BACKGROUND: Equine herpes virus-1 (EHV-1) is a major cause of economic loss in horse industry and is well recognized as a cause of abortion, respiratory disease, neurologic disorders and death of neonatal foals.OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of EHV-1 in horses with clinical signs and/or history associated with this virus from four provinces of Iran (Golestan, Tehran, Khuzestan, West Azer- baijan) that have considerable horse population, followed by phylogenetic study of positive cases and compare them with herpes viruses in other parts of the world.METHODS: Blood samples and nasal swabs were taken from 150 horses from four aforementioned provinc- es. DNA of samples was extracted and used for detection in real-time PCR TaqMan assay. Finally, phyloge- netic trees were designed based on neighbor joining method.RESULTS: Out of 150 sampled horses, a total of 14 (9.33%) were found to be positive for EHV-1. The results indicated that positive cases of EHV-1 from this study were clustered to herpes virus cases in other parts of the world with a noticeable similarity.CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed the presence of EHV-1 in these provinces of Iran, thus consideration should be given to preventive and control programs to prevent dissemination and outbreak of this virus.

BACKGROUND: Gastric ulcer is one of the most common diseases in racehorses. Colic, weight loss and poor performance are some of the clinical signs. The second and third larval stages of the bot fly Gasterophilus spp live in the stomach of the horse. This parasite is often found in large numbers of horses in all of the countries. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was assessment of gastric ulcer in the rural horse and relation with Gasterophilus spp. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study twenty rural horses were randomly selected for endoscopic finding for gastric ulcer. Gender, age, keeping situation, type of feed, history of colic, hair coat condition, deworming plan and presence of GasterophilussSpp. were recorded in a sheet. The horses were kept fasted for 12 hours before endoscopic examination by a VET3M OLYMPUS (Japan). Sedation was done by injection of Detomidine (Detomo Vet ® ceva-Spain) 0.1ml/100kg to look for presence of gastric ulcers with grading and Gasterophilus spp. Statistical analysis of the data was performed with 95% confidence interval and P RESULTS: Out of 20 horses, 13(65%) horses were mares and 7(35%) were males and Mean±2SE of age was 8.9±4. Endoscopic observation showed 9 (45%) of the horses suffered from gastric ulcer. All of the ulcers were in non-glandular part and near the margo plicatus. Overall, 4 (20%) head of the horses had Gasterophilus spp. and all of them were present in the horse with no deworming plan. Based on the results, there was no associ- ation between presence of Gasterophilus with occurrence of Gastric ulcer (P>0.05). Further study with high sample size is proposed. CONCLUSIONS: There was high frequency of gastric ulcer in non-glandular portion of stomach in rural horse and there was not any association between presence of Gasterophilus and gastric ulcer.

BACKGROUND: Comprehensive studies in blood values t have been somewhat reported in wildlife animals but this study is the first one in Iranian red sheep. OBJECTIVES: The present study was aimed to reveal alterations of some biochemical and hematological parameters in Iranian red sheep (Ovis. Orientalis gmelini) in the Zanjan province (Sorkhabad protected  area), Iran. METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from 52 clinically and para-clinically healthy Iranian red sheep with different age (under 2 years, 31 sheep and over 2 years, 21 sheep) and sex (37 male and 15 female). Thereafter, some hematological parameters such as RBC, PCV, Hb, MCH, MCV, MCHC, WBC, Differen- tial leukocyte count along with biochemical parameters (T3, T4, glucose, total protein, albumin, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglyceride, creatinine, urea, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, ALT, AST, GGT, ALP, CK) were analyzed. RESULTS: The results indicated significant alterations (p<0.01) of T3, T4, phosphorous, magnesium, GGT and ALP in both sex and age groups, significant alterations in glucose and creatinine only in sex group and significant changes based on age in cholesterol, HDL and LDL. No significant changes were observed in the other parameters. CONCLUSIONS: In Iranian red sheep, some parameters of serum biochemistry indicate significant chang- es based on gender and age that should be considered in laboratory tests of animal health. Meanwhile, fur- ther research should be performed in this regard.

BACKGROUND: In dogs, Achilles tendon rupture is an important clinical issue. Treatment of the ruptured tendon remains a controversial problem. However, surgical intervention, by the using of different biological scaffolds, has been recognized as the most effective approach for the repair of such cases. OBJECTIVES: The current study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of platelets-plasma rich protein (PRP) and autogenous peritoneal scaffold to improve the healing process of ruptured Achilles tendon in dogs. METHODS: Eighteen healthy dogs of the local breed were randomly allocated into three equal groups. Achilles tendon of the hind limbs were prepared aseptically and transected transversely. In the control group, the tendon was reconstructed with the traditional suture using modified Kessler techniques. In the peritoneal scaffold group, a combination of traditional suture and the autogenous peritoneal scaffold was used to augment the defected tendon. In the peritoneal scaffold with the PRP group, the induced rupture was treated as similar to the peritoneal scaffold group and supported by a topical application of PRP. In addition to the gross observation, the healing process was evaluated with histopathological and sonographic investigations at 15, 30, and 60 days post-operative. RESULTS: By comparison with control, the utilizing of autologous peritoneum scaffold augmented with PRP revealed a valuable impact on Achilles tendon healing. This impact was manifested by improved fibroblastic proliferation, reduced adhesion, and improved mechanical function of the tendon. Also, the sonographic examination of the fibrosis site demonstrated the presence of hyperechoic spots. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that utilizing both the peritoneal scaffold augmented and PRP along with the traditional suture revealed remarkable optimistic effects on healing of the ruptured Achilles tendon in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is one of the most principal contagious diseases with a significant role in multifactorial respiratory diseases in the poultry industry. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate and detect NDVs in multicausal respiratory diseases. METHODS: A total of 180 tracheal swabs were collected from 20 commercial broiler flocks during 2014- 2015. Three tracheal swabs from each flock were pooled. Sixty samples were amplified in PCR by specified primers for fusion gene that flanked cleavage site. Twelve samples were purified and sequenced by a two-way direction method. Based on the amino acids and nucleotide similarities in the part of the F gene, the phyloge- netic analysis of the fusion genes was generated. RESULTS: Based on PCR detection, 26 of 60 (43%) samples and 12 of 20 (60 %) flocks were positive for NDV. Sequence analysis of 12 positive samples revealed that 5 viruses (41.66 %) belonged to the velogenic strains (genotype II, subgenotype VIId) and 7 viruses (58.33 %) were included in the lentogenic pathotypes. Based on the nucleotide similarities, it is concluded that some of the lentogenic pathotypes have 100% close- ness to B1 and Lasota strains. Likewise, the 5 virulent ND virus strains of this study show 100% homogeneity to some previously identified velogenic isolates. CONCLUSIONS: A high percentage of ND viruses were detected in broiler flocks with respiratory com- plexes. Among these detected viruses, it is concluded that the lentogenic isolates and vaccinal strains can be effective in exacerbating respiratory problems.

BACKGROUND: To achieve delivery of a drug to tumors, folic acid (FA) was used as a targeting ligand to change nanocarriers. Since the folate receptor has more expression in several tumor types such as breast cancer. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of Doxorubicine-G2-FA (Dox- G2-FA) with in vitro assays. The abbreviation of G2 represents the second generation of dendrimer synthesis. METHODS: For this purpose, Dox-G2-FA was synthesized and mass spectroscopy was used to confirm the synthesized component. Also, MTT assay, flow cytometry, and gene expression assay by real-time PCR were used to evaluate cell viability, apoptosis, and necrosis. RESULTS: In this study, the effect of Dox and Dox-G2-FA on the expression of Bax, Bcl2 genes showed that there was a significant decrease in the expression of the Bcl2 gene in the Dox-G2-FA group compared to Dox and control groups(   P<0.05). Also, the results of flow-cytometry showed that apoptosis in the presence of Dox-G2-FA was greater than in the Dox group (   P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, it seems that the effect of Dox-G2-FA on apoptosis is better than the effect of Dox usage alone.

BACKGROUND: Many additives have been recommended to calf feed but the effects of each supplement have been under investigation especially during weaning stress. OBJECTIVES: The effects of dietary supplementation of probiotic (Protexin) and chromium-methionine che- late (Cr-Met) on triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), total protein, albumin, zinc, and growth body-weight gain in dairy calves during weaning period was investigated. METHODS: A total of 28 dairy Holstein calves were randomly allocated to one of the four experimental treatments (n=7). The study commenced 21 days before weaning (average 70 days).The recommended dosage for both chromium-methionine chelate (Cr-Met) and probiotic (Protexin) is 2 gr/calf daily. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein, 21 days before weaning and 3, 7 and 21 days after weaning. Serum consen- trations of T3, T4, total protein, albumin, and zinc were measured. Bodyweight (BW) was measured 7 days before, at weaning and 7 days after weaning. RESULTS: No effect of different diets nor interaction was found for body weight gain, total protein, and al- bumin. No effect of different diets was observed for T4 although the interaction was observed between groups and time. An effect of different diets and time was found for T3 and the mean T3 concentration was lowest in group Protexin + Cr-Met. The mean Zinc concentration was at its highest level 21 days after weaning, while different diets did not affect the Zinc concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: There is no benefit associated with the separate or combined feeding of Protexin and Cr- Met on calves’ growth performance according to weight gain, total protein, and thyroid hormones.

Dermatofibroma is a common skin benign cutaneous tumor with many variants based on alterations in the morphology and composition of its diverse elements. The cause of dermatofibroma is unknown, it was his- torically attributed to being a reactive response to some traumatic lesion to the skin which is associated with itching and pain. This tumor usually appears on the limbs, especially the end extremities, in young adults. In the present study, a middle-aged Persian leopard was accidentally killed because of a car incident in the Golestan National Park, Iran. Following necropsy, skin mass on the right toe was observed and after sam- pling was transferred to the laboratory. After routine histopathological and immunohistochemical processes, Dermatofibroma was diagnosed microscopically with non-capsulated, circumscribed, hypocellular dermal nodule in a spiral pattern. According to the results of this study immunohistochemical staining revealed positivity for CD34. There is limited information about the Dermatofibroma in leopards. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Dermatofibroma in the Persian leopard.

BACKGROUND:Canine mammary gland cancers are the most prevalent malignancies in dogs. There are different challenges regarding management of these cancers in dogs and human, one hypothesis is related to small cellular subset of tumor mass called cancer stem cell. These cells are therapy resistant and cause metastasis and relapse even after primary successful treatment. The well-identified phenotypes for detecting this population are ALDH1+/CD44+/CD24-/Low biomarkers. OBJECTIVES: A study to evaluate existence of cancer stem cells in canine malignant mammary glands tumor and assess effects of these cells on clinicopathological parameters of tumors were designed. METHODS: In this study forty cases of canine mammary glands tumors were collected. All cases were tested via H&amp;E and then Immunohistochemistry (IHC) methods. All samples were evaluated immunohis- tochemically for common markers of these tumor-initiating cells. Monoclonal antibodies against ALDH1, CD44 and CD24 were used. Some tumor aggressiveness-related parameters, including lymphovascular in- vasion, tumor grades and histotypes were assessed. RESULTS: The present study revealed that 17.5% of cases were enriched with cancer stem cells and all  of them were diagnosed as grade II and III (P ≤ 0.05). Other findings showed all cancer stem cell-positive cases were significantly lymphovascular invasion positive (P ≤ 0.05). The most common histotypes in this research were tubular, tubulopapillary and intraductal carcinomas. CONCLUSIONS: Our results illustrated that cancer stem cells can be considered as reliable prognostic factors to predict severity of malignant behavior of canine malignant mammary glands cancer, which is  comparable with human breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Several foodborne outbreaks associated with the consumption of vegetables have been reported which involved Vibrio spp . as causative agents. Conventional methods of detecting these microorganisms are time-consuming. Therefore, the development of techniques for rapid detection seems to be of paramount importance. OBJECTIVES: The present study recommends a rapid and reliable method for the detection of Vibrio cholera (V. chol-era), V. parahaemolyticus, V. vulnificus, and V. alginolyticus. Moreover, the results are compared with the conventional plate culture method. METHODS: The conventional bacteriological tests were conducted to detect Vibrio spp. in vegetables and their surrounding water. The samples were also subjected to a newly developed multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using five specific genes, including VC-Rmm of V. cholerae, VP-MmR of V. parahaemolyticus, VV-Rmm of V. vulnificus, V.al2-MmR of V. alginolyticus, and VM-F for all the four isolates. RESULTS: The presence of V. alginolyticus and V. vulnificus was confirmed by amplifying the specific regions of 412 bp for V. vulnificus and 144 bp for V. alginolyticus. The results demonstrated that V. cholerae and V. parahaemolyticus were not detected in multiplex PCR, which was consistent with the findings of conventional plating methods. CONCLUSIONS: Obtained results revealed that the designed multiplex PCR assay is a reliable, rapid, and cost-effective method for the simultaneous detection of Vibrio spp .