Activation of the tick Toll pathway to control infection of Ixodes ricinus by the apicomplexan parasite Babesia microti.

The vector competence of blood-feeding arthropods is influenced by the interaction between pathogens and the immune system of the vector. The Toll and IMD (immune deficiency) signaling pathways play a key role in the regulation of innate immunity in both the Drosophila model and blood-feeding insects. However, in ticks (chelicerates), immune determination for pathogen acquisition and transmission has not yet been fully explored.

Plant-derived saponins and their prospective for cosmetic and personal care products.

Plants are industrially cultivated and processed serving for specified sectors for human consumptions including cosmetic and personal care products. Where, the consumers' awareness towards sustainability are increasing year by year. Among which, those of the materials derived from the plants produced with good agricultural and manufacturing practices abided with bio-circular-green economy theme, are of eminence.

Cytological diagnosis of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage: Comparison of tracheal wash and bronchoalveolar lavage in standardbred racehorses.

Background: Cytology of airway samples is sensitive for diagnosis of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH), but the association between tracheal wash (TW) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine whether diagnosis of EIPH, using haemosiderophages/macrophages (H/M) ratio, differs when based on TW or BALF.

Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 102 standardbred horses in training.

Comparison of the impact of UV-light emitting diode and UV lamp at pilot-plant scale level on quality parameters and consumer perception of fresh chicken meat.

The present study compared the impact of two UV light devices: conventional UV lamp and UV-LED on the colour, pH, lipid and protein oxidation of fresh chicken breast meat aerobically stored at 4 °C for 10 days. Lipid oxidation was the most impacted quality attribute in UV lamp treated meat, unlike UV-LED that showed no effect compared to non-treated meat. Slight changes were observed in colour, pH and protein oxidation of chicken samples subjected to UV lamp and UV-LED.

Pathogenesis of the crosstalk between reproductive function and stress in animals-part 1: Hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis, sympatho-adrenomedullary system and kisspeptin.

Stress is defined as a disruption of the body homeostasis in response to modest as well as perceived challenge. Two main physiological routes, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system (HPA) and the sympatho-adrenomedullary system (SAM), aim to maintain or restore homeostasis by mutual interaction. SAM is quickly-reacting as it primarily works through the nervous system-the sympathetic nervous system.

Pathogenesis of the crosstalk between reproductive function and stress in animals - part 2: Prolactin, thyroid, inflammation and oxidative stress.

Stress has a significant impact on reproductive health and fertility in both humans as well as various animal species. In particular, chronic stress can disrupt the delicate balance of the hormonal system that regulates reproductive function, leading to a variety of reproductive disorders and fertility issues. Beside the action of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system and the sympatho-adrenomedullary system (SAM), other subsequent mechanisms have been incriminated.

Retroperitoneoscopy of the presacral space in horses: Surgical access and anatomy.

Background: Surgical approaches to the equine rectum and perirectal area are described in the literature. However, surgeries in this region can be challenging.

Objective: To describe the surgical anatomy of the presacral space and to evaluate its access using a retroperitoneoscopic approach.

Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia in a Normoproteinemic Dog with Atypical Bimorphic Plasmacytoid Differentiation and Monoclonal Gammopathy.

A 2-year-old neutered female Small Munsterlander dog was presented for an insect bite. Physical examination revealed a poor body condition, a peripheral lymphadenomegaly, and suspected splenomegaly. A complete blood count (Sysmex XN-V) revealed marked leukocytosis with lymphocytosis and abnormal dot plots.

Adherence of Uropathogenic in Dog Urine After Consumption of Food Supplemented with Cranberry ().

Introduction: is the most common pathogen isolated from the urine of dogs with urinary tract infections (UTIs). While there are many studies in humans investigating the potential for the prevention of UTIs by dietary consumption of cranberry, few analogous studies have been carried out in dogs.

Material And Methods: Eight dogs, four male and four female, were successively fed two diets, first a control without cranberry, and then the second diet containing cranberry extracts.

Endoscopic management of adult subglottic stenosis: an alternative to open surgery.

Purpose: Various surgical techniques could be used to treat subglottic stenosis (SGS). The aim of this study is to present our experience in endoscopic management of SGS and show the impact of symptoms' evaluation, clinical examination and spirometry in the therapeutic decision.

Methods: Endoscopic treatment was performed in patients referred for SGS and consisted of CO scar lysis associated with balloon dilation and concomitant steroids' injection for patients with grade II or higher on the mMRC (modified Medical Research Council) dyspnea scale associated with a DI (Dyspnea Index) score higher than 10/40 and objective stenosis equal or higher than grade II.

Differences in Metabolic Profiles of Healthy Dogs Fed a High-Fat vs. a High-Starch Diet.

Obesity is a common problem in dogs and overconsumption of energy-rich foods is a key factor. This study compared the inflammatory response and fecal metabolome of dogs fed a high-fat vs. a high-starch diet.

Beneficial effects of a prescription home-prepared diet and of zucchini on urine calcium oxalate supersaturation and urinary parameters in adult cats.

Objectives: From the authors' experience, the consumption of a balanced prescription home-prepared diet that includes zucchini (courgette) benefits cats with recurrent urolithiasis, but there is no published evidence to support this. The aim was to study the effects on urinary parameters of (1) a balanced prescription home-prepared diet containing zucchini, and (2) the addition of zucchini to a dry food, compared with two commercial therapeutic diets.

Methods: Eight healthy cats were included in a Latin-square designed protocol.

Supplementing young cattle with a rumen-protected grape extract around vaccination increases humoral response and antioxidant defenses.

Vaccination is an important mainstay of biosecurity and disease prevention in livestock farming. Vaccination failures represent an economic burden for the farmer. Polyphenol supplementation, known for its antioxidant properties, could help reduce oxidative damage and improve the success of vaccination.

Evidence-Based African Swine Fever Policies: Do We Address Virus and Host Adequately?

African swine fever (ASF) is one of the most threatening diseases for the pig farming sector worldwide. Prevention, control and eradication remain a challenge, especially in the absence of an effective vaccine or cure and despite the relatively low contagiousness of this pathogen in contrast to Classical Swine Fever or Foot and Mouth disease, for example. Usually lethal in pigs and wild boar, this viral transboundary animal disease has the potential to significantly disrupt global trade and threaten food security.

Nonhypoalbuminemic Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Dogs as Disease Model.

Background: The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing worldwide, emphasizing the need of relevant models, as dogs spontaneously affected by IBD may be, for better knowledge of the disease's physiopathology.

Methods: We studied 22 client-owned dogs suffering from IBD without protein loss and 14 control dogs. Biopsies were obtained from the duodenum, ileum, and colon.

Cytological description of testicular cell populations in sexually mature cats with normal spermatogenesis.

In cats, assessment of the testicular function is mainly based on sperm evaluation. Whatever the technique used, the volume of collected sperm is often small, which may lead to technical difficulties to achieve the semen evaluation in routine practice. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy of the testicular parenchyma is one of the other methods used to assess testicular function.

High-pressure processing of meat: Molecular impacts and industrial applications.

High-pressure processing (HPP) has been the most adopted nonthermal processing technology in the food industry with a current ever-growing implementation, and meat products represent about a quarter of the HPP foods. The intensive research conducted in the last decades has described the molecular impacts of HPP on microorganisms and endogenous meat components such as structural proteins, enzyme activities, myoglobin and meat color chemistry, and lipids, resulting in the characterization of the mechanisms responsible for most of the texture, color, and oxidative changes observed when meat is submitted to HPP. These molecular mechanisms with major effect on the safety and quality of muscle foods are comprehensively reviewed.

Inflammatory and oxidative status in European captive black rhinoceroses: A link with Iron Overload Disorder?

Iron Overload Disorder (IOD) is a syndrome developed by captive browsing rhinoceroses like black rhinoceroses (Diceros bicornis), in which hemosiderosis develops in vital organs while free iron accumulates in the body, potentially predisposing to various secondary diseases. Captive grazing species like white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum) do not seem to be affected. The authors hypothesized that inflammation and oxidative stress may be implicated in the pathogenesis of IOD in captive black rhinoceroses, making this syndrome a potential common denominator to various diseases described in captivity in this species.

Retroperitoneoscopy in the horse: Anatomical study of the retroperitoneal perirenal space and description of a surgical approach.

Background: Surgical approaches to the kidneys and perirenal structures are uncommonly performed in horses and several complications have been described with the current procedures.

Objective: To describe the anatomy of the retroperitoneal perirenal space and investigate a retroperitoneal minimally invasive approach to access the kidney and perirenal structures in horses.

Study Design: Descriptive, cadaveric study.

Weight-gain induced changes in renal perfusion assessed by contrast-enhanced ultrasound precede increases in urinary protein excretion suggestive of glomerular and tubular injury and normalize after weight-loss in dogs.

Early detection of obesity-related glomerulopathy in humans is challenging as it might not be detected by routine biomarkers of kidney function. This study's aim was to use novel kidney biomarkers and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to evaluate the effect of obesity development and weight-loss on kidney function, perfusion, and injury in dogs. Sixteen healthy lean adult beagles were assigned randomly but age-matched to a control group (CG) (n = 8) fed to maintain a lean body weight (BW) for 83 weeks; or to a weight-change group (WCG) (n = 8) fed the same diet to induce obesity (week 0-47), to maintain stable obese weight (week 47-56) and to lose BW (week 56-83).

Effect of Aqueous Extract and Polyphenol Fraction Derived from Leaves on Acute Hyperlipidemia in the Syrian Golden Hamsters.

, an endemic plant of Morocco, is traditionally used as a liniment or a drink to treat various diseases. However, there are few available scientific data regarding its biological effects. In this connection, the present study aimed to investigate the hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of aqueous extract and polyphenol fraction of in Syrian golden hamsters treated with Triton WR-1339 (triton, 20 mg/100 g body weight).

Review of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in fish and fisheries products; a Sri Lankan perspective.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are emerging as important contaminants in smoked and smoke-dried fish and fish products. The smoking techniques and different parameters contribute to the PAH load in smoked fish. This review paper provides insight into the PAHs and their sources and pathways to fish, effects on human health, smoking parameters and PAHs, regulations, available information, gaps in present knowledge, and future prospects in smoked fish from Sri Lanka.

Critical review of micro-extraction techniques used in the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in biological, environmental and food samples.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants and their accurate determination is very important to human health and environment safety. In this review, sorptive-based micro-extraction techniques [such as Solid-Phase Micro-extraction (SPME), Stir Bar Sorptive Extraction (SBSE), Micro-extraction in Packed Sorbent (MEPS)] and solvent-based micro-extraction [Membrane-Mediated Liquid-Phase Micro-extraction (MM-LPME), Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Micro-extraction (DLLME), and Single Drop Micro-extraction (SDME)] developed for quantification of PAHs in environmental, biological and food samples are reviewed. Moreover, recent micro-extraction techniques that have been coupled with other sample extraction strategies are also briefly discussed.