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: 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: 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.

Background: Xanthogranuloma (xanthoma) presents as a rare, non-infectious granulomatous lesion with a yellowish and soft appearance. Hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia are believed to be the underlying causes of this lesion. Xanthoma has been identified in vertebrates and humans. Objectives: This report presents a case of cutaneous xanthogranuloma located in the tibiotarsal region of a 5-year-old rose-breasted cockatoo (Eolophus roseicapilla) fed with high-fat diets. Methods: The cockatoo underwent anesthesia using isoflurane administered through a face mask connected to an Ohmeda anesthesia machine. The mass was surgically removed and submitted for histopathological examination. The tissue was fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, and representative sections were routinely processed for hematoxylin and eosin (H&amp;E) staining. Moreover, frozen sections were obtained and stained with the Oil Red O technique.Results: Upon histopathologic examination of routine H&amp;E slides, vacuolated macrophages, and multinucleated giant cells were noted in addition to cholesterol clefts and heterophilic infiltrates. Oil Red O staining was performed to detect intracellular and extracellular lipid content. Xanthogranulomas invaded the surrounding tissues, necessitating complete surgical excision. The lesion did not recur during the 1-month follow-up, but the patient died due to respiratory disorders. Conclusion: Stress and high-lipid feed consumption were considered the predisposing factors to xanthogranuloma development in this bird.

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: 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: Tissue staining is pivotal in histology and histopathology, shouldering a noteworthy role in identifying and classifying tissues and diseases. Due to their non-production of toxic effluents, the utilization of plant-based dyes aligns harmoniously with environmental sustainability and the well-being of laboratory personnel and the general public. Furthermore, this approach is highly cost-effective, further enhancing its appeal.Objectives: This research study explored the feasibility of staining various tissues in mice, such as the liver, kidney, intestine, and cartilage, utilizing a dye extracted from black carrots. Methods: An ethanol extract of 200 g of fresh black carrots (Daucus carota L.) was prepared using 95% ethanol saturated with two different solvents in 200 mL of distilled water. Subsequently, the prepared sections of mice tissue were immersed in the extracted dye solution for 20 minutes, followed by assessment using a light microscope. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used as a control.Results: The dye extracted from the black carrot using alum and acetic acid successfully stained the cartilage, kidney, intestine, and liver tissues, giving them a bluish-gray coloration. Phytochemical screening further confirmed the presence of anthocyanins in the black carrot extract.Conclusion: The dye derived from black carrots exhibits natural tissue staining capabilities, making it an alternative to hematoxylin-eosin in histology and histopathology laboratories.

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important healthcare-associated pathogen that is also an emerging zoonosis. Objectives: A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of MRSA in dairy cattle farms in Kebbi, North-Western Nigeria.Methods: A total of 200 milk samples, consisting of 50 samples each from lactating cows, were collected and used. The samples were analyzed using bacterial culture and isolation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Suspected MRSA isolates were identified via PCR detection of the mecA gene, and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the isolates were assessed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method.Results: Of the two hundred milk samples examined, the prevalence of MRSA was recorded at 18% (36/200) using phenotypic and genotypic characterization methods. The susceptibility to vancomycin was observed in all isolates, and they had a multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index of >0.4.Conclusion: This investigation showed the colonization of healthy dairy cows by multidrug-resistant MRSA.

Background: Salmonella is known as one of the most important bacterial agents infecting both humans and animals. Salmonella Infantis has been reported as one of the 15 most prevalent serovars worldwide. Despite its clinical importance, there is little information on the molecular characteristics of S. Infantis in Iran. Objectives: This study was conducted to characterize S. Infantis isolates collected from poultry sources in the last decade. The isolates were typified by plasmid profile and enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC-PCR). Methods: Forty S. Infantis isolates from poultry sources were subjected to plasmid profile and ERIC-PCR characterization. We used a commercial plasmid extraction kit to extract and purify plasmid DNA which then was separated by gel electrophoresis and viewed under a UV transilluminator. For ERIC-PCR, a commercial bacterial chromosomal DNA extraction kit was used. In this study, we chose ERIC2 primer for the ERIC-PCR test. Results: The plasmid profile revealed that 35% of isolates did not contain any plasmids, but the rest (65%) carried a variable number of plasmids with different molecular weights. Six plasmid profiles were found among 40 S. Infantis isolates. Using ERIC2 primer, 7 profiles were found among 40 S. Infantis isolates in ERIC-PCR. Bands with molecular weights ranging from 400 to 3000 bp were observed.Conclusion: This study provided some genetic data on S. Infantis isolates recovered from poultry sources, and these data can be used for a broader epidemiological study nationwide. These findings showed that although plasmid and ERIC profiles are valuable in epidemiological studies, they have some limitations, too.