Diet-dependent immunohistochemical evaluation of connexin 43 in the sheep rumen

The objective of this study was to characterize the immunohistochemical localization of plasma membrane connexin 43 in the rumen of sheep after changing the diet from hay (ad libitum) to a mixed hay/concentrate diet. A total of 24 sheep were fed mixed hay/concentrate for different periods ranging from 0 weeks (control; hay ad libitum) to 12 weeks (1-1.5 kg hay plus 780 g concentrate per day in two equal portions). Using immunohistochemical technique the present study confirmed the existence of plasma membrane connexin 43 in the sheep rumen epithelium. Plasma membrane connexin 43 immunostaining was most intense at the stratum basale and stratum spinosum (suprabasal layer) and decreased iron intensity through stratum spinosum (superficial layers) to stratum granulosum. Meanwhile, stratum corneum was negative. The reaction around the cells gave a syncitial appearance with more apical-immunostaining concentration. Moreover, the present study confirmed a significant effect of concentrate diet on the immunoreactivity of plasma membrane connexin 43 in the rumen of sheep. A very strong degree of antibody reaction was seen in 4 to 12 weeks concentrate-fed groups

Effects of Probiotic on Comfort and Body Care Behaviors of Broilers Reared at Different Stocking Densities

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of probiotic on comfort and body care behaviors of broilers reared at two different densities. Two hundred and forty chicks were subdivided into four groups, two groups were reared under low stocking density (LSD); 10 bird/m2 and another 2 groups were reared under high stocking density (HSD); 15 bird/m2. In each density, one group was supplemented with probiotic in the drinking water and the other was not supplemented. Normal behavior of birds was recorded throughout the growing cycle twice a week, using video camera (Sony, Japan). Then after, comfort (standing, lying and sleeping), body care (preening, dust bathing, wing/leg stretching and head scratching) and aggressive behaviors of birds were analyzed. HSD reduced comfort behavior compared to low density without probiotic group. Standing frequency was significantly increased at the 6th week of the growing cycle. In addition, interrupted lying bouts frequency was increased and the non-interrupted lying bouts (frequency and duration) were decreased significantly. Moreover, preening frequency was decreased. However, aggressive behavior was not observed in all groups. Probiotic supplementation didn’t alter comfort, aggressive and body care behaviors of broilers at both densities in comparison to low density without probiotic group. However, birds stocked at high stocking density and supplemented with probiotic showed no alterations in all behavioral patterns compared to HSD group without probiotic supplementation. Data suggested that the used probiotic in this study was unable to improve comfort and body care behaviors of broilers reared at low stocking density and failed to alleviate impacts of high density stress on these behaviors

Efficacy of Probiotic in Improving Welfare and Mitigating Overcrowding Stress in Broilers

This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of probiotic in improving welfare of broilers reared under low stocking density (LSD) and mitigating high stocking density (HSD) stress. A total number of 240 chicks were sub divided into four groups with three replicates for each. Two groups were reared under LSD (10 bird/m2).; 48 chicks (16 bird/ replicate) for each and another 2 groups were reared under HSD (15 bird/m2); 72 chicks (24 bird/ replicate). At each density, one group was supplemented with Protexin® and the other was not supplemented. Blood corticosterone (CS) level was measured and behavior of broilers was recorded weekly. At the end of the growing cycle, behavioral welfare fear response test (time of first attempt to stand, number of attempts to stand and tonic immobility duration) was performed and brain monoamines (serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine) concentrations were measured. As a result, HSD stress increased the time birds spent to perform the first attempt to stand and prolonged TI duration. However, Protexin® supplementation only reduced the time of first attempt to stand at higher density without alteration of the number of attempts required to induce TI. No significant improvement in fear response in LSD birds supplied with Protexin®. Furthermore, HSD stress decreased feeding, drinking and walking duration. However, Protexin® supplementation improved feeding, drinking and walking behaviors at LSD and did not improve behaviors of birds at HSD. Moreover, HSD increased CS levels at the 4th, 5th and 6th week of the growing cycle. However, Protexin® supplementation had a decreasing effect on CS levels in the birds reared at HD at the last two weeks of the growing cycle. In addition, brain serotonin concentration was increased in birds reared at HD without Protexin® supplementation and showed no alteration in that supplemented with the probiotic at LSD and HSD. Data suggests that, Protexin® supplementation may be beneficial in improving welfare (behavior al indicator) of broilers reared at LSD and alleviate some effects of HSD stress on birds

Evaluation of the preoperative administration of sildenafil on operative and early postoperative outcome after mitral valve replacement in patients with pulmonary hypertension

Background: Mitral valve diseases are commonly associated with pulmonary hypertension. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of preoperative administration of sildenafil on the outcome after mitral valve replacement in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Methods: This prospective randomized study was carried out on 67 patients who had a mitral valve replacement and associated high systolic pulmonary artery pressure more than 50 mmHg. Patients were randomized into three groups: group A (n= 20) received preoperative sildenafil for one week, group B (n=22) received sildenafil for one month, and group C (n= 25) did not receive sildenafil. All patients had transthoracic echocardiography preoperatively, one week and one month postoperatively. Results: There was no difference in preoperative and operative variables among groups. Dobutamine support was required in 15 patients (60%) in group C vs. 6 patients (30%) in group A and 5 patients (22.5%) in group B (p= 0.012). Duration of mechanical ventilation was significantly longer in group C (389.2 ± 48.79 minutes) compared to group A and B (295.5 ± 17.01 and 281.4 ± 39.44 minutes, respectively, p<0.001). ICU stay was longer in group C (61.72 ± 13.69 hours) compared to groups A and B (53.55 ± 14.49 and 45.64 ± 13.43 hours, respectively, p=0001). The hospital stay was longer in group C (8.0 ± 1.80 days) compared to group A and B (6.05 ± 0.94 and 6.27 ± 1.24 days, respectively; p< 0.001). The transthoracic echocardiographic study one month after the operation showed that pulmonary artery systolic pressure significantly lower in groups A and B (28.30 ± 3.3 and 28.2 ± 4.98 mmHg, respectively) compared to group C (43.12 ± 4.99 mmHg) (p <0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between groups A and B regarding PASP after five days  (p= 0.287) or one month (p= 0.939). Conclusion: We found that preoperative administration of oral sildenafil in patients with pulmonary hypertension undergoing mitral valve replacement may reduce pulmonary hypertension postoperatively. We could not find a difference in the administration of sildenafil for either one week or one month preoperatively

Hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus in pregnant Sudanese women

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The epidemiology of viral hepatitis during pregnancy is essential for health planners and programme managers. While much data exist concerning viral hepatitis during pregnancy in many African countries, no proper published data are available in Sudan.</p> <p>Aim</p> <p>The study aimed to investigate the sero-prevalance and the possible risk factors for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) among antenatal care attendants in central Sudan.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>During 3 months from March–June 2006, sera were collected from pregnant women at Umdurman Maternity Hospital in Sudan, and they were tested for markers of hepatitis B virus (HBVsAg) and HCV.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>HBVsAg was detected in 41 (5.6%) out 728 women, Anti-HCV was detected in 3 (0.6%) out of 423 women, all of them were not aware of their condition. Age, parity, gestational age, residence, history of blood transfusion, dental manipulations, tattooing and circumcision did not contribute significantly to increased HBVsAg sero-positivity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Thus 5.6% of pregnant women were positive for HBVsAg irrespective of their age, parity and socio-demographic characteristics. There was low prevalence of Anti-HCV.</p

Response of seedling barley (Hurdeom vulgar, L.) to foliar fertilization of nano-oxides (Fe, Cu, Mg)

Background. An experiment was conducted at the Grain Technology Laboratory, Crop Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Omar Al-Mukhtar University, during the 2023 season. The experiment utilized a completely randomized design to study the response of barley to foliar application of fine nanoscale iron, manganese, and copper fertilizers. The application was carried out as foliar spray at two different doses, two weeks and one month after sowing, using 3 kg capacity pots with 20 seeds per pot. The experiment included three observations for each treatment, with the nanoscale iron, manganese, and copper oxides applied at a concentration of 1 cmol/L. The data revealed the following: Significant positive response of barley shoots to foliar application of nanoscale iron, manganese, and copper fertilizers in various growth indicators, including shoot weight, shoot length, leaf area, crop growth rate, and specific leaf weight. High significant differences were observed in the effect of nanoscale iron, manganese, and copper oxides on the average shoot weight, crop growth rate, and leaf area. Copper oxide and manganese oxide showed the highest means, followed by iron oxide, compared to the control. Iron oxide exhibited the highest specific leaf weight for barley shoots, followed by copper oxide and then manganese oxide, compared to the control treatment

Assessment of health-related quality of life in patients receiving stem cell therapy for end-stage liver disease: an Egyptian study

INTRODUCTION: This prospective cohort study aimed to assess the influence of stem cell therapy (SCT) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) by using the SF-36 v2 and to elucidate the influence of objective clinical variables on subjective HRQOL. METHODS: The study included 100 chronic liver disease patients (50 received SCT, and 50 received supportive medical treatment (SMT)). Both groups completed a modified SF-36 v2 form before therapy and at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month intervals. Fifty healthy Egyptian volunteers were enrolled in the study and completed the SF-36 v2 form once. RESULTS: Both SCT and SMT groups showed significantly lower pretherapy SF 36 v2 scores compared with healthy volunteers. In SCT-treated patients, limited complications were encountered (SF-36 v2 scores showed significant improvement in all domains throughout the follow-up period) compared with the deterioration shown by SMT patients after therapy. A significant association was detected between SF-36 v2 scores and laboratory data in SCT patients during the first month after therapy. The grade of ascites improved during the follow-up in SCT compared with SMT patients. The mean survival time was 277.56 days (95% CI, 246.217 to 308.903) for SMT and 359.300 days (95% CI, 353.022 to 365.578) for SCT patients (log rank, 0.00). Stem cell-treated patients showed no malignancies. CONCLUSIONS: SCT positively affects health-related quality of life in cirrhosis patients. The survival rate was significantly improved after SCT

Aflatoxin M1 in Milk and some Dairy Products: Level, Effect of Manufature and Public Health Concerns

Aflatoxins (AFs) are toxic and carcinogenic metabolites produced by a variety of fungi. Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is the major carcinogenic type frequently found in milk and dairy products, thus posing a significant impact on human health. The current study was undertaken to examine milk and some dairy products for contamination with AFM1 in local markets, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, as well as the effect of manufacture. A total of 75 samples (15, each) of raw milk, pasteurized milk, yoghurt, processed cheese and Domiati cheese were randomly collected. AFM1 was detected in 27 (36%) out of the examined samples in which the level of AFM1 exceeded the limits (0 ng/L, kg) allowed by Egyptian regulation but only 6 (8%) samples exceeded the limits (50 ng/L, kg) allowed by European Commission regulation. Levels of AFM1 contamination in the examined milk and dairy products with mean values of 35.68 ± 10.90, 45.83 ± 7.80, 7.57 ± 1.92, 24.53 ± 3.91 and 42 ± 4.93 ng/L, kg in raw milk, pasteurized milk, yoghurt, processed cheese and Domiati cheese, respectively, were detected. The level of AFM1 decreased after yoghurt manufactur, while, cheese manufacture showed concentration of AFM1 in curd than those in cheese milk. During refrigeration storage of yoghurt, the mean AFM1 toxin decreased after one, two, three, seven days, respectively, then nearly similar level from seven days to fourteen days of storage. In conclusion, widespread presence of AFM1 in raw milk and some dairy products were considered to be possible hazards for public health especially children therefore, continuous monitoring of AFM1 level in commonly marketed raw milk and dairy products in Sharkia markets should be regularly done. Manufacture and storage had little effect on AFM1 content in milk and dairy products, therefore, new or modern technologies for detoxification of milk should be further studied

Do vitamin d deficiency and hepatitis c virus infection play a role in oxidative stress in patients on maintenance hemodialysis?

Background: Elevated oxidant levels and low antioxidant levels in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) play a significant role in the development of endothelial dysfunction, atherogenesis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). A deficiency in vitamin D (Vit.D) is also suggested to be responsible for the generation of oxidative stress (OS) and CVD. Among dialysis patients, conflicting data exist concerning the relationship between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and OS. We studied the relationship between 25Vit.D level, HCV infection, and plasma 8 iso-prostaglandin F2 α (8-ISO-PGF2α) as an OS marker in an Egyptian hemodialysis (HD) cohort.Methods: One hundred and twenty ESRD patients on HD were initially recruited to the study but only 88 patients have met the inclusion and none of the exclusion criteria. Midweek predialysis session blood samples were collected for the measurement of 25(OH) Vit.D, plasma 8-ISO-PGF2α, high sensitivity C – reactive protein (hs-CRP), and intact parathyroid hormone (intact PTH). Patients were stratified into two groups according to the presence or absence ofserum antibodies against HCV and their plasma 8-ISO-PGF2α were compared.Results: Vit.D deficiency was noted in 93% of the participants; the median 8-ISO-PGF2α level was 382 pg/mL. No significant correlation between Vit.D and 8-ISO-PGF2α levels was found. Thirty-two participants (36%) were HCV+ and their 8-ISO-PGF2α levels were significantly lower relative to in the seronegative group (median 171 vs. 647 pg/mL; P &lt; 0.006).Conclusion: In this Egyptian HD cohort, Vit D deficiency was highly prevalent, yet failed to show any correlation with F2-isoprostanes. HCV+ HD patients might be shielded from OS