This study aimed to explore an innovative approach to enhancing the shelf-life and quality of meat products through the application of an active packaging system. The study involved the development of new free-standing carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) nanocomposite films incorporated with nanoencapsulated flavonoids derived from pomegranate extract. The loaded flavonoids, known for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, were nanoencapsulated via a self-assembly approach in a mixture of chitosan and sodium alginate to improve their stability, solubility, and controlled release characteristics. Chemical structure, size, and morphology of the obtained nanoparticles (Pg-NPs) were studied with FTIR, zeta-sizer, and TEM. The Pg-NPs showed particle size of 232 nm, and zeta-potential of −20.7 mV. Various free-standing nanocomposite films were then developed via incorporation of Pg-NPs into CMC …

Metronomic chemotherapy (MC), long-term continuous administration of anticancer drugs, is gaining attention as an alternative to the traditional maximum tolerated dose (MTD) chemotherapy. By combining MC with other treatments, the therapeutic efficacy is enhanced while minimizing toxicity. MC employs multiple mechanisms, making it a versatile approach against various cancers. However, drug resistance limits the long-term effectiveness of MC, necessitating ongoing development of anticancer drugs. Traditional drug discovery is lengthy and costly due to processes like target protein identification, virtual screening, lead optimization, and safety and efficacy evaluations. Drug repurposing (DR), which screens FDA-approved drugs for new uses, is emerging as a cost-effective alternative. Both experimental and computational methods, such as protein binding assays, in vitro cytotoxicity tests, structure-based …

This study aimed to describe the morphological features and microstructure of the upper, lower, and third eyelids of the black

winged kite, Elanus caeruleus, and to characterize the organized lymphoid follicles and lymphocytes in the eyelid mucosa.

Additionally, it aimed to illustrate the importance of the eye adnexa in the eye's immune protection. The upper, lower, and

third eyelids display varying morphological differences that seem to be closely linked to the birds' way of life, indicating adjust

ments to their environment and eating behaviors. The black-winged kite has large, forward-facing eyes positioned under a bony

shelf (lacrimal process) that shades them. Both eyelids have thick, pigmented edges and bear two rows of long, finely modified

filoplume feathers, which increase at the anterior canthus. Melanocytes appear in the stratum basale of upper and lower eyelids,

and Langerhans cells were observed. Aggregations of lymphatic cells were present under the conjunctival epithelium within the

stroma of the lower eyelid (in the orbital zone near the tarsal plate), while they were absent in the upper eyelid and nictitating

membrane. The density of goblet cells on the conjunctival surface of the upper eyelid and the nictitating membrane is higher

than that of the lower eyelid. The structure of the skin and conjunctiva in both the upper and lower eyelids contains numerous

defensive immune cells that maintain ocular safety and hydration. Additionally, the lower eyelid's CALT constitutes most of the

CALT tissue in E. caeruleus and is recognized as part of the mucosal immune system.

Introduction: Curcuma longa extract and pomegranate peel extract as homeotherapy have numerous therapeutic uses, mainly for anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and hepatoprotective efficacy. The current study compared ORNIPURAL^® (as a commercial hepatoprotective drug) and a herbal mixture of Curcuma longa extract and pomegranate peel extract [as homeotherapy] in dogs with dexamethasone-induced hepatopathy throughout a 42-day long-term study.

Methods: The study was conducted on mongrel dogs (n = 30) throughout three phases of the experiment: an acclimatization phase (14 days), a steroidal-induced hepatopathy phase (14 days), and a treatment phase (14 days, i.e., either with ORNIPURAL® or with herbal mixtures). The investigated dogs undergoing complete clinical and ultrasonographic examinations as well as hematological analysis and serum hepatorenal biomarkers that were estimated in days 0 (control group), 7 (hepatopathy group), 14 (hepatopathy group), 21 (treatment group), and 28 (treatment group). Histopathology of the liver was conducted for some dogs on days 0, 14, and 28 after the euthanization of these animals.

Results and conclusion: The present study reported the most remarkable efficacy of both ORNIPURAL^® and a herbal mixture of Curcuma longa extract and pomegranate peel extract as hepatoprotective medicaments in the therapy of dexamethasone-induced fatty liver in dogs. Therefore, a 14-day treatment with either a herbal mixture or ORNIPURAL^® in treated dogs (treatment groups) induced an unmistakable improvement in their clinical status, blood pictures, and serum hepatorenal parameters as well as characteristic sonographic and histopathological findings compared with those in dexamethasone-induced hepatic lipidosis (hepatopathy groups). Compared to dogs treated with ORNIPURAL^®, this clinical improvement was more evident in dogs treated with an herbal mixture. Moreover, no significant alterations in blood pictures and serum hepatorenal indices were demonstrated between ORNIPURAL^® and herbal-treated dogs. Overall, the herbal mix of Curcuma longa extract and pomegranate peel extract had higher efficacy and greater potency than conventional therapy that uses ORNIPURAL® in treating dogs with hepatopathy. The study also recommended the parallel use of this herbal mixture as well as ORNIPURAL® in long-term therapeutic strategies in dogs with dexamethasone-induced fatty liver as both minimized dexamethasone side effects. Ultrasonography alone was not enough to evaluate hepatobiliary disorders in canines.

Introduction: Acute ruminal impaction is a metabolic disorder of the digestive system that happens in ruminants that have been fed a high amount of cereal grains, negatively impacting animal health and productivity. The present study clarified the diagnostic and prognostic significance of certain clinico-biochemical findings in evaluation of the efficacy of the applied therapeutic regimen in sheep with acute carbohydrate engorgement. This was conducted through monitoring changes in clinical findings, blood pictures, ruminal function biomarkers, serum hepatorenal indicators, and serum electrolytes indices in fattening Osimi sheep on days 0 pre-therapy and days 3, 7, 15, 30, 60, and 90 post-therapy.
Methods: The study comprised fattening non-pregnant Osimi sheep (n = 100) with acute ruminal impaction. They were exposed to a 5-day integrated treatment regimen. It included IV infusion of sodium bicarbonate and glucose, an oral drenching of each of magnesium hydroxide, antibloat preparation (Bloatryal), and laxative powder (Apilax Powder). This was followed by injectable doses of flunixin meglumine, diphenhydramine HCl, clanobutin sodium, broad spectrum antibiotic (Combikel 20 + 20), and doramectin (a broad-spectrum anthelmintic). The investigated sheep had a full clinical examination and hemato-biochemical tests from day 0 (pre-therapy) up to day’s 3–90 post-therapy.

Results and conclusion: The applied therapeutic regimen (1–5 days’ therapeutic program) was highly effective in cases of acute ruminal impaction in sheep, as evidenced by a clear improvement in their clinical health status (up to 15 days post-therapy) as well as restoring their reference intervals of ruminal functions biomarkers, blood picture indices, and hepatorenal functions throughout the current study (15–60 days post-therapy). Except for hepatorenal functions, all estimated laboratory indices restored their physiological intervals on the 15th day post-therapy. A 30- to 60-day follow-up period was required post-therapy until hepatorenal function restored their physiological reference intervals.