Support vector regression algorithm modeling to predict the parturition date of small - to medium-sized dogs using maternal weight and fetal biparietal diameter

Research (Published online: 02-04-2021)

2. Support vector regression algorithm modeling to predict the parturition date of small - to medium-sized dogs using maternal weight and fetal biparietal diameter

Thanida Sananmuang, Kanchanarat Mankong, Suppawiwat Ponglowhapan and Kaj Chokeshaiusaha

Veterinary World, 14(4): 829-834

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Fetal biparietal diameter (BPD) is a feasible parameter to predict canine parturition date due to its inverted correlation with days before parturition (DBP). Although such a relationship is generally described using a simple linear regression (SLR) model, the imprecision of this model in predicting the parturition date in small- to medium-sized dogs is a common problem among veterinarian practitioners. Support vector regression (SVR) is a useful machine learning model for prediction. This study aimed to compare the accuracy of SVR with that of SLR in predicting DBP.

Materials and Methods: After measuring 101 BPDs in 35 small- to medium-sized pregnant bitches, we fitted the data to the routine SLR model and the SVR model using three different kernel functions, radial basis function SVR, linear SVR, and polynomial SVR. The predicted DBP acquired from each model was further utilized for calculating the coefficient of determination (R2), mean absolute error, and mean squared error scores for determining the prediction accuracy.

Results: All SVR models were more accurate than the SLR model at predicting DBP. The linear and polynomial SVRs were identified as the two most accurate models (p<0.01).

Conclusion: With available machine learning software, linear and polynomial SVRs can be applied to predicting DBP in small- to medium-sized pregnant bitches.

Keywords: biparietal diameter, dog size, prediction accuracy, support vector regression.

Serological and molecular survey of Leptospira spp. infections in wild boars and red foxes from Southeastern France

Research (Published online: 02-04-2021)

1. Serological and molecular survey of Leptospira spp. infections in wild boars and red foxes from Southeastern France

Cédric Roquelo, Angeli Kodjo, Jean-Lou Marié and Bernard Davoust

Veterinary World, 14(4): 825-828

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease. Information on the recent prevalence of Leptospira in hunted wild animals is limited, particularly in southeastern France. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess the prevalence and diversity of Leptospira spp. among wild boars (Sus scrofa) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from two military camps in Southeastern France.

Materials and Methods: Serological analyses were performed using microscopic agglutination tests and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were used to demonstrate Leptospira spp. infection from boar kidney DNA extracts.

Results: According to the species, the positive sera were obtained from 18% of 358 boars and 6 % of 64 foxes tested. The prevalence rate is significantly higher (p=0.02) in boars than in foxes. In wild boar, Australis represents the most recorded serogroup (15.9%), followed by Sejroe (2.8%) and icterohaemorhagiae (2.8%). In red fox, icterohaemorhagiae represents the most recorded serogroup (6.25%), followed by Sejroe (1.57%) and Hebdomadis (1.57%). PCR-based detection of Leptospira DNA was positive in 6/62 (9.6%) of the wild boars tested.

Conclusion: The results of this study confirmed the importance of wild boar in the epidemiology of leptospirosis among wildlife in Southeastern France. Due to their predatory behavior and their varied diet, mainly composed of small mammals, red foxes could be considered sentinel animals of environmental contamination with leptospires.

Keywords: France, Leptospira spp., red fox, wild boar.

Wound healing properties of Gliricidia sepium leaves from Indonesia and the Philippines in rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Research (Published online: 31-03-2021)

37. Wound healing properties of Gliricidia sepium leaves from Indonesia and the Philippines in rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Aulaani'am Aulanni'am, Krismal Marchel Ora, Nisa Ain Ariandini, Dyah Kinasih Wuragil, Fajar Shodiq Permata, Wibi Riawan and Ma Asuncion Guiang Beltran

Veterinary World, 14(3): 820-824

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Gliricidia sepium is a medium-sized leguminous plant found widely in tropical to subtropical areas. It has been used as a medicinal ingredient and in rodenticides by local communities in both Indonesia and the Philippines. This study aimed to investigate the wound healing effects of an ointment containing G. sepium leaves on inflammatory cells using a rat model. We also determined its effect on the expression of interleukin (IL) 6 and IL-1β.

Materials and Methods: We used 16 Wistar male rats aged approximately 2 months and weighing 150-200 g. They were divided into four treatment groups (T1, positive control; T2, negative control; T3, wounds treated with G. sepium from Indonesia; and T4, wounds treated with G. sepium from the Philippines), and the ointment therapies were applied to wounds for 3 days. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to examine the inflammatory cells microscopically. IL-1β and IL-6 expression were observed immunohistochemically.

Results: G. sepium leaves significantly (p<0.05) decreased the number of inflammatory cells, and the expression of IL-1β and IL-6 in the group treated with Indonesian G. sepium leaves was higher than that in the group treated with G. sepium leaves from the Philippines. The leaves contain flavonoids, saponins, and tannins, which act as anti-inflammatory agents to enhance the wound healing process.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that G. sepium leaves from both the Philippines and Indonesia possess wound healing properties.

Keywords: flavonoid, Gliricidia sepium leaves, herbal plants, saponin, tannin, wound healing.

Molecular characterization of Salmonella spp. isolates from river and dam water, irrigated vegetables, livestock, and poultry manures in Jordan

Research (Published online: 31-03-2021)

36. Molecular characterization of Salmonella spp. isolates from river and dam water, irrigated vegetables, livestock, and poultry manures in Jordan

Yaser H. Tarazi, Abdallah F. Al Dwekat and Zuhair Bani Ismail

Veterinary World, 14(3): 813-819

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Salmonellosis is an important food-borne and zoonotic disease with high morbidity and mortality rates. The objectives of this study were to isolate, serotype, and genetically characterize Salmonella spp. from Zarqa river and King Talal dam waters, vegetables irrigated by such waters, and manure of poultry and livestock farms located in the Zarqa river basin in Jordan. In addition, certain virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance patterns of isolated Salmonella strains were determined.

Materials and Methods: A total of 250 samples were cultured using routine microbiological methods. Suspected Salmonella spp. were identified based on colony morphology and confirmed using biochemical and molecular methods. Virulence genes including invA, stn, and pCT plasmid were detected using multiplex PCR. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).

Results: In total, 32/250 (12.8%) Salmonella spp. isolates were recovered from different sources. Of these, the most common serotype was Salmonella subspecies 1 (23 isolates), followed by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (4 isolates), Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (3 isolates), and finally Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (2 isolates). The PFGE indicated that Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium isolated from poultry manure and from parsley were closely related (84.6%). Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis isolated from the dam water was closely related to Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis isolated from spearmint (73.8%). Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi isolated from the river and dam water were 100% related to Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi isolated from lettuce. In the antimicrobial sensitivity test, 14 out of 32 (43.8%) isolated Salmonella strains were resistant to two or more of the major antimicrobial agent groups. However, the majority of isolates were sensitive to ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, cefuroxime, and gentamicin (97%, 93.8%, and 87.5%, 84.4%, respectively). All isolates were resistant to erythromycin and amoxicillin.

Conclusion: Results of this study indicate a serious potential threat to public health associated with consuming leafy green vegetables grown on the banks of Zarqa river and its dam because of widespread Salmonella spp. contamination. Appropriate monitoring of irrigation water must be applied to reduce the possibility of cross-contamination.

Keywords: Salmonella spp., zoonosis, contaminated river and dam waters, vegetables.

Comparative evaluation of the immunodominant proteins of Brucella abortus for the diagnosis of cattle brucellosis

Research (Published online: 30-03-2021)

35. Comparative evaluation of the immunodominant proteins of Brucella abortus for the diagnosis of cattle brucellosis

Mohandoss Nagalingam, Thaslim J. Basheer, Vinayagamurthy Balamurugan, Rajeswari Shome, S. Sowjanya Kumari, G. B. Manjunatha Reddy, Bibek Ranjan Shome, Habibur Rahman, Parimal Roy, J. Joseph Kingston and R. K. Gandham

Veterinary World, 14(3): 803-812

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: The present serodiagnosis of brucellosis in livestock is based on the whole cell or smooth lipopolysaccharide of the Brucella organism in which specificity is hampered by the cross-reactivity, especially with the antibodies against Yersinia enterocolitica O:9 organism. The problem can be addressed by screening for better immunodominant antigens. Hence, the present study was undertaken to screen protein antigens of Brucella abortus for their diagnostic potential in cattle brucellosis.

Materials and Methods: Protein antigens of B. abortus (n=10) non-reactive to antibodies against Y. enterocolitica O:9 were selected, expressed in Escherichia coli, assessed the reactivity of expressed recombinant proteins by Western blot, standardized indirect-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting Brucella antibodies in cattle serum, and comparative evaluation was done.

Results: All the selected protein antigens were expressed and in the Western blot with Brucella antibodies positive cattle serum, six recombinant (Brucella protein 26 [BP26], Cu-Zn Superoxide dismutase [SodC], B. abortus I-1885, Serine protease, Bacterioferritin, and Brucella Lumazine Synthase [BLS]) proteins showed reaction whereas none of the proteins showed reactivity with Brucella negative cattle serum. ELISA has been done using known Brucella positive and negative cattle sera samples (n=113 each) in which the performance of recombinant proteins in diagnosing brucellosis was in the order of BP26 > BLS > SodC followed by rest of the proteins. BP26 based ELISA was found to be better with area under the curve as 0.953, and diagnostic sensitivity, diagnostic specificity, and Youden's index of 90.27%, 95.58%, and 0.8584, respectively, with the excellent agreement (k=0.85).

Conclusion: BP26 could be a potential diagnostic antigen among the immunodominant proteins of B. abortus in ruling out Y. enterocolitica O:9 infection while diagnosing brucellosis in cattle herds.

Keywords: Brucella abortus, Brucella lumazine synthase, Brucella protein26, cattle brucellosis, Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase, Yersinia enterocolitica O:9.

Natural oil blend formulation as an anti-African swine fever virus agent in in vitro primary porcine alveolar macrophage culture

Research (Published online: 30-03-2021)

34. Natural oil blend formulation as an anti-African swine fever virus agent in in vitro primary porcine alveolar macrophage culture

Quang Lam Truong, Lan Thi Nguyen, Haig Yousef Babikian, Rajeev Kumar Jha, Hoa Thi Nguyen and Thanh Long To

Veterinary World, 14(3): 794-802

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: African swine fever is one of the severe pathogens of swine. It has a significant impact on production and economics. So far, there are no known remedies, such as vaccines or drugs, reported working successfully. In the present study, the natural oil blend formulation's (NOBF) efficacy was evaluated against ASFV in vitro using porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) cells of swine.

Materials and Methods: The capacity of NOBF against the ASFV was tested in vitro. The NOBF combines Eucalyptus globulus, Pinus sylvestris, and Lavandula latifolia. We used a 2-fold serial dilution to test the NOBF formulation dose, that is, 105 HAD50/mL, against purified lethal dose of African swine in primary PAMs cells of swine. The PAM cells survival, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, and hemadsorption (HAD) observation were performed to check the NOBF efficacy against ASFV.

Results: The in vitro trial results demonstrated that NOBF up to dilution 13 or 0.000625 mL deactivates the lethal dose 105 HAD50 of ASFV. There was no HAD (Rosetta formation) up to dilution 12 or 0.00125 mL of NOBF. The Ct value obtained by running real-time PCR of the NOBF group at 96 h post-infection was the same as the initial value or lower (25), whereas the Ct value of positive controls increased several folds (17.84).

Conclusion: The in vitro trial demonstrated that NOBF could deactivate the ASFV. The NOBF has the potential to act as anti-ASFV agent in the field. The next step is to conduct in vivo level trial to determine its efficacy.

Keywords: African swine fever virus, in vitro trials, natural oil blend formulation, primary porcine alveolar macrophages cells.

Aflatoxicosis in Pekin duckling and the effects of treatments with lycopene and silymarin

Research (Published online: 29-03-2021)

33. Aflatoxicosis in Pekin duckling and the effects of treatments with lycopene and silymarin

Sahar M. El-Sheshtawy, Amal F. El-Zoghby, Nesreen A. Shawky and Dalia H. Samak

Veterinary World, 14(3): 788-793

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Aflatoxins (AFs) are potent toxic metabolites produced from Aspergillus species. Whose existence in poultry ration leads to drastic economic losses, notably in duck, as the most susceptible poultry species. This study aimed to determine tissue residues of AFs, alterations in selected clinical chemistry variables in serum, mainly during the exposure period, and lycopene and silymarin's possible roles as herbal treatments against aflatoxicosis in Pekin duckling.

Materials and Methods: The study used one hundred and twenty one-day-old Pekin ducklings and classified them into four groups comprising 30 ducklings in each group. The control group (G1) ducklings were fed a mycotoxin-free ration, and G2 received a naturally contaminated ration with 30 ppb of AFs. G3 and G4 consumed contaminated rations with AFs with 30 ppb for 2 weeks and were treated with lycopene 100 mg/kg or silymarin 600 mg/kg/food, respectively, for 10 days. Serum activities of alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutamyl transferase, ALP, total protein and albumin creatinine and uric acid concentrations, oxidant/antioxidant parameters (malondialdehyde [MDA], total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and catalase [CAT]), and hepatic AFs residue were determined. Lycopene and silymarin were used for the treatment of aflatoxicosis for another 10 days.

Results: Hepatic and kidney parameters were elevated in the AFs intoxicated group and reduced in the lycopene- and silymarin-treated groups. They had elevated MDA and AFs residues with decreased antioxidant parameters (TAC, GST, and CAT) in the AFs group. At the same time, treatment with lycopene or silymarin had reversed the action of AFs on MDA, elevated the hepatic residue, and improved antioxidant activity.

Conclusion: Lycopene and silymarin, with their potent antioxidant activity, can be used to reverse the harmful effects of AFs on hepatic and kidney tissue.

Keywords: aflatoxins, aspergillus, creatinine, hepatic, kidney, lycopene, mycotoxicosis, oxidative stress, pekin duckling, residue, silymarin.