The present study investigated the effect of stocking density and dietary carbon sources on the water quality, oxidative status, and immune-related genes of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) reared under biofloc conditions (BFT). Eight groups were established at two levels of stocking densities (140 fish per m3: low stocking density, LSD) and (280 fish per m3: high stocking density, HSD) (5.15 ± 1.12 g) and kept in eight biofloc units containing water without carbon sources (control groups) or with glycerol, molasses, or starch. Red blood cells count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit values were reduced in fish stocked in control groups at LSD and HSD than biofloc groups. Control fish groups reared at both LSD and HSD have the highest significant (p < 0.05) white blood cells number than other fish groups. Meanwhile, fish groups that received glycerol, molasses, and starch maintained in both LSD and HSD presented a higher significant (p < 0.05) monocyte % than in the control group reared at both LSD and HSD. The fish group reared in biofloc conditions (BFT) using starch carbon source and reared at the HSD presented a significantly higher (p < 0.05) increase in total serum protein and albumin levels as well as globulin value than the control fish group reared at both LSD and HSD. The highest glucose and cortisol levels were showed in the control fish group reared at both LSD and HSD. Fish maintained in glycerol-based biofloc at LSD attained the highest (p < 0.05) serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), and catalase than other experimental groups. Regarding the nonspecific immune status, significantly increased expression of CC-chemokines, CXC-chemokines, TLR7 and IL-8 genes was found in molasses based biofloc groups. The data of the present study revealed that using molasses promotes health status of Nile tilapia cultured in a biofloc system.

Background Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common bacterial infections and is widespread globally. It causes a variety of gastrointestinal disorders, though a great proportion of infections are asymptomatic. A total of 143 fresh stool samples were collected from apparently healthy farm and pet animals (43 cattle, 50 buffaloes, 50 sheep, 50 dogs, and 50 cats), in addition to 768 human stool samples. The samples were examined using stool antigen and rapid antibody tests, and further confirmation of glmM “human antigen-positive samples and animal milk samples” was conducted by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results The prevalence rates of H. pylori infection in animals were 22.2% and 16% in antibody and stool antigen tests, respectively. The detection rates were 28%, 24%, 12%, 10%, and 4.7% in cats, dogs, buffaloes, sheep, and cattle, respectively. On the other hand, the prevalence rate of H. pylori infection in human stool samples was 74.8%, and a statistically significant association was observed between prevalence and several factors, such as sex, age, and locality. PCR was performed to detect the glmM gene of H. pylori, and this gene was found in 21 of 27 human antigen-positive samples and 5 of 13 animal milk samples. Conclusions H. pylori was detected in both human and animal samples. Furthermore, glmM was found in milk and human samples. Our findings suggest that pet and farm animals could transmit H. pylori infection to humans.

Key words:Toll-like receptor, polymorphism, genetic resistance, salmonella enteritidis, chickenThe aim of this study is to investigate the polymorphism in exon1 and 2 of TLR4 gene and its possible association with resistance to salmonella infection in the Fayoumi breed and Hyline strain of chickens and its possible association with immune response of birds under study. Two experiments were done, in which the chicks were infected intraesophageal with two different doses of S. enteritidis LD 50 (10 8 cfu) in experiment I and 1/2 LD 50 (5× 10 7 cfu) in experiment II. The birds (100 chicks from each breed) allocated into different groups according to the clinical signs in experiment I to susceptible and resistant and in experiment II, to high and low immune response groups based on ELISA test. TLR4 gene was genotyped by PCR-RFLP of exon 1 (596 bp) and exon 2 (793 bp) using different restriction enzymes. Comparison between the different genotypes generated by Taq1 of Fayoumi breed and Hy-line strain in experiment I and II give valuable result. Exon 1-Taq1 AA genotype can be used as a marker for culling the birds of Hy-line strain as it appears in low immune response and also, BB genotype (0.7) in susceptible birds. Moreover, using exon 2-EcoR-1 BB genotype (0.9) in susceptible birds as a marker for culling these birds. We concluded that the Polymorphisms of TLR4 -exon 1 and 2 can be used as a marker-assisted selection for resistant and/or susceptibility to salmonella infection in Hy-line strain.

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One of the main antineoplastic chemotherapy medications is cisplatin, of which nephropathy is a major side effect. In this current study, we aim to investigate the molecular protective effect of Spirulina platensis (SP) on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. In total, 48 healthy male albino rats were allocated into 4 groups. Group 1 received saline intraperitoneally (IP) twice per week (normal rats). Group 2 received SP (100 mg/kg BW orally). Group 3 were injected with cisplatin (1.5 mg/kg IP) twice per week. Group 4 received SP and on the 4th day received cisplatin (1.5 mg/kg IP) for 21 days. After 3 weeks of experiment, blood and renal tissues were taken for serum analysis, gene expression using qRT-polymerase chain reaction, and renal histopathology. As per our findings, it was found that SP significantly ameliorated the alterations in body weight, relative kidney weight, and the disturbance in examined renal markers. Furthermore, SP recovered and restored cisplatin-induced oxidative stress biomarkers (MDA and NO) and antioxidant activity (SOD and GSH) and cisplatin-induced upregulation in the gene expression of TNF-α, inducible nitric oxide synthase, TGF1-β, IL-1β, and IL-6. Interestingly, these gene expressions were ameliorated by the SP pre-administration. Furthermore, cisplatin upregulated pro-apoptotic gene Bax, whereas it downregulated anti-apoptotic gene Bcl2. Interestingly, SP mitigated this alteration in apoptosis and anti-apoptotic associated genes. Renal histopathology revealed the protective impacts of SP against cisplatin-induced severe glomerular congestion, hemorrhage, inflammatory cell infiltration, degeneration, and severe necrosis in renal glomeruli and tubules. In conclusion, SP has a protective effect against cisplatin-induced renal damage through modulating oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory, anti-necrotic, and anti-apoptotic-associated genes.

Objectives: The study aimed to determine how Nano-Methionine (Nano-Meth) affected growth, lipid metabolism, and relative gene expression for acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid syn¬thase (FAS), growth hormone receptor (GHR), insulin-like growth factor receptor-1 (IGFR-1), myo¬statin (MSTN), and cholecystokinin (CCK) genes in broiler chickens. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 1-day-old broilers were randomly assigned into 2 groups: 1) the control group received drinking water without any supplements, and 2) the Nano-Meth group received 10 ml/l of 5% Nano-Meth starting from 1 day old until 35 days old (the end of the experiment). Results: Nano-Meth improved final body weight, weight gains, feed intake, and feed conver¬sion ratio. Compared to the control group, Nano-Meth significantly lowered the serum levels of triglyceride, cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein in chickens. Nano-Meth significantly increased the serum levels of total protein, albumin, high-density lipo-protein, and glucose more than the control group. Nano-Meth lowered the mRNA gene expression of ACC, FAS, MSTN, and CCK but increased that of GHR and IGFR-1. Conclusions: We concluded that supplementation with Nano-Meth enhances growth performance and decreases lipid accumulation in broiler chickens.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a serious threat to human health that has attracted substantial interest. The purpose of this study was to investigate the modulatory effect of bee honey against induced HCC by diethylnitrosamine/carbon tetrachloride (DEN/CCl4) in rats. HCC was induced by a single intraperitoneal dose of DEN (200 mg/kg B.W). Two weeks later, CCl4 (1 ml/kg) was intraperitoneally injected (three times a week). Bee honey was administered orally at 2 g/rat before and after the induction of HCC. The results showed that bee honey administration significantly increased body weight, decreased liver weight, and relative liver weight compared to those in the HCC-induced group. Moreover, a significant decrease in serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) as well as AST, ALT, GGT, ALP activities were observed in bee honey administration rats compared with those in HCC-induced group. Also, the hepatic MDA was significantly decreased; in addition, SOD, CAT, and GPx activities were significantly increased in groups treated with bee honey compared with those in the HCC group. The hepatic histopathology alterations caused by DEN/CCl4 injection were ameliorated by bee honey treatment. Likewise, the mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), transforming growth factor (TGF-β1), intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), glypican (GP-3), thioredoxin (TRX), and glutaredoxin (GRX) were downregulated, and caspase-3 was upregulated by bee honey treatment compared with untreated HCC-induced group. In conclusion, bee honey has remarkable beneficial effects against HCC induced in rats through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and antimetastatic effects. Practical Applications The current study confirmed that honey has the potential to act as an antimetastatic factor. Bee honey supplementation either before or after combined injection of DEN/CCl4 exhibited inhibitory and ameliorative effects against DEN/CCl4-induced HCC through its antioxidant, antiproliferative, anti-metastatic, antifibrotic, and apoptosis properties. To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe the molecular mechanisms underlying honey’s effects against DEN/CCl4-induced HCC in rats.

The study aimed to determine the prevalence and phenotypic antimicrobial resistance pattern of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from food products and food handlers at different retail outlets and superstores in Alexandria city, Egypt. A total of 100 food products including raw milk, Damietta cheese, beef burger, sausage, and chicken pane (20 of each) as well as 100 hand swabs were randomly collected from 100 food handlers and screened for the presence of MRSA using MRSA selective agar medium. MRSA isolate was confirmed from each nuc /mecA PCR-positive sample. The overall prevalence rate of MRSA in food products and food handlers was 12% and 5%, respectively. Concerning the food products samples, the highest rate of isolation was recorded in the examined samples of beef burger (20%), followed by sausage (15%) then raw milk and chicken pane (10%) and finally Damietta cheese (5%). The antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the 12 MRSA isolates from food products samples clarified that all (100%) MRSA isolates showed resistance to Cefoxitin and Penicillin G. On the contrary, 100% of the isolates were sensitive to Ceftaroline and Linezolid. Regarding food handlers, prevalence rate was 5.3% in males and 4.2% in females. The phenotypic antimicrobial resistance pattern of the 5 MRSA isolates from food handlers revealed that all (100%) MRSA isolates exhibited resistance to Cefoxitin and Penicillin G. Conversely, 100% of the isolates were sensitive to Ceftaroline and Linezolid. The results of the current study suggest that raw food products may have been contaminated with MDR MRSA strains which could be a potential public health risk. Moreover, these findings unequivocally show the need for enhanced hygiene standards to minimize the risk of occupational and food-borne illness associated with handling and/or consuming raw animal food products harboring MRSA.