Pathology and molecular diagnosis of paratuberculosis of camels

Camels are the prime source of meat and milk in many desert regions of the world including Saudi Arabia. Paratuberculosis of camels, locally called Silag, is a serious and invariably fatal disease in the Arabian camel. Six camels were used in this study. Five camels with clinical paratuberculosis were used to study the pathology of the disease and confirm its aetiology. The sixth camel was clinically healthy and used as a control. The camels were examined clinically and bled for haematological and blood chemistry analysis. They were then humanely killed with a high intravenous dose of thiopental sodium (10 mg/kg) for pathological studies as well as obtaining tissues for microbiological and molecular studies. The clinical signs of the disease were emaciation, diarrhoea, alopecia, wry neck and pale mucous membranes. Laboratory diagnosis showed reduced haemoglobin concentration, low haematocrit and high activity of the serum enzyme alanine aminotransferase. Serum creatinine concentration was normal. These results indicated the infected camels were anaemic and the function of their livers was affected. Postmortem examination showed thickened and corrugated intestinal mucosa, enlarged granulomatous mesenteric lymph nodes, miliary and diffuse granulomas in the liver (in four camels), generalized lymph node granulomas (in one camel), splenic granuloma (in one camel) and mediastinal lymph node granuloma (in two camels). Histopathological examination showed diffuse infiltration of macrophages in all organs showing lesions. Ziehl–Neelsen staining of tissue scraping and tissue sections showed masses of acid fast bacilli, except for the spleen. Infection with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis was confirmed by PCR by targeting the IS900 gene.     

Astaxanthin Mitigates Thiacloprid-Induced Liver Injury and Immunotoxicity in Male Rats

Thiacloprid (TCP) is a widely used neonicotinoid insecticide with a probable toxic hazard to animals and human beings. This hazard has intensified the demand for natural compounds to alleviate the expected toxic insults. This study aimed at determining whether astaxanthin (ASX) could mitigate the hepatotoxic effect of TCP and diminish its suppressive effect on immune responses in rats. Animals received TCP by gavage at 62.1 mg/kg (1/10th LD₅₀) with or without ASX at 40 mg/kg for 60 days. Intoxicated rats showed modulation of serum transaminases and protein profiles. The hemagglutination antibody titer to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and the number of plaque-forming cells in the spleen were reduced. The cell-mediated immunity and phagocytosis were suppressed, while serum interleukins IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 were elevated. Additionally, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine levels were increased in the liver, spleen, and thymus, with depletion of glutathione and suppression of superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. The expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase and the high mobility group box protein 1 genes were upregulated with histomorphological alterations in the aforementioned organs. Cotreatment with ASX markedly ameliorated the toxic effects of TCP, and all markers showed a regression trend towards control values. Collectively, our data suggest that the protective effects of ASX on the liver and immune system of TCP-treated animals depend upon improving the antioxidant status and relieving the inflammatory response, and thus it may be used as a promising therapeutic agent to provide superior hepato- and immunoprotection.     

Forms of Reproductive Disorders in Cattle and Buffaloes in Middle Egypt

The objective of this study was to investigate the common forms of reproductive disorders and trends of fertility in cattle and buffaloes in Middle Egypt, and investigate nutritional deficiencies or imbalances as a cause of infertility. During the period from 2003 to 2006 a total of 4276 animals (2755 cattle and 1521 buffaloes) were examined, during winter and summer at three districts of Middle Egypt. Based on the owner complains, animals were categorized as anestrum, repeat breeder and those for pregnancy diagnosis. Feedstuffs of these districts were assessed for nutrient and mineral contents. Animals were examined by rectal palpation and by transrectal ultrasonography. The results showed that, ovarian inactivity was the most common cause of anestrum, whereas endometritis was the main frequent finding of repeat breeding. District, season and year affected the incidences of infertility. The pregnancy rate remained constant (cattle) or increased (buffaloes) from 2003 to 2006. The incidence of ovarian inactivity in both species decreased over the same period. In winter, the commonly used feedstuffs would be adequate to supply the animals with needs, but in summer, rations seem to be deficient in many essential nutrients. In conclusion, ovarian inactivity is the main cause of infertility in cattle and buffaloes in Middle Egypt. There is a link between poor nutrition in summer and the high incidence of ovarian inactivity. Fertility trends during the past few years are encouraging.     

Über Nahrungskreis und wirtschaftliche Bedeutung der Raubmilbe Agistemus exsertus Gonz. (Acari,Prostigmata)

Food range and economic importance of the predator mite, Agistemus exsertus Gonz. (Acari, Prostigmata) The predator miteAgistemus excertus fed on eggs ofTetranychus arabicus, crawlers of the scale insectChrysomphalus ficus, eggs of bothLipidosaphes baledi, andL. beckii, while it did not feed on eggs ofC. ficus and crawlers ofL. beckii. The predator developed and reproduced on all the four former prey types but at different rates. Eggs ofT. arabicus were the best food for quiker development, longer longevity and higher rate of reproductivity. These were followed by eggs ofL. baledi, crawlers ofC. ficus, and eggs ofL.beckii.     

Effect of Certain Herbicides on the Growth of Freshwater Algae

An algal toxicity bioassay using a continuous culture was investigated with respect to the herbicide gardoprim (triazine) and patoran (phenylurea) in order to evaluate the effect of increasing dosages of applied herbicides upon growth, residual herbicide and herbicide accumulation in Nile water algae. Growth patterns exhibited by algae under continuous culture conditions reflect the ability of the algae to overcome inhibitory effects of the herbicides. Nile water algae showed variable ability to accumulate different herbicide. As the herbicide concentratrion increased, the accumulation increased especially for paron. Nile water algae accumulated patron and gardoprim to concentrations of 0.75 and 0.3 mg g^-1, respectively. Considerable change occurred in the algal diversity and redundancy after each increase in herbicide concentration. Diversity and redundancy of genera and their recovery varied according to the type of herbicide, its concentration and contact time.     

Immunohistochemical and histopathological findings of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (Jaagsiekte) in Egyptian sheep

Ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) is a naturally occurring retrovirus-induced transmissible lung cancer in sheep. Lungs and associated (bronchial and mediastinal) lymph nodes of seven sheep with OPA were examined. Lungs had few multifocal consolidated slightly elevated gray to white masses ranging from 0.5 to 3 cm in diameter. Histopathologically, these masses appeared as well-differentiated acinar adenocarcinoma with little evidence of anaplasia. The acini composed of well-differentiated cuboidal to low columnar epithelium with clear or vacuolated cytoplasm and low mitotic index. No metastases were observed in the bronchial and mediastinal lymph nodes of any animal. The presence of Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) was demonstrated in the lungs by immunohistochemistry. JSRV protein was detected in all tumor epithelial cells, histologically normal alveolar type II cells, and few bronchiolar epithelial cells, alveolar macrophages, lymphocytes, and plasma cells. This study is the first to confirm the presence of natural OPA in Egypt.     

Studies on α-amylase and trypsin inhibitors in legume seeds using agar diffusion and isoelectric focusing techniques

Amylolytic and tryptic inhibitors of faba bean extracts were determined by an agar diffusion test. The amylolytic inhibitor had protein characters. Furthermore, water-soluble trypsin inhibitors ofCicer arietinum, Lens esculenta, Lupinus termis, Phaseolus vulgaris, Pisum sativum, Trigonella foenum-graecum andVicia faba which were separated by polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing (PAGIF) in thin-layers, showed species specific patterns. Negative staining showed 10 bands for French beans, 9 for fenugreek seeds, 8 for lentils and chickpeas, 7 for peas and 6 for faba beans. Lupin seeds were free from trypsin inhibitors. Treatments (soaking, germination and heat processing) of faba beans reduced the number of trypsin inhibitors in PAGIF patterns, less after soaking and germination, but more after roasting and frying. No inhibitors were detected after cooking.     

Vegetative,Chemical Status and Productivity of Zucchini Squash (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucurbita pepo</Emphasis> L.) Plants in Responses to Foliar Application of Pentakeep and Strigolactones Under NPK Rates

In order to determine the effect of two bio-stimulants under NPK fertilizer rates on growth and nutrient content and yield of zucchini (squash), an experiment was conducted at Mendel university during 2014. The treatments included four NPK rates namely, 0, 75, 100 and 150% of recommended rate in combination with foliar application of Pentakeep super and strigolactones (alone and in combination) were used. This study was arranged in a split plot design in three replications. The results showed NPK at 150% led to the maximum significant increase of growth characters i.?e., leaf number, fresh and dry weight of leaves relative to unfertilized control. Chlorophyll reading increased significantly with increase in NPK supply up to NPK75%. The highest contents of N, K and nitrate were found in zucchini leaves treated with NPK at 150% of recommended rate. Yield and its component increased significantly with increase in NPK supply up to 100% of recommended rate. The combined application of Pentakeep super and strigolactones significantly maximized growth characters and fruit yield as compared to control treatment. The highest content of N generated in plants sprayed with Pentakeep super while application of Pentakeep and strigolactones did not affect the P and K contents. Whereas, control plants effectively significantly increased the chlorophyll and nitrate content of leaves.