No abstract

Eighteen one-humped she-camels were divided randomly into three equal groups: group 1 served as control; group 2 (MGA) received (0.5 mg/ head/day) of Melengestrol acetate for 10 days and; group 3 (CIDR) were fitted intravaginally with controlled internal drug release (CIDR, 1.38g P 4) for 10 days. At day 10 the MGA and CIDR groups were administered PGF 2α and 3000 IU PMSG, MGA feeding was withdrawn and CIDRs were removed. Animals were given 5000 IU of hCG 10 days later and were artificially inseminated (day 20). Blood samples were collected from all groups at day 0 = day of CIDR insertion and beginning of MGA feeding; day 5 = 5 days after CIDR insertion and onset of MGA feeding; day 10 = day of CIDR removal and MGA feeding withdrawal; and day 20 = day of hCG injection. Serum biochemical and mineral constituents, and serum reproductive hormones (estradiol-17β and progesterone) were determined. Overall means of serum concentrations of total protein, albumin, cholesterol, and AST enzyme were not different among treatments. Treatment with CIDR increased BUN at days 10 and 20 and the overall mean BUN concentration compared to control and MGA groups. Treatments with CIDR and MGA numerically increased serum glucose compared to control at days 10 and 20. However, overall mean serum concentrations of HDL were not affected by CIDR and treatments. In the meantime, CIDR and MGA increased serum ALT concentrations at days 20 and the overall means ALT concentrations compared to control. No marked changes were detected in serum concentrations of Ca ++ and Na + in the MGA and CIDR groups compared to controls. Serum concentrations of K + were increased at day 20 in the MGA and CIDR groups than at days 0 and 5. Overall mean serum concentration of K + was greater in the CIDR group (4.2 ± 0.14 mEq/l) than in control (3.4 ± 0.16 mEq/l) and MGA (3.5 ± 0.14 mEq/l) groups. Similar trend was detected in serum concentrations of P as MGA and CIDR groups had more (P < 0.01) serum P (4.7 ± 0.36 and 4.6 ± 0.24 mg/dl) at days 20 compared to days 0, 5 and 10. Results also indicated that natural progestin treatment (CIDR) increased P 4 concentration at days 5 and 10 while control and MGA-fed animals had lower P 4 levels. Also, CIDR increased the overall mean P 4 concentration (2.9 ± 0.28 ng/ml) compared to control and MGA groups (0.5 ± 0.33 and 0.9 ± 0.29 ng/ml). Both MGA and CIDR groups had lower estradiol at days 5 and 10. At day 20, estradiol was elevated in the CIDR group compared to control and MGA groups. In conclusion, progestin treatments exerted no deleterious effects on animal health and can be used without limitation for further treatments. Natural P 4 improved the pattern of reproductive hormones secretion without detrimental effects on animal health and blood biochemical constituents.

Aim of the study: Our aim was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 infection on the liver and alimentary tract. Material and methods: This is a retrospective multicenter study that was performed in non-intensive care units (ICU) at Minia, Assiut, and Sohag University Hospitals from March 1 st , 2020 to August 1 st , 2020. The clinical characteristics of 1238 consecutively confirmed COVID-19 discharged cases were enrolled. Patients with respiratory distress were recorded as severe cases, while others were recorded as mild-moderate cases. Patients with ≥ 2× upper limit of normal of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), or bilirubin were defined as patients with liver injury, while others were recorded as patients without liver injury. Results:The severe group included 460 patients (37.2%) while the mild-moderate group included 778 patients (62.8%). Fever, white blood cell (WBC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were significantly higher in the severe group (p < 0.05). The hepatic injury group included 296 patients (23.9%) while the group without hepatic injury included 942 patients (76.1%). Males were more likely to have liver injury (p < 0.05). Fever and abdominal pain were significantly higher in the hepatic injury group. Patients with liver injury had increased levels of WBCs, CRP and chest computed tomography (CT) score and had a longer hospital stay (p < 0.05). Chest CT score was a predictor of liver injury (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Liver injury in non-ICU hospitalized COVID-19 patients is common but it is mild and has a good prognosis. Liver injury may be related to the degree of chest CT lesions.

No abstract

To assess the effectiveness of mulching on the growth and yield of three olive cvs., (Aggizy shami, Kalamata and Picual) and its influence in preserving the soil moisture, a field experiment was conducted during the two growing seasons of 2015 and 2016 in Siwa oasis. Three mulching materials i.e., shale, olive pomace and palm leaves were used and compared with control (non-mulced). In regard to the varieties fruit production, Aggizy shami showed a higher yield in both seasons as compared to Kalamata and Picual. Olive pomace and shale were the most efficient mulching materials in increasing the fruit yield. and the highest increase was found in Kalamata (232% of the control in the first season) when shaleused as a mulching material. Olive pomace was more effective in the second season and caused an increase in the fruit yield of all the tested cv, and the highest increase (70.23 % more than control) was noticed in Aggaizy shami cv.. Results revealed also that Picual cv. was more resistance to water stress as compared with the other cvs, under mulching treatments, however all inltivase were highly affected by the water stress un mulched tacatment .It can be concluded that mulching is an effective way to improve the growth and yield of olive under sandy soil conditions.