Shahrekord University

Fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) is a major concern in laying hen production, causing significant economic losses and animal welfare issues. This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the preventive effects of three functional feed additives-a multi-mix (MM), citrus pectin (CP), and phytogenic additives (PA)-in hens fed either a standard diet (SD) or a high-energy, low-protein challenge diet (CD) formulated to induce FLHS. A total of 384 Lohmann LSL-Lite hens (65 to 77 weeks of age) were randomly assigned in a 4 × 2 factorial design. Feeding the CD significantly reduced feed intake (FI), egg production (EP), egg weight (EW), and egg mass (EM) compared to the SD (P < 0.05). Significant diet × additive interactions were observed for all performance traits across all periods (P = 0.0001). MM supplementation notably restored FI and significantly improved EP and EM in CD-fed hens, while also yielding the highest EW among CD treatments (P < 0.05). CP improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the CD group (P = 0.0191), but reduced EW (P = 0.0237). Additives had minimal effect in hens fed the SD. For hematological parameters, significant diet × additive interactions were detected. MM significantly decreased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity (P = 0.0001), uric acid (UA) (P = 0.0049), and triglycerides (TG) (P = 0.0001), whereas it increased total protein (TP) (P = 0.0001) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) (P = 0.0075) in CD-fed hens. Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c) was significantly reduced in SD + CP and SD + MM groups (P = 0.0001). Hepatic lesion scores were markedly higher in CD-fed hens (P = 0.001); however, MM supplementation significantly reduced liver damage in this group. In conclusion, MM showed the most consistent protective effect against FLHS, improving performance, blood parameters, and liver health under dietary challenge.

Biodiesel is highly reactive with water, posing significant challenges to its commercialization. Therefore, accurate and safe monitoring of biodiesel is essential to prevent unwanted reactions. A U-shaped optical fiber (UOFE) was developed by coating a Ti₃C₂ MXene/TiO₂ hybrids to improve sensitivity to the refractive index (RI) and detect volatilized moisture vapor from plant-derived biodiesels. The sensitivity of three different UOFEs to RI were compared. The results indicate that UOFE with a core diameter of 200 μm reduced in transmission spectra (TS) to 1500 mV; further, coating the surface of this UOFE with Ti₃C₂ MXene/TiO₂ hybrids resulted in a three-fold reduction in TS to 4230 mV. Changes in water content from 10 to 500 ppm linearly decreased TS for soybean and algal biodiesels. A 30 % increase in TS reduction was observed for biodiesels with higher water content. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the fatty methyl ester contents of both biodiesels confirmed the degradation of fatty esters with higher moisture content in the soybean biodiesel and the presence of volatile compounds in the algal biodiesel. Conventional Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy cannot detect moisture below 500 ppm in biodiesel, and Raman spectroscopy can detect only 500 ppm of water. The sensor successfully detected low concentrations of water (5-10 ppm) in lipids extracted from three types of wet microalgae. Thus, the proposed sensor shows potential for biodiesel monitoring in terms of water content, stability during storage, and volatile compound content in a rapid, accurate, non-contact, and reproducible manner.

Fibrosarcomas are most frequently encountered in senior dogs and cats, but they have also been documented in various other species such as alpacas, llamas, ferrets, cows, sheep, goats and horses. Macroscopic, microscopic and immunohistochemical features of a very rare and unusual case of fibrosarcoma with metastasis to several visceral organs in a 4 year-old Holstein cow is reported for the first time.

A cow with a history of decreased appetite, decreased milk production and chronic mastitis was presented to Abarkuh abattoir in Yazd province 4 months post-parturition. The routine examination and systematic meat inspection revealed multi-nodular focal masses, yellowish-white in colour with firm consistency and clear borders on the surface and depth of the liver, kidney and heart, as well as in the parenchyma of both lungs. The masses showed a smooth surface without scars, bleeding and necrotic lesions. The tissue samples (1 × 1 × 1 cm³) were taken from the masses. Tissues were fixed in 10% buffered formalin and stained with haematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, and immunohistochemical staining using anti-desmin, smooth muscle antibody (SMA), vimentin and CD34 antibodies. The histopathological evaluation of the masses showed spindle-shaped cells, pleomorphic nuclei with mitotic figures and little cytoplasm. Masson's trichrome staining showed variable collagen fibres between abnormal fibroblasts. Immunohistochemical staining showed positive immunoreactivity for vimentin and negative for desmin, SMA and CD34 antibodies that are useful to distinguish this type of cancer from other spindle cell sarcomas. On the basis of the most recent literature search, this is the first report of multi-organ metastasis of fibrosarcoma in a Holstein cow in the world.