Chicken farming is one of the commonest and most available sources of dietary chicken meat in diet of most people, and methods of intensive raising of broiler chickens make this sphere increasingly profitable. A complex use of probiotic and biocide preparations in commercial breeding of broiler chickens is based on the principle of environmental cleanliness+health balance: Biocides (based, for example, on lactic acid or chloride dioxide) destroy pathogenic micr o organisms in the environment (premises, equipment, water), preventing initial infection of the chickens and formation of biofilms, while probiotics ( Lactobacillus , Bacillus , Bifidobacterium , etc.) colonize the intestines of chickens, compet i tively inhibiting pathogens ( Salmonella , E. coli , Clostridium ), thereby stimulating the immunity and improving feed metabolism. The broiler chickens raised according to the traditional raising method experienced a complex of subclin i cal conditions, such as protein myocardiodystrophy (71.3 % of the chickens), protein steatosis (14.2 % of the chickens), protein nephrotic syndrome (100 .0 % of the ch ickens), proventriculitis (81.3 % of the chickens), catarrhal inflammation of the small intestine (76.2% of the chickens), early thymic involution (100 .0 % of the chickens), and involution of cloacal sac (100 .0 % of the chickens). On the other hand, no subclinical organ damages were observed in all the broiler chickens raised using a new probiotic complex that contains a probiotic based on Bacillus subtilis , B. licheniformis , B. coagulans , Enterococcus faecium , Lactococcus lactis , magnesium, chitosan, enzymes, grist of Silybum , given in a dose of 0.5 mg/kg of feed on days 1–7 and 22–27, and a probiotic based on Bacillus subtilis , B . amyloliquefaciens , and aluminosilicate, which was evenly sprayed in a room for poultry in a calculation of 10–30 g/m 2 on days 7 and 22. That is, this method allowed producing safe high-quality meat products without residual antibiotics, and also improving the quality of offal (heart, liver, stomach), which enter domestic and foreign markets. However, their gain in live mass did not statistically significantly differ from that in the broiler chickens raised using the traditional technique. When raising broiler chickens using a biocide based on chlorine dioxide in a dose of 1.0 mg/L of water and a biocide based on lactic acid, sp rayed in a concentration of 0.5 %, 0.3 – 0.5 L/m², with a three-hour exposure, we observed not only the absence of any subclinical lesions of their organs, but also a statistically significant (compared with the traditional technology of raising) increase in the live-mass gain in the broiler chickens, accounting for 18.3 ± 0.3%. Therefore, synergy of active compounds of both the groups allowed significantly reducing the use of antibiotics and decreasing mortality, while increasing the mass gains, and providing a high biosafety of the flock under intensive raising conditions. Moreover, the protective reactions of the body were successfully optimized, thereby enhancing the resistance to infections, as well as the productivity in industrial poultry farming.
Every year, humanity loses up to 40% of crop yields due to pests and plant diseases. This accounts for over USD 220 billion in economic losses, with approximately USD 70 billion caused by invasive insects. Plant responses to damage by arthropod herbivores represent a complex form of biotic stress that combines mechanical injury, danger signals, and ho r monal interactions. This article proposes a systemic concept that explains how the JA/ET-dominant immune mode is int e grated into a multistable plant immune defense network. Local tissue damage activates DAMP and HAMP signaling, which triggers Ca²⁺–ROS–MAPK cascades and the synthesis of jasmonic acid and ethylene. These pathways interact with aut o phagy, ROS/NO homeostasis, and the antioxidant system, forming feedback-regulated loops that coordinate programmed cell death (PCD) with systemic tolerance. The JA/ET branch is viewed as an adaptive configuration of plant immunity that provides energy-efficient, non-specific resistance of the ISR (induced systemic resistance) type. The integration of JA/ET signaling with autophagic and redox-regulatory circuits explains how a plant converts local damage into systemic resilience. Damage to plants caused by phytophagous insects integrates both local and systemic levels of immunity into a unified, d y namic defense system represented by the JA/ET-dominant immune mode. This mode combines molecular signaling, met a bolic control, and holistic plant adaptation to herbivores. The integrative multistate model of plant immunity introduces a new level of understanding of natural defense mechanisms and provides a foundation for breeding highly resistant crop varieties of the future. It also forms a scientific basis for the development of fourth-generation bioproducts that activate the plant’s natural immunity ( either independently or in combination with pesticides ) . The use of such integrated immune strat e gies has the potential to reduce crop losses from pests and diseases by 10–20%, which is equivalent to a global economic savings of USD 7–14 billion annually. This approach lowers the risk of resistance development in harmful organisms and promotes ecological sustainability in agroecosystems.
Container production of apple nursery trees is increasingly used in intensive horticulture because it improves transplant survival and allows flexible marketing; however, restricted root volume makes plant performance highly dependent on contai n er design and the physical and agrochemical properties of the growing medium. This study evaluated how container type and substrate composition affect photosynthetic performance of ‘Champion’ apple ( Malus domestica Borkh .) nursery trees grafted on two contrasting rootstocks (‘M.9’ and ‘MM.106’) in Kyiv region (Ukraine). A field container experiment was conducted in 2024–2025 at a commercial nursery site. Trees were grown in 12-L containers of two designs (air-pruning Air-Pot type and standard plastic container C12) filled with three substrates: peat; peat + conifer bark (1:1); and peat + conifer bark + sandy loam (2:1:1). Net photosynthetic productivity was determined in vivo as the 24-h increase in leaf dry matter per unit area, and chlor o phyll a and b contents were quantified spectrophotometrically ; total chlorophyll and the chlorophyll a/b ratio were calculated. Substrate composition was the dominant factor controlling net photosynthetic productivity across rootstocks and ages, with peat ensuring the highest rates and the peat + bark (1:1) mixture causing a significant decline, while container type and interactions were non-significant. Chlorophyll accumulation was rootstock-dependent: ‘MM.106’ showed consistently higher total chlor o phyll and greater pigment stability across treatments than ‘M.9’. Maximum pigment concentration was recorded in the peat + bark substrate in the C12 container, whereas the chlorophyll a/b ratio was significantly influenced by rootstock and container design, reflecting genotype-specific regulation of light-harvesting complexes. Overall, photosynthetic efficiency in container-grown apple nursery trees is primarily determined by substrate composition, and appropriate substrate optimization can co m pensate for differences in container design, supporting stable physiological performance and nursery tree quality.
Growing animal welfare concerns have intensified the need for effective and humane alternatives to surgical castration for the control of boar taint in pig production. The study investigated the effects of different castration methods on growth performance, physiological status, and meat quality of boars. Surgical castration and chemical sterilization using intratesticular administration of Canophen-B were compared with intact males. Experiments were conducted on Large White boars under controlled feeding and housing conditions in accordance with animal welfare and bioethical standards. In the first experiment, chemically sterilized and intact sexually mature boars showed similar live body weight and average daily gain. Chemical sterilization resulted in a significant reduction in serum testosterone concentration, while hematological parameters remained within physiological reference ranges, indicating no adverse effects on animal health. Sensory evaluation demonstrated that meat and broth obtained from chemically sterilized boars were free of specific odor, whereas samples from intact males exhibited a characteristic odor, particularly in broth. In the second experiment, surgically castrated boars had lower final live body weight compared with chemically sterilized and intact males. Meat yield was higher and fat yield was lower in intact and chemically sterilized boars than in surgically castrated animals. Serum testosterone levels at the end of the fattening period were highest in intact males, intermediate in chemically sterilized boars, and lowest in surgically castrated animals. Hematological indicators in all groups remained within normal physiological limits. Sensory evaluation of cooked meat revealed no statistically significant differences among experimental groups for odor, color, tenderness, taste, texture, or fibrousness. However, broth prepared from chemically sterilized boars showed significantly higher scores for transparency compared with intact males, while other sensory attributes did not differ significantly. The results indicate that chemical sterilization effectively suppresses testosterone synthesis without negatively affecting growth performance, health status, or sensory quality of meat. The absence of boar taint in products obtained from chemically sterilized males suggests that this method can be considered a viable alternative to surgical castration in pig production, combining acceptable meat quality with improved animal welfare.
Monitoring studies of biomaterials from Ukraine's central, northern, southern, western, and eastern regions were co n ducted. These studies included serological analyses of cattle blood serum using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine immunity levels to the lumpy skin disease virus, as well as molecular genetic tests using the polym e rase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) in arthropod collections. Testing 1,800 blood serum samples from cattle using ELISA for antibodies to the causative agent of nodular dermatitis yielded negative results for all samples. PCR testing of 1,125 arthropod pools ( Culicidae spp., Culicoides spp., Muscidae spp., Oestridae spp., and Ixodidae spp.) revealed no LSDV genetic material. These results indicate that LSDV did not circulate in Ukraine from 2013 to 2024. Ukraine is located in a high-risk zone, making it necessary to enhance the effectiveness of veterinary measures for preven t ing and controlling nodular dermatitis. The main danger lies in the vector (insect) and cross-border transmission of the virus from the northeastern, Caucasian, and Balkan regions, where the disease is endemic or has been reported periodically. The latest 89 WOAH reports on lumpy skin disease registrations were reviewed. Notably, 48 reports (53.9%) came from Asian countries, nine (10.1%) from African countries, six (6.8%) from Eurasian countries, and 26 (29.2%) from European cou n tries. According to the WOAH, 4,853 outbreaks of the disease were reported during the specified timeframe. The total nu m ber of outbreaks was 292 in 2013 (6.0%), 98 in 2014 (2.0%), 9 in 2015 (0.1%), 649 in 2016 (13.4%), 806 in 2017 (16.6%), 813 in 2018 (16.8%), 68 in 2019 (1.4%), 90 in 2020 (1.9%), 23 in 2021 (0.5%), 388 in 2022 (8.0%), 748 in 2023 (15.4%), and 869 in 2024 (17.9%). Over 12 years, a total of 4,903,337 susceptible animals were recorded. Of these, 88.3% were from Asia, 0.4% were from Africa, 6.0% were from Eurasia, and 5.3% were from Europe. During this period, there were 574,741 cases of the disease, 543,564 of which (94.5%) occurred in Asia. The remaining cases occurred in Africa – 1,360 (0.2%), Eurasia – 4,538 (0.8%), and Europe – 25,279 (4.5%). The total number of lethal cases in animals was 52,852, 50,563 (95.6%) of which were in Asia, 77 (0.1%) in Africa, 372 (0.8%) in Eurasia, and 1,840 (3.5%) in Europe. Lumpy skin di s ease in cattle is spreading rapidly around the world and poses a potential threat to our country. Because there is no specific treatment, it is crucial to implement preventive measures, as well as monitoring and early detection and prompt quarantine measures, to maintain the stability of livestock farming and food security in the country.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) primarily caused by Escherichia coli are a global public health concern exacerbated by rising antibiotic resistance, particularly in Algeria, where multidrug-resistant strains dominate clinical isolates. This study investigates the antibacterial potential of Asparagopsis armata , a red marine alga, against UTI pathogens in Algeria, particularly Gharda i a Region . Also, the LC-MS/MS analysis wa s realized to identify 28 phenolic compounds in the methanol extract. Data from 5 , 084 urine samples revealed 23% UTI prevalence, with E. coli accounting for 61% of isolates, while females (26%) exhibited higher infection rates than males (16%). Methanol extracts yielded the highest bioactivity (3.71% via ultrasonic assisted extraction) and exhibited the strongest antibacterial activity, with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 119 to 123 µg/mL against 11 multidrug resistant E. coli strains. All extracts inhibited all tested strains. This study demonstrates the potential of A. armata as a sustainable alternative to conventional antibiotics , supporting marine-derived antimicrobials as a critical strategy to combat ant i biotic resistance.
The materials of the article are devoted to one of the directions for maintaining the biological safety of raw materials and livestock products through ensuring the safety of animal and poultry feed in accordance with the provisions of the global “One Health” concept. Escherichia coli strains isolated from samples of animal and poultry feed, when tested for susceptibility to cep h alosporin antibiotics, revealed one of the hazardous factors – the production of acquired resistance enzymes, namely beta- lactamases and carbapenemases . During microbiological examination of 382 samples of mineral, organic, and artificial feed for animals and poultry, 21 (5.5% of the tested samples) E. coli cultures were isolated and identified. In 13 cases (61.9% of the is o lates), the highest level of contamination with E scherichia was detected in compound feed, bran, meal, and oilcake samples. In 6 cases (28.6%), contamination was detected in concentrated feed (feed grain), and in 2 cases (9.5%) in premixes. The article pr e sents the results of screening 21 experimental E. coli strains to identify those likely to produc e extended-spectrum beta- lactamases (ESBL) and class C beta- lactamases ( AmpC enzymes) using the disk diffusion method with indicator cephalosporins – cefotaxime (5 μg ) and ceftazidime (10 μg ). Experimental strains with inhibition zone diameters below the EUCAST established breakpoints (
CHEK2 is an essential tumor suppressor gene involved in DNA damage response and cell cycle regulation, and its germline variants are known to increase breast cancer suscept i bility. However, evidence regarding the clinical and molecular relevance of CHEK2 variants in Central Asian populations remains limited. This study aimed to assess the distribution and clinicopathological significance of the CHEK2 IVS2+1G>A and Ile157Thr polymorphisms in Uzbek women with breast cancer, with emphasis on molecular subtypes, immunohistochemical markers, and menopausal status. The study included 200 breast ca n cer patients and 100 conditionally healthy controls. CHEK2 polymorphisms were identified using PCR-based genotyping. Associations with clinicopathological features and immunohistochemical markers (ER, PR, HER2/ neu , Ki -67) were evaluated using odds ratios, relative risk estimates, χ² test, and Fisher’s exact test. The IVS2+1G>A variant was significantly associated with hormone receptor–positive tumors, predominantly luminal subtypes, and was more frequently observed in postmenopausal patients. In contrast, the Ile157Thr polymorphism showed a wider age distribution and was linked to a heterogeneous molecular profile, including highly proliferative and triple-negative breast cancer subtypes. Distinct patterns of hormone receptor expression and Ki-67 levels suggested variant-specific biological behavior. These findings demonstrate that CHEK2 polymorphisms differentially influence breast cancer risk and phenotype in a menopause-dependent manner. The results highlight the importance of population-specific genetic profiling and support the potential utility of CHEK2 variants in personalized risk stratification for breast cancer in Uzbek wo m en.
Failure of the kidneys to eliminate waste materials and maintain an internal balance of water and salts in the body is referred to as renal failure. In this research, individuals with renal failure were studied from during September 2023 at the Ibn Sina C enter for H emodialysis in Baqubah T eaching H ospital in Diyala province. This study included 44 samples from patients (males) with kidney failure, and the different variables compared with the same variables in 44 females. During this study, some hematological variables were examined, which included the concentration of hemoglobin, and biochemical variables in the blood such as the concentration of albumin. We aimed to determine the most significant physiological changes associated with renal failure and to compare the results. In patients with renal failure, the hemogl o bin concentration in males was found to be no t significantly different from that in females individuals. The albumin level was shown to be no t statistically significant. A ccording to the findings comparing males and females, c hronic renal illness has been shown to have a detrimental influence on the majority of physiological and biochemical variables examined in this research.
Female infertility is a complex ailment, and the role of hidden viral infections could be more subtle but pivotal to achieving pregnancy. Herpes viruses: Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) are involved in the pathogenesis of reproductive failure, underlying the role of chronic inflammation and i m munomodulation in this context. This study aimed to determine the presence of HSV, CMV, and EBV DNA in infertile women and evaluate associated serum cytokine levels (IL-6 and IL-10) to explore potential immunological signatures of viral involvement in infertility. The study was a case-control study that was conducted on 96 infertile and 96 fertile women. High-sensitivity ELISA was used to measure the levels of IL-6 and IL-10 in serum samples. qPCR was co n ducted in real time to detect viral DNA among the infertile participants. To determine relationships between viral load (Ct values), cyt o kines, infertility type, and age, statistical analysis was conducted with independent t-tests, chi-square tests, and Spearman correlation. qPCR showed the presence of CMV in 14.6% of the infertile women, HSV in 11.5%, and EBV in 8.3%. Women with the virus had small increases in cytokines (mean IL-6: 9.2 – 10.5 pg/ mL ; IL-10: 31.3 – 33.1 pg/ mL ) and a higher IL-6/IL-10 ratio (0.29 – 0.32), especially with EBV. There were significant inverse correlations between viral load and IL-6 in EBV-positive women (r = – 0.51, P = 0.029). Secondary infertility had lower Ct values that are indicative of an increased viral activity. There were no considerable relationships with age. The results indicate a slight yet statistically significant relationship between latent infection with the herpes virus, imbalance of cytokines, and infertility. The increased IL-6/IL-10 rates and increased viral loads (EBV-positive and secondary infertility cases) su g gest that chronic i m mune activation can be one of the factors in the disturbed reproductive outcomes. Molecular viral screening and immunological profiling should be integrated to improve the accuracy of the diagnosis of unexplained infertility.
The formation of microbial biofilms is one of the mechanisms underlying the acquisition of antimicrobial resistance, which is associated, in particular, with the presence of an extracellular matrix and reduced metabolic activity of the cells. In addition, the development of chronic infections of bacterial and fungal etiology is closely associated with biofilm formation. Consequen t ly, the investigation of non-pharmacological approaches targeting biofilm formation and established biofilms of opportunistic microorganisms is of particular relevance. The combined effect of a photosensitizer – a 0.1% aqueous solution of methylene blue – and coherent (low-intensity laser radiation) as well as non-coherent (polarized non-coherent low-intensity radiation) red-spectrum light on biofilms of clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans , as well as reference test strains S. aureus ATCC 25923 and C. albicans ATCC 10231, was investigated. It was established that the use of antimicrobial phot o dynamic therapy leads to a significant reduction in the density of 5-day-old biofilms of the studied microbial strains, which is manifested by a decrease in the growth intensity of biofilm scrapings on solid nutrient media by an average of 88.2-94.7% co m pared with the control. A 20-minute exposure to methylene blue led to a reduction in biofilm density by 38.6-45.7% compared with the control group. At the same time, low-intensity laser radiation and polarized non-coherent low-intensity red-spectrum radiation with a power density of 40 mW /cm² did not produce a statistically significant effect on the density of the formed bi o films . Ten-minute irradiation of the microbial inoculum of the reference test strains S. aureus ATCC 25923 and C. albicans ATCC 10231 with PILER radiation showed a stimulatory effect, manifested by an increase in the biofilm density of these strains by 24.7 – 30.5%. When comparing the effects of low-intensity laser radiation and polarized non-coherent radiation on the bi o films of the studied strains, their similarity was noted both when used alone and when combined with a photosensitizer . Given the pr o nounced antibiofilm effect, the use of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy may be recommended as part of combination trea t ment for infections caused by S. aureus and C. albicans , with the aim of disrupting microbial biofilms and reducing the pharm a cological burden on the body.
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between thyroid gland function and susceptibility to liver disease in an Iraqi patient population. The researchers worked in Iraq and survey ed consenting patients of diffe r ent ages who attended the Al-Hussein Teaching Hospital and the Ibn Al-Bitar Laboratory in Thi-Qar province. Further, there were fifty healthy controls, both male and female and of different ages who were sampled. In order to examine the association between thyroid hormones and liver functioning, blood serum was measured in terms of TSH, T 3 , T 4 , AST, ALT, and bilirubin in patients as well as controls. The results showed that patients who suffered liver disease had a lower body mass index (BMI) than the control group and that there were also no statistically significant differences in age. AST levels had a positive relationship with T 4 (r = 0.260) and a neg a tive relationship with TSH (r = – 0.131). Also, age had a positive correlation with the BMI (r = 0.381) and neg a tively correlated with bilirubin levels (r = – 0.274). The l iver is the important part of the metabolism of thyroid hormones and, vice versa, the level of thyroid hormones is necessary to ensure the proper functioning of liver and bilirubin metabolism. In addition to the established correlation of thyroid dysfunction with autoimmune diseases of the liver such as primary biliary cirrhosis and hypothyroidism that affect the liver, thyroid diseases can also be a cause of liver injury or affect liver function tests.
This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of the acute toxicity profile and anticonvulsant potential of N-methylcytisine hydrobromide using validated experimental animal models. Although N-methylcytisine hydrobromide is structurally derived from cytisine, it exhibits distinct pharmacological characteristics that differentiate it from its parent compound. Notably, N-methylcytisine functions as a competitive antagonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, thereby modulating neuronal excitation processes within the central nervous system. This mechanism is considered a key contributor to its observed anticonvulsant effects. In the thiosemicarbazide-induced seizure model, administration of N-methylcytisine hydrobromide contributed to the restoration of the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission at the level of interneuronal signaling. This regulatory effect resulted in a marked reduction in central nervous system hyperexcitability, as evidenced by a decrease in both the severity and duration of seizure activity. These findings suggest that the compound exerts a stabilizing influence on neurochemical processes associated with seizure generation. Furthermore, pronounced anticonvulsant activity was observed across multiple experimental seizure paradigms, including strychnine- and corazole-induced convulsion models. Importantly, the efficacy of N-methylcytisine hydrobromide in these models was comparable to that of established antiepileptic drugs, such as carbamazepine and convulex, which are widely used in clinical practice. Collectively, these results highlight the significant anticonvulsant potential of N-methylcytisine hydrobromide and support its consideration as a promising candidate for further develo p ment as an antiepileptic agent. Additional pharmacological and clinical investigations are warranted to fully elucidate its therapeutic profile and mechanisms of action.
The efficiency of dairy farming hinges on properly organized livestock reproduction. Farms use several indicators to assess herd reproduction, one of which is the age and live weight of heifers at their first fertilization. In this study, data from the zootechnical records of first-calf Ayrshire cows at the "Myrne" State Enterprise in the Poltava region of Ukraine were analyzed. The animals were divided into groups according to their age at insemination (under 14 months, 14 to 16 months, or over 16 months) and their live weight at insemination (under 370 kg, 370 to 400 kg, or over 400 kg). The analysis revealed that the first service period ( days open) was 95 days shorter for animals inseminated before 14 months of age compared to those inseminated at 16 months of age or older. First-calf heifers that were inseminated at an earlier age had a significantly lower milk yield per lactation compared to animals in other groups, by 1,326 – 1,463 kg. The duration of lactation explains this difference. Animals inseminated at up to 14 months of age with a live weight exceeding 400 kg had the shortest lactation and service periods. The lowest milk yield for the first lactation and the first 305 days of lactation was observed in animals inseminated at up to 14 months of age and weighing 370 – 400 kg. The longest first service period was characteristic of late-inseminated heifers with a high live weight. Heifers inseminated at an age younger than 14 months had the highest average daily gain from birth to 15 months. For heifers with a live weight of up to 370 kg, it was 800 g; for heifers with a live weight of 370-400 kg, it was 835 g; and for heifers with a live weight of more than 400 kg, it was 913 g. Intensive rearing of replacement heifers contributes to faster herd repr o duction and increases the profitability of dairy farming. Further research should determine the economic lifespan of cows based on the age of first insemination and first calving.
The highly contagious diarrheal illness known as cholera, which affects millions of people globally, is caused by the bact e rium Vibrio cholera . Cholera is a significant health problem that is most prevalent in i nsanitary nations and areas devastated by emergencies when access to clean drinking water is scarce. T he present study aims t o determine the role of V . cholera in stim u lating the development of IL-1 b eta and immunoglobulin ( M, G, A) in diarrhea patients. The investigation was conducted in Baquba city, the governorate of Diyala Province , from 1/8/2023 to 1/11/2023. One hundred stool and blood samples were collected from diarrheal patients who were inpatients at Baquba Teaching Hospital/Internal Medicine Department after being examined by a specialist doctor to determine the positivity of V . cholera (stool samples) by culture and the levels of IL-1 beta with immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, and IgA) (blood samples) by ELISA. SPSS version 20 was used to analyze the data. The current study reveal s that 70% (n = 70) of patients with diarrhea ha d V . cholera with a significant variation. Most patients with V . cholera we re 21 – 40 years old (54.3%) and 41 – 60 years old (28.6%), lived in a rural area (81.4%), ha d a fever ≤37 o C (78.6%), ha d watery stools (100 .0 %), ha d no blood in the stool (85.7%), ha d abdominal pain (72.9%), or ha d vomiting (88.6%). Significant differences in the levels of IL-1beta and immunoglobulin (IgM and IgA) we re detected between V . cholera patients and healthy controls. Finally, these bacteria did not significantly affect the levels of human IgG. It has been concluded that the culture method is suitable for det ecting V . cholera in stool samples. The incidence of cholera has increased in rural regions due to the loss of teaching about health and hygiene . Bacterial toxins play a significant role in inactivating macrophages that release IL-1beta via pyrin and the NLRP3 inflammasome.IL-1beta leads to increased inflammation due to its proinflammatory effect. The human serum levels of IgM and IgA immunoglobulins are more strongly affected by V . cholera than are those of IgG.
The growing demand for cheeses as components of healthy nutrition is associated with minimal processing of raw milk and the preservation of biologically valuable constituents. These include soft cheeses such as Feta and Chevre , which are pr o duced from unpasteurized goat milk and therefore require assessment of quality and safety based on their mineral composition during ripening. The study was carried out using optical emission spectrometry. It was found that during the ripening of brined Feta cheese, the content of calcium, zinc, and iron did not change, while the levels of phosphorus (by 11.0%), sodium (by 23.5%), potassium (by 13.5%), magnesium (by 36.5%), manganese (by 2.32 times), molybdenum (by 1.95 times), and lead (by 21.4%) decreased. In contrast, by the 30th month of ripening, the content of copper in Feta cheese had increased by 2.04 times and cobalt by 1.54 times. Essential elements in Feta cheese were arranged by concentration as follows: Na > Ca = P > K > Mg > Zn > Fe > Mn = Cu > Mo > Co > Se. The accumulation of heavy metals, in particular aluminum, nickel, chrom i um, cadmium, and mercury, in Feta cheese did not depend on its age and did not reach the maximum permissible concentr a tions. According to their content in Feta cheese, heavy metals were distributed as follows: Al > Pb = Ni > Cr > Cd > Hg > As = Sb. The mineral composition of Chevre cheese, which ripens with the participation of white noble mold, significantly depen d ed on its age. On the 40th day of ripening, Chevre cheese showed an increase in the content of calcium (by 1.57 times), sodium (by 9.4%), potassium (by 22.1%), magnesium (by 1.47 times), iron (by 2.00 times), manganese (by 1.53 times), copper (by 1.52 times), and cobalt (by 1.45 times), against the background of stable levels of phosphorus, zinc, molybdenum, lead, nickel, chromium, and cadmium. Macro- and microelements in Chevre cheese were arranged in descending order of concentration as follows: Na > P > K > Ca > Mg > Zn > Fe > Mn = Cu > Mo > Co > Se. The aluminum content in Chevre cheese increased by 25.5%, and mercury by 38.5% by the 40th day of ripening. Concentrations of heavy metals in Chevre cheese decreased in the following sequence: Al > Pb > Ni > Cr > Cd > Hg > As = Sb. The content of selenium, arsenic, and antimony in both cheeses remained below the detection limit throughout the ripening period. The results of the study demonstrated that soft Feta and Chevre cheeses made from unpasteurized goat milk are characterized by a unique macro- and microelement composition, which confirms their biological value and safety with respect to heavy metal content. The mineral composition of craft goat cheeses Feta and Chevre may serve as one of the components of the criteria for their authenticity and the environmental well-being of the region.
The study examines the morphological, histological, ultrasonographic , and luminescent characteristics of skin scars in dogs and cats caused by stabbing and cutting instruments, analyzed dynamically throughout the wound healing pr o cess. It is demo n strated that skin scars possess clearly defined features that vary depending on the duration of scar tissue formation and can be used for the approximate determination of the age of injury. It was established that the process of scar formation proceeds through sequential stages of inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling, which are characte r ized by specific histomorphological patterns, including changes in cellular composition, organization of collagen fibers, and restoration of skin appendages. Histological studies showed that already at the early stages (days 8–12), active r e generation of the dermis, epidermis, and skin appenda g es occurs within the scar area, accompanied by high fibroblast activity and the formation of a collagen matrix. However, at later stages (days 21–25), scar tissue acquires a microscopic structure that closely a p proximates that of intact skin. This enables an objective assessment of the stages and completion of the healing process and, consequently, the determination of the age of injury, which constitutes the subject of forensic veterinary examination. Examination of skin scars under ultraviolet radiation on day 14 allows the detection of weakly expressed or absent fluorescence of scar tissue, which is due to the insufficient accumul a tion of mature collagen, despite the already relatively ordered orientation of collagen bundles. Wound healing in dogs occurs more rapidly and intensiv e ly than in cats, which is manifested by a more pronounced inflammatory response, more active neoangiogenesis , higher fibroblastic activity, and faster remodeling of scar tissue. An author-developed classification of skin scars, comprising 17 criteria, was created and formed the basis for forensic veterinary analysis aimed at assessing their impact on exterior disfigurement and mutilation of animals, as well as influencing the formulation of an accurate and comprehensive fore n sic veterinary diagnosis. The practical significance of the study lies in substantiating the objectives of forensic veterinary exam i nations of animals injured by sharp objects, particularly in the possibility of using a complex of macroscopic, histological, ultrasonographic , and lum i nescent scar features to establish the mechanism of trauma, the approximate age of injury, and to assess the degree of trauma-induced morphological and functional disorders in the organism.
Canine chlamydiosis is an infectious disease that has gained considerable relevance in contemporary veterinary medicine. The study was conducted at the Irpin City State Veterinary Medicine Hospital (Irpin, Ukraine) during 2024–2025. A total of 167 cases with suspected chlamydial infection were analysed in dogs of various breeds, ages and sexes, including mixed-breed co m panion animals. In 2024, 22 positive cases were recorded, while in 2025 this number increased to 31. It was established that c a nine chlamydiosis manifested in five clinical forms: polyarthritic, dermatological, respiratory, intestinal and genital. The article presents the results of a comprehensive study focused on the differential diagnosis of the polyarthritic and dermatological forms of canine chlamydiosis. The relevance of the study is determined by the polymorphism of clinical manifestations of chlamydial infection and the difficulty of distinguishing it from other infectious, inflammatory and non-infectious diseases affecting the joints and skin. Particular attention was paid to differentiating the polyarthritic and cutaneous forms of chlamydiosis from conditions such as Lyme disease, bacterial and viral arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative joint diseases, traumatic arthritis, demodic o sis, dermatophytosis, bacterial pyoderma, as well as endocrine and allergic dermatoses. Differential diagnosis was based on the analysis of clinical signs, the characteristics of synovial effusion, haematological parameters, and the results of radiographic, ultrasonographic and specific laboratory investigations. The final diagnosis of canine chlamydiosis was established on the basis of an integrated assessment of clinical findings and the results of haematological, serological, radiographic and immunological examinations (ELISA). The obtained results made it possible to systematise the main diagnostic criteria and to propose alg o rithms for the differential diagnosis of polyarthritic and dermatological manifestations of chlamydiosis in dogs. The proposed approaches may be applied in veterinary practice to improve the accuracy and timeliness of diagnosis.
To guarantee the safety and high quality of meat and meat products, freezing is currently considered one of the most effective methods of preservation, commonly used in food industry. The objective of the study was to determine the activity of microbiota and the biochemical changes in frozen beef stored at different temperatures in order to substantiate optimal regimes that ensure high quality and safety of the raw material. Three regimes of storage were studied: –12 °С for 8 months, –20 °С for 14 months, and at –25 °С for 18 months. The microbiological analysis revealed that at –12 °С, a large amount of psychrotrophic microflora remained vital, whereas the number of fungi and yeasts even increased by 1.86 times. Storage at –20 °С reduced the levels of Enterobacteriaceae (on average by 20 times), mesophilic , and psychrotrophic microorganisms, and also stopped the reproduction of fungal microflora . At –25 °С, the results were similar to those at –20 °С, indicating absence of additional advantages of this regime in terms of microbiological stabi l ity. The biochemical studies revealed that at –12 °С, protein breakdown and hydrolysis of fats was more intensive, a c companied by the increases in the contents of amino-ammonia nitrogen (1.38 times) and volatile fatty acids (4.63 times), compared with fresh meat, and also an increase in рН up to 6.05 ± 0.03. Such changes indicate the formation of signs of ‘doubtful freshness’. At –20 °С and –25 °С, those parameters changed insignificantly, allowing the meat to be classified as fresh. The analysis of lipid peroxidation indicated that an increase in the temperature of storage promoted a more intensive formation of TBA-active products and diene conjugates. At –12 °С, their contents increased by 13.0 ± 0.2% and 27.2 ± 0.3%, respectively, while no statistically significant changes were observed at –20 °С and –25 °С. The yiel d ed results indicate that an optimal regime for long (over 12 months) storage of beef is –20 °С, which provided a high level of microbiological safety, slowed down the course of unsatisfactory biochemical processes, without any additional energy expenditures required for the –25 °С regime. The –12 °С regime can be used only for short-term storage given a low initial contamination and control of the development of fungal microflora .
Aspergillosis is one of the most common mycotic infections affecting birds, mammals, and humans. It is recorded worl d wide and causes substantial losses to enterprises. The disease develops predominantly following the entry of Aspergillus spores into the body of animals and birds, and may run an acute or chronic course. Important factors in disease development include litter or grain contaminated with fungi, poor ventilation in livestock facilities, failure to comply with veterinary and sanitary rules when preparing premises for chick placement, and increased stocking density, which increases the likelihood of infection. The intensity of infection and clinical manifestations depend on the host’s defensive capacity, pathogen virulence, and the nu m ber of spores entering the body. This article describes a case of pulmonary aspergillosis in 4-day-old Cobb-500 broiler chicks, in which increased mortality was observed over 10 days and exceeded 5%. The affected chicks were inactive, lay mostly with the neck extended forward, had labored breathing, and did not consume feed or water. During necropsy, solitary and multiple miliary greyish -yellow granulomatous nodules were detected, localized on the air sacs and within the pulmonary parenchyma. In most chicks, the air sacs were thickened and, in some instances, covered with fibrinous deposits with a grey-white and greenish-grey mold-like surface. Histological examination of the air sacs and lungs revealed massive accumulations of septate hyphae , arranged chaotically and invading the tissues. Septate hyphae with dichotomous branching had a clearly defined cell wall and, by morph o logical features, corresponded to fungi of the genus Aspergillus . Occasional conidiophores were also detected within the hyphal masses, indicating active sporulation of the agent. In the lungs of broiler chicks, multiple granulomatous lesions were identified; centrally they contained septate , dichotomously branching hyphae that invasively extended into the surrounding parenchyma and vessels. At the periphery of granulomas , heterophilic-macrophagic infiltration and formation of multinucleated giant cells were characteristically present. Grocott staining confirmed the presence of numerous hyphae typical of Aspergillus spp.
