Alternative to antibiotic growth promoters: beneficial effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and/or Lactobacillus acidophilus supplementation on the growth performance and sustainability of broilers’ production

Although antibiotics growth promoters (AGPs), including zinc-bacitracin (ZnB), can threaten human health due to developing antimicrobial resistance, as well as drug residue in animal and poultry products, ZnB is still widely used, particularly in developing countries, for the sustainability of poultry farming. The present investigation aims to assess the use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus acidophilus, with or without a prebiotic (mannooligosaccharide, MOS), as alternatives to ZnB. For this reason, 150 one-day-old chicks were grouped into six groups, designated negative control, LA, SC, ZnB, SA + MOS, and LA + MOS (5 replicates of 5 chicks for each group). Chicks kept in the control group were fed the basal diet. Chickens kept in LA and SC groups received L. acidophilus, S. cerevisiae at a 1 g/kg diet and 2 g/Kg, respectively. Chickens kept in ZnB received ZnB at 0.5 g/kg. Chicks kept in the SC + MOS and LA + MOS were fed a basal diet containing 2 g S. cerevisiae + 1 g MOS/kg or 1 g L. acidophilus + 1 g MOS /kg, respectively. The efficacy was assessed based on the growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, nutrient digestibility, and blood biochemistry composition during the entire trial 1–36 days of age. Results showed that chicks kept in the SC group had greater BW than the control (p < 0.05). Chicks kept in the SC, LA, SC + MOS, and LA + MOS consumed less feed than the control and Zn-B groups (p < 0.05). Supplementation with S. cerevisiae resulted in a better (p < 0.05) feed conversion rate (FCR) than the control group. Supplementation with L. acidophilus + MOS significantly increased (p < 0.05) the relative liver weight compared to those supplemented with ZnB, S. cerevisiae, and L. acidophilus. In addition, supplementation with ZnB-induced spleen hypertrophy compared to S. cerevisiae and L. acidophilus-supplemented groups (p < 0.05). Plasma, meat, and liver cholesterol, as well as the cholesterol-to-lipid ratio of meat and liver, were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in both SC and LA groups compared to the control group. Our research indicates that adding 2 g/kg of S. cerevisiae to broiler feed can effectively replace ZnB and enhance productive performance and economic profits, making it a viable and sustainable option for broiler farming

Brown macroalgae as bio-indicators for heavy metals pollution of Al-Jubail coastal area of Saudi Arabia

Wastes from both industrial and domestic sources, as well as habitat destruction have a substantial impact on the coastal environments. It causes serious problems in many countries and for several seas and oceans which leads to the extinction of several plant and animal species. Many water resources are no longer suitable for drinking or for agriculture as a result of pollution. The main aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of four brown macroalage as bioindicators for toxic heavy metals (manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenite (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb)) along Al-jubail industrial city coast at Persian Gulf (Saudi Arabia). Brown macroalage samples were collected from three different sites in three time points, January, March and May, 2010. The four collected brown macroalgae were identified as Sargassum angustifolium, Sargassum boveanum, Sargassum latifolium, and Padina gymnospora. The algal samples were cleaned using sea water and distilled water, dried, and the concentrations of various toxic metals were determined. The average concentrations of Mn, Co, Ni and Cd were within the expected limits of un-contaminated areas. However, the results indicate the high level of Zn ion accumulation in all tested brown algae, showing highest concentration in S. angustifolium &gt; P. gymnospora &gt; S. latifolium &gt; S. boveanum with highest Zn concentration of 991 ± 49.1, 988 ± 47.5, 980 ± 44.2, and 911 ± 39.7 µg g-1 dry weights, respectively. In addition, Cu was detected at high concentration of 92.1 ± 3.7 ìg g-1 dry weight in S. boveanum. These results clearly indicate the high pollution levels of Al-jubail industrial city coast with Zn and Cu toxic heavy metals, which is mostly due to uncontrolled disposal of industrial waste into coastal area. Furthermore, the consistency of Zn concentrations in all tested brown algae indicated the efficiency of the tested algae, including P. gymnospora, S. angustifolium, S. latifolium, and S. boveanum, for bioaccumulation and bio-monitoring studies of Zn.Key words: Brown algae, heavy metals, bio-indicators, Sargassum sp., Padina sp

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Epidemiological characterization of serotype group B Streptococci neonatal infections associated with interleukin-6 level as a sensitive parameter for the early diagnosis

Group B streptococcal infection (Streptococcus agalactiae) is one of the leading causes of life-threatening disease in the early neonatal period, resulting in sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis. During invasive infections, an excessive release of pro-inflammatory cytokine, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), thus IL-6 gene is significant, as a diagnostic marker of systemic infection of the newborns. The present study aimed to describe the epidemiology diagnostic of GBS disease in neonatal by phenotypic and genotypic methods. Nine hundred and ninety-six samples were taken at Maternity and Children Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for a period of one year (2011–2012). Results indicated that out of 217 infected samples, twenty (9.23.0%) were positive for group B Streptococci bacteria. This study also shows that female infants are more susceptible than males. The level of IL-6 was higher in mothers above 30 years. Twenty positive Streptococci group B isolates showed bands with the cylE gene primers in the border between 228 bp, 267 bp and 50 bp. Molecular detection by Real time polymerase chain reaction was also done to detect the target (Sip gene) encoding the Sip surface immunogenic protein. Specific primers and TaqMan probe were chosen for this purpose. A Real-time PCR method targeting the sip gene of GBS in neonates after delivery has been evaluated. Keywords: Group B Streptococcus (GBS), Interlukin-6 (IL-6) neonatology, Meningitis, cylE, Sip gen

Molecular Epidemiology of Nosocomial Infection: Analysis of chromosomal Restriction Fragment Patterns by Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis

Acinetobacter baumannii is a species of non-fermentative gram-negative coccobacilli commonly found in soil, water and other environmental samples. This bacterium is defined as being strict aerobes, nonmotile, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. This organism was susceptible to most antibiotics in the 1970s. A. baumannii is an opportunistic pathogen that may be an important threat due to its increasing multidrug resistance and is involved in nosocomial infections that are often severe. The objective of this study was undertaken to elucidate the molecular epidemiology of A. baumannii using the most widely applicable DNA – based typing methods namely Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE). These strains comprised isolates from environmental samples, blood, wound, urine, cerebrospinal fluid and tracheal aspirates. PFGE analysis of 81 clinical isolates has been carried out by using CHEF–DR III systems from Bio – Rad and following the protocol of Gautom with some modifications. A 2.00% band tolerance and an optimization of 4.00% were selected for use during comparisons of generated fingerprints or pulsotypes after digestion with Apa I restriction enzyme. Similarity values have been generated using BioNumerics software, cluster analysis was performed by the unweighted pair – group method using arithmetic averages and DNA relatedness was calculated based on Dice coefficient. An interlinkage homology level of 80% between patterns was assumed as the cutoff for defining a close genetic relationship between strains and was used to define the cluster. As per the generated dendogram, isolates were categorized into 18 major groups designated as Strain I to Strain xvIII. Overall, PFGE was able to discriminate the 81 different Acinetobacter baumannii isolates with similarity levels of 63.63%. _________________________________________________king saud universit

Cytogenetic effects of the insecticide (Drago) and herbicide (Fusilade) on the cellular characters of Vicia faba L

Vicia faba L. plants were used to test the combined genotoxic effects of Fusilade (Herbicide) and Drago (Insecticide) and their interaction. Also, germination vigour, vegetative growth and biochemical parameters were used to test the combined physiological effects of two pesticides alone and in combination.To study the cytotoxic effects, the meristem cells in root tips of plant were treated with nine different concentrations (1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000 ppm) at four different time (3, 6, 12, 24 hrs.). The concentrations of the two pesticides were tested on growth of seeds of Vicia faba L. compared with control where the mean root length of seeds was measured at different times between 24, 48 and 72hrs. Furthermore, after 72h, root degeneration occurred turning the root tips into black colour, which wasn't measurable. lethal concentration LC50% was decreased with the increase in time which caused an increase in percentage of mortality using Probit tables .All the above treatments of two pesticides alone and in combination have been shown to decrease the mitotic index . In the combined pesticides treatments, the decrease in (MI) wasn’t like in the individual pesticide treatments which was less when compared withpesticides alone either herbicide or insecticide at the same concentration and duration. Increase the percentage of mutation frequency in each pesticide alone and the combined (Fus.-Dra.) after 6hrs of treatment whereas at the combined the relation was inversed when compared with control, indicating an antagonistic effect. Also, all treatments used have caused different kinds of mitotic abnormalities and chromosomal aberrations, which were generally as follow: Cmetaphase, chromosome disturbance, stickiness, breaks and fragments, laggard and bridges, multipolar and ring chromosome, micronuclei and binuclear cells. In addition the pesticides have been shown to decrease the protein and DNA and RNA contents below the control level.King Saud Universit

An Acylated Kaempferol Glycoside from Flowers of Foeniculum vulgare and F. Dulce

An acylated kaempferol glycoside, namely kaempferol-3-O-α-L-(2,3-di-E-pcoumaroyl)-rhamnoside (1) was isolated from the flowers of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. and F. dulce DC. It is thus isolated for the first time from family Apiaceae. In addition, the different organs of both plants afforded six flavonoid glycosides - namely afzelin (kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamnoside) (2), quercitrin (3), isorhamnetin-3-O-β-D-glucoside (4), isoquercitrin (5), rutin (6), and miquelianin (quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucuronide) (7). Structure elucidation of the above mentioned flavonoids was achieved by UV, 1H- and 13C-NMR, 1H-1H COSY, HMQC and EI-MS

Biochemical and molecular characterization of Haemophilus influenza isolated from Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The objective of this study focused on the prevalence of Haemophilus influenza to confirm the colonies of H. influenza on the basis of their growth requirements and serotype distribution. This study prepared 80 isolates of H. influenze isolated from five different sources (eye, ear, sputum (SP), lower genital tract (TA), and nasopharyngeal (NPA)) with different ages for infants and elderly persons. The phenotypic characteristics, which included the biotype, serotype, antibiogram and β-lactamase production, were applied by using APINH and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Also, the study focused on the identification of selected serotype using PFGE analysis. The discussion of this study differentiates the age groups occurrence in the isolates, alongside with non-typeable strain versus the typeable ones and their percentages in the sample of isolates. This clustering of most strains in on e PFGE pattern might be explained with the colonel population structure of the encapsulated H. influenza

The SAFE study: Stress and fatigue control by exercise: Acute and long-term effects of aerobic exercise in lactating employed mothers

BACKGROUND: Stress and fatigue experienced by lactating employed mothers can affect mothers’ and babies’ mental and physical health detrimentally. Aerobic exercise is known to control stress and fatigue, but the dosages of the exercises needed to maintain long-term effects are still under investigation. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the acute and long-term effects of aerobic exercise on controlling stress and fatigue in lactating, employed mothers. METHODS: This randomized control study involved sixty lactating, employed mothers suffering from stress and fatigue. They were divided into two groups: Group A received five sessions of 30-minute aerobic training on a treadmill per week, in addition to lifestyle modification advice for six weeks. Group B received the same lifestyle routine advice for the same duration without being trained. Assessments of stress and fatigue levels were done before, after 6 weeks, and after 6 months from the baseline assessments using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), respectively. RESULTS: Post-six-week comparisons within and between both groups showed a significant decline in PSS-10 and FAS in group A compared with group B (p  0.05). CONCLUSION: Aerobic exercises for 6 weeks can induce an acute but not long-term effect on stress and fatigue control in lactating-employed mothers. Future research is needed to tailor the exercise prescription needed to maintain training’s long-term benefits