In recent years, the use of bone scaffolds as bone tissue substitutes, especially the use of such as hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate, has been very popular. Today, the use of modern engineering techniques and advances in nanotechnology have expanded the use of nanomaterials as bone scaffolds for bone tissue applications. This study was performed on 60 adult male New Zealand rabbits divided into four experimental groups: the control group without any treatment, the second group receiving hydroxyapatite, the third group treated with β-tricalcium phosphate, and the fourth group receiving nanocomposite polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold. In a surgical procedure, a defect 6 mm in diameter was made in a hind limb femur. Four indexes were used to assess histopathology, which were union index, spongiosa index, cortex index, and bone marrow. The results showed that nanocomposite PCL and control groups always had the respective highest and lowest values among all the groups at all time intervals. The histopathological assessment demonstrated that the quantity of newly formed lamellar bone in the nanocomposite PCL group was higher than in other groups. All these data suggest that PCL had positive effects on the bone healing process, which could have great potential in tissue engineering and clinical applications.

Measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP) in dogs has high diagnostic value because of the possibility of detecting ocular and systemic diseases. Various types of tonometers are available for this measurement in small animal practice. The aim of the study was to compare the IOP values measured with Schiotz and Tono-Pen Vet tonometers in healthy dogs. Clinical diagnostic usefulness of both models was also evaluated. The examination was performed in 62 eyes in 31 clinically healthy dogs of different races, gender, and ages. The values for intraocular pressure obtained with Schiotz tonometer were in the range of 12 to 24 mmHg, with the mean of 16.3 ± 2.1 mmHg. The intraocular pressure measured with Tono-Pen Vet tonometer was in the range of 11–25 mmHg, with a mean of 18.1 ± 3.8 mmHg. The mean results of measurements taken using the two tonometers differed statistically significantly, the difference being 1.79 mmHg and the higher values being read from the Tono-Pen Vet tonometer. Correlation coefficients calculated for the results obtained in the right and left eyes using two tonometers indicated highly correlative relationships between the results. The study shows that both tonometers can be advantageously used in clinical practice to measure intraocular pressure in dogs.

This study consisted in histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations of the central nervous system of 15 sheep suspected of infection with Coenurus cerebralis. The sheep displayed compulsive circling and were submitted for necropsy in 2012–2016. Species identification was made on the basis of the PCR analysis and parasitological examination of the cysts. Coenurus cerebralis cysts were detected only in the cerebral tissue of 13 sheep and in the cerebral and cerebellar tissues of 2 animals. Out of the 33 parasite cysts, most (21.21%) were located in the right and left frontal lobes of the cerebrum. The largest cyst measured 6 × 5 cm and the smallest cyst was 2 × 2 cm in size. The highest and lowest numbers of scolices were 55 and 21, and the number of rostellar hooks ranged between 22 and 30. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of typical parasitic granulomatous inflammatory foci. Immunohistochemical staining showed that most common in the periphery of the parasite cysts were, in descending order by cell number, GFAP, CD163, CD3, and CD79α-positive cells. The study confirms the role of cellular defence mechanisms in the pathogenesis of Coenurus cerebralis infection in sheep.

Introduction: The extremely high genetic variation and the continuously emerging variants of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) of Southern African Territory (SAT) serotypes including SAT1, SAT2, and SAT3 make it necessary to develop a new RT-PCR for general use for monitoring viruses based on the updated genome information. Material and Methods: A FMDV SAT-D8 one-step RT-PCR was established based on the 1D2A2B genes of the SAT serotype viruses with a multiplex primer set. FMDV A, O, C, and Asia 1 serotypes, other vesicular disease viruses, inactivated SAT viruses, and 125 bovine, ovine, caprine and porcine tissue samples collected from the Chinese mainland were included for evaluating the assay. Results: The new RT-PCR was proven to be specific without cross-reactions with Eurasian FMDV, swine vesicular disease virus (SVDV), Seneca valley virus (SVV), or other common viral pathogens of cattle, sheep, goat, and pig. An around 257 bp-sized amplicon clearly appeared when the inactivated SAT viruses were detected. However, all 125 samples collected from FMDV-susceptible animals from the Chinese mainland which has not known SAT epidemics showed negative results. Conclusions: A FMDV SAT-D8 one-step RT-PCR is a promising method for primary screening for FMDV SAT serotypes.

Determination of sperm concentration and morphology in ejaculate is essential in evaluating fertility. Sperm shape and dimensions may depend on their concentration in ejaculate. The aim of the study was to evaluate the dependence of Hypor boar morphological and morphometric sperm characteristics on concentration in ejaculate. The study was conducted on 120 ejaculates from 12 Hypor boars. Depending on sperm concentration, they were put into three groups: low, medium, and high. Ejaculate sperm concentration was determined with the photometric method. Slides were prepared from semen samples which were evaluated for the morphology of spermatozoa. The preparations for morphological analyses were by the eosin-gentian staining method. As the sperm concentration in the ejaculate increased, the length, perimeter, and area of the sperm heads also did. In the ejaculates with higher sperm concentration the sperm heads were rounder. The ratios of head dimensions to tail length or total length were the highest in the sperm from ejaculates with the highest concentrations. The highest percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm was noted in ejaculates with low concentrations. The dimensions and shape of sperm depend on the sperm concentration in the ejaculate. In ejaculates with the highest concentrations, the sperm have larger dimensions. Sperm concentration affects the frequency of morphological anomalies in the spermatozoa.

Lameness is a painful and debilitating condition that affects dairy cows worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the plasma concentration of norepinephrine, β-endorphin, and substance P in dairy cows with lameness and different mobility scores (MS). A total of 100 Friesian and Jersey cows with lameness (parity range: 1–6; weight: 400–500 kg; milk yield: 22–28 L a day, and lactation stage less than 230 days) were selected. Animals were selected and grouped according to MS (MS 0–3; n = 25), and plasma concentration of norepinephrine, substance P, and β-endorphin was measured using ELISA. Cows with MS 3 had higher plasma concentrations of norepinephrine and substance P and lower plasma concentrations of β-endorphins when compared to MS 0 cows. Variations in plasma concentration of norepinephrine, substance P, and β-endorphin could be associated with intense pain states in dairy cows with lameness, but are insufficient to differentiate these states from the mildest pain states. Further studies are necessary in order to evaluate the potential use of these biomarkers in the detection of chronic bovine painful conditions.

Bovine Norovirus (BoNeV) which has been confirmed in Asia, America, and Europe, seems to be distributed worldwide, even though only reported from a number of countries. Bovine noroviruses are predominantly detected in diarrhoeic animals rather than neboviruses. The study reveals the importance of noro- and neboviruses in early age diarrhoea of calves. A total of 127 stool samples were collected from three provinces located in the central region of Turkey. Samples were subjected to nucleic acid isolation and reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Positive samples were sequenced and analysed. According to PCR, five samples (3.93%) were found to be positive for bovine norovirus while 32 (25.19%) samples were found to be positive for bovine nebovirus. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the novel Turkish norovirus strains were found to be of genotype III.2 and all novel neboviruses were substituted under Nebraska-like strains. Although predominantly bovine noroviruses are detected worldwide, the study indicated that bovine neboviruses were more prevalent in the studied area. We suggest that bovine neboviruses are more frequently responsible for calf diarrhoea than supposed by virologists. This is also the first report of neboviruses other than Kirklareli virus which is distantly related to neboviruses detected in Turkey.

The aim of this study was examination of honey samples collected from apiaries situated in all Polish provinces for occurrence of Clostridium spp., especially C. perfringens. The study was carried out on 240 honey samples (15 samples/province). Estimation of Clostridium titre, its cultures and C. perfringens isolate characterisation were performed according to the standard PN-R-64791:1994. A multiplex PCR method for detection of genes coding cpa (α toxin), cpb (β), cpb2 (β2), etx (ε), iap (ι), and cpe (enterotoxin) toxins was used. Clostridium spp. was noticed in 56% (136/240) of samples, and its titres ranged between 0.1 g and 0.001 g. Clostridium perfringens occurrence was evidenced in 27.5% (66/240) of samples. All isolates were classified to toxinotype A. Evidence of a high number of positive samples with occurrence of Clostridium spp. indicates a potential risk to consumers’ health. The infective number of Clostridium spp. is unknown; however, the obtained results have shown that a risk assessment on the entire honey harvesting process should be made in order to ensure microbiological safety. Moreover, a detailed study should be undertaken on the antibiotic resistance of C. perfringens isolates from honey samples.

The study aimed to observe TNF-α serum concentration as well as changes in respiration rate, body temperature, and pulse rate in burn victims during 84 h post burn. A total of 30 healthy pigs were divided into two groups: A, the test group and N, the control group. The experimental group suffered burns to 30% of the body surface, and after infliction of the burns both groups were closely monitored. The biggest increase in TNF-α serum concentration in the test subjects occurred around the 6ᵗʰ h of the study, and the second biggest increase took place between 12ᵗʰ and 36ᵗʰ h. In the 36ᵗʰ h, TNF-α was 2.5 times more concentrated in serum in the test group than in the control group. In the test group, the biggest increase in respiration rate occurred up to the 6ᵗʰ h post burn, on average up to 29/min. In the 12ᵗʰ h post burn, the mean pulse rate in the test group was 133/min and dropped to the lowest value in the 72ⁿᵈ h of the experiment. A gradual increase in body temperature up to 41.72°C was observed up to the 30ᵗʰ h post burn and decreased to a significant value of 40.74°C by the 84ᵗʰ h of the study. In a period of a pronounced rise in TNF-α serum concentration, this parameter, pulse rate, and respiration rate are highly correlated and are also influenced by multiple inflammation forming factors.

Amitraz is a formamide exhibiting both acaricidal and insecticidal activity and is frequently used by beekeepers to protect honeybee colonies against Varroa destructor mites. The aim of this apiary trial was to evaluate the impact of honeybee colony fumigation with amitraz on the level of contamination of honey stored in combs. Experimental colonies were fumigated four times every four days with one tablet of Apiwarol per treatment. Honey was sampled from combs of brood chambers and combs of supers one day after each amitraz application and from harvested honey. Amitraz marker residues (as a total of amitraz and metabolites containing parts of molecules with properties specific to the 2,4-DMA group, expressed as amitraz) were evaluated in honey. All analysed samples were contaminated with amitraz metabolites. 2,4-DMA and DMPF were the most frequently determined compounds. The average concentration of amitraz marker residue in honey from groups where a smouldering tablet was located directly in beehives was significantly higher than that of residue in honey from groups with indirect smoke generation. No significant effect on the honey contamination deriving from the place where it was exposed to smoke (combs of brood chambers and supers) was noted. Amitraz marker residues exceeded the MRL in 10% of honey samples from combs. Fumigation of beehives with amitraz results in contamination of honey stored in combs.