ASAS-NANP SYMPOSIUM: Review of systems thinking concepts and their potential value in animal science research

Worldwide, our collective research and policy institutions, including the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS), are calling for more systems-based research and analysis of society’s most pressing and complex problems. However, the use of systems analysis within animal science remains limited and researchers may not have the tools to answer this call. This review thus introduces important concepts in systems thinking methodology, such as policy resistance, feedback processes, and dynamic complexity. An overall rationale for systems thinking and analysis is presented, along with examples of the application of these concepts in current animal science research. In order to contrast systems approaches to more frequently employed event-oriented research frameworks, both frameworks are then applied to the ASAS’ identified “Grand Challenge” problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in order to compare these two kinds of analyses. Systems thinking stresses the importance of underlying system structures that lead to persistent problem behaviors vs a focus on unidirectional cause-and-effect relationships. A potential systems framework for animal production decisions to use antimicrobials is shown that more explicitly accounts for AMR in a way that can lead to different animal production decisions than the event-oriented framework. Acknowledging and accounting for fundamental system structures that can explain persistent AMR will lead to different potential solutions to this problem than would be suggested from more linear approaches. The challenges and benefits of incorporating systems methods into animal science research are then discussed.     

ASAS-NANP Symposium: Mathematical Modeling in Animal Nutrition: The progression of data analytics and artificial intelligence in support of sustainable development in animal science

A renewed interest in data analytics and decision support systems in developing automated computer systems is facilitating the emergence of hybrid intelligent systems by combining artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms with classical modeling paradigms such as mechanistic modeling (HIMM) and agent-based models (iABM). Data analytics have evolved remarkably, and the scientific community may not yet fully grasp the power and limitations of some tools. Existing statistical assumptions might need to be re-assessed to provide a more thorough competitive advantage in animal production systems towards sustainability. This paper discussed the evolution of data analytics from a competitive advantage perspective within academia and illustrated the combination of different advanced technological systems in developing HIMM. The progress of analytical tools was divided into three stages: collect and respond, predict and prescribe, and smart learning and policy making, depending on the level of their sophistication (simple to complicated analysis). The collect and respond stage is responsible for ensuring the data is correct and free of influential data points, and it represents the data and information phases for which data are cataloged and organized. The predict and prescribe stage results in gained knowledge from the data and comprises most predictive modeling paradigms, and optimization and risk assessment tools are used to prescribe future decision-making opportunities. The third stage aims to apply the information obtained in the previous stages to foment knowledge and use it for rational decisions. This stage represents the pinnacle of acquired knowledge that leads to wisdom, and AI technology is intrinsic. Although still incipient, HIMM and iABM form the forthcoming stage of competitive advantage. HIMM may not increase our ability to understand the underlying mechanisms controlling the outcomes of a system, but it may increase the predictive ability of existing models by helping the analyst explain more of the data variation. The scientific community still has some issues to be resolved, including the lack of transparency and reporting of AI that might limit code reproducibility. It might be prudent for the scientific community to avoid the shiny object syndrome (i.e., AI) and look beyond the current knowledge to understand the mechanisms that might improve productivity and efficiency to lead agriculture towards sustainable and responsible achievements.     

Technical Note: Coccygeal vein catheterization for sampling of reproductive tract-derived products from the uterine–ovarian drainage

Blood sample collection from the caudal vena cava at the site of uterine–ovarian drainage provides a more exact evaluation of the concentration and pattern of secretion of uterine or ovarian secreted products for studies of reproductive processes in cyclic and pregnant cattle compared with samples collected from general circulation. This paper describes a thorough and updated procedure for cannulating the coccygeal vein into the caudal vena cava for the collection of serial blood samples at or near the site of uterine–ovarian drainage. Concentrations of progesterone were quantified in cows of different reproductive tract sizes with an active corpus luteum to assess the distance for proper catheter placement compared with circulating concentrations collected from the jugular vein. This procedure has a low risk for side effects, can be used effectively in pregnant animals with no major consequence to the viability of the pregnancy, and provides means for frequent collections up to 12 d.     

畜牧科技论文中数据资料的检验判断方法初探

为便于判断科技论文中统计资料差异显著性标示的正误,基于论文中提供的样本大小、平均数和标准差3项信息,遵循统计检验的基本理论,提出了差比系数(均数差/标准差)的概念,并编制出最小显著差比系数表。利用该表可以快速准确地对论文中经t检验和方差分析多重检验的一些统计结果进行检验判断,纠正在科技论文资料统计过程中偶尔发生的错误。     

农牧交错区草地面积动态变化研究——以内蒙古太仆寺旗为例

利用1986,2000和2009年3个年份点的遥感影像,在RS与GIS支持下,解译提取内蒙古太仆寺旗20余年草地空间信息,分析该区草地时空动态及其景观格局变化。结果表明:1986～2000年,草地面积减少307.67km2,且退化严重,大量草地转化为耕地,生态环境趋于恶化;2000～2009年,草地面积有所增加,增加的部分主要来自退耕地;20余年来,低地盐化草甸持续增加,低湿地草甸快速减少。基于分析结果,指出草地退化是自然因素与人类活动共同作用的结果,自然因素起到一定作用,人类活动干扰则是草地动态变化的主要驱动力。     

Evaluation of Caspase-3 and Ki-67 expression in squamous cell hyperplasia of the stomach induced by Platycodi radix water extract in Sprague–Dawley rats

Platycodi radix is widely used in traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of bronchitis, asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. This study aimed to investigate cell proliferation (Ki-67) and apoptosis (Caspase-3) potential in squamous cell hyperplasia of the stomach induced by a Platycodi radix water extract in a subchronic toxicity study. One hundred formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded stomach tissues of rats treated with Platycodi radix at doses of 0, 500, 1,000, and 3,000 mg/kg body weight/day were used for the analysis. They were conventionally stained using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemically (IHC) stained using caspase-3 and Ki-67 antibodies. The incidence of squamous cell hyperplasia was significantly increased in the 3,000 mg/kg b.w./day treatment group in both sexes (p<0.01). However, the hyperplastic change was completely repaired after 4 weeks of recovery period. Ki-67 expression was similar in all groups, with no statistically significant differences among the groups. Caspase-3 expression was significantly increased in both sexes in the 3,000 mg/kg b.w./day treatment group (p<0.01), compared with the vehicle control groups, and then reduced to normal levels in the recovery groups in both sexes. In conclusion, this study showed that squamous cell hyperplasia induced by the Platycodi radix water extract in the limiting ridge of the stomach is not considered to be abnormal proliferative change; as a result, squamous cell hyperplasia is considered to be a non-adverse effect when induced by the oral administration of the Platycodi radix water extract once daily for 13 weeks in rats.     

Inclusion of sire by herd interaction effect in the genomic evaluation for weaning weight of American Angus

A spurious negative genetic correlation between direct and maternal effects of weaning weight (WW) in beef cattle has historically been problematic for researchers and industry. Previous research has suggested the covariance between sires and herds may be contributing to this relationship. The objective of this study was to estimate the variance components (VC) for WW in American Angus with and without sire by herd (S×H) interaction effect when genomic information is used or not. Five subsets of ~100k animals for each subset were used. When genomic information was included, genotypes were added for 15,637 animals. Five replicates were performed. Four different models were tested, namely, M1: without S×H interaction effect and with covariance between direct and maternal effect (σam) ≠ 0; M2: with S×H interaction effect and σam ≠ 0; M3: without S×H interaction effect and with σam = 0; M4: with S×H interaction effect and σam = 0. VC were estimated using the restricted maximum likelihood (REML) and single-step genomic REML (ssGREML) with the average information algorithm. Breeding values were computed using single-step genomic BLUP for the models above and one additional model, which had the covariance zeroed after the estimation of VC (M5). The ability of each model to predict future breeding values was investigated with the linear regression method. Under REML, when the S×H interaction effect was added to the model, both direct and maternal genetic variances were greatly reduced, and the negative covariance became positive (i.e., when moving from M1 to M2). Similar patterns were observed under ssGREML, but with less reduction in the direct and maternal genetic variances and still a negative covariance. Models with the S×H interaction effect (M2 and M4) had a better fit according to the Akaike information criteria. Breeding values from those models were more accurate and had less bias than the other three models. The rankings and breeding values of artificial insemination sires (N = 1,977) greatly changed when the S×H interaction effect was fit in the model. Although the S×H interaction effect accounted for 3% to 5% of the total phenotypic variance and improved the model fit, this change in the evaluation model will cause severe reranking among animals.     

Application of the ASVCP guidelines for the establishment of haematologic and biochemical reference intervals in Icelandic horses in Austria

Background

Despite the increasing popularity of Icelandic horses, published reference intervals (RIs) in this breed are rare. Due to their isolation and their small gene pool, alterations in some variables are likely and some possible breed-specific peculiarities have been described. The purpose of the present study was the establishment of comprehensive RIs in Icelandic horses according to recently published guidelines.In a prospective observational study, blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of 142 Icelandic horses into EDTA and serum tubes. Reference intervals were established for haematologic and biochemical analytes on the Advia 2120i™ and the Dimension ExL™ by established methods. RIs were defined as central 95 % intervals bounded by the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles with their 90 % confidence intervals, calculated according to recently published ASVCP guidelines. An inhouse-developed quality control system using observed total allowable error was used for the surveillance of the internal quality control preceding the measurements.

Results

The RIs were as follows: haematocrit: 0.29–0.39, RBC: 5.79–8.63 T/l, haemoglobin: 102.0–142.3 g/l, MCV: 42–51 fl, platelets: 146–263 G/l, WBC: 4.13–8.57 G/l, segs: 1.98–4.73 G/l, lymphocytes: 1.25–3.49 G/l, monocytes: 0.06–0.31 G/l, eosinophils: 0.04–0.50 G/l, glucose: 4.0–5.7 mmol/l, urea: 3.2–6.4 mmol/l, creatinine: 79.6–141.4 μmol/l, total protein: 54.4–72.9 g/l, albumin: 27.7–36.8 g/l, total bilirubin: 8.1–21.1 μmol/l, triglycerides: 0.03–0.44 mmol/l, cholesterol: 1.75–2.90 mmol/l, ALP: 1.35–3.55 μkat/l, AST: 4.52–8.80 μkat/l, GLDH: 0.0–0.18 μkat/l, GGT: 0.11–0.39 μkat/l, CK: 2.53–6.52 μkat/l, LDH: 3.32–7.95 μkat/l, iron: 16.4–39.9 μmol/l, calcium: 2.69–3.19 mmol/l, phosphate: 0.5–1.3 mmol/l, magnesium: 0.6–0.9 mmol/l, sodium: 134–141 mmol/l, potassium: 3.6–4.7 mmol/l, chloride: 100–105 mmol/l.

Conclusions

Reference intervals of several haematologic and biochemical analytes differed from the transferred historical reference intervals applied to equine samples in the authors’ laboratory. These might be of clinical importance in some analytes such as creatine kinase.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13028-015-0120-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Focused cardiac ultrasound examination in the emergency and critical care horse: Training for non‐specialist veterinarians and evaluation of proficiency

BackgroundFocused cardiac ultrasound examination (FoCUS) is rapidly emerging for point‐of‐care cardiac assessment using hand‐carried ultrasound (HCU) devices. A specific FoCUS protocol for horses and adequate training guidelines currently are not available.HypothesisTo gain knowledge about the training necessary to become proficient in performing FoCUS using a HCU device.AnimalsThree healthy Warmblood horses were used for practical training of veterinarians and veterinary students in equine focused cardiac ultrasound (eFoCUS).MethodsProspective educational study. An eFoCUS protocol and 1‐day training course were developed. Pre‐ and post‐course written tests were administered to participants to evaluate proficiency in knowledge of echocardiography and echocardiographic pathology. A post‐course practical examination involved performing eFoCUS and storage of representative images. Images were evaluated using an image quality score and compared between participants with some practical experience and participants with no practical experience.ResultsParticipants'' knowledge of echocardiography increased significantly. Recognition of echocardiographic pathology pre‐course ranged from 40% to 90% (mean score, 65.7%) and post‐course from 85% to 100% (mean score, 92%). Eighteen of 21 participants were proficient in performing eFoCUS with a median image quality score of 79% (range, 42%‐95%). Image quality did not differ between participants with some practical experience compared to participants with no experience.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceVeterinarians and veterinary students independent of previous experience can become proficient in performing eFoCUS after completion of a 1‐day training course.     

The Process and Development Mechanism of Age-related Fibrosis in the Pancreatic Islets of Sprague-Dawley Rats: Immunohistochemical Detection of Myofibroblasts and Suppression Effect by Estrogen Treatment

The mechanism of spontaneous islet fibrosis in Sprague-Dawley rats was investigated. Using sections of the pancreas in naive males aged 26 to 102 weeks old and 26-week-old males injected with β-estradiol 3-benzoate (EB), the incidence of lesions and histological scores of fibrosis were examined in conjunction with immunohistochemistry for α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α (PDGFRα) and estrogen receptor-α (ERα). The incidence of islet fibrosis increased in 78-week-old animals compared to the 26-week-old animals, and the incidence of atrophy in the fibrotic islet increased in animals over 52 weeks old. α-SMA and PDGFRα were positively stained mainly in fibrotic/inflammatory islets, and the histological score of α-SMA in the fibrotic islet decreased age-dependently. Notably, α-SMA and PDGFRα were co-expressed in inflammatory islets with a high score at all ages. The positive index of ERα in the EB-treated group increased when compared with that of the naive group. However, it was independent of the existence of fibrosis. In contrast, the score of α-SMA and PDGFRα decreased in the EB-treated group. In conclusion, it was clarified that a part of age-related fibrosis in islets became atrophy with age, and α-SMA-positive myofibroblasts were considered to contribute to the development of fibrosis. Strong PDGFRα stainability in fibrotic/inflammatory islets may imply that myofibroblasts were stimulated by PDGF to produce an extracellular matrix. Although estradiol has been known to suppress fibrosis/inflammation in the islet, nuclear-located ER-dependent signaling was considered not to be involved in the suppression mechanism. EB possibly affected the inhibition of the appearance of myofibroblasts.     

Plants as de-worming agents of livestock in the Nordic countries: historical perspective, popular beliefs and prospects for the future.

Preparations derived from plants were the original therapeutic interventions used by man to control diseases (including parasites), both within humans and livestock. Development of herbal products depended upon local botanical flora with the result that different remedies tended to develop in different parts of the world. Nevertheless, in some instances, the same or related plants were used over wide geographic regions, which also was the result of communication and/or the importation of plant material of high repute. Thus, the Nordic countries have an ancient, rich and diverse history of plant derived anthelmintic medications for human and animal use. Although some of the more commonly used herbal de-wormers were derived from imported plants, or their products, many are from endemic plants or those that thrive in the Scandinavian environment. With the advent of the modern chemotherapeutic era, and the discovery, development and marketing of a seemingly unlimited variety of highly efficacious, safe synthetic chemicals with very wide spectra of activities, herbal remedies virtually disappeared from the consciousness--at least in the Western world. This attitude is now rapidly changing. There is a widespread resurgence in natural product medication, driven by major threats posed by multi-resistant pest, or disease, organisms and the diminishing public perceptions that synthetic chemicals are the panacea to health and disease control. This review attempts to provide a comprehensive account of the depth of historical Nordic information available on herbal de-wormers, with emphasis on livestock and to provide some insights on potentially rewarding areas of "re-discovery" and scientific evaluation in this field.     

Effect of dietary fish oil on fatty acid deposition and expression of cholesterol homeostasis controlling genes in the liver and plasma lipid profile: comparison of two animal models

The objective of the present study was to compare hepatic fatty acid deposition, plasma lipid level and expression of cholesterol homeostasis controlling genes in the liver of rats (Wistar Albino; n = 32) and pigs (Large White × Landrace; n = 32) randomly assigned into two groups of 16 animals each and fed 10 weeks the diet with either 2.5% of fish oil (F; source of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid, EPA+DHA) or 2.5% of palm oil (P; high content of saturated fatty acids; control). F‐rats deposited in the liver three times less EPA, but 1.3 times more DHA than F‐pigs (p < 0.05). Dietary fish oil relative to palm oil increased PPARα and SREBP‐2 gene expression much strongly (p < 0.01) in the pig liver in comparison with the rat liver, but expression of Insig‐1 and Hmgcr genes in the liver of the F‐pigs relative to the expression of these genes in the liver of the P‐pigs was substantially lower (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05 respectively) as compared to rats. When plasma lipid concentration in the F‐animals was expressed as a ratio of the plasma concentration in the P‐counterparts, dietary fish oil decreased HDL cholesterol less (p < 0.01), but LDL cholesterol and triacylglycerols more (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001 respectively) in rats than in pigs: more favourable effect of fish oil on rat plasma lipids in comparison with pigs can therefore be concluded. Concentration of total cholesterol and both its fractions in the rat plasma was negatively correlated (p < 0.01) with hepatic DHA, but also with unsaturated myristic and palmitic acid respectively. It has been concluded that regarding the similarity of the plasma lipid levels to humans, porcine model can be considered superior; however, using this model, dietary fish oil at the tested amount (2.5%) was not able to improve plasma lipid markers in comparison with saturated palm oil.     

Role of the international organisation for animal health (Office International des Epizooties: OIE) in the control of foot and mouth disease

The author describes activities conducted by the International Organisation for Animal Health (OIE: Office International des Epizooties) to control foot and mouth disease (FMD) world-wide. These activities fall within the framework of the principal missions of the OIE.

The first of these missions is the collection and dissemination of epidemiological information and of scientific knowledge on animal diseases, the socio-economic or disease implications of which can be particularly serious. The implementation of the measures required to control the disease and to protect countries threatened by FMD depends on the quality and rapidity of the transmission of this information.

The co-ordination of studies, research and control programmes against FMD is equally important for the OIE. This work is based, in particular, on work conducted by the OIE foot and mouth disease and other epizootics Commission. OIE Member Countries not only have access to the most recent data on the diagnosis, surveillance and control of FMD but also have recourse to the official recognition procedure for disease-free status provided by this Commission.

Finally, through the standardisation of health recommendations, diagnostic tests, manufacture protocols and the control of biological products, made available by the OIE International Animal Health Code Commission in regard to the former and by the OIE Standards Commission in regard to the latter, the OIE provides the reference for international trade in animals and animal products, and is recognised in this role by the World Trade Organization.

Résumé

L'auteur décrit les actions conduites par l'Office international des épizootie (OIE) pour lutter contre la fièvre aphteuse dans le monde entire. Ces actions figurent parmi les principales missions de l'OIE.

La première de ces missions est la collecte et la diffusion d'informations épidémiologiques ainsi que des connaissances scientifiques sur les maladies animales qui peuvent avoir des répercussions socio-économiques particulièrement importantes. L'amélioration des mesures nécessaires pour lutter contre la maladie et pour protéger les pays menacés par la fièvre aphteuse dépend de la qualité et de la rapidité de transmission de ces informations.

La coordination d’études, de recherches et de programmes de lutte contre la fièvre aphteuse est également importante pour I'OIE. Ce travail repose en particulier sur celui de la Commission de I'O.I.E sur la fièvre aphteuse et les autres épizooties. Non seulement les Pays Membres de l'OIE ont accès aux données les plus récentes sur le diagnostic, la surveillance et la lutte contre la fièvre aphteuse, mais ils bénéficient aussi de la procédure de reconnaissance officielle du statut de zone indemne gérée par cette Commission.

Enfin, à travers la standardisation des recommendations sanitaires, des tests de diagnostic, des protocoles de fabrication et du contrôle des produits biologiques réalisée par la Commission OIE du Code zoosanitaire et par la Commission OIE des normes, l'OIE constitue la référence pour le commerce international des animaux et des produits animaux, et il est reconnu dans ce rôle par I'OMC.     

A review of recent developments in the clinical application of prosthetic laryngoplasty for recurrent laryngeal neuropathy: Indications,complications and outcome

Recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) has been recognised for two centuries in horses. Surveys undertaken in Europe and the United States have reported that prosthetic laryngoplasty is the most common treatment for RLN, particularly for advanced cases. Despite widespread adoption of this surgical technique for treatment of RLN, reported success rates still vary widely, particularly in horses used for high intensity exercise where outcomes are often considered moderate, at best. Studies evaluating the outcome of the procedure are complicated by the use of variable criteria for measuring success, various modifications in the procedure, differing athletic demands in horses used in different equine disciplines and horses lost to follow‐up. Furthermore, post operative complications appear to be common, in particular, the effects of the surgery on airway dynamics which are not completely understood. Proposed modifications to the technique may provide a means of improving success rates; however, standardised objective measurements taken before and after surgery are required to effectively evaluate the potential benefits and outcomes of the procedure.     

Compensation for obesity-induced insulin resistance in dogs: assessment of the effects of leptin, adiponectin, and glucagon-like peptide-1 using path analysis

The hormonal mediators of obesity-induced insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinemia in dogs have not been identified. Plasma samples were obtained after a 24-h fast from 104 client-owned lean, overweight, and obese dogs. Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were used to calculate insulin sensitivity and β-cell function with the use of the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA_{insulin sensitivity} and HOMA_{β-cell function}, respectively). Path analysis with multivariable linear regression was used to identify whether fasting plasma leptin, adiponectin, or glucagon-like peptide-1 concentrations were associated with adiposity, insulin sensitivity, and basal insulin secretion. None of the dogs were hyperglycemic. In the final path model, adiposity was positively associated with leptin (P < 0.01) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (P = 0.04) concentrations. No significant total effect of adiposity on adiponectin in dogs (P = 0.24) was observed. If there is a direct effect of leptin on adiponectin, then our results indicate that this is a positive relationship, which at least partly counters a negative direct relationship between adiposity and adiponectin. Fasting plasma leptin concentration was directly negatively associated with fasting insulin sensitivity (P = 0.01) and positively associated with β-cell function (P < 0.01), but no direct association was observed between adiponectin concentration and either insulin sensitivity or β-cell function (P = 0.42 and 0.11, respectively). We conclude that dogs compensate effectively for obesity-induced insulin resistance. Fasting plasma leptin concentrations appear to be associated with obesity-associated changes in insulin sensitivity and compensatory hyperinsulinemia in naturally occurring obese dogs. Adiponectin does not appear to be involved in the pathophysiology of obesity-associated changes in insulin sensitivity.