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In Côte d’Ivoire, the use of renewable energy is becoming a major challenge in the context of climate change and global warming. Therefore, the aim of this study is to characterize the wind profile for potential energy in Abidjan, Man, Bouaké and Korhogo of Côte d’Ivoire using satellite data. Wind speed and direction data from Copernicus Centre from 2015 to 2022 are used for these major cities. The frequency method is used to build wind rose and power density formula to estimate the potential energy for each city, at ground level (10 m) and in particular level at 100 m and 500 m. The results showed a slightly wind speed and direction variation from 2015 to 2022. This suggests that wind has a seasonal (wet and dry) evolution over the year. However, wind speeds increase for each city with the altitude. The higher average wind speed is observed in Abidjan with a power density of 58 W/m2. The lower wind speed and power density are observed in Man, Bouaké and Korhogo. So, the coastline of Côte d’Ivoire has the higher wind energy resource than the inland regions of the country.

The synthesis of supported multielement transition metal phosphides (TMPs) to exploit the synergistic interplay between electronic and geometric effects resulting from the presence of different metals in the material and the arrangement of heterogeneous atoms is pivotal for reducing metal content while offering multiple active sites. However, the integration of Ni, Co, and P, for example, into a nanostructured carbon network to develop self‐supporting NixCoyP bimetallic phosphides is limited by several factors, including the synthesis and the discrepancy between the crystal structure of the respective monometallic phosphides. Moreover, conventional synthesis of supported TMPs often separates nanoparticles, support and phosphidation steps, which do not allow tailoring of physical and catalytic properties via particle support, electronic and geometric interactions. Herein, an innovative solid‐state, ex situ phosphidation‐free approach tailored to synthesize a library of self‐supporting NixCoyP TMPs in N,S,P‐modified nanostructured carbon networks generated together with NixCoyP particles is presented. Extensive multivariate characterization validates the unique properties of NixCoyP bimetallic materials with enhanced electrocatalytic performance for the hydrogen evolution reaction and the selective electroconversion of biomass‐derived 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (5‐HMF) to value‐added 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) with 90–100% Faradaic efficiency. Overall, the synthesis expands the possibilities for tailoring the microstructure of supported TMPs for improved physical/catalytic properties.

Abstract: In this work we investigated the nature of the intermediates adsorbed during the electrooxidation of methanol on [Pt.sub.x][Ru.sub.(1-x)][O.sub.y] electrodes, where 0.5 < x < 0.9, prepared by the decomposition [...]

IntroductionThe oropharyngeal microbiome plays an important role in protection against infectious agents when in balance. Despite use of vaccines and antibiotic therapy to prevent respiratory tract infections, they remain one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity in Low- and middle-income countries. Hence the need to explore other approaches to prevention by identifying microbial biomarkers that could be leveraged to modify the microbiota in order to enhance protection against pathogenic bacteria. The aim of this study was to analyze the oropharyngeal microbiome (OPM) of schoolchildren in Côte d’Ivoire presenting symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) for better prevention strategy.MethodsPrimary schools’ children in Korhogo (n = 37) and Abidjan (n = 39) were followed for six months with monthly oropharyngeal sampling. Clinical diagnostic of URT infection was performed and nucleic acid extracted from oropharyngeal swabs were used for 16S rRNA metagenomic analysis and RT-PCR.ResultsThe clinical examination of children’s throat in Abidjan and Korhogo identified respectively 17 (43.59%) and 15 (40.54%) participants with visible symptoms of URTIs, with 26 episodes of infection in Abidjan and 24 in Korhogo. Carriage of Haemophilus influenzae (12%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (6%) and SARS-CoV-2 (6%) was confirmed by PCR. A significant difference in alpha diversity was found between children colonized by S. pneumoniae and those that were not (p = 0.022). There was also a significant difference in alpha diversity between children colonised with H. influenzae and those who were not (p = 0.017). No significant difference was found for SARS-CoV-2. Sphingomonas, Ralstonia and Rothia were significantly enriched in non-carriers of S. pneumoniae; Actinobacillus was significantly enriched in non-carriers of H. influenzae; Actinobacillus and Porphyromonas were significantly enriched in non-carriers of SARS-CoV-2 (p < 0.001).DiscussionNearly 40% of children showed clinical symptoms of infection not related to geographical location. The OPM showed an imbalance during H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae carriage. This study provides a baseline understanding of microbiome markers in URTIs in children for future research, to develop targeted interventions aimed at restoring the microbial balance and reducing the symptoms associated with RTIs.

This study evaluates how the characteristics of daily rainfall and extreme events in Côte d’Ivoire changed during 1961–2015 using the rain gauge observation network of the National Meteorological Service (SODEXAM). The results indicate that the northern and southern parts of Cote d’Ivoire experienced a change from a wet to a dry period, with cut-offs in 1982 and 1983, respectively. In the northern part, this dry period was marked by a decrease in rainfall intensity, the length of wet spells, and the contribution of heavy and extreme rainfall, as well as an increase in the number of rainy days and a decrease in the length of dry spells. Over the southern part, this dry period was marked by an increase in the maximum length of dry spells associated with an increase in the maximum 1-day and 5-day precipitation events. The western part of Côte d’Ivoire experienced a late cut-off from the wet to dry period in 2000; the dry period was associated with a decrease in the number of rainy days, rainfall intensities, and maximum length of wet spells. Changes in the central part of Cote d’Ivoire presented high variability, and trends were less marked, even though a cut-off from a wet to dry period was detected in 1991. This study shows that Côte d’Ivoire, which is located in a subhumid and humid region and has an economy dependent on agriculture (especially cash crops, which comprise 60% of the GDP), is experiencing dry spells that are increasing in frequency and length. Combined with deforestation to increase production, this situation could lead to desertification and compromise the sustainable development goals of the country. The contribution of heavy rainfall was found to increase during the last 15 years, increasing the overall risk of floods, especially in urban areas where city authorities and populations are not prepared, thereby threatening infrastructure and human security.

Background: In temperate regions, influenza epidemics occur in the winter and correlate with certain climatological parameters. In African tropical regions, the effects of climatological parameters on influenza epidemics are not well defined. This study aims to identify and model the effects of climatological parameters on seasonal influenza activity in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.Methods: We studied the effects of weekly rainfall, humidity, and temperature on laboratory-confirmed influenza cases in Abidjan from 2007 to 2010. We used the Box-Jenkins method with the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) process to create models using data from 2007-2010 and to assess the predictive value of best model on data from 2011 to 2012.Results: The weekly number of influenza cases showed significant cross-correlation with certain prior weeks for both rainfall, and relative humidity. The best fitting multivariate model (ARIMAX (2,0,0) _RF) included the number of influenza cases during 1-week and 2-weeks prior, and the rainfall during the current week and 5-weeks prior. The performance of this model showed an increase of >3 % for Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and 2.5 % for Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) compared to the reference univariate ARIMA (2,0,0). The prediction of the weekly number of influenza cases during 2011-2012 with the best fitting multivariate model (ARIMAX (2,0,0) _RF), showed that the observed values were within the 95 % confidence interval of the predicted values during 97 of 104 weeks.Conclusion: Including rainfall increases the performances of fitted and predicted models. The timing of influenza in Abidjan can be partially explained by rainfall influence, in a setting with little change in temperature throughout the year. These findings can help clinicians to anticipate influenza cases during the rainy season by implementing preventive measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Two experiments using 42 crossbred neonatal pigs to compare the effects of caprine and bovine milk on growth, apparent nutrient digestibility and body composition were conducted. At age 72 h, pigs were removed from their dams and randomly divided into two groups, housed separately in stainless steel metabolism cages and were fed a predetermined amount (300 mL/kg body weight) of pasteurized, nonfortified whole, caprine or bovine milk. Body composition was determined using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). In Experiment 1, 22 intact male pigs were used for a 31-d experimental period. There was no significant (P > 0.05) dietary effect on growth, apparent nutrient digestibility or body composition. Significant differences (P < 0.05), however, were observed in plasma of C 8:0, C 10:0 and C 12:0 concentrations. In Experiment 2, 20 pigs (10 intact males and 10 females) were used in a 2 x 2 factorial experiment for 52 d. Pigs fed caprine milk had higher (P < 0.05) plasma concentrations of C10:0 and C12:0 as well as Na, Mg and Zn than those fed bovine milk. At Day 52, pigs fed caprine milk had less body fat (P < 0.001) and higher (P < 0.06) bone mineral density than those fed bovine milk. Drymatter, N and total mineral intake of male pigs was higher (P < 0.05) than female pigs. Also, male pigs had higher (P < 0.05) plasma concentrations of C12:0 than females. This study demonstrates that the type of milk consumed can influence plasma concentrations of fatty acids, minerals and body composition in pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several studies conducted in America or Europe have described major cardiac remodeling and diastolic dysfunction in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). We aimed at assessing cardiac involvement in SCD in sub-Saharan Africa where SCD is the most prevalent.Methods: In Cameroon, Mali and Senegal, SCD patients and healthy controls of the CADRE study underwent transthoracic echocardiography if aged ≥10 years. The comparison of clinical and echocardiographic features between patients and controls, and the associations between echocardiographic features and the vascular complications of SCD were assessed.Results: 612 SCD patients (483 SS or Sβ0, 99 SC, and 19 Sβ+) and 149 controls were included. The prevalence of dyspnea and congestive heart failure was low and did not differ significantly between patients and controls. While left ventricular ejection fraction did not differ between controls and patients, left and right cardiac chambers were homogeneously more dilated and hypertrophic in patients compared to controls and systemic vascular resistances were lower (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). Three hundred and forty nine SCD patients had extra-cardiac organ damages (stroke, leg ulcer, priapism, microalbuminuria or osteonecrosis). Increased left ventricular mass index, cardiac dilatation, cardiac output, and decreased systemic vascular resistances were associated with a history of at least one SCD-related organ damage after adjustment for confounders.Conclusions: Cardiac dilatation, cardiac output, left ventricular hypertrophy, and systemic vascular resistance are associated with extracardiac SCD complications in patients from sub-Saharan Africa despite a low prevalence of clinical heart failure. The prognostic value of cardiac subclinical involvement in SCD patients deserves further studies.

The White Bandama Basin (WBB) faces multiple changes that could undermine it. In order to analyze its sensitivity to those changes, the environmental Vulnerability Index (EVI), developed by the South Pacific Applied Geosciences Commission (SOPAC), as a global composite index that quantifies the vulnerability of an area’s environment, was applied to the basin. The results revealed that the major vulnerability issues are from anthropogenic sources, country-characteristics and climate changes. The most important climate risk factor for the basin is drought. The overall risk factor in the basin is higher than the means of resistance, making it moderately sensitive to changes.

In this paper1 we study the on-line version of maximum-weighted hereditary subgraph problems. In our on-line model, the final instance (a graph with n vertices) is revealed in t clusters, 2 ≤ t ≤ n . We first focus on an on-line version of the maximumweighted hereditary subgraph problem. Then, we deal with the particular case of the independent set problem. We are interested in two types of results: the competitive ratio guaranteed by the on-line algorithm and hardness results that account for the difficulty of the problems and for the quality of algorithms developed to solve them.

In the southern United States, warm-season grasses make up the bulk of the roughage consumed by livestock, including small ruminants. Digestibility of grasses generally declines with maturity, such that these forages may not always provide the necessary nutrients to support optimal animal performance or maintain product quality. Supplementation with protein and a moderate level of grain generally increases forage intake and digestibility. The diversion of corn away from human and animal feed for biofuel production has created a need for alternative energy supplements. Dried distiller's grains with solubles (DDGS), high in bypass protein and digestible fiber, is a good alternative to replace corn and soybean meal (SBM) in small ruminant diets. The objective of this study was to determine intake, blood metabolites, and milk yield and composition of Alpine and Saanen dairy goats, in late lactation, consuming ground eastern gamagrass (EGG; Tripsacum dactyloides L.) or Bermudagrass hay (BG; Cynodon dactylon) supplemented with DDGS or corn and SBM. The does were stratified based on milk yield and allotted to 4 groups. The groups were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments (9 does/treatment). The does were group fed daily to allow ad libitum intake. The supplement and hay was mixed together and consumed by the does. The trial lasted 19 d. Blood plasma samples from each animal were analyzed for plasma urea nitrogen (PUN), glucose, and NEFA concentrations. Combined morning and evening milk samples were analyzed for protein, fat, lactose, and total solids. Data were analyzed as a mixed model for a completely randomized design using SAS. Replacing corn and SBM with DDGS did not affect (P > 0.05) milk yield (0.93 ± 0.155 kg), plasma glucose, milk protein, or lactose. However, PUN and milk fat were significantly different (P < 0.05). Bermudagrass hay increased PUN (37.02 and 35.04 ± 1.71 mg/dL) relative to EGG treatments (29 and 32.6 ± 1.71 mg/dL). Supplementing EGG with DDGS increased the NEFA concentration (209.3 ± 22.02 μEq/L) compared with BG and EGG with corn supplementation (120.6, 114.3, and 126.8 ± 22.02 μEq/L). Replacing corn with DDGS over a short feeding period does not affect milk yield and its basic components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased consumption of goat meat in the United States is primarily a consequence of influx of immigrants and health-conscious consumers about high fat and cholesterol intake with other red meats. Deficit in national production is partially compensated by frozen imports from New Zealand and Australia. Goats are raised mostly on pasture with seasonal variations in nutrient availability. On the other hand, the high cost of feed supplements (grains and soybean meal) limits profitability of goat production. On a unit weight basis, fats have more energy than grains or grain supplements. Dried distiller's grains with solubles (DDGS), a byproduct of the biofuel industry and rich in protein and soluble fiber, may be an alternative for corn and soybean, which are being diverted to biofuel production. Hence, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of replacing corn with DDGS, poultry fat, or DDGS plus poultry fat on growth and carcass parameters of growing goats (6 mo old) consuming Bermudagrass hay-based diets. Treatments consisted of Bermudagrass hay-based diet supplemented with corn (Control), DDGS, poultry fat (PF), or DDGS plus poultry fat (DDGSPF). Animals were individually housed and fed 1 of 4 isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets once daily for 60 d. At the end of the 60-d feeding period, animals were processed after a 24-h fast. Collected data were analyzed as a completely randomized design using the mixed model procedure of SAS. When significant at P < 0.05, treatment means were separated using LSD. Results indicate that final weight and hot and chilled carcass weights were decreased (P < 0.05) when poultry fat alone was used to replace corn. Goats supplemented with corn had lower ruminal pH (6.97) compared with DDGSPF (7.30), DDGS (7.32), and PF (7.40 ± 0.036) but DMI (1.210 ± 0.042 kg) was greater compared with PFsupplemented animals (1.020 ± 0.042 kg). Total protein intake was not affected (P > 0.05) by supplement type (162 ± 0.11 g). Meat protein content was not significantly different (21.02 ± 0.22%). Blood glucose levels were not significantly different (P > 0.05) among treatments (70.70 ± 3.13 mg/dL). Ruminal ammonia nitrogen was higher in control (11.24 mg/dL) compared with DDGS (6.45 mg/dL), PF (3.30 mg/dL), and DDGSPF (2.59 ± 1.36 mg/dL) animals. These results indicate that DDGS and poultry fat can be excellent substitutes for corn in growing goats consuming Bermudagrass hay-based diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Southeastern United States, with warm climate and relatively high humidity, is not suitable for wool production. For these reasons, hair-type sheep are being raised for meat. Grazing is the most economical way of raising livestock. Pasture quality is subjected to seasonal variations leading to nutrient deficiencies that limit animal performance. Supplements are often needed to improve animal performance. Grains are used for energy and soybean meal is used for protein supplementation. Corn and soybean are diverted for biofuel production, reducing their use for animal feed and thus increasing the cost of animal production. Dried distiller's grains plus solubles (DDGS), a byproduct of the grain biofuel industry, that is rich in protein and digestible fiber could be used to replace corn and soybean meal in livestock diets. A study was conducted to determine the effects of replacing corn with DDGS, poultry fat, or in combination on feed intake, growth, carcass characteristics, liver mass, and meat quality of lambs consuming Bermudagrass hay using 40 Katahdin × Dorper intact males (6 mo old). Treatments consisted of a Bermudagrass hay-based diet supplemented with corn (Control), DDGS, poultry fat (OIL), or DDGS plus poultry fat (DDGSOil). Diets were balanced for energy and protein and then fed once daily for 60 d to individually housed lambs. Lambs were processed at the end of the 60-d experiment after a 24-h fast. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design using the mixed model of SAS. Results indicate that total protein intake %BW (0.4834 ± 0.0183), final weight (44.6 ± 1.24 kg), slaughter weight (42.5 ± 1.49 kg), hot (24.4 ± 0.74 kg) and chilled carcass weights (72.5 ± 0.74 kg), initial carcass pH (6.5 ± 0.06), cooking loss (16.6 ± 0.87%), and meat protein (21.2 ± 0.39%) were not affected (P > 0.05) by supplement type. Total DMI (1.66 vs. 2.07, 2.15, and 2.22 ± 0.07 kg for OIL, DDGS, DDGSOil, and Control, respectively) and liver weight (561 vs. 635, 674, and 678 ± 27.9 g) decreased (P < 0.01) with OIL supplement alone. Rumen pH was lowest (P < 0.05) with corn supplementation (7.23 ± 0.06) compared with DDGS (7.4 ± 0.06), OIL (7.5 ± 0.06), and DDGSOil (7.6 ± 0.06). Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances for DDGSOil (0.36 ± 0.0351 malondialdehyde [MDA]/kg) were higher (P < 0.001) compared with Control (0.118 ± 0.0351 MDA/kg), OIL (0.1712 ± 0.0351 MDA/kg), and DDGS (0.203 ± 0.0351 MDA/kg). The OIL supplement showed greater myoglobin quantities (31.3 ± 2.3 mg/mL) compared with Control (17.1 ± 2.3 mg/mL), DDGSOil (21.9 ± 2.3 mg/mL), and DDGS (24.3 ± 2.3 mg/mL. These results show that DDGS or OIL alone or in combination can be used in a growing lamb diet without negatively affecting animal performance and meat quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HIV-2 is endemic in West Africa. There is a lack of evidence-based guidelines on the diagnosis, management and antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV-2 or HIV-1/HIV-2 dual infections. Because of these issues, we designed a West African collaborative cohort for HIV-2 infection within the framework of the International epidemiological Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA).We collected data on all HIV-2 and HIV-1/HIV-2 dually seropositive patients (both ARV-naive and starting ART) and followed-up in clinical centres in the IeDEA-WA network including a total of 13 clinics in five countries: Benin, Burkina-Faso Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal, in the West Africa region.Data was merged for 1,754 patients (56% female), including 1,021 HIV-2 infected patients (551 on ART) and 733 dually seropositive for both HIV-1 and HIV 2 (463 on ART). At ART initiation, the median age of HIV-2 patients was 45.3 years, IQR: (38.3-51.7) and 42.4 years, IQR (37.0-47.3) for dually seropositive patients (p = 0.048). Overall, 16.7% of HIV-2 patients on ART had an advanced clinical stage (WHO IV or CDC-C). The median CD4 count at the ART initiation is 166 cells/mm(3), IQR (83-247) among HIV-2 infected patients and 146 cells/mm(3), IQR (55-249) among dually seropositive patients. Overall, in ART-treated patients, the CD4 count increased 126 cells/mm(3) after 24 months on ART for HIV-2 patients and 169 cells/mm(3) for dually seropositive patients. Of 551 HIV-2 patients on ART, 5.8% died and 10.2% were lost to follow-up during the median time on ART of 2.4 years, IQR (0.7-4.3).This large multi-country study of HIV-2 and HIV-1/HIV-2 dual infection in West Africa suggests that routine clinical care is less than optimal and that management and treatment of HIV-2 could be further informed by ongoing studies and randomized clinical trials in this population.

The climate variability was generally studied in West Africa and particularly in Ivory Coast. The rainfall variability was specifically analysed. Therefore, rainfall variables such as rainy days frequency and rainfall seasonal duration are little studied. The main purpose of the following work is to show the climate influence on seasonal rainfall regimes on the N’zi (Bandama) watershed. We have documented two main aspects of climate variability. In the first part, the climate variability was characterised by the analysis of air temperature, air humidity, rainfall index, rainfall days frequency and seasonal rainfall duration. In the second step, we compared the standard monthly rainfall for 1951-2000 period so as to analyse the behaviour of seasonal rainfall regimes in the climate variability context. An analysis in normalized principal components (ANPC) allowed the analysis of the impact of the climatic factors on the seasonal rainfall regimes. The climate variability was manifested by a decline of the spatial and temporal annual rainfall, a decrease of rainfall days frequency particularly those which are superiors to 10 mm and a reduction of rainfall seasonal duration (30 to 35 days) since 1970. In this study, the most important result of our investigations is the lack of change in the monthly rainfall regimes on the N’zi (Bandama) watershed. The analysis in normalized principal components (ANPC) based on fourteen (14) variables, made it possible to highlight the impact of climate variability on the seasonal rainfall regimes. The first and main component (F1) is associated with the factors defining the atmospheric conditions. The second and third components (F2 and F3) are associated with the variables related to precipitations. As for the factors which influence the temporal variability of the seasonal pluviometric regimes, it appeared that the six rainfall variables are influenced by air temperature as well as the relative humidity of the air. It was thus concluded that air temperature and the relative humidity of the air are factors of the temporal variability of the seasonal rainfall regimes on the N’zi (Bandama) watershed.

In the southern USA warm season grasses make up the bulk of the roughage consumed by livestock including small ruminants. Digestibility of grasses generally declines with maturity, such that these forages may not always provide the necessary nutrients to support optimal animal performance or maintain product quality. Supplementation with protein and moderate level of grain generally increases forage intake and digestibility. The diversion of corn away from human and animal feed for biofuel production has created a need for alternative energy supplements. Dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS), high in bypass protein and digestible fiber, is a good alternative to replace corn and soybean meal (SBM) in small ruminant diets. The objective of this study was to determine intake, blood metabolites and milk composition of dairy goats (Alpine), in late lactation, consuming ground eastern gamagrass (EG; Tripsacum dactyloides L.) hay supplemented with DDGS or corn and SBM. The does were stratified based on milk yield and allotted to 4 groups. The groups were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments (10 does/trt). The groups were housed in 4 pens equipped with Calan gate feeders (American Calan, Inc.) and fed once daily to allow ad libitum intake. Hay was fed ad libitum after the supplement was completely consumed. The trial lasted 14 d with sampling on the last day. Blood plasma samples from each animal were analyzed for plasma urea nitrogen (PUN), glucose, and NEFA concentrations. Morning milk samples were analyzed for protein, fat, lactose, and total solids. Milk fat was extracted and analyzed using the fatty acyl methyl ester (FAME) method. Data were analyzed as a mixed model for a completely randomized design using SAS. Replacing corn and SBM with DDGS did not (P > 0.05) affect total DMI (1.12 ± 0.208 kg), plasma glucose, NEFA, or milk composition but significantly increased (P < 0.05) PUN (20.4 and 15.2 ± 1.31 mg/dL for DDGS and corn plus SBM supplemented does, respectively). The inclusion of DDGS decreased (P < 0.05) the concentration of C12:0 (5.7% and 3.4%), C14:0 (11% and 6%), C16:0 (25.3% and 21.3%), but levels of C18:0 (7.5% and 13.9%), C18:3n6 (0.33% and 0.43%) and C20:1n9 (1.6% and 0.5%) increased. DDGS can replace corn and SBM (59% of diet) over a short feeding period without adverse effects on DMI or milk composition during late lactation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tasco seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) supplementation is known to increase antioxidant activity and immune response in farm animals, but its effects have not been adequately studied in goats. This study was conducted to determine the effects of Tasco feed supplementation on stress responses in transported goats. Mature uncastrated Boer goats were fed a lucerne pellet diet and a Tasco supplement either with (Treatment) or without (Control) seaweed extract (2% of daily intake) for eight weeks (n = 16/treatment group). The animals were transported 6 h to impose stress, held in pens overnight without feed and slaughtered on two different days. Blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture, before (0 h) and after transportation (6 h) and after overnight holding (24 h) to assess stress responses. Dietary treatment did not influence plasma cortisol, glucose concentrations and creatine kinase (CK) activity. Plasma cortisol and glucose increased due to transportation, but decreased significantly after holding. Plasma CK activities increased during transportation and holding, and peaked significantly at 24-h sampling. Transportation increased neutrophil counts and decreased lymphocyte counts significantly, but did not affect eosinophil and monocyte counts. Tasco feed supplementation did not have any effect on the physiological responses to transportation stress in goats. Transportation stress may have negative effects on immune function in goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tasco seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) extract has been reported to improve vitamin E status and carcass characteristics in meat animals, but its effects have not been studied in goats. This study was conducted to determine the effects of Tasco feed supplementation on colour and oxidative stability of goat meat (chevon). Mature intact Boer goats were fed a lucerne pellet diet and a Tasco supplement either with (Treatment) or without (Control) seaweed extract (2% of daily intake) for 8 weeks (n = 16/treatment group). The animals were transported 6 h to the slaughter facility on two different days, held in pens without feed, and slaughtered. Colour values (CIE L*, a*, b*), visual scores, percent metmyoglobin (metMb) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) of loin/rib chops (2.5 cm thick) were recorded on 1, 3, 5 and 7 days of display. The L* values increased significantly from d-1 to d-3, but did not change thereafter. Both a* and b* values decreased gradually until five days of display. However, after five days, the a* value remained unchanged, while the b* value increased significantly. Percent metMb and TBARS increased over display time. Metmyoglobin formation was significantly less in the treated group than in the control group. TBARS increased rapidly during the first three days of display, but did not change significantly thereafter. Visual scores decreased significantly over display time, and were negatively correlated with percent metMb (r = -0.62) and TBARS values (r = -0.40). Seaweed extract supplementation increased colour stability of loin/rib chops, although there was no effect on lipid oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infection with gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) is a primary constraint to economic goat production in the southern USA. Anthelmintic resistance is highly prevalent in goat nematodes in this region, and non-chemical control methods are needed. Grazing of forages containing condensed tannins (CT) or feeding purified CT as part of the diet has shown potential for reducing parasite egg counts in faeces of sheep and goats, but little information is available on feeding hay from CT-containing forages. The anthelmintic potential of sericea lespedeza [Lespedeza cuneata (Dum-Cours.) G. Don] hay was evaluated in an 8-week feeding trial with goats. Twenty yearling Spanish-cross does were given a single challenge of 10,000 Haemonchus contortus infective (L3) larvae to boost their naturally acquired parasite load. After three weeks grazing, the does were moved to pens (5 animals per pen) and fed either ground sericea or bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] hay diets (treatment n = 10) balanced for crude protein and energy with a small amount of supplement. All 20 does were fed the bermudagrass diet for a 1-week adjustment period, after which two pens of animals were switched to the sericea diet for four weeks (trial period). All the does were then fed the bermudagrass diet for an additional three weeks. Throughout the experiment worm egg counts (FEC; faecal egg count) were done weekly for each doe. Egg shedding was similar between the two groups prior to feeding the treatment diets, significantly lower in sericea-fed goats during the 4-week trial period, and again similar during the 3-week post-trial period. Feeding sericea lespedeza hay to goats reduced nematode egg shedding and may have potential to reduce pasture contamination from GIN larvae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate for the first time, the early molecular response (EMR) to imatinib at 3 months for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia and to determine the predictive factors that influence poor outcome and response. Methods: 60 newly diagnosed CML patients were enrolled from May 2018 to June 2023. They received imatinib and prospectively underwent a molecular evaluation. Their EMR was assessed using a RT-qPCR method and expressed as the BCR::ABL1 IS transcript level at 3 months. Potential factors impacting the EMR were identified using the Cox proportional hazard regression models. The effects of an EMR on the cumulative incidence of a deep molecular response (DMR) were also evaluated. Results: Out of the 60 CML patients recruited, 29 (48%) achieved an optimal response with TKI therapy after 3 months. The cumulative rate of molecular response was 16 (36%) for a major molecular response (MMR), 10 (23%) for MR4, 8 (18%) for MR4.5, and 6 (14%) for MR5, while 4 (9%) showed indetectable transcript. In addition, as 26 (90%) of patients with optimal response at 3 months showed a DMR, we determined that an optimal response to TKI at 3 months was significantly correlated with a DMR. We also identified through multivariate analysis that seven independent risk factors significantly influenced an EMR to TKI. These factors included male, late diagnosis, advanced performance status, the presence of splenomegaly, high-ELTS risk groups, a BCR::ABL1 domain mutation, and complete hematologic response after more than 30 days. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that an EMR at 3 months has a predictive value for a DMR. In addition, a MMR and a DMR can be predicted using a combination of parameters that either have a significant impact on the optimal response, or that can serve as prognostic indicators for molecular response, especially in low-income countries, where molecular assessment and monitoring are not available or possible., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Kouassi Gustave Koffi et al.)

The magnitude of physiological responses to a stressor can vary among individual goats within a herd; however, whether these differences can differentially affect meat quality is not known. This study was conducted to determine the influence of the magnitude of epinephrine response (ER) to acute stress on muscle metabolome and meat quality in goats. Male Spanish goats (6 mo old) were transported for 180 min. ( N  = 75 goats; 25 goats/d) to impose stress. Blood samples were obtained after transport for analysis of physiological responses. Goats were slaughtered using humane procedures and samples were collected for muscle metabolomics and meat quality analyses. The data obtained from blood and muscle/meat analysis were then categorized based on epinephrine concentrations into low (LE), medium (ME), and high (HE) ER groups ( n  = 12/ER group). The physiological and meat quality variables were analyzed as a Completely Randomized Design in SAS, and metabolomics data were analyzed using R software. Plasma glucose concentrations were significantly high in the HE group, low in the LE group, and intermediate in the ME group ( P  < 0.05). However, leukocyte counts and cortisol, norepinephrine, blood urea nitrogen, and creatine concentrations were not different among the ER groups. Muscle (Longissimus dorsi) glycogen concentrations (15 min postmortem) were significantly higher ( P  < 0.05) in the ME and LE groups than in the HE group. However, postmortem Longissimus muscle pH and temperature (15 min and 24 h), 24 h calpastatin and desmin levels, and rib chop color (L*, a*, and b*), cooking loss, and Warner-Bratzler shear force values were unaffected by ER. Targeted metabolomics analysis of Longissimus muscle (15 min) revealed that diacyl phosphatidylcholines (C38:0; 40:6) and sphingomyelin (C20:2) were significantly different ( P  < 0.05) among the ER groups, with the concentrations of these metabolites being consistently high in the LE group. These differential muscle metabolite concentrations suggest that ER can influence biochemical pathways associated with cell membrane integrity and signaling. ER had a significant effect on dopamine concentrations, with the levels increasing with increasing levels of ER. The results indicate that differences in epinephrine reactivity can influence selected physiological responses and muscle metabolites; however, it does not significantly influence meat quality attributes., Competing Interests: None declared., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science.)

The effects of breed type (purebred or crossbred) and supplementation of agro-byproducts on the growth, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of landrace hair (Barbados Blackbelly; BB and St. Croix; SX) lambs was evaluated. Thirty-six 7.5-month-old purebred hair (BB and SX; body weight = 24.1 ± 4.26 kg) and terminal sire (Dorset; DO) crossbred lambs (DO × BB and DO × SX; body weight = 31.4 ± 3.50 kg) rotationally grazed predominantly on Jesup tall fescue pasture during spring with or without agro-byproduct supplementation (soyhull or corn gluten feed at 2% of BW). Following a 77d grazing period, the lambs were harvested, and their carcass characteristics and meat composition were evaluated. Both supplementation and crossbreeding significantly increased their carcass weight and primal cuts, whereas only supplementation increased ( p < 0.01) the dressing percentage, and crossbreeding increased the shear force ( p < 0.01). Regardless of breed type, supplementing agro-byproducts improved the lipid oxidation stability and texture properties of the fresh lamb, whereas the pasture-only lambs had healthier fatty acid profiles compared with the supplemented lambs. The results indicate that both terminal sire crossbreeding and byproduct supplementation can be used to affect the carcass characteristics and meat composition of landrace hair sheep lambs.

Competing Interests: Competing interests: The authors declare no conflict of Interest.

This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of habituation to livestock trailers on stress responses in goats transported for long periods. Intact male Spanish goats (12-month old; BW = 31.6 ± 0.34 kg; N = 168) were separated into two treatment (TRT) groups and maintained on two different paddocks. Concentrate supplement was fed to one group inside two livestock trailers (5.0 × 2.3 m each; habituated group, H), while the other group received the concentrate supplement, but not inside the trailers (non-habituated, NH). After 4 weeks of habituation period, goats were subjected to a 10-h transportation stress in four replicates ( n = 21 goats/replicate/TRT). Blood samples were collected by a trained individual by jugular venipuncture into vacutainer tubes before loading (Preload), 20 min after loading (0 h), and at 2-h intervals thereafter (Time) for analysis of stress responses. There was a tendency for a TRT effect ( p < 0.1) on tyramine and metanephrine concentrations. Phenylethylamine and 5-methoxytryptamine concentrations were significantly greater ( p < 0.05) in the H group compared to the NH group. Both dopamine and 5-methoxytryptamine concentrations decreased ( p < 0.05) with transportation time; however, TRT × Time interaction effects were not significant. Habituation to trailers may be beneficial in mood and energy stabilization in goats during long-distance transportation.

Transportation stress causes significant changes in physiological responses in goats; however, studies exploring the transcriptome of stress are very limited. The objective of this study was to determine the differential gene expressions and related pathways in the blood samples using RNA-seq procedure in Spanish goats subjected to different durations of transportation stress. Fifty-four male Spanish goats (8-mo old; BW = 29.7 ± 2.03 kg) were randomly subjected to one of three treatments (TRT; n = 18 goats/treatment): (1) transported for 180 min, (2) transported for 30 min, or (3) held in pens (control). Blood samples were collected before and after treatment for stress hormone, metabolite, and transcriptomic analysis. RNA-seq technology was used to obtain the transcriptome profiles of blood. Analysis of physiological data using SAS showed that plasma cortisol concentrations were higher (P < 0.01) in 180 min and 30 min groups compared to the control group. Enrichment analysis of DEGs related to transportation stress through Gene Ontology and KEGG databases revealed that the differentially expressed genes related to inflammatory pathways, caspases, and apoptosis such as IL1R2, CASP14, CD14, TLR4, and MAPK14 were highly enriched in the transported group of goats compared to non-transported goats. Stress in goats leads to a sequence of events at cellular and molecular levels that causes inflammation and apoptosis., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Studies exploring the transcriptome of stress and its effects on meat quality are very limited, particularly in goats. Fifty-four male Spanish goats (8-mo old; BW = 29.7 ± 2.03 kg) were randomly subjected to one of three treatments (TRT; n = 18 goats/treatment): (1) transported for 180 min, (2) transported for 30 min, or (3) held in pens (control) to analyze the transcriptome of stress and meat quality in goats using RNA-seq technology. Blood samples were collected before and after treatment, and meat samples were collected after humane slaughter for stress hormone, meat quality (Longissimus dorsi), and transcriptomic analysis. Plasma epinephrine concentrations were higher (P < 0.01) in 180 min and 30 min groups compared to the control group; however, norepinephrine concentrations were not affected by the treatment. Muscle glycogen concentrations (15 min postmortem) were lower (P < 0.01) in both 30 min and 180 min groups compared to the control group. Calpastatin levels were higher (P < 0.01) in 180 min and 30 min groups than the control group. Warner-Bratzler shear force values of loin chops were the highest in the 180 min group (4 ± 0.15, kg), lowest in the control group (3.51 ± 0.10, kg), and intermediate in the 30 min group (3.78 ± 0.09, kg; P < 0.01) both at day 1 and day 6 aging time. Additionally, desmin levels of day 6 samples were lowest in the control group, highest in 180 min group, and intermediate in 30 min group (P < 0.05). RNA-seq results showed that a total of 10,633 genes were differentially expressed (5194 up regulated; 5439 down regulated) among all comparisons (blood and day 1 and day 6 muscle samples). Among these differentially expressed genes (DEGs), KLF9, AMPK, FOXO3, PTX3, GADD45, PTPN1, CASP7, MAPK4, HSPA12A, and JAK-STAT were probably associated with the effects of stress on skeletal muscle proteins and involved in biological process such as cellular response to corticosteroid stimulus, endoplasmic reticulum stress, insulin resistance, DNA repair, apoptosis, MAPK cascade and regulation of proteolysis. The KEGG analysis revealed that AMPK and JAK-SAT signaling pathways and autophagy were among the top 20 enriched pathways in our treatment comparisons. The results provide an understanding of the genes and pathways involved in stress responses and related changes in postmortem muscle metabolism and meat quality characteristics in goats., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Goats raised for meat production are often transported long distances. Twelve-month-old male Spanish goats were used to determine the effects of habituation to trailers on plasma metabolomic profiles when transported for extended periods. In a split-plot design, 168 goats were separated into two treatment (TRT; whole plot) groups and maintained on two different paddocks. Concentrate supplement was fed to one group inside two livestock trailers (habituated group, H), while the other group received the same quantity of concentrate, but not inside the trailers (non-habituated, NH). Goats were subjected to a 10-h transportation stress in 4 replicates ( n = 21 goats/replicate/TRT) after 4 weeks of habituation period. Blood samples were collected prior to loading, 20 min after loading (0 h), and at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 h of transportation (Time; subplot). A targeted quantitative metabolomics approach was employed to analyze the samples. The data were analyzed using R software and MIXED procedures in SAS. Several amino acids (alanine, serine, glycine, histidine, glutamate, trans-hydroxyproline, asparagine, threonine, methylhistidine, ornithine, proline, leucine, tryptophan) were higher ( p < 0.05) in the H group compared to the NH group. Six long-chain acylcarnitines were higher ( p < 0.05), while free (C0) and short-chain (C3, C5) carnitines were lower ( p < 0.05) in the NH goats compared to the H goats. In general, amino acid concentrations decreased and long-chain acylcarnitine (>C10) levels increased with transportation time ( p < 0.05). Butyric acid, α-ketoglutaric acid, and α-aminoadipic acid concentrations were lower ( p < 0.05) and β-hydroxybutyric acid concentrations were higher in the NH goats compared to the H goats. Plasma glucose, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and urea nitrogen concentrations were significantly influenced by Time ( p < 0.01). Plasma NEFA concentrations were significantly lower ( p < 0.01) in the H group than the NH group. Habituation to trailers can be beneficial in enhancing stress coping abilities in goats due to higher concentrations of metabolites such as butyrate and certain amino acids that support antioxidant activities and immune function. Plasma long-chain acylcarnitines may be good indicators of stress during long-distance transportation in goats., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Batchu, Naldurtiker, Kouakou, Terrill, McCommon and Kannan.)