BACKGROUND: Fracture healing is one of the important issues in medicine and veterinary. Therefore, finding new tech-niques with fewer side effects and faster healing is taken into consideration. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the composites of micro ostrich eggshell (μ-OES) and hydroxyapatite (HA) composite on the healing of bone defect in rat calvarium. METHODS: Defects of 7 mm were made by a trephine in the calvaria of 45 male Wistar rats. The animals were divided into three groups and the defects in each group were filled with micro-composites that contained ostrich eggshell or HA or were left empty. The animals were euthanized at three different time points of 14, 28, and 42 days post-operation. Histological and serological assessments, such as measuring alkaline phosphatase were carried out at the same time points. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in the granulation tissue formation of the treatment and control groups 14 days post-operation (p ≤0.05). The difference between μ-OES and HA treatment groups was not statistically significant (p >0.05). On days 28 and 42, there were no significant differences between the groups. However, in the center of the defect, the mean of healing in the μOES group was higher than the two other groups. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the results of this study indicated the potential efficacy of μOES as a bone substitute in a rat calvarial defect model

BACKGROUND: Fracture healing is one of the important issues in medicine and veterinary. Therefore, finding new tech-niques with fewer side effects and faster healing is taken into consideration. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the composites of micro ostrich eggshell (μ-OES) and hydroxyapatite (HA) composite on the healing of bone defect in rat calvarium. METHODS: Defects of 7 mm were made by a trephine in the calvaria of 45 male Wistar rats. The animals were divided into three groups and the defects in each group were filled with micro-composites that contained ostrich eggshell or HA or were left empty. The animals were euthanized at three different time points of 14, 28, and 42 days post-operation. Histological and serological assessments, such as measuring alkaline phosphatase were carried out at the same time points. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in the granulation tissue formation of the treatment and control groups 14 days post-operation (p ≤0.05). The difference between μ-OES and HA treatment groups was not statistically significant (p >0.05). On days 28 and 42, there were no significant differences between the groups. However, in the center of the defect, the mean of healing in the μOES group was higher than the two other groups. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the results of this study indicated the potential efficacy of μOES as a bone substitute in a rat calvarial defect model

BACKGROUND: Timed breeding programs are essential to implementing extensive artificial insemination (AI) programs in sheep. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate whether application of pre-synchronization and controlled internal drug releasing (CIDR) before and during fixed time AI protocol, respectively, could enhance estrus synchronization and fertility of ewes. METHODS: A total of 120 ewes were randomly assigned into four experimental groups (n=30 in each group) considering age, weight, and body condition score (BCS). All ewes received GnRH (25 μg of alarelin acetate), and five days afterwards, PGF2α (75 μg d-cloprostenol) plus eCG (400 IU). In the control group, ewes received no additional treatment. In Pre-synch group, ewes received two injections of PGF2α at 9-day interval three days before GnRH administration of main estrus syn-chronization protocol. In CIDR group, ewes received 5-day CIDR between GnRH and PGF2α of main estrus synchronization protocol. In Pre-synch-CIDR group, ewes received both two injections of PGF2α at 9-day interval and 5-day CIDR. Blood serum progesterone concentrations were measured in all ewes prior to injection of PGF     2α (day 5). All ewes were subjected to fixed time laparoscopic AI 48 hours after administration of the last PGF     2α. RESULTS: No interaction was found between CIDR and pre-synchronization protocols (p >0.05). Progesterone concen-tration was higher in the CIDR groups than in groups without CIDR (p <0.0001). Estrous cycle was not affected by pre-synchronization and CIDR (p >0.05). The estrus was earlier in ewes with pre-synchronization compared to ewes without pre-synchronization following the last injection of prostaglandin (p =0.022). Pregnancy rate, lambing rate, prolificacy rate, fecundity rate, lamb weight at birth, and lamb gender were not significantly different between the treatment groups (p >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, estrus rate and reproductive parameters showed no significant differences between dif-ferent groups, although pre-synchronization advanced onset of estrus expression.

BACKGROUND: Timed breeding programs are essential to implementing extensive artificial insemination (AI) programs in sheep. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate whether application of pre-synchronization and controlled internal drug releasing (CIDR) before and during fixed time AI protocol, respectively, could enhance estrus synchronization and fertility of ewes. METHODS: A total of 120 ewes were randomly assigned into four experimental groups (n=30 in each group) considering age, weight, and body condition score (BCS). All ewes received GnRH (25 μg of alarelin acetate), and five days afterwards, PGF2α (75 μg d-cloprostenol) plus eCG (400 IU). In the control group, ewes received no additional treatment. In Pre-synch group, ewes received two injections of PGF2α at 9-day interval three days before GnRH administration of main estrus syn-chronization protocol. In CIDR group, ewes received 5-day CIDR between GnRH and PGF2α of main estrus synchronization protocol. In Pre-synch-CIDR group, ewes received both two injections of PGF2α at 9-day interval and 5-day CIDR. Blood serum progesterone concentrations were measured in all ewes prior to injection of PGF     2α (day 5). All ewes were subjected to fixed time laparoscopic AI 48 hours after administration of the last PGF     2α. RESULTS: No interaction was found between CIDR and pre-synchronization protocols (p >0.05). Progesterone concen-tration was higher in the CIDR groups than in groups without CIDR (p <0.0001). Estrous cycle was not affected by pre-synchronization and CIDR (p >0.05). The estrus was earlier in ewes with pre-synchronization compared to ewes without pre-synchronization following the last injection of prostaglandin (p =0.022). Pregnancy rate, lambing rate, prolificacy rate, fecundity rate, lamb weight at birth, and lamb gender were not significantly different between the treatment groups (p >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, estrus rate and reproductive parameters showed no significant differences between dif-ferent groups, although pre-synchronization advanced onset of estrus expression.

BACKGROUND: Gentamicin is an effective antibiotic with some important side effects, such as nephrotoxicity. There is evidence of renoprotective effects and antioxidant properties for camel milk. OBJECTIVES: In this study, the impact of camel milk on the nephrotoxicity induced by gentamicin was evaluated. METHODS: The present study was performed on four groups of six Wistar rats. Group 1(C), as the control group, received exclusively normal saline injections and the rats in group 2 (GM) received intraperitoneal gentamicin injections at the dose of 100 mg/kg for the last ten days. The animals in group 3 (CM) were fed by 5 mL/rat/day of camel milk through gavage for 15 days. Group 4 (MGM) was fed camel milk only for the first five days followed by gentamicin injections for 10 days. Serum urea, creatinine, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured and kidneys were studied histopathologically. RESULTS: Increased concentrations of urea and creatinine along with the decreased level of SOD were found in the GM group. Histopathologic changes, such as eosinophilic casts in the tubular lumen, capillary congestion, glomerulonephritis, necrosis, interstitial nephritis, and edema were more common in the GM group, in comparison with the C, CM, and MGM groups (p <0.05). The elevations in serum urea and creatinine (p <0.05) were significantly prevented by the co-administra-tion of camel milk and gentamicin. Moreover, a significant increase in the serum activity of SOD was revealed in the GM group (p <0.05). Camel milk significantly prevented tissue injury, in comparison with the GM group (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that gentamicin-induced histological and biochemical alterations in the kid-ney decreased significantly due to camel milk consumption

BACKGROUND: Gentamicin is an effective antibiotic with some important side effects, such as nephrotoxicity. There is evidence of renoprotective effects and antioxidant properties for camel milk. OBJECTIVES: In this study, the impact of camel milk on the nephrotoxicity induced by gentamicin was evaluated. METHODS: The present study was performed on four groups of six Wistar rats. Group 1(C), as the control group, received exclusively normal saline injections and the rats in group 2 (GM) received intraperitoneal gentamicin injections at the dose of 100 mg/kg for the last ten days. The animals in group 3 (CM) were fed by 5 mL/rat/day of camel milk through gavage for 15 days. Group 4 (MGM) was fed camel milk only for the first five days followed by gentamicin injections for 10 days. Serum urea, creatinine, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured and kidneys were studied histopathologically. RESULTS: Increased concentrations of urea and creatinine along with the decreased level of SOD were found in the GM group. Histopathologic changes, such as eosinophilic casts in the tubular lumen, capillary congestion, glomerulonephritis, necrosis, interstitial nephritis, and edema were more common in the GM group, in comparison with the C, CM, and MGM groups (p <0.05). The elevations in serum urea and creatinine (p <0.05) were significantly prevented by the co-administra-tion of camel milk and gentamicin. Moreover, a significant increase in the serum activity of SOD was revealed in the GM group (p <0.05). Camel milk significantly prevented tissue injury, in comparison with the GM group (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that gentamicin-induced histological and biochemical alterations in the kid-ney decreased significantly due to camel milk consumption

BACKGROUND: The liver and heart are two main damaged organs in ascites syndrome in fast -growing broilers. Using silymarin with a protective effect on the liver and heart may be a beneficial strategy to decrease ascites-induced mortality. OBJECTIVES: The present study assessed the cardiohepatic effects of silymarin in broilers fed on mash and pellet diets by assessing electrocardiographic (ECG) indices and some serum biochemical parameters. METHODS: A total of 120 Arbor Acres chicks were allocated to 6 groups and treated as follows: basal mash diet (CM); basal pellet diet (CP); silymarin at 500 ppm of mash (M500) and pellet diets (P500); and silymarin at 2500 ppm of mash (M2500) and pellet diets (P2500). RESULTS: CP had higher serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) enzymes compared to CM (p <0.05). P2500 had a higher total protein and lower aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and CK-MB compared to CP (p <0.05). T-duration, ST-segment, and R-R intervals were longer in CP compared to CM and were shorter in P2500 than in CP and P500 (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The pellet diet led to changes in some biochemical and ECG indices in broilers, and silymarin at the 2500 ppm dose can be used as a hepatoprotective and cardioprotective compound to modulate cardiohepatic failure in susceptible broilers.

BACKGROUND: The liver and heart are two main damaged organs in ascites syndrome in fast -growing broilers. Using silymarin with a protective effect on the liver and heart may be a beneficial strategy to decrease ascites-induced mortality. OBJECTIVES: The present study assessed the cardiohepatic effects of silymarin in broilers fed on mash and pellet diets by assessing electrocardiographic (ECG) indices and some serum biochemical parameters. METHODS: A total of 120 Arbor Acres chicks were allocated to 6 groups and treated as follows: basal mash diet (CM); basal pellet diet (CP); silymarin at 500 ppm of mash (M500) and pellet diets (P500); and silymarin at 2500 ppm of mash (M2500) and pellet diets (P2500). RESULTS: CP had higher serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) enzymes compared to CM (p <0.05). P2500 had a higher total protein and lower aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and CK-MB compared to CP (p <0.05). T-duration, ST-segment, and R-R intervals were longer in CP compared to CM and were shorter in P2500 than in CP and P500 (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The pellet diet led to changes in some biochemical and ECG indices in broilers, and silymarin at the 2500 ppm dose can be used as a hepatoprotective and cardioprotective compound to modulate cardiohepatic failure in susceptible broilers.

Moving towards globalization, food packaging requires longer storage time, quality control, and hygienic measures based on international standards. Nanotechnology can meet all these needs and implement the essential factors for packaging, storage, protection, marketing, distribution, and communications. Polymer nanotechnology can provide new food packag-ing materials with suitable mechanical, inhibitory, and antimicrobial properties along with nanosensors to track and control food conditions during transportation and storage. In this survey, the latest innovations and applications of nanomaterials in food packaging using improved, active, and smart nanotechnology are reviewed. Moreover, the current business situation, understanding of the health concept in these technologies, as well as the limitations of recently advanced polymer nano-materials that can effectively change the food packaging industry are discussed

Moving towards globalization, food packaging requires longer storage time, quality control, and hygienic measures based on international standards. Nanotechnology can meet all these needs and implement the essential factors for packaging, storage, protection, marketing, distribution, and communications. Polymer nanotechnology can provide new food packag-ing materials with suitable mechanical, inhibitory, and antimicrobial properties along with nanosensors to track and control food conditions during transportation and storage. In this survey, the latest innovations and applications of nanomaterials in food packaging using improved, active, and smart nanotechnology are reviewed. Moreover, the current business situation, understanding of the health concept in these technologies, as well as the limitations of recently advanced polymer nano-materials that can effectively change the food packaging industry are discussed