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The sites of Chinji type locality, Dhok Bun Ameer Khatoon, Lawa and Markhal are highly fossiliferous in the Chinji and Dhok Pathan formations, dated from middle and late Miocene (15.97–5.33 Ma), in the Lower and Middle Siwalik subgroups of the Pakistan. In these studied localities fossils of suids, tragulids, bovids (including caprins), giraffids, proboscideans, and rhinocerotids are reported. The main focus of current study is on family Suidae and the collected specimens show strong similarities with the previously discovered species of Listriodon pentapotamiae, Conohyus sindiensis, Propotamochoerus hysudricus, and Propotamochoerus sp. Here we present comparative data of suids from the Siwaliks and we notably present first remains of L. pentapotamiae incisors and C. sindiensis from Dhok Bun Ameer Khatoon; P. hysudricus from Markhal and Propotamochoerus sp. from Chinji type section. The material described here enhances our knowledge about the diversification and evolution of suid fossil species in the Siwaliks of Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Kafkas Universitesi Veteriner Fakultesi Dergisi is the property of University of Kafkas, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Kafkas Universitesi Veteriner Fakultesi Dergisi is the property of University of Kafkas, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Like humans, chickens can become sick from bacterial infections. Mycoplasma is a very small, slow-growing bacterium. There are multiple types of Mycoplasma that affect different animals, humans, and even plants and insects. In the current study, the whole genome of Mycoplasma synoviae was sequenced through the joint sequencing method of the third-generation PacBio and second-generation Illumina of the high-throughput sequencing platform, and the complete genome map of the Mycoplasma synoviae was successfully obtained. SMRT sequencing and assembly of whole genome: Canu v1.5/WTDBG v2.2 software was used for preliminary assembly of filtered subreads. Pilon V1.22 software was used to further correct the assembled genome with high-quality second-generation data, and the genome with higher accuracy was finally obtained. Sequencing results showed that the Mycoplasma was composed of a 0.83Mb chromosome with a G+C percentage of 28.42%. Bioinformatics was used to predict the encoding protein genes, and it was found that Mycoplasma synoviae genome encoded a total of 1415 ORF open reading frames, including 1.73% of the repeats, 7 ribosomal RNAs, 34 transport RNAs, 4 non-coding RNAs and 12 pseudogenes. Mycoplasma synoviae genomes also contain 2 CRISPR, 1 gene island and 2 prophages. Using multiple strains of Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma iowae and Mycoplasma anatis as reference genomes, we constructed phylogenetic trees of 12 species of Mycoplasma. The genetic and taxonomic status of Mycoplasma synoviae strains were evaluated. The results showed that the sequencing strains of Mycoplasma synoviae and the model strain Mycoplasma synoviae WVU1853 were closely clustered together, suggesting the genetic relationship was relatively close and the sequencing strains were relatively conservative, and represent that they share the same genetic origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current study reports the immunomodulatory effects of Artemisia brevifolia (leaves extract) against experimental coccidiosis in broiler chicken. For evaluation of immunomodulatory potential, a total of 175 day-old broiler chicks were distributed into 5 groups each group having 35 birds. Mixed Eimeria infection (50,000 sporulated oocysts) was given orally at one week of age. At same age, A. brevifolia extract was orally given at 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg of body weight in first three groups respectively. Vitamin E and PBS treated chicks served as control groups. Cell mediated immunity was inquired through PHA-P, Carbon Clearance Assay, Concanavalin-A and DNCB assays. Sheep RBCs were used to check humoral immunity through hemagglutination test. Results showed that A. brevifolia extract induced cellular and humoral immunity against coccidiosis. Immunological response of groups administered with A. brevifolia extract at highest dose i.e., 300 mg was higher as compared to lower doses and caused immunomodulatory effect on infected chicks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the level of bioethics awareness among healthcare professionals in Pakistan, focusing on the associations with sociodemographic characteristics, training and teaching of ethics, medical ethics practice and specific ethical issues., Design: Cross-sectional study., Setting: Public and private hospitals in Haripur, Pakistan., Participants: A total of 647 healthcare professionals participated in this study., Methods: This study was conducted between March and May 2023, following Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist criterion, involving healthcare professionals with at least 6 months of experience in patient care practice. Providers under close supervision are advised not to respond to the bioethics knowledge, attitudes and practices survey form due to potential ethical dilemmas., Results: Both physicians and non-physicians need to know more about bioethics. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in ethical training and teaching based on job categories/designations, with ethical views differing greatly by job designation. Specific ethical issues, such as accepting gifts from patients and pharmaceutical companies, referral fees, advising specific products, disclosure of medical errors, patient confidentiality, not informing patients fully about treatment and performing tasks for financial gain, showed significant associations (p<0.05) with healthcare professional's designation. Ethical awareness scores also showed significant differences (p<0.05) based on age, ethnicity, place of posting, professional experience and the organisation's ethical guidelines., Conclusion: This study highlighted a notable gap in the understanding of certain ethical concerns among healthcare professionals, with nurses showing relatively lower awareness of healthcare practice compared with other professionals. Addressing these issues through targeted training and robust ethical guidelines is critical to improving patient care in Pakistan's healthcare system., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and avian influenza virus (AIV) are causing contagious diseases in chickens and wild birds worldwide; however, there is a paucity of information on the current status of seropositivity of Newcastle and avian influenza diseases in chickens and wild birds of Pakistan. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the serological evidence of both diseases in commercial poultry (broiler, layer chickens), backyard poultry, and captive wild birds in poultry‑dense regions of Punjab, Pakistan. Enzyme‑linked immunosorbent (ELISA) and haemagglutination inhibition (HI) assays were performed for the determination of antibodies against NDV and AIV and their genotyping and subtyping, respectively. Overall, 47.5% and 67.4% seroprevalence of NDV and AIV, respectively, was observed in both poultry and wild birds. Based on bird's category, layer chickens had the highest seroprevalence of NDV (60.8%, 95% CI: 52.95‑68.22, OR: 0.71) followed by backyard poultry (56.8%, 95% CI: 47.92‑65.32, OR: 0.82), broilers (52.7%, 95% CI: 46.84‑58.64), pigeons (41.3%, 95% CI: 30.53‑52.81, OR: 1.59), peafowls (26.1%, 95% CI: 11.09‑48.69, OR: 3.16), ducks (23.8%, 95% CI: 12.59‑39.8, OR: 3.57), turkeys (16.7%, 95% CI: 4.41‑42.27, OR: 5.58), parrots (14.3%, 95% CI: 2.52‑43.85, OR: 6.70) and quails (2.3%, 95% CI: 0.2‑13.51, OR: 4.8). Comparatively, backyard chickens had the highest seroprevalence of AIV (78.8%, 95% CI: 70.64‑85.22, OR: 0.63) followed by ducks (73.8%, 95% CI: 57.68‑85.6, OR: 0.83), layers (73.5%, 95% CI: 65.98‑79.89, OR: 0.84), pigeons (72.5%, 95% CI: 61.2‑81.61, OR: 0.89), broilers (70.1%, 95% CI: 64.44‑75.29), turkeys (55.5%, 95% CI: 31.35‑77.6, OR: 1.87), peafowls (47.8%, 95% CI: 27.42‑68.9, OR: 2.56) and parrots (42.8%, 95% CI: 18.8‑70.3, OR: 3.1). Overall, 40.1%, 34.2%, 31.3%, and 25.1% sera were positive for H9 AIV, G‑VII NDV, H7 AIV, and G‑VI NDV, respectively. The current study revealed a widespread exposure to NDV and AIV in poultry and captive wild birds. Therefore, it is crucial to include captive wild birds in NDV and AIV surveillance programs to further strengthen disease control measures, particularly in endemic regions.