Effect of Slow Maxillary Expansion and Alternative Rapid Maxillary Expansion Protocols on Airway Volume in Cleft Palate Cases: A Cone Beam Computed Tomography Based Study.

A total of 22 patients with cleft palate aged 8 to 12 years were selected and categorized into two groups: the first group was treated with alternate rapid maxillary expansion and constriction (Alt-RAMEC) using an expander with differential opening (EDO) and facemask, while the second group was treated using slow maxillary expansion (SME) using an EDO. Finally, the pharyngeal airway volume in the two groups was compared using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). CBCT scans were performed before expansion and six months following the expansion. Alveolar crest level, maxillary breadth, nasal cavity width, arch width, inclination of the molar teeth, buccal and palatal alveolar bone thickness, and maxillary alveolar width were all assessed. Paired t-tests (p=0.05) were applied to compare interphase data. The two groups showed a non-significant difference in terms of nasopharyngeal volume (cm3), oropharyngeal volume (cm3), and overall pre- and post-treatment results (p>0.005). Results of comparison of pre- and post-treatment periods in the Alt-RAMEC group revealed a significantly higher cleft volume (cm3) (p=0.001). Results of comparison of pre- and post-treatment periods in the SME group revealed a substantial rise in cleft volume (cm3) (p=0.003). Results from a comparison of the cleft volume (cm3) between the two study groups pre- and post-intervention revealed a non-significant difference (p=0.200 and 0.054, respectively).

Characterization and antimicrobial activity of a chitosan-selenium nanocomposite biosynthesized using Posidonia oceanica.

Nanobiotechnological approaches can provide effective solutions for overcoming food products' contamination and spoilage. The development of rapid and eco-friendly approaches for synthesizing nanocomposites from chitosan nanoparticles (Cht), Neptune grass "Posidonia oceanica" extract (NG), and NG-mediated selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) was targeted, with their investigation as potential antimicrobial, antioxidant, and biopreservatives of fresh chicken fillets. SeNPs were biosynthesized with NG, and their conjugates with Cht were composited. Characterization approaches, including infrared analysis, physiognomic analysis, and electron microscopy of synthesized nanomaterials and composites, were applied. The nanomaterials' antibacterial properties were assessed against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, and Escherichia coli qualitatively, quantitatively, and with ultrastructure imaging. The antimicrobial and antioxidant potentialities of nanomaterials were employed for preserving chicken fillets, and the sensorial and microbiological parameters were assessed for coated fillets. SeNPs were effectively biosynthesized by NG, with mean diameters of 12.41 nm; the NG/SeNPs had homogenous spherical shapes with good distribution. The prepared Cht/NG/SeNPs nanoconjugates had a mean diameter of 164.61 nm, semi-spherical or smooth structures, and charges of +21.5 mV. The infrared analyses revealed the involvement of biochemical groups in nanomaterial biosynthesis and interactions. The antibacterial actions of nanomaterials were proven against the entire challenged strains; Cht/NG/SeNPs was the most active agent, and Salmonella typhimurium was the most susceptible bacteria. Scanning micrographs of Cht/NG/SeNPs-treated Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium indicate the severe time-dependent destruction of bacterial cells within 8 h of exposure. The antioxidant potentiality of Cht/NG/SeNPs was the highest (91.36%), followed by NG/SeNPs (79.45%). The chicken fillets' coating with Cht, NG, NG/SeNPs, and Cht/NG/SeNPs resulted in a remarkable reduction in microbial group count and raised the sensorial attributes of coated fillets after 14 days of cold storage, with increased potentialities in the order: Cht/NG/SeNPs > NG/SeNPs > NG > Cht > control. The inventive, facile biosynthesis of Cht, NG, and SeNPs could provide effective antimicrobial and antioxidant nanocomposites for prospective applications in food biopreservation.

Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Green-Synthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles for Candidiasis Control in Oreochromis niloticus.

Zinc is an essential element for metabolism of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Nanomaterials have important benefits in aquaculture. The present study evaluated the effects of green-synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using Ulva fasciata extract as an anti-fungal agent against Candida albicans (C. albicans) in vitro and in vivo in O. niloticus. A total of 252 apparent healthy O. niloticus (20 ± 0.457 g/fish) were randomly allocated into six groups: The 1st group fed on basal diet contaminated with C. albicans 15 × l06 CFU/g diet, the 2nd group fed basal diet only, the 3rd and 5th groups fed the basal diet supplemented with 40 or 60 mg/kg ZnO-NPs, respectively, and the 4th and 6th groups fed the basal diet contaminated with C. albicans 15 × l06 CFU/g and concomitantly supplemented with 40 or 60 mg/kg ZnO-NPs, respectively. The experiment lasted for 8 weeks. The phyco-synthesized ZnO-NPs were characterized by XRD, UV-V, FTIR, TEM, and zeta potential. The anti-fungal activities of ZnO-NPs and the morphological changes to C. albicans cell due to ZnO-NPs were detected. The results revealed that dietary supplementation with the green-synthesized ZnO-NPs significantly improved the growth performance, survival, serum lysozyme activity, phagocytic activity, phagocytic index, respiratory burst activity, expression of immune-related genes (IL-1ß, TGF, TNF-α), digestive enzyme activity, and histopathological finding in C. albicans-infected group, with a relative superiority to 40 mg/kg feed ZnO-NPs. It could be concluded that supplementing diets with 40 mg/kg of phyco-synthesized ZnO-NPs could be considered a better choice for controlling candidiasis in Nile tilapia.

Synergistic Effects of Selenium and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Growth Performance, Hemato-biochemical Profile, Immune and Oxidative Stress Responses, and Intestinal Morphometry of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

This study was aimed to investigate the synergistic effects of selenium (Se-NP) and zinc oxide (ZnO-NP) nanoparticles on growth performance, hemato-biochemical profile, immune and oxidative stress responses, and intestinal morphometry of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Monosex Nile tilapia (12.50 ± 1.03 g, N= 180) were randomly allocated into 4 groups in triplicates. Fish were fed diet supplemented with 0 Se-NP and Zn-NP (control group, CG), while fish in the other experimental groups were fed diet supplemented with 1 mg/kg diet Se-NP (Se-NP group), 10 mg/kg diet ZnO-NP (Zn-NP group), and a mixture of 1 and 10 mg/kg diet Se-NP and Zn-NP, respectively (Se/Zn-NP group) for 60 days. Fish fed diet containing Se-NP, Zn-NP, and Se/Zn-NP showed higher final body weight, weight gain, weight gain rate, specific growth rate, and lower feed conversion ratio with respect to CG (P<0.05) with the highest being in fish fed with Se/Zn-NP. Fish fed with Se/Zn-NP showed higher hemoglobin, red blood cells, and globulin (P<0.05). The highest phagocytic activity, phagocytic index, lysozyme activity, and immunoglobulin M was recorded in fish that received Se/Zn-NP followed by Se-NP, Zn-NP, and the lowest in CG (P<0.05). Fish that received diet supplemented with Se-NP, Zn-NP, and Se/Zn-NP significantly (P<0.05) increased superoxide dismutase and catalase while reduced malonaldehyde activity compared to CG. Intestinal morphometry revealed significantly (P<0.05) increased villi length and goblet cells number in fish fed with Se-NP and/or Zn-NP. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of Nile tilapia with Se-NP and Zn-NP induces synergistic effects that improve growth performance, blood health, and intestinal histomorphology.

Dietary garlic and chitosan enhanced the antioxidant capacity, immunity, and modulated the transcription of HSP70 and Cytokine genes in Zearalenone-intoxicated European seabass.

The present study was performed to evaluate the toxic effects of feed-born zearalenone (ZEN) on antioxidative status, immunity, transcriptomic responses of European seabass, and the modulating roles of dietary garlic and/or chitosan powders. Fish (30.7 ± 0.6 g) were randomly arranged in five experimental groups (in triplicates), whereas the first group was fed on the control diet only without any supplements (control), and the second group was fed on the basal diet contaminated with ZEN (0.725 mg/kg diet). Three other groups were fed on ZEN-contaminated diets and simultaneously supplemented with garlic powder (GP) (30 g/kg diet) (ZEN + GP), chitosan powder (CH) (10 g/kg diet) (ZEN + CH), and a mixture of GP and CH (ZEN + GP + CH). Fish were fed on the experimental diets thrice a day for 4 weeks. Two-way ANOVA revealed a gradual decline in serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in the ZEN group reaching their lowest levels at the 4th week. Contrariwise, malondialdehyde levels were markedly higher in the ZEN group reaching their highest values at the end of the experiment. A significant decline of total immunoglobulins (P < 0.05) was observed in the serum of the ZEN group, especially after the 4th week. Moreover, significant down-regulation of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1ß) genes (P < 0.05) alongside significant up-regulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) genes (P < 0.05) in the liver and anterior kidney of ZEN-intoxicated group. Interestingly, dietary supplementation with GP and CH significantly attenuated ZEN-induced oxidative stress, immunosuppression, and modulated transcriptomic responses of ZEN-exposed fish. Moreover, combined dietary supplementation of both feed additives resulted in better effects than each one alone.

Application of ZnO Nanoparticles Phycosynthesized with Ulva fasciata Extract for Preserving Peeled Shrimp Quality.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) were the targets of numerous biological syntheses to attain their precious values in various biomedical fields. The phycosynthesis of ZnONPs were innovatively investigated using cell-free extract of the macroalgae, Ulva fasciata Delile. The phycosynthesized U. fasciata-zinc oxide nanoparticles (UFD-ZnONPs) had 77.81 nm mean size, with flower and sphere shapes and positive zeta potential. The UFD-ZnONPs infra-red analysis indicated their basic components' cross-linkage. The antibacterial potentialities of UFD-ZnONPs were confirmed, qualitatively and quantitatively, against foodborne microorganisms (Escherichia coli plus Staphylococcus aureus); the bactericidal action was higher for UFD-ZnONPs than the annealed phycosynthesized ZnONPs. The scanning micrographs of S. aureus and E. coli cells treated with UFD-ZnONPs indicated the severe action of nanoparticles to destroy bacterial cells in time-dependent manners. Peeled shrimps (Fenneropenaeus indicus) were biopreservated through refrigerated storage (4 °C) with UFD-ZnONPs based solution for six days. The microbial examination of UFD-ZnONPs -treated shrimps displayed decrease in microbial loads throughout the storage days. Moreover, the UFD-ZnONPs-treated shrimps showed acceptable sensorial attributes (appearance, odor, color and texture) compared to untreated shrimps. UFD-ZnONPs nanocomposite concentration of 3% and 5% could be remarkably suggested as efficient procedure for shrimps' biopreservation during refrigerated storage regarding sensorial quality and microbial profile of product.

Experimental ochratoxicosis A in Nile tilapia and its amelioration by some feed additives.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) formation prevention is not usually available so counteracting strategies are urgent. This study investigated the toxic effects of OTA on Nile tilapia with trials to neutralize these effects by using some feed additives. Supplements used as one percent (Garlen Extra4, Nigella sativa, Garlen Extra4 plus Nigella sativa and a commercial mycotoxins binder, Fero Bind Pro) were added to 500 ppb/kg OTA-contaminated diet. Fish were fed at 3% body weight per day for 10 weeks. The clinical signs recorded in OTA - intoxicated positive control group were sluggish swimming and off food before death with reduction in survivability (53%) and growth performance. Several post-mortem lesions were in liver, kidneys and spleen. Serum levels of ALT, AST, creatinine and urea were significantly increased with reduction in total protein, albumin and globulin in ochratoxicated fish group compared to the negative control group. Concerning the pathological changes that have been noticed in ochratoxin treated fish were almost completely alleviated in examined tissues of fish that were fed on diet with Garlen Extra4 plus Nigella sativa or Nigella sativa and partially in fish that were fed on diet with Garlen Extra4 or Fero Bind Pro, respectively. Best detoxifying results were obtained by using 30 g/kg Nigella sativa plus 0.1 g/kg Garlen Extra4 followed by Nigella sativa, Garlen Extra4 then Fero Bind Pro as a commercial Mycotoxins binder. It could be concluded that inclusions of 30 g/kg Nigella sativa plus 0.1 g/kg Garlen Extra4 in Oreochromis niloticus (O. niloticus) diets could partially reduce OTA toxic effects.