Veterinary internal medicine is a core discipline in animal medicine, crucial for advancing the livestock industry. Nevertheless, conventional teaching methods often suffer from fragmented content, inadequate clinical exposure, and a disconnect from industry requirements. In response, reforms guided by the principle of “integrating knowledge with practice and harmonizing learning with application” are increasingly adopting digital and intelligent technologies. Key innovations include the use of AI-based knowledge graphs to reorganize curricula into a three-phase virtual-real closed-loop system, enabling blended online-offline instruction. This structure supports the integration of theoretical learning, virtual simulation, and clinical application through case analyses, practical exercises, and collaborative discussions. Additionally, virtual simulation platforms and academic-industry partnerships provide holistic training via intelligent case studies and realistic scenario simulations, enhancing clinical reasoning and operational skills. A multidimensional dynamic assessment system has also been introduced, incorporating process-oriented and multi-source evaluations. This system blends online and offline components, integrates corporate feedback, embeds public health and ideological education, and employs blockchain-based micro-credentials to certify competencies. These developments contribute to improved diagnostic decision-making and professional aptitude, while also facilitating the digital transformation of the livestock sector by cultivating skilled, innovative practitioners.

The aadA1 gene, which confers resistance to streptomycin, is typically located within class Ⅰ integrons. This genetic context enables its dissemination among diverse Gram-negative bacteria, such as Salmonella, and facilitates its potential transfer to humans through the food chain or into agricultural environments via manure. Hence, the detection of aadA1 genes is crucial for surveillance, understanding transmission dynamics, and informing strategies to mitigate the spread of resistant bacteria. Conventional aadA1 detection relies on time-consuming or equipment-intensive molecular assays like PCR or qPCR. In this study, we developed and optimized a closed-tube, hydroxynaphthol blue (HNB) -based loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay to detect Salmonella aadA1 gene and performed evaluation and validation against conventional PCR. The LAMP assay demonstrated high specificity and sensitivity, with a detection limit of 1 pg (190 copies) of genomic DNA per reaction, which is tenfold higher than that of conventional PCR. In parallel testing of 40 Salmonella DNA samples, the optimized LAMP assay achieved a detection rate of 100.0% for the aadA1 gene in streptomycin-resistant isolates, compared to 96.3% by conventional PCR. Among the streptomycin-susceptible isolates, the LAMP assay also showed a higher detection rate (38.5%) for the aadA1 gene, compared to 23.1% by conventional PCR. Consequently, the LAMP assay developed in this study for detecting the aadA1 gene offers a combination of simplicity, speed, visual readout, high specificity, and sensitivity, making it particularly suitable for rapid field detection in antimicrobial resistance surveillance programs.

Purpose of review: High-altitude environments pose distinct physiological challenges, with marked differences in the thrombotic responses between high-altitude acutely exposed individuals (HAAEI) and long-term high-altitude natives (HAN). This narrative review explores the divergent mechanisms underlying thrombosis in these two populations, aiming to deepen understanding of hypoxia-induced vascular risk. Recent findings: Acute high-altitude exposure elicits a cascade of responses—including sympathetic overactivation, inflammation, polycythemia, increased blood viscosity, and endothelial dysfunction—that collectively heighten thrombosis risk. Central to this process is the hypoxia-mediated interaction of HIF with NF- κ B pathways, which fosters a proinflammatory and procoagulant milieu characterized by cytokine upregulation, enhanced platelet activation, and suppressed fibrinolysis. Conversely, HAN exhibit genetic and physiological adaptations—such as improved oxygen utilization and hematological efficiency—that confer relative protection. However, extreme hypoxia or dehydration can override these adaptations, triggering pathological hyperviscosity. Prevention strategies for HAAEI include gradual acclimatization, hydration, and activity moderation, while HAN may benefit from routine hematological monitoring and, if necessary, antithrombotic interventions. Plain language summary: Hypoxia-induced alterations in inflammation and blood rheology play pivotal roles in high-altitude thrombosis. Population-specific prevention strategies are essential, and further research is needed to refine pathophysiological understanding and guide targeted interventions.

Iron deficiency in sows has been demonstrated to have a detrimental effect on porcine fetal growth and development, as well as on the reproductive performance of sows. The placental barrier of sows restricts the transportation of inorganic iron to the fetus, resulting in iron deficiency anemia in neonatal piglets and consequently leading to slow growth. The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of heme Fe on iron metabolism in pregnant sows. Ninety-six multiparous Landrace × Yorkshire (LY) sows (weight 235 ± 15kg) with similar litter size and feeding management were randomly divided into four treatment groups: control group (supplemented with 400 mg/kg), iron deficiency group (with no added FeSO₄), heme Fe group (supplemented with 140 mg/kg), and glycine Fe group (supplemented with 470 mg/kg). Iron supplementation lasted from the second trimester (day 30) to day 114 before delivery. In this study, the production performance of sows, the iron content in sow placentas, and in the livers, spleens, placenta and colostrum of newborn piglets, as well as the hemoglobin(HGB) level, the iron regulation parameters in the serum of newborn piglets and the iron regulation genes in the livers and placentas were measured. The results showed that: (1) The number of live births and the average birth weight of piglets in the heme Fe group were 14.8% and 6.33% higher than those in the control group, respectively(P < 0.01). Compared with FeSO₄ and glycine Fe, heme Fe improved the production performance of sows. (2) In the heme Fe group, the iron content in colostrum was significantly higher than in the control group (1.27-fold) and glycine Fe group (0.45-fold), while the iron content in the livers of newborn piglets increased by 30.38% and 14.61% compared to the control and glycine Fe groups, respectively (P < 0.01). These results suggest that heme Fe significantly facilitates iron transport in sows, particularly enhancing its deposition in colostrum and neonatal livers. This effect may be attributed to the upregulated expression of heme oxygenase 1(HO-1) gene in the placenta, which enhances the uptake and transport of heme Fe, thereby increasing fetal iron acquisition.(3) In the liver and placentas of sows in the deficiency group, the expression of hepcidin was decreased, while the expressions of transferrin receptor 1 (tfr1), feline leukemia virus subgroup C receptor 1(Flvcr1) and transferrin were increased (P < 0.01). In addition, the gene expression level of HO-1 in the heme Fe group of liver was significantly higher compared to that in the control group (1.85-fold), the iron deficiency group (2.99-fold), and the iron glycinate group (1.67-fold). In conclusion, maternal heme Fe supplements have a significant impact on iron storage in neonatal piglets and are helpful for preventing iron deficiency in newborn piglets.