronic enteropathy (CE) in dogs. However, so far only short-term clinical effects have been reported whereas the effect on the microbiota remains unexplored.

Hypothesis/objectives: Assess if a single FMT enema can lead to clinical improvement in dogs with CE when accompanied by presumed favorable microbiota changes.

Novel yeast Pichia kudriavzevii alleviates aflatoxins induced toxicopathology in broiler chickens through immunomodulation and antioxidant enhancement.

This study aimed to investigate the potential of Pichia kudriavzevii (PK), a newly discovered yeast strain, in alleviating the deleterious effects induced by aflatoxins on broilers. Eighty one-day-old broiler chicks were divided into four groups and subjected to various combinations of aflatoxin dosages at 300 μg/kg of feed alongside PK supplementation at 1 g/kg of feed. Assessment encompassed a comprehensive array of parameters including performance metrics, hepatic and renal biomarkers, interleukin concentrations, blood cell counts, hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, antibody response to sheep red blood cells, lymphoproliferative response to PHA-P, phagocytic response utilizing the carbon clearance assay system, as well as evaluation of oxidants and antioxidants.

Development of a novel Haemabiome tool for the high-throughput analysis of haemopathogen species co-infections in African livestock.

One of the principal limitations on livestock productivity in sub-Saharan Africa is the constraining effect of infectious diseases, including tick-borne blood pathogens. Currently, diagnostic markers for these pathogens are species or genus specific, making it challenging to implement high-throughput screening methods. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a novel high-throughput diagnostic tool capable of detecting a range of important haemopathogens in livestock.

Addressing the emerging threat of Oropouche virus: implications and public health responses for healthcare systems.

Oropouche fever is an increasingly significant health concern in tropical and subtropical areas of South and Central America, and is primarily spread by midge vectors. The Oropouche virus (OROV) was first identified in 1955 and has been responsible for numerous outbreaks, particularly in urban environments. Despite its prevalence, the disease is often under-reported, making it difficult to fully understand its impact.

Mapping quantitative trait loci regions associated with Marek's disease on chicken autosomes by means of selective DNA pooling.

Marek's Disease (MD), which can result in neurological damage and tumour formation, has large effects on the economy and animal welfare of the poultry industry worldwide. Previously, we mapped autosomal MD QTL regions (QTLRs) by individual genotyping of an F population from a full-sib advanced intercross line. We further mapped MD QTLRs on the chicken Z chromosome (GGZ) using the same F population, and by selective DNA pooling (SDP) of 8 elite egg production lines.

Engaging rural communities in Bangladesh to tackle antimicrobial resistance through the Community Dialogue Approach: a process evaluation protocol for COSTAR project in Cumilla, Bangladesh.

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global problem and is especially threatening for low-and-middle income countries like Bangladesh. The COSTAR (Community-led Solutions to Antimicrobial Resistance) project includes a Randomised Control Trial (RCT) which aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Community Dialog Approach (CDA) to improve levels of correct and appropriate knowledge and reported practice about antibiotics, antibiotic use, and antibiotic resistance (ABR) from a One Health perspective, among adult community members in 5 selected sub-districts of Cumilla. The CDA is a community engagement approach involving community members in active discussions also known as Community Dialogs (CD), run by local facilitators.

VPS28 regulates triglyceride synthesis via ubiquitination in bovine mammary epithelial cells.

VPS28 (vacuolar protein sorting 28) is a subunit of the endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRTs) and is involved in ubiquitination. Ubiquitination is a critical system for protein degradation in eukaryotes. Considering the recent findings on the role of ubiquitination in the regulation of lipid metabolism, we hypothesized that VPS28 might affect the expression of genes involved in milk fat synthesis.

Whole genome sequencing of three native chicken varieties (Common Deshi, Hilly and Naked Neck) of Bangladesh.

Bangladeshi indigenous chicken varieties - Common Deshi, Hilly and Naked Neck are notable for their egg production, meat quality, extraordinary survivability and disease resistance. However, the potential to harness their unique genetic merits are being eroded by various factors, including crossbreeding. In-depth genomic studies have not been carried out on these breeds so far.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine effectiveness against hospitalizations in adults.

Background: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Pfizer/BioNTech BNT162b2, and Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccines were central to the global pandemic control measures.

Methods: Here, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate their real-world vaccine effectiveness (VE). Our study focussed on those that reported the efficacy of these vaccines against COVID-19 hospitalization.

QTL mapping provides new insights into emamectin benzoate resistance in salmon lice, Lepeophtheirus salmonis.

Background: The salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) is a parasite of wild and farmed salmonid fish, causing huge economic damage to the commercial farming of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in the northern hemisphere. The avermectin emamectin benzoate (EMB) is widely used for salmon delousing. While resistance to EMB is widespread in Atlantic populations of L.

The m6A demethylase ALKBH5 is a novel epigenetic regulator of aortic valve calcification.

Aims: Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is a common heart valve disease with significant clinical consequences. The mechanisms that drive the pathogenesis of CAVD remain to be fully elucidated. N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most prevalent RNA epigenetic regulator, has recently been implicated in cardiovascular disease, but its role in CAVD has yet to be investigated.

Feline dystocia and kitten mortality up to 12 weeks in pedigree cats.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to establish the incidence of dystocia in pedigree cat breeds and investigate mortality rates in kittens up to the age of 12 weeks.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted that utilised convenience sampling. Registered cat breeders from 29 countries whose cats had given birth within a single year (2019) were asked to complete an online questionnaire.

Accounting for the nuclear and mito genome in dairy cattle breeding-A simulation study.

Mitochondria play a significant role in numerous cellular processes through proteins encoded by both the nuclear genome (nDNA) and mito genome (mDNA), and increasing evidence shows that traits of interest might be affected by mito-nuclear interactions. Whereas the variation in nDNA is influenced by mutations and recombination of parental genomes, the variation in mDNA is solely driven by mutations. In addition, mDNA is inherited in a haploid form, from the dam.

Development of a qPCR assay for the quantification of canine autosomal DNA recovered from livestock attacks.

The absence of a standardised method to quantify canine DNA recovered from livestock attacks leaves forensic providers without an important quality control step to help support their decision making. Typically used to normalise the amount of DNA for STR amplification, modern forensic DNA quantification approaches use qPCR of target genes and can also include an Internal Positive Controls (IPC) to determine the presence of PCR inhibitors. The co-amplification of livestock DNA alongside canine DNA has meant that previously developed qPCR methods are not suitable for use so a standardised approach is needed.

CRISPR-Cas Systems in the Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance: Current Status, Potentials, and Future Directions.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health concern that threatens the efficacy of existing antibiotics and poses significant challenges to public health and the economy worldwide. This review explores the potential of CRISPR-Cas systems as a novel approach to combating AMR and examines current applications, limitations, and prospects.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science, covering publications published from 2014 to August 2024.

Evaluation of risk-based travel policy for the COVID-19 epidemic in Scotland: a population-based surveillance study.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the effects of risk-based travel restrictions on (1) international travel frequency, (2) SARS-CoV-2 case importation risk, (3) national SARS-CoV-2 incidence and (4) importation of SARS-CoV-2 variants into Scotland.

Design: Population-based surveillance study.

Setting: The study utilises SARS-CoV-2 community testing from February 2021 to May 2022 in Scotland, UK and spans the introduction of the UK's 'traffic light system' policy in May 2021.

Extraordinary diversity of the CD28/CTLA4 family across jawed vertebrates.

Members of the CD28 family are critical for the control of immune cell activation. While CD28 and CTLA4 were previously identified in teleost fish, most members of the CD28 family have been described only in tetrapods. Using a comparative genomics approach, we found (co)orthologs of all members of the CD28 family both in Chondrichthyes and basal Osteichthyes groups, but not in Agnathans.

The structure of the porcine uterine-conceptus interface is associated with gestational day, fetal size and sex.

This study aimed to characterize histological changes of the maternal-conceptus interface in feto-placental units associated with fetal weight and sex throughout pregnancy. Pregnant Large-White X Landrace gilts(n=18) were euthanized and hysterectomized on gestational days[GDs] 30(n=3), 45(n=5), 60(n=5), and 90(n=5). Intact cross-sections of fetoplacental interface associated with the lightest[LW] and normally-grown[NW] littermates were collected on GD30(n=4 per size).