Effect of Different Levels of Multienzymes on Immune Response, Blood Hematology and Biochemistry, Antioxidants Status and Organs Histology of Broiler Chicks Fed Standard and Low-Density Diets.

This study was executed to investigate the effect of supplementing three multienzyme levels (0, 0. 1, and 0.2%) with two types of diet [standard diet (SD) vs. low-density diet (LDD)] on immune response, blood hematology and biochemistry, antioxidant status, and organ histology of broilers during 1-38 days of age. A total of 216 unsexed 1-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly distributed, on a factorial design (2 × 3), to six treatments each with six replicates. There were six chicks per replicate. Results showed that LDD significantly decreased body weight gain (BWG) of broilers, but did not affect the European Production Efficiency Index (EPEI). Addition of multienzymes at both levels (0.1 and 0.2%) significantly increased BWG and improved EPEI, compared to the control diet. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspirate aminotransferase (AST), malondialdehyde (MDA), lymphocyte, lymphocyte transformation test (LTT), and phagocyte activity (PA) were significantly higher for LDD than the SD, but eosinophil was lower. Supplementation of multienzymes significantly decreased ALT, AST, and MDA, compared to the control group, but increased packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hgb), lymphocytes, and monocytes. Immune organs, such as spleen, thymus, and the bursa of Fabricius were significantly increased with multienzyme supplementation. It could be concluded that multienzyme supplementation at either 0.1 or 0.2% to SD or LDD improved EPEI and immune status of broiler chicks.

Detection of reticuloendotheliosis virus as a contaminant of fowl pox vaccines.

This study was designed to detect reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) as a contaminant in fowl pox vaccines. A total of 30 fowl pox vaccine samples were examined for the presence of REV using both in vitro and in vivo methods. In in vitro testing, the fowl pox vaccine samples were inoculated into chicken embryo fibroblast cultures prepared from specific-pathogen-free embryonated chicken eggs, and the cultures were examined using PCR to detect REV. In in vivo testing, each fowl pox vaccine sample was inoculated into 5-d-old specific-pathogen-free chicks, which were kept under observation for up to 12 wk postinoculation; serum samples were collected at 15, 30, and 45 d postinoculation for the detection of REV-specific antibodies using ELISA. Tissue samples were collected at 8 and 12 wk postinoculation for histopathological examination. Of the tested vaccines, only one imported vaccine sample tested positive for REV using PCR. Serum samples collected from chicks infected with the PCR-positive vaccine batch also tested positive for REV-specific antibodies using ELISA. Histopathological examination of the liver, spleen, and bursa of Fabricius demonstrated the presence of tumor cells in these organs, confirming the results obtained using PCR and ELISA, and indicating that the sample was contaminated with REV. These data clearly indicate that the screening of all commercial poultry vaccines for viruses is an important factor in assuring the biosafety of animal vaccines.

Effects of stratospheric ozone depletion and climate change on materials damage.

Nanoscale inorganic fillers with average particle sizes smaller by an order of magnitude or more compared to those of conventional fillers are becoming commercially available. The efficacy of these fillers used in polymer formulations and particularly their effect as photostabilizers are beginning to be investigated. These may enhance or retard photodegradation depending on the surface coating of the particles or their chemical nature. Some recent data indicate their use as effective photostabilizers in some common polymers. However, the potential deleterious interaction of the nanoscale fillers with other additives in the formulation has also been pointed out. Depending on the efficiency of stabilization and the economics of their use nanofillers may provide a useful route to UV-stabilization of plastics and rubber used outdoors. Insufficient data are available at this time to assess their potential impact on material and coatings stabilization. Organic fillers such as lignocellulose continue to be investigated for outdoor applications. Their cost advantage makes them attractive despite the somewhat reduced engineering properties of their composites. Recent reports, however, suggest the photostability of these composites to depend on the source of fiber as well as the processing techniques employed in fabricating products from them. Identification of the key determinants in terms of species, isolation and processing of polymer-wood composites is critical to developing them for long-term outdoor use. Efforts are continuing on the synthesis of new light stabilizers, particularly those based on a hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS), and on identifying synergistic combinations of known stabilizers for common thermoplastics. Variants of HALS-type stabilizers that reduce the loss of stabilizer via leaching or migration were recently reported. Studies on the permanence of the stabilizers themselves when exposed to solar UV wavelengths have also been reported in recent work. Identification of relevant mechanisms is important not only to understand the interactions of climate changes and higher UV solar environments with materials damage, but also to guide future design of light-stabilizers.

Assessment of knowledge, attitudes and practices of expectant mothers in relation to antenatal care in Assiut governorate.

This study aims to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices of expectant mothers in relation to ante-natal care in Assiut and to find out factors affecting their knowledge. Attitudes and practices. The present study was carried out in the ante-natal clinic at Assiut General Hospital and three Maternal and Child Health Centers in Assiut. Fifty women were selected from each of the previously mentioned settings. A specially designed interview sheet was used to collect the necessary data. It was consisted of four parts. The first part included questions related to individual features of women, the second part included questions related to their family features, the third part concerned with previous obstetrical history of women and their acceptance of pregnancy and the fourth part included questions related to knowledge, attitudes and practices of expectant mother in relation to ante-natal care. The findings of the present study revealed that one quarter of the study sample (25.5%) lacked basic and essential knowledge about ante-natal care, most of older women (88.2%) were more likely to have poor knowledge in relation to ante-natal care, the higher educated women (66.7%) were more likely to have good knowledge about ante-natal care compared to 33.5% of lower educated women. It was also observed that the majority of working women (90%) were more likely to have good ante-natal care knowledge compared to housewives (10%). Most of the primigravida women (88.2%) were more likely to have poor knowledge in relation to ante-natal care compared to 11.8% of women whose gravidity was less than 5.

PIP: In Assiut governate, Egypt, interviews were conducted with 200 randomly selected pregnant women attending prenatal clinics at the maternal and child health (MCH) centers in Kolta, Gharb El-Balad, and Arnoub and at Assiut General Hospital to determine their knowledge, attitudes, and practices as they relate to prenatal care. 30.5% reported prenatal care to be important for health promotion for mother and fetus. 20% did not know that prenatal care is important to maternal and fetal well-being. Time of first prenatal visit was for 21% the 1st trimester, for 35% the 2nd trimester, and for 33.5% the 3rd trimester. 34.5% attended 1 prenatal visit each month. 52% had less than 8 visits during their pregnancy. 13.5% had more than 8 visits. 25.5% knew little about the significance of prenatal care. Only 17.5% knew the significance of a well-balanced diet during pregnancy. 42% added some foods to their diet and increased their food intake. 39.5% eliminated fatty, greasy, and highly spiced foods from their diet. 32.5% understood the objectives and reasons for bathing during pregnancy. 50% considered a daily bath to be essential during pregnancy. Only 18% understood the objectives of breast care during pregnancy. 65% did not seek dental care during pregnancy. Factors associated with seeking prenatal care included: younger than 30, higher education, gravidity less than 5 and greater than 0, and working outside the home (p 0.05 for each factor). Recommended ways nurses can encourage pregnant women to seek prenatal care include education via mass media, home visits, improved quality of prenatal care, screening for high-risk women, increased number of MCH centers and prenatal clinics in rural areas, and adequate supply of medication, supplies, and equipment in these facilities.

Scorpion sting: a management problem.

Admissions for scorpion sting in 1 year and deaths resulting from scorpion sting over 3 years were analysed. Features that indicated the severity of the clinical condition were identified. Pulmonary oedema and shock were the usual causes of death. Poor management of fluid therapy was responsible for the frequently unsatisfactory resolution of envenoming, especially when purified human plasma was used. The role of the scorpion antivenom used is questioned and controversy regarding the most appropriate sedative to use in the management of scorpion sting is still not resolved. An in-depth study of these management issues is urgently required.