UNASSIGNED: Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has great potential as a growth promoter and immunostimulant in ruminant nutrition. This study assessed the impact of ginger powder supplementation on Ossimi rams\' rumen fermentation, biochemical parameters, and antioxidant levels.
UNASSIGNED: Fifteen Ossimi rams, aged 10 ± 1.3 months and weighing 30 ± 1.5 kg. Rams were randomly divided into three experimental groups: The control group (G1) received standard feed, while ginger powder (5 g and 7 g/kg body weight [BW] for G2 and G3, respectively) mixed in water was administered to groups G2 and G3 before their standard feed.
UNASSIGNED: The control group recorded higher dry matter (DM) intake values (p < 0.05) than the ginger-treated groups. The ginger-treated groups showed superiority (p < 0.05) in weight gain and feed conversion compared to the control group. The digestion coefficients of DM, crude protein, and crude fiber were significantly (p < 0.05) increased by a high dose (7 g/Kg BW) of ginger supplementation, whereas organic matter, ether extract, and nitrogen-free extract digestibility remained unchanged. Compared to the control group, the rams given 5 g of ginger had significantly less (p < 0.05) total protein and globulin in their serum, but the rams given 7 g of ginger had significantly more (p < 0.05) of these proteins. In the ginger groups, these levels were significantly (p < 0.01) lower than those in the control group for serum creatinine, uric acid, urea, total lipids, triglycerides, total cholesterol, glucose, serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase. Rams given ginger had significant growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1, total superoxide dismutase, GSH-Px, TAC, immunoglobulin (Ig) A, and IgG enhancement (p < 0.01), and a decrease (p < 0.01) in malondialdehyde concentration compared to the control group. Significant increases in total short-chain volatile fatty acids, acetic, propionic, and isovaleric acids (p < 0.05), and significant decreases in NH3N and protozoa (p < 0.01).
UNASSIGNED: Ginger powder (5 g and 7 g) can improve growth, immune responses, antioxidant status, and ruminal parameters in rams. Further study is needed to evaluate the effect of ginger on different types of animals (cow, buffalo, and goat) to develop new feed additives.

The study aimed to to evaluate the effect of feeding protected maggot oil at different levels on the ram sperm quality. The study used 15 local rams with an age of approximately 10-12 months and an initial weight of 19.99 ± 3.97 kg. The feeding rate was 4% of body weight per day. Feed was given 3 times a day, specifically in the morning (08.00 WIB), afternoon (12.00 WIB) and evening (16.00 WIB). Water was provided ad libitum. This study used 3 treatments and 5 groups as replicates. The treatments used concentrates with different levels of protected maggot oil: P0(0% protected maggot oil (control)), P1(4% protected maggot oil), and P2(8% protected maggot oil). The variables measured were nutrient consumption, blood cholesterol levels, scrotal circumference, and sperm quality. Blood cholesterol and scrotal circumference measured at the end of the experimental diet. Semen samples were collected and analysed before and at the end of the experimental diet. The data obtained were analysed using ANOVA, with further testing using Duncan\'s test for significant differences. The results showed that there were no significant differences in the consumption of dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, scrotal circumference, volume, colour, pH of semen, sperm concentration, live percentage, abnormal percentage, plasma membrane, and acrosome integrity of spermatozoa. There were significantly (p < 0.05) produced higher consumption of oleic and palmitic acids in 8% protected maggot oil compared to 4% treatments, the treatments containing 4% and 8% protected maggot oil produced significantly (p < 0.05) higher consumption of lauric and myristic acids, blood cholesterol levels, and sperm motility than the control. The result indicates that protected maggot oil up to 8% in the ram diet have positive effect on improving the microscopic quality of ram sperm, i.e. increased sperm motility.

Reviewing the current state of knowledge on reproductive performance and productive traits in rams has many advantages. First, the compilation of this information will serve as a literature resource for scientists conducting research around the world and will contribute to the understanding of the data collected and interpreted by researchers on the different hormonal strategies used to improve reproductive performance in rams. Second, it will allow scientists to identify current knowledge gaps and set future research priorities in ram reproduction. Rams play an important role in the global flock economy, but their reproductive analysis has been limited in the use of hormonal technologies to increase the productivity of sheep flocks. In this review, we cite the most important works on six hormones that, in one way or another, modify the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis, at different doses, in and out of the reproductive season, breeds, application methods, among other factors. The overall aim is to increase the reproductive efficiency of rams in different scenarios and, in some cases, of other species due to the lack of limited information on rams.

The effects of an aqueous extract of Scabiosa atropurpurea L. (AES) on the reproduction potential of Queue Fine de l\'Ouest rams were evaluated over 9 weeks. Eighteen mature (4-6 years old) rams (52.8 ± 2.6 kg) were divided into three groups. The control (C) group was fed oat hay ad libitum with 700 g of concentrate and the other two groups were fed the same diet supplemented with AES at 1 and 2 mg/kg body weight (AES1 and AES2, respectively). Ram sperm was collected with an artificial vagina (2 × 2 days/week) to evaluate sperm production and quality, antioxidant activity, the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and calcium concentrations. Sexual behaviour and plasma testosterone concentrations were also investigated. The administration of AES improved sexual behaviour (the duration of contact and the number of lateral approaches). The addition of AES also improved individual spermatozoa motility (C: 71.7% ± 6.3%; AES1: 78.3% ± 4.9%; AES2: 83.8% ± 4.4%), the sperm concentration (C: 5.6 ± 0.36; AES1: 6.4 ± 0.81; AES2: 6.7 ± 0.52 × 109 spermatozoa/mL), the ATP ratio (C: 1 ± 0.08; AES1: 2.1 ± 0.08; AES2: 3.3 ± 0.08) and the calcium concentration (C: 5.6 ± 0.24; AES1: 7.7 ± 0.21; AES2: 8.1 ± 0.24 mmol/L). AES treatment decreased the percentage of abnormal sperm (C: 18.5% ± 1.2%; AES1: 16.2% ± 1.1%; AES2: 14.8% ± 0.94%) and DNA damage (C: 62%; AES1: 27%; AES2: 33%) and was associated with elevated seminal fluid antioxidant activity (C: 22 ± 0.27; AES1: 27.1 ± 1.08 and AES2: 27.5 ± 0.36 mmol Trolox equivalents/L) and plasma testosterone (C: 8.3 ± 0.7; AES1: 11.7 ± 0.4; AES2: 15 ± 0.7 ng/L). In conclusion, our study suggests that S. atropurpurea may be potentially useful to enhance libido and sperm production and quality in ram.

Background  Venous thromboembolism (VTE) in hospitalized medically ill patients is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Guidelines suggest that VTE and bleeding risk assessment models (RAMs) should be integrated into the clinical decision-making process on thromboprophylaxis. However, poor evidence is available comparing the use of a RAM versus clinical judgement in evaluating VTE and bleeding occurrence. Methods  Reducing Important Clinical Outcomes in hospitalized medical ill patients (RICO) is a multicenter, cluster-randomized, controlled clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04267718). Acutely ill patients hospitalized in Internal Medicine wards are randomized to the use of RAMs-namely the Padua Prediction Score and the International Medical Prevention Registry on Venous Thromboembolism Bleeding Score-or to clinical judgement. The primary study outcome is a composite of symptomatic objectively confirmed VTE and major bleeding at 90-day follow-up. Secondary endpoints include the evaluation of clinical outcomes at hospital discharge and the assessment of VTE prophylaxis prescription during the study period. In order to demonstrate a 50% reduction in the primary outcome in the experimental group and assuming an incidence of the primary outcome of 3.5% in the control group at 90-day; 2,844 patients across 32 centers will be included in the study. Discussion  The RICO trial is a randomized study of clinical management assessing the role of RAMs in hospitalized medical ill patients with the aim of reducing VTE and bleeding occurrence. The study has the potential to improve clinical practice since VTE still represents an important cause of morbidity and mortality in this setting.

Phytophthora capsici and P. tropicalis are the two species of Phytophthora associated with foot rot disease of black pepper in India. High genetic diversity amongst the Phytophthora species contributes to its wide host range and variability in the virulence pattern. In the present study, genetic diversity of Phytophthora species infecting black pepper was analysed using RAMS (Random Amplified Microsatellites) and REP (Repetitive Extragenic Palindromic)-PCR fingerprinting. Forty-eight isolates, 24 each of P. capsici and P. tropicalis collected from major black pepper growing states, such as Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Goa, were used in the study. The analyses revealed a total of 160 loci of which 150 (93.75%) were polymorphic. UPGMA cluster and PCoA analysis based on combined RAMS and REP-PCR data clearly grouped the P. capsici and P. tropicalis isolates into two clusters which were further divided into four sub-clusters viz., I & II (P. capsici) and III & IV (P. tropicalis). The study clearly indicated that all the isolates were genetically unique and the entire population was heterogeneous. REP-PCR primers showed more polymorphic loci than RAMS primers. Further, sixteen isolates were selected for morphological and infectivity analyses under in vitro conditions. The isolates exhibited varied colony morphology, sporangial shapes and belonged to A1 mating type. Under in vitro conditions, all the sixteen black pepper Phytophthora isolates could infect nutmeg, tomato, chilli, pumpkin, and cucumber and few of the isolates could infect cardamom. None of the isolates could infect coconut, areca nut and vanilla.
UNASSIGNED: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03843-1.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of melatonin (MLT), glutathione (GSH), and their combination on ram semen quality after thawing. During eight weekly sessions, semen from three Merino rams was pooled, diluted with an egg-yolk-based semen extender, and divided into four groups: control, 1 mM MLT, 5 mM GSH, and 1 mM MLT + 5 mM GSH. Diluted semen was evaluated before and after the freezing process. The supplementation of diluted semen with GSH at 5 mM had a deleterious effect on total motility progressive (TPM), curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight-line velocity (VSL), average-path velocity (VAP), linearity (LIN), and straightness (STR) and increased slow spermatozoa (%). MLT at 1 mM also had a negative effect on TPM, VSL, and STR in diluted semen. In thawed semen, 1 mM MLT increased the TPM compared with the control group. VSL was lower in the 5 mM GSH group than in the 1 mM MLT group. Additionally, the combination of both antioxidants attenuated the negative effect of 5 mM GSH on TPM, VSL, and BCF. These results indicate that 5 mM GSH impairs or does not improve sperm kinetic parameters in either diluted or thawed semen. They also suggest that MLT combined with GSH plays a protective role against these effects.

The rise of HIV-1 drug resistance to nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) threatens the long-term success of NNRTI-based therapies. Our study aims to describe the circulation of major resistance-associated mutations (RAMs) for NNRTIs in people living with HIV (PLWH) in Italy from 2000 to 2020. We included 5982 naïves and 28 505 genotypes from 9387 treatment-experienced PLWH from the Antiviral Response Cohort Analysis (ARCA) cohort. Transmitted drug resistance (TDR) was found in 12.5% and declined from 17.3% in 2000-2003 to 10.9% in 2016-2020 (p = 0.003). Predictors of TDR were viral subtype B [vs. non-B, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.94, p < 0.001], zenith viral load (VL) (per 1 log10 higher, aOR = 0.86, p = 0.013), nadir CD4 cell count (per 100 cells/μL increase aOR = 0.95, p = 0.013). At least one RAM for NNRTIs among treatment experienced PLWH was detected in 33.2% and pre-treatment drug resistance (PDR) declined from 43.4% in 2000-2003 to 20.9% in 2016-2020 (p < 0.001). Predictors of PDR were sexual transmission route (vs. others, aOR = 0.78, p < 0.001), time since HIV diagnosis (per 1 month longer, aOR = 1.002, p < 0.001), viral subtype B (vs. non B, aOR = 1.37, p < 0.001), VL (per 1 log10 higher, aOR = 1.12, p < 0.001), nadir CD4 count (per 100 cells/μL increase, aOR = 0.91, p < 0.001), previous exposure to any NNRTI (aOR = 2.31, p < 0.001) and a more recent calendar year sequence (any time span > 2008 vs. 2000-2003, any aOR <1, p < 0.001). Circulation of RAMs to NNRTIs declined during the last 20 years in Italy. NNRTIs remain pivotal drugs for the management of HIV-1 due to safety concerns and long-acting options.

Reproductive fitness of rams is seasonal, showing the highest libido during short days coinciding with the ovarian cyclicity resumption in the ewe. However, the remarkable variation in sexual behavior between rams impair farm efficiency and profitability. Intending to identify in vivo sexual behavior biomarkers that may aid farmers to select active rams, transcriptome profiling of blood was carried out by analyzing samples from 6 sexually active (A) and 6 nonactive (NA) Rasa Aragonesa rams using RNA-Seq technique. A total of 14,078 genes were expressed in blood but only four genes were differentially expressed (FDR < 0.10) in the A vs. NA rams comparison. The genes, acrosin inhibitor 1 (ENSOARG00020023278) and SORCS2, were upregulated (log2FC > 1) in active rams, whereas the CRYL1 and immunoglobulin lambda-1 light chain isoform X47 (ENSOARG00020025518) genes were downregulated (log2FC < -1) in this same group. Gene set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) identified 428 signaling pathways, predominantly related to biological processes. The lysosome pathway (GO:0005764) was the most enriched, and may affect fertility and sexual behavior, given the crucial role played by lysosomes in steroidogenesis, being the SORCS2 gene related to this signaling pathway. Furthermore, the enriched positive regulation of ERK1 and ERK2 cascade (GO:0070374) pathway is associated with reproductive phenotypes such as fertility via modulation of hypothalamic regulation and GnRH-mediated production of pituitary gonadotropins. Furthermore, external side of plasma membrane (GO:0009897), fibrillar center (GO:0001650), focal adhesion (GO:0005925), and lamellipodium (GO:0030027) pathways were also enriched, suggesting that some molecules of these pathways might also be involved in rams\' sexual behavior. These results provide new clues for understanding the molecular regulation of sexual behavior in rams. Further investigations will be needed to confirm the functions of SORCS2 and CRYL1 in relation to sexual behavior.
Analyzing ram sexual behavior via blood transcriptome profiling can help to identify in vivo sexual behavior biomarkers as an innovative alternative to invasive and time-consuming methods in farms. Using RNA-sequencing technique, we compared 12 Rasa Aragonesa rams with different sexual behavior (6 sexually active and 6 nonactive) to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in peripheral blood putatively responsible of libido differences between rams. Comparative analysis revealed four candidate genes and several signaling pathways related to sexual behavior such as lysosome, and positive regulation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1 and ERK2) cascade. This data will be helpful for further investigations to understand the differences of sheep sexual behavior.

BACKGROUND: In low-income or underdeveloped countries with conflict and internal unrest, healthcare facilities and staff are limited. For these reasons, it is necessary to use the most straightforward scoring systems to ensure that health facilities and staff are used effectively and to expedite processes through early and effective interventions for patients. In this study, we evaluate and compare the scoring systems used to predict patient prognosis for Emergency Department (ED) patients in northern Syria, which is an area marred by conflict and internal unrest.
METHODS: In this study, patients hospitalized in the Afrin, Azez Vatan, Jarablus, Tel Abyad, Rasulayn, El Bab, and Çobanbey hospitals in northern Syria were investigated. Only patients that were hospitalized in the emergency departments of these hospitals, including wards and intensive care units, were included in the study. Patients that were hospitalized from 03/01/2021 to 08/31/2021, the study period, were prospectively analyzed. Vital signs, medical histories and demographic data of the patients were recorded by calculating National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2), Rapid Acute Physiology Score (RAPS), Rapid Emergency Medicine Score (REMS), and HOTEL Score (hypotension, oxygen saturation, low temperature, electrocardiogram, loss of independence). Acceptance parameters and scores were analyzed using statistical methods and by comparing groups.
RESULTS: : All four scoring systems were found to be effective in predicting mortality regarding ROC curve analysis. However, the statistical significance of the RAPS was slightly stronger than that of the other scores and REMS had the highest sensitivity and specificity amongst the four systems, at 86.2% and 84.1%, respectively. Regarding the risk of hospitalization in the ICU (p < 0.05), the sensitivity values of the cut-off values offered by the scoring systems remained below 0.70 regarding ROC curve analysis. RAPS had the highest sensitivity (65.2%) of the four systems with a cut-off value of 1.5.
CONCLUSIONS: This study in northern Syria has shown that although RAPS had stronger statistical power, REMS had better sensitivity and specificity for the prediction of mortality. Additionally, RAPS had better sensitivity for ICU risk. This study will contribute to the evaluation of healthcare in similar regions and to cost-effective healthcare delivery by using scoring systems for ED patients\' admission.