Pastures serve as the primary source of grass and forage plants for grazing livestock, requiring adequate nutrient input to sustain growth and soil fertility. Slurry from the livestock industry is widely utilized as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to chemical fertilizers. Microorganisms within the slurry–pasture system are essential for breaking down organic matter, facilitating nutrient cycling, and improving soil health. However, mismanagement or inefficient microbial decomposition can lead to significant issues, such as nutrient leaching into water bodies, causing eutrophication, antimicrobial resistance, and reduced nutrient availability in pastures, which, in turn, may negatively impact livestock productivity. Thus, this paper investigates the composition and benefits of livestock slurry in pasture management, highlights microbial roles in nutrient cycling, and evaluates regulatory frameworks in Ireland and Europe. Additionally, it examines the environmental risks associated with improper slurry application, providing insights to support sustainable management practices.

Sepsis is a complex life-threatening condition involving immune dysregulation, endothelial dysfunction, and multi-organ failure. To investigate molecular and systemic processes driving disease progression, in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo experimental methods have been developed. While these systems have advanced understanding of immune activation, cytokine signalling, and organ injury, differences in complexity, reproducibility, and alignment with human pathophysiology have limited the translation of many promising preclinical findings into clinical success. This review examines current literature on sepsis systems, evaluating them in terms of biological complexity, reproducibility, ethical constraints, and clinical applicability. In parallel, it discusses the potential use of microfluidic technology, particularly organ-on-chip, in replicating human physiology and capturing key features of sepsis. By comparing conventional and advanced systems, this review outlines challenges in sepsis research and identifies key directions for a more integrated approach to sepsis modelling, aiming to improve translational outcomes and therapeutic discovery. We aim to provide a structured basis for comparing models when selecting approaches for a given question or candidate therapy.

Introduction: Wound management presents significant challenges, requiring effective treatments. Herbal extracts have been traditionally used to support healing due to their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and cellregenerative properties.Methods: This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Pau D’Arco (Tabebuia), Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica), Figwort (Scrophularia nodosa), and Broadleaf (Plantago major) extracts, both individually and combined, on wound healing in vitro and in vivo in equine models. In vitro tests using human macrophages and keratinocyte cell lines to assess cellular responses such as cytokine secretion and phagocytic activity under simulated inflammatory conditions. Additionally, pilot case studies on equines with open wounds provided practical insights into the extracts’ healing capabilities.Results: MTT assay was used to assess cytotoxicity. The extracts did not significantly affect the viability of HaCaT or THP-1 cells. The herbal extracts reduced IL-8 levels and increased phagocytic activity in macrophages, indicating an ability to modulate inflammatory responses. In vivo, the extracts were well tolerated and associated with supported healing in equines. These effects were suggested to be attributed to the synergistic actions of the herbal components.Conclusion: These findings suggest that the herbal extracts may be useful for supporting wound healing. Their natural anti-inflammatory and healing properties could provide an additional option alongside traditional wound management approaches.