Recent Progress in Veterinary Science Research

Veterinary science, the field dedicated to the health and well-being of animals, has witnessed remarkable progress in recent years. Researchers worldwide are committed to improving animal health, enhancing food safety, and contributing to our understanding of zoonotic diseases. Let’s explore some of the exciting developments:

1. One Health Approach

The international authorities, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, World Health Organization, World Organization for Animal Health, United Nations Environment Programme, and World Bank, have endorsed the One Health concept as an effective approach to optimize the health of people, animals, and the environment [1]. The One Health concept recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Researchers are collaborating across disciplines to address shared challenges. By studying zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and environmental impacts, veterinary science contributes significantly to public health.

2. Precision Medicine for Animals

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as an appreciated and versatile model organism for studying cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, offering unique advantages for both basic research and drug discovery [2]. Advancements in genomics and personalized medicine are transforming veterinary care. Researchers are identifying genetic markers associated with diseases, tailoring treatments based on an individual animal’s genetic makeup, and improving diagnostic accuracy. Precision medicine ensures better outcomes for our furry companions.

3. Infectious Disease Surveillance

merging and endemic zoonotic diseases continue to threaten human and animal health, our social fabric, and the global economy [3]. Surveillance systems play a crucial role in monitoring disease outbreaks. Researchers are using innovative tools like next-generation sequencing to track pathogens, understand transmission dynamics, and predict emerging threats. Early detection and rapid response are essential for preventing widespread outbreaks.

4. Vaccination Strategies

Vaccines have improved global health by eradicating infectious diseases [4]. Vaccines remain a cornerstone of preventive medicine. Researchers are developing novel vaccines against infectious agents, including vector-borne diseases, avian influenza, and emerging viruses. Advancements in vaccine delivery systems and adjuvants enhance immune responses and protect animals effectively.

5. Telemedicine and Remote Monitoring

Healthcare industry is constantly evolving because of rapid technological breakthroughs and changing patient needs [5]. Digital technologies are revolutionizing veterinary practice. Telemedicine allows remote consultations, diagnostics, and follow-ups. Wearable devices track vital signs, behavior, and activity levels, providing real-time insights for early intervention. These innovations improve animal welfare and client convenience.

6. Nutritional Science

A reduced reliance on animal-based diets with a move towards a more plant-based diet has driven the market demand for new generation sustainable plant-based meat alternatives [6]. Nutrition profoundly impacts animal health. Researchers are exploring personalized diets, functional foods, and nutrigenomics. Understanding how nutrients influence gene expression and overall health helps prevent diseases and promotes longevity in our animal companions.

News and Comment

• COVID-19 and Animals: Ongoing research investigates the role of animals in SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Understanding interspecies dynamics is critical for pandemic preparedness.
• Antimicrobial Stewardship: Efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance involve prudent use of antibiotics. Researchers are developing alternatives, such as phage therapy and probiotics, to reduce reliance on antibiotics.
• Wildlife Health: Studying wildlife diseases contributes to conservation efforts and informs zoonotic risk assessments. Researchers monitor wildlife health to protect ecosystems and human populations.

Veterinary science continues to evolve, bridging the gap between animal health, human health, and environmental sustainability. As we celebrate these advancements, let’s recognize the tireless efforts of veterinarians and researchers who safeguard our planet’s diverse inhabitants!

List of top most journals in Veterinary Science (2024)

What is open access journal?

An open access journal is an academic journal that publishes scholarly papers and makes the content available for access, download, reading, and distribution without charging subscription fees. People commonly refer to open access journals as “free journals” since users do not have to pay to read or use their contents. In the general context, it is somehow correct. But technically, most open access journals use Creative Commons licenses, which are public licenses that allow content usage and impose certain restrictions, if any. Such restrictions may include attribution, modifications, and non-commercialization. Open access journals are growing in popularity and are well respected in academia. Major databases such as the Directory of Open Access Publishing have begun focusing on indexing and promoting high-quality open access journals. More established databases have also followed suit. The presence of established databases in promoting open access journals is an important validation and recognition of open research.

What is open peer review?

Open peer review (OPR), where review reports and reviewers’ identities are published alongside the articles, represents one of the last aspects of the open science movement to be widely embraced, although its adoption has been growing since the turn of the century (Wolfram etal., 2020) [7]. Open peer review refers to various modifications of the traditional scholarly peer review process. These modifications aim to address perceived shortcomings of the conventional system. Here are the three common forms of open peer review:

1. Open Identities:

• In open peer review, authors and reviewers are aware of each other’s identities. Unlike traditional peer review, where reviewers remain anonymous to anyone but the journal’s editors, open peer review allows transparency by revealing reviewer names to authors.
• However, reviewer identities may or may not be disclosed to the public.

2. Open Reports:

• Under this model, review reports are made public, rather than being confidentially shared only with the article’s authors. This includes publishing not only the reviewers’ comments but also the authors’ responses and editors’ recommendations.
• Typically, this applies to articles accepted for publication, not those that are rejected.

3. Open Participation:

• In open peer review, self-selected reviewers (beyond invited experts) can comment on an article. The assumption is that the article’s content is openly accessible.
• These self-selected reviewers may contribute either brief comments or comprehensive reviews.
• The text of the article is openly available, allowing broader community participation in the review process.

The adoption of open peer review aims to enhance transparency, provide incentives, reduce wastefulness, and address issues like bullying and harassment in scholarly communication.

What are the benefits of Open Peer Review?

Open peer review (OPR) is a transparent process that allows scholarly articles to be evaluated by experts in the field, while also revealing the identities of both authors and reviewers. OPR can improve the quality of research by:

• Encouraging constructive feedback: Openness in the identities of authors and reviewers can lead to better quality feedback rather than simply rejecting the paper.
• Reducing bias: Everything is openly available to all, which can reduce the possibility of bias.
• Empowering authors: Authors can lead the process by suggesting reviewers themselves.
• Improving accountability: The quality of current scientific publications is at stake.
• Encouraging collaboration: OPR encourages collaboration and promotes diversity of perspectives, ultimately leading to more robust and credible research outcomes.
• Providing learning opportunities: OPR places a research work in the context of a discussion, and gives authors, readers and others a chance to better understand the process from the initial manuscript submission to final published version.
• Exposing possible conflicts of interest: OPR may help to expose possible conflicts of interest in some cases.

Adoption of OPR by publishers (Wolfram etal., 2020) [7]

A summary of the most prolific publishers contributing to OPR and their headquarters country appears below. Although many journals today attract an international audience and are managed by international teams of researchers, the prevalence of OPR journals associated with publishers based in Europe stands out. Twenty-four of the 38 (63.2%) identified publishers are based in Europe and account for 445 out of the 617 titles (72.1%). Although the publishers are based in Europe, many of the journals they publish may support journals originating from other areas of the world (e.g., Kowsar). Furthermore, 500 of the OPR journals (81.0%) are published by only five publishers (MDPI, SDI, BioMed Central, Frontiers Media S.A., Kowsar). This points to the important role that publishers have played to date in the promotion of OPR (Wolfram etal., 2020) [7].

1. *United Kingdom (19 journals), United States (9), Argentina (1), Bulgaria (1), Canada (1), France (1), Germany (1), Ireland (1), Kenya (1), The Netherlands (1), Switzerland (1)

List of open Peer-review journals in veterinary science (2024)

1. Veterinary Sciences (Website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/vetsci)
2. BMC Veterinary Research (Website: https://bmcvetres.biomedcentral.com/)
3. Asian Journal of Research in Animal and Veterinary Sciences (Website: https://journalajravs.com)

References

1. Rai, B. D., Tessema, G. A., Fritschi, L., & Pereira, G. (2024). The application of the One Health approach in the management of five major zoonotic diseases using the World Bank domains: A scoping review. One Health, 100695.
2. Angom, R. S., & Nakka, N. M. R. (2024). Zebrafish as a Model for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease: The Future of Precision Medicine. Biomedicines, 12(3), 693.
3. Sievers, B. L., Siegers, J. Y., Cadènes, J. M., Hyder, S., Sparaciari, F. E., Claes, F., … & Karlsson, E. A. (2024). “Smart markets”: harnessing the potential of new technologies for endemic and emerging infectious disease surveillance in traditional food markets. Journal of Virology, e01683-23.
4. Abdaal, K., Batool, A., Navid, M. T., Ahmed, S., Qazi, A. S., Safdar, W., … & Rafaqat, S. (2024). Advancements in vaccination strategies: from historical milestones to modern innovations in viral disease prevention and public health. Res J. Vet. Pract, 12(1), 11-21.
5. Bansal, H., Gupta, D., & Anand, D. (2024). Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence in Telemedicine and Remote Patient Monitoring. Handbook on Augmenting Telehealth Services, 279-294.
6. Tyndall, S. M., Maloney, G. R., Cole, M. B., Hazell, N. G., & Augustin, M. A. (2024). Critical food and nutrition science challenges for plant-based meat alternative products. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 64(3), 638-653.
7. Wolfram, D., Wang, P., Hembree, A. et al. Open peer review: promoting transparency in open science. Scientometrics 125, 1033–1051 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-020-03488-4