The Impact of Thyme and Oregano Essential Oils Dietary Supplementation on Broiler Health, Growth Performance, and Prevalence of Growth-Related Breast Muscle Abnormalities

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of thyme and oregano essential oils (as growth promotors), individually and in combination, on the health, growth performance, and prevalence of muscle abnormalities in broiler chickens. Six hundred day-old Cobb 500 hybrid chickens were randomized into four dietary treatment groups with three replicates each. Chicks in the control group (C) received a basal diet, while the experimental treatment groups received basal diets containing 350 mg/kg of thyme oil (T1), 350 mg/kg of oregano oil (T2), and 350 mg/kg of thyme and oregano oil (T3). Growth performance parameters were evaluated at 14, 28, and 42 days. The broilers in treatments T1 and T2 had significantly higher body weights than the control group. The feed conversion ratio was the lowest in chicks who received oregano oil, followed by those fed thyme oil. The overall prevalence of growth-related breast muscle abnormalities (including white striping and white striping combined with wooden breast) in groups receiving essential oils (T1, T2, and T3) was significantly higher than in the control group (C). The thyme and oregano oil diets showed no significant differences in antibody titers against Newcastle disease or interferon-γ (INF-γ) serum levels. In conclusion, thyme and oregano oils had a positive impact on the growth performance of broiler chickens but increased the incidence of growth-related breast muscle abnormalities

Cerium dioxide nanoparticles as smart carriers for self-healing coatings

The utilization of self-healing cerium dioxide nanoparticles (CeO2), modified with organic corrosion inhibitors (dodecylamine (DDA) and n-methylthiourea (NMTU)), in epoxy coating is an efficient strategy for enhancing the protection of the epoxy coating and increasing its lifetime. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis was used to confirm the loading and presence of inhibitors in the nanoparticles. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) measurement studies revealed the amount of 25% and 29.75% w/w for NMTU and DDA in the nanoparticles, respectively. The pH sensitive and self-release behavior of modified CeO2 nanoparticles is confirmed through UV-vis spectroscopy and Zeta potential. It was observed, through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), that a protective layer had been formed on the defect site separating the steel surface from the external environment and healed the artificially created scratch. This protective film played a vital role in the corrosion inhibition of steel by preventing the aggressiveness of Cl- in the solution. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements exhibited the exceptional corrosion inhibition effciency, reaching 99.8% and 95.7% for the modified coating with DDA and NMTU, respectively, after five days of immersion time.This research was funded by Qatar National Research Fund (a member of the Qatar Foundation), grant number NPRP Grant 11S-1226-170132. Statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors

Self-healing performance of smart polymeric coatings modified with tung oil and linalyl acetate

This work focuses on the synthesis and characterization of polymeric smart self-healing coatings. A comparison of structural, thermal, and self-healing properties of two different polymeric coatings comprising distinct self-healing agents (tung oil and linalyl acetate) is studied to elucidate the role of self-healing agents in corrosion protection. Towards this direction, urea-formaldehyde microcapsules (UFMCs) loaded with tung oil (TMMCs) and linalyl acetate (LMMCs) were synthesized using the in-situ polymerization method. The synthesis of both LMMCs and TMMCs under identical experimental conditions (900 rpm, 55◦C) has resulted in a similar average particle size range (63–125 µm). The polymeric smart self-healing coatings were developed by reinforcing a polymeric matrix separately with a fixed amount of LMMCs (3 wt.% and 5 wt.%), and TMMCs (3 wt.% and 5 wt.%) referred to as LMCOATs and TMCOATs, respectively. The development of smart coatings (LMCOATs and TMCOATs) contributes to achieving decent thermal stability up to 450◦C. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis indicates that the corrosion resistance of smart coatings increases with increasing concentration of the microcapsules (TMMCs, LMMCs) in the epoxy matrix reaching ~1 GΩ. As a comparison, LMCOATs containing 5 wt.% LMMCs demonstrate the best stability in the barrier properties than other developed coatings and can be considered for many potential applications

First report of mobile colistin resistance gene mcr-1 in avian pathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from turkeys in the Gaza Strip, Palestine

Background and Aim: Colistin is used to treat avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC), a microorganism that affects turkey meat production in the Gaza Strip and worldwide. However, the recent emergence of plasmid-borne mobile colistin resistance (mcr) genes in pathogenic E. coli strains is a serious antimicrobial resistance (AMR) challenge for both human and animal health. In December 2018, colistin was banned as a veterinary antimicrobial in the Gaza Strip. This study aimed to detect and track the prevalence of colistin-resistant APEC isolated from turkey flocks in the Gaza Strip. Materials and Methods: This study investigated 239 APEC isolates from turkey flocks in the Gaza Strip between October 2018 and December 2021 (at 6-month intervals). The colistin-resistant APEC strains were detected using the broth microdilution method. The mcr-1 gene was identified using a polymerase chain reaction. Results: The overall colistin resistance among the isolated APECs was 32.2% during the study period. The average resistance in the first interval was 37.5%, which significantly decreased to 9.3% in the last interval. Among the 77 phenotypically resistant isolates, 32.4% were positive for mcr-1. The average abundance of mcr-1 in the first interval was 66.6%, which decreased to 25% in the last interval. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the presence of the mcr-1 gene among the APEC isolates from turkeys in the Gaza Strip. Banned veterinary use of colistin significantly decreased the percentage of resistant APEC isolates from turkeys in Gaza Strip. Further studies are needed to investigate other colistin resistance genes and track the emergence of AMR

Multilevel Self-Healing Characteristics of Smart Polymeric Composite Coatings

Smart polymeric composite coatings demonstrating multilevel self-healing characteristics were developed and characterized. The pH-responsive smart carriers were synthesized by loading halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) with the benzotriazole corrosion inhibitor (BTA) using the vacuum cycling method, referred to as (BTA-loaded HNTs). Similarly, mechanically triggered melamine urea-formaldehyde microcapsules encapsulated with the boiled linseed oil-self-healing agent (LO) denoted as (MUFMCs) having an average size of a ∼120 μm diameter with a wall thickness of ∼1.84 μm were synthesized by the in situ polymerization technique. The newly designed double-layered smart polymeric composite coatings (DLPCs) were developed by mixing 3 wt % BTA-loaded HNTs with epoxy and applying it on the clean steel substrate to form a primer layer. After its complete curing, a top layer of epoxy containing 5 wt % of MUFMCs was deposited on it. For an exact comparison, single-layer polymeric composite coatings (SLPCs) containing 3 wt % BTA-loaded HNTs were also developed. The Fourier transform infrared radiation spectra of MUFMCs and BTA-loaded HNTs indicate the existence of all desired functional groups, confirming the presence of loaded chemical species such as LO and BTA into the smart carriers. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicates that ∼18% BTA is successfully loaded into HNTs. Quantitative UV-spectroscopic analysis indicates a pH-responsive release of BTA from BTA-loaded HNTs, which is time-dependent, attaining its maximum value of ∼90% in an acidic medium after 30 h. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis conducted in 3.5 wt % NaCl solution at room temperature for different immersion times reveals that SLPC exhibits the maximum charge-transfer resistance (Rct) of 55.47 Gω cm2 after the 7th day of immersion, and then, a declining trend is observed, reaching 26.6 Gω cm2 after the 9th day. However, in the case of DLPC, the Rct values show a continuous increment, attaining a maximum value of 82.11 Gω cm2 after the 9th day of immersion. The improved performance of DLPC can be ascribed to the efficient triggering of the individual carriers in the isolated matrices, resulting in the release of LO and BTA to form individual protective films at the damaged area due to the oxidative polymerization process and triazoles' ability of passive film formation on the substrate, respectively. The tempting self-healing properties of DLPCs justify their decent role for long-term corrosion protection in many industrial applications

Matrix metalloproteinases expression in spontaneous canine histiocytic sarcomas and its xenograft model

Canine histiocytic sarcoma (HS) represents a malignant neoplastic disorder often with a rapid and progressive clinical course. A better understanding of the interaction between tumor cells and the local microenvironment may provide new insights into mechanisms of tumor growth and metastasis. The influence of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs) on tumor angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis has been detailed in previous studies. In addition, inflammatory cells infiltrating neoplasms especially tumor associated macrophages (TAM) may contribute significantly to tumor progression. Due to the high variability of spontaneously occurring canine HS, standardized models are highly required to investigate tumor progression and interaction with its microenvironment. Therefore, the present study comparatively characterized the intratumoral macrophage infiltration as well as the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-14 and TIMP-1 in spontaneous canine HS and its murine model. In spontaneous canine HS, scattered MAC 387-positive macrophages were randomly found in tumor center and periphery, whereas tumor cells were negative for this marker. Interestingly, quantitative analysis revealed that MMPs and TIMP-1 were mainly expressed at the invasive front while tumor centers exhibited significantly reduced immunoreactivity. Similar findings were obtained in xenotransplanted HS. Interestingly, murine tumor associated macrophages (TAM), characterized by Mac3 expression (CD107b/LAMP2), which was not present in xenotransplanted histiocytic sarcoma cells, strongly express MMPs and TIMP-1. In addition, MMPs are known to regulate angiogenesis and a positive correlation between MMP-14 expression and microvessel density was demonstrated in xenotransplanted histiocytic sarcomas. Summarized similar findings with respect to MMP and TIMP distribution and the role of macrophages in spontaneously-occurring and xenotransplanted HS indicate the high suitability of this murine model to further investigate HS under standardized conditions. Moreover results indicate that MMP expression contributes to tumor progression and invasion and TAMs seem to be major players in the interaction between neoplastic cells, the microenvironment and vessel formation indicating that therapeutic approaches modulating TAM associated molecules might represent promising future treatment options

Seroprevalence and risk factors of West Nile virus infection in veterinarians and horses in Northern Palestine

Background and Aim: West Nile fever (WNF) is a neurotropic, mosquito-borne disease affecting humans and domesticated animals, caused by a member of the genus Flavivirus. Over the last decades, this virus has been responsible for several cases of illness in humans and animals. The current epidemiological status of WNF in horses is insufficient, and in veterinarians, as an occupational hazard is unknown. This study aimed to investigate and determine the seroprevalence and risk factors for WNF in veterinarians and horses in Palestine. Materials and Methods: In this study, serum samples from 100 veterinarians and 87 horses were collected between August 2020 and September 2020 from different cities of Northern Palestine. West Nile virus (WNV) antibodies were detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Our results showed that 60.9% of the horse serum samples were positive in all investigated cities. In horses, location is a risk factor for the seropositivity for WNF, whereas age, sex, breed, and intended use of the horses, were not associated with increased WNF seropositivity. In veterinarians, 23.0% of the serum samples were positive. Positive samples were detected in all locations, age groups, experience length, and work sectors. However, the seropositivity for WNF was not influenced by these variables. Conclusion: The results revealed that WNV circulates in most regions of Palestine. Our results will help determine the risk of infection in animals and humans and control WNV transmission. Surveillance studies on humans, vectors, and animals are needed to better define endemic areas

Synthesis and properties of polyelectrolyte multilayered microcapsules reinforced smart coatings

The present research work focuses on the synthesis, characterization and properties of novel polyelectrolyte multilayered microcapsules used as smart additives in organic coatings for corrosion protection of steel parts. Urea formaldehyde microcapsules encapsulated with linalyl acetate (UFMCs), sensitive to mechanical stimulus, were synthesized by in situ emulsion polymerization technique. In the next step, dodecylamine, working as a pH stimulus corrosion inhibitor, was loaded into layers of polyelectrolyte molecules, polyethylenimine (PEI) and sulfonated polyether ether ketone (SPEEK). These were applied layer-by-layer over the microcapsules to form inhibitor containing multilayered urea formaldehyde microcapsules (MLUFMCs). In the next step, MLUFMCs (5.0 wt%) and UFMCs (5.0 wt%) were thoroughly dispersed into the epoxy resin and coated on cleaned steel. A comparison of the structural, thermal and anticorrosive properties indicates that coatings modified with multilayered capsules (PMLSCs) demonstrate good thermal stability, improved self-healing characteristics and higher corrosion resistance compared to the coating modified with urea formaldehyde microcapsules. The improved properties of PMLSCs can be attributed to efficient release of the encapsulated self-healing agent and corrosion inhibitor from the MLUFMCs. Therefore, epoxy coatings modified with the novel multilayered capsules may be attractive for corrosion protection of steel parts used in oil and gas and related industries.Other Information Published in: Journal of Materials Science License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0See article on publisher's website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10853-019-03761-9</p