Open Veterinary Journal最新文献

Background: A fracture is considered a medical emergency leading to considerable complications.

Aim: This study aimed to describe the accelerating action of Ag-NPs-FG on fracture healing in rabbits.

Methods: Silver NPs (AgNPs) were reduced with fenugreek (FG), loaded into a starch gel base, and investigated for their morphology, size, and charge. Four equal groups were randomly formed of 40 adult male rabbits. A 3.5 mm diameter bone defect was created at the proximal metaphysis of the right tibia in each rabbit. Groups 1-4 were injected with placebo saline, AgNPs-FG, plain gel, and FG-gel at the bone defect zone, respectively. The healing was assessed for 8 weeks postoperatively based on the radiographic, bone turnover markers, and histopathological examinations.

Results: The AgNPs-FG was obtained as a faint reddish color, spherical in shape, with an absorbance of 423 nm, a size of 118.0 ± 1.7 nm, and a surface charge of -7.8 ± 0.518 mV. The prepared AgNPs-FG hydrogel was clear, translucent, and homogenous. The pH values were 6.55-6.5 ± 0.2, the viscosity of 4,000 and 1,875 cPs, and spreadability of 1.6 ± 0.14 and 2.0 ± 0.15 for both FG and AgNPs-FG hydrogel, respectively. The radiographic union scale was significantly (p < 0.05) improved in group 2 with a significant (p < 0.05) increase in bone turnover markers was found in comparison to other treated groups. Histopathological examination revealed the formation of mature bone on the 28th postoperative day in groups 2 and 4.

Conclusion: Colloidal nano-formulation of AgNPs-FG loaded hydrogel could be a promising formulation to accelerate rabbits' tibial bone healing process.

Background: Feed additives are products used in poultry nutrition to improve the quality of feed and the safety of food byproducts from animal origin. They are promising antibiotic alternatives for the production of broilers.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effect of sodium butyrate (SB) and RL on growth performance, biochemical profile, immunity, and carcass traits of broilers.

Methods: Five hundred-one-day-old chicks of the Hubbard breed were reared on floor pens in a privet farm, Giza. The chicks were weighed on arrival (each chick weighted 43-45 gm) and randomly assigned into five equal groups, with four replicates each (25 chicks/replicate). Group 1 was fed on a broiler diet without any additions (control). The diets of groups 2 and 3 were supplemented with 500 g/ton SB and 4 kg/ton RL, respectively. In group 4, the diet was enriched with 250 g/ton SB plus 2 kg/ton RL. Chicks in group 5 were fed on a diet fortified with 500 g/ton SB plus 4 kg/ton RL.

Results: Supplementation of broiler diet with 500 g/ton SB plus 4 kg /ton RL increased body weight gain (BWG) and feed efficiency ratio (FER) of birds. It decreased serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total cholesterol triglycerides, and malondialdehyde, but increased superoxide dismutase, catalase, and immunoglobulins, phagocytic activity, lysozyme activity, and nitric oxide concentrations. Antibody titers against the Newcastle disease virus were also elevated.

Conclusion: Supplementation of broiler diet with 500 g/ton SB plus 4 kg/ton RL gives the best result regarding productive efficiency and immunity of broiler chickens.

Background: Beta-glucan (β-glucan) is a polysaccharide containing β-glycosidic bonds that is an important structure part of different yeast cells.

Aim: The purpose of the study is to characterize β-glucan obtained from Candida albicans (C. albicans) isolated from caprine mastitis.

Methods: The β-glucan was extracted by using utilizing an Alkaline-acidic extraction technique. The dry weight of extracted β-glucan was 7.47/150 g with 4.98%.

Results: The findings demonstrated that the extracted β-glucan had similarity in the primary peak 5.78 of liquid samples using the method of high-performance liquid chromatography when compared to the standard form of β-glucan. However, scanning electron microscopy studies revealed that the standard of β-glucan was distinct in morphology but similar to β-glucan isolated from C. albicans in terms of particle sizes in the range of 1.60-2.65 m and the lack of cell wall traces. The findings of an investigation using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDS/EDX) of extracted and standard β-glucan, showed the principal elements discovered were carbon (C), oxygen (O), and nitrogen (N). Aluminum (Al), silicon (Si), nickel (Ni), and gold (Au) were also present, but in less amounts.

Conclusion: The extracted β-glucan displayed a high degree of similarity and purity to the standard β-glucan, according to the findings of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) research.

Background: This research describes the methodology used for the preparation of selenium nanoparticles from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and their administration to lambs for lipid profile checking, administration of selenium nanoparticles as a medication in lambs results in hypolipidemia.

Aimed: The study aimed to investigate the potential of selenium nanoparticles in improving lipid profiles in lambs.

Methods: Healthy lambs (n = 10) of similar age and weight were selected for the study. The animals were housed in individual pens with free access to water and a standard diet. The lambs were randomly divided into two groups: the control group (n = 5) and the treatment group (n = 5). The control group received a standard diet, while the treatment group received the same diet and oral administrated with selenium nanoparticles at 0.1 mg/kg body weight. The administration was carried out daily for a period of 8 weeks. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of each lamb at the beginning of the study (baseline) and at the end of the 2 weeks treatment period. The samples were collected in vacutainer tubes and allowed to clot. Serum was separated by centrifugation at 3,000 rpm for 10 minutes and stored at -80°C for estimation of lipid profile total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). The serum samples were used for the estimation of lipid profile levels using an enzymatic colorimetric method. The absorbance was measured at 540 nm using a spectrophotometer.

Results: The results showed a significant decrease in serum TC, triglyceride, and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels after selenium nanoparticle supplementation compared to the control group (p < 0.05), the results indicated a significant increase in serum HDL levels after selenium nanoparticle supplementation compared to the control group (p < 0.05). This indicates that selenium nanoparticle supplementation has a beneficial effect on reducing TC levels in lambs.

Conclusion: The conclusion section will summarize the findings of the study and highlight the potential of selenium nanoparticles in improving lipid profiles in lambs. The implications of the study for animal nutrition and health will be discussed, along with the need for further research in this area.

Background: Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED), caused by the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates, especially in neonatal pigs. This has resulted in significant economic losses for the pig industry. PEDV genotype II-based vaccines were found to confer better immunity against both heterologous and homologous challenges; specifically, spike (S) proteins, which are known to play a significant role during infection, are ideal for vaccine development.

Aim: This study aims to design a multi-epitope subunit vaccine targeting the S protein of the PEDV GIIa strain using an immunoinformatics approach.

Methods: Various bioinformatics tools were used to predict HTL, CTL, and B-cell epitopes. The epitopes were connected using appropriate linkers and conjugated with the CTB adjuvant and M-ligand. The final multiepitope vaccine construct (fMEVc) was then docked to toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). The stability of the fMEVc-TLR4 complex was then simulated using GROMACS. C-immsim was then used to predict the in vitro immune response of the fMEVc.

Results: Six epitopes were predicted to induce antibody production, ten epitopes were predicted to induce CTL responses, and four epitopes were predicted to induce HTL responses. The assembled epitopes conjugated with the CTB adjuvant and M-ligand, fMEVc, is antigenic, non-allergenic, stable, and soluble. The construct showed a favorable binding affinity for TLR4, and the protein complex was shown to be stable through molecular dynamics simulations. A robust immune response was induced after immunization, as demonstrated through immune stimulation.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the multi-epitope subunit vaccine construct for PEDV designed in this study exhibits promising antigenicity, stability, and immunogenicity, eliciting robust immune responses and suggesting its potential as a candidate for further vaccine development.

Background: Fractures with large bone defects and non-unions are a great challenge for veterinary orthopaedists. In small dog breeds, this complication is commonly encountered in fractures of the radius and ulna due to poorer vascularisation of the distal antebrachium region.

Case description: A case of radius/ulnar non-union in a 1.5-year-old Pinscher occurring after trauma and two successive unsuccessful osteosyntheses is described. During the operative revision, after the removal of existing bone implants, the bone defect was filled with cortical autologous bone graft. Autocancellous bone mixed with erythropoietin was applied proximally and distally to the cortical autograft for stimulation of bone healing. The post-operative period was without complications. As early as the 9th post-operative week, the animal was able to bear weight on the limb, without signs of lameness, pain, and swelling. Radiologically, a very good bridging of the graft was observed. Fifteen weeks after the operative revision, the fracture was completely healed with excellent clinical outcome.

Conclusion: The application of autogenous cortical bone graft and cancellous autograft mixed with erythropoietin demonstrated an excellent therapeutic effect and resulted in complete regeneration of the large bone defect over a 15-week period.

Background: The intramuscular (IM) administration of 7.5-10 mg/kg of alfaxalone produces anesthetic effects that enable endotracheal intubation with mild cardiorespiratory depression in dogs. However, the effects of IM co-administration of medetomidine, butorphanol, and alfaxalone on cardiorespiratory function under inhalation anesthesia have not been studied.

Aim: To assess the cardiorespiratory function following the IM co-administration of 5 μg/kg of medetomidine, 0.3 mg/kg of butorphanol, and 2.5 mg/kg of alfaxalone (MBA) in dogs anesthetized with sevoflurane.

Methods: Seven intact healthy Beagles (three males and four females, aged 3-6 years old and weighing 10.0-18.1 kg) anesthetized with a predetermined minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane were included in this study. The baseline cardiorespiratory variable values were recorded using the thermodilution method with a pulmonary artery catheter after stabilization for 15 minutes at 1.3 times their individual sevoflurane MAC. The cardiorespiratory variables were measured again following the IM administration of MBA. Data are expressed as median [interquartile range] and compared with the corresponding baseline values using the Friedman test and Sheff's method. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The intramuscular administration of MBA transiently decreased the cardiac index [baseline: 3.46 (3.18-3.69), 5 minutes: 1.67 (1.57-1.75) l/minute/m² : p < 0.001], respiratory frequency, and arterial pH. In contrast, it increased the systemic vascular resistance index [baseline: 5,367 (3,589-6,617), 5 minutes:10,197 (9,955-15,005) dynes second/cm⁵/m² : p = 0.0092], mean pulmonary arterial pressure, and arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide.

Conclusion: The intramuscular administration of MBA in dogs anesthetized with sevoflurane transiently decreased cardiac output due to vasoconstriction. Although spontaneous breathing was maintained, MBA administration resulted in respiratory acidosis due to hypoventilation. Thus, it is important to administer MBA with caution to dogs with insufficient cardiovascular function. In addition, ventilatory support is recommended.

Background: During electrochemotherapy (ECT), a chemotherapeutic drug is injected into the tumor and then an electroporation is provided. In horses, ear manipulation may be very painful, and combining a loco-regional technique with sedation might be a good option to avoid anesthesia-related risks. A two-injection-point block of the internal and external pinna and acoustic meatus was described in horse cadavers, and it permitted complete stain of all three branches of the great auricular nerve (GAN), internal auricular nerve branch (IAB), lateral auricular branch (LAB), and caudal auricular nerve (CAN), suggesting a lower risk of intra-parotid injection during the IAB and LAB block.

Case description: An 8-year-old Italian jumping gelding presented for ECT to treat a fibroblastic sarcoid in the left medial pinna. After intravenous sedation with acepromazine, romifidine, and butorphanol, a two-injection-point block was provided as previously described. The block of the GAN was blind, whereas an electrical nerve locator was used for the IAB, LAB, and CAN. A total of 12 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine was injected. The ECT was safely performed without any difficulties. The horse well tolerated the procedure and completely recovered 75 minutes after sedation. No complications were detected.

Conclusion: The described approach seems feasible and suitable for the blockade of the sensory innervation of the equine ear in the case of ECT.

Background: Canine Legg Calvé Perthes disease (LCPD) occurs during the growth period, and the cause of ischemic necrosis of the femoral head during growth remains unclear. If LCPD-affected femoral head-derived mesenchymal stem cells (LCPD-MSCs) can be generated, they can be used as a new tool for the pathophysiological analysis of canine LCPD.

Aim: To generate affected femoral head-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from dogs with LCPD and investigate the mRNA expression levels of angiogenesis-related factors and osteogenic differentiation potency of LCPD-MSCs.

Methods: This study was performed using affected femoral heads from dogs diagnosed with LCPD and underwent femoral head and neck ostectomy. The necrotic tissue was harvested from the LCPD-affected femoral head and cultured statically (LCPD group, n = 6). Canine bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) were used as controls (control group, n = 6). First, the morphology of the cultured cells was observed, and the expression of CD29, CD34, CD44, CD45, CD90, and major histocompatibility complex class II was analyzed using flow cytometry. Additionally, the trilineage differentiation potency of the LCPD-affected head-derived adherent cells was examined. Furthermore, the expression levels of HIF1A, VEGFA, VEGFB, and PDGFB mRNAs and the bone differentiation potency of LCPD-affected head-derived adherent cells were investigated.

Results: LCPD-affected femoral head-derived adherent cells showed a fibroblast-like morphology, and the expression of cell surface antigens was similar to that of BM-MSCs. In addition, LCPD-affected femoral head-derived adherent cells showed the same trilineage differentiation potency as BM-MSCs and were consistent with MSC characteristics. Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels of angiogenesis-related factors could be objectively measured in LCPD-MSCs and those MSCs had bone differentiation potency.

Conclusion: In the present study, canine LCPD-MSCs were successfully generated, suggesting their usefulness as a tool for pathological analysis of LCPD in dogs.

Background: Oxygen deprivation (OD) is a critical condition that can lead to brain damage and even death. Current hypoxia management approaches are limited in effectiveness. Centella asiatica (CA), known for its neuroprotective properties, offers a potential alternative for OD treatment.

Aims: This study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effects of CA on the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1) in zebrafish larvae under oxygen-deficient conditions.

Methods: Zebrafish embryos were subjected to low oxygen levels (1.5 mg/l) 0-2 hours post-fertilization (hpf) until 3 days post-fertilization (dpf), simulating the early stages of OD. Subsequent treatment involved varying concentrations of CA (1.25-5 µg/ml) up to 9 days post-fertilization. The expression levels of BDNF and VGLUT1 were measured using PCR methods. Statistical analysis was conducted using a two-way analysis of variance to evaluate the impact of CA on the expression of BDNF and VGLUT1 in zebrafish larvae aged 3 and 9 dpf in oxygen-deprived conditions.

Results: CA significantly influenced the expression of BDNF and VGLUT1 under OD (p < 0.001). An increase in BDNF expression (p < 0.001) and a decrease in VGLUT1 (p < 0.01) were observed in zebrafish larvae experiencing OD and treated with CA. There was no significant difference in BDNF and VGLUT1 expression across age variations in zebrafish larvae at 3 dpf and 9 dpf in the treatment groups (p > 0.05). CA concentration of 2.5 µg/ml effectively enhanced BDNF and reduced VGLUT1 in 3-9 dpf zebrafish larvae.

Conclusion: CA demonstrates potential as a neuroprotective agent, modulating increased BDNF expression and reduced VGLUT1 under OD conditions. These findings lay a foundation for further research in developing therapies for oxygen deficiency.