Marwa Abass

Objective: Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects approximately 10% of reproductive-age women and is frequently associated with subfertility. This study evaluated the potential ameliorative effect of lactoferrin on endometriosis-associated subfertility in a rat model.Methods: Rats were allocated into four groups: Sham, Sham+Lacto, Endo, and Endo+Lacto. In these group labels, “Endo” denotes endometriosis and “Lacto” denotes lactoferrin. Endometriosis was surgically induced in the Endo and Endo+Lacto groups, whereas rats in the Sham and Sham+Lacto groups underwent abdominal incision without uterine manipulation. Lactoferrin (300 mg/kg/day) was orally administered for 30 days to the Sham+Lacto and Endo+Lacto groups. After treatment, five females from each group were mated with mature males to assess fertility index parameters.Results: Endo rats exhibited a significant increase in serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and a significant decrease in serum luteinizing hormone (LH) compared with Sham controls. In addition, marked histopathological alterations were observed in ovarian and eutopic uterine tissues. Maternal uterine and ovarian weights were significantly reduced in the Endo group, whereas fertility index parameters showed no significant differences among the experimental groups. Neonatal outcomes did not differ significantly between the Endo and Sham groups. In contrast, lactoferrin treatment significantly ameliorated gonadotropin imbalance, alleviated ovarian and eutopic endometrial histopathological alterations, and significantly increased neonatal weight and size in endometriotic rats, whereas neonatal length and pup number were not significantly changed.Conclusion: Lactoferrin treatment ameliorated gonadotropin imbalance by improving serum FSH and LH levels, restoring ovarian and uterine tissue architecture, and enhancing fertility index parameters and neonatal outcomes. These findings suggest that lactoferrin may represent a promising non-hormonal approach for mitigating endometriosis-associated subfertility.

Intestinal anastomosis is among the most regularly performed operations in gastrointestinal surgery. However, poor wound healing at anastomotic locations, particularly in the colon, leads to severe complications, increased need for reoperation, prolonged hospital admissions, and greater mortality rates. This study aims to investigate the effect of leukocyte‐ and platelet‐rich fibrin (L‐PRF) coupled with chitosan (CH) on the healing of colonic anastomoses in rabbits. A full colonic transection followed by anastomosis was done in 36 rabbits. In the control group, no adjunctive substance was applied. In the treatment group, two L‐PRF matrices were wrapped and fastened around the anastomosis site, followed by careful application of 1 mL of 1% CH solution. Healing was examined clinically, histopathologically, and immunohistochemically on postoperative days 7, 14, and 28. Statistical analysis demonstrated significant improvements in the treatment group compared to the control group, including better radiographic stenosis scores, higher mechanical bursting pressures, and superior histological healing scores ( p < 0.01) at all examined time points. We conclude that L‐PRF combined with CH significantly enhanced colonic anastomotic healing in rabbits, as evidenced by increased submucosal collagen deposition, accelerated mucosal re‐epithelialization, enhanced angiogenesis, reduced adhesion formation, and decreased anastomotic stenosis compared to controls.

Background: Standing sedation is frequently required in donkeys for minor surgical and diagnostic procedures, yet information on the cardiac safety of α2-adrenoceptor agonists and opioid combinations in this species is limited. This study evaluated the echocardiographic effects of intravenous medetomidine, butorphanol, and their combination in clinically healthy donkeys. Materials and methods: Sixty donkeys were randomly assigned to four groups ( n = 15/group) to receive intravenous saline (control group, CG), medetomidine group (10 µg/kg, MG), butorphanol group (50 µg/kg, BG), or medetomidine–butorphanol group (10 µg/kg + 50 µg/kg, MBG). Butorphanol was administered 5 min after medetomidine in the MBG. M-mode echocardiography was performed from a right parasternal short-axis view at baseline and at 5, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min after treatment. Left ventricular internal diameter (LVID), interventricular septal thickness (IVST), and left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPW) were measured at end-diastole (d) and end-systole (s). Left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction (EF%), and fractional shortening (FS%) were calculated. Data were analyzed using a repeated-measures general linear model. Results: Medetomidine alone was associated with significant reductions in EF% and FS%, together with significant changes in LVIDs and LVIDd. SV was also significantly lower in the medetomidine group than in the control group during the main post-treatment period; however, SV and the calculated LV volumes were interpreted cautiously because they are load-dependent variables derived from linear M-mode measurements. These changes were accompanied by an increase in LVIDs and a reduction in IVSs, indicating transient depression of conventional left ventricular systolic indices and altered loading conditions. Butorphanol alone produced only minor, parameter-specific changes in LVID, IVST, and most echocardiographic indices, with no consistent clinically relevant deterioration compared with baseline or the CG. In contrast, the MBG showed marked changes in ventricular dimensions and calculated indices from 15 to 60 min; however, these findings were interpreted cautiously because the calculated systolic indices are load-dependent. Conclusions: Intravenous medetomidine, butorphanol, and their combination exert distinct and protocol-dependent effects on left ventricular dimensions and systolic function in donkeys. Medetomidine alone substantially and transiently depresses systolic performance, whereas butorphanol alone is comparatively cardiovascular-sparing. The medetomidine–butorphanol combination may be considered for standing sedation in clinically healthy donkeys; however, its echocardiographic effects should be interpreted cautiously as load-dependent changes, and cardiovascular monitoring remains advisable.

Epidural fibrosis (EF) refers to the non-physiological scar formation at the site where a surgical incision is made to access the spinal canal. This condition often results in functional disability and pain following spinal surgery and is a common and difficult-to-treat contributor to Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS). This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) clots, vein grafts, or a combination of both in reducing epidural fibrosis after laminectomy in rats. One hundred adult Sprague–Dawley male rats, weighing 300 ± 55 g, were equally and randomly assigned into five groups (n = 20): the control, laminectomy, PRF, vein graft, and PRF/vein graft groups. The control group consisted of normal, untouched rats that did not undergo anesthesia, surgical exposure, laminectomy, or sham operation. Lumbar laminectomy was performed at L3–L5 in the laminectomy, PRF, vein graft, and PRF/vein graft groups. On postoperative day 30, outcomes were assessed in two predefined independent subsets within each group. Ten rats per group were used for macroscopic epidural adhesion scoring after surgical-site reopening, whereas the remaining ten rats per group were used for histopathological, morphometric, and qRT-PCR analyses of IL-6 and TGF-β1 expression. Therefore, the effective analytical sample size was n = 10 animals per group for each endpoint category, not n = 20 per group. The primary endpoint was histological epidural fibrosis score at day 30; all other macroscopic, morphometric, inflammatory, and molecular outcomes were secondary endpoints. The EF area was significantly reduced in all treatment groups compared with the laminectomy group. Overall, the vein graft-containing groups showed the strongest reductions in adhesion, scar density, dura mater thickness, and IL-6/TGF-β1 expression. The combined PRF/vein graft treatment was generally more favorable than PRF alone but was often comparable to vein graft alone, indicating that a consistent superiority of the combined approach over vein graft alone was not demonstrated. Vein graft-containing treatments reduced histological and molecular markers of epidural fibrosis in this rat laminectomy model. The combined PRF/vein graft approach showed favorable anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects, but it was not consistently superior to the vein graft alone across all assessed endpoints. Therefore, the findings should be interpreted as preliminary preclinical evidence supporting further investigation of vein graft-based local barrier strategies rather than direct evidence of a superior combination therapy or a clinically ready approach.

Background: Tongue gangrene is a rare but serious condition in buffaloes. Despite its clinical and economic importance, it remains poorly documented in Egypt. This retrospective study evaluated the clinical presentation, etiological factors, histopathological findings, and surgical outcomes of tongue gangrene in Egyptian buffaloes. Methods: Forty-four buffaloes examined between January 2022 and November 2025 were classified based on the extent of tongue loss, as determined by the length (cm) of the excised gangrenous segment. Microbiological analyses included culture of deep tissue samples from the demarcation zone and rice straw samples taken from the batches fed to affected buffaloes on their farms of origin. Viral RNA was extracted from affected tongue tissues, and FMDV detection and serotyping were performed using RT-PCR targeting the 5′UTR and VP1 regions. Sequenced PCR products were analyzed using BLAST and phylogenetic reconstruction. Partial glossectomy was performed in all cases, and recovery was monitored for up to 24 weeks based on medical records. Results: The buffaloes showed systemic illness with fever and dehydration, along with characteristic dry tongue gangrene (discoloration, foul odor, loss of sensation, and a clear demarcation line). Most cases (31/44) had a recent history suggestive of FMD; the remaining cases were classified as suspected traumatic tongue injury (9/44) or no identified predisposing factor (4/44). Deep tongue tissue cultures yielded bacterial growth in 24/44 and fungal growth in 3/44 cases (presumptive identification), while rice straw samples yielded Fusarium-like fungi (12/44) and clostridia-like organisms (28/44). Histopathology confirmed coagulative necrosis with vascular congestion, bacterial colonization, and neutrophilic infiltration. FMDV serotype O was detected, showing ~ 98% identity by BLAST and clustering within the ME-SA topotype near Egy/Qalyubia/2021. Recovery time correlated significantly with the extent of tongue loss ( p < 0.05): the shortest recovery was observed after ~ 5 cm loss, intermediate recovery after ~ 8 cm loss, and the longest recovery among survivors after ~ 10 cm loss. Conclusion: Tongue gangrene in the studied Egyptian buffaloes was most likely associated with recent FMD infection and/or traumatic tongue injuries, which may predispose to microlesions and subsequent microbial invasion. Clostridia-like organisms and Fusarium-like fungi were cultured from deep tongue tissue and from rice straw offered to the affected animals. Early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention remain essential for successful outcomes and improved survival.

The present study aimed to compare the anaesthetic performance of three total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) protocols in Egyptian Baladi goats aged 3–5 months. All animals received nalbuphine (0.5 mg/kg IV) as premedication, followed by induction with ketamine (7 mg/kg) and midazolam (0.7 mg/kg). Maintenance was achieved with propofol alone (P), propofol plus midazolam (PM), or propofol combined with midazolam and ketamine (PMK). Physiological parameters, including heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), oxygen saturation (SpO₂), rectal temperature, and arterial blood pressures (SAP, DAP, MAP), were monitored at 5-minute intervals up to 60 minutes. Electrocardiographic (ECG) variables were assessed at 10, 20, 40, and 60 minutes following nalbuphine administration. No arrhythmias were observed in any group, and minor alterations in ECG waveforms remained within normal limits. All protocols induced reductions in HR, RR, and blood pressures during maintenance, though the PMK group maintained significantly higher HR, RR, and MAP values compared with P and PM. These findings indicate that ketamine minimized the depressant effects of propofol, resulting in more stable hemodynamic and respiratory profiles. Rectal temperature decreased significantly across all groups, with no notable intergroup variation. In conclusion, the PMK protocol offered the most stable anaesthetic profile, combining cardiovascular safety with adequate respiratory function, thereby supporting the role of ketamine as a valuable component of balanced TIVA in goats.

Background: Epidural fibrosis (EF) is the major complication that develops in the operative region of the spinal vertebrae. This fibrous scar connects the connective tissue around the lateral nerve roots and epidural, resulting in severe pain post-spinal operation and impairment of the nerves’ function. Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of using platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), chitosan, and their combination in reducing epidural fibrosis after laminectomy in rats. Methods: Ninety male Sprague Dawley rats weighing 255 ± 55 g were randomly assigned to five groups, each consisting of 15 rats: the normal group (control), the laminectomy group, the PRF group, the chitosan group, the combination group (PRF/chitosan), and the donor group. All rats, except the control group, had lumbar laminectomy surgeries between L3 and L5. Macroscopic analysis, histological evaluations, and mRNA analysis for TGFβ-1 and IL6 were compared statistically after a 30-day follow-up. Results: In comparison to the laminectomy group, the EF area was significantly decreased in the PRF, chitosan, and combination groups. Histological study, macroscopic inspection, and mRNA expression of TGFβ-1 (P < 0.0001) and IL6 (P < 0.0001) show that the use of PRF with chitosan topically in dura following laminectomy resulted in a decrease in scar tissue formation, inflammation, and EF post-laminectomy. Conclusion: The combination of chitosan with PRF is a potential therapeutic approach for minimizing EF in rats after laminectomy. Graphical

Background: Acute pain management and the efficacy of analgesic therapies are essential in orthopedic surgery on the distal extremities of dogs’ forelimbs. This is due to the manipulation of both soft and orthopedic tissues. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the antinociceptive, akinesia, cardiovascular, and plasma-level effects of adding atracurium to intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA) with lidocaine in dogs. Methods: Fifty male Mongrel dogs weighing 15 ± 5 kg and aged 2.5 ± 0.6 years were premedicated with 0.045 mg/kg of atropine sulfate and 0.05 mg/kg of acepromazine. While under general anaesthesia, the dogs were randomly allocated into two IVRA groups (n = 25/group): the lidocaine group (LG; 3 mg/kg) and the atracurium (0.3 mg/kg) combined with the lidocaine (3 mg/kg) group (LAG). Following IVRA injections, the toe pinch response and nerve stimulation test were performed, with the contralateral limb serving as its control limb. The mean blood pressure (MAP), pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (RR), end-tidal carbon dioxide level (EtCO₂), rectal temperature, echocardiographic indices, and plasma lidocaine concentrations were measured. Results: At 25, 35, 45, and 55 min post-induction, the LAG exhibited a significantly lower (P ≤ 0.01) nociception limb withdrawal reflex score indicated by an absence of the limb withdrawal reflex (score 1) than the LG, which showed a mild limb trembling (score 2). Moreover, at 30, 40, 50, and 60 min post-induction, the LAG had an absence of the carpus twitch (score 1) with a significantly deeper degree of nerve block (P ≤ 0.01) compared to the LG. There were no significant differences in the physiological parameters between groups during anesthesia time. Meanwhile, the MAP, PR, and RR were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) in the LG than in the LAG post-nociception stimuli and during the recovery period. After tourniquet removal, hypersalivation and muscle tremors were observed in four dogs in the LAG and one in the LG. Conclusion: The use of IVRA with atracurium/lidocaine is a potentially effective IVRA agent for enhancing analgesia and akinesia in the distal extremities of dogs. However, it is important to consider the potential signs compatible with systemic toxicity that may occur, such as hypersalivation and muscle tremors, after releasing the tourniquet.

This research aimed to detect the experimental value of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) loaded with chitosan (CS) and leukocyte platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) in promoting the healing process of the anastomotic colon in rabbits. Forty-two healthy male white New Zealand rabbits underwent total transection and anastomosis of the ascending colon. The rabbits were then randomly divided and equally allocated into two groups ( n = 21): the control (C) group, in which the transected colon was traditionally anastomosed with simple interrupted sutures, and the treated (T) group, in which the colon was traditionally anastomosed and completely wrapped by a L-PRF scaffold that was inoculated with 1 ml of AgNPs-CS solution. Clinical macroscopic observations of rabbits and pain scale scores were evaluated postoperatively on the 7th,14th, and 28th days. Additionally, seven rabbits from each group were euthanized at each time point to assess bursting pressure, radiographic stenotic degree, histopathological findings, and immunohistochemical examination. The anastomotic colon in the T-group revealed a significant improvement in the overall health status of rabbits, as well as mechanical bursting pressure scores. Pain scores and radiographic stenotic degree were significantly lower in the T-group. Moreover, the histopathological examination of the anastomotic colon in the T-group showed an increased collagen deposition in the submucosa, proper re-epithelialization of the mucosa, higher angiogenesis, reduced adhesions, and significantly higher histopathological healing scores than the C-group. The AgNPs-CS/L-PRF scaffold successfully reduced complications following colon anastomosis and potentially ameliorated the healing process of the anastomotic colon in the experimental rabbits. Graphical Abstract