Although hyaluronic acid (HA) has been developed as a nanoparticle (NP; 320-400 nm) for a drug delivery system, the tissue targeting efficacy and the pharmacokinetics of HA-NPs are not yet fully understood. After a dose of 5 mg/kg of cyanine 5.5-labeled HA-NPs or HA-polymers was intravenously administrated into mice, the fluorescence was measured from 0.5 h to 28 days. The HA-NPs fluorescence was generally stronger than that of HA-polymers, which was maintained at a high level over 7 days in vivo, after which it gradually decreased. Upon ex vivo imaging, liver, spleen, kidney, lung, testis and sublingual gland fluorescences were much higher than that of other organs. The fluorescence of HA-NPs in the liver, spleen and kidney was highest at 30 min, where it was generally maintained until 4 h, while it drastically decreased at 1 day. However, the fluorescence in the liver and spleen increased sharply at 7 days relative to 3 days, then decreased drastically at 14 days. Conversely, the fluorescence of HA-polymers in the lymph node was higher than that of HA-NPs. The results presented herein may have important clinical implications regarding the safety of as self-assembled HA-NPs, which can be widely used in biomedical applications.

A total of 145,347 samples (4,322 cases) were received for the passive surveillance of melioidosis in the Serology Laboratory of Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) from the year 2012 to 2016. From the samples received, 0.63% were positive and 99.37% were negative. The objective of this study is to determine the seropositive rate and distribution of melioidosis in livestockbased on cases received which comprise of sheep (37.24%, n=54,130), goat (54.01%, n=78,500), cattle (8.12%, n=11,804) andbuffalo (0.63%, n=913) within the period of 5 years. A geographical mapping of seropositive cases was designed using thedata from the passive surveillance and the results were visualized in a geographical mapping which provides a clear visual description on the distribution of the diseases. By 2016, positive cases were found to be concentrated in the states on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah. To sum up, the percentage of seropositive cases of melioidosis in 5 years has increased from 1.79% in 2012 to 12.17% in 2015 and decreased to 1.04% in 2016. From the findings, this study can provide the dataneeded as the indicator for the evaluation of surveillance and vaccination programmes, disease eradication planning and to monitor the distribution of seropositive cases of melioidosis in Malaysia.

The occurrence of veterinary drug residues in chicken meat originating from 320 small and medium scale chicken slaughterhouses in Peninsular Malaysia was determined. 637 chicken meat samples were examined for tetracycline (TCs), sulphonamide (SAs) and quinolone residues using a microbiological inhibition test and was further confirmed using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS). The presence of TC residues were confirmed in 10 (1.6%) samples, and 1 (0.2%)sample was confirmed in compliance to the established maximum residue limit (MRL) for residues of quinolone. A total of 6 (0.9%) samples were above the MRL for TC. The samples were from Pulau Pinang, Terengganu and Kelantan. Among those tested in compliance, the main analytes found for TC and quinolone werechlortetracyclines (CTC), enrofloxacin and mixture of chlortetracycline (CTC) and oxytetracycline (OTC). No samples were found to contain sulfonamides residues.

Palm kernel cake (PKC) has long been known to be an importantingredient for the formulation of animal feeds. However the recommended levels of inclusion seem to vary from one reporter to another. This factor is considered important especially when formulating feeds for nonruminant diets. The variation of its major constituents such as protein, fibre and fat contents is said to depend on the sources, oil removal technology and the efficiency of oil extraction from the kernel. For comparison,a set of compilation data of 300 local PKC samples from the past years on these basic nutritional constituents were studied.Majority of the samples analysed were from southern region of Peninsular Malaysia meant for animal feeds. Mean percentagevalues and their respective standard deviations were as follows; crude protein 16.1±1.65, crude fibre 19.3±4.22, crude ash5.9±2.48, ether extract 5.6±3.36, dry matter 91.3±2.65, and metabolisable energy 7.75 MJ/kg. The objective of the study was to observe the distribution pattern of these values compared to other surveys. From this study, the highest relative standarddeviation (RSD) reached 60% for ether extract, followed by ash 42.1%, and crude fibre 21.8%. From the variation point of view,periodical results for quality control of PKC must be initiated as an useful indicator for its accuracy of each diet formulation.

A 20-year-old gelding suffering from 10 months of relapsing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) on the penile sheath wastreated with a natural remedy as surgical intervention was not successful. A daily application of herbal ointment healed theulcer within 21 days. No relapse of ulcer was observed 3 months post heal.

Wild rats are known as a major reservoir and intermediate host for several pathogenic microbial species. Thus, theVeterinary Research Institute (VRI) conducted a survey to determine the presence of parasitic pathogens in local rats, such as blood protozoans, gastrointestinal parasites, as well as ectoparasites such as mites and lice. The study was conducted with the collaboration of Kuala Lumpur City Council Pest Control Unit, whereby a total of 105 wild rats were trapped at two urban areas of Kuala Lumpur; namely PasarPudu and Chow Kit. Autopsy was done on the rats to acquire the skin, organ and blood samples..The skin scrapping was performed on skin samples to identify the common species of mites and lice, while the floatationtechnique was conducted on faecal samples to identify helminth eggs. Results showed thatspecies of Tritrichomonas, Strongyloides, Nippostrongylus, Blastocystis, Rodentolepis, Coccidia, Trichuris, Capillaria and Ascarid were found in the faeces while Trypanosoma sp.was found in the blood samples taken from the animals. Taeniataeniformis was obtained from liver samples while theectoparasites found on skin were identified as Radfordia,Polyplax,Linognathus and Hoploplurasp. Control and eradication of rodent pests is crucial in combating emerging and re-emerging diseases which may be zoonotic as rodents are reservoirs to various pathogens.

Animal-to-human brucellosis transmission methods in Kajiado NorthSub - Count y, Kenya are inadequately documented. The Sub- County’s main livelihood is livestock-keeping, putting it at risk to brucellosis infections. Objective of this study was to determine the knowledge of brucellosis among animal and humanhealth workers. These workers were stationed in Kajiado North Sub-County and were the key informants of this study from whom qualitative data was collected. The data was analysed based on emerging themes, e.g. brucellosis significance in the community, livestock birthing and milk hygiene. Results revealed that brucellosis a significant disease in the community, informants were knowledgeable on the need for pre-purchase livestock examination, the need for proper disposal of livestock abortive material and on good milk hygiene measures. However, it was found that not all had adequate knowledge about brucellosis transmission through livestock birthing. The results indicated that measures to control and prevent brucellosis transmission to man, and between animals were inadequate as health workers were unable to adequately advise the community. It is recommendedthat health workers should be trained on all methods of brucellosis transmission, especially transmission during livestock births.

Mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow (BM-MSCs) havethe ability to differentiate into multiple cell lineages. Although the cultivation of these cells has led to a number of characterisation studies, some significant morphological and immunohistochemical properties are still lacking. In this study, isolation of BM-MSCs, morphological features, cell viability, immunophenotypic properties and cryopreservation of BM-MSCs wereexamined in detail. The results demonstrate that the cells isolated from BM-MSCs were plastic adherent and had fibroblastic spindle shape after three passages and get confluent monolayer cells 70-80% after 4-7 days post-subculture. Based on the cell viability analysis, the BM-MSCs showed an increase in cell viability starting from passage 1 until passage 10. Immunophenotypic analysis demonstrated that BM-MSCs were positivefor CD44 and CD105 and negative for CD34. Functional analysis of cryopreservation of BM-MSCs from P6 after 6 months expressed good proliferation rate and cell viability.

The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Peste des Petits Ruminants in different breed of goats based on age, sex, seasonal variation and vaccination status at Upazilla Veterinary Hospital, Pirojpur Sadar, Bangladesh during the period from January 2015 to December 2015. A total of 319 cases of different breed of goats were recorded in which 43 (13.48%) were infected by Peste des Petits Ruminants. The diagnosis of Peste des Petits Ruminants was performed based on clinical history, clinical signs and some laboratory techniques. The major clinical signs were high fever, nasal discharge, rapid breathing, mouth lesions and bloody diarrhea.The prevalence was highest in Black Bengal goat (6.90%) compare to Jamunapari (3.76%) and crossbreds (2.82%). Female goats were more susceptible (60.47%) than the male goats (39.53%). 5 months to 11 months aged goats showed highest prevalence (48.84%) followed by 1 to 3 years aged goats (27.91%) and 0 to 4 months aged goats (23.26%). In winter season, the prevalence was highest (55.81%) compare to summer (25.58%) and rainy season (18.60%). The non-vaccinated goats were more susceptible (90.91%) than the vaccinated goats (9.09%).Those prevalence of Peste des Petits Ruminants in different breed of goats based on age, sex, seasons and vaccination will help clinician to know the occurrence of Peste des Petits Ruminants in this area and will help them to take proper preventive measures.

Infection with Neospora caninum in a dog is described. The predominant clinical findings were proprioception deficit, involuntary and continuous contracture of the pelvic extremity muscles. N. caninum is structurally similar to Toxoplasma gondii, but it is immunologically distinct. Therefore, infections had been misdiagnosed as toxoplasmosis. The diagnosis was confirmed by an immunofluorescence antibody test. The parasite is sensitive to clindamycin and trimethoprim/sulphonamide, however the prognosis is poor especially if the muscle contractures have occurred.