Black Box Co’s Post

👏 We are excited to share the presentation slides from our PhD student, Supatirada Wongchanla (Jane), following her recent presentation at the 2024 American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) Midwest Annual Meeting. 🐽 Jane is a PhD student from Dr Yanhong Liu's lab. Her project within PIG-PARADIGM aims to understand the role of #glutamate and #aspartate on intestinal mucosal immunity and microbiota to enhance overall #intestinalhealth and disease resistance of #weanedpigs. 📊 Jane's presentation is titled ‘Effects of L-glutamate and L-aspartate supplementation on systemic and intestinal immune responses of weaned piglets challenged with F18 ETEC’ in the session of ‘Nonruminant Nutrition VII – Nutritional Strategies Under Health Challenge’. 💡 Her current research results suggest that supplementing 1% L-glutamate or 1 to 2% Aspartate could enhance #growthperformance, reduce the severity of #diarrhea, and modulate systemic and intestinal immunity of E. coli challenged pigs. Future analysis is ongoing, focusing on intestinal morphology, microbiota and their metabolites.  👉 Explore her presentation slides below: UC Davis CLEAR Center

The programme of our symposium Paradigm shifts for Global One Health promises to deliver new insights. We look forward to hosting some excellent keynote speakers, amongst whom is also Frank Aarestrup. He's the leading expert in one of the quintessential One Health fields: tackling AMR issues. Register now, if you haven't done so yet! #GOH2024 #WUR #RIVM #OneHealth #GlobalOneHealth

It's a pleasure to announce the publication of an insightful research article led by our talented PhD student Beatrice Cornu Hewitt, with contributions from an outstanding team of co-authors: Alex Bossers, Myrna de Rooij, and Warner van Kersen. The #OpenAccess paper, titled "Associations between acquired antimicrobial resistance genes in the upper respiratory tract and livestock farm exposures: a case–control study in COPD and non-COPD individuals", is now available! This study sheds light on the resistome in patients with COPD and its complex interactions with the respiratory microbiome, particularly in relation to livestock farm exposure. One of the key findings is that individuals with COPD exhibit higher resistome diversity, even in the absence of recent antimicrobial use. Additionally, the study highlights the intricate relationship between the resistome and microbiome in the airways, furthering our understanding of respiratory health in agricultural environments. #research #teamscience #COPD #AMR #microbiome #OneHealth Check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e9mp4SVw

Genetic improvement versus production management Incorporating both genetic and production improvements on your farm involves a holistic approach that considers various factors. Here are some steps you can take: 1. Genetic Improvements: - Breeding Selection: Continuously evaluate your breeding stock. Select animals with desirable traits such as growth rate, feed efficiency, and disease resistance. -Genomic Selection: Use genomic data to identify superior animals. Genomic selection allows you to predict an animal’s genetic merit based on its DNA markers. - Crossbreeding: Consider crossbreeding to introduce genetic diversity and hybrid vigor. Crossbreeds often exhibit better performance than purebred animals. - Gene Editing: Explore gene editing techniques to introduce specific modifications. Consult with experts to ensure ethical and safe practices. 2. Production Improvements: o Nutrition: Optimize your pigs’ diet so it fits to the current genetic improvement. Ensure they receive balanced nutrition for growth, reproduction, and overall health. -Health Management: Implement robust health protocols. Regular vaccinations, parasite control, and biosecurity measures are crucial. - Environment: Provide a comfortable and stress-free environment. Proper housing, ventilation, and space allocation contribute to better production. -Record Keeping: Maintain detailed records. Track performance metrics (e.g., average daily gain, mortality, feed conversion ratio) to identify areas for improvement. - Efficiency: Monitor resource utilization (feed, water, energy). Efficient production reduces costs and environmental impact. 3. Integrated Approach: - Collaborate: Work with veterinarians, nutritionists, and geneticists. Their expertise can guide your decisions. - Benchmarking: Compare your farm’s performance to industry benchmarks. Identify gaps and set realistic goals. -Continuous Learning: Stay informed about advancements in genetics, technology, and best practices. Remember, genetic and production improvements are interconnected. A healthy, well-managed herd contributes to better genetic expression. Regularly assess your progress and adapt your strategies as needed. Consult a pig specialist to follow up and improve your herd`s performance. #pig #genetics #pigfarm #pigbusiness #management #nutrition

Competitive exclusion revisited 🔬 As first concluded by Grinnell (1904) the principle of competitive exclusion states that two species with identical niches cannot coexist indefinitely. Gauss experimentally proved that protozoa using the same resources cannot coexist. Remarkably though in planktonic ecosystems multiple species co-exist despite using the same resources. Paradoxically plankton exists in a highly diverse ecosystem despite competition for limiting resources. Hence Gause's law is not universally applicable. 🧫 In the animal health domain competitive exclusion is attached to a particular- and FDA regulated - product category used with new born, hatched animals (Callaway 2013). The aim of these applications is to colonize the neonate gut with autochthonous microbiome of adult animals in order to establish colonization barrier against pathogens, food spoilage microbes or to reduce their numbers if already present. The proponents of this intervention underline that such an approach is reasonable to use only with neonates, implying that in adults (animals), outcompeting resident microbes by competition for space is not feasible. 🎯 The issue at hand is competitive exclusion as mode of action The mode of action of probiotic dietary supplements is very difficult, if not impossible, to evidence in clinical trials. Phenotypical analysis and in vitro studies provide too many options to choose from. In human probiotic intervention studies the distinctive subtypes of competitive exclusion are often understated or ignored. This is a particular shortcoming when elimination or reduction of undesirable organisms is observed. Although it is pivotal to elucidate whether probiotic benefits are due to competition for space, for nutrients or are the results of direct inhibition, elimination of targeted microbial populations. In the latter case the means of inhibition have an all too broad spectrum featuring between simple organic acids and veritable antibiotics. Specifying these compounds further than solely referring to a generic principle, ie competitive exclusion, is not only prudent but it would also enhance the scientific value of research outcomes. 👨🔬 Therefore it is timely to propose a distinctive threefold typology of competitive exclusion for use in probiotic science... To find out more, meet and discuss the subject with Peter Kürti - Probiotic Evangelist at IPC2024 in Prague, 18-21 June 2024, see the entire programme at https://lnkd.in/ef9hv-vv and... Hit the bell 🔔🔔🔔 to stay tuned on to International Scientific Conference on #Probiotics, #Prebiotics, #Gut #Microbiota and #Health - #IPC2024 and get updated on probiotic, prebiotic #science and #microbiota #research.

𝗣𝗵𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰-𝟮𝟬𝟯𝟬. 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 The report offers a comprehensive overview of the Phage Therapy industry chain, encompassing Animal Health (DsDNA Bacteriophage, SsDNA Bacteriophage) and Aquaculture (DsDNA Bacteriophage, SsDNA Bacteriophage), while highlighting key enterprises in both developed and developing markets. In addition to analyzing cutting-edge technology, patents, and market trends of Phage Therapy, the report delves into regional markets, with North America and Europe experiencing steady growth due to government initiatives and rising consumer awareness. Notably, Asia-Pacific, spearheaded by China, leads the global Phage Therapy market, buoyed by strong domestic demand, supportive policies, and robust manufacturing capabilities. The report provides a holistic understanding of the Phage Therapy market, examining market dynamics, trends, challenges, and opportunities within the industry. 𝗧𝗼 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗵𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁. 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗗𝗙: https://lnkd.in/djXKMC-U *𝗕𝘆 𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲: DsDNA Bacteriophage, SsDNA Bacteriophage, SsRNA Bacteriophage, Others *𝗕𝘆 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Animal Health, Aquaculture, Agriculture, Food Industry, Human Health, Others *𝗕𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East & Africa *𝗕𝘆 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀: Proteon Pharmaceuticals, Phagelux Inc., INTRALYTIX, INC., Micreos , Eliava Phage Therapy Center, Locus Biosciences, Inc., Pharmex Group, Pherecydes Pharma, APS Biocontrol Ltd., ZeptoMetrix, Phage International, Inc., INTODEWORLD, INC., Armata Pharmaceuticals, Inc., InnoPhage, Lda., Adaptive Phage Therapeutics, TechnoPhage, SA #PhageTherapy #Bacteriophage #AnimalHealth #Aquaculture #MarketAnalysis #HealthcareTrends #InnovationInMedicine #Biotechnology #GlobalMarket #TechnologyTrends #RegionalMarkets #HealthIndustry #ResearchReport #MedicalInnovation #PhageTherapyDevelopments #MarketTrends #HealthcareIndustry #AsiaPacificMarket #NorthAmericaMarket #EuropeMarket #MedicalResearch #HealthcareSolutions

I am so excited to share our recent study, now available online in the Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics. It is well known the importance of feeding behavior in dairy cattle and its association with other economically important traits in lactating cows. However, what was missing was a way to measure or have a phenotype for feeding patterns, i.e, the trajectory of a cow’s feed intake in a day. In our study, we propose a new method for characterizing within-day feeding patterns by measuring how cows distribute their total intake throughout the day relative to time of first feed delivery. We also measured how consistent a cow is regarding her feeding pattern. In the end, we associated these new feeding pattern traits with feed efficiency. Big thanks to all involved in this very exciting project! Check it out at the link below: https://lnkd.in/ecEnjZ2h

🌾 Exciting Research Update! 🐄🐑 I’m happy to share that two abstracts from our latest research were presented at the 2024 ASAS Annual Meeting and have been published in the Journal of Animal Science. These studies bring us closer to enhancing fertility outcomes and bolstering offspring immunity against infectious diseases.  📚 Read more here: 1.Characterizing the seminal microbiota in mature rams managed on divergent planes of nutrition, and in their male offspring Fusobacterium Study  https://lnkd.in/giVj6qtR 2.Screening and isolation of Fusobacterium necrophorum and Fusobacterium varium from seminal, and vagino-uterine microbiota of healthy cattle and sheep Seminal Microbiota in Rams Study https://lnkd.in/gacxWDZG My constant gratitude goes to my advisor Dr Amat, coauthors and NDSU Microbiological Sciences and Biotechnology for this interesting journey of knowing how much I don't know. #AnimalScience #Microbiome #ReproductiveHealth #LivestockResearch

Challenging Myth Number 2: The Concept of Production Diseases In the early 1970s, Jack Payne introduced the term 'production disease' to describe metabolic disorders arising from the increasing demands of high production coupled with intensive husbandry and feeding practices. Fast forward to the present, after sixteen international conferences and numerous advances in biology and veterinary medicine, it's time we reassess this concept through the lens of systems biology. The original definition posited by Payne pointed to a mismatch in the metabolic capacity of farm ruminants under the pressures of intensive agriculture. It was a revolutionary idea that shaped our understanding of metabolic diseases as a failure of the animal to cope with human-imposed demands. Today, our understanding of these disorders has deepened. We recognize that high milk yield doesn't inherently predispose cows to metabolic diseases. Notably, while some high-producing cows experience issues during the transition period, others thrive without any health problems. This disparity suggests that environmental factors aren't the sole players in the development of these conditions—genetic predispositions are equally crucial. High grain diets post-calving can lead to lower rumen pH, affecting the microbiome and increasing endotoxins that can trigger systemic inflammation. This isn't just about the balance between input (feed) and output (milk) anymore. We're looking at a complex interaction involving diet, microbiome, genetic factors, and overall cow health. Payne's concept, while foundational, didn't have the benefit of insights into bacterial endotoxins and their role in periparturient diseases. With current evidence, we can assert that metabolic diseases in dairy cows extend beyond the 'put-put' or imbalance model. They are shaped by a myriad of factors that include but are not limited to, the cow's genotype and the interaction of its microbiome with the diet. Meta-analyses and epidemiological studies, like those by Ingvartsen et al. (2003), have challenged the notion that higher milk production automatically means a greater risk of disease. Instead, they emphasize a more nuanced relationship where cow management, nutrition, and genetics all play a part. #VeterinaryMedicine #DairyScience #AnimalHealth #ProductionDiseases #SystemsBiology #DairyCattle #TransitionCows #VeterinaryScience

#analyticalchemistry news In a fascinating leap in #chemistry and diagnostics, a newly published study in Analytical Methods reveals an innovative approach to detecting **Mycobacterium bovis**, the bacterium responsible for bovine tuberculosis. The team of researchers has ingeniously combined a colourimetric tandem method with CRISPR/Cas12a technology and a dual-functional hybridisation chain reaction, achieving ultra-sensitive detection capabilities. The significance of this research cannot be overstated. By utilising the CRISPR/Cas12a system, the method exhibits a high level of specificity due to its ability to target specific DNA sequences. This is complemented by the hybridisation chain reaction, which amplifies the signal, rendering even minute quantities of the bacterium detectable. The use of a colourimetric readout further simplifies the process, allowing results to be easily interpreted without the need for complex equipment. For those unfamiliar with these terms, CRISPR/Cas12a acts like molecular scissors that can cut and modify DNA, while hybridisation chain reactions amplify the target signals to make them more detectable. Combining these two cutting-edge technologies results in an unprecedented level of sensitivity, which is crucial for early detection and control of infections. This breakthrough has practical implications beyond the laboratory. The method's simplicity and ultra-sensitivity make it particularly suitable for field use, potentially transforming how we monitor and control bovine tuberculosis in livestock. This could lead to significant improvements in animal health management, reducing economic losses associated with livestock diseases. The fusion of CRISPR technology with advanced amplification techniques marks a pivotal advancement in #analyticalmethods, bringing us one step closer to rapid and precise diagnosis of infectious diseases in various settings. Discover more about this promising research and its implications in the full article linked above. #CRISPR #biotechnology #infectiousdiseases #mycobacterium #analyticalchemistry #innovation #diagnostics, If you want to know more about #analyticalchemistry news, follow me: https://lnkd.in/d29pbjb9