Evaluation of Propolis Gel in Two Different Polymeric Systems as an Adjunctive Aid to Non-Surgical Therapy in the Management of Stage III Grade B Periodontitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: The goal of this study was to clinically evaluate the effect of propolis gel in different polymeric systems as an adjunct to non-surgical therapy in the management of periodontitis patients. Methods: A total of 30 patients with stage III grade B periodontitis were divided into the following three groups: group I patients, who received propolis in a chitosan polymer gel with non-surgical therapy, group II patients, who received propolis in a polyox polymer gel with non-surgical therapy, and group III patients who served as a control treated with non-surgical therapy only. Clinical parameters were assessed at baseline, one month, and three months. Results: At three months, the mean gingival index (GI) of groups I and II was the same (0.6 ±0.52), and there was no change in the mean GI in group III. There was a reduction in the mean probing depth (PD) in group I (4.80 ±0.63) and group II (4.90 ±0.74) at the end of the study. The greatest percent gain in clinical attachment level (CAL) was noted in group II (17.26 ±6.71) followed by group I (5.93 ±9.87), whereas the least percent decrease was noted in group III (3.67 ±7.77). Conclusion: The adjunctive use of propolis in a polyox polymer with non-surgical therapy demonstrated superior clinical results over the use of propolis in a chitosan polymer in periodontitis patients

Hydrophilic nanosilica as a new larvicidal and molluscicidal agent for controlling of major infectious diseases in Egypt

Aim: This research was conducted to evaluate the molluscicidal and mosquitocidal efficacy of silica nanoparticles in the eradication of the larvae and pupa of malaria and filariasis vector as well as vectors of rift-valley fever virus (Culex pipiens); Schistosoma mansoni vector (Biomphlaria alexandrina (snail and egg masses)). Materials and Methods: Hydrophilic nanosilica particles (NSPs) were characterized using transmission electron microscope during the preliminary part of the study; the stages were exposed to upgrade concentrations of NSP from 50 to 1200 ppm each for 24-36 h exposure time. The highly effective concentrations were re-evaluated at lower exposure time as 3, 6, and 12 h. Results: Lethal concentration (LC50) and LC90 versus mosquito larvae were (350 ppm/24 h and 1400 ppm/24 h, respectively). C. pipiens pupae proved slight high tolerance versus the effect of these nanoparticles as the two previous doses increased to 680 ppm/6 h and 1300 ppm/24 h. The LC50 and LC90 versus B. alexandrina were increased to 590 ppm/6 h and 980 ppm/48 h, respectively. Moreover, the embryonated snail egg masses appear more susceptible to the toxic effect of these nanoparticles than the non-embryonated eggs as the LC50 and LC90 were increased to 1450 ppm/12 h and 1250 ppm/48 h, respectively, for embryonated eggs, and it was 1400 ppm/24 h and 1890 ppm/48 h, respectively, for non-embryonated one. Conclusion: The results open a new field for controlling the infectious diseases through eradication of their vectors by the way that avoids the resistance recorded from the successive chemical application in this field

Two Levels of Palmitic Acid-Enriched Fat Supplement Affect Lactational Performance of Holstein Cows and Feed Utilization of Barki Sheep

The effect of feeding palmitic acid-enriched protected fat (PPF) supplement at two levels to increase energy density of diets was tested. In experiment 1, 21 multiparous lactating Holstein cows were fed on a basal diet without PPF supplementation (Control) or supplemented with 250 g (MG250) or 500 g PPF (MG500) for 13 weeks. In experiment 2, 12 adult Barki sheep were fed a basal diet without PAF supplementation (Control), or supplemented with 25 g (ME25), or 50 g of PPF (ME50 treatment) for 1 month. In experiment 1, MG250 treatment increased (

Two Levels of Palmitic Acid-Enriched Fat Supplement Affect Lactational Performance of Holstein Cows and Feed Utilization of Barki Sheep

The effect of feeding palmitic acid-enriched protected fat (PPF) supplement at two levels to increase energy density of diets was tested. In experiment 1, 21 multiparous lactating Holstein cows were fed on a basal diet without PPF supplementation (Control) or supplemented with 250 g (MG250) or 500 g PPF (MG500) for 13 weeks. In experiment 2, 12 adult Barki sheep were fed a basal diet without PAF supplementation (Control), or supplemented with 25 g (ME25), or 50 g of PPF (ME50 treatment) for 1 month. In experiment 1, MG250 treatment increased (

Improving fodder yields and nutritive value of some forage grasses as animal feeds through intercropping with Egyptian Clover (trifolium alexandrinum l.)

The present study aimed to evaluate the potential of improving the feeding value of Egyptian clover (EC), ryegrass (R), triticale (T), barley (B), and oats (O) monoculture, or Egyptian clover mixed with ryegrass (EC+R), oats (EC+O), barely (EC+B), and triticale (EC+T) at 75:25% seeding rate, respectively, during two successive winter seasons of 2018/19 and 2019/20. Harvesting of plots was carried out at 5 cm stubble height after 60, 100, and 140 days from sowing. The in vitro nutritive value and ruminal fermentation of the monoculture and intercropping containing EC were evaluated. Green forage yield of EC was higher than other plants with about 160% of fresh forage compared with T, O, or EC+T intercropping. The highest crude protein (CP) concentration was noted in EC, while the lowest (p < 0.001) concentration was observed in T, which had the highest fiber fractions content. Ryegrass had the highest net in vitro gas production (GP), while EC+R had the lowest GP (p < 0.05). The EC increased dry matter and organic matter degradability. EC and R reduced protozoal count, while total volatile fatty acids (VFA), acetate, and propionate were increased with B and EC+T intercropping (p < 0.05). Overall, intercropping of EC with grass of triticale or ryegrass at mixing rates of 75:25% resulted in improving fresh and dry forage yields. The legume–grass intercropping improved the protozoa count partitioning factor as an index of microbial protein synthesis and total VFA concentration

Molecular Diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis in Non Immune Pregnant Females

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Infection with the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii has a worldwide distribution. Congenital infection is the most important part of the disease burden due to Toxoplasma infection in humans. Early diagnosis of maternal infection helps to prevent severe complications of toxoplasmosis. In the present study, three PCR assays (conventional, nested &amp; quantitative) were evaluated for diagnosis of recent toxoplasmosis based on detection of Toxoplasma B1 gene.MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study was carried out on 150 pregnant females who were serologically negative for anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies.RESULTS: The results revealed that out of 12 true positive cases (by 2 out of the 3 PCR protocols), 8 cases were positive by cPCR, 11 cases were positive by nPCR and 12 cases were positive by qPCR. Accurate estimation of genomic Toxoplasma DNA in positive samples was achieved by qPCR. In general, PCR assays offer a sensitive alternative of serological methods for diagnosis of recent maternal toxoplasmosis. In addition, qPCR decreases the risk of contamination of PCR products being a closed tube method and helps in estimation of infection load.CONCLUSIONS: We recommend screening of high-risk pregnant women by qPCR for early diagnosis of toxoplasmosis and proper management

Effects of water shortage on food legume crops

The clamor for agricultural resources is being pushed up by global climatic change and population growth. Such consequences are huge challenges to food security, wreaking havoc on the agroecosystem and causing biotic and abiotic stresses in plants, which in turn cause metabolic and physiological problems. Food legume crops contribute to food security in underdeveloped countries by playing an essential role in conservation farming methods. Drought has, nevertheless, exhibited a negative impact on productivity in many parts of the world. While water shortage is a significant abiotic barrier to legume crop output, drought impacts differ depending on drought timing, agro-climatic area, soil texture, and legume species. To resolve these concerns, we gathered data from the recent publications that revealed drought-induced changes in the production of monoculture legumes in field circumstances and examined it using meta-analysis approaches. Research findings revealed that the water cut’s quantity was strongly associated with a decrease in yield. However, the magnitude of the effect differed depending on the phenological stage of the drought and legume species. The legumes such as groundnut and lentil exhibited the lowest yield reductions (31.2% and 19.6% for groundnut and lentil, accordingly), however, the biggest yield drop (39.8%) facing the maximum water reduction was for faba bean