Enhancing Florida red tilapia aquaculture: biofloc optimization improves water quality, pathogen bacterial control, fish health, immune response, and organ histopathology across varied groundwater salinities.

Freshwater scarcity poses challenges to aquaculture worldwide, including countries like Egypt. In this study, we investigate the feasibility of integrating underground saline water (USW) with varying salinities into a Biofloc (BFT) system for desert mariculture of Florida red tilapia (FRT) and its impacts on water quality, fish performance and health. Four BFT treatments (C/N ratio = 15) were examined in triplicate using four salinity levels 0 ppt, 12 ppt, 24 ppt and 36 ppt, expressed as S0, S12, S24 and S36, respectively. For 75 days, a total of 12 fiberglass tanks (each 250 L-1 water) were used to store FRT fry (average weight of 1.73 ± 0.01 g/fish). The fish were fed an experimental diet (protein/fat = 30/5) and an additional carbon source of rice bran. The results revealed that group S12 showed better growth indicators, higher survival rate, lower FCR, and lower ammonia levels, while group S0 exhibited lower growth indicators (final weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate) than all groups. The serum kidney, liver, and antioxidant indices performed better in the S12 group. At 12 ppt, the immune-related parameter (IgM) increased by 22.5%, while the stress parameter (cortisol) decreased by 40.8% compared to the S0 group. The liver and intestinal histopathological results revealed that the S12 and S24 groups performed better. Pathogenic bacterial load counts favored the S24 group, which had the lowest number among the groups studied. The recommended salinity for FRT cultivation in USW and BFT is 19.94-20 ppt, determined by polynomial regression of FW and FCR.

Bentonite-supplemented diets improved fish performance ammonia excretion haemato-biochemical analyses immunity antioxidants and histological characteristics of European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax.

The purpose of this research was to examine the potential effects of bentonite (BN) supplemented diets on growth, feed utilization, blood biochemistry, and histomorphology of Dicentrarchus labrax. Six treatments in triplicate were tested: B0, B0.5, B1.0, B1.5, B3.0, and B4.5, which represented fish groups fed diets supplemented with 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 3, and 4.5% BN, respectively. For 84 days, juveniles' seabass (initial weight = 32.73 g) were fed diets containing 46% protein, three times daily at 3% of body weight. With a 5% daily water exchange, underground seawater (32 ppt) was used. Findings revealed significant improvements in water quality (TAN and NH3), growth (FW, WG and SGR) and feed utilization (FCR, PER and PPV) in fish fed BN-supplemented diets, with the best values in favor of the B1.5 group. Additional enhancements in kidney function indicators (urea and uric acid) and liver enzymes were observed in fish of the BN-treated groups along with a decrease in cholesterol level in the B1.5 group. Further improvements in fish innate immunity (hemoglobin, red blood cells, glucose, total protein, globulin, and immunoglobulin IgM), antioxidant activity (total antioxidative capacity and catalase), and decreased cortisol levels in fish of the BN-treated groups. Histological examinations of the anterior and posterior intestines and liver in groups B1.5 and B3 revealed the healthiest organs. This study recommends BN at a concentration of 1.5% as a feed additive in the Dicentrarchus labrax diet.

Natural zeolite for heavy metal, ammonia removal, and physiological responses in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles tanks with different densities.

The present study aims to investigate the influence of zeolite usage and stocking densities on various parameters, including ammonia removal from water, accumulation of heavy metals in fish organs, water quality, growth performance, feed efficiency, muscle composition, as well as hematological and biochemical parameters in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) over a 90-day duration. A total of 2400 D. labrax with an initial weight of 9.83 ± 2.02 g and initial length of 9.37 ± 0.32 cm were distributed among 24 tanks. The research involved six distinct treatment groups, with two different zeolite levels (0 and 15 ppt) and three stocking density levels (50, 100, and 150 fish/m3), each replicated four times. The results of the research demonstrate a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.05) in water quality measures with the introduction of zeolite. The successful implementation of this amendment mitigated the adverse effects of fish density on water quality parameters. Higher stocking density negatively impacted European sea bass growth, feed utilization, and hemato-biochemical indicators. Zeolite use effectively alleviated these adverse effects, particularly on performance, feed utilization, hematological, and biochemical parameters. The study's results indicate that the utilization of zeolite has shown to be efficacious in mitigating the accumulation of heavy metals in both water and fish organs, while concurrently augmenting fish attributes. However, the increase in density led to a significant decrease in the accumulation of heavy metals in both water and fish organs. The present study highlights the capacity of natural zeolites to mitigate the negative consequences associated with water quality concerns. The efficiency of these zeolites in limiting the accessibility of heavy metals in polluted water is shown, hence minimizing their accumulation in fish organs. In addition, the improvement of fish performance has the capacity to have a beneficial influence on both the well-being and efficiency of fish in aquaculture. Additional research is essential to fully understand the complex molecular pathways involved in utilizing natural zeolite under different fish densities.

Source diversity of Artemia enrichment boosts goldfish (Carassius auratus) performance, ß-carotene content, pigmentation, immune-physiological and transcriptomic responses.

This study aimed to assess the impact of spirulina and/or canthaxanthin-enriched Artemia on the goldfish (Carassius auratus) growth, pigmentation, blood analysis, immunity, intestine and liver histomorphology, and expression of somatolactin (SL) and growth hormone (GH) genes. Artemia was enriched with spirulina and/or canthaxanthin for 24 h. Goldfish (N = 225, 1.10 ± 0.02 g) were tested in five experimental treatments, three replicates each: (T1) fish fed a commercial diet; (T2) fish fed a commercial diet and un-enriched Artemia (UEA); (T3) fish fed a commercial diet and spirulina-enriched Artemia (SEA); (T4) fish fed a commercial diet and canthaxanthin-enriched Artemia (CEA); and (T5) fish fed a commercial diet and spirulina and canthaxanthin-enriched Artemia (SCA) for 90 days. The results showed that the use of spirulina and/or canthaxanthin increased performance, ß-carotene content and polyunsaturated fatty acids of Artemia. For goldfish, T5 showed the highest growth performance, ß-carotene concentration and the lowest chromatic deformity. T5 also showed improved hematology profile, serum biochemical, and immunological parameters. Histomorphology of the intestine revealed an increase in villi length and goblet cells number in the anterior and middle intestine, with normal liver structure in T5. SL and GH gene expression in the liver and brain differed significantly among treatments with a significant increase in enriched Artemia treatments compared to T1 and T2. In conclusion, the use of spirulina and/or canthaxanthin improved performance of Artemia. Feeding goldfish spirulina and/or canthaxanthin-enriched Artemia improved performance, ß-carotene content, pigmentation, health status and immune-physiological response.

Efficacy of D-Limonene Nanoemulsion Against Rhipicephalus annulatus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus Ticks.

PURPOSE: Ticks infestation has a negative impact against human and animal health through blood sucking, transmission of blood-borne diseases and also caused economic losses. METHODS: In the present study the adulticidal, ovicidal and larvicidal activity of D-limonene nanoemulsion (DLN) were evaluated against two tick species; Rhipicephalus annulatus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Nanoemulsion form of D-limonene was prepared, and its characteristics were evaluated using a UV spectrophotometer and zeta droplet size measurement. Acetylcholinesterase activity was determined. RESULTS: The results revealed significant adulticidal effect with low LC50 and LC90 for D-limonene pure form (DL) against both adult tick spp. (R. annulatus and R. sanguineus) ((0.958 and 1.559%) and (2.26 and 3.51%), respectively). DLN LC50 and LC90 values were ((1.277 and 2.396) and (3.97 and 7.28), respectively) against R. annulatus and R. sanguineus, respectively. DL and DLN showed significant ovicidal effect against R. sanguineus at high concentrations (10 and 5%). In larval packet test, LC50 and LC90 values of DL were ((1.53 and 2.22%) and (6.81 and 12.07%), respectively) against R. annulatus and R. sanguineus, respectively, while LC50 and LC90 values of DLN were ((6.48 and 11.26%) and (7.82 and 13.59%), respectively) against R. annulatus and R. sanguineus, respectively. Significant acetylcholinesterase inhibition percentage was detected for both ticks spp. which treated by DL and DLN. CONCLUSION: Pure DL is more effective than DLN form against R. annulatus and R. sanguineus.

Dietary Wood and Activated Charcoal Improved Ammonium Removal, Heavy Metals Detoxification, Growth Performance, Blood Biochemistry, Carcass Traits, and Histopathology of European Seabass.

A 120-day growth trial was completed to assess rearing water quality and fish performance in terms of growth, feed efficacy, digestive enzymes, immunity, and antioxidant activity of seabass fed an experimental diet (ED) supplemented with commercial wood charcoal (WC) and activated wood charcoal (AC). Three levels (0, 10, and 20 g) of WC and AC were administered, representing five treatments: control (CD) fish-fed ED without additives, (WC-1) fish-fed ED containing 10 g kg-1 WC, (WC-2) fish-fed ED containing 20 g kg-1 WC, (AC-1) fish-fed ED containing 10 g kg-1 AC, and (AC-2) fish-fed ED containing 20 g kg-1 AC. Three hundred fish (60.12 ± 0.20 g/fish) were stocked in 15 cement tanks (4.0 m × 2.0 m × 1.2 m, water volume 5 m3 each) at 20 fish/tank and a daily feed ration of 3% of body weight. Results revealed significant improvements with increased growth variables (final weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate), decreased FCR, and decreased ammonia levels and heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Fe, Mn, and Zn) content in rearing water, muscle, and liver with fish fed WC and AC supplemented diets. Furthermore, considerable improvements in digestive enzymes, immunity, and antioxidant activity, with enhanced kidneys, liver, intestines, gills, and spleen. Fish fed the WC-1 diet had a higher final weight (171.90 g), better FCR (1.25), and improved internal organs than the other groups.

Dietary Supplementation of Brown Seaweed and/or Nucleotides Improved Shrimp Performance, Health Status and Cold-Tolerant Gene Expression of Juvenile Whiteleg Shrimp during the Winter Season.

This study was aimed to evaluate the efficiency of Sargassumpolycystum and nucleotides- supplemented diets to improve immune response and cold-tolerance of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei. Four treatments were evaluated: T1, the control, shrimp received only a basal diet; T2, a basal diet with 500 ppm nucleotides; T3, a basal diet with 500 ppm S.polycystum powdered; T4, a basal diet with 500 ppm nucleotides and 500 ppm S.polycystum powdered. Shrimp were fed experimental diets for 56 days. Results revealed shrimp fed T4 diet exhibited the best significant improvement in water quality, survival, growth, and feed utilization indices followed by T2, and T3, while T1 showed the worst values. Additionally, nonspecific immune responses (phagocytosis (%), lysozyme, phenoloxidase, super oxide dismutase (SOD) activity, total nitric oxide) were improved with 1.7-3.2-fold in T4 higher than T1. Histomorphology of hepatopancreas in T4 showed the most increased activation of the hepatic glandular duct system compared with the other treatments. Moreover, nucleotides/seaweed-supplemented diets upregulated relative expression of cMnSOD, Penaeidin4, and heat shock protein70 (HSP70) genes, while translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) was downregulated. In conclusion, the synergistic effects of both S. polycystum and nucleotides have many advantages as a growth promoter, immunostimulant, antimicrobial, and cold-tolerant stimulant to L. vannamei.

New-Onset Diabetes After Transplant in a Sudanese Renal Transplant Population: Prevalence and Risk Factors.

OBJECTIVES: New-onset diabetes after transplant is a well-recognized complication of solid-organ transplant. The true incidence of this complication in Sudan is not known. The aim of this study was to define the prevalence of new-onset diabetes after transplant in a Sudanese renal transplant population and to identify the contributing risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-nine patients who underwent living-donor related kidney transplant and who were followed for 2 years were included in this pilot study. Only patients who were not diabetic before transplant were included. Patients who developed new-onset diabetes after transplant were compared with those who did not develop type 2 diabetes mellitus. The variables analyzed were age, sex, body mass index, family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and interval between time of transplant and onset of diabetes. RESULTS: Five patients (5/58) developed diabetes after transplant (8.62%). There was no association between new-onset diabetes after transplant and age, sex, and body mass index. However, there was a strong association between family history of diabetes and new-onset diabetes after transplant. The mean duration for developing new-onset diabetes after transplant was 10 months posttransplant. Patients in the new-onset diabetes after transplant group had no graft loss or deterioration in graft function compared with those who did not develop diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of new-onset diabetes after transplant in our studied Sudanese population was found to be < 10%. There was no association between new-onset diabetes after transplant and age, sex, and body mass index. However, there was a significant association with family history of diabetes mellitus.

Gene polymorphisms of IL-10 and MxA in responders and non-responders to interferon therapy in HCV Egyptian patients genotype 4.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic liver disease, with about 170 million people infected worldwide. The standard regimen for treatment of HCV consists of a combination of pegylated interferon with ribavirin. Failure of interferon-α treatment in patients with chronic HCV infection remains a challenging obstacle. Both viral and host environmental factors have been implicated in reducing responsiveness to IFN-α therapy. Host genetic diversity is also believed to contribute to the different clinical outcomes in HCV infection. The objective of the study was to investigate the association of both IL-10 (-819 and -592) and MxA (-88 and -123) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the promoter regions, with response to interferon (IFN) therapy in Egyptian patients infected with HCV genotype 4. Polymorphisms of both genes in 85 HCV patients and 100 controls were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. The frequency of SNP was compared between sustained responders (n = 52) and non-responders (n = 33), as determined by biochemical and virological response to IFN and ribavirin combined therapy. The frequency of the -819T/T and the -592A/A genotypes of IL-10 was significantly higher among responders compared to non-responders (51.92 vs 39.4 %, P = 0.03; 51.92 vs 42.42 %;P = 0.046 respectively). The G/G genotype at position -88 of the MxA gene was significantly lower in responders than in non-responders (25 vs 75.76 %, P = 0.046), whereas heterozygotes (G/T) were more likely responders (65.38 vs 18.18 %, P = 0). The -123C/A genotype was significantly associated with responders (48.08 vs 30.30 %, P = 0.014). Findings suggest that homozygosity for both -819T/T and -592A/A polymorphisms of IL-10 gene and that heterozygosity for both -88G/T and -123C/A polymorphisms of the MxA gene are important host factors that influence the response to IFN therapy in patients with chronic HCV infection.

Seroprevalence of bluetongue virus in dairy herds with reproductive problems in Sudan.

The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to determine the seroprevalence of blue tongue virus (BTV) and assess potential risk factors associated with BTV infection in dairy cattle with reproductive problems in Sudan. Serum samples were collected from a total of 784 animals from 37 herds and tested for antibodies against BTV using cELISA. A total of 663 out of 784 (84.57%) sera tested proved positive for BTV antibodies in all farms tested in Khartoum and Gazira States. The prevalence of antibodies was high in both areas being 94.32% in Gazira State and 76.62% in Khartoum State. BTV antibodies prevalence were significantly higher (P < 0.000) in older animals than in younger ones. These rates were also significantly higher in the rainy season (P < 0.000) and in Gazira State compared to Khartoum State. Sex also showed significant (P < 0.000) differences in the seroprevalence, whereby females (74.7%) had higher level than males (9.8%). However, no significant (P > 0.09) variations for BTV seroprevalence were observed between breeds. The BTV antibodies prevalence in infertility cases (86.6%) was not significantly different from that found in abortion (74.3%) or neonatal death (66.7%) cases. The high seroprevalence of BTV recorded herein calls for control strategy to be implemented.

Simple flaps for reconstruction of pediatric scalp defects after electrical burn.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the management of high-voltage electrical burn injury of the scalp in our hospital. METHODS: This study involved 10 patients who suffered from high-voltage electrical burn injury of the scalp. Scalp reconstruction was done by different modalities according to the size and location of the defect. RESULTS: Complete flap viability was achieved in all the cases. We had one case of gapped wound which was managed only by dressing. Widening of the scar was found in 2 cases. CONCLUSION: Rotation, advancement and transposition scalp flaps are used for reconstructing scalp defects caused by electrical burn. The choice of ideal flaps for reconstruction depends upon the size and site of scalp defect.

First report of Neospora caninum infection in cattle in Sudan.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Sudan to determine sero-prevalence and risk factors associated with Neospora caninum infection in non-vaccinated dairy herds and to assess importance of the disease. Blood samples were collected from a total of 262 animals from 25 herds. Sera were tested for antibodies against N. caninum using ELISA test. The prevalence rates of N. caninum antibodies in cattle were high both at herd level (44%) and at individual animal level (10.7%). Herd level infection rates were similar in Khartoum State (43.7%) and at Gazira States (44.4%). The overall prevalence rates were higher (16.1%) in Gazira State than in Khartoum State (9%) but with no significant variation. The sero-prevalence at individual animal level was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in animals with history of abortion (12.8%) than in apparently healthy animal (11.3%), animal with history of infertility (8.1%), or neonatal death of calves (4.3%). In addition, significantly higher (P < 0.05) sero-prevalence was observed in samples collected during the rainy season (6.87%) than winter (3.05%) or summer (0.76%). However, no significant differences in sero-prevalence due to locality, animal breed, sex, and age were observed (p > 0.05). This preliminary study reveals for the first time the existence of natural N. caninum infection in Sudan. Also, the findings of the present study indicated that this disease is highly prevalent in two major areas of dairy production in the country, and this calls for control strategy to be implemented.

Spotted fever group rickettsiae from ticks captured in Sudan.

Ticks were collected from ruminants in various areas of Sudan in 1998 and 2000. Primer pairs of rickettsial citrate synthase gene (gltA) and a spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsial 190-kDa surface antigen gene (rompA), respectively, were used for identification. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive products were used for DNA sequencing. The gltA gene was detected in 55% of the ticks examined (57/104). Among the 57 ticks studied, 19 were positive for the rompA gene. Thus, 18% of the ticks examined were found to be infected with SFG rickettsiae. The nucleotide sequences of the amplified rompA gene fragment of Hyalomma spp. and Amblyomma spp. were similar to those of Rickettsia aeschlimannii and Rickettsia africae, respectively. In this study, we succeeded in detecting the SFG rickettsiae gene in ticks, and established that there were at least two species of SFG rickettsiae in field ticks in Sudan.