BACKGROUND: Thoracoscopy is a minimally invasive method used in diagnosis and treatment of many disorders in animals, however, its application in smaller species is limited in literature which can be contributed to the challenges faced while performing a minimally invasive procedure in smaller mammals. OBJECTIVES: Evaluating the feasibility and ideal port placement considering heart as the target organ in rabbit. Also, the impact of ventilation protocol on rate of mortality was evaluated. METHODS: Twenty New Zealand white rabbits were used in this experiment. Approaches used for the introduction of the camera were Para-xiphoid and intercostal space, the optimal spot for insertion of the second trocar relative to the camera was also evaluated, lung damage and rate of mortality were assessed under two different mechanical ventilation modes of pressure-controlled and volume-controlled. RESULTS: Surgical view gained through the para-xiphoid approach is rather panoramic and spatial than the direct intercostal view, maneuver on the heart with an instrument is easier when the 5th intercostal space is used for the second trocar. With the help of PCV, lungs sustain less damage and atelectasis can be avoided till the end of the procedure and therefore, less mortality is experienced. CONCLUSIONS: Using the Para-xiphoid approach and the correct ventilation protocol provides sufficient working space under good vison, which makes the rabbit thoracoscopic heart model a practical model that can be used in many cardiac experiments.

BACKGROUND: Regarding the economic values of meat, adulteration in meat products is probable. OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to evaluate the histological method for the quantitative detection of meat in Kabab Loghme and cooked sausage model. METHODS: Five Kabab samples (containing 70 % meat) and cooked sausage (30, 50, 70 and 90% meat), were prepared. Then, each sample was divided into three parts and one piece was taken from each part and fixed in 10% neutral-buffered formalin. The samples were routinely processed for light microscopy and embedded in paraffin. The paraffin-embedded blocks were cut into 6 μm sections and stained using hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) for histological study. RESULTS: The histometrical analysis indicated that the estimated percentages for the added meat in kabab did not show significant difference with the real related percentages. On the other hand, the amount of meat was difficult to estimate especially in cooked sausage. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present research suggest the histological technique as a complementary method for quantitative evaluations of meat in raw meat products. However, the quantitative evaluation of meat in raw meat products was more convenient than in processed ones.

BACKGROUND: Extracts rich in phenolic compounds have an important role in antioxidant and antimicrobial effects, and pistachio green hull extract is rich in polyphenolic compounds. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of green peel of Kalleqouchi and Fandoghi pistachio extract on performance, relative weight of carcass components, blood indices and intestinal microbial population of broiler chickens challenged with Staphylococcus aureus. METHODS: A total 168 one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly divided into six treatments, four replications and seven chicks. Experimental treatments included unchallenged groups (negative control) and chickens challenged with Staphylococcus aureus and fed 0, 200 and 400 mg / kg of aqueous extract of Kalleqouchi pistachio and 200 and 400 mg/ kg of pistachio Fandoghi green extract. All infected chicks were inoculated with oral solution containing 3 x 109 CFU of Staphylococcus aureus. Performance characteristics, immunity, blood indices and microbial population of the intestine were determined. RESULTS: The aqueous extract of green pistachio inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus but the ethanolic extract inhibited the growth of lactobacilli. Growth performance of chicks was not affected by the experimental treatments except at day 24, when aqueous extract of 200 mg / kg led to higher body weight gain as compared to control (0.049). Kalleqouchi extract at 400 mg/kg level increased abdominal fat (P = 0.0005) and had no effect on relative weight of other carcass components. The 400 mg/kg Fandoghi green extract and 200 mg/kg kalleqouchi extract increased enzyme activity of alanine aminotransferase activity and decreased the concentration of blood total protein (P <0.01). The pistachios extracts at all levels increased total antibody titer compared to control (P <0.02). Pistachio extract reduced total bacterial population of jejunal area compared to negative control (P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Application of aqueous extract of pistachio extract improves immune response, decreases blood lipids and intestinal microbial population of broiler chickens challenged with Staphylococcus aureus.

BACKGROUND: Phosphorous is an essential nutrient for poultry. Receiving too much phosphorous by livestock and excretion of excess phosphorus, can lead to environmental pollution. OBJECTIVES: Determining the ileal and total tract digestibility of phosphorus and calcium in di-calcium phosphates produced in Iran. METHODS: A total of 720 day-old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly divided into 8 treatments with 6 replicates of 15 birds in each. In control treatment phosphoric acid was used as a source of phosphorus. The other dietary treatments included one of the seven domestic samples of di-calcium phosphates (A to G). Chromium oxide was used as a marker in the diets. On day 21, after collecting of feces, all birds were slaughtered via neck dislocation. Then, the last one-third of ileum was removed. The contents of the intestine were collected for each replicate and after drying were sent to the laboratory to determine the chromium oxide, phosphorus, and calcium amounts. Percentage of ileal and total tract digestibility of phosphorus and calcium for each sample were calculated separately. RESULTS: The effect of type of di-calcium phosphate samples in feed on ileal and total tract digestibility of calcium and phosphorus was highly significant (p < /em> < 0.001). Ileal digestibility in control was 69.8 percentage, while the lowest was observed in the E and F samples, and the highest value was related to sample A. Digestibility for phosphorus in control diet was 53.4 percentage throughout gastrointestinal tract. The lowest amounts of total tract digestibility of phosphorus were observed in treatments E and F, respectively, while the highest total tract digestibility was related to treatment A with 47.9 per cent. CONCLUSIONS: It could be concluded that ileal digestibility is more accurate in evaluating phosphorus bioavailability and sample A had the highest biological value, while the lowest was related to the samples E and F.

BACKGROUND: During the last two decades, anthelmintic drugs have been increasingly applied against gastrointestinal parasites of sheep in Iran. OBJECTIVES: For this purpose, drug resistance to albendazole (Alb) and fenbendazole (Feb) in gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep of Saqez multiplicity was assessed. METHODS: In in-vivo experiment, a total number of 90 sheep in three groups (30 sheep/group) with EPG≤150 were examined for nematode resistance to Alb and Feb. They were treated with Alb and Feb or untreated (as a control group). RESULTS: There was significant difference between Alb and Feb treated groups and control group. The EPG in Alb, Feb and control groups was 59.8±1.93, 18.8±1.258 and 204.07±4.81, respectively. There was drug resistance against Alb in compassion with control group (R=71%). There was suspicion drug resistance for Feb in comparison with control group (R=90.66%). CONCLUSIONS: From the results of the present study, it was concluded that there was absolute and suspected drug resistance against Alb and Feb in sheep of Saqez municipality, Iran, respectively.

BACKGROUND: Cheese is a dairy product that is popular in the world. Prebiotics and probiotics are increasingly being used to produce potentially symbiotic foods, particularly through dairy products as vehicle. It is well known that both ingredients may offer benefits to improve host health. OBJECTIVES: In this study prebiotic effect of Olive leaf extract or survival of Lactobacillus casei in UF cheese production during 10 weeks storage in cold condition was researched. METHODS: After provision of aqueous extract of olive leaf, probiotic bacteria and starter culture were prepared for inoculation. This extract was added to UF cheese in the presence of the bacteria then, counting of L.Casei on MRS-bile agar with pour plate was done during 10 weeks of storage and sensory evaluation was performed after 10 weeks of cheese storage at 4 °C. RESULTS: The number of L. Casei was affected significantly by the addition of OLE (P<0.05). The bacterial growth had a significant relationship with the increase in OLE concentrations (P< 0.05). After 10 weeks, in all probiotic cheese, the concentration of L. Casei was at the level of 106 - 108 cfu/g. Also, sensory quality was positively affected by the presence of OLE in cheese samples. Cheese sample produced with the addition of 0.5% of OLE was the most desirable. CONCLUSIONS: The number of Lactobacillus casei was significantly increased during the storage weeks due to the addition of different concentrations of olive leaf extract. The number of probiotic was increased with increasing concentrations of the extract (P<0.05). Also, positive effects on the sensory properties of cheese samples affected by olive leaf extract were observed and the most common cheese sample was 0.5% of this extract.

BACKGROUND: Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is widely used as a food flavoring. The essential oil of this plant has antimicrobial effects on some foodborne pathogens. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of basil essence on the microbial and sensory properties of traditional Iranian white cheese during the period. METHODS: Cheese samples were prepared from local producers with concentrations of 0, 150 and 250 ppm of basil essential oil. On day 0, 15, 30, 60 and 90, the cheese samples were tested for the number of aerobic mesophilic bacteria, coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus, and also on the 90th ripening day for the sensory characteristics. RESULTS: The results of microbial assays showed that concentrations of 150 and 250 ppm of basil essential oil had a significant (P<0.05) inhibitory effect on aerobic mesophilic bacteria in the 60 and 90 days of ripening; meanwhile, the significant (P<0.05) inhibitory effect on the population of coliforms was observed on days 30, 60 and 90. Moreover, the concentration of 150 ppm of basil essential oil on day 90 and the concentration of 250 ppm on days 30, 60 and 90 demonstrated a significant (P<0.05) inhibitory effect on the population of Staphylococcus aureus. Sensory evaluation revealed that concentrations of the essential oil had no significant effect on the sensory properties of the samples. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that the above concentrations of basil essential oil can be used as a natural preservative in Iranian traditional White cheese.

BACKGROUND: Parasite effects on biometric characteristics of common carp, C. carpio from Anzali Wetland. OBJECTIVES: Identifying parasites in C. carpio and evaluating their effects on biometric characteristics of fish. METHODS: A total of 78 individuals were collected on the seasonal basis (from spring through winter 2016) from the wetland, transported to the laboratory and after biometry, dissected to recover parasites. Cestodes and trematodes were stained with alum carmine and nematodes were cleared with glycerin alcohol, then their prevalence, abundance and mean intensity were determined. RESULTS: Thirteen parasite species including Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Trichodina sp., Epistilis sp., Gyrodactylus sp., Dactylogyrus extensus,  Diplozoon nipponicum, Diplostomum spathaceum, Posthodiplostomum cuticola, Asymphlodora sp., Caryophyllaeus fimbericeps, Raphidascaris acus, Pseudocapillaria tomentosa and Lernea cyprinacea were identified. Epistylis sp., P. cuticola, Asymphlodora sp. and P. tomentosa are reported for the first time from C. carpio in Anzali Wetland. The average weight in healthy and infected fish were recorded to be from 23.68 ± 3.54g to 686.73 ± 100.28 g, and from 32.47 ± 4.51 to 633.62g ± 64.64 g respectively. The condition factor in healthy and infected fish was from 1.09 ± 0.50 to 1.17±0.03, and from 1.24 ± 0.13 through 1.19 ± 0.03 respectively. It was also true for gonadosomatic index which was recorded in healthy and infected fish from 0.45 ± 0.16 through 3.56 ± 3.54, and from 1.78±0.67 through 2.74 ± 0.62. The instantaneous growth rate was 1.25 in healthy  2+ and 1+ year old individuals, and 0.72 in 3+ and 2+ year olds, while it was 0.94 and 0.65 in the same-aged infected fish, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Parasites could induce some negative influences on the biometric characteristics of infected fish, decreasing their growth rate. So that, it is necessary to monitor the parasite communities continuously in the native and commercially important fish species in Anzali Wetland to protect them and prevent introducing infected fish into the adjacent fish farms.

BACKGROUND: Bordetella bronchiseptica is a gram negative pathogen of the respiratory tract in dogs, pigs, cats, horses, laboratory animals and human beings. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was detection of Bordetella bronchiseptica in oropharynx region of pet and kenneled dogs by PCR and culture and evaluation of antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates in Iran. METHODS: The samples were collected by sterile swabs from oropharynx region of 62 pet dogs (including 31 dogs with clinical respiratory disease signs and 31 dogs without clinical respiratory disease signs) and 62 kenneled dogs (including 31 dogs with clinical respiratory disease signs and 31 dogs without clinical respiratory disease signs). Bordetella bronchiseptica was detected by PCR and culture and antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates were evaluated. RESULTS: Based on the PCR results, Bordetella bronchiseptica was detected in 16.1% of pet dogs with clinical respiratory disease signs, 9.6% of pet dogs without clinical respiratory disease signs, 22.5% of kenneled dogs with clinical respiratory disease signs and 16.1% of kenneled dogs without clinical respiratory disease signs. On bacterial culture, Bordetella bronchiseptica was isolated from 3.2% pet dogs with clinical respiratory disease signs, 3.2% kenneled dogs with clinical respiratory disease signs and 6.4% kenneled dogs without clinical respiratory disease signs, none of the pet dogs without clinical respiratory disease signs was positive on bacterial culture. The isolates tested by the agar dilution method were susceptible to tetracycline, enrofloxacin, co-trimoxazole and doxycycline, moderately susceptible to ceftriaxone and resistant to ampicillin. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown the high prevalence of Bordetella bronchiseptica infection in dogs in Iran. Bordetella bronchiseptica can infect the people who have contact with the affected pet dogs and those kept in overcrowded shelters.

BACKGROUND: Flufenamic acid is a member of the fenamates and is used as an analgesic and NSAID drug. According to the ability of this drug on blocking connexin and preventing leakage of substances such as ATP from cells, it seems to be beneficial in healing diabetic wounds. OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of the effects of topical flufenamic acid as a connexin-channel blocker on skin wound healing in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: In this study diabetics was induced in 40 male rats by IP injection of 150mg/kg of alloxan and they were divided to 4 groups. After anesthesia, 2×2 cm incision was made on the back of the rats and the skin was separated completely. Three groups were treated by 2, 5 and 10 percent concentration of flufenamic acid ointment separately, and one group was treated by Vaseline and ucerine ointment as control. Bandage and ointment were changed daily and the procedure was carried out for 21 days. The wound surface was measured on odd days. Half of the rats of each group on day five and half of them on day 21 were euthanized to get pathologic slides. RESULTS: Process of healing, fibroblast concentration, epithelialization, angiogenesis, collagen formation and wound closure in 2 percent group were better than other groups and in control, 5 and 10 percent groups had a decreasing trend respectively and had a significant difference. In the last two groups, the healing process was disrupted. CONCLUSIONS: The 2 percent concentration of drug not only did not show potent anti-inflammatory effects, but also improved the process of healing by blocking the connexin 43 and inhibition of ATP release, while in the concentration of 5 and 10 percent, anti-inflammatory effects of the drug predominated and delayed the healing process.