Journal of Advanced Veterinary Research

Evaluating Nigella sativa meal (black cumin meal) in lamb diets and its impact on the growth performance, digestion coefficient of nutrients, nitrogen balance and rumen fermentation

Fares A. Eldeeb, Ghada S.E Abdel-Raheem, Shimaa Abdelazeem, Heba A. Nasr — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0200

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of adding Nigella sativa meal (NSM) at varying levels on the performance of growth, digestibility of nutrients, nitrogen balance and rumen fermentation of growing lamb. Thirty-five Rahmani lambs were divided into five groups at random for 90 days. NSM was added to the diets of lambs at 0%, 6%, 12%, 18% and 24% for G1 (control), G2, G3, G4 and G5, respectively. The parameters measured were weight gain, feed consumption, digestibility of nutrients, nitrogen balance, and rumen fermentation. Lambs fed with NSM diets had significantly higher weight gain, feed intake, and feed efficiency compared with the control group. Nutrient digestibility like dry matter, crude protein, fat, fiber, and carbohydrates were improved with the addition of NSM. Rumen values revealed increased ammonia and volatile fatty acid concentrations, with reduced protozoa and bacterial numbers. It could be concluded that, the inclusion of 18% NSM proved to be the most effective in enhancing final weight, nutrient digestibility, and rumen function.

Isolation and survival of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in yogurt fortified with pomegranate dibs

Nagah M. Saad, Walaa Shaban Hassan — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0200

This study aimed to study the prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 60 random yogurt samples (20 each of plain small-scale, plain large-scale, and fruit yogurts) collected from Assiut City, Egypt from December 2023 to March 2024. Identification of Ps. aeruginosa was performed using biochemical and molecular methods. Pomegranate dibs were applied to evaluate its inhibitory effect on Ps. aeruginosa growth during the manufacture and storage of yogurt in at refrigerator (4°C). Results revealed that Ps. aeruginosa could be isolated from 6 (10 %) of the 60 examined yogurt samples, which were identified by chemical tests. Using PCR, the results indicated that 2 (3.33%) of the examined yogurt samples were contaminated with this bacterium. Unexpectedly, Ps. aeruginosa was isolated from large-scale plain yogurt samples with an incidence of 10%. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Pomegranate dibs against Ps. aeruginosa growth was 4%. The results of the Pomegranate dibs 6% yogurt samples that inoculated with Ps. aeruginosa was the most effective one in which 6% pomegranate dibs sharply reduced the count of Ps. aeruginosa, until completely inhibited at the 7^th day of yogurt storage, compared to the control group, in which the organism still alive until the end of storage period (15^th day). The sensory evaluation of yogurt prepared by adding different concentrations of pomegranate dibs revealed that the manufactured yogurt acquired a higher score for flavor, body, and texture than the control, using the natural affordable pomegranate dibs as antibacterial against Ps. aeruginosa growth has been found.

Molecular and epidemiological aspects related to bovine papular stomatitis in large ruminants in Assiut governorate, Egypt

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Bovine papular stomatitis (BPS) is a widespread epitheliotropic viral disease affects ruminants of all ages and considered a serious risk to public health. In Assiut governorate, there is little information on BPS despite their financial losses. Thus, the goal of this study was to confirm diagnosis on a molecular base, describe the clinical findings of the disease, and study the relationship between some factors that may play a role in the spread of the disease. The present investigation was conducted on 39 cattle and 11 buffaloes that belonged to different villages in Assiut governorate, Egypt. Whole blood and oral lesions swabs samples were taken for laboratory testing. Semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (semi-nested PCR) had been used for detection of BPS virus (BPSV). The viral DNA was detected in 32 cattle and 8 buffaloes. The result of clinical examination indicated that the clinical signs of BPS were oral (ulcers in gum, palate, papillae & tongue), commissure, muzzle, and nostrils lesions with one or more of other clinical signs such as fever, diarrhea, enlarged superficial lymph nodes, corneal opacity, respiratory distress and skin lesions in studied animals. Studying the effect of some factors on the spread of the disease revealed that the prevalence was significantly higher in middle areas of the governorate than in other areas. To lower the prevalence of BPSV, it is recommended to avoid eating hard hay and reeds that cause small abrasion in oral cavity and aid increasing frequency of BPSV infection.

Comparative study on evaluating effects of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) supplementation on growth performance of broiler chickens

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Using natural products is now more popular among the poultry industry to help broilers do better and stay healthy. This study aims to measure FI, BWG and FCR to see how turmeric and thyme supplementation affects the growth of broiler chickens. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) were tested to see how they affected body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). This study evaluates the effects of turmeric and thyme supplementation on feed intake, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio in broiler chickens. Twenty-four day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to four treatment groups : Control (P0), Turmeric (P1: 6 g/kg), Thyme (P2: 6 g/kg), and Turmeric + Thyme (P3: 3 g/kg each). Growth parameters were recorded weekly over five weeks. Results showed that the Thyme Group exhibited the highest improvements in FI, BWG, and FCR, followed by the Turmeric + Thyme and Turmeric Group. Statistical analysis was initially conducted using ANOVA and Duncan’s Test with a significance level of 5%. Based on the results, supplementation with turmeric, thyme; and their combination resulted in enhancements in body FI, BWG, FCR when compared to Control Group. Thyme supplementation demonstrated the most pronounced effects on every growth parameter.

Prevalence and antibiotic resistance of Staphylococcus aureus in raw milk produced in Northern Jordan

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0200

This study aimed to assess contamination of raw milk with Staphylococcus aureus and to measure Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of antibiotics. Furthermore, it examined effect of region, month, and milk source on Bacterial Growth Rate (BGR) and Multidrug Resistance (MDR). Results show that sample distribution is affected by month, region, and milk source. E.g., the highest infection rate was recorded in March, with majority of samples concentrated in Qasabat Irbid. Furthermore, cow's milk dominated the samples, with majority of S. aureus growing. Meanwhile, distribution of MDR was not significant. Furthermore, region has a significant effect on BGR and MDR. The interaction of region and response reveals that effect of region differed depending on presence of MDR. Regarding laboratory results, MIC against S. aureus ranges from 1.00 for the most effective Azithromycin to 4.00 µg/mL for the least effective Fosfomycin. Furthermore, there are significant differences in the WHO classifications. Accordingly, antibiotics are ranked according to their importance and priority of use. CXM-AMC may top list as the most widely used and effective first-line drug. OT, DOX, and SXT follow, which are highly important. AMP and CEP are followed by GN, ENR, CIP, FFC, and FUR, with moderate importance. Finally, CEN, AZM, SPI, TY, N, CS, and FOS are of limited use in resistant cases. Therefore, the study recommends focusing on monitoring isolates of S. aureus. Antibiotics should be selected based on their MIC values. Therefore, priority should be given to using highly effective antibiotics as first-line, with less-needed reserved for resistant cases.

Detection of FimH gene of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate from quail cloacal swab in Surabaya city market

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Quail is an alternative poultry besides chicken but is susceptible to various diseases, one of which is Klebsiella pneumonia infection. K. pneumoniae bacteria have 4 well-known virulence factors, namely fimbriae, capsules, lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and siderophores. Fimbriae are hair-like proteins that extend from the cell surface. In K. pneumoniae, Fimbriae promote attachment to non-biological surfaces. Fimbriae are divided into types 1 and 3 according to the most studied. FimA, the major fimbriae subunit, FimH, and the minor apical adhesion protein make up type 1 fimbriae. FimH contains mannose and encourages adherence to the host surface. A robust biofilm is formed when bacteria bind to the surface, which is facilitated by increased expression of the FimH gene. The purpose of this study was to detect the FimH gene in K. pneumoniae in the Surabaya City market. A total of 130 cloacal swab samples were taken from five markets in Surabaya (Turi market, Cemara Pabean market, Bratang market, Kupang market, and Benowo market) and then planted on Mac Conkey agar and Gram stained on colonies suspected to be K. pneumoniae. Colonies on MCA media showed a pink color and were mucoid. Gram staining showed Gram-negative bacteria, short rods, single or paired. Biochemical testing was carried out with TSIA and iMViC (SIM, MR, VP, and SCA). Isolation and identification showed that the percentage of K. pneumoniae was found at 10% (13/130). PCR testing detected the FimH gene at 85% (11/13). K. pneumoniae bacteria carrying the FimH gene increase the risk of biofilm formation which can reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics to antibiotic resistance, thus potentially disrupting public health.

Impact of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Sulfaclozine on lipid profile of broilers chicken

Nahla M. Ali, Mohamed K. Hussein, Enas A. Noseer — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0200

The poultry industry plays a major role in satisfying the nation's meat consumption needs. Broiler meat is readily available and reasonably priced. This study sought to determine how Saccharomyces cerevisiae, when co-administered with a sulfonamide derivative (sulfaclozine 30%), affects broiler lipid profiles and protects against deleterious effects. In this experiment, 100 broilers that were 21 days old were split up into five groups. The first group served as a control, and the second group received sulfaclozine (30 mg/kg). Sulfaclozine 70 mg/kg b.w.t. was administered to the third group, followed by 1.5 gm/L of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mixed with 30 mg/kg b.w.t. for the fourth group and 1.5 gm/L of Saccharomyces cerevisiae combined with 70 mg/kg b.w.t. for the fifth group for 20 consecutive days. Lipid profiles were determined at 26, 31, 36, and 41 days of age, respectively. In the fourth and fifth groups treated with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and different doses of sulfaclozine, the lipid profile decreased, except for high-density lipoprotein (HDL). In the second and third groups treated with sulfaclozine, the lipid profile significantly increased, whereas HDL levels decreased. Ultimately, it was determined that Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a secure and efficient method for assessing the adverse effects of sulfonamides.

Study of cinnamon leaf powder (Cinnamomum burmannii Ness ex. Bl) as a source of cinnamaldehyde on in vitro feed digestibility

Ega Felecia Sinulingga, Chusnul Hanim — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0200

This study aimed to determine the effect of adding cinnamon leaf powder (Cinnamomum burmannii Ness ex. BI) as a source of cinnamaldehyde at different levels on in vitro nutrient digestibility, namely dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), and crude fiber (CF) in the rumen, post-rumen, as well as total digestibility. The treatments consisted of a control diet (without cinnamon leaf powder) and rations supplemented with 1, 2, 3, and 4% DM feed, equivalent to cinnamaldehyde 16, 32, 48, and 64 mg/kg DM feed. A two-stage in vitro method was used for 48 hours to determine rumen digestibility and 96 hours for total digestibility, with three replications. The variables observed were dry matter digestibility, organic matter digestibility, crude protein digestibility, and crude fiber digestibility in the rumen, post-rumen, and total. Data were analyzed using a completely randomized design followed by Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The results showed that increasing the level of cinnamon leaf powder up to 3% increased the digestibility of DM in the rumen, CP in post-rumen, and DM and CP in total, but if the level was added to 4% it would decrease the level of digestibility in the rumen and total digestibility. It can be concluded that adding of 3% cinnamon leaf powder, equivalent to cinnamaldehyde 48 mg/kg of feed DM, increase total DM and CP digestibility and protect feed protein from microbial degradation in the rumen.

The microbiome of the digestive tract of ponies: Analysis based on 16S rRNA sequencing

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0200

The study of the intestinal microbiome of ponies using 16S rRNA sequencing provided a deep insight into its structural organization, richness and ecological diversity. It was found that bacterial communities are characterized by high alpha diversity, a significant number of rare taxa, and the absence of dominance of individual species. The microbiome was dominated by four phyla — Pseudomonadota, Bacillota, Bacteroidota, and Actinomycetota, which accounted for over 90% of all reads. The presence of the genera Escherichia and Bacteroides may indicate transient changes or metabolic adaptation to environmental conditions. Analysis of β-diversity using the PCoA method revealed distinct individual differences caused by both internal (genetic) and external (ecological) factors. The similarity of microbiomes in animals with common housing conditions indicates a significant influence of diet, social structure, local microenvironment, and daily behavioural contacts. The predominance of rare taxa (according to Fisher's alpha and Rarity indices) emphasizes the ecological complexity, flexibility and stability of the microbial environment. Communities formed under natural grazing conditions proved to be more stable and adaptive. The results demonstrate the potential of microbiome monitoring for health diagnosis, feed optimization, probiotic strategy development, and prevention of intestinal dysfunction in ponies. Considering the microbiome as a complete ecosystem opens up new perspectives in veterinary medicine, particularly in the direction of personalised approaches to animal health maintenance. Further research considering the dynamics of the microbiota over time and the influence of seasonality may deepen our understanding of the relationship between the microbial profile, stress factors, and the physiological state of the animal.

Effects of vegetable oil coating on soybean meal: Ruminal digestibility and fermentation characteristics through in vitro study

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0200

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of sunflower (SFW), corn (CRN), soybean (SOY), and canola (CNL) oils as natural protein protectants for soybean meal (SBM) in ruminant diets. The primary objectives were to assess their ability to reduce ruminal protein degradation, alter nutrient composition, as well as influence ruminal fermentation, digestibility, and methane mitigation potential. SBM was coated with 5% of each vegetable oil, air-dried, and oven-stabilized. Rumen buffer was prepared by mixing rumen fluid and McDougal solution at a ratio of 1:4. Uncoated SBM (CON) and all dietary treatments were incubated with 50 mL rumen buffer for 48 h at 39^°C. During incubation, the gas pressure was collected at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h. The results showed that oil coating significantly increased dry matter (DM) (p=0.020) from 92.61% to 95.16–95.42% and ether extract (p=0.003) from 0.44% to 0.77–2.41%. Meanwhile, it reduced organic matter (p=0.012) from 65.34% to 54.45–63.05%, compared to dietary CON. In the ruminal digestibility, all dietary treatments reduced (p=0.002) DM digestibility from 69.84% to 51.35–55.97% and total degradable fraction from 25.57 to 19.71–22.05 (p<0.001). Crude protein digestibility varied among oils (p=0.008), with SFW (47.21%) and CRN (32.16%) showing the highest protection, followed by CNL (54.98%) and SOY (72.63%). In fermentation characteristics, all dietary treatments had no effect on rumen pH, ammonia-N, and total VFA production. These results suggest that sunflower and corn oils can serve as effective natural protectants for soybean meal protein, preserving its post-ruminal value without compromising rumen fermentation characteristics.

Impact of vacuum packaging on color and odor in correlation to physicochemical and microbial characteristics of chilled beef during 50 days of refrigerated storage

Nourhan A. Bahr, Gehan M.A.E. Kassem, Mounir M. Hamdy, Marwa R.S. Abdallah — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Although the production of vacuum-packed chilled beef has been increased significantly, many suppliers are still unfamiliar with how storage affects its quality. Sixty vacuum-packed refrigerated beef Longissimus dorsi samples were collected on the same day of packaging from a large meat processing facility in Egypt, and kept at 4°C for 10, 30, and 50 days post-packaging. The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in both color and odor in correlation with microbiological, physicochemical, and sensory qualities to determine the storage stability of vacuum-packed chilled beef. The results showed that all sensory characteristics were significantly impacted during storage. Unacceptable odors were reported, and the redness (a* values) dropped to 14.04. Furthermore, all the microbial populations under investigation increased, and the concentrations of volatile organic chemicals were elevated. Additionally, the purge loss increased, resulting in the loss of nutrients and the release of meat pigments in the package, which generally impacted on its visual impression. Overall, it has been concluded that the quality of vacuum-packed chilled beef needs to be improved, especially the color and odor problems, as well as the shelf life.

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of avian pathogenic E. coli in airsacculitis of broiler chickens

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Respiratory tract affections in poultry have significant economic importance worldwide. The current work focused on airsacculitis syndrome and phenotypic and genotypic characterization of E. coli associated with airsacculitis in broiler chickens. A total of 105 airsacculitis samples were collected aseptically from both diseased and freshly dead broiler chickens at different farms in El-Fayoum, Beni-Suef and El-Menia Governorates. The prevalence of airsacculitis in the examined broiler chickens was 43.9%. Bacteriological examination of the samples collected showed that a total of 94 E. coli isolates were recovered with a prevalence of 89.5%. All E. coli isolates were serogrouped into 10 O-serogroups ordered as follows, O₉₁ (19.1%), O2 (16%), O127 (13.8%), both O18 & O26 (9.6%, for each), both O8& O153 (7.4% for each), O78 (6.4%), and finally both O1& O44 (5.3% for each). The results of in-vitro antimicrobial susceptibility tests revealed that E. coli isolates mostly showed high resistances against β-lactams, gentamicin and sulfa antimicrobials meanwhile showed high sensitivities against fluoroquinolones, phenicols and tetracyclins. All isolates have been subjected to both combined disc diffusion (CDD) and cefinase tests for phenotypic detection of ESβLs production, which was confirmed in 50% and 61.7% of isolates, respectively. Haemolytic activity and biofilm formation were phenotypically detected in all E. coli isolates. PCR was conducted on 11 MDR isolates for determination of 5 resistance genes, ampC, bla_CTX and bla_TEM, aadB and sul1. The results revealed that all the tested E. coli isolates had ampC, bla_CTX and bla_TEM, while 90.1% and 27.3% of tested isolates had sul1 and aadB genes, respectively. Also, PCR was conducted to detect 5 virulence genes, iss, iutA, papC, fimH and hlyA. The results revealed that iutA and fimH genes were found in all the tested isolates, while iss, papC and hlyA genes were represented as follows, 90.1, 63.6 and 54.5%, respectively. It was concluded that E. coli is the most common bacterial isolates of airsacculitis that phenotypically has high antimicrobial resistance patterns, ESβLs production, haemolytic activity and biofilm production. All these phenotypic characters are supported by detection of their encoding genes. Such highly virulent and antimicrobial resistant strains are major health concerns as they could be transmitted to human.

A bibliometric analysis of research trend on hypomagnesemia in calves

Ali Al-Boshafeea, Mohamed Marzok, Hussein Babiker, Sabry El-khodery — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Hypomagnesemia, or low blood magnesium, is a significant metabolic disorder in calves and cattle, often leading to neurological symptoms and, if untreated, high mortality. Bibliometric analysis is an essential tool for assessing articles and other publications in literature. In this study, we performed a comprehensive analysis of global trends research on hypomagnesemia in calves. By first of October 2025, the data were gathered from the WoS database (WoS). VOSviewer software was used to present the network among studies for each item under study, with an emphasis on the top ten outcomes for each item. Co-occurrence analysis, citation analysis and bibliographic coupling were performed. In total, 784 articles were included in the bibliometric analysis. The results revealed that author Timasheff, S was the most productive author (11, 1.4 %), and the publications in 2019 (n=27) were at the forefront. Regarding funding agencies, the National Institutes of Health, USA was in the front (n= 30) and the USA was the top nation in publications (n =148). The highest publications in WoS categories were collected from Veterinary Sciences (308, 39.28 %). Research articles were the most abundant form (n=705, 89.92 %). Citation analysis revealed that there were 12077 citations for the 784 articles on hypomagnesemia with an average citation of 14.47. Research related to hypomagnesemia in calves has grown in a fluctuating manner between 2016 to 2025. The results indicate that hypomagnesemia in calves is an important clinical problem in food animal practice and reflects its economic significance worldwide.

Molecular detection and macroelements changes in cattle infected with bovine ephemeral fever virus in Assiut Governorate, Egypt

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) is a dangerous febrile viral disease that affects cattle and causes large financial losses. The aims of this study were to study clinical findings of BEF virus (BEFV) infection, identify certain risk factors and evaluate infected cattle's mineral changes. One hundred and seven cattle were used in this investigation. Whole blood and serum samples were collected for laboratory analysis. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) had been employed for BEFV diagnosis. The observed clinical findings of BEFV infection in cattle were fever, respiratory manifestation (serous nasal discharge & cough), lacrimation, lameness, enlarged of superficial lymph nodes, drop of milk production, ruminal stasis, and recumbency. Of the studied diseased cattle, 43 (43%) of 100 whole blood samples showed molecularly positive results for G₁ gene. The infection rate of BEFV had no significant variation by locality, age, sex, breed and season in the studied diseased cattle. Serum calcium level of confirmed BEFV positive samples was significantly lower (p<0.001) than serum calcium level in clinically healthy ones. The serum phosphorus and magnesium levels in BEFV infected cattle did not differ significantly (P<0.05) from that of clinically healthy ones. The importance of establishing efficient prevention and control strategies in Egypt must be emphasized in order to reduce the prevalence of BEFV infection in cattle.

Comparative therapeutic effects of tilmicosin phosphate and amoxicillin on clinical outcomes and hematobiochemical variables in buffalo calves with acute respiratory disease: A randomized clinical trial

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Acute respiratory disease (ARD) in buffalo calves is a major health concern in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in developing countries. It contributes significantly to calf morbidity and mortality, affecting productivity and economic returns in livestock farming. The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the comparative therapeutic efficacy of tilmicosin and amoxicillin for the treatment of the acute respiratory disease in buffalo calves. For this purpose, 18 buffalo calves were randomly assigned into two treatment groups (9 each). Group 1 was treated with subcutaneous injection of tilmicosin phosphate at a dosage of 10 mg/kg body weight, and Group 2 was treated with amoxicillin LA at a dosage of 15 mg/kg body weight. Buffalo calves were examined clinically and clinical index scores were recorded before treatemt and at 7 and 14 days post-treatment. Additionally, hematological and biochemical investigations were done for each calf. Calves of group 1 showed significant improvements in their clinical index scores (p < 0.01), and a reduction of total leukocyte count in comparison with group 2. However, there was a significant increase in RBCs count, hemoglobin and MCHC% (p < 0.05). There was a significant decrease in the serum globulin and copper (p < 0.05) in group 1 in comparison with group 2 after 14 days post-treatment. However, haptoglobin showed non-significant variation. Moreover, albumin and albumin/globulin ratio showed a significant increase in tilmicosin treated group in comparison with amoxicillin treated one. The results of the present study indicate superior efficacy of tilmicosin for treatment of acute respiratory disease in buffalo calves. More investigations are needed to evaluate the efficacy of tilmicosin on specific microorganism in this locality.

Veterinary telemedicine: Current trends, benefits, and challenges in clinical practice

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Telemedicine has emerged as a key innovation in veterinary practice, particularly in response to the growing demand for rapid, efficient, and accessible animal healthcare in the digital era. Its applications encompass remote consultations, health monitoring, emergency triage, and owner education through digital platforms and mobile devices. This review aims to analyze current trends, benefits, and limitations of veterinary telemedicine, as well as evaluate its implications for the quality of clinical services. Relevant literature was retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science using keywords such as “veterinary telemedicine,” “telehealth in animals,” and “remote veterinary consultation,” with a focus on publications from the past decade. The findings indicate that telemedicine significantly improves service accessibility, particularly for owners in remote areas, while enhancing time and cost efficiency. It also supports chronic disease monitoring, facilitates collaboration among veterinary specialists, and strengthens owner education. Nevertheless, challenges remain, including inconsistent regulatory frameworks, diagnostic limitations due to restricted physical examinations, technical barriers such as poor internet connectivity, and difficulties in building owner trust in remote services. In conclusion, veterinary telemedicine holds substantial potential to strengthen modern clinical practice by improving efficiency and access to care. The development of standardized protocols, integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), and targeted training for both professionals and animal owners represent strategic measures to address current limitations. Further research is warranted to assess its effectiveness, safety, and user satisfaction, thereby ensuring optimal and sustainable implementation in veterinary medicine.

Organic acids as promising alternatives to antibiotics in livestock production: Mechanisms and applications

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Livestock production has increased due to the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in livestock farming; nevertheless, this practice has resulted in serious issues with antimicrobial resistance and has an adverse effect on both human health and the environment. Therefore, the search for safe and effective alternatives becomes very important. Conventional antibiotics may eventually be replaced by organic acids such as butyric, propionic, acetic, and formic acids. These substances reduce the number of harmful microorganisms without affecting the good intestinal flora by lowering the pH of the gastrointestinal tract, breaking down the cell membranes of harmful bacteria, and preventing the action of crucial enzymes. Numerous studies have demonstrated that adding organic acids to livestock feed or drink can enhance the immune system, growth performance, and digestive health of animals, particularly pigs, cattle, and chickens. Its effectiveness is influenced by the type of acid, dose, dosage form, and digestive environmental conditions. In practice, organic acids can be used alone or in combination, as well as in conjunction with probiotics or prebiotics to maximize their synergistic effects. Although encouraging, obstacles still need to be addressed, including the stability of organic acids in feed, individual animal response variations, and production costs. Further research is needed to optimize effective usage strategies, dosages, and formulations. Therefore, organic acids present a potentially secure, effective, and sustainable substitute to lessen the livestock industry's need on antibiotics.

Cross-contamination risks and hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) strategies in the meat industry: A Review

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0200

The meat industry plays a vital role in supplying animal protein; however, it also carries a high risk of cross-contamination, which poses a significant threat to food safety. Cross-contamination can occur at multiple stages of the production chain, including slaughtering, cutting, processing, storage, and distribution, with primary sources stemming from infected animals, contaminated equipment, workers, and the surrounding environment. The consequences include a higher incidence of foodborne diseases, substantial economic losses due to product recalls, and a decline in consumer confidence. To mitigate these hazards, the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system is internationally recognized as a science-based and preventive approach. This review discusses the fundamental principles of HACCP, including hazard identification, determination of Critical Control Points (CCP), and the mechanisms of monitoring, verification, and documentation. Furthermore, it explores HACCP implementation across various meat commodities (beef, poultry, pork), highlights differences in application between developed and developing countries, and examines key factors influencing its effectiveness, such as regulatory frameworks, worker training, and the availability of production facilities. Despite persistent challenges—such as implementation costs, limited human resources, and low hygiene awareness technological advancements, including IoT-based sensors, rapid detection methods, and blockchain traceability, offer promising opportunities to strengthen HACCP systems. Integration with other standards (ISO 22000, GMP, SOP) and the move toward a digitalized, smart meat processing industry further reinforces HACCP as a pivotal strategy to ensure food safety and enhance the global competitiveness of the meat industry.

Potential use of phytobiotics as an alternative to antibiotics in livestock

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0200

The use of antibiotics as antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in the livestock industry has contributed significantly to increasing livestock productivity. However, overuse and unregulated use have led to the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which is currently a concern to world health. AGP is restricted by laws in many nations, which promotes the hunt for sustainable and efficient substitutes. Phytobiotics, which are derived from plants and include essential oils, extracts, and pure active compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and tannins, have attracted attention due to their multifunctional properties. Phytobiotics work through a variety of mechanisms, such as immune system modulation, intestinal microbiota composition regulation, antimicrobial activity that stops the growth of pathogens, antioxidant effects that shield cells from oxidative damage, and stimulation of the secretion of digestive enzymes. According to scientific data, adding phytobiotics to pig, ruminant, and poultry feed can lower the prevalence of infectious illnesses while also increasing feed conversion efficiency, animal product quality, and production performance. Its efficacy is affected by the kind of plant, bioactive constituent content, extraction technique, formulation, and interactions with other feed ingredients. Despite the promising potential of phytobiotics, issues include production costs, heterogeneity in composition due to different plant sources, and standardization of raw material quality. Innovations in formulation, including the application of nanotechnology or mixes with organic acids and probiotics, offer chances to improve efficacy and stability. The livestock industry could use phytobiotics as a safe, sustainable, and eco-friendly antibiotic substitute in the post-AGP age if the right technology is applied and a scientific evidence-based strategy is taken.

Nanoparticles based drug delivery system: Recent development in treatment of some chronic diseases

Mona K Galal, Samira H. Aljuaydi, Maha M. Rashad — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0200

In recent years nanotechnology has proven that nanoparticles acquire a great development in medical applications. Its combination with therapeutic drugs overcomes the limitations of free therapeutics. Further, these systems can deliver drug to specific tissues and provide controlled release therapy. This targeted and sustained drug delivery decreases the drug related toxicity and increases patient’s compliance with less frequent dosing. Recently, there are several outstanding applications of nanomedicine in the treatment of various chronic diseases. The current review presents an updated summary of recent advances in the field of nanomedicines and nano-based drug delivery systems. This article emphasize the type of clinically used nanoparticles as well as their current delivery strategies for specific diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer, diabetes Meletus and osteoarthritis.

Cellular bioenergetics: Glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, and lipid metabolism pathways

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Cellular bioenergetics is the foundation for understanding how cells acquire, store, and use energy to maintain vital functions. This process primarily involves the metabolic pathways of lipid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and glycolysis. Glycolysis functions to break down glucose in the cytoplasm, producing pyruvate and NADH as the initial energy source. The Krebs cycle in the mitochondria subsequently breaks down pyruvate further, generating reductants that aid in oxidative phosphorylation. At this point, the proton gradient is effectively used by the electron transport chain to transform chemical energy into ATP. The Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation are triggered by the massive amounts of acetyl-CoA, NADH, and FADH₂ that are produced by lipid metabolism through lipolysis and β-oxidation. Energy sensors like AMPK and mTOR are involved in this extremely tight cross-pathway control, which synchronizes the balance between anabolism and catabolism based on the energy condition of the cell. Cells can adapt to a variety of physiological situations, including rest, exercise, and fasting, thanks to the integration of glucose and lipid metabolism. Many metabolic and degenerative diseases, including diabetes, obesity, cancer, and mitochondrial disorders, are caused by bioenergetic dysfunctions, such as abnormalities in glycolysis, lipid oxidation, or oxidative phosphorylation. Thus, in addition to being crucial for physiological aspects, a thorough understanding of bioenergetic mechanisms and controls also creates prospects for the development of therapeutic approaches based on metabolism.