The rapid spread of the highly pathogenic A/H5N1 avian influenza virus among domestic birds and its transmission to humans has induced world-wide fears of a new influenza pandemic. A/H5N1 has infected over 300 people ...The rapid spread of the highly pathogenic A/H5N1 avian influenza virus among domestic birds and its transmission to humans has induced world-wide fears of a new influenza pandemic. A/H5N1 has infected over 300 people since 1997, and has shown a mortality rate of over 50%. The high mortality in human cases is thought to be enhanced by the excessive secretion of various endogenous factors, including cytokines and interleukins, stimulated by viral infections. Chickens infected with A/H5N1 viruses experience sudden death without showing severe clinical symptoms or inflammation. However, severe hemorrhage and congestion are seen in various tissues in sporadic chicken cases of A/H5N1-infections, especially in the pulmonary tissues, thus indicating that there is ischemia due to vascular abnormalities. Our previous studies have focused on the expression pattern of endothelin-1, which modulates the vascular tone via endothelin receptors. An Indonesian sporadic strain of A/H5N1 virus was intranasally administered to 10-day-old chicks, and the expression of endothelin was examined in the infected birds. All birds died within five days of inoculation, and had moderate inflammation accompanied by severe hemorrhage and congestion in the lungs. Immunohistochemical studies showed enhanced expression of endothelin-1 in the infected lungs. In addition, the real-time PCR analyses revealed that endothelin-1 and endothelin receptor A mRNA were significantly elevated in the birds with A/H5N1 infections. Subsequently, H5N1-infected birds were inoculated with bosentan hydrate, a competitive antagonist of endothelin receptors. Interestingly, the mortality rate of the infected birds was dramatically decreased in a dose-dependent manner by the administration of bosentan hydrate. The pathological lesions, including congestion and hemorrhage in the pulmonary tissues, were clearly inhibited. These findings are promising, and suggest that endothelin receptor antagonists are a potential treatment for the highly pathogenic avian flu.展开更多
Exposure to heavy metals is an important environmental problem resulting from anthropogenic activities. The aim of this study was the evaluation of some heavy metals as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr) and alumi...Exposure to heavy metals is an important environmental problem resulting from anthropogenic activities. The aim of this study was the evaluation of some heavy metals as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr) and aluminum (Al), in muscle of fresh water fish Oreochromis niloticus from ten provinces all over Egypt to assess its possible hazards on fish and consumers. The analyzed metals could be detected in all examined samples and their order was Pb > Cr > Cd > Al. A positive correlation between Al concentration and the fish length was observed. The concentrations of Pb, Cd and Cr in fish samples were several times higher than their concentration in water and the bioaccumulation Factor (BAF) ranged from 8.22 - 122.6. The estimated weekly intake of Cd, Pb and Cr for a 70 kg person consuming fish in Egypt (7.94, 15.84 and 9.8 μg) is well below the Provisional Permissible Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) recommended by FAO/WHO. Although heavy metal levels in Egypt exceed the maximum permissible limits recommended by Egypt and WHO in some fish samples, the consumption of Nile O. niloticus from Egypt is safe on human health.展开更多
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are becoming an emerging pollutant of the environment. In this study, the efficacy of Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTS) to remove AgNPs from aqueous solution at a concentration of 250 ...Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are becoming an emerging pollutant of the environment. In this study, the efficacy of Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTS) to remove AgNPs from aqueous solution at a concentration of 250 and 500 mg/100 ml MWCNTS was investigated. The results showed that the adsorption of AgNPs by 250 and 500 mg/100 ml MWCNTS after a contact time of 10 min., 30 min., 60 min., 120 min. and 240 min was 33.95%, 34.36%, 40.32%, 45.33%, 58.53% and 57.29%, 61.27%, 64.89%, 87.21%, 88.58%, respectively. The statistical analysis of data showed that, after adding 250 and 500 mg/100 ml MWCNTS, the total residues of AgNPs were significantly reduced in all MWCNTS exposed samples when compared to the control groups (P < 0.05). Moreover, at the two used concentrations, there were significant differences between 240 min. and all other contact times. The result concluded that the removal percent of AgNPs from aqueous solution was increased with the increase in contact time and concentrations of MWCNTS. Additionally, MWCNTS are expected to be potential adsorbent in the future due to their high removal capacity of nano-sized silver.展开更多
Chemotherapy, occasionally combined with radiotherapy, is a major method for treating lymphoma but frequently produces side-effects in patients. Thus, novel therapeutics should be developed as an alternative the chemo...Chemotherapy, occasionally combined with radiotherapy, is a major method for treating lymphoma but frequently produces side-effects in patients. Thus, novel therapeutics should be developed as an alternative the chemotherapy in lymphoma patients. Although the cell adhesion molecule gicerins are almost entirely absent in most mature tissues, except for muscle and endothelial cells, various neoplastic cells strongly express gicerin in their cell membranes. This suggests the potential function of gicerin in the progression of tumors, including tumor growth, invasion and metastasis to distant organs from primary sites. In the present study, we assessed therapeutic effects of anti-gicerin antibodies on the murine lymphoma cell line YAC1. Gicerin was found to be expressed in the cell membrane of YAC1 cells and promoted the cell adhesion activity of the YAC1 cells on HUVECs, an endothelial cell line. In addition, YAC1 cells were implanted sub-cutaneously in mice in order to examine the therapeutic effects of anti-gicerin antibodies on lymphoma progression in vivo. The anti-gicerin antibodies suppressed and reduced the lymphoma tumor growth in the mice, whereas the growth of tumor mass was not inhibited by pre-immune IgG administrations. YAC1 cells were also implanted intravenously in mice in order to examine the effects of anti-gicerin antibodies on the pulmonary metastasis of lymphoma cells. The metastasis of the YAC1 cells to the lungs was inhibited by the injection of anti-gicerin antibodies. These findings indicate that anti-gicerin antibodies inhibit the progression of prednisolone-resistant lymphoma, making this a promising novel therapeutic method for treating refractory lymphoma cases.展开更多
Avian influenza is the most contagious disease not only in poultry, but also in humans. Avian influenza in humans occurs mainly in Southeast Asia, but no human-to-human pandemic has occurred. Meanwhile, outbreaks of a...Avian influenza is the most contagious disease not only in poultry, but also in humans. Avian influenza in humans occurs mainly in Southeast Asia, but no human-to-human pandemic has occurred. Meanwhile, outbreaks of avian influenza in poultry occur on a global scale and cause a large economic loss. Migration antibodies passed from mother birds via eggs are said to be an important component of the immune system that protects birds from infection. Thus, the immunity status of mother birds can determine the ability of offspring to defend against infection. In this study, we investigated the presence of anti-avian influenza virus antibody in chickens hatched on a poultry farm in Indonesia and examined the involvement of migratory antibodies in protecting against virus infection by infectious experiments of highly pathogenic avian influenza in chickens. Blood was collected from randomly selected chicks, and antibodies against avian influenza virus were evaluated in all birds. Since these young birds had no history of vaccination, the antibodies were deemed to have been transferred from the mother birds. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay antibody titer in each bird varied. Infection of these birds with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus A/H5N1 intra-nasally resulted in a high mortality rate in chicks with low antibody titers but a low mortality rate in chicks with high antibody titers. These findings indicate that migratory antibody prevented highly pathogenic avian influenza A/H5N1 infection in chicks, suggesting that such a preventive effect could also be expected with outdoor natural infection.展开更多
The rapid epidemic of highly pathogenic A/H5N1 avian influenza virus by transmission from poultry to humans triggered global unrest in the pandemic of novel influenza. If a human trophic strain of avian influenza viru...The rapid epidemic of highly pathogenic A/H5N1 avian influenza virus by transmission from poultry to humans triggered global unrest in the pandemic of novel influenza. If a human trophic strain of avian influenza viruses replicates in livestock including pigs and chickens, it may have high infectivity and pathogenicity to humans. The most effective method of reducing the outbreaks of influenza would be prophylaxis with an effective vaccine as well as anti-viral drugs including Oseltamivir and Zanamivir hydrate. In this study, chicken antiserum against A/H5N1 virus was produced: the antisera from immunized adult chicken had a strong binding activity to A/H5N1 viral antigens by ELISA. Furthermore, the antiserum strongly inhibited hemaggregation of erythrocytes and cytopathic effects in MDCK cells, indicating a strong neutralization activity against A/H5N1 infections. Interestingly, the mortality rate of chicks inoculated with A/H5N1 virus was dramatically decreased with the antiserum injection. These results suggest that antiserum may be a potentially effective protective and therapeutic modality for A/H5N1 infection.展开更多
Detrimental effects of heat stress that causes great loss to poultry industry have grown the global attention for the importance of natural antioxidant in alleviating the oxidative stress symptoms in poultry. The anti...Detrimental effects of heat stress that causes great loss to poultry industry have grown the global attention for the importance of natural antioxidant in alleviating the oxidative stress symptoms in poultry. The antioxidant effect of Chinese ether extract propolis (EEP) on broilers (Ross 308) exposed to chronic heat stress has been evaluated. Eighty broilers (15 days old) were randomly allocated into five equal groups;each received a maintenance diet supplemented by vitamin C (250 mg/kg diet) or propolis (250, 500 and 750 mg/kg diet) or not supplemented (control) for 27 consecutive days. Blood samples were collected to analyze serum corticosteron, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and lipid peroxidation activity (MDA) at the end of the experiment. Moreover, the active chemical components responsible for the biological activities of EEP have been determined using Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). Results revealed a significant decrease in corticosterone levels in broilers after vit C or EEP supplementation. This improvement is parallel to a significant increase in TAC and decrease in MDA in broilers after EEP supplementation, which may be due to its high flavonoid content. Results show that Chinese EEP has biologically active compounds responsible for excellent antioxidant activities that ameliorate the negative impacts of elevated temperature in summer season in Egypt.展开更多
In chickens, infectious bronchitis (IB) is a major respiratory disease. The respiratory system is the primary multiplication site of IB virus (IBV), a coronavirus, after which the virus is distributed to other organs....In chickens, infectious bronchitis (IB) is a major respiratory disease. The respiratory system is the primary multiplication site of IB virus (IBV), a coronavirus, after which the virus is distributed to other organs. Poultry farms sustain considerable economic damage due to IB outbreaks in flocks, since IB causes a severe reduction in weight gain in chicks. In the present study, we produced the ostrich IgY against IBV by immunizing female ostriches with the IB viral antigens. The resultant purified IgY showed a strong neutralizing activity against IBV infection of cultured primary chick kidney cells. The infectivity of IBV was markedly inhibited in the trachea of chicks when ostrich IgY was injected intra-muscularly into newly hatched chicks prior to viral inhalation challenge at two weeks of age. Furthermore, the infection was strongly blocked in the tracheae when IgY was injected into chicks at one day and one week of age, with viral inhalation performed at three weeks of age. These findings suggest that the injection of ostrich IgY can help protect young chicks from IBV infections. In south Asian and African countries, broiler chicks are sent to poultry market around 30 days of age, so it is important to prevent IB outbreaks in very young flocks. We strongly believe that ostrich IgY will be a powerful weapon against IB infection in poultry farms on a wide scale and also hope that these findings will aid in the development of antibody vaccines for new type corona viruses, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV.展开更多
This study was to assess the effect of fermented rapeseed meal(FRSM) in the diet of sows,taking into account the physiological period(pregnancy or lactation) and reproductive cycle(primiparous or multiparous sows),on ...This study was to assess the effect of fermented rapeseed meal(FRSM) in the diet of sows,taking into account the physiological period(pregnancy or lactation) and reproductive cycle(primiparous or multiparous sows),on production performance,nutrient digestibility,colostrum immunoglobulin content,and microbial flora in sows.The experimental material included 30 primiparous gilts and 30 multiparous sows after their second lactation.The animals in the control groups C_G(gilts) and Cs(sows)received a standard diet for pregnant or lactating sows,depending on the reproductive period.Experimental groups E_G and E_S comprised gilts and multiparous sows,respectively,receiving a diet with a 4%share of FRSM in place of soybean meal up to 100 d of gestation.In addition,from 100 d of gestation to7 d of lactation,the sows in experimental groups received a diet with a 9% share of FRSM,and then again a diet with a 4% share of FRSM until the end of lactation.The addition of 4% to 9% share of a FRSM component in feed significantly improves production parameters,mainly in primiparous gilts,leading to an increase in litter size and in litter weight at 28 d of age.It also helps to improve the digestibility of crude protein,fat,and crude fiber,and positively affects the gut microbiota of sows.Fermentation of rapeseed meal is an effective way to reduce anti-nutrients and to increase the level of lactic acid in the diet It also stimulates the immune system,which improves piglet health,reducing the severity of diarrhoea and mortality.展开更多
文摘The rapid spread of the highly pathogenic A/H5N1 avian influenza virus among domestic birds and its transmission to humans has induced world-wide fears of a new influenza pandemic. A/H5N1 has infected over 300 people since 1997, and has shown a mortality rate of over 50%. The high mortality in human cases is thought to be enhanced by the excessive secretion of various endogenous factors, including cytokines and interleukins, stimulated by viral infections. Chickens infected with A/H5N1 viruses experience sudden death without showing severe clinical symptoms or inflammation. However, severe hemorrhage and congestion are seen in various tissues in sporadic chicken cases of A/H5N1-infections, especially in the pulmonary tissues, thus indicating that there is ischemia due to vascular abnormalities. Our previous studies have focused on the expression pattern of endothelin-1, which modulates the vascular tone via endothelin receptors. An Indonesian sporadic strain of A/H5N1 virus was intranasally administered to 10-day-old chicks, and the expression of endothelin was examined in the infected birds. All birds died within five days of inoculation, and had moderate inflammation accompanied by severe hemorrhage and congestion in the lungs. Immunohistochemical studies showed enhanced expression of endothelin-1 in the infected lungs. In addition, the real-time PCR analyses revealed that endothelin-1 and endothelin receptor A mRNA were significantly elevated in the birds with A/H5N1 infections. Subsequently, H5N1-infected birds were inoculated with bosentan hydrate, a competitive antagonist of endothelin receptors. Interestingly, the mortality rate of the infected birds was dramatically decreased in a dose-dependent manner by the administration of bosentan hydrate. The pathological lesions, including congestion and hemorrhage in the pulmonary tissues, were clearly inhibited. These findings are promising, and suggest that endothelin receptor antagonists are a potential treatment for the highly pathogenic avian flu.
文摘Exposure to heavy metals is an important environmental problem resulting from anthropogenic activities. The aim of this study was the evaluation of some heavy metals as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr) and aluminum (Al), in muscle of fresh water fish Oreochromis niloticus from ten provinces all over Egypt to assess its possible hazards on fish and consumers. The analyzed metals could be detected in all examined samples and their order was Pb > Cr > Cd > Al. A positive correlation between Al concentration and the fish length was observed. The concentrations of Pb, Cd and Cr in fish samples were several times higher than their concentration in water and the bioaccumulation Factor (BAF) ranged from 8.22 - 122.6. The estimated weekly intake of Cd, Pb and Cr for a 70 kg person consuming fish in Egypt (7.94, 15.84 and 9.8 μg) is well below the Provisional Permissible Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) recommended by FAO/WHO. Although heavy metal levels in Egypt exceed the maximum permissible limits recommended by Egypt and WHO in some fish samples, the consumption of Nile O. niloticus from Egypt is safe on human health.
文摘Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are becoming an emerging pollutant of the environment. In this study, the efficacy of Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTS) to remove AgNPs from aqueous solution at a concentration of 250 and 500 mg/100 ml MWCNTS was investigated. The results showed that the adsorption of AgNPs by 250 and 500 mg/100 ml MWCNTS after a contact time of 10 min., 30 min., 60 min., 120 min. and 240 min was 33.95%, 34.36%, 40.32%, 45.33%, 58.53% and 57.29%, 61.27%, 64.89%, 87.21%, 88.58%, respectively. The statistical analysis of data showed that, after adding 250 and 500 mg/100 ml MWCNTS, the total residues of AgNPs were significantly reduced in all MWCNTS exposed samples when compared to the control groups (P < 0.05). Moreover, at the two used concentrations, there were significant differences between 240 min. and all other contact times. The result concluded that the removal percent of AgNPs from aqueous solution was increased with the increase in contact time and concentrations of MWCNTS. Additionally, MWCNTS are expected to be potential adsorbent in the future due to their high removal capacity of nano-sized silver.
文摘Chemotherapy, occasionally combined with radiotherapy, is a major method for treating lymphoma but frequently produces side-effects in patients. Thus, novel therapeutics should be developed as an alternative the chemotherapy in lymphoma patients. Although the cell adhesion molecule gicerins are almost entirely absent in most mature tissues, except for muscle and endothelial cells, various neoplastic cells strongly express gicerin in their cell membranes. This suggests the potential function of gicerin in the progression of tumors, including tumor growth, invasion and metastasis to distant organs from primary sites. In the present study, we assessed therapeutic effects of anti-gicerin antibodies on the murine lymphoma cell line YAC1. Gicerin was found to be expressed in the cell membrane of YAC1 cells and promoted the cell adhesion activity of the YAC1 cells on HUVECs, an endothelial cell line. In addition, YAC1 cells were implanted sub-cutaneously in mice in order to examine the therapeutic effects of anti-gicerin antibodies on lymphoma progression in vivo. The anti-gicerin antibodies suppressed and reduced the lymphoma tumor growth in the mice, whereas the growth of tumor mass was not inhibited by pre-immune IgG administrations. YAC1 cells were also implanted intravenously in mice in order to examine the effects of anti-gicerin antibodies on the pulmonary metastasis of lymphoma cells. The metastasis of the YAC1 cells to the lungs was inhibited by the injection of anti-gicerin antibodies. These findings indicate that anti-gicerin antibodies inhibit the progression of prednisolone-resistant lymphoma, making this a promising novel therapeutic method for treating refractory lymphoma cases.
文摘Avian influenza is the most contagious disease not only in poultry, but also in humans. Avian influenza in humans occurs mainly in Southeast Asia, but no human-to-human pandemic has occurred. Meanwhile, outbreaks of avian influenza in poultry occur on a global scale and cause a large economic loss. Migration antibodies passed from mother birds via eggs are said to be an important component of the immune system that protects birds from infection. Thus, the immunity status of mother birds can determine the ability of offspring to defend against infection. In this study, we investigated the presence of anti-avian influenza virus antibody in chickens hatched on a poultry farm in Indonesia and examined the involvement of migratory antibodies in protecting against virus infection by infectious experiments of highly pathogenic avian influenza in chickens. Blood was collected from randomly selected chicks, and antibodies against avian influenza virus were evaluated in all birds. Since these young birds had no history of vaccination, the antibodies were deemed to have been transferred from the mother birds. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay antibody titer in each bird varied. Infection of these birds with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus A/H5N1 intra-nasally resulted in a high mortality rate in chicks with low antibody titers but a low mortality rate in chicks with high antibody titers. These findings indicate that migratory antibody prevented highly pathogenic avian influenza A/H5N1 infection in chicks, suggesting that such a preventive effect could also be expected with outdoor natural infection.
文摘The rapid epidemic of highly pathogenic A/H5N1 avian influenza virus by transmission from poultry to humans triggered global unrest in the pandemic of novel influenza. If a human trophic strain of avian influenza viruses replicates in livestock including pigs and chickens, it may have high infectivity and pathogenicity to humans. The most effective method of reducing the outbreaks of influenza would be prophylaxis with an effective vaccine as well as anti-viral drugs including Oseltamivir and Zanamivir hydrate. In this study, chicken antiserum against A/H5N1 virus was produced: the antisera from immunized adult chicken had a strong binding activity to A/H5N1 viral antigens by ELISA. Furthermore, the antiserum strongly inhibited hemaggregation of erythrocytes and cytopathic effects in MDCK cells, indicating a strong neutralization activity against A/H5N1 infections. Interestingly, the mortality rate of chicks inoculated with A/H5N1 virus was dramatically decreased with the antiserum injection. These results suggest that antiserum may be a potentially effective protective and therapeutic modality for A/H5N1 infection.
文摘Detrimental effects of heat stress that causes great loss to poultry industry have grown the global attention for the importance of natural antioxidant in alleviating the oxidative stress symptoms in poultry. The antioxidant effect of Chinese ether extract propolis (EEP) on broilers (Ross 308) exposed to chronic heat stress has been evaluated. Eighty broilers (15 days old) were randomly allocated into five equal groups;each received a maintenance diet supplemented by vitamin C (250 mg/kg diet) or propolis (250, 500 and 750 mg/kg diet) or not supplemented (control) for 27 consecutive days. Blood samples were collected to analyze serum corticosteron, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and lipid peroxidation activity (MDA) at the end of the experiment. Moreover, the active chemical components responsible for the biological activities of EEP have been determined using Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). Results revealed a significant decrease in corticosterone levels in broilers after vit C or EEP supplementation. This improvement is parallel to a significant increase in TAC and decrease in MDA in broilers after EEP supplementation, which may be due to its high flavonoid content. Results show that Chinese EEP has biologically active compounds responsible for excellent antioxidant activities that ameliorate the negative impacts of elevated temperature in summer season in Egypt.
文摘In chickens, infectious bronchitis (IB) is a major respiratory disease. The respiratory system is the primary multiplication site of IB virus (IBV), a coronavirus, after which the virus is distributed to other organs. Poultry farms sustain considerable economic damage due to IB outbreaks in flocks, since IB causes a severe reduction in weight gain in chicks. In the present study, we produced the ostrich IgY against IBV by immunizing female ostriches with the IB viral antigens. The resultant purified IgY showed a strong neutralizing activity against IBV infection of cultured primary chick kidney cells. The infectivity of IBV was markedly inhibited in the trachea of chicks when ostrich IgY was injected intra-muscularly into newly hatched chicks prior to viral inhalation challenge at two weeks of age. Furthermore, the infection was strongly blocked in the tracheae when IgY was injected into chicks at one day and one week of age, with viral inhalation performed at three weeks of age. These findings suggest that the injection of ostrich IgY can help protect young chicks from IBV infections. In south Asian and African countries, broiler chicks are sent to poultry market around 30 days of age, so it is important to prevent IB outbreaks in very young flocks. We strongly believe that ostrich IgY will be a powerful weapon against IB infection in poultry farms on a wide scale and also hope that these findings will aid in the development of antibody vaccines for new type corona viruses, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV.
文摘This study was to assess the effect of fermented rapeseed meal(FRSM) in the diet of sows,taking into account the physiological period(pregnancy or lactation) and reproductive cycle(primiparous or multiparous sows),on production performance,nutrient digestibility,colostrum immunoglobulin content,and microbial flora in sows.The experimental material included 30 primiparous gilts and 30 multiparous sows after their second lactation.The animals in the control groups C_G(gilts) and Cs(sows)received a standard diet for pregnant or lactating sows,depending on the reproductive period.Experimental groups E_G and E_S comprised gilts and multiparous sows,respectively,receiving a diet with a 4%share of FRSM in place of soybean meal up to 100 d of gestation.In addition,from 100 d of gestation to7 d of lactation,the sows in experimental groups received a diet with a 9% share of FRSM,and then again a diet with a 4% share of FRSM until the end of lactation.The addition of 4% to 9% share of a FRSM component in feed significantly improves production parameters,mainly in primiparous gilts,leading to an increase in litter size and in litter weight at 28 d of age.It also helps to improve the digestibility of crude protein,fat,and crude fiber,and positively affects the gut microbiota of sows.Fermentation of rapeseed meal is an effective way to reduce anti-nutrients and to increase the level of lactic acid in the diet It also stimulates the immune system,which improves piglet health,reducing the severity of diarrhoea and mortality.
