Objective: Rodlet cells produce secretions of glycoproteins in nature. This study investigated the microscopic morphology, histochemical and immunohistochemical reactions, and distribution of the rodlet cells in the gut of Binni fish (Mesopotamichthys sharpeyi). Materials and Methods: Thirty samples were obtained from the cranial, middle, and caudal por¬tions of Binni intestine immediately after being euthanized, fixed in Bouin's solution for 18 h at 24°C, and had undergone routine histological processing, different conventional histochemical stains, and immunostaining with TNF-α and S100 protein antibody. Results: The intestine of Binni fish showed different stages of rodlet cells classified into three distinctive forms: vesicular, granular, and mature cells. Rodlet cells are poorly stained with hema¬toxylin and eosin. Their secretory granules have a weak positive reaction with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Alcian blue (AB), and react positively to combined AB and PAS. Rodlet cells were stained lightly with Safranin O, observed pink in color by Giemsa stain, and showed reactivity to Masson's and Mallory trichrome stains. Rodlet cells were immunostained positively against TNF-α and S100 antibodies, indicating that they have an immune function. Conclusions: Rodlet cells, with their neutral glycoprotein secretions, play a crucial role in the immunity of Binni fish intestine. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(2.000): 282-289]

Objective: The study was conducted to investigate the gut content and record morphometric and hematological parameters in the common hoopoe (Upupa epops). Materials and Methods: Twenty samples of healthy birds (10 from each sex) were collected from different locations in Okara District, Punjab, Pakistan, from September 2020 to March 2021. Birds were captured live for blood samples and morphometric and gut analyses. Results: It was revealed that the concentrations of different hematological parameters were as follows: hemoglobin, 20.03g/dl; red blood cells, 3.28 × 106/μl; white blood cells, 326.67 × 103/ μl; hematocrit, 56.47%; MCV, 173.33 FL; MCH, 57.4 pg; MCHC, 57.4 pg; PLT, 8.33/μl; and RDW, 8.33/μl. The percentages of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, and eosinophils were 84.67%, 11.67%, 2.00%, and 1.67%, respectively. The gut content of the common hoopoe mostly consisted of Coleoptera and Acrididae larvae. However, Lepidoptera, Gryllotalpidae, and sand were also recorded, along with seeds of Salvadora persica. Conclusions: There were no significant differences between male and female U. epops in feeding content, total weight of the gut, or weight of the empty gut. Regarding the morphometric param¬eters, there was a significant difference in both sexes' wingspan, body length, and body weight. Males were significantly heavier than females. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(2.000): 290-294]

Objective: To study the impact of early metabolic profiling and intervention measures in the peri¬parturient period on the occurrence of postparturient metabolic diseases in cows. Materials and Methods: Using a cohort of dairy cows from two selected areas of Bangladesh, we routinely tested the serum calcium level and ketone bodies in the urine at periparturient periods. In addition, milk samples were tested for the presence of mastitis at different stages of lactation. Animals showing reduced serum calcium levels, high ketone bodies in the urine or the presence of clinical and subclinical mastitis received appropriate therapeutic intervention immediately after detection. After the intervention, the number of animals that got sick with diseases or conditions like milk fever, ketosis, mastitis, and dystocia, which are caused by metabolic problems, was recorded. Results: In the periparturient period, most of the animals had lower serum calcium levels (8.13 ± 1.2 mg/dl), which were significantly increased by the following intervention (10.05 ± 1.4 mg/dl). On the other hand, there was a higher number of ketosis-affected animals (33.9%, 20/59) during the periparturient period, which decreased (18.6%, 11/59) during the postparturient period. Similarly, the number of mastitis-affected cows was also decreased in postparturient cows (30.9%, 13/42) than in periparturient cows (59.5%, 25/42), following improved hygienic measures. After early intervention, the number of study animals with metabolic diseases decreased from 51.7% before intervention to 15.3% after intervention. Conclusions: Early metabolic profiling significantly reduced the occurrence of metabolic diseases in cows. Therefore, we recommend regular metabolic profiling of dairy cows and receiving early intervention measures to reduce the occurrence of metabolic diseases on the farm. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(2.000): 295-300]

Anthrax is a rapidly fatal infectious disease affecting herbivores and people. In the farm ani¬mals, cattle and sheep are more susceptible, followed by goats and horses, while dwarf pigs and Algerian sheep are relatively resistant. Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, produces spores and persists for decades in the soil, initiating an outbreak through a favorable climate shift. Anthrax is enzootic in many Asian and African countries, and is reported in Australia, some parts of Europe, and America. The clinical courses of this disease in animals are peracute, acute, sub¬acute, and chronic forms. In severely infected cases, the animals are dead without premonitory clinical signs. The blood may fail to clot and can be found in the mouth, nostrils, and anus in the animals that die from anthrax. This bacterium is susceptible to many antibiotics, yet only penicillin and oxytetracycline have the most effective under field conditions. When an outbreak occurs in a defined area, it is necessary to take early steps to break the infection cycle by maintaining strict biosecurity and vaccinating uninfected animals. This disease is still a challenge to farm animal production in many countries. This review intends to give a fair knowledge of the etiology, epi¬demiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and control of this disease. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(2.000): 323-334]

Objective: The study aimed to determine the effect of Acalypha indica Linn. (AI) root extract and a combination of simvastatin–AI on improving the fatty pancreas in Sprague–Dawley rats induced with a high fructose and cholesterol diet. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four male Sprague–Dawley rats were induced with a high fruc¬tose and cholesterol diet for 4 weeks before being divided into four groups. Each group receiving treatments consisting of simvastatin only, A. indica extracts only, or simvastatin–A. indica extract combination. A histological examination was conducted to determine the effect of each treatment. Also, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc Bonferroni test were conducted to assess the comparison of groups from the histological examination. Results: Significant improvement was found in fatty pancreas between rats without therapy and rats treated with simvastatin therapy (p = 0.024, 95% CI: 0.038–0.696), and also between rats without treatment and rats treated with simvastatin–A. indica extract combination therapy (p = 0.000, 95% CI: 0.241–0.873) using one-way ANOVA and the post-hoc Bonferroni test. Conclusions: The results of the combination of simvastatin–A. indica Linn. root extracts treatment showed a synergistic effect on the improvement of fatty pancreas, but further research is needed to find potential adverse effects on the interaction of these two substrates to confirm the safe use of this treatment. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(2.000): 346-350]

Objective: A 35-day-long trial was conducted to compare the consequences of supplementing citric acid (CA), Spirulina platensis, and their combination as natural substitutes for antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) on the productive performance, dressing percentage, and blood serum metabolites of broilers. Materials and Methods: A total of 150-day-old Cobb-500 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatment groups, each having 30 chicks in it (10 chicks per replicate cage). The dietary groups were as follows: 1- Control (corn–soybean-based), 2- Control + antibiotic (Enrofloxacin, 10 mg/kg bodyweight), 3- Control + 1% S. platensis, 4- Control + 0.5% CA, and 5- Control + 1% spirulina + 0.5% CA. Starting from day 7 up to day 21, antibiotics were administered via water; spirulina and CA were offered via feed. Results: When compared to the control, all dietary supplements significantly (p < 0.05) improved broiler growth performance. However, dressing characteristics and serum metabolites (serum creatinine, albumin, and uric acid) were not influenced (p > 0.05) by dietary changes, except cholesterol level (p < 0.05). Supplementation with antibiotics, CA, and spirulina produced com-parable results. Among them, the CA-fed group recorded the highest live weight, weight gain, feed intake, improved feed conversion ratio, and the lowest serum cholesterol level (106.5 mg/ dl). The combination group performed better than the control, but not as well as their single supplementations. Conclusions: CA and S. platensis might both be good candidates as natural alternatives to AGP (Enrofloxacin). But, among them, CA performed better in terms of production performance. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(1.000): 1-7]

Objectives: The research aims to analyze the catabolic strength of different hydrolytic enzymes in assessing the biological conversion potential of lignocellulose parts of agricultural biomass wastes into functional edible sugars and biofuels. Materials and Methods: The enzymes' hydrolytic properties—versatile peroxidase, manganese peroxidase, and lignin peroxidase were used to identify their complexing strength with the lignin substrate, whereas endoglucanase cel12A, acidocaldarius cellulase, and Melanocarpus albomyces endoglucanase were tested on the cellulose gel substrate. Because the biodegradation properties are heavily influenced by the "enzyme-substrate complexing energy level," proper molecular optimization and energy minimization of the enzymes and substrates were carried out, as well as the identification of the enzyme's active sites prior to complexing. comprehensive molecular dynamic simulation was run to study their—alpha carbon, root-mean-square deviation (Å), molecular surface area (Å2), root-mean-square fluctuation (Å), radius of gyration (nm), hydrogen bonds with hydrophobic interactions, and solvent accessible surface area (Å2) values for 50 ns. The simulated data mining was conducted using advanced programming algorithms to establish the final enzyme-substrate complexing strength in binding and catalysis. Results: Among the lignin-degrading enzymes, versatile peroxidase shows promising catalytic activity with the best docking pose and significant values in all the dynamic simulation parameters. Similarly, Melanocarpus albomyces endoglucanase shows the best activity in all aspects of molecular docking and dynamics among the cellulose-degrading enzymes. Conclusion: The lignin content of biomass wastes can be degraded into cellulose and hemicellulose using lignin-degrading enzymes. The cellulose can be further degraded into glucose and xylose sugars following the cellulose-degrading enzyme activity. These sugars can be further degraded into biofuel through anaerobic fermentation. Systematic bioconversion of the lignocellulosic components can ensure sustainable biomass management, creating an alternative food and energy source for human beings to face the challenges of global hunger where the enzymes can pave the way. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(1.000): 19-32]

Objective: Evaluate the effect of arrival weight on feedlot growth performance and carcass characteristics of Holstein steers of similar age. Material and Methods: Three hundred calf-fed Holstein steers (age 113 ± 1-day) were distributed in a completely randomly unbalanced design and divided into five categories (105, 112, 117, 123, and 129 kg) of shrunk initial weight (SIW). Calves were weighed on days 1, 112, 224, and 361. Calves were fed steam-flaked corn-based diets. Growth performance and dietary energy were evaluated for each period and the study as a whole (1–361-day). Results: During the rearing period, average daily gain (ADG) increased (linearly effect, p < 0.01) with increasing birth weight. Birthweight was positively associated (p < 0.05) with feedlot arrival weight (R2 = 0.47) and final harvest weight (R2 = 0.36). Overall ADG increased (p < 0.01) with increasing SIW. Dry matter intake increased linearly during the first 224-day but quadratically during the last 137 days. Overall, there was a quadratic effect (p < 0.05) of SIW on gain-to-feed and observed-to-expected dietary NE, with lower efficiencies (4%) for steers in both the lightest and heaviest SIW. Hot carcass weight, Longissimus muscle area, marbling score, and fat thickness increased (linear effect, p &le; 0.03) as SIW increased, whereas kidney-pelvic-heart fat and yield-grade were unaffected. Conclusions: The initial arrival weight influences the growth performance, energetic efficiency, and carcass characteristics of Holstein steers of similar age. The effect is more pronounced in the lighter ( [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(1.000): 59-65]

Objective: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) has evolved as one of the most significant bacteria causing food poisoning outbreaks worldwide. This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence, antibiotic sensitivity, virulence, and enterotoxin production of S. aureus in raw milk of cow from small-scale production units and house-raised animals in Damietta governorate, Egypt. Material and Methods: The samples were examined bacteriologically, and antimicrobial sensitivity testing was carried out. Moreover, isolates were characterized by the molecular detection of antimicrobial resistance, virulence, and enterotoxin genes. Results: Out of 300 milk samples examined, S. aureus was isolated from 50 samples (16.7%). Antibiotic sensitivity testing revealed that isolates were resistant to β-lactams (32%), tetracycline (16%), and norfloxacin (16%); however, they showed considerable sensitivity to ceftaroline and amikacin (72%). Multidrug-resistance (MDR) has been observed in eight isolates (16%), with a MDR index (0.5) in all of them. Of the total S. aureus isolates obtained, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has been confirmed molecularly in 16/50 (32%) and was found to carry mecA and coa genes, while virulence genes; hlg (11/16, 68.75%) and tsst (6/16, 37.5%) were amplified at a lower percentage, and they showed a significant moderate negative correlation (r = −0.59, p-value > 0.05). Antibiotic resistance genes have been detected in resistant isolates relevant to their phenotypic resistance: blaZ (100%), tetK (50%), and norA (50%). Fifty percent of MRSA isolates carried the seb enterotoxin gene. Conclusion: High detection rate of MRSA and MDR isolates from milk necessitates the prompt implementation of efficient antimicrobial stewardship guidelines, especially at neglected small-scale production units. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(1.000): 113-121]

Objective: Most people in Matrouh Governorate consume camel milk as a treatment for many diseases in a raw state to obtain nutritive value. Raw dromedary camel milk can be contaminated by Escherichia coli through fecal matter at any point of milk handling; therefore, it may lose its value and safety specifications. This survey aimed to estimate the incidence of E. coli in fresh camel milk. Materials and Methods: 100 fresh camel milk samples (50 from markets and 50 from farms) were randomly collected from different districts in Matrouh Governorate, Egypt, over 4 months for the detection of E. coli incidence through conventional bacterial isolation, molecular investigation, and gene sequencing. Results: The prevalence rates of E. coli in the examined market and farm raw camel milk based on conventional methods were 24% and 8%, respectively, while those by molecular identification using phoA as an E. coli determinate gene were 4% and 6%, respectively. Moreover, E. coli phoA gene phylogenetic analysis revealed high sequence similarity to E. coli strain CP033158.1 in India and E. coli strain CP047594.1 in China. Antibiotic sensitivity of E. coli isolates showed high suscep¬tibility to norfloxacin (10 μg) and cefoperazone (75 μg). On the other hand, high resistance was found in rifamycin (30 μg) and cefoxitin (30 μg). Conclusion: The results indicate that market camel milk is more contaminated than the farms' own. Additionally, antibiotic resistance is increasing due to antibiotic abuse. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(1.000): 138-143]