Search

Bioactive substances such as β-carotene are regarded as an effective dietary aquafeed supplement to boost the immunity of fish cultured in high densities. The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of the dietary incorporation of β-carotene derived from Spirulina platensis (0, 0.5, and 1.0 g kg−1 diets) on growth performance, feed efficiency, hemato-biochemical indices, immunological responses, hepatic antioxidant enzymes, and associated immune-antioxidant genes expression in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings (initial weight of 5.85 ± 0.06 g) reared at two stocking densities (SD100, 100 fish m−3 and SD200, 200 fish m−3) for 70 days. Fish were randomly allocated into eighteen plastic tanks (0.5 m3 each plastic tank) in triplicate and fed three times per day at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 3:00 p.m. with three isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets. The results showed that there was no difference in feed intake among the experimental diets (P > 0.05). The diet containing 0.5 g kg−1 β-carotene increased weight gain, final body weight, specific growth rate, and feed conversion ratio of fish reared at SD200. Fish grown at SD100 or SD200 showed a significant increase in hematocrit and hemoglobin levels when fed a diet supplemented with 0.5 or 1.0 g kg−1 β-carotene compared to those on an unsupplemented diet (P < 0.05). Alanine amino transferase and aspartate amino transferase levels were lowest in fish group fed diet containing 1.0 g kg−1 β-carotene at SD100 as well as in fish fed diet supplemented with 0.5 and 1.0 g kg−1 β-carotene at SD200. Fish raised at SD200 and supplemented with 1.0 g kg−1β-carotene showed significantly improvements in total protein, albumin, and growth hormone levels compared to those fed on an un-supplemented diets (P > 0.05). Supplementing with 0.5 or 1.0 g kg−1 β-carotene diets significantly increased the concentrations of C3, C4, and IgM in fish reared at both SD100 and SD200 compared to those without supplementation (P < 0.05). The hepatic antioxidant activity of malondialdehyde was lowest in fish-fed diet supplemented with 1.0 g kg−1 β-carotene at SD100. At SD200, fish fed a diet supplemented with 1.0 g kg−1 β-carotene showed the highest levels of glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity (P < 0.05). The highest activity of catalase (CAT) was in fish fed diet supplemented with 0.5 g kg−1 β-carotene at SD200 and SD100 whereas, the highest activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was in fish fed diet supplemented with 1.0 g kg−1 β-carotene at SD100. The same trend was seen in the associated hepatic genes expression of superoxide dismutase 2, CAT, and GPx. When compared to other diets, fish raised at SD100 and fed a diet supplemented with 0.5 g kg−1 β-carotene showed the highest levels of gene expression for interleukin (IL)−1β and interleukin-8 (IL-8) (P < 0.05). But those reared at SD200 and fed a diet without β-carotene supplementation had the lowest transcript expressions of IL-1β and IL-8. In conclusion, adding β-carotene up to 1.0 g kg−1 to the basal diet improves and boosts growth performance, feed efficiency, immunological responses, hepatic antioxidant enzyme, and associated immune-antioxidant gene expression in Nile tilapia reared at SD200.

Simvastatin (SVA) is a well-prescribed drug for treating cardiovascular and hypercholesterolemia. Due to the extensive hepatic first-pass metabolism and poor solubility, its oral bioavailability is 5%. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and hydrogel-coated SLNs were investigated to overcome the limited bioavailability of SVA. Four different lipids used alone or in combination with two stabilizers were employed to generate 13 SLNs. Two concentrations of chitosan (CS) and alginate (AL) were coating materials. SLNs were studied for particle size, zeta potential, in vitro release, rheology, and bioavailability. The viscosities of both the bare and coated SLNs exhibited shear-thinning behavior. The viscosity of F11 (Chitosan 1%) at 20 and 40 rpm were 424 and 168 cp, respectively. F11 had a particle size of 260.1 ± 3.72 nm with a higher release; the particle size of F11-CS at 1% was 524.3 ± 80.31 nm. In vivo studies illustrated that F11 had the highest plasma concentration when compared with the SVA suspension and coated chitosan (F11 (Chitosan 1%)). Greater bioavailability is measured as (AUC0→24), as compared to uncoated ones. The AUC for F11, F11-CS 1%, and the SVA suspension were 1880.4, 3562.18, and 272 ng·h/mL, respectively. Both bare and coated SLNs exhibited a significantly higher relative bioavailability when compared to that from the control SVA.

A stiffened raft is considered one of the efficient foundation systems for lightweight structures resting on expansive soils. Most existing design methods of stiffened rafts require an analysis of the interaction between the raft and the distorted mound shape of the expansive soil. In most design methods, the distorted mound shape is represented in 2D by the edge distance and the maximum differential movement through a nonlinear equation. This study presents a rational method for estimating the climate-controlled soil parameters that are used for estimating the 3D distorted mound shape of the expansive soil from the routine geotechnical tests’ results. These parameters include the equilibrium soil suction, the amplitude of surface suction change, the diffusion coefficient of the soil, the suction compression index, and the active zone depth. The proposed method is explained through its application to calculate the climate-controlled parameters for expansive soils in different locations throughout Saudi Arabia. A parametric study is carried out using a suction diffusion and soil movements program called SUCH to investigate the effect of the climate-controlled soil parameters and raft dimensions on the shape of the distorted mound, maximum differential movement, and edge moisture variation distance. The results of the parametric study are used in a regression analysis to develop an equation for estimating the edge moisture variation distance, which is considered a major barrier to using existing design methods of stiffened rafts as a function of the climate-controlled soil parameters and the aspect ratio of the raft. The findings indicate that the aspect ratio of the raft and the climate-controlled soil parameters have a significant effect on the shape of the distorted mound, its maximum differential movement, and its edge moisture variation distance. Additionally, the proposed equation of the edge moisture variation distance predicts comparable values to that estimated by the program SUCH.

Abstract Background Most of TAVR centers evaluate the calcium score in contrast-enhanced (ce) CT. We compared in this study between different methodologies to measure calcium score. We studied also the difference between patients with low-gradient (LG) and high-gradient (HG) severe aortic stenosis (AS) as regard the burden of aortic valve calcium (AVC). Results We measured the calcium volume and score using Agatston methodology in non-contrast (nc) CT and with modified and fixed 850 Hounsfield unit (HU) thresholds in ce CT. The calcium score and volume in ceCT using even with modified thresholds is significantly lower than the assessed score and volume in ncCT. The median (IQR) of calcium score in nc CT and in cc CT were 1288 AU (750–1815) versus 947 HU (384–2202). The median (IQR) of calcium volume in nc CT and in cc CT with modified thresholds were 701 mm3 (239–1632) versus 197 mm3 (139–532). Agatston score and calcium volume were lower in patients with LG AS than HG AS; 2069 AU (899–2477) versus 928AU (572–1284) and 1537 mm3 (644–1860) versus 286 mm3 (160–700), respectively. Only 20% of patients with LGAS had Agatston score higher than the previously supposed AVC score threshold for the diagnosis of severe AS (> 2000AU in men and > 1200 in women). Conclusions The diagnosis of severe LGAS should not depend on a single parameter as calcium score. In these patients, calcium score should be measured in nc CT and not in ce CT.

An approach to estimate the behavior of stiffened rafts under column loads of a lightweight-reinforced concrete structure resting on expansive soils is presented in this paper. The analysis was conducted using the computer program SLAB97, which estimates the 3D distorted mound shape using the finite difference method by solving the transient suction diffusion equation in 3D and computing the corresponding soil movements. The interaction between the stiffened rafts and the 3D distorted mound shape is then analyzed using the finite element method. The SLAB97 program has been validated by comparing its results with the results of others that were shown to be valid. The goal of the study is to make the expansive soil structure interaction models that the previous researchers proposed more logical. Assuming the worst initial 3D distorted mound shapes of the two cases of edge heave and edge shrinkage, an upper-bound solution is obtained. Using the two scenarios of edge shrinkage and edge heave, the program was utilized in a parametric investigation to examine the impact of various parameters on the behavior of stiffened rafts on expansive soils. These parameters include the stiffening beam depth, the maximum differential movement of the distortion mound shape, and the raft dimensions. The behavior of the stiffened rafts subjected to concentrated column loads is concluded to be similar to that of the stiffened rafts subjected to uniform and perimeter line loads in both cases of distortion modes, with regard to the shape of raft deformation and distribution of the bending moments; however, the values of the design parameters such as maximum deflection, maximum differential deflection, and maximum moments are entirely different in these two situations.

Abstract Background Worldwide, millions of people got COVID-19 infection since the start of the pandemic with a large number of deaths. Re-infection with SARS-CoV-2 is possible, because it can mutate into new strains as it is an RNA virus. The main objective of our study is to correlate between CT severity score of the patients re-infected with COVID-19 during the first and second attack and its clinical impact. Results We performed a retrospective cohort study. It was carried out on fifty symptomatic patients (11 females and 39 males). Their ages ranged from 38 to 71 years. We included only patients who were re-infected after more than 6 months of the first infection and showed clinical symptoms with SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive test. We found that CT severity score was decreased in the second infection in 47 (94%) of our patients associated with decreased respiratory distress as well as oxygen requirements, while the CT severity score was increased in two patients and only one patient showed no change in CT score severity between two infections. Conclusion The reduction in CT severity score in the majority of re-infected patients suggested the role of the immunity developed from first infection in protection against severe lung affection in case of repeated infection even after 6 months despite poor immunity against re-infection.

Abstract Background Multiple sclerosis is a chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. It may lead to disability and cognitive impairment. Our study aimed at evaluation of the role of MR volumetry technique in detection of brain atrophic changes in patients with multiple sclerosis and its impact on disease prognosis. Results This study was carried out on thirty healthy control with mean age 26.23 years and thirty patients with remitting relapsing multiple sclerosis, with a mean age of 28.18 years. Patients with multiple sclerosis were distributed across six subgroups based on the z-score cut-off of − 1.96 for regional and whole brain atrophy. We found that 2 patients (6.6%) showed no thalamic or brain atrophy, 28 patients (93.3%) showed whole brain atrophy only and 10 patients (33.3%) showed both, thalamic and BP atrophy. No patients showed only thalamic atrohy, 4 patients showed whole brain atrophy with other structure atrophy rather than thalamus (13.3%), 10 patients with whole brain and more than one structure atrophy (33.3%). Relation between subgroups and degree of increase in the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) as well as presence of cognitive decline were assessed. No significant relation were found between RRMS patients subgroups with whole brain atrophy, subgroup with isolated thalamic atrophy or subgroup with multiple structure atrophy and increase of EDSS or cognitive decline. Conclusion We found that MRI volumetry is a very useful technique in the assessment of the atrophic changes that occur as a consequence of multiple sclerosis affecting the whole brain, deep grey matter as well as corpus callosum. Although our study did not prove significant relation between presence of brain atrophic changes and disability or cognitive impairment, presence of atrophy warrants careful clinical evaluation of those patients to detect any possible further progression of disability or cognitive decline.

Abstract Background Transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve (TMVIV) or valve-in-ring (TMVIR) replacement offer an alternative therapy for high risk patients. We aimed to highlight the operative and postoperative results of TMVIV and TMVIR procedures. Results We included all patients underwent TMVIV and TMVIR procedures between 2017 and 2020 at two heart centers in Germany. We included a total of 36 high risk patients in our study where 12 received TMVIV and 24 received TMVIR. All patients underwent TMVIV or TMVIR with Edwards Sapien XT or S3 transcatheter valves (Edwards Lifesciences). The mean age was 79 (75–83 years old). The median (IQR) preoperative STS score was 9 (7–13)% and EuroSCORE II was 14.5% (12–16). The majority of our patients were operated via transapical approach (n = 26) and the minority via transseptal approach (n = 10). Out of our records, none of our patients required reopening for bleeding or any other surgical complications. None of our patients required reintervention during the 6 months follow-up period. One mortality was recorded on fifth postoperative day due to low cardiac output syndrome (obviously because of LVOT obstruction by the anterior mitral leaflet). The average blood loss was 200 ml in the first 24 h in patients underwent transapical approach. Average operative time was 93 min and all patients were immediately extubated after the procedure in the operating room (even the patient with echocardiographically documented LVOT obstruction who died on the fifth postoperative day). Length of Intensive Care Unit stay was 2 ± 1.2 days and length of hospital stay was 4.1 ± 1.2 days. In the follow up period, echocardiograms showed normal prosthetic valve function with low transvalvular gradients, no LVOT obstruction in TMVIR cases and no evidence of valve migration or thrombosis (except in one patient). Concerning 6 months readmission, it was recorded in 2 patients due to right sided heart failure symptoms due to preexisting high degree of tricuspid valve regurge which did not disappear or even decrease after the operation and the other patient due to gastrointestinal bleeding. Conclusions TMVIV and TMVIR offer an efficient, safe and less invasive alternative in high surgical risk patients.

Background: Valve-in-Valve (VIV) transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a potential solution for malfunctioning surgical aortic valve prostheses, though limited data exist for its use in Perceval valves. Methods: searches were performed on PubMed and Scopus up to 31 July 2023, focusing on case reports and series addressing VIV replacement for degenerated Perceval bioprostheses. Results: Our analysis included 57 patients from 27 case reports and 6 case series. Most patients (68.4%) were women, with a mean age of 76 ± 4.4 years and a mean STS score of 6.1 ± 4.3%. Follow-up averaged 9.8 ± 8.9 months, the mean gradient reduction was 15 ± 5.9 mmHg at discharge and 13 ± 4.2 mmHg at follow-up. Complications occurred in 15.7% of patients, including atrioventricular block III in four patients (7%), major bleeding or vascular complications in two patients (3.5%), an annular rupture in two patients (3.5%), and mortality in two patients (3.5%). No coronary obstruction was reported. Balloon-expanding valves were used in 61.4% of patients, predominantly the Sapien model. In the self-expanding group (38.6%), no valve migration occurred, with a permanent pacemaker implantation rate of 9%, compared to 5.7% for balloon-expanding valves. Conclusions: VIV-TAVR using both balloon-expanding and self-expanding technologies is feasible after the implantation of Perceval valves; however, it should be performed by experienced operators with experience both in TAVR and VIV procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) using the MitraClip has become a well-established interventional therapy and is usually performed in elderly patients. The objective of this study was to assess 2-year clinical outcomes of TMVR in patients aged

Abstract Background Percutaneous mitral valve (MV) clipping for mitral regurgitation (MR) revolutionized MV repair; however, valve anatomies and pathologies vary. Often multiple clips are required, and predicting this pre-procedurally would be useful. We evaluated pre-procedural predictors for multiple clips. Results We retrospectively analyzed 127 severe MR patients treated by mitral clipping between January 2011 and August 2018. Patients were grouped according to the use of a single (group I) or multiple clips (group II) and pre-procedure echocardiographs compared. No demographic differences existed except group II had more males (68.1%) than group I (48.3%). Mean left atrial diameter was larger in group II, 51 ± 9 mm, than group I, 48 ± 5 mm, p = 0.026. Mean mitral annular diameter differed: 34 ± 4mm (group II) versus 33 ± 3 mm (group I), p = 0.017. The vena contracta was broader in group II than group I (6.6 ± 1 mm vs. 6 ± 0.9 mm, p = 0.001). Severe mitral annular calcification occurred more in group I (36.2%) than group II (10.1%), p = 0.0001. On multivariate analysis, vena contracta width correlated positively with multiple clips (B 0.125, p = 0.013), but severe annular calcification correlated inversely (B − 0.35, p = 0.002). Conclusions Vena contracta width and severe annular calcification are factors to consider when planning MV clipping.

Cyclic extrusion compression (CEC) is an effective fabrication process for producing fine, ultrafine grains with superior physical and mechanical properties.In the present work, CEC process was applied on Al alloy 6061 and its silicon carbide (SiCp) composite containing 5 and 10 wt. % SiCp. . The specimens were pressed at room temperature up to 6 cycles for Al alloy 6061, 5 cycles for Al 6061 5 wt. % and 4 cycles for Al 6061 10 wt. % SiC corresponding to plastic strains of 3.72, 3.1 and 2.48 respectively. The evolution of microstructure, hardness and dry sliding wear tests were conducted. The samples were investigated before and after the CEC process by optical microscope, and the worn surfaces were investigated by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and (EDX) analysis. The CEC cycles reduced the grain size, porosity % and SiC particle size. These microstructural parameters were reflected on the increase in hardness and reduction in wear rate and a slight reduction in coefficient of friction. In general, this improvement in properties is associated with the following parameters; grain refining, reinforcement volume fraction, size and distribution of SiCp as well as the number of CEC cycles. Regarding the composite samples, a significant improvement in wear resistance was obtained and the Al 6061 10 wt. % SiC, showed the best performance. The wear mechanism was also affected by the CEC process.

The effect of feeding on diets supplemented with Silybum marianum L. dry seeds (SMS) on growth performance, mortality percentage, biochemical parameters, the expression profile of related genes, and genotoxic effect in Muscovy ducklings was evaluated during a brooding period of 4 weeks. Two hundred and forty one-day-old Muscovy ducks were randomly assigned to four treatment groups (60 ducklings/group), the first group fed on basal diet with no additives (control), and the second (4 g kg−1), third (8 g kg−1), and fourth (12 g kg−1) groups fed the basal diet supplemented with 0, 4, 8, and 12 g kg−1 diet SMS, respectively. A substantial improvement in live body weight (LBW), body weight gain (BWG), and growth rate (GR), and a decrease in feed conversion ratios (FCR) and mortality rate were shown in ducks fed a diet supplemented with either 8 g kg−1 or 12 g kg−1 SMS compared to the other groups. Relevant improvements in liver function, oxidative stress markers, purinergic cell energy, and brain appetite were recorded on ducklings fed diets supplemented with SMS. Moreover, diets which included 8 or 12 g kg−1 SMS positively upregulated the expression of growth hormone gene (GH) and antioxidant genes (SOD1, SOD2, and CAT). These results are consistent with the increase in liver activity SOD and CAT enzymes, resulting in less DNA fragmentation. Consequently, all the aforementioned improvements in biochemical parameters and gene expression profiling may explain the superiority of the treated ducklings compared with the control group. Conclusively, the SMS could be used as a natural feed additive to promote health status and improve the growth performance of small grower ducks during the brooding period.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary linseed oil, sunflower oil, and their supplementation with Amphora coffeaeformis (AC) on growth performance, carcase characteristics, fatty and amino acid profiles, oxidative stability, and meat quality of broiler chickens. One hundred and eighty day-old broiler chicks were divided into four groups (five replicates per group, 9 birds per each replicate pen). Birds in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 fed diets containing 3% sunflower oil without AC (SFO 3%), 3% SFO with 1 g/kg diet of AC (SFAC), 3% linseed oil without AC (LSO 3%) and 3% LSO oil with 1 g/kg diet of AC (LSAC), respectively for 32 days. Final weight and weight gain were increased whereas fat pads were decreased in birds fed diets containing SFAC or LSAC compared to other groups. The values of omega-3 fatty acids, essential amino acids, and antioxidants were increased while saturated fatty acids (SFA) declined in the meat of birds fed diets supplemented with AC (SFAC & LSAC) compared to other groups. Lysine levels in the meat of birds fed AC and/or linseed diets were inversely related to hepatic L-carnitine levels. Breast meats of different broiler groups did not differ significantly in quality traits. However, broilers fed AC-containing diets had relatively lower yellowness, redness, and Chroma values. Conclusively, dietary combinations of AC with either SFO or LSO improved the performance, fatty and amino acid profiles, oxidative stability, and meat quality of broiler chickens.Highlights Supplying Amphora coffeaeformis (AC) to broiler sunflower (SFAC) or linseed oil (LSAC) diets improved performance. Dietary AC, 1 g/kg, improved the meat nutritional value of broilers fed SFAC or LSAC diets. Dietary AC, 1 g/kg, improved the meat oxidative stability of broilers fed SFAC or LSAC diets.

Biomphalaria alexandrina snails have received much attention due to their great medical importance as vectors for transmitting Schistosoma mansoni infection to humans. The main objective of the present work was to assess the efficacy of miltefosin a synthetic molluscicidal drug and artemether a natural molluscicidal drug. The correlation between immunological and histological observations from light and electron microscopy of the hemocytes of B. alexandrina post treatment with both drugs was also evaluated. LC50 and LC90 values were represented by 13.80 ppm and 24.40 ppm for miltefosine and 16.88 ppm and 27.97 ppm for artemether, respectively. The results showed that the treatment of S. mansoni-infected snails and normal snails with sublethal dose of miltefosine (LC25=8.20 ppm) and artemether (LC25=11.04 ppm) induced morphological abnormalities and a significant reduction in hemocytes count.