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As a major and strategic national scientific and technological infrastructure element, a high-precision ground-based timing system is an important guarantee to meet the demand for high-precision time and frequency in various important fields. To this end, the differential technology of the eLoran timing system can improve the timing accuracy from a microsecond to less than 100 nanoseconds. To further study the performance of this timing system, this article carried out tests around the Pucheng BPL long-wave station and the Xi'an temporary differential station, corrected the before-differencing signal by using differential correction data, analyzed the mean and variance of the before-differencing signal and the after-differencing signal received at different test points, and verified the accuracy and stability of the timing, providing support for the improvement of the high-precision ground-based timing system. Based on the original study of differential systems, the ASF was divided into two parts, the ASF Spatial term and the ASF Temporal term. The differential correction process and the actual differential correction effect were analyzed by the waveform of the ASF Temporal term. Two conclusions could be drawn from this test validation. On the one hand, differential technology not only improved the timing accuracy, but also ensured the stability of the timing results. On the other hand, the differential timing accuracy improved from 10–20 ns to within 10 ns within 60 km of the differential station. Beyond 60 km, the timing accuracy reached 100 ns, even at a distance of 86 km. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The prevalence of common mental disorder (CMD) and anemia is observed to be on the rise over time, adversely affecting the health and overall quality of life among adolescents. Extensive literature corroborates the significant impact of anemia on cognitive development, intelligence and developmental milestones. Nevertheless, the linkage between hemoglobin level and CMD emerging during adolescence remains relatively unexplored. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the association between hemoglobin level and CMD as well as the mediating factor among school adolescent girls residing in Central Ethiopia. A cross‐sectional study design was conducted among adolescent girls attending schools in Silti Woreda, Central Ethiopia, comprising a total sample size of 516 individuals during the period from October 2–20, 2023. Hemoglobin level was adjusted for altitude, while CMD was evaluated utilising the summation score of a 20‐item Self‐Reporting Questionnaire. Data were analysed through fitting Structural Equation Model and the maximum likelihood estimation method. Goodness of fit was assessed using the χ2The ‐test statistic, Comparative Fit Index, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation, Standardised Root Mean Square Residual, Non‐Normed Fit Index, Pclose and coefficient of determination (R2). The prevalence of CMD was 22.3% (95% CI: 18.6%–25.8%). Hemoglobin level (UTE = −0.73, CI: −0.93, −0.53) and experience of morbidity symptoms (UTE = 1.05; CI: 0.74, 1.38) were significantly associated with CMD. Furthermore, hemoglobin level is significantly influenced by morbidity frequency symptoms (UDE = −0.63, CI = −0.77, −0.49) and animal source food (ASF) (UDE = 0.09, CI = 0.01, 0.17). Hemoglobin level has been identified as a significant mediator of the experience of morbidity symptoms and ASF on CMD. However, household food insecurity and wealth index had no significant association with CMD. A significant proportion of adolescent girls face CMD, often linked to a lower hemoglobin level. Having a significant association with CMD, the hemoglobin level is found to mediate a significant effect of morbidity symptom experience and ASF on CMD. Hence, addressing early infection prevention, promoting ASF and treating anemia are promptly needed. Key messages: The prevalence of common mental disorder (CMD) and anemia is observed to be on the rise over time, adversely affecting the health and overall quality of life among adolescents.The linkage between hemoglobin level and CMD emerging during adolescence remains relatively unexplored.Hemoglobin level and experience of morbidity symptoms were significant factors associated with CMD.Hemoglobin level is found to mediate a significant effect of morbidity symptom experience and animal source food on CMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

In the last two decades, the pig market in Poland has been influenced by two key events: accession to the European Union and the spread of African swine fever (ASF). During this time, the pig population in Poland has almost doubled, and the number of farms keeping pigs has fallen almost tenfold. On the other hand, the import of piglets intended for further rearing has increased significantly, which reduces the value added to production retained in the country. The changes taking place in the pig market in Poland in the conditions of ASF have, therefore, prompted the question of which pig-keeping systems are more profitable for pig producers, and identifying this relationship was the main objective of the analysis in this study. This research was conducted using source data from the databases of the Central Statistical Office, the FADN, and the Integrated Agricultural Market Information System of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Factors influencing the value of pig production were identified using panel regression, and profitability analysis was performed based on changes in the levels of and relationship between feed costs and live pig prices. Feed consumption was determined based on feed rations for individual utility groups in both products. As the analysis has shown, a closed cycle of pig farming is characterized by better stability and resistance to market shocks compared to an open cycle (over the entire period under review, only the closed system ensured a positive surplus of production value over feed costs), which significantly increases the possibility of obtaining a positive surplus of production value over the value of the main cost, which is the feed cost. However, with the occurrence of extraordinary situations, such as an ASF outbreak in the herd, rebuilding production in a closed cycle may be much more difficult and expensive than production in an open cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Abstract African swine fever (ASF) is a devastating disease caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV) and leads to significant economic losses in the pig farming industry. Given the absence of an effective vaccine or treatment, the mortality rate of ASF is alarmingly close to 100%. Consequently, the ability to rapidly and accurately detect ASFV on site and promptly identify infected pigs is critical for controlling the spread of this pandemic. The dynamics of the ASF virus load and antibody response necessitate the adoption of various detection strategies at different stages of infection, a topic that has received limited attention to date. This review offers detailed guidance for choosing appropriate ASF diagnostic techniques tailored to the clinical manifestations observed from the acute to chronic phases, including asymptomatic cases. We comprehensively summarize and evaluate the latest advancements in ASFV detection methods, such as CRISPR-based diagnostics, biosensors, and microfluidics. Additionally, we address the challenges of false negatives or positives due to ASF variants or the use of injected live attenuated vaccines. This review provides an exhaustive list of diagnostic tests suitable for detecting each stage of symptoms and potential target genes for developing new detection methods. In conclusion, we highlight the current challenges and future directions in ASFV detection, underscoring the need for continued research and innovation in this field. more...

Multipath is a source of error that limits the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning precision in short baselines. The tightly combined model between systems increases the number of observations and enhances the strength of the mathematical model owing to the continuous improvement in GNSS. Multipath mitigation of the multi-GNSS tightly combined model can improve the positioning precision in complex environments. Interoperability of the multipath hemispherical map (MHM) models of different systems can enhance the performance of the MHM model due to the small multipath differences in single overlapping frequencies. The adoption of advanced sidereal filtering (ASF) to model the multipath for each satellite brings computational challenges owing to the characteristics of the multi-constellation heterogeneity of different systems; the balance efficiency and precision become the key issues affecting the performance of the MHM model owing to the sparse characteristics of the satellite distribution. Therefore, we propose a modified MHM method to mitigate the multipath for single-frequency multi-GNSS tightly combined positioning. The method divides the hemispherical map into 36 × 9 grids at 10° × 10° resolution and then searches with the elevation angle and azimuth angle as independent variables to obtain the multipath value of the nearest point. We used the k-d tree to improve the search efficiency without affecting precision. Experiments show that the proposed method improves the mean precision over ASF by 10.20%, 10.77%, and 9.29% for GPS, BDS, and Galileo satellite single-difference residuals, respectively. The precision improvements of the modified MHM in the E, N, and U directions were 32.82%, 40.65%, and 31.97%, respectively. The modified MHM exhibits greater performance and behaves more consistently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

African swine fever (ASF) is a lethal disease of domestic pigs that is currently challenging swine production in large areas of Eurasia. The causative agent, ASF virus (ASFV), is a large, double-stranded and structurally complex virus. The ASFV genome encodes for more than 160 proteins; however, the functions of most of these proteins are still in the process of being characterized. The ASF gene R298L, which has previously been characterized as able to encode a functional serine protein kinase, is expressed late in the virus infection cycle and may be part of the virus particle. There is no description of the importance of the R298L gene in basic virus functions such as replication or virulence in the natural host. Based on its evolution, it is proposed that there are four different phenotypes of R298L of ASFV in nature, which may have potential implications for R298L functionality. We report here that a recombinant virus lacking the R298L gene in the Georgia 2010 isolate, ASFV-G-∆R298L, does not exhibit significant changes in its replication in primary cultures of swine macrophages. In addition, when experimentally inoculated in pigs, ASFV-G-∆R298L induced a fatal form of the disease similar to that caused by the parental virulent ASFV-G. Therefore, deletion of R298L does not significantly affect virus replication and virulence in domestic pigs of the ASFV Georgia 2010 isolate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Background: African swine fever (ASF) is one of the deadliest swine diseases with haemorrhagic symptoms and a high mortality rate. Plant‐derived additives are potential antiviral agents against viruses due to their environmental and user‐friendly properties. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of plant‐based additives (Phyto.A04 and Phyto.B) compared to an organic acid blend (OAB) in inactivating ASF virus (ASFV) in cell culture and feed. Methods: ASFV‐spiked feed was treated with individual or combined additives such as OAB, Phyto.A04 and Phyto.B. The viability of ASFV after treatment of ASFV‐spiked feed with additives was then confirmed by both methods, real‐time PCR and cell culture. Results: The results of the in vitro test with cell cultures showed that all three additives (OAB, Phyto.A04 and Phyto.B) exerted a strong virucidal effect on ASFV in porcine alveolar macrophage cells. OAB at a concentration of 0.3% reduced the virus concentration from 4.48 log10 HAD50/mL after 1 day of treatment (day 1) to 3.29 log10 HAD50/mL after 3 days of treatment (day 3) and remained undetected after 7 days of treatment (day 7). In Phyto.A04 with 1%, the virus was only detectable on day 1 (3.53 log10 HAD50/mL). Phyto.B with 0.01% and 0.05% both showed good efficacy in completely inhibiting virus presence on days 3 and 7. Conclusions: All additives, OAB, Phyto.A04 and Phyto.B, were able to inactivate ASFV in a dose‐dependent manner, as confirmed by cell culture and PCR methods. The combination of additives at different concentrations consistently improved the virucidal results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

African swine fever (ASF) is a devastating disease caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV) and leads to significant economic losses in the pig farming industry. Given the absence of an effective vaccine or treatment, the mortality rate of ASF is alarmingly close to 100%. Consequently, the ability to rapidly and accurately detect ASFV on site and promptly identify infected pigs is critical for controlling the spread of this pandemic. The dynamics of the ASF virus load and antibody response necessitate the adoption of various detection strategies at different stages of infection, a topic that has received limited attention to date. This review offers detailed guidance for choosing appropriate ASF diagnostic techniques tailored to the clinical manifestations observed from the acute to chronic phases, including asymptomatic cases. We comprehensively summarize and evaluate the latest advancements in ASFV detection methods, such as CRISPR-based diagnostics, biosensors, and microfluidics. Additionally, we address the challenges of false negatives or positives due to ASF variants or the use of injected live attenuated vaccines. This review provides an exhaustive list of diagnostic tests suitable for detecting each stage of symptoms and potential target genes for developing new detection methods. In conclusion, we highlight the current challenges and future directions in ASFV detection, underscoring the need for continued research and innovation in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Background: African swine fever virus (ASFV) continues to spread globally, causing severe economic losses to pig farmers. Vietnam licensed two live attenuated vaccines based on the ASFV strains ASFV-G-ΔI177L and ASFV-G-ΔMGF to control the ongoing ASF outbreaks. In 2023, newly emerging highly virulent recombinant ASF viruses (rASFV I/II) containing genetic elements from both p72 genotype I and II ASF viruses were reported from Northern Vietnam. Objective: This study evaluated whether the two vaccine strains were able to protect the pigs against the emerging rASFV I/II strain VNUA/rASFV/TN1/23. Results: Pigs vaccinated with ASFV-G-ΔMGF or ASFV-G-ΔI177L, when challenged with rASFV I/II, succumbed to the infection, or developed signs of chronic ASF. Conclusions: The findings from this study show that both vaccine strains that are licensed and used in Vietnam are unlikely to protect pigs from the emerging highly virulent rASFV I/II. This complicates the ongoing efforts to control ASF in Asia and globally and emphasizes the urgent need for a novel vaccine that can effectively protect pigs from the rASFV I/II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Abstract Background African swine fever (ASF) poses a threat to the global pig industry, leading to significant economic losses and widespread disruptions in pig farming and associated sectors. In September 2023, the first case of ASF in Swedish wild boar triggered immediate responses from authorities, including the establishment of restricted zones and culling measures. A new ASF certification programme for pig herds was initiated to improve biosecurity and proactive disease management. This survey aimed to assess the sentiments and actions of Swedish pig farmers six months post-outbreak, particularly regarding biosecurity measures. Such information is important to improve preparedness for future disease threats. A questionnaire was distributed to members of the Swedish pig producers' organisation. Results A total of 113 farmers responded (response rate 27%), with the majority considering the risk of ASF reappearing in Sweden as high. The estimated cost for connecting the farms to the ASF certification programme varied greatly, with a majority identifying cost as a substantial hurdle. While many farmers sought biosecurity advice from veterinarians, 43% had not implemented suggested measures. Over one third had not received concrete measures that would fit their farms, and 14% had not received any biosecurity advice from veterinarians at all. Discussions among farmers emphasized concerns about ASF outbreaks, transmission mechanisms, and regulatory compliance, highlighting the importance of ongoing communication and knowledge exchange to address the challenges posed by ASF effectively. Additionally, participants also mentioned the role of dense wild boar populations and shortcomings in municipal food waste management as important risk factors. Conclusions The responding farmers expressed widespread concern about new ASF outbreaks. A majority identified cost as a substantial hurdle for joining the ASF certification programme. While many farmers consulted veterinarians for advice on biosecurity, a significant number had yet to implement suggested measures and one third had not received specific guidance suitable for their farms. Stakeholder conversations highlighted concerns about ASF outbreaks, transmission, and compliance. They also discussed the role of dense wild boar populations and issues with municipal food waste management as significant risk factors for ASF. more...

Background: African swine fever (ASF) poses a threat to the global pig industry, leading to significant economic losses and widespread disruptions in pig farming and associated sectors. In September 2023, the first case of ASF in Swedish wild boar triggered immediate responses from authorities, including the establishment of restricted zones and culling measures. A new ASF certification programme for pig herds was initiated to improve biosecurity and proactive disease management. This survey aimed to assess the sentiments and actions of Swedish pig farmers six months post-outbreak, particularly regarding biosecurity measures. Such information is important to improve preparedness for future disease threats. A questionnaire was distributed to members of the Swedish pig producers' organisation. Results: A total of 113 farmers responded (response rate 27%), with the majority considering the risk of ASF reappearing in Sweden as high. The estimated cost for connecting the farms to the ASF certification programme varied greatly, with a majority identifying cost as a substantial hurdle. While many farmers sought biosecurity advice from veterinarians, 43% had not implemented suggested measures. Over one third had not received concrete measures that would fit their farms, and 14% had not received any biosecurity advice from veterinarians at all. Discussions among farmers emphasized concerns about ASF outbreaks, transmission mechanisms, and regulatory compliance, highlighting the importance of ongoing communication and knowledge exchange to address the challenges posed by ASF effectively. Additionally, participants also mentioned the role of dense wild boar populations and shortcomings in municipal food waste management as important risk factors. Conclusions: The responding farmers expressed widespread concern about new ASF outbreaks. A majority identified cost as a substantial hurdle for joining the ASF certification programme. While many farmers consulted veterinarians for advice on biosecurity, a significant number had yet to implement suggested measures and one third had not received specific guidance suitable for their farms. Stakeholder conversations highlighted concerns about ASF outbreaks, transmission, and compliance. They also discussed the role of dense wild boar populations and issues with municipal food waste management as significant risk factors for ASF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is the causative agent of an often lethal disease in domestic pigs, African swine fever (ASF). ASF is currently a pandemic disease challenging pig production in Eurasia. While the ASFV genome encodes for over 160 proteins, the function of most of them are still not characterized. Among those ASF genes with unknown functions is the E111R gene. It has been recently reported that the deletion of the E111R gene from the genome of the virulent Chinese field isolate SY18 strain produced a reduction of virus virulence when pigs were inoculated at relatively low doses. Conversely, we report here that deletion of the ASFV gene E111R in the Georgia 2010 isolate does not alter the virulence of the parental virus in experimentally inoculated pigs. A recombinant virus lacking the E111R gene, ASFV-G-∆E111R was intramuscularly (IM) inoculated in domestic pigs at a dose of 102 HAD50 of ASFV-G-∆E111R and compared with animals that received a similar dose of virulent ASFV-G. Both, animals inoculated with either the recombinant ASFV-G-∆E111R or the parental virus developed a fatal form of the disease and were euthanized around the 6th–7th day post-inoculation (dpi). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is the causative agent of a contagious disease affecting wild and domestic swine. The function of B169L protein, as a potential integral structural membrane protein, remains to be experimentally characterized. Using state-of-the-art bioinformatics tools, we confirm here earlier predictions indicating the presence of an integral membrane helical hairpin, and further suggest anchoring of this protein to the ER membrane, with both terminal ends facing the lumen of the organelle. Our evolutionary analysis confirmed the importance of purifying selection in the preservation of the identified domains during the evolution of B169L in nature. Also, we address the possible function of this hairpin transmembrane domain (HTMD) as a class IIA viroporin. Expression of GFP fusion proteins in the absence of a signal peptide supported B169L insertion into the ER as a Type III membrane protein and the formation of oligomers therein. Overlapping peptides that spanned the B169L HTMD were reconstituted into ER-like membranes and the adopted structures analyzed by infrared spectroscopy. Consistent with the predictions, B169L transmembrane sequences adopted α-helical conformations in lipid bilayers. Moreover, single vesicle permeability assays demonstrated the assembly of lytic pores in ER-like membranes by B169L transmembrane helices, a capacity confirmed by ion-channel activity measurements in planar bilayers. Emphasizing the relevance of these observations, pore-forming activities were not observed in the case of transmembrane helices derived from EP84R, another ASFV protein predicted to anchor to membranes through a α-helical HTMD. Overall, our results support predictions of viroporin-like function for the B169L HTMD. IMPORTANCE African swine fever (ASF), a devastating disease affecting domestic swine, is widely spread in Eurasia, producing significant economic problems in the pork industry. Approaches to prevent/cure the disease are mainly restricted to the limited information concerning the role of most of the genes encoded by the large (160–170 kba) virus genome. In this report, we present the experimental data on the functional characterization of the African swine fever virus (ASFV) gene B169L. Data presented here indicates that the B169L gene encodes for an essential membrane-associated protein with a viroporin function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Obtaining a complete good-quality sequence and annotation for the long double-stranded DNA genome of the African swine fever virus (ASFV) from next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology has proven difficult, despite the increasing availability of reference genome sequences and the increasing affordability of NGS. A gap analysis conducted by the global African swine fever research alliance (GARA) partners identified that a standardized, automatic pipeline for NGS analysis was urgently needed, particularly for new outbreak strains. Whilst there are several diagnostic and research labs worldwide that collect isolates of the ASFV from outbreaks, many do not have the capability to analyze, annotate, and format NGS data from outbreaks for submission to NCBI, and some publicly available ASFV genomes have missing or incorrect annotations. We developed an automated, standardized pipeline for the analysis of NGS reads that directly provides users with assemblies and annotations formatted for their submission to NCBI. This pipeline is freely available on GitHub and has been tested through the GARA partners by examining two previously sequenced ASFV genomes; this study also aimed to assess the accuracy and limitations of two strategies present within the pipeline: reference-based (Illumina reads) and de novo assembly (Illumina and Nanopore reads) strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The African swine fever virus (ASFV) is an often deadly disease in swine and poses a threat to swine livestock and swine producers. With its complex genome containing more than 150 coding regions, developing effective vaccines for this virus remains a challenge due to a lack of basic knowledge about viral protein function and protein–protein interactions between viral proteins and between viral and host proteins. In this work, we identified ASFV-ASFV protein–protein interactions (PPIs) using artificial intelligence-powered protein structure prediction tools. We benchmarked our PPI identification workflow on the Vaccinia virus, a widely studied nucleocytoplasmic large DNA virus, and found that it could identify gold-standard PPIs that have been validated in vitro in a genome-wide computational screening. We applied this workflow to more than 18,000 pairwise combinations of ASFV proteins and were able to identify seventeen novel PPIs, many of which have corroborating experimental or bioinformatic evidence for their protein–protein interactions, further validating their relevance. Two protein–protein interactions, I267L and I8L, I267L__I8L, and B175L and DP79L, B175L__DP79L, are novel PPIs involving viral proteins known to modulate host immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Background Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), produced by the gut microbiota, are thought to exert an anti-inflammatory effect on the host immune system. The levels of SCFAs and abundance of the microbiota that produce them are depleted in multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS). The mechanisms leading to this depletion are unknown. Using experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) as a model for MS, we have previously shown that gut microbiomes divergent in their abundance of specific commensal Lactobacillaceae, Limosilactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) and Ligilactobacillus murinus (L. murinus), differentially impact CNS autoimmunity. To determine the underlying mechanisms, we employed colonization by L. reuteri and L. murinus in disparate gut microbiome configurations in vivo and in vitro, profiling their impact on gut microbiome composition and metabolism, coupled with modulation of dietary fiber in the EAE model.Results We show that stable colonization by L. reuteri, but not L. murinus, exacerbates EAE, in conjunction with a significant remodeling of gut microbiome composition, depleting SCFA-producing microbiota, including Lachnospiraceae, Prevotellaceae, and Bifidobacterium, with a net decrease in bacterial metabolic pathways involved in butyrate production. In a minimal microbiome culture model in vitro, L. reuteri directly inhibited SCFA-producer growth and depleted butyrate. Genomic analysis of L. reuteri isolates revealed an enrichment in bacteriocins with known antimicrobial activity against SCFA-producing microbiota. Functionally, provision of excess dietary fiber, as the prebiotic substrate for SCFA production, elevated SCFA levels and abrogated the ability of L. reuteri to exacerbate EAE.Conclustions Our data highlight a potential mechanism for reduced SCFAs and their producers in MS through depletion by other members of the gut microbiome, demonstrating that interactions between microbiota can impact CNS autoimmunity in a diet-dependent manner. These data suggest that therapeutic restoration of SCFA levels in MS may require not only dietary intervention, but also modulation of the gut microbiome. more...

In 2023, 14 Member States were affected by African swine fever (ASF), including Croatia and Sweden where ASF emerged (wild boar outbreaks only) and Greece where ASF re‐emerged after being free since 2021. The number of ASF outbreaks among domestic pigs in the EU was five times higher than in 2022, reaching a similar magnitude to that in 2019. This was predominantly driven by the introduction and subsequent spread of ASF in Croatia and its resurgence in Romania, representing 96% of the EU outbreaks. ASF outbreaks in domestic pigs were clearly seasonal in all countries, with 88% of outbreaks reported between July and October. Most of the ASF outbreaks among domestic pigs were detected through clinical suspicion (94%), followed by tracing from affected establishments (3%), and the weekly testing of at least two dead pigs in establishments (3%). In wild boar, a 10% increase in the number of notified outbreaks was observed in the EU in comparison with 2022, with considerable variations between countries. A winter peak was observed only in Poland, Slovakia and Hungary. The epidemiological situation in wild boar improved in Germany and Hungary, as suggested by the decrease in the number of outbreaks and in the proportions of PCR‐positive samples from dead wild boar. Overall, 31% of wild boar carcasses found during passive surveillance tested positive by PCR, representing 69% of the ASF outbreaks in wild boar in the EU. In contrast, 0.4% of hunted wild boar tested positive, representing 31% of the outbreaks. Despite the introduction of ASF into new countries and the increase in the number of outbreaks, the size of restricted zones in the EU remained stable, due to the highly clustered outbreaks in Croatia, and the reduction of restricted zones in Poland, Slovakia and Bulgaria (in domestic pigs), and Hungary (in wild boar). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) is a large dsDNA virus that encodes at least 150 proteins. The complexity of ASFV and lack of knowledge of effector immune functions and protective antigens have hindered the development of safe and effective ASF vaccines. In this study, we constructed four Orf virus recombinant vectors expressing individual ASFV genes B602L, -CP204L, E184L, and -I73R (ORFVΔ121-ASFV-B602L, -CP204L, -E184L, and -I73R). All recombinant viruses expressed the heterologous ASFV proteins in vitro. We then evaluated the immunogenicity of the recombinants by immunizing four-week-old piglets. In two independent animal studies, we observed high antibody titers against ASFV p30, encoded by CP204L gene. Using Pepscan ELISA, we identified a linear B-cell epitope of 12 amino acids in length (Peptide 15) located in an exposed loop region of p30 as an immunodominant ASFV epitope. Additionally, antibodies elicited against ASFV p30 presented antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity. These results underscore the role of p30 on antibody responses elicited against ASFV and highlight an important functional epitope that contributes to p30-specific antibody responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Human health is dependent on food safety and, therefore, on the health of farm animals. One of the most significant threats in regard to swine diseases is African swine fever (ASF). Infections caused by porcine circoviruses (PCVs) represent another important swine disease. Due to the ubiquitous nature of PCV2, it is not surprising that this virus has been detected in ASFV-affected pigs. However, recent data indicate that coinfection of PCV3 and ASFV also occurs. It is still unclear whether PCV infection plays a role in ASFV infection, and that subject requires further analysis. The aim of this study was to assess whether PCV3 and PCV4 are present in the wild boar population in Poland (real-time PCR). The analysis was performed on wild boar samples collected for routine ASF surveillance in Poland, between 2018 and 2021. By extension, the obtained data were compared in regard to ASFV presence in these samples, thus investigating the odds of ASFV infection on the grounds of the PCV carrier state in free-ranging Suidae in Poland. In addition, sequencing of PCV3 and phylogenetic analysis were performed, based on a full genome and a capsid gene. In the current study, we demonstrated the high prevalence of PCV3 in the wild boar population in Poland; meanwhile, PCV4 was not detected. The odds of ASFV infection on the grounds of the PCV3 carrier state in free-ranging Suidae in Poland was more than twice as high. Ten full genome sequences of PCV3 were obtained, all of them belonging to clade 3a. The similarity between them was in the range of 98.78–99.80%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Aim: Aggravated neuronal loss, caused mainly by neuronal apoptosis, is observed in the brain of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and animal models of AD. A truncated form of Dual‐specific and tyrosine phosphorylation‐regulated protein kinase 1A (Dyrk1A) plays a vital role in AD pathogenesis. Downregulation of anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐xL is tightly correlated with neuronal loss in AD. However, the molecular regulation of neuronal apoptosis and Bcl‐x expression by Dyrk1A in AD remains largely elusive. Here, we aimed to explore the role and molecular mechanism of Dyrk1A in apoptosis. Methods: Cell Counting Kit‐8 (CCK8), flow cytometry, and TdT‐mediated dUTP Nick‐End Labeling (TUNEL) were used to check apoptosis. The cells, transfected with Dyrk1A or/and ASF with Bcl‐x minigene, were used to assay Bcl‐x expression by RT‐PCR and Western blots. Co‐immunoprecipitation, autoradiography, and immunofluorescence were conducted to check the interaction of ASF and Dyrk1A. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) of apoptosis‐related genes was performed in mice overexpressing Dyrk1A (TgDyrk1A) and AD model 5xFAD mice. Results: Dyrk1A promoted Bcl‐xS expression and apoptosis. Splicing factor ASF promoted Bcl‐x exon 2b inclusion, leading to increased Bcl‐xL expression. Dyrk1A suppressed ASF‐mediated Bcl‐x exon 2b inclusion via phosphorylation. The C‐terminus deletion of Dyrk1A facilitated its binding and kinase activity to ASF. Moreover, Dyrk1a1–483 further suppressed the ASF‐mediated Bcl‐x exon 2b inclusion and aggravated apoptosis. The truncated Dyrk1A, increased Bcl‐xS, and enrichment of apoptosis‐related genes was observed in the brain of 5xFAD mice. Conclusions: We speculate that increased Dyrk1A and truncated Dyrk1A may aggravate neuronal apoptosis by decreasing the ratio of Bcl‐xL/Bcl‐xS via phosphorylating ASF in AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

We have previously reported that the recombinant African Swine Fever (ASF) vaccine candidate ASFV-G-Δ9GL/ΔUK efficiently induces protection in domestic pigs challenged with the virulent strain Georgia 2010 (ASFV-G). As reported, ASFV-G-Δ9GL/ΔUK induces protection, while intramuscularly (IM), administered at doses of 104 HAD50 or higher, prevents ASF clinical disease in animals infected with the homologous ASFV g strain. Like other recombinant vaccine candidates obtained from ASFV field isolates, ASFV-G-Δ9GL/ΔUK stocks need to be produced in primary cultures of swine macrophages, which constitutes an important limitation in the production of large virus stocks at the industrial level. Here, we describe the development of ASFV-G-Δ9GL/ΔUK stocks using IPKM (Immortalized Porcine Kidney Macrophage) cells, which are derived from swine macrophages. We show that ten successive passages of ASFV-G-Δ9GL/ΔUK in IPKM cells induced small changes in the virus genome. The produced virus, ASFV-G-Δ9GL/ΔUKp10, presented a similar level of replication in swine macrophages cultures to that of the original ASFV-G-Δ9GL/ΔUK (ASFV-G-Δ9GL/ΔUKp0). The protective efficacy of ASFV-G-Δ9GL/ΔUKp10 was evaluated in pigs that were IM-inoculated with either 104 or 106 HAD50 of ASFV-G-Δ9GL/ΔUKp10. While animals inoculated with 104 HAD50 present a partial protection against the experimental infection with the virulent parental virus ASFV-G, those inoculated with 106 HAD50 were completely protected. Therefore, as was just recently reported for another ASF vaccine candidate, ASFV-G-ΔI177L, IPKM cells are an effective alternative to produce stocks for vaccine strains which only grow in swine macrophages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

In the last two decades, the pig market in Poland has been influenced by two key events: accession to the European Union and the spread of African swine fever (ASF). During this time, the pig population in Poland has almost doubled, and the number of farms keeping pigs has fallen almost tenfold. On the other hand, the import of piglets intended for further rearing has increased significantly, which reduces the value added to production retained in the country. The changes taking place in the pig market in Poland in the conditions of ASF have, therefore, prompted the question of which pig-keeping systems are more profitable for pig producers, and identifying this relationship was the main objective of the analysis in this study. This research was conducted using source data from the databases of the Central Statistical Office, the FADN, and the Integrated Agricultural Market Information System of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Factors influencing the value of pig production were identified using panel regression, and profitability analysis was performed based on changes in the levels of and relationship between feed costs and live pig prices. Feed consumption was determined based on feed rations for individual utility groups in both products. As the analysis has shown, a closed cycle of pig farming is characterized by better stability and resistance to market shocks compared to an open cycle (over the entire period under review, only the closed system ensured a positive surplus of production value over feed costs), which significantly increases the possibility of obtaining a positive surplus of production value over the value of the main cost, which is the feed cost. However, with the occurrence of extraordinary situations, such as an ASF outbreak in the herd, rebuilding production in a closed cycle may be much more difficult and expensive than production in an open cycle. more...

AbstractBackground India recorded the first outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in North-eastern region (NER) in the year 2020.Aim The current study was undertaken to investigate the transmission of African swine fever virus (ASFV) in the wild boars of Northeast India, particularly of Assam.Material and Methods ASF suspected mortal tissue remains and blood samples of wild boars collected from different locations of Assam were screened for molecular detection of swine viruses which includes Classical swine fever virus, Porcine Circovirus 2, Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and ASFV.Results One sample each from Manas and Nameri National Parks was detected positive for ASFV. Besides this, one of the samples was positive for CSFV and one of the ASFV positive samples was also positive for PCV2. Several striking gross and microscopic alterations were noticed in different organs of ASFV infected animals. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of B646L gene confirmed the presence of ASFV genotype-II in wild boars. Circulation of similar genotype in domestic pigs of NER in the contemporary period as well as locations near to the aforementioned national parks indicates the transmission of ASFV from domestic to wild boars.Clinical Relevance The detection of ASFV in the wild boars of Assam is alarming as it is an impending threat to pig population and other endangered species (particularly Pygmy hog), making it increasingly daunting to control the disease.Conclusion Chances are high for ASFV to become endemic in Assam region if stringent measures are not taken at proper time. more...

Abstract Background African swine fever (ASF), a viral hemorrhagic disease in domestic pigs and wild boar with up to 100% case fatality, was confirmed in Swedish wild boar in September 2023. The responsible authorities launched a control programme to eradicate the infection. The aim of the current study was to understand (i) how Swedish pig farmers have perceived the information issued by authorities and other stakeholders since the discovery of ASF in wild boar, (ii) which risks they see for introducing the infection to their farm, (iii) what biosecurity measures they have taken on their farms, and (iv) their outlook on the future. Such information is important for evaluating the effectiveness of the early stages of ASF control in Sweden. A questionnaire was designed and distributed to members of the Swedish pig producers’ organisation. Results A total of 155 farmers responded to the survey (response rate 36%). Almost all respondents had received general information about ASF (91%, n = 138), and 72% (n = 109) had received information about how they can protect their farm from ASF introduction. A majority (87%, n = 118) thought the information was easy to understand, 90% (n = 137) that is was relevant, and 77% (n = 117) that they currently did not lack any information. If given the resources necessary, 58% (n = 84) of the farmers would like to take additional measures such as fencing, and heavily reduce or eradicate the wild boar population. Wild boars were considered the greatest risk for introduction of ASF into their herd (39%, n = 57), followed by people (30%, n = 44), and transports (16%, n = 23). Many farmers (66%, n = 88) had a positive outlook on the future, and 89% (n = 127) have not changed their plans for the future since the ASF outbreak. Conclusions The responding farmers were in general satisfied with the information received in the beginning of the ASF outbreak. The majority have a positive outlook on the future and the outbreak has not caused them to change their plans. Actions that were highlighted as important to safeguard Sweden's pig production included measures to control the wild boar population. more...

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and lethal disease affecting domestic pigs and wild boars, caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV). The disease poses significant socio-economic challenges globally, with no commercially available vaccines to date. This review explores recent advancements in ASF vaccine development, focusing on four primary approaches: live-attenuated vaccines (LAVs), gene-deleted and rationally designed vaccines, subunit and DNA vaccines, and innovative delivery methods. Live-attenuated vaccines have shown promise in eliciting robust immune responses, with candidates like ASFV-G-?I177L demonstrating sterile immunity. Gene-deleted vaccines leverage genomic editing to enhance safety, while subunit and DNA vaccines offer safer alternatives but face challenges in achieving consistent efficacy. Novel delivery methods, such as oronasal administration, hold potential for large-scale deployment, particularly for wildlife reservoirs. Despite progress, vaccine development is hindered by ASFV's complex genome, immune evasion strategies, and safety concerns regarding live vaccines. The absence of a differentiating infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA) strategy further complicates disease monitoring and control. Future research must integrate advanced genomic tools, immunological insights, and innovative delivery platforms to overcome these challenges and develop safe, effective vaccines capable of mitigating the global threat of ASF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

African Swine Fever Virus (ASF) is a viral disease in pigs that affects the supply of food of animal origin. ASF is caused by a double-stranded DNA virus of the family Asfarviridae and genus Asfivirus, which can be transmitted and causes various bleeding events in the internal organs and is accompanied by a very high mortality rate. This disease is generally characterized by fever, lack of appetite, and bleeding from the skin, back, and legs. Even though this virus is not zoonotic and cannot be transmitted to humans, it is fatal and causes tremendous economic loss. This disease spread throughout Asia in a relatively short time in 2019, and it has even been reported that this disease has entered Indonesia since the end of 2019. The impact of this infection resulted in socioeconomic changes in both rural and urban communities, which could then affect the country's economy at the macro level. Several countries are needed in their efforts to control ASF, one of which is to increase quarantine, limit the traffic of pigs, and reduce the population of sick pigs exposed to the ASF virus. more...

Background: African swine fever virus (ASFV) continues to spread globally, causing severe economic losses to pig farmers. Vietnam licensed two live attenuated vaccines based on the ASFV strains ASFV-G-ΔI177L and ASFV-G-ΔMGF to control the ongoing ASF outbreaks. In 2023, newly emerging highly virulent recombinant ASF viruses (rASFV I/II) containing genetic elements from both p72 genotype I and II ASF viruses were reported from Northern Vietnam. Objective: This study evaluated whether the two vaccine strains were able to protect the pigs against the emerging rASFV I/II strain VNUA/rASFV/TN1/23. Results: Pigs vaccinated with ASFV-G-ΔMGF or ASFV-G-ΔI177L, when challenged with rASFV I/II, succumbed to the infection, or developed signs of chronic ASF. Conclusions: The findings from this study show that both vaccine strains that are licensed and used in Vietnam are unlikely to protect pigs from the emerging highly virulent rASFV I/II. This complicates the ongoing efforts to control ASF in Asia and globally and emphasizes the urgent need for a novel vaccine that can effectively protect pigs from the rASFV I/II. more...

African swine fever (ASF) is an acute, highly contagious and deadly infectious disease. It is a threat to animal health with major potential economic and societal impact. Despite decades of ASF vaccine research, still some gaps in knowledge are hindering the development of a functional vaccine. Worth mentioning are gaps in understanding the mechanism of ASF infection and immunity, as well as the fact that - in case of this disease - virus proteins, so-called protective antigens, responsible for inducing protective immune responses in pigs are not identified yet. In this paper we elaborate on a methodology to identify protective antigens based on epitope mapping by microarray technology. High density peptide microarrays, combined with fluorescence scanning, have been used to analyze the interaction of peptide sequences of African swine fever virus (ASFV) proteins with antibodies present in inactivated serum from infected and healthy animals. The study evidenced ASFV proteins already under the radar for vaccine development, such as p54, and identified specific sequences in those proteins that may become the focus for future vaccine candidates. Such methodology is amenable to automation and high-throughput and may help developing better targeting for next generation vaccines. more...

Background: African swine fever (ASF), a viral hemorrhagic disease in domestic pigs and wild boar with up to 100% case fatality, was confirmed in Swedish wild boar in September 2023. The responsible authorities launched a control programme to eradicate the infection. The aim of the current study was to understand (i) how Swedish pig farmers have perceived the information issued by authorities and other stakeholders since the discovery of ASF in wild boar, (ii) which risks they see for introducing the infection to their farm, (iii) what biosecurity measures they have taken on their farms, and (iv) their outlook on the future. Such information is important for evaluating the effectiveness of the early stages of ASF control in Sweden. A questionnaire was designed and distributed to members of the Swedish pig producers' organisation. Results: A total of 155 farmers responded to the survey (response rate 36%). Almost all respondents had received general information about ASF (91%, n = 138), and 72% (n = 109) had received information about how they can protect their farm from ASF introduction. A majority (87%, n = 118) thought the information was easy to understand, 90% (n = 137) that is was relevant, and 77% (n = 117) that they currently did not lack any information. If given the resources necessary, 58% (n = 84) of the farmers would like to take additional measures such as fencing, and heavily reduce or eradicate the wild boar population. Wild boars were considered the greatest risk for introduction of ASF into their herd (39%, n = 57), followed by people (30%, n = 44), and transports (16%, n = 23). Many farmers (66%, n = 88) had a positive outlook on the future, and 89% (n = 127) have not changed their plans for the future since the ASF outbreak. Conclusions: The responding farmers were in general satisfied with the information received in the beginning of the ASF outbreak. The majority have a positive outlook on the future and the outbreak has not caused them to change their plans. Actions that were highlighted as important to safeguard Sweden's pig production included measures to control the wild boar population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

(1) Background: African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and fatal haemorrhagic disease in domestic pigs and wild boars, causing significant economic loss to the swine industry in the European Union. The genotype II of African swine fever has spread in many European countries since the virus was detected in 2007 in Georgia. In Poland, the genotype II of the ASF virus was confirmed on 17 February 2014 in the eastern part of the country and appeared to have been transmitted to Poland from Belarus. Poland has been particularly affected by ASF epidemics in the last decade, resulting in a significant decline in the Polish pig population. Wild boars are the main reservoir of the African swine fever virus (ASFV), but human activities such as transportation and illegal animal trade are the primary reasons for the long-distance transmission of the disease. (2) Conclusions: During the nine years of ASF in Poland, multiple measures have been taken to prevent the spread of the virus among the wild boar population via the passive and active surveillance of these animals. With regard to pig farms, the only effective measure for preventing the spread of ASF is the efficient enforcement by state authorities of the biosecurity standards and the farmers' compliance with them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Simple Summary: African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease that affects domestic pigs and wild boars worldwide. For efficient and accurate ASF management, identification of potential wild boar habitats and current ASF-managed areas is crucial. In this study, we used ensemble species distribution models to estimate the potential habitats of wild boar and ASF-managed areas. We aimed to identify areas of disparity between wild boar habitats and managed areas to identify potential risk areas for ASF transmission. Additionally, we expect that this study will ensure effective management. African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting both domestic and wild boars. Since its first outbreak in South Korea in 2019, substantial efforts have been made to prevent ASF transmission by reducing the wild boar population and eliminating infected carcasses; however, the persistence of ASF transmission has posed challenges to these efforts. To improve ASF management strategies, the limitations of current management strategies must be identified by considering disparities between wild boar habitats and ASF-managed areas with environmental and anthropogenic characteristics of wild boars and their management strategies. Here, ensemble species distribution models were used to estimate wild boar habitats and potential ASF-managed areas, with elevation, distance to urban areas, and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index as important variables. Binary maps of wild boar habitats and potential ASF-managed areas were generated using the maxSSS as the threshold criterion. Disparity areas of ASF management were identified by overlying regions evaluated as wild boar habitats with those not classified as ASF-managed areas. Dense forests near urban regions like Chungcheongbuk-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and Gyeongsangnam-do were evaluated as disparity areas having high risk of ASF transmission. These findings hold significant potential for refining ASF management strategies and establishing proactive control measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Deep learning models have shown powerful feature extraction capabilities in brain tumor segmentation tasks to use medical image information and help doctors make disease diagnoses. However, due to the diverse shapes of brain tumors and the variability of brain imaging, the segmentation effect of the model on brain tumors has specific room for improvement. The Polyp-PVT network is adopted as the basic model based on its advantages of fast running speed and high segmentation accuracy. The attentional selective fusion (ASF) module is introduced to replace the CFM module. The channel shuffle module is introduced before the ASF module—PVT-ASF-CS network is proposed. This is helpful to improve the ability of feature fusion and segmentation effect of the network. At the same time, information mixing between channels can be completed without increasing the computation and parameter quantity. Based on the Brats2019 dataset, the ablation experiment of the PVT-ASF-CS network was conducted and compared with other models. The Dice coefficient and HD were used as evaluation indexes to evaluate the segmentation effect of the model. The experimental results show that the proposed PVT-ASF-CS model can extract more adequate and detailed features, and has a better segmentation effect on brain tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The risk of outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF) is minimized when farmers are knowledgeable and have a positive perception of risk factors associated with the spread of ASF. This study assesses the knowledge, attitude, and practices with respect to ASF among emerging pig farmers in uThukela District. A cross-sectional study design was conducted on all emerging pig farmers (n=426) in the study area. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Pig rearing in the study area is dominated by middle aged men with no formal education, low income, and >5 years of experience of rearing pigs. The main reason for rearing pigs, is to provide meat for the family. Knowledge of some aspects of ASF was very low. However, most farmers displayed a good attitude towards ASF. Feeding pigs on swill and hunting wild pigs were practiced in the stud area. Residence, sex, age and reason for rearing pigs were significantly correlated with a high knowledge score for ASF. Authorities in charge of controlling livestock diseases should consider findings of the present study when designing interventions to improve on the knowledge of ASF and to limit outbreaks of ASF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a structurally complex, double-stranded DNA virus, which causes African swine fever (ASF), a contagious disease affecting swine. ASF is currently affecting pork production in a large geographical region, including Eurasia and the Caribbean. ASFV has a large genome, which harbors more than 160 genes, but most of these genes' functions have not been experimentally characterized. One of these genes is the O174L gene which has been experimentally shown to function as a small DNA polymerase. Here, we demonstrate that the deletion of the O174L gene from the genome of the virulent strain ASFV Georgia2010 (ASFV-G) does not significantly affect virus replication in vitro or in vivo. A recombinant virus, having deleted the O174L gene, ASFV-G-∆O174L, was developed to study the effect of the O174L protein in replication in swine macrophages cultures in vitro and disease production when inoculated in pigs. The results demonstrated that ASFV-G-∆O174L has similar replication kinetics to parental ASFV-G in swine macrophage cultures. In addition, animals intramuscularly inoculated with 102 HAD50 of ASFV-G-∆O174L presented a clinical form of the disease that is indistinguishable from that induced by the parental virulent strain ASFV-G. All animals developed a lethal disease, being euthanized around day 7 post-infection. Therefore, although O174L is a well-characterized DNA polymerase, its function is apparently not critical for the process of virus replication, both in vitro and in vivo, or for disease production in domestic pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

ASFV vaccine candidate ASFV-G-ΔI177L has been shown to be highly efficacious in inducing protection against challenges with the parental virus, the Georgia 2010 isolate, as well as against field strains isolated from Vietnam. ASFV-G-ΔI177L has been shown to produce protection even when used at low doses (102 HAD50) and shows no residual virulence even when administered at high doses (106 HAD50) or evaluated for a relatively long period of time (6 months). ASFV-G-ΔI177L stocks can only be massively produced in primary cell macrophages. Alternatively, its modified version (ASFV-G-ΔI177L/ΔLVR) grows in a swine-derived cell line (PIPEC), acquiring significant genomic modifications. We present here the development of ASFV-G-ΔI177L stocks in a swine macrophage cell line, IPKM, and its protective efficacy when evaluated in domestic pigs. Successive passing of ASFV-G-ΔI177L in IPKM cells produces minimal genomic changes. Interestingly, a stock of ASFV-G-ΔI177L obtained after 10 passages (ASFV-G-ΔI177Lp10) in IPKM cells showed very small genomic changes when compared with the original virus stock. ASFV-G-ΔI177Lp10 conserves similar growth kinetics in primary swine macrophage cultures than the original parental virus ASFV-G-ΔI177L. Pigs infected with 103 HAD50 of ASFV-G-ΔI177Lp10 developed a strong virus-specific antibody response and were completely protected against the challenge with the parental virulent field isolate Georgia 2010. Therefore, IPKM cells could be an effective alternative for the production of ASFV vaccine stocks for those vaccine candidates exclusively growing in swine macrophages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

In Finland, the wild boar (Sus scrofa L.) lives on the northernmost edge of the species' distribution range, and the population mainly originates from individuals immigrating from Russia. Most of the current population lives in the southeastern part of the country, and the wild boar is steadily expanding further. To develop effective risk and population management in novel northern wild boar regions, detailed information about the species' local ecology is required. To estimate wild boar movement patterns, 17 adult wild boars were monitored using GPS collars from May 2020 to September 2022 in the core region of the current distribution. The average total home ranges of wild boars (87.1 ± 17 km2 MCP, 33 ± 5.5 SE km2 95% KDE) were larger compared with studies from southern latitudes. The length of nocturnal activity times varied seasonally. All studied individuals at the border zone (N = 15) showed continuous transboundary movements, with home range core areas located mainly on the Russian side. Wild boar locations were predominantly in the Russia border zone, especially resting sites during the daytime. Most locations in Finland were from night-time feeding excursions. Our study shows that, although home ranges are large, adult wild boars are relatively sedentary also in northern latitudes. However, the movement capacity of the species enables the transboundary spread of diseases such as African swine fever. Our results provide information for risk management and emphasize the importance of transboundary collaboration in the monitoring and management of common wild boar populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Abstract Background Despite numerous interventions, child undernutrition continues as a problem of global concern. Although consumption of animal source foods has shown positive associations with child undernutrition, no much evidence exists on its trends and predictors among children in Tigrai. Objectives This study aimed to investigate the trends in and predictors of consumption of animal source foods among children 6–23 months of age in Tigrai. Methodology This study used complex data of 756 children extracted from three consecutive Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys. Data were analyzed using STATA 14.0 by accounting for sampling weight and cluster and strata variables. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the independent predictors of animal source foods consumption. Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were used to measure strength of association at a statistical significance of p more...

The aim of the study was to assess regional changes in pig and sow population in 2010-2022. The analysis was carried out at the voivodship level for the entire period under study, while changes in pig and sow population in poviats were based on agricultural census data for 2010 and 2020. The analysis showed a progressive regional concentration of pig and sow stock in Poland, as indicated by an increase in the share of the 62 and 93 poviats with the highest stock and the poviats with the highest density of pigs and sows using 20% and 30% of agricultural land in Poland by about 9 percentage points. However, there was no correlation of the level of pig and sow stocking in 2010 in individual poviats with changes in stocking rates by 2020. A large increase in stocking rates associated with the construction of industrial piggeries was recorded in a dozen poviats located mainly in the western and northern voivodships, where the largest number of State Agricultural Farms were located. more...

African Swine Fever Virus (ASF) is a viral disease in pigs that affects the supply of food of animal origin. ASF is caused by a double-stranded DNA virus of the family Asfarviridae and genus Asfivirus, which can be transmitted and causes various bleeding events in the internal organs and is accompanied by a very high mortality rate. This disease is generally characterized by fever, lack of appetite, and bleeding from the skin, back, and legs. Even though this virus is not zoonotic and cannot be transmitted to humans, it is fatal and causes tremendous economic loss. This disease spread throughout Asia in a relatively short time in 2019, and it has even been reported that this disease has entered Indonesia since the end of 2019. The impact of this infection resulted in socioeconomic changes in both rural and urban communities, which could then affect the country's economy at the macro level. Several countries are needed in their efforts to control ASF, one of which is to increase quarantine, limit the traffic of pigs, and reduce the population of sick pigs exposed to the ASF virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Infectious African swine fever virus (ASFV) can cause the spread and morbidity of African swine fever, while the inactivated virus cannot. When they are not distinguished separately, the detection results will lack authenticity and cause unnecessary panic and detection cost. The detection technology based on cell culture is complex, high-cost, and time-consuming in practice, which is not conducive to the rapid detection of infectious ASFV. In this study, a propidium monoazide (PMA) qPCR detection method for rapid diagnosis of infectious ASFV was constructed. Parameters of PMA concentration, light intensity, and lighting time were under strict safety verification and comparative analysis for optimization. The results determined that the optimal condition for PMA to pretreat ASFV was the final concentration of PMA 100 μM. The light intensity was 40 W, the light duration was 20 min, the target fragment size of the optimal primer probe was 484 bp, and its detection sensitivity for infectious ASFV was 101.28 HAD50/mL. In addition, the method was innovatively applied to the rapid evaluation of disinfection effect. When ASFV concentration was less than 102.28 HAD50/mL, the method could still be effective for the evaluation of thermal inactivation effect, and the evaluation ability of chlorine-containing disinfectants was better, and the applicable concentration could reach 105.28 HAD50/mL. It is worth mentioning that this method can not only reflect whether the virus is inactivated, but also indirectly reflect the degree of damage to viral nucleic acid caused by disinfectants. In conclusion, the PMA-qPCR constructed in this study can be applied to laboratory diagnosis, disinfection effect evaluation, drug development, and other aspects of infectious ASFV and can provide new technical support for effective prevention and control of ASF. Key points: • A rapid detection method for infectious ASFV was developed • Provide a new scheme for rapid evaluation of disinfection effect of chlorine-containing disinfectants • PMA-qPCR can simultaneously show the survival status of the virus and the damage of nucleic acid [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Simple Summary: An animal epidemic poses a severe threat to the economic development of a country. Pig farmers are crucial in controlling the spread of viral infections in pigs. As a crucial component of the biosecurity system, selecting proper cleaning and disinfection (C&D) procedures is a dynamic and long-term decision that requires a higher knowledge base among pig farmers. In this study, we collected data from 333 pig farmers in the Sichuan Province of China—a region significantly affected by the African swine fever (ASF) virus. The collected data were analyzed to elucidate the mechanism of the impact of epidemic prevention training on enhancing pig farmers' adoption of C&D procedures. The empirical results showed that epidemic prevention training promotes the adoption of C&D procedures among pig farmers. In addition, biosecurity cognition plays a partially mediating role in epidemic prevention training, influencing the adoption of regular and comprehensive C&D procedures. African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly infectious disease, severely affecting domestic pigs and wild boar. It has significantly contributed to economic losses within the pig farming industry. As a critical component of biosecurity measures, the selection of cleaning and disinfection (C&D) procedures is a dynamic and long-term decision that demands a deeper knowledge base among pig farmers. This study uses a binary logit model to explore the effect of epidemic prevention training on the adoption of C&D procedures among pig farmers with irregular and regular C&D procedures based on micro-survey data obtained from 333 pig farmers from Sichuan. The endogeneity issue was handled using propensity score matching, resulting in solid conclusions. In addition, the critical mediating impact of biosecurity cognition was investigated using a bootstrap analysis. The empirical study demonstrated that epidemic prevention training encourages pig farmers to adopt C&D procedures, with biosecurity cognition significantly mediating. Furthermore, epidemic prevention training was more likely to promote the adoption of C&D procedures among pig farmers with shorter breeding experiences and those having breeding insurance. Our study emphasized the importance of implementing epidemic prevention training to improving pig farmers' biosecurity cognition and promoting the adoption of C&D procedures. The results included suggested references for preventing ASF and the next epidemic of animal diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Many porcine hemorrhagic fever viruses with various virulence have been isolated worldwide. Their virulence ranges from low virulent strains without causing serious pathogenic effects to highly virulent strains that cause high mortality. Experimental data suggests that the host immune system plays an important role in pathogenesis of viral hemorrhagic fever. Also, these viruses have evolved different strategies to evade host immune responses. This paper summarizes current progress in understanding the pathogenesis and immune responses to porcine hemorrhagic fever viruses: Classical Swine Fever (CSF) virus and African Swine Fever (ASF) virus. CSF and ASF are emerging diseases in pigs that belong to the VHF (viral hemorrhagic fever) category. Despite some differences in clinical presentation, the pathologies of both CSF and ASF exhibit striking similarities, suggesting common underlying mechanisms. This similarity can be linked to the development of Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS), which is a generalized inflammatory process observed in many generalized infections, including VHFs in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Simple Summary: Predicting suitable areas and paths for African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks is crucial for early detection and removal of ASF virus (ASFV)-infected carcasses in ASF-prevalent regions, as well as for the establishment of preemptive quarantine measures in ASF-free regions. In this study, we utilized the MaxEnt model and shortest-path betweenness centrality to predict areas with a high likelihood of ASF outbreaks in wild boars while also identifying individual pig farms and pig farm sectors at high risk of ASFV spillover from wild boars. The results of this study are intended to help to save time and cost in searching for carcasses by specifying the search range for ASFV-infected wild boar carcasses. Additionally, the study's findings could help pig farms at high risk of ASFV spillover establish preemptive quarantine measures such as reinforcing biosecurity inside the farms and routinely searching for carcasses around the farms. African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious disease affecting domestic pigs and wild boars, with no effective vaccine or treatment available. In South Korea, extensive measures have been implemented to prevent ASF transmission between wild boars and ASF spillover from wild boars to pig farm sectors, including the search for ASF-infected carcasses in mountainous forests and the installation of fences across wide areas of these forests. To determine the priority search range for infected carcasses and establish pig farm-centered quarantine measures, it is necessary to predict the specific path of ASF outbreaks in wild boars and identify pig farms at high risk of ASF spillover from wild boars. Here, we aimed to predict suitable areas and geographical paths for ASF outbreaks in wild boars using the MaxEnt model and shortest-path betweenness centrality analysis. The analysis identified a high frequency of ASF outbreaks in areas with a suitability value ≥0.4 on the suitability map and in areas within a 1.8 km range from the path on the shortest-path map, indicating these areas were high-risk zones for ASF outbreaks. Among the 5063 pig farms analyzed, 37 were in the high-risk zone on the suitability map, 499 were in the high-risk zone on the shortest-path map, and 9 were in both risk zones. Of the 51 pig farm sectors with a dense distribution of pig farms (kernel density ≥ 8), 25 sectors were in contact with or partially overlapped the high risk zone on the suitability map, 18 sectors were located within the high risk zone on the shortest-path map, and 14 sectors were located within both risk zones. These findings aided in determining the priority range for searches for wild boar carcasses and enabled the establishment of preemptive ASF prevention measures around the pig farming sectors that are at risk of ASF spillover from wild boars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The purpose of this article is to review the impact of the current international geographical distribution of African Swine Fever (ASF) and other transboundary swine diseases and their consequences. Moreover, the aim is to discuss the importance and modalities of their prevention and control, based on international standards of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, founded as OIE in 1924) and the Resolution on Global Control of ASF, adopted by 182 Member countries in 2019. Highly pathogenic swine diseases have multifaceted impacts on food security and rural development. These impacts are driven by factors such as reduced meat production, price volatility, trade disruptions, economic losses in rural areas, decreased livelihoods, investment uncertainty, changes in rural infrastructure, and, for some of them, potential zoonotic characteristics. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for creating effective preventive and control strategies and measures to mitigate such consequences on food security and rural development in affected regions. Scientific research and evidence-based policy measures, as promoted by WOAH, are essential to address these challenges comprehensively. Regional and international collaboration for identifying and coordinating the management of ASF is crucial for their effective prevention and control. In Europe, the WOAH plays a vital role in this mechanism, collaborating with 53 Members and partners to support the control and eradication of ASF and promote the implementation of international standards and best practices. National ASF strategies should follow these examples, with a focus on legislation enforcement and capacity building, in close collaboration with all stakeholders, to introduce effective prevention and biosecurity measures, official controls, traceability of swine commodities, wild pig management, and awareness programs. Collaboration, cooperation and learning from best practices will contribute to better tackling these challenges and ensure sustainable disease control, meat production and food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious disease that affects wild and domestic swine. Currently, the disease is present as a pandemic affecting pork production in Eurasia and the Caribbean region. The etiological agent of ASF is a large, highly complex structural virus (ASFV) harboring a double-stranded genome encoding for more than 160 proteins whose functions, in most cases, have not been experimentally characterized. We show here that deletion of the ASFV gene H240R from the genome of the highly virulent ASFV-Georgia2010 (ASFV-G) isolate partially decreases virus virulence when experimentally inoculated in domestic swine. ASFV-G-∆H240R, a recombinant virus harboring the deletion of the H240R gene, was produced to evaluate the function of the gene in the development of disease in pigs. While all animals intramuscularly inoculated with 102 HAD50 of ASFV-G developed a fatal form of the disease, forty percent of pigs receiving a similar dose of ASFV-G-∆H240R survived the infection, remaining healthy during the 28-day observational period, and the remaining sixty percent developed a protracted but fatal form of the disease compared to that induced by ASFV-G. Additionally, all animals inoculated with ASFV-G-∆H240R presented protracted viremias with reduced virus titers when compared with those found in animals inoculated with ASFV-G. Animals surviving infection with ASFV-G-∆H240R developed a strong virus-specific antibody response and were protected against the challenge of the virulent parental ASFV-G. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

African swine fever (ASF) is a viral disease, endemic to Africa, that causes high mortality when introduced into domestic pig populations. Since the emergence of p72-genotype II African swine fever virus (ASFV) in Georgia in 2007, an ASF epidemic has been spreading across Europe and many countries in Asia. The epidemic first reached Ukraine in 2012. To better understand the dynamics of spread of ASF in Ukraine, we analyzed spatial and temporal outbreak data reported in Ukraine between 2012 and mid-2023. The highest numbers of outbreaks were reported in 2017 (N = 163) and 2018 (N = 145), with overall peak numbers of ASF outbreaks reported in August (domestic pigs) and January (wild boars). While cases were reported from most of Ukraine, we found a directional spread from the eastern and northern borders towards the western and southern regions of Ukraine. Many of the early outbreaks (before 2016) were adjacent to the border, which is again true for more recent outbreaks in wild boar, but not for recent outbreaks in domestic pigs. Outbreaks prior to 2016 also occurred predominantly in areas with a below average domestic pig density. This new analysis suggests that wild boars may have played an important role in the introduction and early spread of ASF in Ukraine. However, in later years, the dynamic suggests human activity as the predominant driver of spread and a separation of ASF epizootics between domestic pigs and in wild boars. The decline in outbreaks since 2019 suggests that the implemented mitigation strategies are effective, even though long-term control or eradication remain challenging and will require continued intensive surveillance of ASF outbreak patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

We have previously reported that the recombinant African Swine Fever (ASF) vaccine candidate ASFV-G-Δ9GL/ΔUK efficiently induces protection in domestic pigs challenged with the virulent strain Georgia 2010 (ASFV-G). As reported, ASFV-G-Δ9GL/ΔUK induces protection, while intramuscularly (IM), administered at doses of 104 HAD50 or higher, prevents ASF clinical disease in animals infected with the homologous ASFV g strain. Like other recombinant vaccine candidates obtained from ASFV field isolates, ASFV-G-Δ9GL/ΔUK stocks need to be produced in primary cultures of swine macrophages, which constitutes an important limitation in the production of large virus stocks at the industrial level. Here, we describe the development of ASFV-G-Δ9GL/ΔUK stocks using IPKM (Immortalized Porcine Kidney Macrophage) cells, which are derived from swine macrophages. We show that ten successive passages of ASFV-G-Δ9GL/ΔUK in IPKM cells induced small changes in the virus genome. The produced virus, ASFV-G-Δ9GL/ΔUKp10, presented a similar level of replication in swine macrophages cultures to that of the original ASFV-G-Δ9GL/ΔUK (ASFV-G-Δ9GL/ΔUKp0). The protective efficacy of ASFV-G-Δ9GL/ΔUKp10 was evaluated in pigs that were IM-inoculated with either 104 or 106 HAD50 of ASFV-G-Δ9GL/ΔUKp10. While animals inoculated with 104 HAD50 present a partial protection against the experimental infection with the virulent parental virus ASFV-G, those inoculated with 106 HAD50 were completely protected. Therefore, as was just recently reported for another ASF vaccine candidate, ASFV-G-ΔI177L, IPKM cells are an effective alternative to produce stocks for vaccine strains which only grow in swine macrophages. more...

African swine fever (ASF) is a lethal haemorrhagic disease of Suidae, present in Poland since 2014. The natural reservoir of ASF in Europe is the wild boar (Sus scrofa); however, human activity facilitates long-distance introductions of the disease. In ASF control it is important to identify areas at increased risk of infection. Such identification and estimation of the disease’s progress and subsequent spread will help to identify the specific preventive action needs in given zones. Serving this purpose, this study is a spatial and statistical analysis of ASF spread through noted outbreak data. more...

Simple Summary: African swine fever (ASF) causes serious economic losses to the global pig industry. Unfortunately, there is currently no effective and safe vaccine, although its development is actively continuing. To date, experimental vaccines based on the use of live attenuated strains of the ASF virus (ASFV) obtained by the deletion of viral genes responsible for virulence are the most effective. However, deletion of the same gene in different ASFV isolates can lead to different results. In our work, we have shown that, unlike some other isolates, the deletion of the CD2 gene from the genome of the virulent Congo strain does not lead to its weakening, although it affects the onset of ASF infection in domestic pigs. African swine fever (ASF) is an infectious disease that causes the most significant losses to the pig industry. One of the effective methods for combating this disease could be the development of vaccines. To date, experimental vaccines based on the use of live attenuated strains of the ASF virus (ASFV) obtained by the deletion of viral genes responsible for virulence are the most effective. Deletion of the EP402R gene encoding a CD2-like protein led to the attenuation of various strains of the ASFV, although the degree of attenuation varies among different isolates. Here we have shown that the deletion of the EP402R gene from the genome of a high-virulent Congo isolate did not change either the virulence of the virus or its ability to replicate in the swine macrophage cell cultures in vitro. However, in vivo, animals infected with ΔCongo-v_CD2v had a delay in the onset of the disease and viremia compared to animals infected with the parental strain. Thus, deletion of the CD2 gene in different isolates of the ASFV has a different effect on the virulence of the virus, depending on its genetic background. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...