Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical, Economic Evaluation and IL6 Gene Expression in Growing Rabbits Fed Diets Supplemented with Zinc Nanoparticles

Zinc nanoparticles showed a great potential as mineral feed supplements in animals than the conventional sources. However, this potential has not been applied in rabbit nutrition. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the effects of dietary nano-zinc oxide on the growth performance, serum biochemical, economic parameters and gene expression of interleukin-6 in growing rabbits. A total of 120 male, five-week-old New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits were randomly distributed into four equal groups. The control group (Z0) was fed on a basal diet with zinc free premix; the other three experimental groups received the basal diet supplemented with 60 mg zinc oxide/kg diet (Z1), 60 mg nano-zinc oxide/kg diet (Z2) and 30 mg nano-zinc oxide/kg diet (Z3), respectively. The results revealed that rabbits in the groups Z2 and Z3 had higher body weight, daily weight gain, daily feed intake, serum total protein, globulin, IgG and SOD when compared with those of groups Z0 and Z1 (P<0.001). In addition, growth hormone level was higher in Z3 group than in the other groups, whereas no significant differences were recorded among the treated groups in respect to serum TSH concentration (P>0.05). Hepatic and serum zinc contents were high in Z2 and Z3 groups, but the copper contents were decreased. Rabbits of group Z3 yielded the highest gross margin with the lowest expenses to produce 1 kg of live weight compared with the others. The production of IL6 in spleen was increased in Z3 group than that in the other groups. Thus, it can be concluded that nano-zinc oxide at a concentration of 30 mg/kg diet may be used instead of the traditional zinc sources in rabbit diets

Highly efficient eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 5 M HCl at elevated temperatures: experimental & molecular dynamics study

Laurhydrazide N?-propan-3-one was used as an eco-friendly inhibitor for the corrosion of mild steel in 5 M HCl at elevated temperatures. Various electrochemical techniques and surface characterization methods were utilized in this study. In addition, the kinetics and thermodynamic parameters were calculated and discussed. Furthermore, a geometry optimization of LHP was performed and the time-dependent density functional theory was utilized to calculate the electronic absorption spectra. Finally, frequency calculations were, also, performed on the optimized geometry. - 2019, The Author(s).This publication was supported by Qatar University Internal Grant No. GCC-2017-012. The findings achieved herein are solely the responsibility of the authors. Additionally, the authors thank the Center for Advanced Materials at Qatar University for their support.Scopu

Adsorption and inhibitive properties of Tryptophan on low alloy steel corrosion in acidic media

AbstractThe inhibition efficiency of Tryptophan (Trp) has been studied for the corrosion of low alloy steel ASTM A213 grade T22 in sulfamic (HSO3NH2) and hydrochloric (HCl) acid solutions.Corrosion inhibition was studied using electrochemical methods (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; EIS and the new technique electrochemical frequency modulation; EFM) and weight loss measurements. The influence of inhibitor concentration, solution temperature, and immersion time on the corrosion resistance of low alloy steel (LAS) has been investigated. Trp proved to be a very good inhibitor for low alloy steel acid corrosion. EFM measurements showed that Trp is a mixed type inhibitor. Trp behaved better in 0.6M HCl than in 0.6M HSO3NH2. Moreover, it was found that the inhibition efficiency increased with increasing inhibitor concentration, while a decrease was detected with the rise of temperature and immersion time. The associated activation energy (Ea) has been determined. The values of Ea indicate that the type of adsorption of Trp on the steel surface in both acids belongs to physical adsorption. The adsorption process was tested using Temkin adsorption isotherm

THE FEASIBILITY OF USING SOME WHEY PROTEINS CONCENTRATE PREPARATIONS IN MANUFACTURE OF INFANT FORMULA

Different types of whey proteins concentrate (WPC) were prepared in Brewaster Dairy pilot plant at Ohio State Univ. USA and used for formulating an infant formula and compared with Alacen 841 (Commercial WPC) as control to select the best WPC preparations which succeed in manufacture of infant formula. Infant formula was prepared with different types of WPC (Alacen 841, UF 5x, UF4x, DF 8x and DF 4x). The ratio of WPC: sodium caseinate was 40: 60. Salt, sucrose, lecithin and vegetable oil were added then homogenized and sterilized after sealing at 121ºC for 6 minute, cooled in an ice bath and stored at room temperature. Samples were analyzed chemically and organoleptically when fresh and after storage at room temperature for three months. Emulsion volume index (EVI), viscosity, protein solubility, sedimentation and particle size were determined before and after sterilization. Results showed that EVI, viscosity, sedimentation and particle size increased after sterilization than before where as protein solubility take an opposite trend. Emulsion volume index, viscosity, sedimentation and particle sizes were increased after storage at room temperature for three months than fresh. Whereas proteins solubility deceased after storage than fresh. Statistical analysis showed high significant difference (α0.05) for emulsion volume index, protein solubility, viscosity, particle size and sedimentation

HETEROSIS AND COMBINING ABILITY FOR FIBER-TO-SEED ATTACHMENT FORCE, EARLINESS, YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS IN A HALF DIALLEL CROSS OF COTTON

Seven cotton genotypes involving cvs. Giza 70, Giza, 77, Giza 86 and Giza 83 and the exotic varieties; Pima S7 and SeaIsland, as well as, the American Upland variety Tamcot C.E., were crossed in a diallel pattern, excluding reciprocals, in 2000 season to produce 21 F1 hybrids. Parents and F1­­'swere evaluated in 2001 season for eight economic traits. Mean squares due to genotypes were highly significant for all traits, revealing the presence of sufficient variability in the population. Significant desired negative mid and better parent heterosis were found for fiber-to-seed attachment force and days to flowering. Significant positive heterosis was also observed for yield and its components. The variances due to general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability, (SCA) were significant for all studied traits, indicating the importance of both additive and non additive gene action in the inheritance of these characters. The GCA/SCA ratio was found to be greater than unity, indicating predominance of additive and additive x additive types of gene action in the inheritance of these traits. Based on GCA effects, the Upland variety Tamcot C.E. proved to be the best general combiner for earliness, boll weight, seed index, seed cotton yield and lint cotton yield/ plant. Giza 83 seemed to be good combiner for fiber-to-seed attachment force, Giza 86 for lint percentage and Pima S7 for number of bolls per plant

Pathogenicity of three genetically distinct and highly pathogenic Egyptian H5N8 avian influenza viruses in chickens

In late 2016, Egypt encountered multiple cases of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus of the H5N8 subtype. In a previous study, three distinct genotypes, including A/common-coot/Egypt/CA285/2016 (H5N8) (CA285), A/duck/Egypt/SS19/2017 (H5N8) (SS19), and A/duck/Egypt/F446/2017 (H5N8) (F446), were isolated from wild birds, a backyard, and a commercial farm, respectively, during the first wave of infection. In this current study, we investigated the differences in the pathogenicity, replication and transmissibility of the three genotypes and A/chicken/Egypt/15S75/2015 (H5N1) (S75) was used as the control. The intravenous pathogenicity index was between 2.68 and 2.9. The chicken lethal dose 50 values of F446, SS19 and CA285 were 103.7, 103.7, an 104 with a natural route of infection, respectively. These strains took longer than S75 to cause death when infection was carried out through the natural route (HPAI H5N1). After inoculation with the original concentration of 105 and 106 egg infective dose 50 (EID50), F446 had a higher mortality rate with short mean death times of 4, and 7 days, respectively compared with the other H5N8 viruses. Chickens inoculated with F446 and contacted exposed chickens infected with F446 showed the highest viral titer with remarkable differences in all H5N8 tested swabs at 2-4 days postinfection (dpi) compared to S75 at 2 dpi. This indicates that F446 had a more efficient transmission and spread from contact exposed birds to other birds. All H5N8 viruses were able to replicate systematically in all organs (trachea, brain, lung, and spleen) of the chicken with high viral titer with significantly different and more pathological changes observed in F446 than in other H5N8 viruses at 2 and 4 dpi. Compared with H5N1, we recorded a significantly high viral titer in the samples obtained from the lung, brain and both cloacal and tracheal swabs at 2 and 4 dpi, respectively and in the samples obtained from the spleen at 2 and 4 dpi among the experimental chicken. The comparative pathogenesis study revealed that in comparison with the other HPAI H5N8 viruses, the genotype F446 was more pathogenic, and showed more efficient viral replication and transmissibility in chickens in Egypt. The genotype F446 also showed a high viral titer than HPAI H5N1 and short mean death time at the third day after inoculation with 106 and 105 EID50, which revealed a conservation of certain H5N8 genotypes and a decrease in the incidence of H5N1

Preliminary survey of ticks (Acari : Ixodidae) on cattle in northern Sudan

In a cross sectional survey conducted during the period June 2001 to July 2002, the geographical distribution of ticks on cattle in the Sudan was determined. Seventeen locations were surveyed from Northern, Central, Eastern, Western, Blue Nile and White Nile Provinces. Total body collections of ticks were made from 20 cattle at each location. Four tick genera and 11 species were identified. The tick species collected included Amblyomma lepidum, Amblyomma variegatum, Boophilus decoloratus, Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma impeltatum, Hyalomma marginatum rufipes, Hyalomma truncatum, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, Rhipicephalus sanguineus group and Rhipicephalus simus simus. Major ecological changes have occurred due to extensive animal movement, deforestation, desertification and establishment of large mechanized agricultural schemes. These factors have certainly affected the distribution of ticks and tick-borne diseases in the Sudan. The absence of A. variegatum and A. lepidum in northern Sudan was not surprising, since these tick species are known to survive in humid areas and not in the desert and semi-desert areas of northern Sudan. The absence of B. annulatus in northern and central Sudan is in accordance with the finding that this tick species is restricted to the southern parts of the central Sudan. The presence of H. anatolicum anatolicum in Um Benin in relatively high abundance is an interesting finding. The present finding may indicate that the southern limit of this species has changed and moved southwards to latitude 13o N. It is concluded that major changes in tick distribution have taken place in the Suda

A Histopathological Exploration of the Madurella mycetomatis Grain

Although the Madurella mycetomatis grains seem to interfere with the host defense mechanisms and impede the antifungal drugs penetration, yet their histological features are not fully known and hence this study was set out to determine that. The study included 80 patients with confirmed M. mycetomatis eumycetoma. After informed written consent, surgical biopsies were obtained from the excised tissues during the patients' surgical treatment. All sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin, Grocott's hexamine silver, Periodic Acid-Schiff's, Masson-Fontana, Perl's Prussian Blue, Von-kossa's, Formalin Inducing Fluorescence and Schmorl's stains. Modified bleaching technique was used. The concentrations of Zinc, Copper, Calcium, Iron, Lead, Cobalt and Nickel were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The M. Mycetomatis grai

Enhancement of clavulanic acid production by Streptomyces sp MU-NRC77 via mutation and medium optimization

Purpose: To enhance clavulanic acid production using UV-mutagenesis on Streptomyces sp. NRC77.Methods: UV-mutagenesis was used to study the effect of Streptomyces sp. NRC77 on CA production. Phenotypic and genotypic identification methods of the promising mutant strain were characterized. Optimization of the fermentation medium and culture conditions were investigatedResults: Out of the screened mutants, 120A3 mutant isolate was selected as promising. The phenotypic properties of 120A3 mutant showed culture characteristics similar to those of Streptomyces species. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence indicate that this strain has similarity (99 %) to Streptomyces sp.T2-7; therefore it was suggested as Streptomyces sp. MU-NRC77 and has Gen Bank accession no. KT953342.Conclusion: Improvement of CA yield by 48 % was obtained from fermentation medium and culture condition optimization. Further optimization by addition of H2O2 and activated charcoal to the production medium increased CA yield to 646.12 and 682.94 mg/L respectively, i.e., 83 % more than that obtained prior to addition.Keywords: Clavulanic acid, Medium optimization, Phenotypic and Genotypic identification, Streptomyces sp. MU-NRC77, UV-Mutagenesi

Genetic characterization of wild-type measles viruses circulating in suburban Khartoum, 1997-2000

Measles remains endemic in many East African countries, where it is often associated with high morbidity and mortality. We collected clinical specimens from Sudanese measles patients between July 1997 and July 2000. Sequencing of the 3' 456 nucleotides of the nucleoprotein gene from 33 measles virus (MV) isolates and 8 RNA samples extracted from clinical specimens demonstrated the presence of a single endemic MV strain with little sequence variation over time (overall nucleotide divergence of 0 to 1.3%). This was confirmed by sequencing of the complete H gene of two isolates from 1997 and two from 2000, in which the overall divergence ranged between 0 and 0.5%. Comparison with MV reference strains demonstrated that the viruses belonged to clade B, genotype B3, and were most closely related to a set of viruses recently isolated in Nigeria. Our study demonstrates a remarkable genetic stability of an endemically circulating MV strain