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    Estimation of the Prevalence of Antimicrobial Resistance in Badgers (Meles meles) and Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Northern Ireland
    (Frontiers Media, 2021-02-18) O’Hagan, Maria J. H.; Pascual-Linaza, Ana V.; Couzens, Catherine; Holmes, Clare; Bell, Colin; Spence, Nessie; Huey, Robert J.; Murphy, Julie A.; Devaney, Ryan; Lahuerta-Marin, Angela; Animal Health and Welfare
    Antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria can be shared between humans and animals, through food, water, and the environment. Wild animals are not only potential reservoirs of AMR, but are also sentinels mirroring the presence of AMR zoonotic bacteria in the environment. In Northern Ireland, little is known about levels of AMR in bacteria in wildlife, thus the current study aimed to estimate the prevalence of AMR bacteria in wildlife using wildlife species from two ongoing surveys as a proxy. Nasopharyngeal swabs and faecal samples from European badgers (Meles meles) (146 faecal samples; 118 nasal samples) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) (321 faecal samples; 279 nasal samples) were collected throughout Northern Ireland and were used to survey for the presence of extended spectrum beta lactamase resistant and AmpC-type beta lactamases Escherichia coli (ESBL/AmpC), Salmonella spp. (only in badgers) and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). ESBLs were detected in 13 out of 146 badger faecal samples (8.90%) and 37 out of 321 of fox faecal samples (11.53%), all of them presenting multi-drug resistance (MDR). Fourteen out of 146 (9.59%) badger faecal samples carried Salmonella spp. [S. Agama (n = 9), S. Newport (n = 4) and S. enterica subsp. arizonae (n = 1)]. Overall, AMR was found only in the S. enterica subsp. arizonae isolate (1/14, 7.14%). No MRSA were detected in nasopharyngeal swabs from badgers (n = 118) and foxes (n = 279). This is the first attempt to explore the prevalence of AMR in the two common wildlife species in Northern Ireland. These findings are important as they can be used as a base line for further research exploring the origin of the found resistance. These results should encourage similar surveys where environmental samples are included to bring better understanding of AMR dynamics, and the impact on wildlife, domestic livestock and humans.
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    Estimation and Determinants of Multidimensional Energy Poverty among Households in Nigeria
    (MDPI, 2020-09-07) Ashagidigbi, Waheed Mobolaji; Babatunde. Bashirat Adenike; Ogunniyi, Adebayo Isaiah; Olagunju, Kehinde Oluseyi; Omotayo, Abiodun Olusola; Economics
    The sustainable use of clean and safe sources of energy is indeed a global challenge. Traditional and unsafe forms of energy use is predominant among households in sub-Saharan Africa. This is not only a threat to the environment, but also constitutes health risk to the population. In the Nigeria context, this study provides the first attempt to estimate household energy poverty status and also investigate the driving factors of household energy poverty status using the National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) dataset. The analytical techniques adopted in this study are based on Multidimensional Energy Poverty Index (MEPI) and Tobit regression model. Our results show that national average MEPI was 0.38, suggesting that majority of the households are energy poor. Energy poverty is however found to be higher in rural areas than in urban areas. We also found that male-headed households, age, rural sector and northeast residents are found to be the energy poverty enhancing factors, while household income and credit access are energy poverty inhibiting factors. The study concludes that income smoothening among other energy poverty reduction interventions should be prioritized, especially among rural households in order to help them exit energy poverty trap.
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    Eliciting farmers’ preferences towards agriculture education in Northern Ireland
    (Taylor & Francis, 2023-08-23) Angioloni, Simone; Cerroni, Simone; Jack, Claire; Ashfield, Austen; Economics
    Purpose Agriculture education promotes farmers and societal welfare through a more efficient use of resources and the adoption of sustainable farming practices. Nevertheless, farmers’ educational attainment is limited across countries. This study explores farmers’ intention to participate in formal agriculture education. Design/methodology/approach A discrete choice experiment survey with 363 farmers exploring their preferences for different specifications within a diploma in agriculture was employed. We focus on Northern Ireland, a country with a relatively large agricultural sector and were farmers have a low level of formal education. Findings Our results show that farmers exhibited a preference for short courses delivered in the evenings, with 75% of the teaching time delivered online, favouring educational topics linked to farm performance against those related to socio-environmental outcomes. Part-time younger farmers, operating in small farms located in less favoured areas, reported the highest willingness to pay for the course. However, farmers that had previously participated in a Young Farmer Payment Scheme reported the lowest interest in undertaking the course. Practical implications The study provides useful information to education providers in relation to the design of agriculture courses to better meet farmers’ preferences and therefore encourage levels of uptake. Secondly, the study can help policymakers to make informed decisions about policy instruments incentivising farmers to engage in education. Theoretical implications By drawing from random parameter choice models, the study highlights that the heterogeneity of farmers’ preferences should be considered when modelling their decision to engage in agriculture education. Originality/value This is the first study that elicits farmers’ preferences towards agriculture education via a discrete choice experiment. Secondly, the study explores preference heterogeneity based on farmers and farms’ characteristics.
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    Landscape genetics identifies barriers to Natterjack toad metapopulation dispersal
    (Springer, 2023-02-21) Reyne, Marina I.; Dicks, Kara; Flanagan, Jason; Nolan, Paul; Twining, Joshua P.; Aubry, Aurélie; Emmerson, Mark; Marnell, Ferdia; Helyar, Sarah; Reid, Neil; Environmental Protection
    Habitat fragmentation and loss reduce population size and connectivity, which imperils populations. Functional connectivity is key for species persistence in human-modified landscapes. To inform species conservation management, we investigated spatial genetic structure, gene flow and inferred dispersal between twelve breeding sites of the Natterjack toad (Bufo calamita); regionally Red-Listed as Endangered in Ireland. Spatial genetic structure was determined using both Bayesian and non-Bayesian clustering analysis of 13 polymorphic microsatellite loci genotyping 247 individuals. We tested the influence of geographic distance, climate, habitat, geographical features, and anthropogenic pressure on pairwise genetic distances between breeding sites using Isolation-by-distance and Isolation-by-resistance based on least-cost path and circuit theory models of functional connectivity. There was clear spatial structuring with genetic distances increasing with geographic distance. Gene flow was best explained by Isolation-by-resistance models with coniferous forestry plantations, bog, marsh, moor and heath, scrub, anthropogenic presence (Human Influence Index) and rivers (riparian density) identified as habitats with high resistance to gene flow while metapopulation connectivity was enhanced by coastal habitats (beaches, sand dunes and salt marshes) and coastal grassland. Despite substantial declines in census numbers over the past 15 years and its regional status as Endangered, the Natterjack toad population in Ireland retains high genetic diversity. If declines continue, maintaining habitat connectivity to prevent genetic erosion by management of coastal grasslands, pond construction and assisted migration through translocation will be increasingly important.
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    Ligularia virgaurea improved nutrient digestion, ruminal fermentation, and bacterial composition in Tibetan sheep grazing on the Qinghai–Tibetan plateau in winter
    (Elsevier, 2023-03-08) Cui, Xiongxiong; Wang, Zhaofeng; Fan, Qingshan; Chang, Shenghua; Yan, Tianhai; Hou, Fujiang; Animal Health and Welfare
    Modulation of rumen microbiota is a prominent function of dietary supplements to improve the performance and health of grazing ruminants. This experiment evaluated the influence of the amount of Ligularia virgaurea (LV) supplementation on nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and bacterial composition in Tibetan sheep consuming low-quality, cold-season forage. Thirty-two intact male yearling Tibetan rams (30 ± 1.66 kg body weight, mean ± SD) were used in a completely randomized block design, randomly assigned among four experimental groups, and fed for 35 days. Sheep were fed a basal diet (freshly native pasture) with either no LV (control), or with 100, 200, or 300 mg/kg BW of LV per animal/d, with prairie forage available ad libitum. Results showed that the dry matter intake and digestibility of nutrients differed significantly across treatments (P < 0.05). Ruminal fermentation parameters and the bacterial composition were affected by the dietary LV supplementation amount and there was a strong correlation between them. Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were the dominant phyla in the ruminal bacterial community for all groups. Prevotella and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut group were the dominant genera, whose relative abundances decreased and increased, respectively, with increasing LV supplementation. Overall, LV ingestion improved the rumen bacterial community abundance associated with cellulose and saccharide degradation, thus contributing to nutrient digestibility and energy supply in Tibetan sheep in the cold season. A comparison of metabolic functional prediction across the four treatment groups revealed an enrichment of metabolic pathways related to lipid metabolism, metabolism of terpenoids and polyketides, folding, sorting and degradation, and membrane transport in the LV supplementation groups. Genomics-based knowledge on the benefits of autochthonous functional plants to Tibetan sheep ruminal microbiota functions and compositions will contribute to their selection as antibiotic alternatives for traditional pastureland.
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    Measuring the shape of mortality across animals and plants: Alternatives to H entropy metrics reveal hidden type IV survivorship curves and associations with parental care at macro-ecological scales
    (Wiley Open Access, 2023-05-17) Healy, Kevin; Kelly, Ruth; Carnevale, Angela; Buckley, Yvonne M.; Environmental Protection
    The shape of mortality, or how mortality is spread across an organism's life course, is fundamental to a range of biological processes, with attempts to quantify it rooted in ecology, evolution, and demography. One approach to quantify the distribution of mortality over an organism's life is the use of entropy metrics whose values are interpreted within the classical framework of survivorship curves ranging from type I distributions, with mortality concentrated in late life stages, to type III survivorship curves associated with high early stage mortality. However, entropy metrics were originally developed using restricted taxonomic groups and the behavior of entropy metrics over larger scales of variation may make them unsuitable for wider-ranging contemporary comparative studies. Here, we revisit the classic survivorship framework and, using a combination of simulations and comparative analysis of demography data spanning the animal and plant kingdoms, we show that commonly used entropy metrics cannot distinguish between the most extreme survivorship curves, which in turn can mask important macroecological patterns. We show how using H entropy masks a macroecological pattern of how parental care is associated with type I and type II species and for macroecological studies recommend the use of metrics, such as measures of area under the curve. Using frameworks and metrics that capture the full range of variation of survivorship curves will aid in our understanding of the links between the shape of mortality, population dynamics, and life history traits.
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    Messenger RNA biomarkers of Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus infection in the whole blood of dairy calves
    (Nature Research, 2021-04-30) Johnston, Dayle; Earley, Bernadette; McCabe, Matthew S.; Kim, JaeWoo; Taylor, Jeremy F.; Lemon, Ken; Duffy, Catherine; McMenamy, Michael; Cosby, S. Louise; Waters, Sinead M.; Animal Health and Welfare
    Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV) is a primary viral cause of Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) in young calves, which is responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality. Infection with BRSV induces global gene expression changes in respiratory tissues. If these changes are observed in tissues which are more accessible in live animals, such as whole blood, they may be used as biomarkers for diagnosis of the disease. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to elucidate the whole blood transcriptomic response of dairy calves to an experimental challenge with BRSV. Calves (Holstein–Friesian) were either administered BRSV inoculate (103.5 TCID50/ml × 15 ml) (n = 12) or sterile phosphate buffered saline (n = 6). Clinical signs were scored daily and whole blood was collected in Tempus RNA tubes immediately prior to euthanasia, at day 7 post-challenge. RNA was extracted from blood and sequenced (150 bp paired-end). The sequence reads were aligned to the bovine reference genome (UMD3.1) and EdgeR was subsequently employed for differential gene expression analysis. Multidimensional scaling showed that samples from BRSV challenged and control calves segregated based on whole blood gene expression changes, despite the BRSV challenged calves only displaying mild clinical symptoms of the disease. There were 281 differentially expressed (DE) genes (p < 0.05, FDR < 0.1, fold change > 2) between the BRSV challenged and control calves. The top enriched KEGG pathways and gene ontology terms were associated with viral infection and included “Influenza A”, “defense response to virus”, “regulation of viral life cycle” and “innate immune response”. Highly DE genes involved in these pathways may be beneficial for the diagnosis of subclinical BRD from blood samples.
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    A molecular assessment of Ostertagia leptospicularis and Spiculopteragia asymmetrica among wild fallow deer in Northern Ireland and implications for false detection of livestock-associated species
    (BMC, 2024-03-18) Lyons, Maggie; Brown, Tony L.; Lahuerta-Marin, Angela; Morgan, Eric. R.; Airs, Paul M.; Animal Health and Welfare
    Background Wild deer populations utilizing livestock grazing areas risk cross-species transmission of gastrointestinal nematode parasites (GINs), including GINs with anthelmintic resistance (AR) traits. Wild deer have been shown to carry problematic GIN species such as Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus species in the UK, but the presence of livestock GINs in Northern Ireland deer populations is unknown. Also, is it not known whether AR traits exist among GINs of deer such as Ostertagia leptospicularis and Spiculopteragia asymmetrica in pastureland where anthelmintics are heavily used. Methods Adult-stage GIN samples were retrieved from Northern Irish wild fallow deer abomasa. Individual specimens were subject to a species-specific PCR analysis for common sheep and cattle GIN species with ITS-2 sequence analysis to validate species identities. In addition, the beta-tubulin gene was subject to sequencing to identify benzimidazole (BZ) resistance markers. Results ITS-2 sequencing revealed O. leptospicularis and S. asymmetrica, but species-specific PCR yielded false-positive hits for H. contortus, Teladorsagia circimcincta, Trichostrongylus axei, T. colubriformis, T. vitrinus and Ostertagia ostertagi. For beta-tubulin, O. leptospicularis and S. asymmetrica yielded species-specific sequences at the E198 codon, but no resistance markers were identified in either species at positions 167, 198 or 200 of the coding region. Discussion From this report, no GIN species of significance in livestock were identified among Northern Ireland fallow deer. However, false-positive PCR hits for sheep and cattle-associated GINs is concerning as the presence of deer species in livestock areas could impact both deer and livestock diagnostics and lead to overestimation of both GIN burden in deer and the role as of deer as drivers of these pathogens. ITS-2 sequences from both O. leptospicularis and S. asymmetrica show minor sequence variations to geographically distinct isolates. AR has been noted among GINs of deer but molecular analyses are lacking for GINs of wildlife. In producing the first beta-tubulin sequences for both O. leptospicularis and S. asymmetrica, we report no BZ resistance in this cohort. Conclusions This work contributes to genetic resources for wildlife species and considers the implications of such species when performing livestock GIN diagnostics.
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    Interspecific interactions affect N and P uptake rather than N:P ratios of plant species: evidence from intercropping
    (Oxford University Press, 2021-08-02) Zhang, Wei-Ping; Fornara, Dario; Liu, Guang-Cai; Peñuelas, Josep; Sardans, Jordi; Sun, Jian-Hao; Zhang, Li-Zhen; Li, Long; Grassland and Plant Science
    Quantifying stoichiometry of crop N and P acquisition (i.e. removal from farmland) under different agronomic practices is essential for understanding nutrient budgets and optimizing N and P fertilizer application in agroecosystems. It is not clear how plant N and P uptake and N:P stoichiometry vary between monoculture and intercropping throughout an entire growing season under different N fertilization and mulching practices. Here, we addressed how plant interspecific competition for nutrients have affected the temporal dynamics of crop N and P uptake (and N:P ratios) in five cropping systems (wheat, maize and barley monocultures, and wheat/maize and barley/maize intercropping), under two N levels (0 and 225 kg N ha−1) and two maize mulching treatments (with and without). Wheat and barley had greater N and P competitive ability than maize, leading to an increase in N and P uptake of wheat and barley and a decrease in N and P uptake of maize during co-growth stages in intercropping. N:P ratios of three crop species decreased with plant growth. Crop-level N:P ratios were either not affected by intercropping or did not change consistently with N fertilization while film mulching decreased maize N:P ratios. Community-level N:P ratios of the two intercrops were different from those of the corresponding monoculture at maturity. Because (i) the proportion of N and P removal from intercropping differs from monocultures, and (ii) N and P uptake by crops is decoupled under N fertilization and mulching, these findings may have practical implications for the nutrient budget of intercropping systems.
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    Ovary resorption in the Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) and its possible causes with special reference to sperm storage
    (BMC, 2020-10-27) Becker, Carola; Dick, Jaimie T. A.; Cunningham, E. Mánus; Lundy, Mathieu; Bell, Ewen; Eagling, Lawrence; Sigwart, Julia D.; Fisheries and Aquatic Ecosystems
    The Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus, is an important fisheries species in the North-East Atlantic area. In some circumstances, mature females of Nephrops norvegicus can resorb their ovary rather than completing spawning, but the implications of this phenomenon to reproductive biology and fisheries sustainability are not known. To understand after effects of ovary resorption, we studied long-term demographic data sets (1994–2017) collected from the western Irish Sea and the North Sea. Our considerations focused on potential correlations among the frequency of resorption, female insemination, and body size of resorbing females. Resorption was continuously rare in the western Irish Sea (less than 1%); whereas much higher rates with considerable year-to-year variation were observed in the North Sea (mean 9%). Resorption started in autumn after the spawning season (summer) had passed. The frequency stayed high throughout winter and declined again in spring. As sperm limitation can occur in male-biased fisheries, we expected a lack of insemination could be responsible for resorption, but affected females were indeed inseminated. Resorbing females were significantly larger than other sexually mature females in the North Sea, but the opposite trend was observed in the western Irish Sea. It is therefore possible that other, environmental factors or seasonal shifts, may trigger females to resorb their ovaries instead of spawning. Resorption may as well represent a natural phenomenon allowing flexibility in the periodicity of growth and reproduction. In this sense, observations of annual versus biennial reproductive cycles in different regions may be closely linked to the phenomenon of ovary resorption.
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    Over winter cover crops provide yield benefits for spring barley and maintain soil health in northern Europe
    (Elsevier, 2021-07-24) Holland, Jonathan; Brown, Jennifer L.; MacKenzie, Katrin; Neilson, Roy; Piras, Simone; McKenzie, Blair M.; Environmental Protection
    A three-year field experiment investigated the potential yield benefits and soil effects from over winter cover crops in Scotland, U.K. Brassica composition of cover crops significantly increased the grain yield and grain nitrogen (N) concentration of the following spring barley crop. The increased yield with cover crops was outweighed by increased costs and thus without subsidy (Ecological Focus Area) payments there was decreased profitability for the following spring barley crop. Cover crop effects were mostly neutral on soil properties, but surface shear strength was significantly lower than in the stubble control. This indicates that even direct drilling of cover crops will loosen the surface soil. Cover crops varied in their effect on slug populations but in all cases slug numbers were below treatment thresholds. No cover crop effects were detected for total nematode and earthworm abundance or the total soil organic carbon concentration. This study indicates that cover crops can improve cereal production in a region with a short growing season with no negative impact on soil health or the agronomic sustainability.
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    Swine influenza A virus infection dynamics and evolution in intensive pig production systems
    (Oxford Univerity Press, 2024-02-27) Lagan, Paula; Hamil, Michael; Cull, Susan; Hanrahan, Anthony; Wregor, Rosanna M.; Lemon, Ken; Animal Health and Welfare
    Swine influenza A virus (swIAV) is one of the main viral pathogens responsible for respiratory disease in farmed pigs. While outbreaks are often epidemic in nature, increasing reports suggest that continuous, endemic infection of herds is now common. The move towards larger herd sizes and increased intensification in the commercial pig industry may promote endemic infection; however, the impact that intensification has on swIAV infection dynamics and evolution is unclear. We carried out a longitudinal surveillance study for over 18 months on two enzootically infected, intensive, indoor, and multi-site pig production flows. Frequent sampling of all production stages using individual and group sampling methods was performed, followed by virological and immunological testing and whole-genome sequencing. We identified weaned pigs between 4 and 12-weeks old as the main reservoir of swIAV in the production flows, with continuous, year-round infection. Despite the continuous nature of viral circulation, infection levels were not uniform, with increasing exposure at the herd level associated with reduced viral prevalence followed by subsequent rebound infection. A single virus subtype was maintained on each farm for the entire duration of the study. Viral evolution was characterised by long periods of stasis punctuated by periods of rapid change coinciding with increasing exposure within the herd. An accumulation of mutations in the surface glycoproteins consistent with antigenic drift was observed, in addition to amino acid substitutions in the internal gene products as well as reassortment exchange of internal gene segments from newly introduced strains. These data demonstrate that long-term, continuous infection of herds with a single subtype is possible and document the evolutionary mechanisms utilised to achieve this.
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    Pectobacterium brasiliense: Genomics, Host Range and Disease Management
    (MDPI, 2021-01-05) Oulghazi, Said; Sarfraz, Sohaib; Zaczek-Moczydłowska, Maja A.; Khayi, Slimane; Ed-Dra, Abdelaziz; Campbell, Katrina; Novungayo Moleleki, Lucy; O’Hanlon, Richard; Faure, Denis; Environmental Protection
    Pectobacterium brasiliense (Pbr) is considered as one of the most virulent species among the Pectobacteriaceae. This species has a broad host range within horticulture crops and is well distributed elsewhere. It has been found to be pathogenic not only in the field causing blackleg and soft rot of potato, but it is also transmitted via storage causing soft rot of other vegetables. Genomic analysis and other cost-effective molecular detection methods such as a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) are essential to investigate the ecology and pathogenesis of the Pbr. The lack of fast, field deployable point-of-care testing (POCT) methods, specific control strategies and current limited genomic knowledge make management of this species difficult. Thus far, no comprehensive review exists about Pbr, however there is an intense need to research the biology, detection, pathogenicity and management of Pbr, not only because of its fast distribution across Europe and other countries but also due to its increased survival to various climatic conditions. This review outlines the information available in peer-reviewed literature regarding host range, detection methods, genomics, geographical distribution, nomenclature and taxonomical evolution along with some of the possible management and control strategies. In summary, the conclusions and a further directions highlight the management of this species.
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    Plant Functional Types Differ in Their Long-term Nutrient Response to eCO2 in an Extensive Grassland
    (Springer, 2021-10-25) Seibert, Ruben; Andresen, Louise C.; Jarosch, Klaus A.; Moser, Gerald; Kammann, Claudia I.; Yuan, Naiming; Luterbacher, Jürg; Laughlin, Ronnie J.; Watson, Catherine J.; Erbs, Martin; Müller, Christoph; Grassland and Plant Science
    Increasing atmospheric CO2 enhances plant biomass production and may thereby change nutrient concentrations in plant tissues. The objective of this study was to identify the effect of elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations on nutrient concentrations of grassland biomass that have been grown for 16 years (1998–2013). The grassland biomass grown at the extensively managed Giessen FACE experiment, fumigated with ambient and elevated CO2 (aCO2; eCO2; +20%) was harvested twice annually. Concentrations of C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn were determined separately for grasses, forbs and legumes. Under eCO2, the concentration of N was reduced in grasses, Ca was reduced in grasses and forbs, P was reduced in grasses but increased in legumes, Mg concentration was reduced in grasses, forbs and legumes and K was reduced in grasses but increased in forbs. The nutrient yield (in g nutrient yield of an element per m−2) of most elements indicated negative yield responses at a zero biomass response to eCO2 for grasses. K and Zn nutrient yields responded positively to eCO2 in forbs and Mn and Fe responded positively in forbs and legumes. The results suggest that under eCO2 the nutrient concentrations were not diluted by the CO2 fertilization effect. Rather, altered plant nutrient acquisitions via changed physiological mechanisms prevail for increased C assimilation under eCO2. Furthermore, other factors such as water or nutrient availability affected plant nutrient concentrations under eCO2.
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    Plant protection product residues in plant pollen and nectar: A review of current knowledge
    (Elsevier, 2020-07-09) Zioga, Elena; Kelly, Ruth; White, Blánaid; Stout, Jane C.; Grassland and Plant Science
    Exposure to Plant Protection Products, PPPs, (fungicides, herbicides and insecticides) is a significant stressor for bees and other pollinators, and has recently been the focus of intensive debate and research. Specifically, exposure through contaminated pollen and nectar is considered pivotal, as it presents the highest risk of PPP exposure across all bee species. However, the actual risk that multiple PPP residues might pose to non-target species is difficult to assess due to the lack of clear evidence of their actual concentrations. To consolidate the existing knowledge of field-realistic residues detected in pollen and nectar directly collected from plants, we performed a systematic literature review of studies over the past 50 years (1968–2018). We found that pollen was the matrix most frequently evaluated and, of the compounds investigated, the majority were detected in pollen samples. Although the overall most studied category of PPPs were the neonicotinoid insecticides, the compounds with the highest median concentrations of residues in pollen were: the broad spectrum carbamate carbofuran (1400 ng/g), the fungicide and nematicide iprodione (524 ng/g), and the organophosphate insecticide dimethoate (500 ng/g). In nectar, the highest median concentration of PPP residues detected were dimethoate (1595 ng/g), chlorothalonil (76 ng/g), and the insecticide phorate (53.5 ng/g). Strong positive correlation was observed between neonicotinoid residues in pollen and nectar of cultivated plant species. The maximum concentrations of several compounds detected in nectar and pollen were estimated to exceed the LD50s for honey bees, bumble bees and four solitary bee species, by several orders of magnitude. However, there is a paucity of information for the biggest part of the world and there is an urgent need to expand the range of compounds evaluated in PPP studies.
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    Population genetic structure of the Natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita) in Ireland: implications for conservation management
    (Springer, 2021-11-24) Reyne, Marina; Dicks, Kara; McFarlane, Claire; Aubry, Aurélie; Emmerson, Mark; Marnell, Ferdia; Reid, Neil; Helyar, Sarah; Environmental Protection
    Molecular methods can play a crucial role in species management and conservation. Despite the usefulness of genetic approaches, they are often not explicitly included as part of species recovery plans and conservation practises. The Natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita) is regionally Red-Listed as Endangered in Ireland. The species is declining and is now present at just seven sites within a highly restricted range. This study used 13 highly polymorphic microsatellite markers to analyse the population genetic diversity and structure. Genetic diversity was high with expected heterozygosity between 0.55 and 0.61 and allelic richness between 4.77 and 5.92. Effective population sizes were small (Ne < 100 individuals), but not abnormal for pond breeding amphibians. However, there was no evidence of historical or contemporary genetic bottlenecks or high levels of inbreeding. We identified a positive relationship between Ne and breeding pond surface area, suggesting that environmental factors are a key determinant of population size. Significant genetic structuring was detected throughout the species’ range, and we identified four genetic entities that should be considered in the species’ conservation strategies. Management should focus on preventing further population declines and future loss of genetic diversity overall and within genetic entities while maintaining adequate local effective population size through site-specific protection, human-mediated translocations and head-start programs. The apparent high levels of genetic variation give hope for the conservation of Ireland’s rarest amphibian if appropriately protected and managed.
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    Does economic shocks influence household's healthcare expenditure? Evidence from rural Nigeria
    (Elsevier, 2021-05-03) Rufai, Adedoyin Mistura; Ogunniyi, Adebayo Isaiah; Abioye, Oyewale Daniel; Birindwa, Ahadi Bwihangane; Olagunju, Kehinde Oluseyi; Omotayo, Abiodun Olusola; Economics
    Health is profoundly influenced by several factors outside the traditional realm of healthcare. This paper employed a two-step Heckman selectivity model to examine factors influencing the decision to spend on health and the effects of economic shocks on health expenditure. The results from the first stage shows that the likelihood of spending on health increased with age, education, income, and decreases if the household is living in the northern region of Nigeria and uses mosquito bed-net. The findings from the second stage estimation show that a fall in the price of food items, an increase in the price of inputs for household enterprises and loss of job are the significant shocks that affect household health expenditure. Based on these findings, this study concluded that fall in the prices of major food items consumed within the household increased income available for health care among the farmers. Going forward, the study recommends the provision of holistic health-economic-welfare interventions for the marginalized rural populace in Nigeria.
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    Prevalence of Plastic and Hardware Foreign Bodies among Goats at Malawi Markets
    (MDPI, 2024-01-01) Airs, Paul M.; Tinsley, Jonathan H. I.; Mvula, Winchester; Ventura-Cordero, Javier; Takahashi, Taro; Nalivata, Patson; van Wyk, Jan A.; Morgan, Eric R.; Safalaoh, Andrews C. L.; Animal Health and Welfare
    Smallholder goat production plays a major role in rural livelihoods and food security in Malawi, but suffers from drastic and unpredictable production losses. While goat production is closely linked to small-scale local markets for slaughter and butchering, the perspectives of butchers and their potential as a source of animal health information are largely untapped. Butchers can provide insights into goat health status at slaughter as well as issues that go unseen before slaughter, such as the presence of indigestible foreign bodies (IFBs). IFBs include solid materials such as plastics and hardware (metals, stones, and other hard objects) that cause foreign body syndrome and can lead to impaction, oedema, malnutrition, and death. To estimate the presence of IFBs, 150 market stand butchers were surveyed across five districts in Malawi, focusing on a distinction between hardware and single-use plastics, which are still widely present in Malawi despite bans on production. Most butchers found plastic IFBs (80.7%), with over half (56.7%) reporting plastic IFBs recently among the past five slaughters. Hardware IFBs were less common, reported by 45.3% of butchers. While some butchers commented on the impact of IFBs on meat quality metrics ex-post, the majority observed no differences. While butchers unanimously considered health to be an important characteristic when sourcing goats, 70.7% consider injury status to be less important or not important. Overall, this study highlights the issue of anthropogenic waste pollution on goat production in Malawi and demonstrates the potential for the surveillance of goat health at market.
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    The mechanistic role of natural antimicrobials in preventing Staphylococcus aureus invasion of MAC-T cells using an in vitro mastitis model
    (BMC, 2024-02-27) Balta, Igori; McCleery, David; David, Saida Roxana Feier; Pet, Elena; Stef, Ducu; Iancu, Tiberiu; Pet, Ioan; Stef, Lavinia; Corcionivoschi, Nicolae; Animal Health and Welfare
    Background Starting primarily as an inflammation of the mammary gland, mastitis is frequently driven by infectious agents such as Staphylococcus aureus. Mastitis has a large economic impact globally, which includes diagnostic, treatment, and the production costs not to mention the potential milk contamination with antimicrobial residues. Currently, mastitis prevention and cure depends on intramammary infusion of antimicrobials, yet, their overuse risks engendering resistant pathogens, posing further threats to livestock. Methods In our study we aimed to investigate, in vitro, using bovine mammary epithelial cells (MAC-T), the efficacy of the AuraShield an antimicrobial mixture (As) in preventing S. aureus attachment, internalisation, and inflammation. The antimicrobial mixture (As) included: 5% maltodextrin, 1% sodium chloride, 42% citric acid, 18% sodium citrate, 10% silica, 12% malic acid, 9% citrus extract and 3% olive extract (w/w). Results and discussion Herein we show that As can significantly reduce both adherence and invasion of MAC-T cells by S. aureus, with no impact on cell viability at all concentrations tested (0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1%) compared with untreated controls. The anti-apoptotic effect of As was achieved by significantly reducing cellular caspase 1, 3 and 8 activities in the infected MAC-T cells. All As concentrations were proven to be subinhibitory, suggesting that Ac can reduce S. aureus virulence without bacterial killing and that the effect could be dual including a host modulation effect. In this context, we show that As can reduce the expression of S. aureus clumping factor (ClfB) and block its interaction with the host Annexin A2 (AnxA2), resulting in decreased bacterial adherence in infection of MAC-T cells. Moreover, the ability of As to block AnxA2 had a significant decreasing effect on the levels of pro inflammatory cytokine released upon S. aureus interaction with MAC-T cells. Conclusion The results presented in this study indicate that mixtures of natural antimicrobials could potentially be considered an efficient alternative to antibiotics in treating S. aureus induced mastitis.
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    Quantification of vitamin D3 and 25(OH)D3 in commercial pork products by LC- MS/M
    (Cambridge University Press, 2023-06-14) Taylor, E.J.; Rosbotham, E.J.; Gill, C.I.R.; McDonald, E.J.; McRoberts, W.C.; Rainey, N.; Loy, R.; Neill, H.R.; O’Neill, U.; Smyth, S.; Pourshahidi, L.K.; Food Quality