The Iraqi Journal of Veterinary Medicine

In recent decades, exotic pets are increasingly invited to homes with a wide range of variation in species and requirements that are more specialized. During a one-year period, 2408 exotic animals admitted to the Small Animal Veterinary Hospital, University of Tehran were assessed. Rabbits, hamsters, squirrels, turtles/tortoises, guinea pigs, lizards, hedgehogs, reindeer, monkeys, and snakes were referred, respectively. Owner referral cause and their gender in addition to the disease diagnosis were analyzed. While no statistical significance (P>0.05) was observed in the total number of men and women presenting these animals, gender-based preferences were spotted for owning specific types of animal species in this study (P<0.05). Furthermore, analysis showed that snakes and rabbits were more commonly (P<0.05) presented for checkup; while chelonians, lizards, hedgehogs, and monkeys were more presented with health problems (P<0.05). Other animals’ results did not show statistically significant difference for admission reasons (P>0.05). The health record assessment included 1587 animals with complete health files. The most common diseases diagnosed in most of these animals were metabolic bone disease/musculoskeletal problems and dental problems. In addition, eye problems in chelonians and urinary problems in hedgehogs were the most common diagnosis of those species. In conclusion, since the most common health problems of most participating animals were associated with mismanagement and inappropriate diet, it is highly recommended that owners be thoroughly educated by veterinarians to reduce the possibility of such conditions in exotic captive animals.

Cryptosporidium is one of the most common protozoan’s parasites with remarkable infectivity of a wide range of animals, including mammals and birds. Domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) act as a potential reservoir for several species of Cryptosporidium because they live in close proximity to humans. This study was conducted to assess the genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium in domestic pigeons in Iraq. A total of one hundred samples obtained from feces of domestic pigeons in Babylon province were included. After being exposed to microbial examination, all fecal samples were subsequently screened by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the possible recognition of Cryptosporidium species. Microscopy tests detected only 14/100 (14%) of infection with Cryptosporidium, while molecular tests detected 21/100 (21%) of the same targeted parasite. Sequencing experiments showed a high prevalence of C. meleagridis with 13/21 (61.90%), followed by C. baileyi with 7/21 (33.33%), while only one infection was detected with C. hominis (1/21) (4.76%). No co-infection with mixed Cryptosporidium spp. was observed, and sex factor was not found to affect the infection rate. In conclusion, this study informed a high prevalence of C. meleagridis in domestic pigeons than both C. baileyi and C. hominis, respectively, signifying a higher zoonotic potential of C. meleagridis between domestic pigeons and their handlers. This finding may raise more questions with regard to the increasing infectivity of C. meleagridis in human. This is the first important screening study in Iraq that uses molecular methods for the detection of Cryptosporidium in domesticated pigeons

This study aimed to investigate the protective influence of olive leave extract zinc oxide nanoparticles (OLEZnONPs) complex against gentamicin–induced kidney dysfunctions in goats. Twenty five adult female goats were randomly divided into five equal groups and treated as follows: control group (C) administered sterile distilled water (IM) for 10 days, group G administered 25 mg/kg BW gentamicin (IM) for 7 days, group Z administered 10 ìg/kg BW of OLEZnONPs (IP) for 3 days, group GTZ administered 25 mg/kg BW gentamicin (IM) for 7 days and then 10 ìg/kg BW of OLEZnONPs (IP) for 3 days, group GWZ administered 25 mg/kg BWs gentamicin (IM) and 10 ìg/kg BW of OLEZnONPs (IP) together for first 3 days and then followed by gentamicin only for 4 days. After seven days of the experiment, the gene expression of kidney injury molcule-1(KIM-1) and neutrophil gelatinase-association lipocalin (NGAL) gene expression of kidney tissue were measured. In addition, samples of kidney were obtained for histopathological examination. Gentamicin medication induced a marked elevation in kidney tissue KIM-1 and NGAL gene expression in G and GTZ groups compared to control and other groups. Intraperitoneal treatment of goats with OLEZnONPs did not significantly affect NGAL and KIM-1 gene expression in Z, GWZ, and control groups. Histologically, in contrast to control, gentamicin induced more extensive kidney damages such as necrotized glomeruli, atrophic glomeruli, and renal tubular epithelial necrosis, while it was found that these alterations in kidney tissues were
improved in goats given OLEZnONPs with gentamicin compared to group G. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that OLEZnONPs reduce the deleterious effects of gentamicin with significantly decreasing of KIM-1 and NGAL gene expression and remodeling the histological changes of kidney in goats.

The infectious bursal disease (IBD) is a highly contagious and immunosuppressive disease of broiler chickens and the development of a new genetic variant of the virus is responsible for major economic losses in the poultry industry. For this purpose, it was essential to isolate the molecular characterization of the virus from vaccinated broiler in Erbil, Iraq. Clinically, the infectious bursal disease is characterized by high mortality (10-15%) with hemorrhagic lesions on the breast and thigh muscles, hemorrhagic and edematous bursa of diseased chickens. In this study, the Bursa of Fabricus (BF) samples were collected between June 2018 and January 2019. Histopathological changes of the bursal sections showed existence of the cystic vacuolation of the lymphoid follicles with leukocytes infiltration as pathognomic features for IBD virus infection; and homogenates samples inoculated in chorioallantoic-membrane showed mortality in the second passage with varying degrees of hemorrhages. Agar gel precipitation test (AGPT) was positive with specific antisera. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and nucleotide sequence analysis of five fragments in the hypervariable region of VP2 gene revealed transition and transversion changes. Among the five recent IBD virus isolates, the rate of identity was approximately 99% as compared with the very virulent IBD virus from Iran (ID: DQ785171.1). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the five isolates were closely related to the Asian group with a different percentage ranged from 98-99% while it was 97% in the European group. The local isolate of the virus was registered in the Genebank under the accession number MN48052.1. In conclusion, the isolated IBDVs belong to a very virulent group. In addition, this study demonstrates the spread of this virulent virus to poultry industries in Erbil, Iraq. Further widespread surveys could help in delivering more information on the virus variability and might assist in designing novel vaccines for this pathogen.

This study aimed to investigate the impacts of the Trigonella foenum-graecum (T. foenum-graecum) seeds on the female gonad. A total of twenty local rabbits were used in this study; were divided into four groups (5 each): first group (G1) was considered as the control group. The second group (G2), third group (G3) and fourth group (G4) were fed daily1.5%, 3%, and 4.5% of T. foenum-graecum seeds respectively for 60 days (twice daily). At the end of the experiment, the animals were euthanized by diethyl ether (C2H52O). Then the abdomen was incised, and the samples of ovaries were collected and fixed by 10% neutral buffered formalin. The histological assessment was done with a paraffin embedding technique and the histological sections were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin stain. The result showed that the numbers of primary and secondary follicles were significantly (P<0.05) decreased in G3and G4 compared with the control (G1) and G2. The numbers of Graafian follicles were significantly P<0.05 decreased G4 compared with other groups. The diameters of the primary, secondary, and Graafian follicles were significantly smaller than the other groups. The thickness of the granulosa cell layer in G3and G4 were significantly thinner than the other groups. The histological figures declared that the ovary of G2 was similar to that in G1. The histological sections of G3 and G4 were revealed marked cortical and medullary vascular congestion and focal hemorrhage; there were also marked follicular degeneration and cystic necrosis. The study concluded that the low concentration of T. foenum-graecum (fenugreek) seeds do not have any positive effect in terms of ovarian stimulation.

This study aimed to detect Babesia gibsoni (B. gibsoni) in dogs of different ages, sex and breeds in Baghdad province by microscopic and molecular investigations using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequencing, and phylogenetic analyses. The present study was investigated B. gibsoni in 310 blood samples of dogs for the period from December 2018 to September 2019 in Baghdad province, Iraq. The molecular study was carried out by using universal primers of Babesia spp. (PIRO-A and PIRO-B) and specific primers of B. gibsoni (BAGIF and BAGIR) products size of 410 bp and 488 bp fragments of 18S rRNA gene respectively. The clinical signs revealed higher percentage and specific clinical signs of B. gibsoni as depression, anorexia, fever, pale mucus membrane, and ticks infestation, however icterus, and dead were low in which only occurred in two dogs out of infected dogs. The PCR assay and microscopic diagnosis revealed the infection rate of B. gibsoni 9 out of 310 (2.9%) in dogs. The sequence data analyses of nine DNA products were 98-100% similar to sequences of 18S rRNA gene of B. gibsoni data available in Gene bank. According to breed, age, and sex, the results revealed a significantly high-risk factor of infection in Husky dogs; B. gibsoni detected in females which was increased non-significantly than males; while the highest occurrence of disease was in young dogs aged three years or less in addition to the above, the infection rate of B. gibsoni was high in spring season. In conclusion, this study was considered the first molecular record of B. gibsoni in Baghdad, Iraq documented no differences in diagnosis by blood smear and conventional PCR to amplify of 18S rRNA gene and partial sequencing of B. gibsoni with low-cost method and easily done

This study is carried out to investigate the prevalence of Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) infections in cattle using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting IS1111A transposase gene. A total of 130 lactating cows were randomly selected from different areas in Wasit province, Iraq and subjected to blood and milk sampling during the period extended between November 2018 and May 2019. ELISA and PCR tests revealed that 16.15% and 10% of the animals studied were respectively positive. Significant correlations (P<0.05) were detected between the positive results and clinical data. Two positive PCR products were analyzed phylogenetically, named as C. burnetii IQ-No.5 and C. burnetii IQ-No.6; and then recorded in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) under an accession numbers of MN473204.1 and MN473205.1. Comparative identity of the local strains with NCBI-BLAST strains/isolates revealed 97% similarity and 0.1-0.6% of total genetic mutations/changes. NCBI-BLAST Homology Sequence reported high significant identity (P<0.05) between the local, C. burnetii IQ-No.5 and C. burnetii IQ-No.6; strains and C. burnetii 3345937 (CP014354.1) Netherlands isolate at 99.10% and 99.06%, respectively. The current study concluded that the percentage of infected cows with coxiellosis is relatively high, and Coxiella should be listed as abortive pathogen. Therefore, additional studies should be performed including different animals, samples, and regions.

This study was conducted in Al-Alam region, which is located in Salah Al-Din Governorate, on first month pregnant Iraqi local cows (n-10). The follow up extended from the first month of pregnancy up to the end of the first month post-parturition during that some clinical and biochemical parameters were measured in the serum. Blood samples from the jugular vein of cows were collected monthly for the whole period of experiment and divided into four stages: early pregnancy, mid pregnancy, late pregnancy, and early lactation immediately after birth. It was observed that the temperature, respiration rate, and heart rate increased gradually and significantly (P≤0.05) with the progress of pregnancy reaching to its highest value in the last period of pregnancy and decreased after birth. The last trimester of pregnancy and the early lactation were also showed a significant decrease (P≤0.05) of the phosphorus, calcium, iron, and copper concentrations compared to the first and second trimesters of the pregnancy however, significant increases in other biochemical values (P≤0.05) were observed in urea and creatinine concentrations in the last trimester of pregnancy and early lactation. In addition to a significant decrease (P≤0.05) of the ratios of concentrations of glucose, total protein, albumin, and globulin in the last period of pregnancy compared to other periods. The decrease in the value of globulin continued until the early birth period while the study did not show any significant difference in the concentration of bilirubin between durations. Finally, values of the ALT, AST and ALP enzymes showed significant increases (P≤0.05) in their concentrations in the last period of pregnancy. It is concluded that possible changes in the biochemical parameters of the local Iraqi cows’ blood during pregnancy and early lactation are existed

Trichomonas gallinae causes avian trichomoniasis, which is one of the most common protozoan infections in birds worldwide. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate and identify the Trichomonas gallinae in domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) by microscopic examination (direct smear and Giemsa stain) and histopathological examination in Baghdad city, Iraq, during the period from beginning of October 2018 to end of March 2019. Giemsa-stained cytoplasm with light purple and nucleus with dark purple, clarification of flagella, nucleus, and cytoplasm very well. Histopathological findings of infected birds showed gross existence of yellowish white caseous necrotic material in the oral cavity and esophagus. The histopathological examination in the larynx, esophagus, trachea, crop, liver, and lung as infiltration of inflammatory cell mainly (heterophils); thickening of mucosa because of extensive infiltration of heterophils and disruption of esophageal gland; the thickness in bronchi wall of lung due to glandular hyperplasia and muscular fibroplasia, in liver focal necrosis of parenchyma with mononuclear cell (MNCs) infiltration and granuloma composed of MNCs and heterophils. The current study may contribute to determining the histopathological changes of esophagus, trachea, crop, and liver of trichomoniasis- infected pigeons.

The current study was established to find out the role of immunization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa-whole sonicated antigen in adult white fur domestic rabbits. To achieve this goal, fifteen rabbits were allocated into 3 groups, the first group was immunized with P. aeruginosa–whole sonicated antigen and challenged with viable pathogenic P. aeruginosa; the second group (control negative) was treated with phosphate buffer saline and the third group was injected with viable pathogenic P. aeruginosa (control positive). The results demonstrated increasing levels of the measured parameters blood picture (total WBCs, lymphocytes, and granulocytes, RBCs and hemoglobin concentrations) in the first group compared with control negative group (T test was used). In contrast, a sharp fall was noted in total thrombocytes (platelets) count in the first group compared with control negative group. It can be concluded that immunization with P. aeruginosa– whole sonicated antigen may consider as a potent reproducible effective immunogen model for experimental immunological studies in rabbits.

The aim of this study was to reveal the blood supply of the intestinal tract in male adult turkey. Five healthy birds were collected from local suppliers at Baaqoba province. All birds were euthanized and their coelomic cavity was dissected. The descending aorta was cannulated and injected with colored latex, and then the course of arteries along the intestinal tract investigated. Small intestine received the blood by celiac artery, cranial and caudal mesenteric artery. Celiac was split into two branches right and left, the right branch of celiac artery supplied the proventriculus, gizzard, duodenum, pancreas, jejunum and distal part of ileum and cecum while left branch supply the stomach. The crania mesenteric artery nourished the terminal parts of duodenum, jejunum ileum and cranial part of the two ceca, on the other hand. Caudal mesenteric artery was the third artery that supplied the intestine which was short branch originated from descending aorta and divided into two groups cranial groups supplied distal part of ileum and base of ceca while the caudal groups supplied the rectum and cloaca and anastomosed with cranial mesenteric artery. Form the above results, it was concluded that the small and large intestine are nourished by the three major arteries namely Celiac, Cranial and Caudal mesenteric arteries and its branches.

This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of avian malaria (Plasmodium gallinaceum) in the local domesticated breed chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) that were purchased from the local markets in Baghdad city, using 100 blood samples which were collected from the wing vein, and kept in EDTA-K2 tubes for conventional PCR analysis during the period extended from 1 /10 / 2018 till 31/ 3 / 2019. Total infection rate was 18% (18/100), which were divided into males 20.00% and in females 16.00%. The eight isolates were recorded in the GenBank under accession numbers ID: MN082405.1, MN082406.1, MN082407.1, MN082408.1, MN082409.1, MN082410.1, MN082411.1, and MN082412.1 with identity 99.20 - 99.87% and with other isolates (United Kingdom and USA) 99.34 - 99.88 %. In conclusion, Plasmodium gallinaceum may have a moderate spread in local domesticated breed chicken at Baghdad

This study was designed for isolation and molecular identification of Nontuberculous Mycobacterium (NTM) from fish during the period between October and December 2017 from Karbla province, Iraq. This study included 200 fresh fish samples from four different species including Spondyliosoma cantharus, Liza abu, Carassius carassius and Cyprinuscarpio. Three samples of each fish were taken including gills, muscles and all internal organs. The samples were processed by decontamination, concentration of 4% sodium hydroxide, and 0.1 ml of sediment was streaking on Löwenstein Johnson (LJ) media; then the bacterial cultures were incubated at 28-30 °C for 3days up to 4 weeks and suspected colonies were stained with acid fast stain to confirm the presence of Mycobacterium. Further identification, biochemical tests were carried out to confirm the diagnosis of isolates, PCR was done using 16s RNA gene for all isolates, hsp65 gene was used in unidentified NTM spp and to confirm the others. Results revealed that out of 200 fish samples, 19 isolates 9.5% were identified as NTM belonged to Rapid Growth Mycobacterium (RGM). of the total isolates, 18.26 % was investigated from Liza abu (Kishni, Abu khraiza). NTM (RGM) isolates on spp level identified six spp of these isolates. M. porcinum was 26.32% which was followed by M. fortuitum of 21.05%, others included M. neworleansense and M. mucogenicum 10.5% of each, M. cosmeticum and M. pallens 5.26% of each. The distribution of NTM spp in the fish organs, nine out of 19 (47.37%) NTM isolate were recovered from gills followed by muscles 36.84 %, while 15.79% from internal organs. These results were the first study concerning isolation of these spp of NTM from fish in Iraq, and some spp are not reported in other studies. This study concluded that the fish is an importance source or reservoir for NTM, especially the pathogenic spp.

The study was performed to investigate the protective effect of different methanolic and oily extracts of leave and dry date of Phoenix dactylifera against oxidative stress induced by CCl4 on 49 Sprague-Dawley male rats weighed 175-200 g and aged 6-8 months. The animals were equally divided into 7 groups and assigned as follows: G1, administered 0.1 mL distilled water orally and considered control negative group (C-ve); G2, administered 0.1 mL/100 g BW corn oil (CrO); and G3 administered 100 mg/kg BW CCl4 orally for induction oxidative stress and considered control positive group (C+ve). The other four groups were initially administered 100 mg/kg BW CCl4 for oxidative stress induction and treated for two months as follows: G4, treated orally by 100 mg/kg BW of date methanolic extract (DME); G5, treated orally by 150 mg/kg BW of leaves methanolic extract (LME); G6, treated by 250 mg/kg BW date oily extract (DOE); while G7, treated by 250 mg/kg BW leaves oily extract (LOE). At the end of two months experiment, the animals were scarified, and their femurs removed for cytogenetic examination. results showed that only CCl4 group had significant increase (P< 0.05) in mitotic index compared to negative control and all treated groups. CCl4 group also recorded clear increasing in percentage of chromosome aberrations including diverse types in bone marrow cell compared to rat groups treated by date and leaves methanolic and oily extracts and negative control groups. It could be concluded that the treatment with different palm date and leaves extracts failed to overcome the genotoxic effect of CCl4 completely. Possibly, because CCl4 dosed for extended period (2 months) might cause extensive cell and genetic damages could be opposed antioxidants presented in the different palm extracts recording some but lesser chromosomal aberration compared to that CCl4 treated group.

Eimeria is an apicomplex protozoon which affects many species of birds, domestic and wild animals including deer. This is the first study in Iraq that was designed for diagnosis Eimeria spp. in deer using traditional methods. Eighty fecal samples of Fallow deer (Damadama) were collected in different provinces in the middle part of Iraq during December 2018 to the end of September 2019. Samples were examined by direct smear and flotation with Sheather\'s solution. The total infection rate with Eimeria spp. was 70% (56/80), in which higher infection rate was observed in female deer (78%, 39/50). The results also showed that Fawn at age<3-11 months recorded higher rate of infection (86.3%, 19/22). Eimeria infection was more prevalent in Karbala and Baghdad provinces where recorded (73.3% and 72%) respectively, sharp increase of infection recorded during March (87.5%, 7/8). In addition, four species of Eimeria (E. crandalis, E. intricate, E. parva, and E. sordida) were detected in Iraqi deer according to morphological characterization of oocysts. This study highlighted the distribution of some Eimeria species in deer and revealed the effect of some epidemiological factors on prevalence in different middle Iraq provinces.

The purpose of this study was to describe some anatomical and radiological features of the non-lactating udder of adult local Iraqi cow. Eight udder of local breed cow clinically appeared healthy and aged between 2-5 years were obtained from a local slaughterhouse located at Baghdad province. Five udders were used for anatomical study and the rest 3 udders were used for the radiological study. The study primed to describe the macroscopic anatomy of the udder and investigate the udder’s normal blood supply using red-colored latex. The mammography method was to describe the duct system of the glandular tissue of the mammary gland which was performed using the iodine compound and barium sulphate as contrast media. The results showed that the udder was located in the inguinal region and covered by pigmented skin with fine hair and composed of four quarters. Each quarter has one teat which was long, cylindrical in shape, opened with one orifice; and internally has longitudinal folds in its mucous membrane. The blood supply of udder by the external pudendal arteries (left and right) branched into cranial and caudal mammary ones. The radiological study showed that the glandular tissue of udder was composed of complex ducal system which included the teat canal (long narrow), teat sinus (spindle-shaped cavity), lactiferous sinus (large round structure), lactiferous ducts, cistern ducts, interlobular duct, intralobular duct and alveoli (round sac like).In conclusion, this study is considered as an important contribution of describing the anatomical features, main blood supply and a pathway of the intraglandular duct system of the non-lactating udder in local cow breed which is necessary for surgical operations in several cases of the udder.

An interaction toxicity study was performed to evaluate and compare the effect of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitor (captopril) and inducer (spironolactone) on their common substrate (lovastatin) that were done by comparing LD50 of the acute study with their chronic form then with those combined therapeutic doses administered for 90 days. Therefore, isobolographic analysis and chronicity index were used as the parameters for this study. Forty rats were allocated into five groups according to the used treatment into: captopril, spironolactone, lovastatin, captopril + lovastatin and spironolactone + lovastatin using up and down method to determine their acute exposure LD50 while ninety rats were used to perform the chronic stage of the study divided equally into six groups according to daily dosing regimen as following G1- control group administered distilled water orally; G2 administered captopril 0.7 mg/kg BW orally; G3-administered spironolactone 1.4 mg/kg BW orally; G4- administered lovastatin 0.57 mg/kg BW orally; G5-administered spironolactone1.4 mg/kg BW orally and lovastatin 0.57 mg/kg BW, G6- administered captopril 0.7 mg/kg BW and lovastatin 0.57 mg/kg BW orally. The results of isobolographic analysis showed that the sort of interaction between P-gp inhibitor (captopril) and lovastatin alone and as combined administration showed to be antagonistic after acute administration while it was synergistic after chronic administration; for P-gp inducer, spironolactone and lovastatin were additive after acute administration and antagonistic after chronic administration. Chronicity index results showed that both captopril and lovastatin accumulated after administered each alone and showed more accumulation after their combined administration while the chronicity index for P-gp inducer (spironolactone) and lovastatin showed less total concentration in the body burden after their combined administration than alone one. In conclusion, it seems that P-gp inhibitor (captopril) causes accumulation of itself and substrate (lovastatin), while P-gp inducer (spironolactone) causes reduction on the body burden of itself as well as lovastatin possibly due to their effects on the kinetics of the body and this may affect the efficacy and safety of drugs.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of diode laser in accelerating the healing process of ‎injured tendons and to determine the best ‎irradiation doses for impulse and continuous laser ‎irradiation. The semimembranosus muscle tendon of forty mature local breed rabbits ‎‎(Oryctolagus cuniculus) of both sexes was partially injured under ‎general anesthesia. The rabbits ‎were randomized into five groups and treated on the first day postoperatively. Group C served ‎as a control and ‎received no treatment, while groups A, B, and D were subjected to diode ‎impulse laser with a power of 2×10-3 watts and a wavelength of 904 ‎nm for 15, 25, and 35 ‎min per session, respectively. Group E received continuous diode laser for 30 min per ‎session with a power of 3×10-3 watts and a wavelength of 904 ‎nm. The treated groups received irradiation for 5, 8, ‎‎15, and 21 days postoperatively. Subsequent healing processes were ‎assessed macroscopically ‎and microscopically at each time point. In treated groups versus the control group, epitenon ‎thickness increased ‎from day 5, inflammatory and fibroblast cell responses were more evident, ‎and collagen fibers were clearer and more differentiated. On day 15, when the remodeling ‎stage began, group B healed best. The impulse diode laser was found to be more effective than ‎the ‎continuous diode laser in promoting the healing of surgical defects of the tendons at varying ‎degrees. In the continuous diode laser group, ‎there was a sustained high cellular response until ‎day 21 with the appearance of unorganized and irregular collagen fibers. This study ‎‎demonstrated that diode laser can accelerate the healing process of injured tendons and that ‎impulse diode laser is more effective than ‎continuous diode laser.