The Influence of a Nanoemulsion of Cardamom Essential Oil on the Growth Performance, Feed Utilization, Carcass Characteristics, and Health Status of Growing Rabbits under a High Ambient Temperature.

Recently, nanotechnology approaches have been employed to enhance the solubility, availability, and efficacy of phytochemicals, overcoming some industrial obstacles and natural biological barriers. In this regard, 120 clinically healthy growing V-line rabbits (5 weeks old) reared during the summer season were divided randomly into four equal experimental groups (30 rabbits each). The first group received a basal diet without the supplementation of the nanoemulsion of cardamom essential oil (NCEO) (0 g/kg diet) and served as a control (NCEO 0). The other groups were given diets containing NCEO at levels of 150 (NCEO 150), 300 (NCEO 300), and 600 (NCEO 600) mg/kg diet, respectively. The growth performance (higher LBW and ADG), feed utilization (lower FCR), dressing percentage, and relative weight of the liver were improved significantly in the NCEO-treated groups compared to the control group. Moreover, the dietary treatment significantly decreased the rectum temperature and respiration rate, minimizing the 350 and 325 mg NECO/kg diets. The erythrocyte count, hematocrit, and hemoglobin concentration were significantly increased (p < 0.05), while white blood cells were significantly diminished (p = 0.0200) in the NCEO300 and NCEO600 groups compared to the control group. Treatment with 300 or 600 mg NCEO/kg significantly increased the blood serum total protein and albumin compared to the control group. Meanwhile, the liver enzymes (AST and ALT), uric acid, and creatinine concentrations decreased significantly in the NCEO300 group compared to the control group. The concentrations of triglycerides and total cholesterol were reduced significantly by the dietary treatment. The total antioxidant capacity, dismutase activity, and glutathione concentration were significantly higher, while the malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl levels were significantly lower in the NCEO300 group than in the control. The inflammatory responses and immunity statuses were improved in the blood serum of the NCEO-treated rabbits compared to the control. Heat-stress-induced pathological perturbations in renal/hepatic tissues and NCEO co-treatment successfully re-established and recovered near-control renal-hepatic morphology. In conclusion, a dietary supplementation of NCEO (300 mg/kg) could effectively enhance growing rabbits' growth indices, feed efficiency, redox balance, immunity, and inflammatory responses during the summer.

The expression of CD47 and its association with 2,3-DPG levels in stored leuco-reduced blood units.

BACKGROUND: Red blood cell (RBC) aging in transfusion medicine is characterized by alteration of many biochemical and morphological integrity of the cell referred to as red cell storage lesion (RCSL), CD47 is a protective marker expressed on RBCs that salvage the cell from phagocytosis. 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) tends to have a greater affinity towards deoxygenated hemoglobin. Any oxygen unloading at tissue capillaries are facilitated by 2,3-DPG, and any alterations in its levels can significantly interfere with oxygen release. Alteration of both CD47 expression and 2,3-DPG levels during red cell storage may serve as markers in the development of RCSL. The aim of this study was to validate the impact of storage time and leuco-depletion on CD47 expression on the RBCs, which could be a prospective marker for detection of RBCs viability and to clarify if the changes in CD47 expression and 2,3-DPG levels are correlated during storage of Packed RBCs. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred samples from Packed RBCs units were divided into two groups [Group 1 comprised unfiltered packed red cell units (n=50), whereas Group 2 included filtered "leuco-reduced" red cell units (n=50)]. Collection of samples was executed on days 0, 1 and 21. Each sample was measured for 2,3-DPG and alteration of CD47 expression on RBC using flow cytometry. RESULTS: Decreased CD47 expression along the storage period was statistically significant in both groups (P<0.05). Interestingly, the expression of CD47 was significantly higher in group 2 than group 1 on day zero, 1st and 21st days (P<0.05). Additionally, a statistically significant decrease in 2,3-DPG level was detected at day 21 of storage in group 1 compared to group 2 with a P-value of <0.001. There was a significant positive correlation (r=0.570, P<0.001) between CD47 MFI on RBC during storage and the level of 2,3-DPG at day 21 from packed RBCs storage. CONCLUSION: Older unfiltered RBC possesses lower expression of CD47 and low levels of 2,3-DPG, however filtration (leucoreduction) of RBCs units may help to retain considerable levels of 2,3-DPG and CD47 and hence sustains preservation of RBCs through reduction of phagocytosis.

TAp73 and ΔNp73 relative expression in Egyptian patients with lymphoid neoplasms.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The p73 gene has different isoforms with opposing anti- and pro-apoptotic functions. The pro-apoptotic activities are inhibited by overexpression of the dominant ΔNp73 isoform. The aim of this study was to detect the expression of the TAp73 and ΔNp73 isoforms in Egyptian patients with malignant lymphoid neoplasms. Their expression was analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 30 B-NHL patients, 24 T-NHL patients, 16 ALL patients, 18 CLL patients, 22 patients with reactive lymphoid hyperplasia, and 6 healthy control subjects. RESULTS: ALL and CLL patients expressed both isoforms at higher levels compared to lymphoma patients. Higher expression of TAp73 was found in both B-NHL and T-NHL (around 4-fold and 16-fold, respectively) in comparison to ΔNp73 (2-fold and 14-fold, respectively). In CLL patients both isoforms showed higher expression levels in comparison to normal peripheral blood lymphocytes controls: nearly 27-fold for TAp73 and 233-fold for ΔNp73. All ALL patients showed higher expression of both studied isoforms than controls (9-fold for TAp73 and 386-fold for ΔNp73). The highest ΔNp73 expression along with a higher ΔNp73/TAp73 ratio (67-fold) was found in ALL patients compared with CLL patients (21-fold). CONCLUSIONS: A considerable number of lymphoma patients lacked the expression of either or both isoforms, while all lymphoid leukemia patients expressed both isoforms. The expression pattern differences of p73 isoforms may reflect differences in the biology of these malignancies.