Search

In Egypt, only five species of Dermaptera (earwigs) have been reported. Based on both the morphological and molecular data of the earwig samples collected from a bakery in Beni-Suef, Egypt, we identified the species as Marava arachidis (Spongiphoridae), a cosmopolitan species with no prior records in Egypt. The current study was designed to analyze its predation capability on newly emerged eggs and larvae of the Rhipicephalus annulatus tick. A laboratory functional response study was set up by applying a predation test with various predator-prey ratios as treatments. This experiment was applied using the undefined mix of collected earwigs and the laboratory-collected eggs and the larvae of R. annulatus. The laboratory results showed that the mean number of predated tick eggs was 18.64 ± 11.18 in 24 h under the highest predator-prey ratio (1:10) examined, accompanied by 12.04 ± 4.38 broken but unconsumed eggs. Moreover, M. arachidis predated an average of 12.32 ± 9.07 tick larvae per day. In contrast, the mean dead larvae increased to 38.4 ± 2.30 per day with the highest predator density (1:10). The number of eggs and larvae consumed increased with the predator density. A linear relationship was detected between earwig density and the consumption rates of tick eggs (R2 = 0.99; p = 0.0001) and larvae (R2 = 0.96; p = 0.003). In conclusion, M. arachidis was first recorded in Egypt. This earwig has predation capability on R. annulatus tick eggs and larvae.

Ticks pose a significant threat due to their ability to lay thousands of eggs, which can persist in the environment for extended periods. While the impact of various compounds on adult and larval ticks has been studied, research on their efficacy against tick eggs is limited. This study evaluated the ovicidal activity of commercial acaricides, disinfectants, and natural products against Rhipicephalus annulatus eggs using the egg hatch assay (EHA). Deltamethrin and cypermethrin caused a non-significant inhibition of hatching (IH%), even at concentrations higher than the recommended levels. By contrast, the acaricides chlorpyrifos, phoxim, and amitraz significantly inhibited hatching at all tested concentrations. Ivermectin also demonstrated significant IH% at various concentrations but did not fully inhibit the hatching process. Among the disinfectants tested, Virkon-S®, TH4, and Chlorox showed insignificant effects, whereas formalin achieved an IH% of only 34.1% at a high concentration of 200 mg/mL. Natural products, carvacrol and thymol, exhibited significant ovicidal activity, with a significant IH%. In a semi-field application, phoxim (0.5 mg/mL) and deltamethrin (0.05 mg/mL) were sprayed on tick eggs on pasture soil from a farm. The results indicated that phoxim-treated eggs had a 40% IH%, while deltamethrin-treated eggs showed only an 8.79% IH%. In conclusion, the acaricides amitraz, phoxim, and chlorpyrifos, as well as the natural products carvacrol and thymol, caused significant toxicity to R. annulatus eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, many studies have been carried out to develop new eco-friendly alternatives consequently, the essential oils (EOs) have acquired more interest due to their insecticidal activities, low harmfulness, and rapid degradation in the environment. Following this approach, herein we tried to improve the insecticidal activities of Pelargonium graveolens (G) through using the geranium oil in nano-emulsion (GN) form and in combination with sesame seed oil (SO). Different concentrations ranged from 0.313 to 10% were prepared from GN and the combination of G with S and tested for their larvicidal and pupicidal activities against Musca domestica and Culex pipiens, while their adulticidal activities were tested against red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum. The LC50 of G alone was 4.29% against house fly larvae. The values of LC50 decreased to 1.50% for GN and 0.32% for the combination of G+S. GO and GN form induced (pupal toxicity) 100% inhibition rate (PIR) in the treated housefly pupae at the concentration of 10%. Meanwhile, GO+SO combination showed 100% PIR at the concentration of 2.5%. Furthermore, the LC50 for GO, GN and GO+SO was 0.22, 0.19 and 0.079 % respectively against larvae of C. pipiens, while it was 1.04 % for sesame oil. Regarding the contact and fumigant assays against adult T. castaneum, the combination of G and S achieved the best results when compared with GO alone or GN form. All treatments exhibited inhibition in the activity of acetylcholinesterase enzyme in the house fly larvae 24h post application. In addition, all the treatments induced significant increase in the malondialdehyde activity. In conclusion, nanoemulsion tech and mixing GO+SO increased their insecticidal potency against house fly, C. pipiens and T. castenum. This is a useful method in the integrated pest management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation aimed to assess the potential impact of frankincense oil (FKO) from Boswellia serrata on broiler chicken growth performance parameters, including body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) during the starter, grower, and finisher phases. We also evaluated the hepatic histology, serum hepatorenal function tests, antioxidant activity, and inflammatory responses. A total of 400 three-day-old male chicks (Ross 308 broiler) (100.40 ± 0.13 g) were randomly assigned to four treatment groups (10 replicates/group, ten chicks/replicate). The birds were fed basal diet (FKO0, control group) or basal diet supplemented with 200, 400, and 600 FKO/kg of diet (FKO200, FKO400, FKO600, respectively). The experiment lasted 35 days. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed that FKO contained 36 constituents, with the dominant compounds being 1,6,10-DODECATRIEN-3-OL, 3,7,11-TRIMETHYL-, [S-(Z)]- (12.42%), ç-Elemene (12.42%), à-Farnesene (12.42%), PHENOL and 2,4-BIS(1,1-DIMETHYLETHYL)- (7.15%). Distinctive FKO levels (200-600 mg/kg) showed greater BW without influencing total feed intake compared to the FKO0 treatment. The FCR was improved by the addition of FKO to the diets. The blood concentrations of alanine aminotransferase and creatinine increased (p < 0.05) in the FKO600 treatment. Dietary FKO linearly lowered serum malondialdehyde levels and enhanced blood total antioxidant capacity, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukine-1 β and interferon γ) compared to the control group. Broilers fed FKO at levels 200–600 mg kg−1 diet also exhibited lower serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Furthermore, the FKO400 and FKO600 treatments showed an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.01). Histomorphological analysis of the liver indicated no significant differences between the FKO-supplemented groups and the control group. However, the immunoexpression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine (transforming growth factor β) was considerably increased in the liver and spleen tissues of birds fed FKO in a level-dependent manner. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of FKO at levels up to 600 mg/kg can serve as a natural growth promoter in broiler chickens, leading to enhanced growth, hypolipidemic properties, antioxidant status, and immune responses. Dietary FKO up to 600 mg Kg−1 improved the growth performance of broiler chickens without affecting the total feed intake. FKO at levels 200–600 mg Kg −1 had no adverse effects on hepatic transaminases or renal parameters. FKO works as a hypolipidemic agent at all tested levels. Dietary FKO 200–600 boosted the antioxidant capacity. FKO addition boosted the inflammatory reactions in broiler chickens, as evidenced by higher serum levels of IL-1β and IFN-γ, and higher TGF-β immunoexpression in the liver and spleen tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the most common cause of end-stage renal failure and a significant contributor to cardiovascular mortality in diabetics. The development of diabetic complications is actively triggered by oxidative stress and low-grade inflammation produced by NF-κB. This study a ims to investigate the relationship between Nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1(NF-κB1 (gene polymorphism) and DKD in type 2 diabetic patients attending Zagazig University Hospitals. Methods: We included three groups: 1st group was a control group and consisted of 33 apparently healthy individuals, the 2nd group was T2DM without nephropathy, and the 3rd group was T2DM with nephropathy, each of them had the same number of patients (33). NF-κB1 gene polymorphism (rs28362491) was analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism reaction. Results: We found that Ins/Ins genotype of NF-κB1 prevalence was significantly higher among T2DM with nephropathy patients than the other two groups. In addition, in T2DM with the nephropathy group, Ins/Ins genotype had significantly lower albumin and total protein concentration compared to the other 2 genotypes. Conclusions: There was a significant relation between NF-κB1 gene polymorphism and DKD risk in T2DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of emulsifiers with different calcium and soybean oil levels on Ross 308 broiler performance, digestibility, carcass quality traits, and deposition of calcium, phosphorus, and manganese on the body and tibia of broilers. A total of 360 one-day-old chicks were randomly distributed into 24 treatment groups: three calcium to phosphorus ratios were used, 2:1, 1.8:1, and 1.6:1, and each ratio was divided into two positive control treatments with an emulsifier (Lipidol) and a negative control without an emulsifier; moreover, each treatment used four levels of soybean oil: 1%, 1.5%, 2%, and 2.5%. The results showed that emulsifier supplementation, low calcium levels (1.8:1 and 1.6:1), and high oil levels (2% and 2.5%) significantly elevated (P < 0.05) body weight and body weight gain and reduced (P < 0.05) feed intake and feed conversion ratio in all stages, except for body weight gain and feed conversion ratio during the finisher period, which showed a nonsignificant difference. Moreover, broilers fed the diet with emulsifier had higher dressing and abdominal fat percentage (P < 0.0001) and those fed low Ca level (1.6:1) significantly (P < 0.0001) showed the highest abdominal fat percentage. It can be concluded that an emulsifier with a low oil level could improve fat digestibility in broiler chickens. Furthermore, decreasing the level of calcium at a rate of 1.6:1 can improve fat digestibility and elevate (P < 0.0001) the level of cholesterol on day 10; however, on days 23 and 42, cholesterol level was elevated by high calcium level (2:1). Emulsifier also elevates the cholesterol level at days 10 and 42. Broilers fed emulsifier, low oil level (1%), and high calcium levels at rates of 1.8:1 and 2:1 significantly (P < 0.05) had elevating levels of calcium and phosphorus and decreased manganese levels on the broiler body and tibia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work was done to investigate the effect of dietary emulsifier supplementation (Lipidol) in different life stages of broilers (Ross 308) with different soybean oil levels with or without a reduced energy diet (-50 Kcal/Kg) on growth performance, digestibility, serum lipid profiles, carcass traits, and some minerals deposition in the whole body and tibia of broilers during a 42-day rearing period. A total of 240 one-day-old chicks were randomly assigned to sixteen experiment groups, three replicates of five birds each. The birds with a 4 × 2 factorial design received either four levels of soybean oil (1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5% of diet) or two levels of energy [recommended energy (control) or reduced energy (RE)]. The results described that dietary addition of an emulsifier to the control group significantly increased (P < 0.05) body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), decreased feed intake, and improve feed conversion ratio (FCR) in all periods except BWG and FCR during the finisher period, which showed non-significant difference. Moreover, the deposition of calcium and phosphorus in the whole body and tibia in all periods was significantly increased. The addition of an emulsifier significantly increased the dressing percent (P < 0.05) and abdominal fat percent (P < 0.0001),whereas there was non-significant difference among all groups in dressing %, intestine, gizzard, liver, and abdominal fat % by interaction, and all carcass traits were not affected by different levels of oil. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) - cholesterol and total cholesterol concentrations also were decreased (P < 0.05) by emulsifier supplementation during all periods. Meanwhile, increased triglyceride levels were detected during starter and finisher periods. Fat and dry matter digestibility was increased (P < 0.05) by emulsifier supplementation in the group fed the lowest oil level. In conclusion, growth performance, digestibility, cholesterol, and bone quality were improved by dietary lipidol supplementation to reduced energy diets to a level that reached the control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Pseudoexfoliation (PXF) is a recognized risk factor for developing cataract, glaucoma and lens dislocation. PXF is also associated with increased risk of complications during cataract surgery due to poor mydriasis and zonular weakness. The aim of this study is to report the prevalence of pseudoexfoliation among Upper Egyptians attending the ophthalmology clinic of Assiut University Hospital. Methodology A retrospective, chart review study conducted in the period from February 2002 to August 2009. A total of 7738 patients aged 40 years or older attending the general ophthalmic clinics were included in this study. A detailed evaluation including ophthalmic and general history, slit lamp biomicroscopy, intraocular pressure measurement, gonioscopy and dilated eye examination were performed. Patients with pseudoexfoliative material on the anterior lens surface and ⁄ or the pupillary margin in either or both eyes were labeled as having PXF. Results Out of the 7738 patients included, three hundred twenty (4.14%) subjects had PXF. Mean age of PXF group was 68.15 years (SD 8.16, range 40-92 years). PXF was bilateral in 82.2% of cases. It was significantly associated with cataract, glaucoma and hearing loss. Of the PXF patients, 65% had cataract, 30.3% had glaucoma and 8.1% had hearing loss. Conclusion Pseudoexfoliation appears to be a common disorder in older individuals in Upper Egypt.

'In Egypt, scarce literature on helminthosis in aquatic birds, particularly ducks, were reported. Therefore, the current study was conducted to explore the prevalence of helminth infections, and the associated histopathological alterations, in domestic ducks in Beni-Suef, Egypt. Accordingly, a total of 510 ducks (260 native, 150 mallard and 100 Muscovy) were collected from villages and local markets to screen the gastrointestinal helminthosis during the period from October 2018 to November 2019. It was found that the overall prevalence was 13.92% (71/510). Among those, 11 (2.16%) ducks had mixed infections. The recovered species were 8 tapeworm species and 5 nematode species. Among tapeworms, Raillietina tetragona was the most prevalent (1.96%; 10/510) followed by R. cesticillus (1.57%; 8/510), Amoebotaenia cuneata (1.18%;6/510), Cotugnia digonopora (0.98%;5/510), R. echinobothrida (0.78%; 4/510), Hymenolepis apodemi-like (0.78%; 4/510), Choanotaenia infundibulum (0.59%; 3/510) and H. carioca (0.39%; 2/510). Among nematodes, the most prevalent species was Ascaridia galli (5.10%; 26/510) followed by Heterakis gallinarum (1.76%; 9/510), Subulura brumpti (0.59%; 3/510), Trichostrongylus tenuis (0.2%; 1/510) and Epomidiostomum uncinatum (0.2%; 1/510). The highest prevalence was recorded in native breed, while the lowest was in Muscovy ducks. Seasonally, the highest prevalence was detected in autumn and summer, while the lowest infection rate was recorded in winter. Histopathologically, diffuse degenerative changes and necrosis of intestinal mucosa as well as hyalinosis of the muscular layer were predominant. Further studies on other aquatic birds in Egypt are urgently demanded to verify helminth parasites posing on the associated risk factors to minimize economic losses resulted from mortalities induced by those parasitic infections. Moreover, regular control programming including effective treatment is highly recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methotrexate, a well-known cytotoxic chemotherapy, anti-folate, immunosuppressant, effectively treats all major disorders like cancer, psoriasis, refractory rheumatoid arthritis, etc. Abnormal production of reactive oxygen species has been suspected in the pathophysiology of methotrexate-induced renal toxicity. Vitamin C is a water soluble antioxidant that can play a protective role in models of experimentally induced nephropathies. This study aimed to clarify the protective role of vitamin C on the histological and biochemical changes induced by methotrexate in renal cortex. Twenty adult rats were divided into four equal groups. In group I, the rats received a balanced diet for 9 days; in group II, the rats received 250 mg/kg B.w of vitamin C for 9 days by oral gavage dissolved in distilled water; in group III, the rats received a single dose of 20 mg/kg B.w of methotrexate intraperitoneally on the third day of the experiment; in group IV, the rats received a single dose of 20 mg/kg B.w of methotrexate intraperitoneally on the third day of the experiment and 250 mg/kg B.w of vitamin C by oral gavage 2 days before, and 6 days after methotrexate administration. Results: methotrexate-induced renal injury in rats was evidenced biochemically by the significant increase in serum levels of creatinine and urea as well as histopathological alterations. Furthermore, methotrexate administration caused apoptosis by increasing activity of caspase-3. Furthermore, vitamin C reduced renal oxidative stress, and prevented the alterations in renal morphology. Conclusion: methotrexate produces marked degenerative changes in the histological structure of the kidney, and vitamin C is a potent antioxidant agent in preventing kidney injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]