Veterinary journal最新文献

In higher education, digital tools are increasingly integrated into teaching and assessment, providing flexible and interactive approaches that enhance learning and engagement. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Moodle-based questionnaires as a formative and assessment tool in the Cytology and Histology subject of the first year of the Veterinary Science Degree. We aimed to: (i) assess student satisfaction, (ii) examine their relationship with academic performance, and (iii) determine the quality of question formats (cloze, match, multiple-choice, and essay) to inform future quiz design by combining student perceptions and objective psychometric indexes (facility, discrimination, and discriminative efficiency). Over two academic years (2022-23, n=138 students; 2023-24, n=125 students), two types of quizzes were evaluated: in-class quizzes for resolving doubts and self-assessment quizzes for exam preparation. Participation was generally high (>80% on average), except for in-class questionnaires in 2022-23 (67.9%). Students perceived the quizzes as useful for exam preparation (96.2-97.1%) and supporting learning (51.4-53.9%). They also found them easy to use (96.2-97.1%) and recommended their implementation in other subjects (77.1-96.2%). Quiz completion and performance were generally positively correlated with exam outcomes. Among the different formats, cloze and matching questions were the most effective. However, cloze questions varied in discriminative efficiency, while multiple-choice questions demonstrated significantly lower discrimination. Student perceptions of question difficulty and of which questions best reflected knowledge varied between cohorts. Online quizzes effectively promote student engagement and performance, but their success may depend on careful planning, quiz design, and student needs. Continuous refinement using objective metrics and student feedback is essential to maximize formative value.

The present study aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the commercial Alertys OnFarm Pregnancy Test (AOPT) based on pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) for early pregnancy diagnosis in ewes. A total of 100 multiparous Awassi ewes were synchronised for estrus and mated during the non-breeding season. Whole blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of all ewes on days 21, 28, and 35 after mating. The AOPT was first performed on the collected whole blood samples. Plasma PAG concentrations were then determined by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Pregnancy diagnosis was made on the same days by transrectal ultrasonography (USG), which was accepted as the reference standard. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of AOPT compared to USG on days 21, 28, and 35 after mating were calculated. In addition, the diagnostic performance of plasma PAG concentrations for predicting pregnancy status was evaluated by determining cut-off values and conducting receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. When the results were examined, the sensitivity of AOPT was calculated as 77.55 %, specificity as 92.15 %, PPV as 90.47 %, NPV as 81.03 % and accuracy as 85.00 % at 21 days after mating and showed strong agreement with transrectal USG (Kappa= 0.699; P < 0.001). In contrast, the sensitivity (95.55 %) and accuracy (93.00 %) of AOPT on day 28 improved significantly, showing almost perfect agreement with USG (Kappa= 0.859; P < 0.001). On day 35, AOPT achieved the highest diagnostic performance compared to other pregnancy days with 100 % sensitivity, 96.49 % specificity, and 98.00 % accuracy (Kappa= 0.959; P < 0.001). Plasma PAG levels (OD) were significantly higher in pregnant ewes than in non-pregnant ewes at all time points (P < 0.001). The optimal cut-off values for pregnancy detection were determined as > 0.28 on day 21 (AUC= 0.941), > 0.48 on day 28 (AUC= 0.986), and > 0.43 on day 35 (AUC= 1.000). In conclusion, AOPT can be considered a practical, rapid, and reliable method for early pregnancy detection in ewes, particularly from day 28 post-mating. However, possible false-negative results that may occur very early in pregnancy and false-positive results due to embryonic loss later in pregnancy necessitate careful interpretation and, if necessary, repeat testing or confirmation with USG.

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a common cause of cow-associated bovine mastitis and continues to pose a challenge in dairy herds. Early and accurate diagnosis is essential for effective control and treatment of the infection. This study developed a field-adapted molecular workflow combining a simple DNA extraction method with a colourimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay targeting the nuc gene for S. aureus detection, and a second LAMP assay targeting the mecA gene to identify methicillin resistance. LAMP results were benchmarked against PCR using 14 milk samples confirmed as S. aureus-positive by culture and MALDI-TOF MS. A secondary aim of the study was to investigate the genetic diversity of S. aureus isolates from cases of bovine mastitis in Australia by analysis of the spa gene. The spa genotyping was carried out using PCR followed by high-resolution melt (HRM) curve analysis, supported by a mathematical model based on genotype confidence percentage (GCP) values and validated by DNA sequencing. The nuc-LAMP assay demonstrated 89.5% sensitivity and 100% specificity relative to PCR, while the mecA-LAMP assay showed complete agreement with PCR in identifying methicillin-susceptible isolates. Among 14 positive milk samples, nine distinct spa types were identified by sequencing, reflecting high genetic diversity. The GCP-based model provided a reproducible and objective method for assigning spa types, even when melt curve differences were subtle. This integrated, low-cost approach offers a practical solution for point-of-care mastitis diagnostics and antimicrobial resistance monitoring using LAMP, particularly suited to resource-limited and remote farm settings, followed by laboratory-based spa genotyping through HRM for strain characterisation.

This study biomechanically evaluated three titanium locking plate constructs for stabilizing a segmental defect model that simulated a comminuted femoral shaft fracture in cats. Four groups were formed: G1 - single locking plate; G2 - plate-rod construct; G3 - dual plate in an orthogonal configuration; and G4 - intact bone. G1 used 16-hole locking plate with bicortical screws placed in holes 1, 3, 7, 10, 14, and 16. In G2, an intramedullary pin was included, with monocortical screws in the same positions. In G3, screws were placed as in G1, except that monocortical screws were used in holes 7 and 10. Additionally, an 8-hole plate was applied in orthogonal configuration, with monocortical screws placed in holes 1, 3, 6, and 8. All constructs underwent cyclic eccentric axial compression, followed by destructive testing, except G4, which was tested only destructively. During cyclic testing, stiffness did not differ between G2 and G3, while G1 exhibited lower stiffness. Deformation measured with Gauge 1 (16-hole plate) was greatest in G1, with no significant difference between G2 and G3. Deformation measured with Gauge 2 (intramedullary pin and orthogonal plate) was greater in G2 than in G3. In destructive testing, stiffness did not differ between G1 and G2, or between G2 and G3. Maximum force and displacement did not differ among Groups 1, 2 and 3. Group 4 differ from other groups for these variables. In conclusion, both the locking plate-rod construct and the dual titanium locking plate demonstrated similar stiffness, but locking plate-rod configuration exhibited greater deformation.

Syngnathids are teleost fishes that include seahorses, pipefishes, and seadragons, which are commonly displayed in public aquariums. There is limited bibliographic information available regarding the diseases affecting these species. A retrospective pathological study was conducted on 392 syngnathids: 274 seahorses, 92 pipefishes, and 26 seadragons from various aquaria. All individuals underwent necropsy and histopathology, with molecular (n=63) and parasitological (n=45) analyses conducted on selected cases. The identified pathologies were classified as either infectious or environmental based on their etiology. Among the infectious agents, non-mycobacterial bacteria were the most prevalent (15.1%), followed by mycobacteria (6.1%). Parasites represented the second most relevant group, ciliated protists (10.2%) were most common; of which scuticociliates were most the frequently observed. Trematodes were detected in 6.1% of cases, while cestodes and nematodes were each identified in 0.24% of individuals. In addition, two species of myxozoans, as well as Sphaeromyxa sp., were identified (2.7%). Lastly, phaeohyphomycosis was observed in 1.46% of the specimens. Within the environmental category, the most frequent pathology was bilateral symmetrical myopathy (34.1%), followed by gas bubble disease (4.63%). No neoplastic or congenital diseases were observed. This study stands out for the large number and diversity of species analyzed, significantly advancing our understanding of pathology in this group of fishes. Several etiological agents not previously reported in syngnathids were observed for the first time (morphology compatible with C. longicollis, Sphaeromyxa sp., Trypanorhyncha gen. sp., among others).

The aim of this trial was to provide a fibrous supplement in the transition diet of sows to decrease sows' constipation, improve farrowing kinetics, increase colostrum antibodies, and modulate sows' and piglets' microbiota. At day 90 of pregnancy sows were fed a standard gestation diet until farrowing (CON, n = 101) or a standard gestation diet added of 400 g of a fibrous supplement (40 % wheat bran, 25 % lignocellulose, 25 % citrus pulp, and 10 % guar gum) (FIB, n = 101). After farrowing, sows were fed a standard lactation diet, and FIB sows were fed 400 g of the fibrous supplement on top of the feed for five days. Sows from FIB had a lower (p < 0.01) incidence of constipation pre-farrowing and on the day of farrowing. Sows from FIB had a 23 min shorter (p = 0.01) farrowing duration compared to CON-sows. Sows from CON had a higher (p < 0.01) feed intake on days two and three post-farrowing. Both IgG and IgA concentrations were higher in the FIB-supplemented sows (p = 0.01). The fecal microbiome of sows and piglets was similar (p > 0.43) between groups. During the first week of life, piglets born from FIB-sows had decreased (p = 0.04) diarrhea incidence. In conclusion, the benefits of the fibrous supplement were evident in peripartal sows by decreasing farrowing duration and constipation and by increasing the concentration of immunoglobulins in the colostrum. For newborn piglets, the fibrous supplement fed to the sows did not significantly alter the fecal microbiome of sows and their litters. Nevertheless, benefits were observed in their resistance to neonatal diarrhea. Thus, using a fiber supplement in transition diets in farms may ease the management in the farrowing room and improve early-life robustness in piglets, which may decrease medication demands during the first week, contributing to more efficient neonatal care and better overall litter performance.

To alleviate weaning distress in beef calves, we evaluated the effect of nose-flap (NF), social facilitator cow (SF), and their interactions on behavior, hair cortisol level, and performance. Forty-eight cows nursing calves were randomly allocated to one of four treatments, in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: without (-) / with (+) NF and absence (-)/presence (+) of SF. Nose-flaps were placed on calves on day -13; SF was introduced on paddock on day -7; and remote physical separation was on day 0. Behaviors were recorded on days -14, -13, -7, 0, 1, 2, 3, and 7; body weight on -29, -1, and 8; and hair samples were taken on -19 and 91. On day -13, feeding behaviors and lying down decreased; and on -7, drinking water and lying down decreased. On day 0, walking, standing, and vocalizing increased, without calves lying down. Calves from the +NF group diminished vocalization, standing, and walking behavior and increased grazing behavior. Calves from the +SF group increased graze behavior and reduced suckling attempts and vocalizing behaviors. From day -29 to -1, average daily gain (ADG) from the +NF-SF group was greater than that from the +NF+SF. From day -29 to 8 and from -1 to 8, all calves showed negative ADG. Hair cortisol concentration was greater post- than pre-weaning and in +SF than in -SF calves. Interaction between NF and SF cow seems not to be favorable to alleviate calf-weaning distress; however, the social facilitator cow promotes a more rapid adaptation after weaning than the nose-flap use.

Hepatic fasciolosis represents a major health and production concern in sheep farming. Although ultrasonography has been used to evaluate fasciolosis in ruminants, the feasibility of a rapid ultrasonographic protocol performed in standing sheep under field conditions has not been specifically described. This study aimed to provide a preliminary, descriptive evaluation of the feasibility of a fast on-farm ultrasonographic protocol for the assessment of hepatic alterations in sheep with suspected chronic fasciolosis. Sixteen Sarda sheep with Fasciola hepatica fecal eggs count > 100 eggs per gram underwent clinical examination, hematological tests, and liver ultrasonography. Three sheep were slaughtered, and their livers were examined by gross pathology and histopathology. The median duration of the ultrasonographic examination was 2.5 min per animal. Recurrent ultrasonographic features included heterogeneous parenchymal echotexture and echogenicity (87.5 %), irregular diaphragmatic liver surface (68.8 %), moderate to severe bile duct dilatation (50 %), and thickened gallbladder walls (56 %). In a subset of animals (37.5 %), intraluminal structures compatible with adult flukes were visualized within the biliary tract. Pathological and histological findings in the necropsied animals were consistent with the ultrasonographic features observed in vivo. This study provides preliminary descriptive evidence that a rapid hepatic ultrasonography protocol is feasible under field conditions in standing sheep with suspected chronic fasciolosis. Further prospective studies are required to clarify the diagnostic performance and clinical utility of ultrasonography in ovine fasciolosis.