The most common neoplasms in intact female dogs are CMGTs. BmKn-2, an antimicrobial peptide, is derived from scorpion venom and has published anticancer effects in oral and colon human cancer cell lines. Thus, it is highly likely that BmKn-2 could inhibit CMGT cell lines which has not been previously reported. This study investigated the proliferation and apoptotic properties of BmKn-2 via Bax and Bcl-2 relative gene expression in two CMGT cell lines, metastatic (CHMp-5b) and non-metastatic (CHMp-13a). The results showed that BmKn-2 inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in the CMGT cell lines. The cell morphology clearly changed and increased apoptosis in a dose dependent of manner. The half maximum inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) was 30 µg/mL for CHMp-5b cell line and 54 µg/mL for CHMp-13a cell line. The induction of apoptosis was mediated through Bcl-2 and Bax expression after BmKn-2 treatment. In conclusion, BmKn-2 inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in both CHMp-5b and CHMp-13a cell lines via down-regulation of Bcl-2 and up-regulation of Bax relative mRNA expression. Therefore, BmKn-2 could be feasible as candidate treatment for CMGTs.

Crocodile oil is a highly effective treatment for ailments ranging from skin conditions to cancer. However, the effects of the oil on liver detoxification pathways are not well studied. This study aimed to investigate the effects of crocodile oil on the detoxification enzyme activities and the mRNA expressions of cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2), cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in rats. The rats were divided into four groups (n = 7/group): rats received a standard diet (C), a high-fat diet or HFD (H), and HFD with 1 ml (HCO1) and 3 ml (HCO3) of the oil per kg body weight. Interestingly, the oil yields from this study presented alpha-linolenic acid (0.96%) at similar levels compared with fish oil. The results revealed that HFD significantly increased the activity and relative gene expression of CYP1A2 in the H group ( ), whereas 3% crocodile oil normalized the enzyme activities compared to the C group. This suggested inhibiting the HFD-induced expression of CYP1A2 mediated by the omega-3 fatty acids found in the oil. Also, crocodile oil supplementation did not reduce the activities of GST. However, the relative gene expression of GSTA1 was significantly decreased ( ) in the HCO1 and HCO3 groups compared to the H group, which might be attributed to the lower lipid peroxidation that occurred in the liver tissues. Therefore, it could be suggested that using crocodile oil could help in liver detoxification through the CYP1A2 even when offered with a HFD.

Background and Aim: Bovine coronavirus (BCoV) is a pathogen affecting the productivities of dairy cattle worldwide. The present study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and factors associated with BCoV serological status using a commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the western region of Thailand. Blood samples were collected from 30 dairy herds. In total, 617 blood serum samples were tested using a commercial indirect ELISA for BCoVspecific immunoglobulin G antibodies. A questionnaire was used to collect data on the factors which have been identified as risk factors for BCoV antibody detection. The age and history of diarrhea of each animal were recorded. Fisher's exact test was performed to univariately assess the association between BCoV serological status and possible risk factors. Variables with Fisher's exact test p3 years of age were more likely to be seropositive to BCoV compared to cattle <1 year of age (p=0.003), with the odds ratio being 81.96. Disinfecting diarrhea stools were a protective factor for being BCoV seropositive, with odds ratios of 0.08 and 0.06 compared to doing nothing (p=0.008) and to clean with water (p=0.002), respectively. Conclusion: BCoV seropositive dairy cattle were distributed throughout the western region of Thailand. The probability of being seropositive for BCoV increased with increasing animal age. Cleaning the contaminated stool with appropriate disinfectants should be recommended to farmers to minimize the spread of the virus.

Raptors (Accipitriformes, Falconiformes and Strigiformes) are important for ecological niches as bioindicators and an apex predator; however, their global populations have continuously decreased due to human activities, habitat loss and contagious diseases. Avian malaria that may cause the negative impact on raptors’ health may also contribute to the declining of raptor populations. This study reported malaria’s molecular prevalence and genetic diversity in wild-caught and rehabilitated raptors in the Kasetsart University Raptor Rehabilitation Unit. In total, 109 raptors from 18 provinces of Thailand were classified into two groups, which included 78 diurnal raptors (DIRs) in Accipitriformes and 31 nocturnal raptors (NORs) in Strigiformes. Each ethylenediaminetetraacetic (EDTA) blood sample (0.5–1 mL) was tested through haematological analyses and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based detection to assess parasites’ health impacts. Amplicons of PCR positive samples were analysed for a nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic relationships. The overall prevalence of avian malaria was low at 3.67% (4/109) (95% CI: 1.44–9.06%), with a prevalence of 3.86% (3/78) (95% CI: 1.32–10.70%) in DIRs and 3.23% (1/31) (95% CI: 1.32–10.70%) in NORs. Most of the infected samples were from southern Thailand. This suggested that the raptors in humid habitats are more vulnerable to the malarial infection, which was likely associated with vector and parasite abundance. Clinical appearances and haematological examinations demonstrated that raptors could tolerate the infection and only became asymptomatic and subclinically infected. This study is the first report of the infection of avian malaria in Cinerous Vulture, Himalayan Vulture and Barred Eagle Owl in Thailand, providing baseline information in preparedness for the disease diagnostic and further study of avian malaria in some endangered raptor species.

In total, 901 dairy cow sera and data were collected from 51 farms in Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi and Kanchanaburi provinces (Western Region of Thailand). Serum samples were processed via the multispecies ELISA method to detect IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii infection. The results demonstrated that the calculated true prevalence was 1.48% (95% CI, 0.64–2.75%) for the individual-level and 29.41% (95% CI, 18.71–43%) for the farm-level. The univariate risk factor analysis showed that the number of total owned cats, the presence of stray cats, and the frequency of cleaning per day were significant factors (p < 0.2). These three factors were subjected to logistic regression analysis, and the results revealed that the frequency of cleaning farms per day was a potential risk factor for T. gondii-seropositive farms (OR = 2.745, 95% CI, 1.15–8.69, p = 0.02). The frequency of cleaning might increase the T. gondii oocyst distribution within the barn area, thus increasing the possibility of infection. Our findings show that T. gondii continues to circulate in the dairy cow population in the western part of Thailand. The presence of cats on farms was not found to be associated with T. gondii infection, but the high frequency of cleaning the floor was, and contributed to the potential risk of infection.

Background and Aim: Ducks worldwide are infected with duck circovirus (DuCV), which causes feather abnormality, emaciation, and poor growth performance. DuCV is similar to other circoviruses that induce immunosuppression due to the occurrence of the bursae of Fabricius (BF) and spleen atrophies. In Thailand, retarded ducks with feather losses were submitted for disease investigation. The ducks presented low body weight gain, had small BF and spleens, and were consistent with duck-infected DuCV. Our study investigated the possibility of DuCV infection in duck flocks in Thailand. We also analyzed the genetic characteristics of the virus. Materials and Methods: BF and spleen samples were collected from affected meat and layer ducks from six farms thought to have been infected with DuCV. These tissues were then subjected to histopathological examination and molecular identification using conventional polymerase chain reaction and nucleotide sequencing. To identify DuCV, phylogenetic trees were generated using MEGA version X software. Samples of tissues or swabs were collected to determine whether coinfections with bacteria and viruses existed. Results: Phylogenetic analysis using the entire genome (1995–1996 bp) and cap gene (762 bp) revealed that the DuCV isolates circulating in Thailand belonged to DuCV genotype I, which was further subdivided into two sub-genotypes: sub-genotype I b and an unclassified sub-genotype based on reference sub-genotypes. Thai isolates have variations in 10 amino acid residues in the capsid protein. Ducks infected with Thai DuCV were also coinfected with Riemerella anatipestifer, Escherichia coli, Pasteurella multocida, duck viral enteritis, and duck Tembusu virus, which is consistent with previous DuCV infection studies. Conclusion: Six DuCVs from ducks who were previously found to have feather loss, were underweight, had growth retardation, and had poor body condition were identified in this study as belonging to genotype Ⅰ and constituting at least two sub-genotypes. Due to the immunosuppressive effects of DuCV, coinfection of bacterial and viral pathogens was typically observed in Thai DuCV-infected ducks. Keywords: duck, duck circovirus, genetic characterization, immunosuppression, phylogenetic tree.