The impact of dietary probiotic supplementation on welfare and growth performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

Background: The usage of commercial probiotic products as alternatives to traditional antibiotics in fish culture is initiated to be a potential factor for Nile tilapia fish's welfare and growth. Aim: The purpose of the current study is to show the influence of commercial probiotics (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) dietary supplementation at different levels on Nile tilapia welfare and growth. Methods: Apparently healthy fingerlings of Nile Tilapia with a total number of 120 with an average initial weight (26.2 ± 0.3 g) were distributed into four groups (each group had 30 fingerlings). The first group (G1) was given a basal diet without additional probiotics, while other groups [second group (G2), the third group (G3), and the fourth group (G4)] were given basal diets supplemented with different levels of commercial probiotics (1 g, 2 g, and 3 g of probiotics per kilogram of diet), respectively (15 fish in each sub group as replicate), in eight glass aquaria (30 × 40 × 100 cm) for 2 months as an experimental period. Results: The results revealed that the probiotic-treated groups especially G4 (3 g probiotics/kg diet) showed a marked increase in the following behavioral patterns such as feeding and swimming behaviors, while G2 (1 g probiotic/kg diet) had an increase in the foraging behavior compared with G1 control group. While surfacing, body care, and aggressive behaviors with all patterns were the highest in the control group (G1) than all probiotics-treated groups. The crossing test showed that fish rose in the probiotic-treated groups (G3 and G4) were more active and could achieve the highest growth rates. While water quality was better in G4 (3 g probiotic /kg diet) than in other groups. Moreover, G4 (3 g probiotic/kg diet) showed a marked increase in all serum biochemical parameters than the control group (G1). Conclusion: The current study proved that the best level of commercial probiotics (B. amyloliquefaciens) was (3 g probiotic/kg diet) for achieving optimal Nile tilapia fingerlings' growth performance under these experimental conditions. Finally, this work confirms the significance of the addition of probiotics as a feed additive to enhance both growth performance and immunity response, improve water quality, and achieve the welfare of Nile tilapia fingerlings.

Dissipation behavior of thiophanate-methyl in strawberry under open field condition in Egypt and consumer risk assessment.

Thiophanate methyl is a broad-spectrum benzimidazole fungicide extensively applied in pre- and post-harvest, for the control of a wide range of fruit and vegetable pathogens. In the current work, the residue behavior of thiophanate methyl after application on strawberries and an estimation of the consumer dietary exposure was performed. Supervised field trials were conducted in Egypt (Qaluobiya Governorate) as to investigate the residue dynamics and terminal residues at different PHIs of thiophanate methyl and its metabolite carbendazim in strawberries under Egyptian conditions. For the measurement of residues in fruits, a QuEChERS-based protocol coupled with LC-MS/MS was optimized and successfully validated at 0.01 mg kg-1. The half-life (t1/2) of thiophanate methyl in strawberries was estimated, and a dietary risk assessment was performed employing both FAO/WHO and EFSA approaches.

Therapeutic effect of gold nanoparticles on DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice with reference to interleukin-17 expression.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is among the most challenging human diseases. Nanotechnology has incontestable promising outcomes in inflammatory bowel diseases. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of naked gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) induced ulcerative colitis in mice. We also examined the expression of interleukin-17 (IL-17) following AuNPs treatment. Mice were randomly divided into control, DSS and DSS+ AuNPs groups. Severity of colitis was assessed by disease activity index (DAI) measurement. At the end of the experiment, the final body weights were recorded. The colon was dissected and processed for histopathological examinations by light and electron microscopes. Colon homogenates were prepared for assay of tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and real-time PCR analysis of IL-17A. Immunohistochemical localization of IL-17A was carried out. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) detector were used to detect the presence of AuNPs in the colonic tissue of DSS+ AuNPs groups. Our results showed that AuNPs effectively targeted the colonic tissue, and reduced changes induced by DSS. The underlying mechanisms could be related to anti-oxidant effect (as evident by decreasing tissue MDA) and anti-inflammatory potential of AuNPs. Our study draws attention to as a novel therapeutic strategy for treating UC.

Efficacy of human umbilical cord derived-mesenchymal stem cells in treatment of rat bone marrow exposed to gamma irradiation.

To assess the therapeutic effects of the human umbilical cord blood (hUCB) derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on rat bone marrow (BM) exposed to gamma rays, 3 groups (n=15 each) of adult male Wistar albino rats were utilized as follows: the 1st group received PBS (control group), the 2nd group was exposed to gamma rays 1.04Gy/min (R group) and the 3rd group exposed to same dose as RG and injected hUCB-MSCs. The BM of femurs was processed for histological and immunohistochemical staining with proliferating cell nuclear antigen antibody (PCNA), anti human CD105 and anti human CD34. Hb content, leukocytes and platelet counts were analyzed as well as fat cells and megakaryocytic counts. Also, the BM vascular spaces and the optical density of immunostaining for PCNA were analyzed. The leukocytes and platelet counts were significantly lower in the R (2.85±235.8; P=0.000 and 95.27±3.01; P=0.000 respectively) when compared with the control (10.40±443.2; P=0.000 and 430.18±20.28; P=0.000 respectively). The fat cell count was significantly higher in the R (36.55±1.83; P=0.000) than in control (7.64±0.61; P=0.000) and in R injected h-MSCs tissues (18.82±2.03; P=0.000). The megakaryocytic count was significantly higher in the R injected h-MSCs (5.36±0.310; P=0.000) than in control (2.82±0.263; P=0.000) and in the R BM (0.45±0.157; P=0.000). The vascular spaces were dilated and significantly increased in the R injected h-MSCs (50.10±2.40; P=0.000) than in control (33.36±1.01; P=0.000). The optical density of PCNA expression was significantly lower in R (0.18±0.11; P=0.005) than in control (0.41±0.40; P=0.005) and in R injected h-MSCs groups (0.30±0.17; P=0.005). The present study concluded that injection of hUCB-MSCs improves destructive effects of bone marrow induced by gamma radiation. Use of radio-protective agents during exposure is recommended.

Prophylactic role of curcumin against cyclosporine-induced nephrotoxicity: histological and immunohistological study.

This study aimed to investigate the possible protective role of curcumin against renal damage caused by administration of cyclosporine A (CsA) in adult male rats. For this purpose, 27 adult male albino rats were used and divided into three equal groups. Group I (control group) and group II (CsA-treated group) received a daily subcutaneous injection of CsA at a dose of 20 mg/kg b.w. Group III (prophylactic group) received a daily oral curcumin at a dose of 15 mg/kg b.w. simultaneously with CsA. After 21 days, all the animals were anaesthetized and the kidneys were rapidly removed and processed to prepare paraffin sections stained with H&E, PAS and Masson's trichrome. In addition, the glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzyme was detected immunohistochemically. The optical density and the area (in %) of positive GST immunoreactions were measured in the cytoplasm of renal tubules and glomeruli and the data were statistically analyzed. Examination of sections from CsA-treated group showed renal tubules with vacuolated cytoplasm and others with darkly stained pyknotic nuclei. Apical brush borders of proximal tubules were undefined and PAS positive granules were noticed in their cytoplasm. The renal corpuscles contained shrunken glomeruli with widening of their Bowman's spaces. Inflammatory cellular infiltrate and increase in the collagen fibers were observed between the renal tubules. In prophylactic group, the structure of renal tubules and corpuscles were preserved except few tubular darkly stained pyknotic nuclei. Numerous blood vessels, few cellular infiltration and thin collagen fibers were observed between the renal tubules. Statistical analysis of morphometric data showed significant increase in the optical density of GST immunoreactivity in the cells of renal tubules and glomeruli of CsA-treated group when compared with the control or prophylactic groups. However, a significant decrease in the area of GST immunoreactivity in sections from prophylactic group was observed when compared with control or CsA-treated groups. In conclusion, protective effect of curcumin against cyclosporine-induced nephrotoxicity in rats was proven based on the study of histological changes and GST immunoexpression. This study supposes the possible therapeutic applications of curcumin in CsA-treated patients.