Raafat M A El-Bakery is currently working at Alexandria University, Egypt.

This paper describes an alternative method to study and teach the gross anatomy to undergraduate and postgraduate students using air-drying method. This study depend on the air-drying pump machine (compressor) to preserve the hallow organs of different animals by air-drying method, then the preserved hallow organs are injected by expanding foam into their lumen followed by varnishing their external surface to protect the preserved hallow organs from the insects damage. This method of preservation is suitable for development country as it is very cheaper in preparation, simple to perform, carried out at room temperature (37° C-40° C), not need special equipments to perform and the produced specimens have many advantages as the normal anatomical form is maintained durable, very light in its weight, not toxic in handling, resist the bad handling and the deterioration by fungi or bacteria and all structures very clear on the preserved organs and also the preserved specimen can live for many years without any changes.

Deborah Hynes is a PhD student in Agri-Food and Bioscience Institute (AFBI), Hillsborough, UK. She has completed her first degree program in Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Ireland. She is a member of the ruminant nutrition unit of AFBI, headed by Professor Tianhai Yan. Prior to her PhD, she gained experience as a Scientific Officer in AFBI, Hillsborough.

Improved nitrogen use efficiency is essential to reduce production costs and nitrogen outputs in the environment. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of crude protein content of concentrates on nitrogen utilization. Twelve multiparous dairy cows grouped based on milk yield, live weight, lactation stage and milk fat and protein (CP) contents which were 35±3.7 kg/d, 544±45 kg, 119±20.5 days in milk, 37.5±2.81 g/kg, 32.5±2.31 g/kg respectively were used. Each group was fed fresh cut perennial rye grass at 65% dry matter (DM) intake and concentrates at 35% DM intake. Records of feed intake and total outputs in feces and urine were performed. Data were analyzed by residual maximum likelihood analysis using breed (pure Holstein, Holstein crossbreds) and concentrate type (low CP, 13% DM; medium CP, 15% DM; high CP, 17% DM) as fixed factors and cow as random factor. The effect of breed or concentrate type was not significant on milk yield although Holstein cows had higher yield than Holstein crossbreds when both groups fed medium CP diets. Overall, low CP concentrate did not affect milk yield but decreased urinary N output by 30 g/d (P=0.016). The effect of breed or concentrate type was also non-significant on milk urea nitrogen contents and fecal N outputs. This study highlights that supplementing pasture-based diets with CP levels as low as 13% DM, may sustain performance while economically improving productivity and show positive environmental implications by reducing N outputs in the environment.

Amanda is currently in the 2nd year of her PhD at the Agri-food and bioscience institute (AFBI), Hillsborough, Northern Ireland where she is primarily supervised by Dr. Steven Morrison. The title of her PhD is ‘Immuno-competence development in dairy calves’. Previous to this she has completed a BSc honours degree in Agriculture Technology at Queens University, Belfast.

Calves are born with a functional but naive immune system; therefore, successful passive transfer of colostrum immunoglobulins from dam to calf is vital to reducing calf mortalities. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of feeding colostrum at 5% or 10% of birth weight (BW) to Holstein calves (n = 39) on IgG1 blood sera concentrations, performance and health. All calves received colostrum from their mother within 2.5 hours of birth and subsequent 4 days. Calves were group penned from day 5 and fed via automatic feeder where milk replacer, concentrate intake and weight were recorded daily. Blood samples were obtained from jugular vein at 0, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hrs and days 7, 14, 21, 35, 49, 56 and 70 post birth and analysed for IgG1 (Bovine IgG1 ELISA, BioPanda). Statistical analyses were performed using GenStat (16th edition), using a combination of ANOVA, REML repeated measures and generalised linear models. Feeding calves 10% compared to 5% BW in colostrum resulted in significantly (p < 0.05) greater IgG1 concentration in calves’ serum at 12, 24 and 48 hours after birth. Calves receiving 10% BW had a significantly lower number of scour episodes than calves fed 5% BW (P<0.001). Calves fed 5%BW had significantly higher concentrate intakes compared to those fed 10%BW (p<0.001). Colostrum feeding level had no effect on milk replacer or live weight gain. In conclusion, feeding higher colostrum volumes resulted in successful passive transfer, reduced scour episodes but had no effect on growth performance.

Kamila Bujko has completed her Master’s degree in 2014 from University of Wroclaw, Poland specializing in Medical Biotechnology. At the moment, she is carrying out her doctoral studies from Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding in Jastrzebiec, Poland. Her research interests focus on the role of selenium supplementation in regulation of metabolic pathways and redox homeostasis in sheep.

Selenium (Se) is an essential dietary microelement with proved pro-health properties. Se modulates the expression level of genes with key importance in metabolic pathways connected with antioxidative processes and homeostasis. This study was conducted to verify influence of Se supplementation on the expression level of selected selenoproteins (GPX1, GPX2, GPX4, SEPP1, SEPM, SEPN1,SEPW1, SELO, SEP15, SEPHS2, TXNRD1, MSRB). 72 Polish Merino lambs divided in three groups (n=24): With mean daily Se intake of 0.159 ppm Se for group fed with basal diet (BD), 0.659 ppm for group fed with BD supplemented with 0.5 ppm Se (Na2SeO4) and 0.090 ppm for group grazed on pasture. After 60 days of fattening lambs were slaughtered, liver and longissimus dorsi samples were harvested, frozen and stored at -80° C. Total RNA was isolated, reverse transcribed into cDNA and qPCR was performed. Compared with lambs fed BD those supplemented with 0.5 ppm Se had significantly higher (P≤0,05) relative expression level of GPX1, SEPP1, SEPN1, SEPW1, SELO, SEP15 and MSRB in the longissimus dorsi and GPX1, SEPW1, SEP15 and TXNRD1 in the liver. Lambs grazed on pasture compared with lambs fed with BD had significantly higher relative expression level of SEPP1, SEPN1, SEP15, SEPHS2 and MSRB in the longissimus dorsi and SEPW1 in the liver. SEPP1, GPX4, GPX1 and SEPW1 proved to have the higher expression in the muscle and SEPP1, GPX4, GPX1 and SEPM in the liver. Expression level of selected selenoproteins was significantly higher in the liver compared with the muscle.

Alper Baran has completed his PhD at the age of 27 years from Istanbul University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and postdoctoral studies from same university and faculty. He is the Director of Department of Andrology in Istanbul University. He has published more than 26 papers in Science Citation Index journals.

This study has been designed to examine the effect on cardiovascular enzymes, testosterone and semen characteristics of the Yucca schidigera plant, used as a feed additive in commercial cat food for the purpose of decreasing faecalodour in male cats. In eighteen healthy male cats, while the biomarker cardiac troponin I (cTnI), known as the “gold standard” for cardiovascular assessment in cats was used, creatin kinase-MB (CK MB), total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglyceride levels were also investigated as aiding parameters. The level of cTnI was 0,16±0.03 ng/ml before feeding. It was found 0.20 ± 0.04 ng/ml after feeding. Similarly, results of the study demonstrated that there was no difference statistically in cardiovascular or lipidic parameters after feeding on this type of pet food for 18 months. The level of testosterone was 0.29±0.01 ng/ml before feeding. It was found 0.21±0.02 ng/ml after feeding (p>0.05). Therefore, semen analysis revealed a statistically significant increase in sperm motility alongside a significant decrease in sperm abnormalities. The mean volume, concentration, motility and total sperm defect rates were 118.61±8.55 µl, 197.78±12.83x106/ml, 83.33±1.06% and 27.22±1.33% before feeding, respectively. These values were 213.06±21.29 µl, 300.56±16.59 x106/ml, 90.00±1.07% and 18.67±0.59% after feeding, respectively. The differences between these values were statistically significant (p<0.001). It was concluded at the end of the study that the commercial cat food containing Yucca schidigera could be beneficial effects of the sperm volume, concentration, motility and total morphological defect rates in healthy male cats.

Basil A. Abbas has completed his PhD at the age of 38 years from Indian Institute of Technology- Roorkeeat Department of Biotechnology. He is the Ex Dean of College of Veterinary Medicine University of Basrah, Iraq. He has published more than 40 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an editorial board member of Bas. J. Vet. Res.

A total of 400 samples were collected from human female during the study. Samples include 200 blood samples and 200 vaginal swabs. The study showed that 90 samples (22.5 %) were positive for the presence of yeasts isolates. The percentages in pregnant were 56.45% while in non-pregnant were 42.10%. In relation with using antibiotics, the result showed highest levels of yeast isolation in antibiotic users than not with a percent of 78.57%. In relation with abortion state, the result indicated that the percentage was 47.05%. By using disc diffusion method for 7 antifungal drugs toward 20 C. albicans isolates, Fluconazole, Clotrimazole, Miconazole and Ketoconazole showed the highest activity toward C. albicans. Molecular identification with multiplex polymerase chain reaction technique (PCR) for C. albicans was used to confirm the presence of virulence genes. The result showed that 65% had ALS1 gene, 55% had HWP gene and 40% had INT gene.

Sabry Ahmed Mousa has completed his PhD in 2011 from Cairo University–Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in cattle medicine that dealt with the clinical studies on cellular and biochemical constituents of rumen liquor and blood in cattle. He has been a member in national projects in rumenology titled (Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Productive value of the rumen ciliates in ruminants) and (Banking of rumen ciliate for improvement of ruminant farm animals production). He has published international book in LAMBERT Academic Publishing under title. He has 6 papers published in international journals in a field of ruminant medicine.

The current investigation was carried out to evaluate oxidative stress serum biomarkers and antioxidant concentrations in pneumonic goat. Thirty goats of different age and sex belonging to private farms in Giza governorate were used in this study. All goats were exposed to complete and comprehensive clinical examination (rectal temperature, pulse and respiratory rates) which revealed significant increase (p≤0.05) in pneumonic goats. The animals were divided into two equal groups: apparently healthy (15), diseased (15). Blood samples were collected from both groups in clean test tubes to determine various serum biomarkers as enzymatic activates of superoxidase dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX)in erythrocyte haemolysate, catalase (CAT), vitamin C, vitamin E and selected biochemical parameters as (Albumin(Alb), aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) , alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), urea and creatinine). The levels of superoxidase dismutase, glutathione peroxidase were significant higher (p≤0.05) in pneumonic goats than healthy while vitamines C, E were significant decrease (p≤0.05) in pneumonic goats. Serum biochemical analysis revealed significant decrease (p≤0.05) in Albumin with significant increase (p≤0.05) in ALT, AST and creatinine levels in pneumonic goats. It can be concluded that pneumonia served to produce oxidative stress in the goat with increased activities of antioxidant enzymes to facing excessive production of free radicals. For healthier status in small ruminant antioxidant supplementation is very important as supportive treatment in diseased cases and preventive aid in healthy cases. Antioxidants play a critical role in protection of animal from oxidative stress and ensuring rapid curing in diseased cases.

Prazila Shrestha has completed her BVSc in 2008 and MVSc (Microbiology) in 2010 from Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan University. She is Employee of Animal Health Research Division under Nepal Agricultural Research Council as Scientist since 2012. Her Current Research involves Seroprevalence of Q-fever in Nepal and Molecular Characterization of Salmonella spp. in poultry.

Salmonellosis is an infectious disease of humans and animals caused by organisms Salmonella. Salmonellosis is prevalent in developing countries including Nepal where it still remains as a major health problem. Moreover, the emergence of multiple drug resistant Salmonella from poultry has produced a potential threat to public health. Research addressing these issues is sparse in Nepal. So, this cross sectional study aims at determining the prevalence, antibiogram and risk factors of Salmonella from dressed meat of backyard chicken of Chitwan and Kathmandu valley, Nepal with special emphasis on isolation of Salmonella bacteria and their drug resistant pattern. A total of 94 samples of dressed meat samples from Chitwan and Kathmandu valley were collected and processed according to OIE Terrestrial Manual, 2010, chapter 2.9.9 Antibiogram of identified Salmonella spp. was evaluated against nine commonly used antibiotics by using disc diffusion method following CLSI guidelines. The prevalence of Salmonella spp was found 19.14%. Among those isolated Salmonella, Gentamycin and chloramphenicol was highly sensitive drug (87.5%) followed by erythromycin (75%), streptomycin (62.5%) and ciprofloxacin and doxycycline (50%). On the other hand highest resistance was observed with penicillin, ampicillin, cloxacillin and trimethoprim (100%) followed by cephalexin 75% and nitrofuratoin (55%). The meat of Chitwan and Kathmandu valley is contaminated with antibiotic-resistant Salmonella and slaughtering practices play significant role in contamination. It is necessary to train the butchers about hygienic slaughtering practice. The consumers as well as butchers should adopt safety measures to prevent themselves from antibiotic resistant Salmonella. The veterinary practitioners should adopt prudent use of antibiotics in poultry.

Khatima Ait Oudhia has completed her PhD from High National Veterinary School in Algiers, Algeria and Post-doctoral studies from University of Medicine of Montpellier, France. She has published more than 10 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of repute.

A serological survey was carried out in the northern part of Algeria (Algiers, Tizi-Ouzou, Boumerdes and Bouira), for the presence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii, Chlamydia psittaci var. ovis, Coxiella burnetii, and Brucella spp. Out of 585 samples tested by, highest overall prevalence (36.2%) was found for Brucella spp. The 28.6% and 12.59% of tested sheep were positive for T. gondii and C. psittaci var. ovis respectively. A total of 12.2% were found to be seropositive for C. burnetii. Levels of these infections were found in all four prefectures. The demonstration of circulation of some bacterial and parasitic zoonotic agents in sheep flocks in the northern prefectures of Algeria, based on serological analysis, advanced the knowledge on pathogens affecting domestic sheep in Algeria. Considering the zoonotic potential of these pathogens, further studies are needed.

M A El-Sherif graduated from faculty of veterinary medicine, Cairo University in August 2010. He finished his MVCs in January 2014, and his master thesis was on “Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) – Laminitis and has one paper published in veterinary medical journal 01/2014; “Evaluation of selected serum biochemical constituents and combined glucose insulin test in equine metabolic syndrome affected ponies".

Equine piroplasmosis is a clinically significant widespread tick-borne disease affecting equine population and industry. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical signs, the correlation between the developed anemia and trace mineral status along with lipid peroxidation product (MDA) in naturally occurring Equine piroplasmosis. Fever, Hemoglobinuria and Icterus were the most consistent clinical signs recorded in this study. The hematologic evaluation showed decrease in red cell parameters along with leucocytosis. Macrocytic hypochromic anemia was recorded in infected horses alongside relative increase in copper and relative decrease in ferrous and zinc. MDA showed very statistically significant difference when compared to control data. High level of MDA along with reduction in PCV, HB, and RBCs count is indicating the presence of oxidative stress and implicating the process as a cause of anemia in T. equi infection. The trace mineral status (Cu, Zn, and Fe) appeared to be directly affected by the parasite and the mineral status influenced by the anemic syndrome associated with T. equi. Inversely correlation between zinc and MDA level might be used in planning the treatment strategy of T. equi.