Background: Cytarabine is considered a cornerstone of treating acute leukemia. Xerostomia is among the adverse effects that can dictate treatment cessation or the use of some agents that decrease its cytotoxic effects.Objectives: This study aims to identify the histological effects of cytarabine on the rabbits’ parotid gland and to assess the ameliorating α–tocopherol impact on these effects.Methods: The study rabbits were separated into 4 groups. Group A (control) was given 1 mL of intraperitoneal (IP) injection of normal saline/day for 10 days. Group B received α-tocopherol (800 IU) by gavage for 10 days. Group C received cytarabine (60 mg/kg/d) IP for 10 days. Group D received α-tocopherol (800 IU) by gavage before injection of cytarabine (60 mg/kg) at the same time for 10 days. The rabbits were euthanized, and tissue preparation for analyzing microscopically and immunohistochemically for B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and tumor-necrosis-factor (TNF)-α was achieved. Results: Microscopically, group B’s parotid salivary gland sections revealed increased thickness of connective tissue of the trabeculae, degeneration, and necrosis of serous acini cells with aggregation of inflammatory cells. In contrast to the histopathological alteration of the glands in group C, which is characterized by intact serous acini, intercalated duct, and normal thickness of trabeculae, in the cytarabine group, TNF-α immunohistochemical expression was of grade 3 and in the cytarabine with α-tocopherol group was of grade 1. The Bcl-2 immunohistochemical expression in the cytarabine group was of grade 0, and in the cytarabine with α-tocopherol group was of grade 1. Conclusion: α-Tocopherol decreases cytarabine toxicity in the rabbits’ parotid salivary glands.

Background: Sedative agents are utilized to mitigate stress and improve fish welfare during and after transportation. Objectives: We aimed to assess the effects of myrcene addition to the transportation water on the plasma biochemical profile of common carp, Cyprinus carpio. Methods: For this purpose, common carp (mean weight of 45.3±1.65 g) were transported in plastic bags containing myrcene at concentrations of 0 (CTL), 10 (10 M), 20 (20 M), 30 (30 M), and 50 (50 M) µL/L for 6 h. Then, their plasma parameters were compared to those values before transportation (BT). Results: Transportation significantly (P<0.05) decreased plasma total protein, albumin, alternative complement, lysozyme, sodium, and chloride, while increasing potassium, calcium, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase in the CTL treatment, as compared to BT. Adding 50 µL/L myrcene to water prevented total plasma protein and albumin loss. Supplementing 20 µL/L myrcene to water prevented or reduced the changes in plasma ions, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase. Addition of 10-50 µL/L myrcene to water decreased the changes in plasma aspartate aminotransferase. Adding 20 and 30 µL/L myrcene to water mitigated the changes in plasma alternative complement, as 30 µL/L myrcene increased plasma lysozyme activity. Transportation and myrcene addition had no significant effects on plasma immunoglobulin (P>0.05). However, a significant increase was observed in plasma globulin in the 20 M treatment (P<0.05). Conclusion: In summary, adding 20 µL/L myrcene to the transport water of common carp reduced hepatic enzyme levels and improved immune parameters, and therefore, the use of myrcene improves fish welfare during transportation.

Background: The Rembi sheep breed is renowned for its exceptional meat quality and significant economic profit. Nevertheless, there is a gap in research on the hepatic parameters of this breed in Algeria despite the considerable value of the liver in the Algerian population’s diet.   Objectives: The research aimed to determine the impact of physiological factors (age, physiological stage, and body condition score) on biochemical sheep liver parameters. Methods: Sixty clinically healthy female Rembi breed sheep, aged between 3 months and 7 years, raised at the Technical Institute of Livestock (ITELV) Ksar Chellala Farm in Tiaret Province, Algeria, were selected for biochemical analysis and assessing aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), albumin (ALB), and total protein (TP).Results: The concentrations of AST, ALP, and GGT increased significantly (P≤0.001) in young sheep, while ALT and TP levels decreased (P≤0.05). However, a high level of GGT (P<0.001) was also observed in lactating ewes, and during pregnancy, females have a low level of ALP (P<0.001). Furthermore, the body condition score does not affect any of the measurements.Conclusion: Considering the animal’s age and physiological stage is critical before interpreting the results.

Background: Fertility in male animals is an important issue in veterinary medicine. Exposure to severe crowding and fattening may affect the fertility of these animals. Objectives: This study compares the effect of oxidative stress caused by overcrowding or obesity on testicular tissue in male albino mice. Methods: A total of 30 male mice were divided into 3 groups. The first was a control group. The second group was subjected to crowding by cramming 20 mice in a small cage. The third group was fattened by eating a high-fat diet. Morphometric cells and histological measurements of the seminiferous tubule diameter, epithelium thickness, and Sertoli and Leydig cell counts were taken. Results: The crowding group testes showed the presence of necrosis and degeneration of spermatocytes, Sertoli, and Leydig cells. The obese group’s spermatocytes, Sertoli, and Leydig cells had shown severe necrosis, degeneration, and giant cell invasion. Histomorphometric measurements of seminiferous tubule diameter, epithelium-thickness, and Sertoli and Leydig cell counts revealed a considerable reduction in the obese group compared to the other groups. Furthermore, in the crowding and fattening groups, measurements of oxidative stress indicators revealed a decrease in glutathione value in the obese group compared to the control, whereas malondialdehyde rose in the overcrowded and obese groups compared to the control. The results of the immunohistochemical expressions for tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the testes of mice revealed weak TNF-α positive expression in the control group, moderate expression in the crowding group, and strong expression in the obesity group. Conclusion: The study suggests that both obesity and crowding can impair testicular function, with obesity having the most significant impact. More research into the mechanisms underlying these effects, as well as potential interventions to improve testicular function in obese or overcrowded animals, is required.

Background: In cats, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) stands out as a prevailing heart disease. The mutations in the gene that encodes cardiac myosin-binding protein C (MYBPC3) have been detected in the Ragdoll and Maine Coon breeds. Objectives: HCM is believed to be hereditary in other breeds, too. Methods: Blood samples were collected for DNA extraction from 2 unaffected and 7 affected Persian breed cats with HCM. Besides accomplishing conventional polymerase chain reaction, DNA sequencing was performed. The sequence changes were utilized to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms in the MYBPC3 gene and predict amino acid substitutions based on the Acc. No. XM_019812396.1 and comparisons with the literature on identified breed variants and control samples.Results: Although many single nucleotide polymorphisms were found in the affected and unaffected Persian cats, no causative mutation for HCM was observed.Conclusion: In this breed, HCM does not seem to be caused solely by mutations in this cardiac gene. Potential cardiac genes should be investigated to uncover other genetic reasons for this cardiac disease in the Persian cat breed.

Background: Aflatoxins are harmful mycotoxins that can contaminate animal and human food products. To prevent toxigenic fungi growth and aflatoxin production, researchers have long investigated plant compounds as potential inhibitory agents.Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro effect of berberine sulfate and berberine chloride on the growth and aflatoxin production of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus.Methods: The antifungal activity of berberine salts was determined according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) document M38-A3. The aflatoxin levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method.Results: The berberine sulfate and berberine chloride showed inhibitory effects against both Aspergillus species, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 125 to 500 µg/mL. Berberine sulfate at 2000 μg/mL and berberine chloride at 1000 μg/mL completely inhibited the mycelial growth of A. flavus, while berberine chloride at 1000 μg/mL also completely inhibited the mycelial growth of A. parasiticus. Berberine sulfate at 2000 µg/mL reduced the mycelial growth of A. parasiticus by 96.7%. Conclusion: Berberine salts significantly decreased the total aflatoxin production of Aspergillus species at MIC/2 and MIC/4 concentrations (P˂0.05). The results suggest that berberine salts could be used as potential antifungal and anti-aflatoxigenic agents against toxigenic Aspergillus isolates.

Background: Honey, a naturally sweet food product, exhibits several health beneficial effects. The quality of honey differs by its microbiological, physicochemical, and antioxidant properties, which can significantly vary from brand to brand and country to country. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of honey brands distributed in Tehran City, Iran, and compare these parameters with national and international standards. Methods: Five brands (Shakelli, Khansar, Golagin, Shafi, and Kral) of honey in Tehran were selected, and 5 samples of each brand were collected from supermarkets and analyzed by standard methods for physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 20. Results: The results depicted significant differences among studied honey brands in all physicochemical properties (except for ash, total reducing sugars, and sucrose content) and antioxidant activity (P<0.05). The moisture, ash, pH, free acidity, total reducing sugars, sucrose, diastase, and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) contents of honey brands ranged within 16.30%-15.34%, 0.24%-0.40%, 4.27-4.39 units, 9.15-10.68 meq/kg, 77.84%-79.74%, 3.66%-4.57%, 2.28-3.28 DN (diastase number), and 6.67-11.84 mg/kg, respectively. Thus, the physicochemical properties of studied honey brands, except for diastase activity, were within national and international legal ranges. Moreover, total phenolic contents (TPC) and radical scavenging activity (RSA) of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) of honey brands ranged within 28.72-39.36 mg GAE/100 g and 63.83%-73.91%, respectively. In addition, a highly significant positive correlation was observed between TPC and RSA of DPPH of honey samples (r=0.798, P<0.01). Conclusion: The studied honey brands were of good quality and met national and international standards.

Background: The Helichrysum genus of the Asteraceae family comprises 500 species. Fifteen Helichrysum species are found in Turkey. This genus is used in traditional medicine for several beneficial effects.Objectives: This study explored Helichrysum plicatum subsp. plicatum (HPsP) effects on fructose-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: Thirty-five adult male Wistar rats weighing 200–250 g were divided into 5 groups: Control, HPsP, fructose (F), HPsP+fructose, and double-dose HPsP+fructose. Fructose (40%) was then added to the water. HPsP extract was administered at doses of 4 and 8 mg/kg. All treatments were performed for 8 weeks.Results: The F, F+HPsP, and double-dose groups exhibited higher palmitic acid (16:0) levels than the control group (P<0.001). F+HPsP treatment enhanced palmitoleic acid levels (P<0.001). The F and F+HPsP groups showed reduced levels of linolenic (18:3 n-3), eicosadienoic (20:2, n-6), and arachidonic (20:4 n-6) acids (P<0.001, P<0.01, and P<0.05, respectively). The F, F+HPsP, and double-dose groups showed lower docosahexaenoic acid (22:6, n-3) levels (P<0.05). Retinol and in HPsP treated group and (P<0.05) K1 vitamin levels increased in all groups compared to control group (P<0.001). The F, F+HPsP, and HPsP groups had lower vitamin K-2 and D-3 levels (P<0.001 and P<0.01, respectively). The F, HPsP, F+HPsP, and double-dose groups had higher cholesterol levels (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.001, respectively).Conclusion: HPsP extract altered fructose-induced fatty liver composition and levels of reduced glutathione and vitamins A, D, E, and K. Unexpectedly, high liver cholesterol levels require treatment.

Background: In this study, cadavers of 5 adult Aksaray Malakli breed dogs were used to examine the structure of the lumbosacral plexus, which provides innervation of the hindlimb and pelvic region. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the nerve root composition of the lumbosacral plexus, determine the branching patterns, map the nerve directions macro-anatomically, and collect data for future comparisons with similar breeds.Methods: The corpses were kept in a formaldehyde pool (10%) for 14 days. After this period, the anatomical area was dissected using appropriate techniques to identify the lumbosacral plexus nerves and roots. The course and origin of the nerves forming the plexus were identified and photographed. Results: In all 5 cadavers, the lumbosacral plexus originated from the L4-S3 nerves. The plexus comprised n. ischiadicus, n. tibialis, n. obturatorius, n. femoralis, n. saphenous, n. pelvini, n. pudendus, n. cutaneus femoris caudalis, n. peroneus communis, and n. gluteus caudalis. Conclusion: It was determined that n. femoralis was formed from the ventral branches of the L4 and L5 nerves and the cranial branch of the L6 nerve. N. obturatorius originated from the caudal branch of L5 and the ventral branch of L6. It was determined that n. ischiadicus originated from the L6 caudal, L7 and ventral branch of S1 nerves. The femur branched into n. tibialis and n. peroneus communis (n. fibularis) at the level of extremitas distalis.

Background: Dicrocoeliosis is a parasite disease that affects the liver of domestic and wild ruminants. It is one of the challenges in the livestock industry that causes significant diseases and economic losses.Objectives: This study aimed to identify Dicrocoelium dendriticum in sheep and cattle using their morphological and molecular characteristics. Methods: The current study examined 122 sheep and cattle livers from both sexes slaughtered in butcher shops. Found worms were selected randomly from the livers of sheep and cattle. They were stained for parasite morphometric measurements studies and macroscopic examination of the liver considering the color, consistency, and size. Molecular methods confirm the diagnosis of D. dendriticum in cattle and sheep.Results: The infection rates of D. dendriticum parasite in sheep and cattle were 34.4% and 10.7% respectively. The results showed a significant difference in the infection rate between sheep and cattle, while there is no significant difference between females and males in both sheep and cattle. Macroscopic diagnosis of the infected livers showed discoloration, swelling, wrinkled needle-spot shape and hyaline, the sharpness of liver margins loss, and biliary fibrosis. D. dendriticum was morphologically identified in all specimens collected from the sheep and cattle. The molecular examination confirmed the diagnosis of these parasites, which belonged to the species D. dendriticum, with a product reaction of 900 base pairs.Conclusion: This study is the first to isolate and detect D. dendriticum in sheep and cattle and to overview the genotype compositions of D. dendriticum.