Colic incidence, risk factors, and therapeutic management in a working horse population in Tuban, Indonesia.

Background and Aim: Colic is the primary problem affecting equestrian care worldwide. The primary cause of colic is digestive diseases; however, they can also affect organs from different systems in the abdominal region. In addition to a prior history of the disease and its treatment, risk factors may be assessed to determine the etiology of the disease in horses without or with a history of colic. This study aimed to present a summary of the incidence, risk factors, and medical procedures for colic in horses. Materials and Methods: Based on owner reports, 223 horses in Tuban, Indonesia, suspected of having colic were investigated. During the investigation of clinical parameters, investigators went door-to-door with interested horse owners to gather information about potential risk factors related to equine colic. Information on horses diagnosed with colic was obtained from the medical records of treatment. A Chi-square test was used to investigate the potential association between the risk factors, medical protocol, and the outcome of colic in horses. Results: Of the 187 cases, spasmodic colic was the most common (48.13%), but 17 (9.09%) had no definitive diagnosis. Poor body condition scores (χ2 = 58.73; p < 0.001), wheat bran feeding (χ2 = 26.79; p < 0.001), concentrate (χ2 = 10.66; p < 0.01), less access to water (χ2 = 128.24; p < 0.001), recurrence of colic (χ2 = 85.64; p < 0.001), no deworming program (χ2 = 54.76; p < 0.001), the presence of gastrointestinal parasites (χ2 = 56.79; p < 0.001), stressed physical activity (χ2 = 28.53; p < 0.001), and summer season (χ2 = 7.83; p < 0.01) were the risk factors for colic. We further reported that 185 (98.93%) patients who received the following medical interventions recovered: injection of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was necessary, Vitamin B complex (χ2 = 39.98; p < 0.001), fluid therapy (χ2 = 92.99; p < 0.001), and gastric intubation (χ2 = 4.09; p < 0.05). Conclusion: The importance of colic was demonstrated in 187 (83.86%) of the 223 horses investigated in Tuban, Indonesia, documented. In this study, recommendations for medical procedures when colic risk factors have been determined are presented.

Incidence, risk factors, and therapeutic management of equine colic in Lamongan, Indonesia.

Background and Aim: Colic is among the common health issues in equine health management. Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are the most frequent causes of colic, but dysfunction of other organs and systems inside the abdominal cavity may also contribute. Therefore, it is crucial to identify risk factors for colic of specific etiologies. This study aimed to examine the incidence, risk factors, and best therapeutic management practices for horses with colic. Materials and Methods: A cohort of 256 horses living in Lamongan, East Java, Indonesia, was randomly recruited based on reports of colic symptoms by owners. Diagnosis and treatment were then conducted with the help of owners. Symptom profiles, risk factors, and therapeutic management strategies were analyzed by Chi-square tests. Results: Of 256 horses enrolled, 217 (84%) were diagnosed with colic, of which 172 (79.3%) were cases of spasmodic colic, 33 (15.2%) of impaction colic, and 12 (5.5%) of intestinal obstruction/displacement. Male sex (χ2 = 16.27; p < 0.001), wheat bran feeding (χ2 = 15.49; p < 0.001), concentrate feed intake >5 kg/day (χ2 = 24.95; p < 0.001), no regular anthelmintic drug treatment (χ2 = 67.24; p < 0.001), GI parasite infection (χ2 = 65.11; p < 0.001), recurrent colic (χ2 = 91.09; p < 0.001), poor body condition score (χ2 = 71.81; p < 0.001), limited daily water access (χ2 = 127.92; p < 0.001), and indications of dental disease (χ2 = 9.03; p < 0.001) were identified as risk factors. The most effective therapies were gastric intubation (χ2 = 153.54; p < 0.001), Vitamin B complex injection (χ2 = 32.09; p < 0.001), fluid therapy (χ2 = 42.59; p < 0.001), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug injection (NSAID). Conclusion: Colic is highly prevalent among horses in Lamongan, East Java, Indonesia. Proper diet, workload management, regular access to clean drinking water, and dental care can reduce colic risk. Recommended therapies include NSAID injection without other analgesics or spasmolytics, fluid therapy, Vitamin B complex, and gastric intubation.

Hydroxyapatite-chitosan composites derived from sea cucumbers and shrimp shells ameliorate femoral bone defects in an albino rat model.

Background and Aim: A bone defect is defined as a critically sized autologous bone and a bone gap. Bone grafting is one of the most commonly used surgical methods to enhance bone regeneration in orthopedic procedures. A composite of collagen, hydroxyapatite (HA), and chitosan (Ch) is suitable as a bone matrix and stimulates ossification. This study aimed to evaluate the use of natural HA-Ch composites derived from sea cucumbers and shrimp shells and quantify the levels of cytokines, polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), serum liver enzymes, calcium, phosphate, and procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (PINP) in albino rats with femoral bone defects. Materials and Methods: A total of 48 albino rats with femoral bone defects were divided into 4 groups (n = 12 each): (C-) placebo, (C+) polyethylene glycol, (T1) HA, and (T2) HA-Ch groups. Each group was divided into two subgroups (n = 6 each), with euthanization on 7- and 42-day post-treatment, respectively. Procollagen Type 1 N-terminal propeptide and the cytokines interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Flow cytometry was performed to evaluate PMNs. A clinical chemistry analyzer was used to measure the serum levels of liver enzymes, calcium, and phosphate. Results: There was a significant decrease in the level of IL-6 on 7 days and in the level of IL-10 on 42 days in the HA-Ch group. The level of PMNs also decreased significantly on 7 and 42 days in the HA-Ch group. Regarding serum liver enzymes, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in the HA-Ch group increased significantly on 42 days. Calcium and phosphate levels increased significantly on 7 and 42 days in the HA and HA-Ch groups, and PINP levels increased significantly on 7 and 42 days in the HA-Ch group. Conclusion: The HA-Ch composite derived from sea cucumbers and shrimp shells ameliorated femoral bone defects in albino rats. The HA-Ch composite modulated the levels of IL-6, IL-10, PMNs, ALP, calcium, phosphate, and PINP on 7- and 42-day post-treatment.

Aerolysin gene characterization and antimicrobial resistance profile of Aeromonas hydrophila isolated from milkfish (Chanos chanos) in Gresik, Indonesia.

Background and Aim: Motile Aeromonas septicemia is a crucial disease in freshwater fish. Aeromonas hydrophila is a disease agent associated with sporadic fish mortality, food safety, and public health. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and the presence of the aerolysin gene and antimicrobial resistance profile of A. hydrophila isolated from milkfish in Gresik, Indonesia. Materials and Methods: A total of 153 milkfish gill samples were collected from 16 locations in Gresik and then cultured and identified using biochemical tests. The aerolysin gene was investigated using a polymerase chain reaction, and antimicrobial resistance profiles of the recovered isolates were investigated. Results: Of the 153 examined samples, 35 (22.9%) were confirmed positive for A. hydrophila and 22 (62.9%) presented the aerolysin gene. The recovered isolates were resistant to the following antibiotics: Amoxicillin (62.9%), tetracycline (60%), streptomycin (54.3%), cefotaxime (51.4%), gentamycin (31.4%), kanamycin (28.6%), erythromycin (25.7%), chloramphenicol (20%), and trimethoprim (14.3%). Meanwhile, only ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid, and imipenem were indicated as susceptible. Conclusion: The presence of the aerolysin gene is vital in determining the virulence of A. hydrophila. The study results indicated a high aerolysin gene prevalence. In addition, this study emphasized antibiotic use monitoring, food safety improvement, and negative impact reduction on human health and the environment.

Piperine Enhances the Antimalarial Activity of Curcumin in Plasmodium berghei ANKA-Infected Mice: A Novel Approach for Malaria Prophylaxis.

Malaria is a prevalent vector-borne infectious disease in tropical regions, particularly in the absence of effective vaccines and because of the emergence resistance of Plasmodium to available antimalarial drugs. An alternative strategy for malaria eradication could be the combination of existing compounds that possess antimalarial activity to target multiple stages of the parasite. This study evaluated the antimalarial activity of a combination of curcumin and piperine in mice. A total of 42 mice were assigned to six groups depending on the treatment administered: group I (normal group) with aquadest; group II (negative control) with 0.2 ml DMSO; group III received a standard malarial drug (artesunate 5 mg/kg BW); groups IV, V, and VI with curcumin 300 mg/kg BW, curcumin 300 mg/kg BW and piperine 20 mg/kg BW, and piperine 20 mg/kg BW, respectively. The antimalarial activity was evaluated using prophylactic assays in Plasmodium berghei ANKA-infected mice, including the percentage parasitemia, clinical signs, survival rate, serum biochemical analysis, parasitic load in the liver, and liver histopathology. All treatments showed significant (p < 0.05) antiplasmodial activity, with considerable parasite inhibition (>50%), curcumin 300 mg/kg BW (60.22%), curcumin 300 mg/kg BW, and piperine 20 mg/kg BW (77.94%) except for piperine 20 mg/kg BW (47.20%), eliciting greater inhibition relative to that of artesunate (51.18%). The delayed onset of clinical symptoms and prolonged survival rate were also significant (p < 0.05) in the combination of curcumin and piperine treated group. In addition, the low parasitic load in the liver and mild histopathological changes in the liver suggest that the combination of curcumin and piperine had synergistic or additive effects. These findings demonstrate the promising use of these combined compounds as a malarial prophylactic. Further studies were recommended to assess their clinical usefulness.

Oral Administration of Piperine as Curative and Prophylaxis Reduces Parasitaemia in Plasmodium berghei ANKA-Infected Mice.

Malaria remains a public health problem and a leading cause of death worldwide. Consequently, the discovery of novel agents, including substances from medicinal plants, is urgently needed. Piper nigrum has long been used by the community in the treatment of the symptoms of malaria. In a previous study, Piper nigrum was demonstrated to exhibit promising antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 and INDO strains. The aim of this study was to further investigate the antimalarial activity (curative and prophylactic) of piperine (a major isolated constituent of Piper nigrum) in Plasmodium berghei ANKA-infected mice. Piperine 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg body weight (bw), artesunate 5 mg/kg bw, and DMSO were administered orally for four days to different groups of Swiss Webster mice. Then, mice were monitored for parasitaemia, body weight, rectal temperature, survival rate, and clinical parameters. Piperine 40 mg/kg bw in curative and prophylactic tests had the maximum parasitaemia chemosuppression of 79.21% and 58.8% (p < 0.05), respectively, with a significant effect on the survival rate compared with control animals. In the curative test, piperine 40 mg/kg bw reduced the mean clinical score compared with the control group. Additionally, piperine showed an ability to protect organs (lungs, liver, spleen, and kidneys) from some damage in a dose-dependent manner. This study can be used as a basis for further discovery of novel chemotherapeutic or chemoprophylactic compounds.

An investigation of syrinx morphometry and sound frequency association in lovebirds ( Agapornis fischeri) chirps.

Background: In the issue of biodiversity, the domestication of birds as pets and trade animals requires special attention as a conservation effort. Lovebirds ( Agapornis fischeri) are popular birds worldwide, due to their varied ornamentation and melodic chirping sound. Syrinx structure is suspected to be the main source of sound production during the chirping period. This study aimed to investigate syrinx morphometry and its correlation with sound frequency produced in lovebirds. Methods: A total of 24 lovebirds of different ages and gender were investigated. Polymerase chain reaction method was performed to determine lovebird gender, meanwhile bird age was identified based on post-hatch recordings at the breeding farm. Thus, we enrolled male (n=12) and female (n=12) lovebirds aged 2 (n=4), 3 (n=4), and 4 (n=4) months in the investigation group, respectively. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) was performed to evaluate sound frequency during chirping period. Then, syrinx morphometry was identified using a topographic approach and methylene blue staining. Each variable was evaluated with Image J software and vernier caliper. Results: Based on a topographical approach, we reported the general cartilage structure of the tracheosyringeal, bronchosyringeal, paired protrusions, tracheolateral muscles, sternotracheal muscles, and syringeal muscles in lovebird syrinx. In particular, the tympaniform membranes lateral lead a crucial role in modulating the frequency of male lovebirds more significantly (p=0,009) compared to female. On the other hand, the tympaniform membranes lateral dexter (p=0,02) and sinister (p=0,05) in females showed wider compared to male. We also reported a negative correlation between sound frequency compared to tympaniform membranes lateral dexter (y = -913,56x + 6770,8) and sinister (y = -706,16x + 5736). Conclusions: It can be concluded that the tympaniform membranes lateral produced the lovebirds' primary sound. The sound frequency of male lovebirds was higher compared to female, however negatively correlated with the area of tympaniform membranes lateral.

The Potential use of a Curcumin-Piperine Combination as an Antimalarial Agent: A Systematic Review.

Malaria remains a significant global health problem, but the development of effective antimalarial drugs is challenging due to the parasite's complex life cycle and lack of knowledge about the critical specific stages. Medicinal plants have been investigated as adjuvant therapy for malaria, so this systematic review summarizes 46 primary articles published until December 2020 that discuss curcumin and piperine as antimalarial agents. The selected articles discussed their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptosis properties, as well as their mechanism of action against Plasmodium species. Curcumin is a potent antioxidant, damages parasite DNA, and may promote an immune response against Plasmodium by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS), while piperine is also a potent antioxidant that potentiates the effects of curcumin. Hence, combining these compounds is likely to have the same effect as chloroquine, that is, attenuate and restrict parasite development, thereby reducing parasitemia and increasing host survival. This systematic review presents new information regarding the development of a curcumin-piperine combination for future malaria therapy.

Effects of dietary supplementation with breadfruit leaf powder on growth performance, meat quality, and antioxidative activity in Japanese quail.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: In an era of increasing concerns about food availability globally, poultry meat is being increasingly consumed rather than red meat given its quality in terms of pH, color, and tenderness, conferring consumer satisfaction. The choice of feed is a crucial factor in poultry production. This study investigated the effect of dietary supplementation with breadfruit leaf powder on growth performance, meat quality, and antioxidative activity in Japanese quail. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 day-old quail were used in this study and assigned equally into four treatment groups: Group C fed a basal diet and three treatment groups fed a basal diet supplemented with 2.5% (T1), 5% (T2), or 10% (T3) breadfruit leaf powder. The concentrations of breadfruit leaf powder were 2.5, 5, and 10 g/kg in the basal diet. Quail body weight and feed intake (FI) were evaluated at 1, 21, and 35 days of age at 7 a.m. Pectoral muscle was collected to determine pH, meat color, drip loss, cooking loss, water-holding capacity (WHC), tenderness, and antioxidant levels. All variables were analyzed statistically using ANOVA followed by Duncan's post hoc test (significance set at p<0.05). RESULTS: T3 showed increased body weight gain of quails at1-21 and 21-35 days (p<0.05). Feeding in the T3 group improved the feed conversion ratio compared with those in the C and T1 groups at the starter phase (p<0.05). Dietary treatment did not affect FI (p>0.05). In the present study, meat redness and WHC were improved in the T3 group (p<0.05). Meanwhile, drip loss, cooking loss, and meat tenderness were improved in the T2 group (p<0.05). The pH45 min, pH24 h, lightness, and yellowness were not influenced by the treatments (p>0.05). The antioxidative activities of superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde decreased in the T3 group (p<0.05), while no significant difference in glutathione peroxidase level (p>0.05) was identified. CONCLUSION: Ten grams/kilogram of breadfruit leaf powder, as administered in the T3 group, can be applied as a dietary supplement for Japanese quail to improve growth performance, meat quality, and antioxidative activity during the starter and grower periods.