Tracing the Dynamical Genetic Diversity Changes of Russian Livni Pigs during the Last 50 Years with the Museum, Old, and Modern Samples.

The pig industry is usually considered an intensive livestock industry, mainly supported by hybrid breeding between commercial pig breeds. However, people's pursuit of a more natural environment and higher meat quality has led to an increasing demand for eco-friendly and diverse pig feeding systems. Therefore, the importance of rearing and conserving local pig breeds is increasing. The Livni pig is a local breed with good adaptability to the environmental and fodder conditions in central Russia. In this study, we aimed to analyze the genetic diversity and population structure of Livni pigs using whole-genome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data. We utilized the Porcine GGP HD BeadChip on genotype samples from old (n = 32, 2004) and modern (n = 32, 2019) populations of Livni pigs. For the museum samples of Livni pigs (n = 3), we extracted DNA from their teeth, performed genomic sequencing, and obtained SNP genotypes from the whole-genome sequences. SNP genotypes of Landrace (n = 32) and Large White (n = 32) pigs were included for comparative analysis. We observed that the allelic richness of Livni pigs was higher than those of Landrace and Large White pigs (AR = 1.775-1.798 vs. 1.703 and 1.668, respectively). The effective population size estimates (NE5 = 108 for Livni pigs, NE5 = 59 for Landrace and Large White pigs) confirmed their genetic diversity tendency. This was further supported by the length and number of runs of homozygosity, as well as the genomic inbreeding coefficient (almost twofold lower in Livni pigs compared to Landrace and Large White pigs). These findings suggest that the Livni pig population exhibits higher genetic diversity and experiences lower selection pressure compared to commercial pig populations. Furthermore, both principal component and network tree analyses demonstrated a clear differentiation between Livni pigs and transboundary commercial pigs. The TreeMix results indicated gene flow from Landrace ancestors to Livni pigs (2019) and from Large White ancestors to Livni pigs (2004), which was consistent with their respective historical breeding backgrounds. The comparative analysis of museum, old, and modern Livni pigs indicated that the modern Livni pig populations have preserved their historical genomic components, suggesting their potential suitability for future design selection programs.

Influence of Dietary Addition of Mineral Shungite and Fucus vesiculosus on Production Performance, Egg Quality, Nutrients Digestibility, and Immunity Status of Laying Hens.

The main purpose of this study was to assess the impact of using the thermally modified mineral adsorbent shungite (MAS) and the dried seaweed meal Fucus vesiculosus (DSM) with different doses in Brown Nick cross laying hens' diet on their productivity, nutrient digestibility, morphological and blood profile, immunity status, and egg quality. A total of 261,720 hens were used in this experiment at the age of 63 weeks, and they were randomly divided into 5 groups (feeding program) with six repetitions of 8724 chickens in each. The first served (control) as a control group where laying hens were fed the basal diet that was used on the farm only; the second and the third groups represented MAS+ and MAS++, where they received the basal diet supplemented by 0.1% and 0.25% (or 1.0 kg/t and 2.5 kg/t of feed) of the mineral adsorbent shungite (MAS) which was provided in the feed in powder form (5 microns) and was added to the feed at the feed mill; the fourth and fifth groups represented DSM+ and DSM++, which received the basal diet provided with 0.1% and 0.25% (or 1.0 kg/t and 2.5 kg/t of feed) of dried seaweed meal of F. vesiculosus algae (DSM). The average egg weight over the entire period of the experiment revealed significant differences between the experimental groups and represented in the control group 65.20 vs. 66.88, 66.87 and 68.10 and 68.13 g in the MAS+ and MAS++, and DSM+ and DSM++ groups, respectively. Once the dried seaweed meal F. vesiculosus (DSM) was used, the crude protein increased significantly (p < 0.05) in egg yolk by 2.64 and 2.67%, carotenoids by 1.13 and 1.20 mg/g DM. The inclusion of both MAS and DSM feed additives revealed a significant decrease in the level of crude fat (lipids) in their liver when compared with the control group. The level of erythrocytes (RBCs) increased (p < 0.05) in the MAS+ and MAS++ and DSM+ and DSM++ groups when compared to the control group. Similarly, a significant increase was noted in hemoglobin when DSM was supplemented when compared to the control one. Moreover, the number of heterophils increased (p < 0.05) in groups of MAS and DSM when compared to the control group. The percentage of phagocytic activity increased significantly by 5.39, 6.90, and 7.18% in MAS++, DSM+, and DSM++, respectively, relative to the control group. On the other hand, the phagocytic number decreased (p < 0.05) by 1.15 and 1.12 conditional units in MAS+ and MAS++ and by 1.03 and 0.83 conditional units in DSM+ and DSM++ when compared to the control group, respectively. Consequently, the inclusion of thermally modified mineral adsorbent shungite and the dried seaweed meal F. vesiculosus with different doses in Brown Nick cross laying hen diets improves the egg weight and egg quality, crude protein, carotenoids and vitamin A in the egg mass, the utilization of lysine and methionine nutrients, hemoglobin content, immunity status, while decreases the incidence of fatty liver occurrence.

Role of Dietary Inclusion of Phytobiotics and Mineral Adsorbent Combination on Dairy Cows' Milk Production, Nutrient Digestibility, Nitrogen Utilization, and Biochemical Parameters.

Our research purpose was to study the effect of the inclusion of a combination of phytobiotics in the form of dry Fucus vesiculosus grits (FG) and a mineral adsorbent from the heat-treated mineral shungite (TMS) on milk productivity, nutrient digestibility, and biochemical parameters of the Suksun dairy cows. A total of 80 dry-hardy cows of the Suksun breed were divided into four groups (20 heads each), balanced primarily by breed, age, body weight, body condition score, and indicators of milk yield for the previous lactation. The selected cows were with an average live body weight of 512.0 ± 1.28 kg, BCS 3.0-3.5, and parities of 6250 kg milk. The control group (CON) were fed the basic ration only; the second (TMS), third (FG), and fourth (TMS + FG) groups were fed the basic ration provided by 50 g of the mineral adsorbent from heat-treated shungite, 100 g of Fucus grits (Fucus vesiculosus), 50 g of the mineral adsorbent from heat-treated shungite, and 100 g of dry grits from Fucus vesiculosus, respectively. The total protein content in milk was significantly higher in the group receiving Fucus vesiculosus by 0.05% and the group receiving a combination of mineral adsorbent and Fucus vesiculosus by 0.03%. The percentage of milk fat content recorded the highest significant value in (TMS) group when compared to the control and represented (4.37 vs. 3.95). The group of cows that received (TMS + FG) revealed a significant difference in the digestibility of both ether extract and crude fiber when compared to the control group and represented (54.74 vs. 51.71 and 60.68 vs. 55.15%), respectively. The cows supplemented with a mineral adsorbent or a combination of mineral adsorbent and Fucus vesiculosus revealed a significant difference in the digestibility of ether extract and crude fiber in the group receiving TMS + FG by 3.0% (p < 0.05) and 5.5% (p < 0.05), respectively. The intake of nitrogen with the diet increased in (FG) and (TMS + FG) groups by 11.3 g (p < 0.05) and 13.4 g (p < 0.05) of nitrogen. There was an increase (p < 0.05) in the concentration of rumen ammonia in the control group compared to the other groups. The glucose content of those cows that received FG and TMS + FG combination increased (p < 0.05) by 0.76 mmol/L and 0.90 mmol/l in relation to the control group. The globulin, albumin/globulin ratio, and the level of triglycerides revealed a significant difference between the different experimental groups. In brief, the inclusion of a combination of phytobiotics in the form of dry Fucus vesiculosus grits and a mineral adsorbent from the heat-treated mineral shungite in Suksun dairy cows' diets improved milk composition, digestibility of nutrients, utilization of nitrogen, and did not cause deleterious effects on blood biochemical indicators.

Impact of Inclusion of Multicomponent Synbiotic Russian Holstein Dairy Cow's Rations on Milk Yield, Rumen Fermentation, and Some Blood Biochemical Parameters.

The purpose of this study was to appraise the effect of the inclusion of multicomponent synbiotic "Kormomix® Rumin" in feeding lactating Holstein cows on milk productivity, indicators of rumen fermentation metabolism, and some hematological and biochemical parameters of the blood. For this study, 40 highly productive Russian Holstein cows were selected according to their productivity, physiological condition, live weight, and age. They were divided into four groups (10 heads/each). All animals received the basal total mixed ration (TMR), which was balanced and corresponded to the nutritional requirements for cows during the milking period with a milk yield of 36 kg/daily. The first group (control) fed basal (TMR) only while the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th group fed the basal (TMR) supplemented with a multicomponent synbiotic "Kormomix® Rumin" in amounts 25, 50, and 75 g/head/day, respectively, which was administered manually and individually after morning feeding daily and mixing carefully together with the concentrates directly after calving until 120 DIM. Milk, ruminal fluid, and blood samples were collected for studying the studied parameters. The highest values in all studied milk parameters were recorded in the 2nd experimental group but the differences were not significant. The inclusion of "Kormomix® Rumin" increased significantly the synthesis of volatile fatty acids in the 2nd experimental group (9.38 vs. 7.04 mmol/100 ml) in the control group. The level of serum α-Amylase (total) decreased significantly in the 2nd experimental group compared with other groups. The urea level recorded the lowest value in the control group, while the urea/creatinine ratio recorded the lowest value in the 4th group and the differences were significant when compared with the 2nd group. Accordingly, the inclusion of synbiotic "Kormomix® Rumin" in the diets of lactating cows has no impact on milk production. Whereas, it improves the intensity of rumen fermentation, which contributes to more efficient utilization of feed without any harmful effects on blood traits. Moreover, the recommended dose for use in their diets is 25 g/head/day.

Influence of Mineral Treatment, Plant Growth Regulators and Artificial Light on the Growth of Jewel Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas Lam. cv. Jewel) In Vitro.

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam), a member of the bindweed family (Convolvulaceae Juss.), is well known for its food, medicinal, and industrial values. It is estimated that more than 7000 sweet potato cultivars have been bred to date. Jewel sweet potato (I. batatas Lam cv. Jewel) is one of the most popular cultivars of sweet potato grown today because of its high nutritional value, delicious taste, and is suitable for all processing methods. However, little is known about the micropropagation of jewel sweet potato. The purpose of this paper was to study the effect of three important factors, including culture medium, plant growth regulators (PGRs), and artificial light sources, on the induction, proliferation, and growth of in vitro I. batatas 'Jewel' shoots obtained from the axillary bud and shoot tip explants. The different Murashige and Skoog (MS) salt levels (33%, 50%, 100%, and 150%) were used to study the influence of mineral treatment. To assess the influence of PGRs, we used 0.5 mg/L indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) combined with various cytokinins, including 0.5-2.0 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), 0.5-2.0 mg/L kinetin (Kn), and 0.1-1.0 mg/L thidiazuron (TDZ). On the other hand, the in vitro shoots were cultivated in a light room with different lighting conditions. Three lighting treatments (differences in the ratio between the red (R) and blue (B) spectra) were used. Research results have shown that the medium containing 50% MS salt concentration supplemented with 0.5 mg/L BAP or 0.5 mg/L Kn combined with 0.5 mg/L IAA was the most suitable for induction, proliferation, and growth of in vitro jewel sweet potato shoots. On the other hand, stem pieces bearing the axillary buds' explants were determined to be suitable for the shoot induction. Using artificial light with different blue/red ratios also had a significant effect on the growth of explants and stimulates shoot or root formation.

Probiotic biomarkers and models upside down: From humans to animals.

Probiotics development for animal farming implies thorough testing of a vast variety of properties, including adhesion, toxicity, host cells signaling modulation, and immune effects. Being diverse, these properties are often tested individually and using separate biological models, with great emphasis on the host organism. Although being precise, this approach is cost-ineffective, limits the probiotics screening throughput and lacks informativeness due to the 'one model - one test - one property' principle. There is а solution coming from human-derived cells and in vitro systems, an extraordinary example of human models serving animal research. In the present review, we focus on the current outlooks of employing human-derived in vitro biological models in probiotics development for animal applications, examples of such studies and the analysis of concordance between these models and host-derived in vivo data. In our opinion, human-cells derived screening systems allow to test several probiotic properties at once with reasonable precision, great informativeness and less expenses and labor effort.

A Review of the Effects and Production of Spore-Forming Probiotics for Poultry.

One of the main problems in the poultry industry is the search for a viable replacement for antibiotic growth promoters. This issue requires a "one health" approach because the uncontrolled use of antibiotics in poultry can lead to the development of antimicrobial resistance, which is a concern not only in animals, but for humans as well. One of the promising ways to overcome this challenge is found in probiotics due to their wide range of features and mechanisms of action for health promotion. Moreover, spore-forming probiotics are suitable for use in the poultry industry because of their unique ability, encapsulation, granting them protection from the harshest conditions and resulting in improved availability for hosts' organisms. This review summarizes the information on gastrointestinal tract microbiota of poultry and their interaction with commensal and probiotic spore-forming bacteria. One of the most important topics of this review is the absence of uniformity in spore-forming probiotic trials in poultry. In our opinion, this problem can be solved by the creation of standards and checklists for these kinds of trials such as those used for pre-clinical and clinical trials in human medicine. Last but not least, this review covers problems and challenges related to spore-forming probiotic manufacturing.

Researcher and Author Impact Metrics: Variety, Value, and Context.

Numerous quantitative indicators are currently available for evaluating research productivity. No single metric is suitable for comprehensive evaluation of the author-level impact. The choice of particular metrics depends on the purpose and context of the evaluation. The aim of this article is to overview some of the widely employed author impact metrics and highlight perspectives of their optimal use. The h-index is one of the most popular metrics for research evaluation, which is easy to calculate and understandable for non-experts. It is automatically displayed on researcher and author profiles on citation databases such as Scopus and Web of Science. Its main advantage relates to the combined approach to the quantification of publication and citation counts. This index is increasingly cited globally. Being an appropriate indicator of publication and citation activity of highly productive and successfully promoted authors, the h-index has been criticized primarily for disadvantaging early career researchers and authors with a few indexed publications. Numerous variants of the index have been proposed to overcome its limitations. Alternative metrics have also emerged to highlight 'societal impact.' However, each of these traditional and alternative metrics has its own drawbacks, necessitating careful analyses of the context of social attention and value of publication and citation sets. Perspectives of the optimal use of researcher and author metrics is dependent on evaluation purposes and compounded by information sourced from various global, national, and specialist bibliographic databases.

Plagiarism in the Context of Education and Evolving Detection Strategies.

Plagiarism may take place in any scientific journals despite currently employed anti-plagiarism tools. The absence of widely acceptable definitions of research misconduct and reliance solely on similarity checks do not allow journal editors to prevent most complex cases of recycling of scientific information and wasteful, or 'predatory,' publishing. This article analyses Scopus-based publication activity and evidence on poor writing, lack of related training, emerging anti-plagiarism strategies, and new forms of massive wasting of resources by publishing largely recycled items, which evade the 'red flags' of similarity checks. In some non-Anglophone countries 'copy-and-paste' writing still plagues pre- and postgraduate education. Poor research management, absence of courses on publication ethics, and limited access to quality sources confound plagiarism as a cross-cultural and multidisciplinary phenomenon. Over the past decade, the advent of anti-plagiarism software checks has helped uncover elementary forms of textual recycling across journals. But such a tool alone proves inefficient for preventing complex forms of plagiarism. Recent mass retractions of plagiarized articles by reputable open-access journals point to critical deficiencies of current anti-plagiarism software that do not recognize manipulative paraphrasing and editing. Manipulative editing also finds its way to predatory journals, ignoring the adherence to publication ethics and accommodating nonsense plagiarized items. The evolving preventive strategies are increasingly relying on intelligent (semantic) digital technologies, comprehensively evaluating texts, keywords, graphics, and reference lists. It is the right time to enforce adherence to global editorial guidance and implement a comprehensive anti-plagiarism strategy by helping all stakeholders of scholarly communication.

Specialist Bibliographic Databases.

Specialist bibliographic databases offer essential online tools for researchers and authors who work on specific subjects and perform comprehensive and systematic syntheses of evidence. This article presents examples of the established specialist databases, which may be of interest to those engaged in multidisciplinary science communication. Access to most specialist databases is through subscription schemes and membership in professional associations. Several aggregators of information and database vendors, such as EBSCOhost and ProQuest, facilitate advanced searches supported by specialist keyword thesauri. Searches of items through specialist databases are complementary to those through multidisciplinary research platforms, such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Familiarizing with the functional characteristics of biomedical and nonbiomedical bibliographic search tools is mandatory for researchers, authors, editors, and publishers. The database users are offered updates of the indexed journal lists, abstracts, author profiles, and links to other metadata. Editors and publishers may find particularly useful source selection criteria and apply for coverage of their peer-reviewed journals and grey literature sources. These criteria are aimed at accepting relevant sources with established editorial policies and quality controls.