Detection and Identification of Helicobacter pullorum in Poultry Species in Upper Egypt

This work aimed to detect, identify and study the epidemiology of Helicobacter pullorum in avian species in Upper Egypt. A total of 1800 samples, including cloacal swabs, cecal swabs and livers were collected from chickens, turkeys and ducks in five different governorates in Upper Egypt. Using conventional phenotypic methods for isolation and identification, Helicobacter pullorum could be identified only from chickens with percentage 39.33% and no presence of the organism in turkeys and ducks. Sixteen randomly selected phenotypically identified Helicobacter pullorum isolates were confirmed using PCR assay based on 16S rRNA gene. In conclusion, conventional phenotypic methods for detection and differentiation of Helicobacter pullorum are often hampered by many limitations, while molecular methods, and PCR, in particular, have marked an important step forward in bacterial diagnostics and can provide a sensitive and rapid alternative method for detection and identification and highlights the potential of PCR technology in routine detection and identification of pathogens

Differentiation of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) Strains in Experimentally Infected Chickens

Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is an acute, highly contagious, and immunosuppressive avian disease caused by IBD virus (IBDV). Differentiation of IBDV strains is crucial for effective vaccination programs and epidemiological investigations. In this study, a combination of clinical, histopathological examinations, immunohistochemistry and indirect immunofluorescence techniques were used to differentiate different IBDV strains. Sixty three weeks old chickens were divided randomly into five equal groups. Chickens of four groups were inoculated orally with different strains of IBDV. Chickens of the fifth group were kept as a control. Three chickens per group were euthanized at 3, 7, 14, 21 days post-inoculation (dpi). Euthanized chickens subjected to autopsy and tissue samples were collected in 10% neutral-buffered formalin for histopathology, immunohistochimestry and immunoflrourescence. The results revealed that clinical examination and histopathology cannot be used alone for differentiation of IBDV strains, while immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence techniques are reliable tools for differentiation of IBDV strains

Foliar Nutrition and Post-Harvest of Onion Seed: Effects of storage temperatures, storage period and foliar nutrition

The aim of onion bulb storage is to meet consumer demand for extended availability of onions whilst maintaining product quality.The principal biological factors leading to onion bulb deterioration are respiration, resumption of growth and pathogen attack. In onion bulbsa dormant period, when sprouting and rooting cannot be induced, is followed by a period of internal changes that prepare the bulb for breakingof dormancy and subsequent growth. Out of storage, the bulb then proceeds towards flowering and seed production.Two successive winter seasons of 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 were conducted under sandy soil conditions to study the effect of spraying with12 commercial compounds on yield and yield components of onion seeds and storage The seed yield of each commercial compounds plotfrom previous experiment was divided into two groups, storage under room temperature and 5°C. Seeds transferred immediately after dryingto Increasing Export Competition of Some Vegetable Crops Project Laboratory located in Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University. The effectsof storage temperature, storage period and foliar with some commercial compounds on onion seed quality were considered. Storage in 5°C hadthe higher germination percentage than storage in room temperature. Results indicated that as storage period increased the germination percentdecreased. The treatment with boron or amica in the first season had the highest germination percentage. While, the treatment with union Zn,union feer, union Mn, boron, elga 600, caboron, amica, hummer or amino X had the highest germination percentage in the second season. Storagein 5°C resulted in higher moisture content than storage in room temperature. Regarding the effect of storage period on moisture content, the watercontent was significantly increased with prolongation of storage period. The lowest values of water content were recorded for treatments withunion feer, shams K or boron in the first season, and union feer, shams K, boron, magnesium, shetocare or hummer in the second one. Catalaseactivity was significantly decreased as storage period increased. The treatment with shams K, boron, shetocare or amino X had the highestcatalase activity in both seasons. Peroxidase activity was significantly decreased as storage period increased. Foliar application with boron had thehighest peroxidase activity in both seasons. Seed stored in room temperature had the higher malondialdehyde content than those stored in 5°C inthe second season. The malondialdehyde content increased as storage period increased. The treatment with magnesium, caboron and the controlin the first season, and the treatment with magnesium and the control in the second season had the highest malondialdehyde content

Examining the Mechanical and Thermomechanical Properties of Polymethylmethacrylate Composites Reinforced with Nettle Fibres

Buyukkaya, Kenan/0000-0002-8263-0756WOS: 000519133700016The aim of this study was to determine the mechanical and thermomechanical properties of nettle fibre-reinforced polymethylmethacrylate composites. The polymethylmethacrylate composites reinforced with nettle fibres were manufactured using nettle fibres obtained using the natural methods. The nettle fibre contents were 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 V-f %. The composites so formed were characterized in terms of their mechanical and thermomechanical properties. The mechanical properties of nettle-reinforced composites were characterized in terms of bending stress, bending modulus, impact strength, and fracture toughness tests, whilst their behaviour was determined by heat deviation temperature and Vicat softening temperature. The micro-mechanisms underlying the toughening and fracture processes were observed in the light of studies of the microstructure of fractures. From the mechanical properties of composites reinforced with 10% nettle fibres, an increase of 75% in bending stress, 40% in impact strength, and 106% in fracture toughness was recorded. The findings show that nettle fibres can be used as an important reinforcement material for environmentally friendly composite applications.Giresun University's Scientific Research Projects Office [FEN-BAP-A-250414-76]We would like to acknowledge the support of Giresun University's Scientific Research Projects Office (FEN-BAP-A-250414-76)