Background Cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) is a common progressive neurodegenerative disease that is poorly defined. Specific multitargeted protocols do not exist for setting the diagnosis and the prognosis of the syndrome. Hypothesis/Objectives To quantify Aβ42 and Aβ40 peptides in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and to investigate their contribution to CCDS. Animals A total of 61 dogs from a hospital population. Methods Case‐control study. Six young (YG: 0‐4 years old), 8 middle‐aged (4‐8 years old), 17 cognitively unimpaired and aged (CU: 8‐20 years old), and 30 cognitively impaired and aged (CI: 8‐17 years). From the CI group, 10 dogs exhibited mild impairment (CI‐MCI) and 20 exhibited severe impairment (CI‐SCI). Cognitive status was assessed using a validated owner‐based questionnaire. Direct and indirect Aβ markers were determined in plasma fractions (total‐TP, free‐FP, bound to plasma components‐CP) and CSF using commercial ELISA assays (AΒtest, Araclon Biotech). Results TPAβ42/40 facilitated discrimination between CI‐MCI and CU aged dogs with area under curve ≥ 0.79. CSFAβ42 levels were higher (P = .09) in CU (1.25 ± 0.28 ng/mL) than in MCI (1.04 ± 0.32 ng/mL) dogs. CSF Aβ42 levels were correlated with the CP fragment (CPAβ40: P = .02, CPAβ42: P = .02). CPAβ42 was higher in the CI‐MCI (23.03 ± 11.79 pg/μL) group compared to the other aged dogs (CU: 10.42 ± 7.18 pg/μL, P = .02, SCI: 11.40 ± 12.98 pg/μL, P = .26). Conclusion and Clinical Importance The Aβ should be determined in all of the 3 plasma fractions (TP, FP, CP). In the clinical approach, TPAβ42/40 could be used as an efficient preselection tool for the aged canine population targeting dogs with mild cognitive impairment.

In this paper, we examine the changes in the structural, economic and managerial characteristics of dairy cow farms during their shift towards a new business model that operates under a highly intensified system. Based on farm accounting data from Greek dairy farms for the 2004–2017 period, the main technical and financial indicators are estimated and compared to provide a clear picture of the structural adjustment of the dairy cow sector during the last two decades. The outcomes and the implications described herein are relevant for specialized dairy farms in most European countries. The results indicate that modern farms breed a larger number of cows, achieve a higher milk yield, rely on high compound feed intakes and operate under an intensive pattern. This trend is even more evident in larger farms with an entrepreneurial nature, whose structural adjustments occurred in a more concise and effective manner. The latter benefited from a downward shift in their long-term average cost curves and the resulting economies of scale, achieving reasonable gross margins despite the ever-increasing feeding costs. Nowadays, the European dairy cow sector faces major economic, social and environmental challenges that must be properly addressed to secure its survival. The findings of this study provide insights concerning the efficient financial management of dairy farms that can support the development of strategies and policy recommendations that will enhance the resilience and sustainability of the sector.

Edible chitosan or alginate coatings and their combinations with oregano essential oil or olive oil, have been examined for their effect on the microbiological, physicochemical and organoleptic characteristics of mutton. The results indicated that these edible coatings can contribute to maintaining good quality characteristics and extending mutton shelf-life. The total mesophilic counts in mutton ranged from 3.48 to 8.00 log¹⁰ CFU/g, the total psychrophilic counts from 4.00 to 9.50 log¹⁰ CFU/g, the B. thermosphacta counts from 2.30 to 7.77 log¹⁰ CFU/g and the lactic acid bacteria counts from 2.00 to 5.85 log¹⁰ CFU/g. Chitosan coatings significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the total mesophilic, the total psychrophilic (1–2 log₁₀ cfu/g), the B. thermosphacta and the lactic acid bacteria counts in mutton. Alginate exhibited a lower L* value and a higher a* value and chroma compared with the control and chitosan lots. No significant differences were observed in the chemical composition of meat pieces among the experimental groups. Oregano oil positively affected the sensory attributes of meat. The most favourable combination, based on the microbiological counts, the organoleptic characteristics and the shelf-life extension of mutton, was that of chitosan with oregano essential oil.

The adoption of the best practices is crucial for the survival of the dairy sheep farms that operate under extensive and/or semi-extensive systems. In this study, an efficiency analysis was implemented to reveal the best observed practices applied by the more efficient dairy sheep farms. Data Envelopment Analysis was used on data from 60 dairy sheep farms that rear Manech or Basco-bearnaise, and Lacaune breeds under semi-extensive systems in France. The main characteristics of the most efficient farms are presented and a comparative economic analysis is applied between the fully efficient and less efficient farms, highlighting the optimal farm structure and determining the major cost drivers in sheep farming. The most efficient farmers provided information within the iSAGE Horizon 2020 project regarding the management practices that enhance their sustainability. The results show that there is room for improvement in semi-extensive dairy sheep farming. The most efficient farms rear smaller flocks than the less efficient farms and achieve higher milk yields. Fixed capital, labor, and feeding constitute the main cost drivers. Results show that farms should exploit economies of scale in the use of labor and infrastructure to reduce their cost per product, as well as their uptake practices and innovations, related mainly to modern breeding and reproduction methods, efficient feeding practices and digital technologies.

The present study aims to review the literature on the functioning of short value chains and public perceptions regarding indigenous farm animal breeds (IFABs), local plant varieties (LPVs), and their products. Our work mainly concerns Greece, providing additional concrete examples from the wider Balkan area, which is characterized by high agrobiodiversity and richness in various IFAB and LPV, enhanced by the extensive farming systems that still operate in many parts of the area. To achieve this goal, a systematic literature search of recent relevant studies was performed, followed by a description of their results and conclusions, as well as proposed measures and policies for the conservation and utilization of biodiversity in agricultural and livestock systems. According to our findings, the Balkan region is characterized by a great wealth of local plant varieties and indigenous breeds of farm animals, which is largely recognized by consumers, who would, however, recommend stronger eco-labeling of local agricultural products. Similar data are observed in Greece, which are reinforced by the Mediterranean climatic environment. NGO organizations occasionally play an important role in promoting local agricultural products and creating awareness about the need to preserve local breeds and plant varieties. Finally, the recognition, certification, and measurements carried out by local authorities, as well as EU regulations, are of great importance in highlighting the value of agrobiodiversity from a sustainable point of view.

In this study, data envelopment analysis is applied to 47 dairy cattle farms to estimate their level of efficiency in the utilization of the available resources and to identify the most efficient ones. The analysis is based on technical and economic data collected through a farm management survey. The main structural and financial characteristics of the most efficient farms are presented, revealing the features that make them better than their peers. A comparative financial analysis is applied between the efficient and inefficient farms, highlighting the appropriate farm structure and determining the major cost drivers in modern dairy cattle farming. The results show that there is still room for improvement in intensive dairy farming. Dairy cattle farms must operate with increased variable cost and utilize their infrastructure at full capacity to decrease their fixed cost per cow. Farms should increase their economic resilience and be less risk averse in an environment where margins to lower production costs in highly intensive farms have been narrowed down. The findings of this study verify that dairy cattle farms of entrepreneurial mindset have the potential to rise to the future economic, environmental and social challenges that will affect the survival of the sector.