PeerJ Preprints: Veterinary Medicinehttps://peerj.com/preprints/index.atom?journal=peerj&subject=2900Veterinary Medicine articles published in PeerJ PreprintsHow to make new discoveries in (human) anatomyhttps://peerj.com/preprints/279802019-09-242019-09-24Mathew John Wedel
Despite the perception that human anatomy is a completed science, new discoveries continue to be reported. Some merely expand the previously known range of human variation, but others are gross structures present in most people, which simply escaped detection until recently. An analysis of recent discoveries suggests several avenues along which new discoveries might be sought:
1. Anatomically complex regions with multiple potential distractors: the anterolateral ligament of the knee escaped widespread appreciation until 2013, probably because the human knee is a forbiddingly complex structure that is rarely dissected completely, and several superficially similar structures are present in the same area.
2. Common characters of other taxa expressed as rare variants in humans: vagus nerve fibers to the trachea and esophagus are typically incorporated into the recurrent laryngeal nerve in humans, but form a separate pararecurrent nerve in some other mammals, and rarely in humans.
3. Replaced peripheral nerves: nerve fibers from the 4th lumbar spinal level to the leg are usually incorporated into the femoral nerve, but in rare cases become part of the obturator nerve. In such cases, the posterior branch of the saphenous nerve appears to have been replaced by the obturator nerve. Similar replacements in other regions of the body are underexplored.
Most recent discoveries fall into a perceptual blind spot: medical students dissecting human cadavers have the opportunity to find these structures, but usually lack the expertise to recognize or preserve them. In contract, surgeons have the necessary expertise, but rarely have the opportunity to open people up sufficiently to identify or trace these structures.
If new discoveries remain to be made even in the well-trod ground of human anatomy, then many more surely await discovery in extant and extinct non-humans, and these guidelines may prove useful in other taxa as well.
Despite the perception that human anatomy is a completed science, new discoveries continue to be reported. Some merely expand the previously known range of human variation, but others are gross structures present in most people, which simply escaped detection until recently. An analysis of recent discoveries suggests several avenues along which new discoveries might be sought:1. Anatomically complex regions with multiple potential distractors: the anterolateral ligament of the knee escaped widespread appreciation until 2013, probably because the human knee is a forbiddingly complex structure that is rarely dissected completely, and several superficially similar structures are present in the same area.2. Common characters of other taxa expressed as rare variants in humans: vagus nerve fibers to the trachea and esophagus are typically incorporated into the recurrent laryngeal nerve in humans, but form a separate pararecurrent nerve in some other mammals, and rarely in humans.3. Replaced peripheral nerves: nerve fibers from the 4th lumbar spinal level to the leg are usually incorporated into the femoral nerve, but in rare cases become part of the obturator nerve. In such cases, the posterior branch of the saphenous nerve appears to have been replaced by the obturator nerve. Similar replacements in other regions of the body are underexplored.Most recent discoveries fall into a perceptual blind spot: medical students dissecting human cadavers have the opportunity to find these structures, but usually lack the expertise to recognize or preserve them. In contract, surgeons have the necessary expertise, but rarely have the opportunity to open people up sufficiently to identify or trace these structures.If new discoveries remain to be made even in the well-trod ground of human anatomy, then many more surely await discovery in extant and extinct non-humans, and these guidelines may prove useful in other taxa as well.Bovine tuberculosis breakdown duration in cattle herds: an investigation of herd, host, pathogen and wildlife risk factorshttps://peerj.com/preprints/279552019-09-112019-09-11Georgina MilneAdrian AllenJordon GrahamAngela Lahuerta-MarinCarl McCormickEleanor PreshoNeil ReidRobin SkuceAndrew W Byrne
Background. Despite rigorous controls placed on herds which disclose antemortem test positive cattle to bovine tuberculosis, caused by the infection of Mycobacterium bovis, many herds in Northern Ireland (NI) experience prolonged breakdowns. These herds represent a considerable administrative and financial burden to the State and farming community.
Methods. A retrospective observational study was conducted to better understand the factors associated with breakdown duration, which was modelled using both negative binomial and ordinal regression approaches. Six explanatory variables were important predictors of breakdown length in both models; herd size, the number of reactors testing positive in the initial SICCT test, the presence of a lesioned animal at routine slaughter (LRS), the count of M. bovis genotypes during the breakdown (MLVA richness), the local herd-level bTB prevalence, and the presence of herds linked via management factors (associated herds).
Results. We report that between 2008 and 2014, mean breakdown duration in NI was 226 days (approx. seven months; median; 188 days). In the same period, however, more than 6% of herds in the region remained under movement restriction for more than 420 days (13 months); almost twice as long as the mean. The MLVA richness variable was a particularly important predictor of breakdown duration. We contend that this variable primarily represents a proxy for beef fattening herds, which can operate by purchasing cattle and selling animals straight to slaughter, despite prolonged trading restrictions. For other herd types, the model supports the hypothesis that prolonged breakdowns are a function of both residual infection within the herd, and infection from the environment (e.g. infected wildlife, contiguous herds and/or a contaminated environment). The impact of badger density on breakdown duration was assessed by including data on main sett (burrow) density. Whilst a positive association was observed in the univariate analysis, confounding with other variables means that the contribution of badgers to prolonged breakdowns was not clear from our study. We do not fully reject the hypothesis that badgers are implicated in prolonging bTB breakdowns via spillback infection, but given our results, we posit that increased disease risk from badgers is unlikely to simply be a function of increasing badger density measured using sett metrics.
Background. Despite rigorous controls placed on herds which disclose antemortem test positive cattle to bovine tuberculosis, caused by the infection of Mycobacterium bovis, many herds in Northern Ireland (NI) experience prolonged breakdowns. These herds represent a considerable administrative and financial burden to the State and farming community.Methods. A retrospective observational study was conducted to better understand the factors associated with breakdown duration, which was modelled using both negative binomial and ordinal regression approaches. Six explanatory variables were important predictors of breakdown length in both models; herd size, the number of reactors testing positive in the initial SICCT test, the presence of a lesioned animal at routine slaughter (LRS), the count of M. bovis genotypes during the breakdown (MLVA richness), the local herd-level bTB prevalence, and the presence of herds linked via management factors (associated herds).Results. We report that between 2008 and 2014, mean breakdown duration in NI was 226 days (approx. seven months; median; 188 days). In the same period, however, more than 6% of herds in the region remained under movement restriction for more than 420 days (13 months); almost twice as long as the mean. The MLVA richness variable was a particularly important predictor of breakdown duration. We contend that this variable primarily represents a proxy for beef fattening herds, which can operate by purchasing cattle and selling animals straight to slaughter, despite prolonged trading restrictions. For other herd types, the model supports the hypothesis that prolonged breakdowns are a function of both residual infection within the herd, and infection from the environment (e.g. infected wildlife, contiguous herds and/or a contaminated environment). The impact of badger density on breakdown duration was assessed by including data on main sett (burrow) density. Whilst a positive association was observed in the univariate analysis, confounding with other variables means that the contribution of badgers to prolonged breakdowns was not clear from our study. We do not fully reject the hypothesis that badgers are implicated in prolonging bTB breakdowns via spillback infection, but given our results, we posit that increased disease risk from badgers is unlikely to simply be a function of increasing badger density measured using sett metrics.New mutations of env gene and its impact on virulence properties for Bovine leukemia virushttps://peerj.com/preprints/279022019-08-152019-08-15Natalia BlazhkoSultan VyshegurovAlexander DonchenkoKirill ShatokhinValeria RyabininaKirill PlotnikovAlevtina Khodakova
This study is the biodiversity and properties of bovine leukemia virus in Western Siberia. The researchers focused on exploring the polymorphism of the env gene and, in doing so, discovered the new genotypes Ia and Ib, which differ from genotype I. Restrictase Hae III sections the nucleotide sequence of the env gene intofragments with lengths of 316-27-95-5 bp (genotype I), 31-285-27-95-5 bp (genotype Ia), and 31-85-200-27-100 bp (genotype Ib). There are 2.57±0.55% (20 out of 779) samples of genotype Ib which does not differ significantly from 1% (χ2=2.46). Other genotypes were observed in the cattle of Siberia as wild type genotypes (their frequency varied from 17.84 to 32.73 %). This paper explores the effect of the env gene of the cattle leukemia virus on hematological parameters of infected animals. The maximum viral load was observed in animals with the II and IV viral genotypes (1000 – 1400 viral particles per 1000 healthy cells), and the minimum viral load was observed animals with genotype Ib (from 700 to 900 viral particles per 1000 healthy cells). Several hypotheses on the origin of the different genotypes in Siberia are discussed. The probability of the direct introduction of genotype II from South America to Siberia is extremely small and it is more likely that the strain originated independently in an autonomous population with its distribution also occurring independently. A new variety of genotype I (Ib) was found, which can be both a neoplasm and a relict strain.
This study is the biodiversity and properties of bovine leukemia virus in Western Siberia. The researchers focused on exploring the polymorphism of the env gene and, in doing so, discovered the new genotypes Ia and Ib, which differ from genotype I. Restrictase Hae III sections the nucleotide sequence of the env gene intofragments with lengths of 316-27-95-5 bp (genotype I), 31-285-27-95-5 bp (genotype Ia), and 31-85-200-27-100 bp (genotype Ib). There are 2.57±0.55% (20 out of 779) samples of genotype Ib which does not differ significantly from 1% (χ2=2.46). Other genotypes were observed in the cattle of Siberia as wild type genotypes (their frequency varied from 17.84 to 32.73 %). This paper explores the effect of the env gene of the cattle leukemia virus on hematological parameters of infected animals. The maximum viral load was observed in animals with the II and IV viral genotypes (1000 – 1400 viral particles per 1000 healthy cells), and the minimum viral load was observed animals with genotype Ib(from 700 to 900 viral particles per 1000 healthy cells). Several hypotheses on the origin of the different genotypes in Siberia are discussed. The probability of the direct introduction of genotype II from South America to Siberia is extremely small and it is more likely that the strain originated independently in an autonomous population with its distribution also occurring independently. A new variety of genotype I (Ib) was found, which can be both a neoplasm and a relict strain.Presumptive spontaneous brain microhemorrhages in geriatric dogs: a comparative retrospective MRI study of dogs with and without evidence of canine cognitive dysfunctionhttps://peerj.com/preprints/278682019-07-192019-07-19Curtis W DeweyMark RishniwPhilippa J JohnsonEmma S DaviesJoseph J SackmanMarissa O'Donnell
The objective of this study was to compare specific brain MRI anatomic measurements between three groups of geriatric ( > 8yrs) dogs: 1) neurologically impaired dogs with presumptive spontaneous brain microhemorrhages and no clinical evidence of canine cognitive dysfunction 2) dogs with canine cognitive dysfunction 3) dogs without clinical evidence of cognitive impairment or abnormalities on neurologic examination (control dogs). MR images from 46 geriatric dogs were reviewed and measurements were obtained of interthalamic adhesion height (thickness) and mid-sagittal interthalamic adhesion area for all dogs, in addition to total brain volume. Interthalamic adhesion measurements, either absolute or normalized to total brain volume were compared between groups. Signalment (age, breed, sex), body weight, presence and number of SBMs, as well as other abnormal MRI findings were recorded for all dogs. All interthalamic adhesion measurement parameters were significantly (p<0.05) different between control dogs and affected dogs. Both dogs with cognitive dysfunction (12/13; 92 %) and dogs with isolated brain microhemorrhages had more microhemorrhages than control dogs (3/19; 16%). Affected dogs without cognitive dysfunction had more microhemorrhages than dogs with cognitive dysfunction. In addition to signs of cognitive impairment for the CCD group, main clinical complaints for SBM and CCD dogs were referable to central vestibular dysfunction, recent-onset seizure activity, or both. Geriatric dogs with spontaneous brain microhemorrhages without cognitive dysfunction have similar MRI abnormalities as dogs with cognitive dysfunction but may represent a distinct diseasecategory.
The objective of this study was to compare specific brain MRI anatomic measurements between three groups of geriatric ( > 8yrs) dogs: 1) neurologically impaired dogs with presumptive spontaneous brain microhemorrhages and no clinical evidence of canine cognitive dysfunction 2) dogs with canine cognitive dysfunction 3) dogs without clinical evidence of cognitive impairment or abnormalities on neurologic examination (control dogs). MR images from 46 geriatric dogs were reviewed and measurements were obtained of interthalamic adhesion height (thickness) and mid-sagittal interthalamic adhesion area for all dogs, in addition to total brain volume. Interthalamic adhesion measurements, either absolute or normalized to total brain volume were compared between groups. Signalment (age, breed, sex), body weight, presence and number of SBMs, as well as other abnormal MRI findings were recorded for all dogs. All interthalamic adhesion measurement parameters were significantly (p<0.05) different between control dogs and affected dogs. Both dogs with cognitive dysfunction (12/13; 92 %) and dogs with isolated brain microhemorrhages had more microhemorrhages than control dogs (3/19; 16%). Affected dogs without cognitive dysfunction had more microhemorrhages than dogs with cognitive dysfunction. In addition to signs of cognitive impairment for the CCD group, main clinical complaints for SBM and CCD dogs were referable to central vestibular dysfunction, recent-onset seizure activity, or both. Geriatric dogs with spontaneous brain microhemorrhages without cognitive dysfunction have similar MRI abnormalities as dogs with cognitive dysfunction but may represent a distinct diseasecategory.Lactoferrin quantification in cattle faeces by ELISAhttps://peerj.com/preprints/278642019-07-162019-07-16Andrew S. CookeKathryn WattGreg F. AlberyEric R. MorganJennifer A. J. Dungait
Background: Promoting and maintaining health is critical to ruminant welfare and productivity. Within human medicine, faecal lactoferrin is quantified for routine assessment of various gastrointestinal illnesses avoiding the need for blood sampling. This approach might also be adapted and applied for non-invasive health assessments in animals.
Methods: In this proof-of-concept study a bovine lactoferrin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), designed for serum and milk, was applied to a faecal supernatant to assess its potential for quantifying lactoferrin in the faeces of cattle. Faecal lactoferrin concentrations were compared to background levels to assess the viability of the technique. A comparison was then made against serum lactoferrin levels to determine if they were or were not reflective of one another.
Results: The optical densities of faecal samples were significantly greater than background readings, supporting the hypothesis that the assay was effective in quantifying faecal lactoferrin (T13, 115 = 11.99, p < 0.0005, n = 115). Lactoferrin concentrations of faecal and serum samples, taken from the same animals on the same day, were significantly different (T21 = 2.49, p = 0.022) and did not correlate (r = 0.069, p = 0.767).
Background: Promoting and maintaining health is critical to ruminant welfare and productivity. Within human medicine, faecal lactoferrin is quantified for routine assessment of various gastrointestinal illnesses avoiding the need for blood sampling. This approach might also be adapted and applied for non-invasive health assessments in animals.Methods: In this proof-of-concept study a bovine lactoferrin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), designed for serum and milk, was applied to a faecal supernatant to assess its potential for quantifying lactoferrin in the faeces of cattle. Faecal lactoferrin concentrations were compared to background levels to assess the viability of the technique. A comparison was then made against serum lactoferrin levels to determine if they were or were not reflective of one another.Results: The optical densities of faecal samples were significantly greater than background readings, supporting the hypothesis that the assay was effective in quantifying faecal lactoferrin (T13, 115= 11.99, p < 0.0005, n = 115). Lactoferrin concentrations of faecal and serum samples, taken from the same animals on the same day, were significantly different (T21 = 2.49, p = 0.022) and did not correlate (r = 0.069, p = 0.767).Effect of dietary concentrate to forage ratio on growth performance, rumen fermentation and bacterial diversity of Tibetan sheep under barn feeding on Qinghai-Tibetan plateauhttps://peerj.com/preprints/278072019-07-092019-07-09Hongjin LiuTianwei xuShixiao XuLi MaXueping HanXungang WangXiaoling ZhangLinyong HuNa ZhaoYongwei ChenLi PiXinquan Zhao
This study aimed to research the effects of different dietary concentrate to forage (C:F) ratio on growth performance, rumen fermentation and bacteria diversity of barn feeding Tibetan sheep. The experiment contains fiver treatments (HS1, HS2 HS3, HS4 and HS5; n=8, respectively) based on dietary C: F ratios 0:100, 15:85, 30:70, 45:55, and 60:40, respectively. The ruminal bacterial community structure was investigated through high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes in V4 hypervariable region. The results showed that increasing dietary concentrate feed level from 0% to 60% exerted a positive effect on DMI, BW gain, gain rate and feed conversation ratio (FCR) in Tibetan sheep. The increases dietary concentrate feed level elevatedNH3-N, propionate and valerate concentrations, whereas, reduced molar ratio of acetate to propionate (A/P ratio) (P<0.05). For rumen bacterial diversity, increases in dietary concentrate content contributed to lower alpha diversity indexes including Shannon wiener, Chao1 and observed species, meanwhile, significantly increased the abundances of the phylum Bacteroidetes and the genus Prevotella_1 (P<0.05). In conclusion, increases dietary concentrate content improved the growth performance and Tibetan sheep fed diets of 45% concentrate obtained a better performance; the inclusion of concentrate in feed changed rumen fermentation from acetate fermentation to propionate fermentation, and improved the energy utilization efficiency of Tibetan sheep; the increased in concentrate content significantly reduced rumen bacteria diversity and changed the abundance of some core bacteria.
This study aimed to research the effects of different dietary concentrate to forage (C:F) ratio on growth performance, rumen fermentation and bacteria diversity of barn feeding Tibetan sheep. The experiment contains fiver treatments (HS1, HS2 HS3, HS4 and HS5; n=8, respectively) based on dietary C: F ratios 0:100, 15:85, 30:70, 45:55, and 60:40, respectively. The ruminal bacterial community structure was investigated through high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes in V4 hypervariable region. The results showed that increasing dietary concentrate feed level from 0% to 60% exerted a positive effect on DMI, BW gain, gain rate and feed conversation ratio (FCR) in Tibetan sheep. The increases dietary concentrate feed level elevatedNH3-N, propionate and valerate concentrations, whereas, reduced molar ratio of acetate to propionate (A/P ratio) (P<0.05). For rumen bacterial diversity, increases in dietary concentrate content contributed to lower alpha diversity indexes including Shannon wiener, Chao1 and observed species, meanwhile, significantly increased the abundances of the phylum Bacteroidetes and the genus Prevotella_1 (P<0.05). In conclusion, increases dietary concentrate content improved the growth performance and Tibetan sheep fed diets of 45% concentrate obtained a better performance; the inclusion of concentrate in feed changed rumen fermentation from acetate fermentation to propionate fermentation, and improved the energy utilization efficiency of Tibetan sheep; the increased in concentrate content significantly reduced rumen bacteria diversity and changed the abundance of some core bacteria.Report of candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum and Mycoplasma haemocanis canine natural infections in Massambaba restinga, Brazilhttps://peerj.com/preprints/278052019-06-162019-06-16Marcia Gonçalves MirandaBruno AlberigiFlavya Mendes-de-AlmeidaAlexandre José Rodrigues BendasNadia AlmosnyJonimar Pereira PaivaNorma Vollmer Labarthe
Background: Tick-borne diseases are frequent in the Southeastern section of Brazil. The most prevalent canine parasites diagnosed are Ehrlichia canis, Babesia gibsoni, Babesia canis and Anaplasma platys, although Mycoplasma haemocanis and candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum have been registered in the country.
Methods: When two clinically healthy dogs from a suburban area of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with history of being heavily infested with ticks were examined at Idexx Reference Laboratories, California for tick panel check.
Results: One dog harbored DNA of candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum and the other DNA of Mycoplasma haemocanis.
Conclusions: These results suggest that monitoring for tick infestations and tick-borne parasites must be permanent in southeastern Brazil, especially due to global climate changes which may contribute to spread and increase the number of infections in the Country.
Background: Tick-borne diseases are frequent in the Southeastern section of Brazil. The most prevalent canine parasites diagnosed are Ehrlichia canis, Babesia gibsoni, Babesia canis and Anaplasma platys, although Mycoplasma haemocanis and candidatusMycoplasmahaematoparvum have been registered in the country.Methods: When two clinically healthy dogs from a suburban area of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with history of being heavily infested with ticks were examined at Idexx Reference Laboratories, California for tick panel check.Results: One dog harbored DNAof candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum and the other DNAof Mycoplasma haemocanis. Conclusions:These results suggest that monitoring for tick infestations and tick-borne parasites must be permanent in southeastern Brazil, especially due to global climate changes which may contribute to spread and increase the number of infections in the Country.Schedule feasibility and workflow for additive manufacturing of titanium plates for cranioplasty reconstruction in canine skull tumorshttps://peerj.com/preprints/277072019-05-062019-05-06Jordan JamesMichelle L OblakAlex zur LindenFiona MK JamesMatt ParkesJohn Phillips
Additive manufacturing has allowed for the creation of a patient-specific custom solution that can resolve many of the limitations previously reported for canine cranioplasty. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the schedule feasibility and workflow in manufacturing patient-specific titanium implants for canines undergoing cranioplasty immediately following craniectomy. Computed tomography scans from patients with tumors of the skull were considered and 3 cases were selected. Images were imported into OsiriX MD image processing software and tumor margins were determined based on agreement between a board-certified veterinary radiologist and veterinary surgical oncologist. Virtual surgical planning was performed and a 5mm bone margin was selected. A defect was created to simulate the intraoperative defect. Stereolithography format files of the skulls were imported into Renishaw Additive-manufacture for Design-led Efficient Patient Treatment (ADEPT) software. In collaboration with medical solution center, Additive Design in Surgical Solutions (ADEISS), a custom titanium plate was designed with the input of an applications engineer and veterinary surgical oncologist. Plates were printed in titanium and postprocessed at ADEISS. Total planning time was approximately 2 hours with a manufacturing time of 2 weeks. Based on the findings of this study, with access to an advanced 3D metal printing medical solution center that can provide advanced software and printing, patient-specific additive manufactured titanium implants can be planned, created, processed, shipped and sterilized for patient use within a 3-week turnaround.
Additive manufacturing has allowed for the creation of a patient-specific custom solution that can resolve many of the limitations previously reported for canine cranioplasty. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the schedule feasibility and workflow in manufacturing patient-specific titanium implants for canines undergoing cranioplasty immediately following craniectomy. Computed tomography scans from patients with tumors of the skull were considered and 3 cases were selected. Images were imported into OsiriX MD image processing software and tumor margins were determined based on agreement between a board-certified veterinary radiologist and veterinary surgical oncologist. Virtual surgical planning was performed and a 5mm bone margin was selected. A defect was created to simulate the intraoperative defect. Stereolithography format files of the skulls were imported into Renishaw Additive-manufacture for Design-led Efficient Patient Treatment (ADEPT) software. In collaboration with medical solution center, Additive Design in Surgical Solutions (ADEISS), a custom titanium plate was designed with the input of an applications engineer and veterinary surgical oncologist. Plates were printed in titanium and postprocessed at ADEISS. Total planning time was approximately 2 hours with a manufacturing time of 2 weeks. Based on the findings of this study, with access to an advanced 3D metal printing medical solution center that can provide advanced software and printing, patient-specific additive manufactured titanium implants can be planned, created, processed, shipped and sterilized for patient use within a 3-week turnaround.Diets containing edible cricket support a healthy gut microbiome in dogshttps://peerj.com/preprints/276772019-04-232019-04-23Jessica K JarettAnne CarlsonMariana C Rossoni SeraoJessica StricklandLaurie SerfilippiHolly H Ganz
The gut microbiome plays an important role in the health of dogs. Both beneficial microbes and overall diversity can be modulated by diet. Fermentable sources of fiber in particular often increase the abundance of beneficial microbes. House crickets (Acheta domesticus) contain the fermentable polysaccharides chitin and chitosan. In addition, crickets are an environmentally sustainable protein source. Considering crickets as a potential source of both novel protein and novel fiber for dogs, 4 diets ranging from 0% to 24% cricket content were fed to determine their effects on healthy dogs’ (n = 32) gut microbiomes. Fecal samples were collected serially at 0, 14, and 29 days, and processed using high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene PCR amplicons. Microbiomes were generally very similar across all diets at both the phylum and genus level, and alpha and beta diversities did not differ between the various diets at 29 days. A total of 12 ASVs (amplicon sequence variants) from nine genera significantly changed in abundance following the addition of cricket, often in a dose-response fashion with increasing amounts of cricket. A net increase was observed in Catenibacterium, Lachnospiraceae [Ruminococcus], and Faecalitalea, whereas Bacteroides, Faecalibacterium, Lachnospiracaeae NK4A136 group and others decreased in abundance. The changes in Catenibacterium and Bacteroides are predicted to be beneficial to gut health. However, the total magnitude of all changes was small and only a few specific taxa changed in abundance. Overall, we found that diets containing cricket supported the same level of gut microbiome diversity as a standard healthy balanced diet. These results support crickets as a potential healthy, novel food ingredient for dogs.
The gut microbiome plays an important role in the health of dogs. Both beneficial microbes and overall diversity can be modulated by diet. Fermentable sources of fiber in particular often increase the abundance of beneficial microbes. House crickets (Acheta domesticus) contain the fermentable polysaccharides chitin and chitosan. In addition, crickets are an environmentally sustainable protein source. Considering crickets as a potential source of both novel protein and novel fiber for dogs, 4 diets ranging from 0% to 24% cricket content were fed to determine their effects on healthy dogs’ (n = 32) gut microbiomes. Fecal samples were collected serially at 0, 14, and 29 days, and processed using high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene PCR amplicons. Microbiomes were generally very similar across all diets at both the phylum and genus level, and alpha and beta diversities did not differ between the various diets at 29 days. A total of 12 ASVs (amplicon sequence variants) from nine genera significantly changed in abundance following the addition of cricket, often in a dose-response fashion with increasing amounts of cricket. A net increase was observed in Catenibacterium, Lachnospiraceae [Ruminococcus], and Faecalitalea, whereas Bacteroides, Faecalibacterium, Lachnospiracaeae NK4A136 group and others decreased in abundance. The changes in Catenibacterium and Bacteroides are predicted to be beneficial to gut health. However, the total magnitude of all changes was small and only a few specific taxa changed in abundance. Overall, we found that diets containing cricket supported the same level of gut microbiome diversity as a standard healthy balanced diet. These results support crickets as a potential healthy, novel food ingredient for dogs.Cetacean morbillivirus, a journey from land to sea and vice versahttps://peerj.com/preprints/274872019-01-152019-01-15Giovanni Di GuardoSandro Mazzariol
Cetacean Morbillivirus, the most relevant pathogen impacting the health and conservation of cetaceans worldwide, has shown in recent years an increased tendency to cross “interspecies barriers”, thereby giving rise to disease and mortality outbreaks in free-ranging dolphins and whales. The present “Opinion Article” deals with the evolutionary “trajectories” of this viral pathogen, likely originating from Rinderpest Virus, along with its "journey" from land to sea (and vice versa), mimicking that of cetaceans' terrestrial ancestors.
Cetacean Morbillivirus, the most relevant pathogen impacting the health and conservation of cetaceans worldwide, has shown in recent years an increased tendency to cross “interspecies barriers”, thereby giving rise to disease and mortality outbreaks in free-ranging dolphins and whales. The present “Opinion Article” deals with the evolutionary “trajectories” of this viral pathogen, likely originating from Rinderpest Virus, along with its "journey" from land to sea (and vice versa), mimicking that of cetaceans' terrestrial ancestors.