Cartilage defects have limited regenerative potential and remain a significant clinical challenge. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy offers promise in tissue engineering, yet monitoringpost-implantation responses remains difficult. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), a biomarkerof cell damage and inflammation, may provide insight into systemic and local tissue reactions. This study aimed to assess the levels of serum and synovial fluid LDH following the implantation of allogeneic MSCs into cartilage defects in a rabbit model. A total of 56 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: control (Group A), and groups receiving fibrin glue with adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs), or synovial-derived stem cells (SDSCs). Serum and synovial fluid samples were collected at baseline and 12 weeks post-surgery to measure serum and synovial fluid LDH levels. Serum LDH levels were significantly elevated in all MSC-treated groups relative to controls (p=0.019), potentially due to high anaerobic metabolism or implantation-related toxicity, systemic response and apoptosis. However, no additional adverse effects were observed, making toxicity or further articular damage unlikely. No significant changes were detected in synovial fluid LDH across groups (p=0.070), suggesting limited value as a biomarker for cartilage repair.
The study aimed to isolate and identify cellulolytic bacteria associated with the gut of yellow mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) and to assess their main phenotypic and enzymatic features. Bacteria capable of utilizing cellulose as the sole carbon source were cultured on CMC medium under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Molecular identification based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed two isolates: Mammaliicoccus lentus (ML01) and Pseudocitrobacter vendiensis (PV02), both showing high sequence similarity to GenBank references (≥ 99.4%). Phylogenetic analysis confirmed their close relationship with corresponding species. Microscopy and biochemical tests indicated that ML01 is a Gram-positive, oxidase-positive coccus, whereas PV02 is a Gram-negative, oxidase-negative rod. Both strains exhibited γ-hemolysis and strong growth on TSA and LB media. API 20E profiling showed that ML01 could ferment several carbohydrates and produce β-galactosidase and arginine dihydrolase, while PV02 also expressed β-galactosidase activity. Cellulolytic activity, confirmed by Congo red and iodine staining, was observed in both isolates, with PV02 demonstrating the highest hydrolytic capacity. These findings indicate that the gut of T. molitor harbors cellulolytic bacteria with potential zoonotic risk, highlighting the need for their further monitoring.
Anaplasma infects diverse cell types in animals and humans, worldwide. The current study was aimed at evaluating the occurrence, risk parameters and phylogeny of Anaplasma capra in small ruminants from three agro-climatically distinct regions of Pakistan. A total of 600 blood samples were randomly gathered from asymptomatic sheep and goats from Toba Tek Singh, Khushab, and Dera Ismail Khan districts of Pakistan using a multistage cluster sampling technique from January 2023 to May 2024. The blood samples were analyzed for Anaplasma infection targeting the 16S rRNA gene using the PCR followed by sequencing. A pre-tested questionnaire was used utilized to gather information regarding risk factors. The prevalence of anaplasmosis was revealed as 27.83% (167/600). The data suggested a higher frequency of disease in goats (30.37%) compared to sheep (24.82%). Analysis of multivariate logistic regression determined that cracks in walls (p<0.0001, OR=2.240, CI=1.439-3.487) and grooming practice (p<0.01, OR=1.793, CI=1.235-2.604) were the significant risk factors. The phylogeny of the 16S rRNA gene identified two separate clusters of A. capra exhibiting 99-100% similarity with various geographic isolates. The isolates of the current study exhibited higher homology with isolates from France, Ghana, South Korea, Turkey, China, and Pakistan traced from ticks, sheep, water buffalo, cattle, and water deer, respectively. In conclusion, anaplasmosis is widespread in the study regions with indication of genetic diversity. Additional research is required on the clinicopathological and potential vectors of zoonotic A. capra for devising better treatment and control measures.
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), Estradiol benzoate (EB) and Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) on follicular dynamics and luteal characteristics of buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). The animals were separated into four experimental groups: EB (n=10), EB+eCG (n=10), GnRH (n=10) and GnRH+eCG (n=10). Using B-mode and Power-Doppler ultrasound, follicular characteristics of the largest follicle, from day 9 until day 11, diameter of the preovulatory follicle, follicular area, total wall area of the preovulatory follicle, growth rate of the ovulatory follicle, vascularization in the wall area of the preovulatory follicle, percentage of vascularization in the wall area of the preovulatory follicle and moment of ovulation, were evaluated for follicular dynamics. Furthermore, on day 18 of the protocol, diameter of the corpus luteum, total area of the corpus luteum, vascularization of the corpus luteum, percentage of vascularization of the corpus luteum and the serum progesterone levels were also evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed using Tukey's test, Kruskal-Wallis and repeated measures ANOVA with a 5% significance level. Statistically significant differences were found for diameter of the corpus luteum with 1.78±0.12cm in the EB+eCG group and 1.62±0.11cm in the EB group (p=0.047), as well as in the Progesterone dosages between the treatments GnRH+eCG (4.09±0.94ng/mL) and GnRH (2.80±0.70ng/mL), p=0.017. Regarding the variables assessed by Power Doppler, no statistical differences were found between the experimental groups. Finally, the price analysis revealed that the EB+eCG protocol is 19% cheaper than the GnRH+eCG protocol. Therefore, EB offers better cost/benefit on the reproductive parameters of buffaloes subjected to pharmacological control of the estrous cycle.
African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious disease affecting both free-living wild boars (Sus scrofa) and domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus). In accordance with EU regulations, an ASF outbreak in pig farms necessitates immediate herd culling, leading to severe economic losses and restrictions on pork exports. Therefore, effective epidemiological surveillance of wild boar populations is crucial for monitoring the spread of the disease in the natural environment and preventing transmission to domestic pig farms. This study assessed the effectiveness of an ASF surveillance system consisting of the AtraxASF (unmanned aerial vehicle) and the NeoxASF (fixed-wing aircraft), both equipped with thermal imaging cameras. The study was conducted in Mielec County, Subcarpathian Province, an area with confirmed ASF outbreaks. The proposed surveillance system was used to observe wild boars and identify individuals exhibiting elevated body temperature, which is the earliest detectable symptom of ASF infection. The thermal imaging technology allowed for real-time detection and mapping of potentially infected animals. The system successfully detected wild boars with increased body temperature, demonstrating its potential utility for early detection of ASF in wildlife populations. The application of drone- and aircraft-based monitoring significantly enhanced surveillance efficiency by providing a rapid, non-invasive approach to assessing the health status of wild boar populations in affected areas. The implementation of drone-based surveillance systems and thermal imaging technologies offers a highly effective alternative to traditional epidemiological monitoring methods. The system enhances early detection capabilities, enabling quicker response measures to prevent the spread of ASF to pig farms. Integrating such technologies into existing biosecurity strategies could play a key role in controlling ASF outbreaks and minimizing economic losses in the pig farming sector.
