Does the marketing age impact growth performance, carcass traits, economic feasibility and hemato-biochemical properties of genetically-modified quails?

The meat of the quail is one of the most delicious types, as it is rich in minerals and vitamins, especially vitamin K, which is useful in treating nervous diseases. In the present investigation, based on their live body weight, 270 genetically-enhanced white quail chicks of mixed sex were randomly assigned to 3 groups, each with 90 chicks. The first group's birds were slaughtered at 28 d of age. The birds in the second group were slaughtered at 31 d, and the birds in the third group were slaughtered at 34 d. Results showed no significant difference between the various groups in the overall mortality rate index at the end of each fattening stage (P > 0.05). There were substantial variations (P ≤ 0.05) in the average live weight index between the first and both groups at each group's marketing age. With increasing marketing age, body weight increases. Quail chicks raised for 34 d received the lowest EPEF (28.90 points), followed by those raised for 31 d and 28 d, which received 33.37 and 37.32 points, respectively. The economic feasibility of the 3 groups, no significant differences in the profit index were observed at the age of 28 d. Compared to the marketing age of the other 2 groups, it was noted that the profit index decreased as the birds advanced in age. Delaying marketing to 31 d leads to a decrease in profit by 5.7%, and delaying marketing to 34 d reduces the profit index to 26.36% compared to marketing at 28 d. For blood hematology parameters, a significant increase in the studied indicators with the age of the birds was observed through the study of blood indicators. Still, it did not reach the significance level. It could be concluded that 28 d is the ideal marketing age for the enhanced white quails, as it yielded the highest economic return and the best performance.

Novel Insights about Synergistic Effect of Zamzam Water with SGL2 Inhibitors on Wound Healing in STZ-Induced Diabetic Rats: The Role of anti-Inflammatory and Proangiogenic Effects.

Background: Hyperglycemia usually impairs wound healing by dysregulating the inflammatory response and angiogenesis. This study aimed to examine the synergistic effect of dapagliflozin and Zamzam water (ZW) on the healing of diabetic wounds and to explore their anti-inflammatory and proangiogenic effects.Materials and methods: A full-thickness excisional wound was made on the backs of all groups after two weeks of diabetes induction. Forty rats were divided into five groups, with eight rats per group; Group 1: Control non-diabetic rats; Group II: Untreated diabetic rats; Group III: Diabetic rats drinking ZW; Group IV: Diabetic rats receiving an oral dose of 1 mg/kg dapagliflozin; and Group V: Received both dapagliflozin and ZW. The healing of diabetic wounds was assessed by measuring wound closure, oxidative stress markers, immunohistochemical staining of NF-ßB, VEGF, CD34, CD45, Ki-67, and eNOS, gene expression of MMP-9, TGF-ß1, EGF-b1, FGF, and Col1A1, protein levels of TNFα, IL-1ß, IL6, Ang II, and HIF-1α by ELISA assay, and histological examination with H & E and Masson's trichrome. Combined treatment with dapagliflozin and ZW significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced the wound closure and antioxidant enzyme level, with apparent histological improvement, and shortened the inflammatory stage of the diabetic wound by decreasing the level of inflammatory markers NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL6, and CD45. Therefore, it improved angiogenesis markers VEGF, CD34, eNOS, EGF-ß1, FGF, Ang II, and HIF-1α, increasing Ki-67 cellular proliferation. Moreover, it enhanced the remodeling stage by increasing MMP-2, TGF-ß1, and Col1A1 levels compared to diabetic rats.

Zamzam Water Ameliorates Gentamicin-Induced Testicular Toxicity in a Rat Model via Targeting Sperm Parameters, Testicular Tissue Oxidative Insult, Inflammation, Apoptosis, and Pituitary-Gonadal Axis.

Gentamicin is considered one of the most typical causes of testicular damage. Oxidative stress is a significant contributor to testicular tissue damage. Zamzam water (alkaline in nature) has an antioxidant effect. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential palliative effect of Zamzam water against gentamicin-induced testicular damage. Thirty Rats were separated into three groups, each with ten rats, as follows: The Control received only normal saline. The gentamicin group received 100 mg/kg/day of gentamicin intraperitoneally for six days from day 15 to the end of the experiment. The gentamicin +Zamzam Water group received a dose of gentamicin 100 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally with Zamzam water as their sole source of drinking from day one to day 21. Hormonal assay in serum, histological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural examination of testicular tissue with a molecular study were obtained. Pretreatment with Zamzam water significantly p < 0.001 increased serum levels of testosterone, FSH, and LH, as well as the percentage of sperm motility and progressive motility. It also upregulated SOD, CAT, GPx enzymatic activity, gene expression of Nrf2/HO-1, and immunoexpression of PCNA. While the percentage of dead sperm and abnormal sperm, immunoexpression of NFκB, Caspase 3, inflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL-1ß, IL-6, and MDA levels significantly (p < 0.001) declined with histological improvement. It was concluded that Zamzam water as alkaline water possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects against gentamicin-induced testicular toxicity in vivo.

Disability in bipolar I disorder: Application of Mokken scaling analysis and the graded response model to the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) evaluates an individual's functioning and disability within the conceptual framework of the ICF. The present study examines the measurement properties of the WHODAS 2.0 in patients with bipolar disorder using Mokken scaling analysis (i.e., monotone homogeneity and double monotonicity models) and the graded response model. No previous studies applying these models to this instrument were found. METHODS: A sample of 291 patients with bipolar disorder (42.6% males) was tested. RESULTS: The WHODAS 2.0 domains showed strong unidimensionality, with no items being omitted. In addition, the analysis of invariant item ordering showed that the items of each domain formed a hierarchical scale, with the exception of the 'Life activities' items for employed persons or students and item D4.5 'Sexual activities' in the 'Getting along' domain. The WHODAS 2.0 domains and the whole scale also showed excellent reliability in bipolar disorder. LIMITATIONS: Although the study was limited to patients in Spain, the use of non-sample dependent procedures minimizes this limitation since the results are independent of the sample used. CONCLUSIONS: The WHODAS 2.0 contains six strong unidimensional domains that are hierarchical and reliable for detecting disability in bipolar disorder, although caution should be exercised with regard to some items.

Comparative study of some treatment modalities of rosacea.

BACKGROUND: Rosacea is a disease of complex pathogenesis and variable response to various therapeutic methods. Aim of the work To evaluate and compare the efficacy, safety and side effects of some topical lines of treatment of rosacea. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 24 patients (23 females and 1 male) with rosacea on the face. They were classified into three groups--each including eight patients (16 face sides)--and treated with one of three topical agents (azelaic acid 20% cream, metronidazole 0.75% cream or permethrin 5% cream) on one side of the face and another one on the other side twice daily for 15 weeks. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement of lesions after 15 weeks of topical treatment with the three agents. Azelaic acid cream was significantly more effective on inflammatory lesions but not erythema than the other two creams. Side effects--mostly transient--were observed with topical creams with no significant difference. They included itching, burning sensation, oedema and scales. Patients who used azelaic acid 20% cream were more satisfied than with other modalities. CONCLUSION: Azelaic acid 20% cream provides an effective and safe alternative to metronidazole 0.75% cream or permethrin 5% cream with the added benefit of increased patient satisfaction.

Sleep-wake cycle disturbances in protein-energy malnutrition: effect of nutritional rehabilitation.

A standard sleep questionnaire was given to the parents of 26 infants with protein-energy malnutrition who underwent polysomnographic evaluation. These investigations were repeated approximately 2 months after enrolment in a nutritional rehabilitation programme based on World Health Organization guidelines. Anthropometric values and serum serotonin levels were also measured. After nutritional rehabilitation there was a significantly higher percentage of non-rapid eye movement (REM) sleep; 2nd REM time, and latency times for sleep and REM sleep increased. Percentages of REM sleep and serum serotonin levels decreased significantly. Protein-energy malnutrition seems to affect the sleep-wake cycle; disturbed serotonin levels may be among the factors responsible.

Sleep-wake cycle disturbances in protein-energy malnutrition: effect of nutritional rehabilitation

A standard sleep questionnaire was given to the parents of 26 infants with protein-energy malnutrition who underwent polysomnographic evaluation. These investigations were repeated approximately 2 months after enrolment in a nutritional rehabilitation programme based on World Health Organization guidelines. Anthropometric values and serum serotonin levels were also measured. After nutritional rehabilitation there was a significantly higher percentage of non-rapid eye movement [REM] sleep; 2nd REM time, and latency times for sleep and REM sleep increased. Percentages of REM sleep and serum serotonin levels decreased significantly. Protein-energy malnutrition seems to affect the sleep-wake cycle; disturbed serotonin levels may be among the factors responsible

Structural and functional affection of the heart in protein energy malnutrition patients on admission and after nutritional recovery.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The pathogenesis of different malnutrition diseases was suggested to affect the heart. This study was designed to detect cardiac affection in protein energy malnutrition (PEM) patients, whether clinically or by electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram, and to assess the value of the cardiac marker troponin I in patients at risk of myocardial injury with special emphasis on the effect of nutritional rehabilitation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The present study was carried out on 30 PEM infants (16 nonedematous - 14 edematous) and 10 apparently healthy age and sex-matched infants acting as the control group. All studied infants were subjected to full history taking laying stress on dietetic history, thorough clinical and anthropometric measurements. Echocardiography and ECG were also performed. Laboratory investigations were performed including complete blood count, CRP, total proteins, albumin, liver and kidney functions as well as estimation of troponin-I in blood by immulite. Following initial evaluation, all malnourished infants were subjected to nutritional rehabilitation program for approximately 8 weeks, after which the patients were re-evaluated using the same preinterventional parameters. RESULTS: The results of the present study demonstrated that electrical properties of myocardium assessed by ECG showed significant decrease of R wave and QTc interval in patients compared to controls with significant improvement after nutritional rehabilitation. Echocardigraphic changes showed that cardiac mass index was significantly lower in both groups of malnourished cases compared to the controls with significant increase after nutritional rehabilitation. The study showed that the parameters of left ventricular (LV) systolic function which are the ejection fraction, fractional shortening and velocity of circumferential fiber shortening were not significantly reduced in patients compared to the controls. The diastolic function also showed no significant difference in the E wave/A wave (e/a) ratio between patients and controls. However, the systolic time interval showed significantly higher LV pre-ejection index in patients in comparison to controls. Edematous and nonedematous cases did not show any significant differences in ECG and echocardigraphic data before or after nutritional rehabilitation. The hearts of two severely affected patients uniquely demonstrated marked decrease of LV end diastolic diameter (LEVDd) together with the detection of troponin-I in their sera. CONCLUSION: We can conclude that malnutrition, regardless of its type, has a definite effect on cardiac volume, muscle mass, as well as the electrical properties of the myocardium. The systolic functions of the heart are affected more than the diastolic functions and this affection becomes manifest only in severe cases and may constitute a bad prognostic parameter thus necessitating more intense management and strict follow-up of such cases.

Pancreatic size in protein energy malnutrition: a predictor of nutritional recovery.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic exocrine dysfunction has been frequently recorded in protein energy malnutrition (PEM) because the pancreas requires optimal nutrition for enzyme synthesis. This pancreatic enzyme insufficiency may play a role in the continuation of PEM. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to assess the pancreatic head size and exocrine pancreatic functions, namely serum amylase and lipase, in PEM and its subtypes and correlate any defect present with the various clinical and laboratory data of the PEM patients with special emphasis on the effect of nutritional rehabilitation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 33 cases of PEM; 15 marasmus, 10 kwashiorkor (KWO) and eight marasmic kwashiorkor (MKWO) were recruited from Ain Shams University children's hospital, together with 12 matched controls. The mean age of patients was 11.87 +/- 7.8 months and that of the controls was 14.83 +/- 7.7 months. Detailed history taking and thorough clinical examination with special emphasis on anthropometric measurements were taken for each studied infant as well as laboratory investigations which included; complete blood count, liver and kidney functions and serum amylase and lipase. Ultrasonographic assessment of pancreatic head size was performed for the cases and controls. Nutritional rehabilitation program was carried out for 3-6 months followed by reassessment of the cases. RESULTS: The pancreatic head size values were significantly lower in all subtypes of PEM (1.52 +/- 0.6, 2.73 +/- 0.12 and 3.00 +/- 0.54 cm(3) in the marasmus, KWO and MKWO respectively) compared to the controls (5.13 +/- 2.33 cm(3)). The serum amylase and lipase were also significantly lower in all subgroups of PEM when compared to the controls with significant improvement following nutritional rehabilitation coupled by a significant increase in pancreatic head size too. No significant differences were recorded when we compared the subgroups together except for a significant higher rate of change in serum amylase in edematous patients compared to nonedematous ones. The length of nutritional rehabilitation period, age of the patient, weight and serum albumin were the most determinant factors for pancreatic head size as evident from the multiple regression analysis study. CONCLUSION: The potentially correctable exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in cases of PEM should be carefully thought of when planning the nutritional rehabilitation program for such patients as it could be responsible for the serious continued morbidity issues that they face. We thus recommend that estimation of pancreatic head size and exocrine function should be included in the evaluation of PEM patients and they could also be used as a prognostic parameter. SPONSORSHIP: The patients enrolled were among those admitted and managed freely in the children's Hospital Faculty of Medicine Ain Shams University, including the use of the ultrasound apparatus, while the kits have been purchased by authors who contributed in financing the study.