Articles tagged with Pigs
Researchers found that transplanting pig pancreatic primordia into diabetic rats at precisely 28 days after fertilization cures their diabetes. Transplantation at this stage made the tissues invisible to the rat's immune system, leading to permanent cure without immune suppression.
Researchers found that cranberry juice powder relaxes and opens blood vessels in genetically susceptible pigs, improving vascular function. The next step is to identify the specific components of cranberries responsible for this effect and develop a palatable way to consume them.
Pigs can become lethargic in high temperatures, leading to poor growth rates. Providing extra cooling measures such as water baths or misting systems can help reduce heat stress and increase feed intake.
Researchers found that cranberry juice powder improved vascular function in subjects with high blood cholesterol and atherosclerosis after six months. The study suggests that consuming whole foods rich in polyphenols, such as cranberries, may help protect against heart disease.
Researchers have developed a new technology that analyzes breath to detect cytokines, proteins released by cells during an infection. In studies on pigs and human-exhaled breath samples, they were able to identify elevated cytokine levels in infected individuals before visible symptoms appeared.
A new study has mapped the domesticated pig's wild origin, showing that domestication took place in several different geographical regions in Europe and Asia. The technology for domesticating wild boars is believed to have spread across the world, rather than domesticated wild boar itself.
Multidrug-resistant bacteria, including Enterococcus and staphylococci, were found airborne in concentrated swine operations. The study highlights the importance of environmental pathways in transmitting antibiotic-resistant bacteria from animals to humans.
Scientists found that myostatin, a protein limiting muscle growth, is overproduced during PRRSV infection, resulting in reduced skeletal muscle growth and weight gain. This could be a substantial cost for pig producers.
A new gene therapy technique has successfully treated irregular heart rhythms in pigs, using a 'painting' method to deliver the therapy. The technique, which uses a plastic, gel-like substance to contain the gene therapy, shows promise for treating atrial fibrillation, a common heart condition.
Researchers develop a new xenotransplantation model where human cells coexist with porcine cells, showing that they can live long-term without PERV infection. The study suggests that pigs may be a safer source for human transplantation due to the low risk of transmitting viruses.
The flexible transgastric peritoneoscopy procedure uses a mini-telescope and specialized tools to repair abdominal organs without cutting through the skin or muscle. This new technique may revolutionize surgery by reducing recovery time and scarring.
A new animal study has found that trans fats can significantly increase total cholesterol and LDL-C levels, as well as TC/HDL-C ratios, in a swine model. The study suggests that high-trans fat diets may promote the rapid development of cardiovascular disease.
Scientists successfully transplanted embryonic pig pancreas cells into rats with diabetes, halting the disease without immune suppression drugs. The breakthrough could lead to a new treatment option for humans, bypassing challenges associated with human insulin-producing cells.
Researchers at Immerge have identified that human-tropic PERV is acquired during life, rather than being present in the germ-line DNA of mini-swine. The study found no viruses in the germ-line DNA that could infect human cells, paving the way for safer xenotransplantation procedures.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic implant human blood stem cells into fetal pigs, revealing the presence of hybrid cells with both human and pig DNA. These findings may help explain how viruses jump from animals to humans, paving the way for discovery about disease origins like AIDS.
Researchers found that antibiotics improve daily growth and reduce swine death rates, resulting in higher profit returns for farmers. The study suggests that a ban on antibiotic use would lead to sharp increases in production costs.
The giant rodent, Phoberomys pattersoni, weighed about 1,545 pounds and was a semi-aquatic species that foraged along riverbanks. It is believed to have gone extinct due to its slow speed, which made it vulnerable to predators.
New lab results show no recombination of porcine and human retroviruses, reducing the risk of PERV transmission to humans. This finding supports Immerge's progress toward clinical xenotransplantation research.
Researchers achieved best survival to date with islet cells from swine, reversing insulin dependency in diabetic cynomolgus monkeys. The study showed no evidence of antibody-mediated rejection, a major type of organ rejection, and demonstrated the potential for xenotransplantation.
Scientists have successfully induced the growth of new sensory hair cells in adult guinea pigs using gene therapy. The Math1 gene was inserted into non-sensory epithelial cells lining the inner ear, leading to the formation of new hair cells and attracting the growth of new fibers from auditory neurons.
Immerge BioTherapeutics has identified the PERV receptor, a key factor in understanding the safety of xenotransplantation. This breakthrough allows for the development of safer porcine organs for human transplantation, addressing an unmet need in clinical transplantation.
Researchers found that cloned pig behavior is not identical to the original animal's behavior. Cloning increases variability associated with some traits, making it difficult to predict the behavior of cloned animals.
A mathematical model developed by Don Klinkenberg suggests that partial vaccinations can effectively control the spread of swine fever. The model indicates that vaccination reduces the spread of the virus but does not completely prevent it, allowing for epidemic persistence for several months.
Scientists have successfully cloned the world's first double knock-out miniature swine, eliminating a major hurdle in xenotransplantation research. The genetically modified pigs lack the gene GGTA1, which triggers an immune response against pig organs.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have successfully created a biologic pacemaker using gene therapy in guinea pigs. The new pacemaker allows heart cells to regulate their own rhythm, potentially providing an alternative to traditional electronic pacemakers for patients at high risk of infection or with limited space for implantation.
The world's first cloned double 'knockout' pigs represent a major boost to xenotransplantation research, offering hope for resolving the organ shortage. Researchers predict human clinical trials for pig islet transplantation in patients with diabetes and kidney transplants could be imminent.
Researchers at Immerge BioTherapeutics have identified miniature swine that do not transmit the pig retrovirus (PERV) to humans. The study characterizes three sub-classes of PERV A, B and C found in the herd of inbred miniature swine, showing consistent non-transmitting phenotypes.
Researchers from the University of Missouri-Columbia and Immerge BioTherapeutics Inc. have successfully cloned a miniature swine with a gene knocked out of its DNA. This achievement moves closer to making animal-to-human organ transplantation a reality, offering hope to over 75,000 Americans waiting for organs.
Golden eagles colonized Santa Cruz Island due to an abundance of feral piglets, preying on island foxes and decimating their population. Skunk populations are booming as a result, thanks to reduced competition from foxes.
Researchers found a virus similar to HEV in rats in Los Angeles, which may contribute to the high rates of HEV antibodies in some inner city areas. The study suggests that infected rats could be a source of exposure for humans and highlights the need for further testing.
Researchers found that consuming pork with a higher proportion of polyunsaturated fats led to significant reductions in serum total cholesterol (10%) and LDL cholesterol (24%) in young women. The modified pork diet also showed no adverse effects on glucose, insulin, or triacylglycerol levels.
A team of biologists led by Mark Springer at the University of California, Riverside and including Ronald DeBry of the University of Cincinnati report in Nature that an intensive analysis of DNA sequences provides strong support for a grouping dubbed Afrotheria.
Researchers found that lard and choice white grease produce less nitrogen oxides, ash, and carbon monoxide when burned compared to No. 6 fuel oil. The study suggests that these alternatives could be a cleaner and more sustainable option for the food processing industry.
Scientists have successfully cloned a piglet using microinjection, marking a significant step towards xenotransplantation and genetically modified organs. The breakthrough could lead to human-friendly pig organs, reducing rejection rates and increasing the success of organ transplants.
Researchers found that people living near industrial hog farms in North Carolina reported more frequent symptoms such as headaches, runny noses, and eye irritation. The study also showed that the quality of life for these residents was significantly reduced compared to those living near cattle farms or without livestock operations.
A landmark study published in Science found no evidence of Porcine Endogenous Retrovirus (PERV) infection in 160 patients who received living pig tissue transplants. The study, which tested the safety of xenotransplantation, showed that pig tissue can survive in the human body for long periods with no ill effects.
University of Michigan scientists have found that salicylate can prevent deafness in guinea pigs exposed to aminoglycoside antibiotics. The study suggests that moderate doses of aspirin could be effective in preventing hearing loss and damage caused by these antibiotics.
Deep-sea divers may benefit from bacterial supplements that reduce dissolved hydrogen in their blood, mitigating the risk of decompression sickness. Researchers have found that methane-producing microorganisms can help alleviate symptoms.
A new University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study found that intensive hog operations are disproportionately located in poor and non-white communities across North Carolina. The research, funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences' Environmental Justice Program, analyzed data from 1998 and 1990 to show that...
A recent study by University of Illinois researchers has identified a key gene that controls Salmonella's ability to live dormantly or cause disease in pigs. The finding, led by Richard E. Isaacson, could lead to the development of methods to prevent Salmonella from causing illness in farm animals.
Researchers discovered that Endermologie, a non-invasive treatment, creates collagen bands parallel to the skin surface, leading to smoothing of cellulite. The study found no evidence of fat metabolism or new blood vessel formation.
Researchers are working on a strategy to overcome hyperacute rejection by removing sugars from pig cells, targeting the GAL trigger and developing O-type blood. The goal is to produce pigs suitable for human transplantation within five years.
A phase I multicenter trial uses transgenic pig livers as an ex vivo support system to remove toxins from patients' blood, extending their lives until a human donor liver is available. Researchers aim to alleviate the critical shortage of human donor organs, which claims 3,000 lives per year in the US.
Researchers at Purdue University found that a single injection of vitamin A has no impact on the health and fertility of hogs. The study, which tested over 977 sows, showed no difference in total litter size or weight, regardless of when the shot was administered.
Researchers discovered a strain of hepatitis E virus in pigs that is similar to the human strain, but not causative of disease. The finding may contribute to the development of a vaccine and improve our understanding of the virus's transmission and prevalence.
Researchers are inserting prosthetic heart valves into pigs to study their interaction with blood and hearts, aiming to reduce or eliminate the need for anticoagulants. The goal is to develop more durable valves that can last longer than current mechanical and tissue valves.