Among the numerous chemicals discharged into the surrounding environment, bisphenol A (BPA) and octylphenol (OP) have been shown to increase oxidative stress in body by disturbing the prooxidant/antioxidant balance of cells. Cinnamon aqueous extract (CAE) is a natural product rich in polyphenolic compounds that have antioxidant activity. This study was designed to investigate the protective efficacy of CAE against oxidative disorders induced by BPA and OP in male albino rats. Animals were divided into 6 groups (10 rats each) and treated orally, 3 times weekly for 50 days. Group 1: control vehicle (olive oil); group 2 (25 mg BPA/kg b.wt./day); group 3 (25 mg OP/kg b.wt./day); group 4 (200 mg CAE/kg b.wt./day); group 5 (CAE 2 h before BPA administration); and group 6 (CAE 2 h before OP administration). BPA- and OP-exposed groups showed insignificant elevation in the final body weight; weight gains and significant reduction only in the relative kidneys weight. Also, BPA and OP exposure resulted in significant increase in serum urea, creatinine and kidney, brain, testicular malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Significant reduction in tissues reduced glutathione (GSH) contents; catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were also recorded in BPA and OP exposed animals compared to the control vehicle group. Pretreatment with CAE 2 h either before BPA or OP administration ameliorated the BPA- and OP-induced body weight; weight gains and relative organs weight changes and biochemical adverse effects. CAE pretreatment also protected against the recorded pathological changes in kidney, brain and testis. In conclusion, CAE could ameliorate the oxidative toxic effects of BPA and OP indicating its protective antioxidant effect.

In 1989, 220 Holstein Friesian cattle (212 heifers and eight bulls) were imported from Minnesota, USA, to form a closed dairy herd in Arab El-Aoumar, Assiut, Upper Egypt. In November 1996, some abnormal signs such as loss of weight, decreased milk yield, external lymphadenopathy and decreased appetite were observed on this farm. Serological screening by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed a seroprevalence of antibodies directed against bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) of 37.7% in cattle under 2 years old and of 72.8% in animals more than 2 years old. Diagnosis was confirmed by the detection of BLV proviral DNA using polymerase chain reaction with primers amplifying a fragment of the env gene. Out of 21 tested leucocyte fractions from individual animals, 15 were positive showing a BLV-specific amplicon of 444 base pairs. Analysis of the amplicons for restriction fragment length polymorphisms and DNA sequencing results allowed the isolates to be typed. Since this was the first recorded case of enzootic bovine leukosis in Upper Egypt, strict quarantine measures were adopted and all serologically positive animals in the herd were culled.

Nutrient administration in-ovo could be considered as an alternative method to improve hatchability and duckling weight followed by better economic performance. On the 12th day of incubation, fertile duck eggs (n= 500) were distributed into 5 groups, each of 100. These were: un-injected control; 0.50 ml distilled water; 0.50 ml amino acids (AA) mixture; 0.75 ml distilled water; and 0.75 ml amino acids mixture. In-ovo injection of 0.50 ml but not 0.75 ml of AA mixture resulted in higher hatchability percentage than un-injected control; however this was not statistically confirmed. In-ovo injection of either 0.50 or 0.75 ml of AA mixture resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) higher body weight at hatch, marketing weight for males not for females, and higher feed intake than the un-injected control. There was no significant difference (P < 0.05) in feed conversion ratio between in-ovo amino acids ducks and un-injected control during the whole experimental periods. Liver weight as a percentage of body weight was higher (P < 0.05) in the in-ovo amino acids injected groups than un-injected control. Lymphoid organs of 0.50 AA-injected male group and 0.75 ml AA-injected female group were significantly (P < 0.05) heavier than the un-injected control. Antibodies titers did not differ (P < 0.05) between in-ovo amino acids injected groups and un-injected control. It is concluded that in-ovo injection of amino acids mixture may improve and accelerate growth and post-hatch performance of Muscovy ducks.

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The study was intended to determine types of Clostridium perfringens and their toxins in diseased sheep with suspected enterotoxaemia, apparently healthy in contact sheep and soil in three Egyptian provinces (one year study). A total of 800 sheep were visited regularly over a period of one year to record cases of enterotoxaemia and collection of samples for bacteriological examination and toxin genotyping using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by using four primers set specific for genes encoding toxin production (alpha, beta, epsilon and iota). Based on bacteriological examination, the percentage of C. perfringens isolated from soil, apparently healthy, and diseases sheep were 41, 12 and 59%, respectively. The results of multiplex PCR indicated that C. perfringens type A was the predominant followed by C. perfringens type D with an incidence rate of 43 and 42.7% from positive samples, respectively. While, C. perfringens type B was successfully recovered only from 14.61% of positive samples. Worth mentioning, the data presented collectively highlighted the role of soil and apparently healthy as a potential source of re-infection. Moreover, it is recommended that C. perfringens type A should be included in vaccine schedule in order to afford adequate protection and lessen the adverse economic loses of sheep clostridial diseases.

No abstract

This study focused on determining the prevalence of Candida species involved in dairy cattle mastitis with molecular detection of Candida albicans. A total of 150 milk samples were collected from dairy cattle showing clinical mastitis. Isolation and identification of organisms through phenotypical and physiological criteria on different media were performed as well as molecular identification of C. albicans. Fourty one isolates of Candida species were recovered with a prevalence of 27.3%. C. albicans was the dominating species (29.3%). Out of 12 strains phenotypically identified as C. albicans, 8 were confirmed by PCR using species specific primer for the 26S rRNA gene of C. albicans. A specific virulence determinant Phospholipase B1 gene was detected in all molecularly identified C. albicans isolates. This study has clearly shown the prevalence of Candida mastitis and providing a new attractive diagnostic molecular tool for mycotic mastitis caused by C. albicans.

Natural and synthetic graft materials have been studied in vivo and in vitro in osseous tissue repair. This study was carried out to investigate and compare the ability of the nanohydroxyapatite (Nano-HA) and coral composite (C-co composite) containing coral, gelatin and chitosan to induce new bone growth when implanted in a critical size defect in canine tibia. Fifteen adult mongrel dogs were used in this study. Groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 were investigated after 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 weeks, respectively. Three holes (10 mm diameter) were made at the upper third of the tibia. The first hole was implanted with C-co composite, the second one was left empty; while, the third hole was filled with Nano-HA. Healing of the implanted holes was evaluated using sequential radiography and histopathological evaluation at the end of each observation period. The holes implanted with C-co composite and Nano-HA were filled with mature compact bone; on the other hand, the control holes were filled with dense connective tissue. Both C-co composite and Nano-HAP behaved in a similar manner concerning their pattern of resorption. In conclusion, addition of chitosan and gelatin to coral improves its osteoinductive properties. Furthermore, both C-co composite and Nano-HA had a similar pattern for formation of new bone when used to fill critical size bone defect in canine tibia. C-co composite is cheap, available, easily prepared and can replace Nano-HA in bone grafting.