Diversity and Co-Occurrence Pattern Analysis of Cecal and Jejunal Microbiota in Two Rabbit Breeds.

This study aimed to evaluate the productive performance and microbiota variation in the jejunum and cecum of two rabbit breeds with different growth rates. This study was carried out on Native Middle-Egypt Breed (NMER) and Giant Flanders (GF) rabbits from 5 weeks to 12 weeks of age. Twenty NMER (NM) and GF male rabbits were slaughtered, and the jejunum and cecum tracts were collected to assay gut microbiota composition via 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing and histology examination. At 12 weeks of age, daily weight gain, villus height in the jejunum, total protein, and albumin were higher in GF rabbits than in NMER rabbits. Also, the jejunal villi of GF were well arranged in their dense borders. The microbiota between the jejunum and cecum was significantly different in terms of Beta-diversity. A significant correlation between Enterococcus (jejunum NM samples) and Lactobacillus (cecum GF samples) with body weight and weight gain was found (p < 0.05). Moreover, Escherichia-Shigella in the cecum of NM was significantly correlated with weight gain (p < 0.05). The most abundant genera identified in the jejunal and cecal contents of GF were generally beneficial microbiota. They may also play a role in reducing the pathogenic effects of Escherichia coli in these rabbits.

Direct trocar insertion vs. Veress needle technique in laparoscopic surgeries. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: To compare the safety and efficacy between Veress needle insertion and direct trocar insertion in laparoscopic surgeries. METHODS: Relevant clinical trials were retrieved from major databases; Web of Science, Cochrane CENTRAL, PubMed, and SCOPUS. The following outcomes were pooled for analysis: failed entry, extraperitoneal insufflation, vascular lesion, omental lesion and visceral lesion, site bleeding, reintervention, subcutaneous emphysema, solid organ lesion, and infection of the trocar site. A fixed-effects model was used to analyze homogeneous outcomes, whereas random-effects models were used to analyze heterogeneous outcomes. RESULTS: We included a total of twelve clinical trials. The pooled analysis showed that the Veress needle was accompanied by a significant increase in the incidences of extraperitoneal insufflation (RR = 0.204; 95% Cl [0.136, 0.307], P=0.001), omental lesion (RR=0.444 95% Cl [0.239, 0.825], P=0.01), and failed entry (RR=0.169 95% Cl [0.101, 0.284], P=0.001). There is no significant difference between both cohort regarding the vascular lesion (RR=0.847 95% Cl [0.259, 2.777), P=0.7), infection of the trocar site (RR=0.583 95%Cl [0.106, 3.216], P=0.5, and visceral lesion (RR=1.308 95% Cl [0.314, 5.438], P=0.7. CONCLUSION: The DTI was accompanied by a significantly lower incidence of complications such as extraperitoneal insufflation, failed entry, omental lesion, and subcutaneous emphysema. On the other hand, both cohorts showed similar results regarding; vascular lesions, visceral lesions, reintervention, site bleeding, and solid organ lesion.

Molecular and pathological characterization of natural co-infection of poultry farms with the recently emerged Leucocytozoon caulleryi and chicken anemia virus in Egypt.

In the summers of 2018 and 2019, a disease outbreak stroke 25 broiler chicken farms and 3 broiler breeder farms in different Governorates in Egypt. The disease caused a mortality rate ranging from 3.2 to 9%. Postmortem examination showed petechial hemorrhage in the breast and thigh muscles, thymus gland, and peritoneal cavity and extensive hemorrhages in the kidneys. A total of 140 liver, kidney, lung, skeletal muscles, thymus, and spleen samples were collected. Twenty-eight pooled samples were created and examined by PCR and histopathological examination to identify the causative pathogens. All collected samples were PCR-negative to Newcastle disease virus (NDV), avian influenza viruses (H5, H9, and H7), infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), and fowl adenovirus (FadV). Leucocytozoon caulleryi (L. caulleryi) genetic material was identified by PCR in 17 out of the 28 collected samples (61%). Five chicken farms (18%) showed positive PCR results for both L. caulleryi and chicken anemia virus (CAV). Histopathological examination revealed unilocular megaloschizonts in thymus, skeletal muscle, and lung as well as massive hemorrhages in parenchymatous organs. Nucleotide sequences of the identified pathogens were compared with other reference sequences available in the GenBank. The identified L. caulleryi has a close relationship with those previously detected in Asia, indicating potential transmission route of the parasite. The CAV has a close genetic relation with CAVs previously identified in Egypt. Furthermore, a real-time PCR for rapid, specific, and quasiquantitative detection of L. caulleryi was developed with a detection limit of 100 genome copies per reaction.

Prognostic value of strain by feature-tracking cardiac magnetic resonance in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.

AIMS: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is characterized by ventricular dysfunction and ventricular arrhythmias (VA). Adequate arrhythmic risk assessment is important to prevent sudden cardiac death. We aimed to study the incremental value of strain by feature-tracking cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (FT-CMR) in predicting sustained VA in ARVC patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: CMR images of 132 ARVC patients (43% male, 40.6 ± 16.0 years) without prior VA were analysed for global and regional right and left ventricular (RV, LV) strain. Primary outcome was sustained VA during follow-up. We performed multivariable regression assessing strain, in combination with (i) RV ejection fraction (EF); (ii) LVEF; and (iii) the ARVC risk calculator. False discovery rate adjusted P-values were given to correct for multiple comparisons and c-statistics were calculated for each model. During 4.3 (2.0-7.9) years of follow-up, 19% of patients experienced sustained VA. Compared to patients without VA, those with VA had significantly reduced RV longitudinal (P ≤ 0.03) and LV circumferential (P ≤ 0.04) strain. In addition, patients with VA had significantly reduced biventricular EF (P ≤ 0.02). After correcting for RVEF, LVEF, and the ARVC risk calculator separately in multivariable analysis, both RV and LV strain lost their significance [hazard ratio 1.03-1.18, P > 0.05]. Likewise, while strain improved the c-statistic in combination with RVEF, LVEF, and the ARVC risk calculator separately, this did not reach statistical significance (P ≥ 0.18). CONCLUSION: Both RV longitudinal and LV circumferential strain are reduced in ARVC patients with sustained VA during follow-up. However, strain does not have incremental value over RVEF, LVEF, and the ARVC VA risk calculator.

Quantitative spleen and liver volume changes predict survival of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis.

AIM: To assess the value of quantitative spleen and liver volume changes in predicting the survival of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This institutional review board-approved single-centre study included 89 PSC patients with baseline and follow-up liver imaging studies and laboratory data between 2000 and 2018. Change in spleen, total and lobar liver volumes, and lobar-to-total liver volume ratio was compared between patients with and without adverse outcome (liver transplantation, transplant waiting list, and death). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and Kaplan-Meier analysis were performed to identify the volumetric threshold for prediction of outcome and show how these thresholds predict survival, respectively. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The present cohort included 53 men (60%), with mean age of 42 years at baseline. The only volumetric parameters with significant differences in change between patients with and without adverse outcome were spleen volume (p<0.001) and left-to-total liver volume ratio (L/T; p=0.025). The probability of transplant-free survival at 36 months was 59.1% versus 11.9% for patients with spleen volume change <50 ml versus ≥50 ml, respectively (AUC=0.731); and 61.3% versus 13.8% for patients with L/T change <0.04 versus ≥0.04, respectively (AUC=0.638). The patients with changes below the cut-off in both spleen volume and L/T, had a higher probability of transplant-free survival at 36 months (76.8%), compared to those with change at or below the cut-offs in one or both of these two parameters (36.7%, 15%, respectively; p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Spleen volume change and L/T change might be useful biomarkers for prediction of transplant-free survival in patients with PSC.

Molecular detection and characterization of fowl adenovirus associated with inclusion body hepatitis from broiler chickens in Egypt.

A case-control study was performed to assess prescence of inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) caused by fowl adenoviruses (FAdVs) at Kafr EL-Shiekh Governorate, Egypt, during spring, 2017. The case group consisted of 100 liver and spleen samples collected from 10 broiler chickens flocks (10 samples from each flock) suspected to be infected with IBH depending on clinical manefestations and necropsy examination. Controls were randamly selected from chickens without clinical sings or evidence of the disease on postmortem examination. Molecular screening of the disease disease in collected samples based on the DNA polymerase gene of FAdVs was carried out. Furthermore, the DNA polymerase gene sequence was determined and analyzed with published reference sequences on GeneBank. Respectively, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to confirm existence of co-infection with chicken infectious anemia virus (CIAV) and/or infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV in flocks involved in the study. Using PCR, FAdV genome was detected in seven flocks in the case group and one in the control group. FAdV identified in this study revealed close genetic relationship with FAdVs-D previously identified in UK and Canada, suggesting potential virus transmission from these countries. All tested serum samples from diseased chickens were positive for CIAV infection via ELISA while none of the collected bursa of Fabricius samples tested IBDV positive by RT-PCR. Therefore, results obtained from the current study highlighted the importance of implementation of control measures against FAdV and CIAV in Egyptian poultry flocks. This study opens the door for future work toward specific identification of FAdV serotypes circulating in Egyptian poultry farms and molecular characterization of the virus based on hexon gene or full genome sequencing for better understanding of genetic diversity among FAdVs in Egypt at higher reolution.

Molecular and pathological characterization of duck enteritis virus in Egypt.

In winter 2016, a fatal disease outbreak suspected to be duck virus enteritis (DVE) stroke over a million ducklings in 10 white Pekin and Muscovy ducks flocks in Dakahlia and Gharbia Governorates, Egypt, causing heavy economic losses. The disease quickly killed 20%-60% of affected farms. The clinical signs were inappetence, ataxia, crowding in corners, partially closed eye lids and blue beaks. Post mortem examination revealed white necrotic foci in liver, mottled spleen and sometimes cecal core. A total of 10 intestines, livers and spleens samples were collected from diseased flocks. Each sample was pooled randomly from eight to ten ducklings. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and histopathological examination were utilized for DEV identification in collected samples. Nucleotides sequences of the amplified DNA polymerase gene were compared with the other DEVs available on GeneBank. Also, existence of co-infection with Salmonella spp. was verified via PCR. DEV nucleic acid was detected by PCR in 8 of 10 collected samples (80%) with positive amplification of polymerase gene. Histopathological examination revealed eosinophilic and basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies in enterocytes. In some infected enterocytes, intranuclear and intracytoplasmic inclusions were observed in the same cell. Respectively, eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies found in hepatocytes and reticular cells of liver and spleen of diseased ducklings. Four of the 10 collected samples showed positive results for Salmonella spp. infection that may be involved in enhancing infection with DEV. The identified DEVs revealed close genetic relationship with DEVs detected previously in India and China indicating potential transmission of the virus from there that crucially needs further work for better understanding of virus origin. In conclusion, our study revealed infection of duckling farms with DEV and Salmonella that necessitate the implementation of restricted early preventive and control measures for both diseases to decrease the expected economic losses.

Long-term follow-up of hepatic adenoma and adenomatosis: analysis of size change on imaging with histopathological correlation.

AIM: To analyse the change in size on follow-up of hepatic adenomas (HAs) and adenomatosis, and to investigate the relationship of imaging features with size change. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 44 patients (142 lesions) who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) for diagnosis and follow-up of HA. The imaging features and percentage change in maximum tumour dimension were observed over a follow-up duration of up to 139 months. RESULTS: With an average follow-up of 43 months, 37% lesions decreased in size, 58% were stable, 4% increased; one lesion regressed completely. Adenomas were stratified into size groups (<3, 3-5, and ≥5 cm). Size change among the three groups was similar (p>0.05). Percent size change was different for lesions followed for ≤12 months (-7.2%) compared with lesions followed for 13-60 months (-20.5%), and those followed for ≥60 months (-23.5%; p<0.05); there was no difference between lesions followed for 13-60 months and ≥60 months (p=0.523). Baseline size and percent size change was similar between the hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α-inactivated HA (HA-H) and inflammatory HA (HA-I) subtype (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Most adenomas were either stable or regressed on follow-up. Size change was independent of baseline size. After an initial size decrease within 5 years, no further size reduction was noted on extended follow-up. The percent size change in the HA-H and HA-I subtype was similar.

Functional hepatic imaging as a biomarker of primary and secondary tumor response to loco-regional therapies.

Objective criteria to measure tumor response are a key tenet for assessment of treatment efficacy when evaluating a therapeutic modality. Several response criteria have been proposed including the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), modified RECIST (mRECIST), RECIST 1-1, and European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) guidelines. Response following loco-regional therapies (LRT) can be particularly difficult to assess as post-treatment changes may not always relate to changes in lesion size. As imaging modalities and solid tumor therapies continue to advance, there has been growing recognition that measurement of actual tumoricidal activity may not always be related to tumor size, and accurate assessment of treatment response may vary by therapeutic modality. As such, the objective change in the physical size characteristics of a tumor may not accurately reflect biological response to treatment. Functional imaging encompasses methods that are capable of detecting or measuring changes in tissue metabolism, blood flow, or composition. Conventional imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed topography (CT) now include techniques such as diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps, dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE-MRI), and perfusion CT (pCT). Use of functional cross-sectional imaging is particularly relevant to assess primary and secondary hepatic malignancies treated with LRT, such as trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), yttrium-90 (Y-90), and hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) chemotherapy. We herein review the imaging techniques, as well as the methodologies for measuring tumor response and survival, among patients treated with LRT for primary and secondary hepatic malignancies.

Effects of paroxetine on intravaginal ejaculatory latency time in Egyptian patients with lifelong premature ejaculation as a function of serotonin transporter polymorphism.

Premature ejaculation (PE) is a common ejaculatory complaint. The estimated rates among Turkish men reached 20%, although the severest type of PE (lifelong PE) usually does not exceed 2.3%. This could be seen in line with two survey studies involving five nations. They revealed that 2.5% of men had an intravaginal ejaculation latency time of <1 min and 6% of <2 min. Rapid ejaculation may be treated pharmacologically with a variety of different medications that act either centrally or locally to delay ejaculation and subsequent orgasm. Antidepressants, particularly members of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor class, retard ejaculation significantly. Recently, it was postulated that men with lifelong PE might result from a combination of polymorphisms of the serotonergic transporter and receptors, and other neurotransmitters and/or receptors. Our findings augment the significant effect of paroxetine in delaying ejaculation in the responders (P<0.001). Meanwhile, the findings do not suggest a positive association between such response and serotonin transporter gene promoter polymorphism.

Impact of early postoperative platelet count on volumetric liver gain and perioperative outcomes after major liver resection.

BACKGROUND: Although perioperative platelet count has been associated with postoperative morbidity and mortality, its impact on liver regeneration has not been examined directly. This study sought to determine the impact of platelet count on liver regeneration after major liver resection using cross-sectional imaging volumetric assessment. METHODS: Patients who underwent major liver resection between 2004 and 2015 and had available data on immediate postoperative platelet count, as well as preoperative and postoperative CT images, were identified retrospectively. Resected liver volume was subtracted from total liver volume (TLV) to define postoperative remnant liver volume (RLVp ). The liver regeneration index was defined as the relative increase in liver volume within 2 months ((RLV2m - RLVp )/RLVp , where RLV2m is the remnant liver volume around 2 months after surgery). The association between platelet count, liver regeneration and outcomes was assessed. RESULTS: A total of 99 patients met the inclusion criteria. Overall, 25 patients (25 per cent) had a low platelet count (less than 150 × 10(9) /l), whereas 74 had a normal-high platelet count (at least 150 × 10(9) /l). Despite having comparable clinicopathological characteristics and RLVp /TLV at surgery (P = 0·903), the relative increase in liver volume within 2 months was considerably lower in the low-platelet group (3·9 versus 16·5 per cent; P = 0·043). Patients with a low platelet count had an increased risk of postoperative complications (72 versus 38 per cent; P = 0·003), longer hospital stay (8 versus 6 days; P = 0·004) and worse median overall survival (24·5 versus 67·3 months; P = 0·005) than those with a normal or high platelet count. CONCLUSION: After major liver resection, a low postoperative platelet count was associated with inhibited liver regeneration, as well as worse short- and long-term outcomes. Immediate postoperative platelet count may be an early indicator to identify patients at increased risk of worse outcomes.

Clinical and morphometric parameters of frailty for prediction of mortality following hepatopancreaticobiliary surgery in the elderly.

BACKGROUND: Although frailty is a known determinant of poor postoperative outcomes, it can be difficult to identify in patients before surgery. The authors sought to develop a preoperative frailty risk model to predict mortality among patients aged 65 years or more. METHODS: Clinical and morphometric data including total psoas area (TPA), total psoas volume (TPV) and psoas density (Hounsfield unit average calculation, HUAC) were collected for patients undergoing hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) surgery between 2012 and 2014. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was used to identify preoperative risk factors associated with 1-year mortality. RESULTS: The median age of the 518 patients included in the study was 72 (i.q.r. 68-76) years; 55·6 per cent of patients were men, and half of the cohort had multiple co-morbidities (Charlson co-morbidity index (CCI) of 4 or more, 55·6 per cent). TPA cut-offs to define sarcopenia were 552·7 mm(2) /m(2) in women and 702·9 mm(2) /m(2) in men; cut-offs for TPV were 18·2 cm(3) /m(2) in women and 26·2 cm(3) /m(2) in men, whereas HUAC cut-offs were 31·1 HU in women and 33·3 HU in men. The overall 1-year mortality rate was 14·1 per cent. In multivariable analysis, risk factors associated with 1-year mortality included CCI of 4 or above (hazard ratio (HR) 2·91, 95 per cent c.i. 1·47 to 5·77; P = 0·002), malignant disease (HR 3·94, 1·17 to 13·30; P = 0·027) and sarcopenia by HUAC (HR 1·85, 1·10 to 3·10; P = 0·021). A weighted 25-point composite score was developed to stratify patients at risk of 1-year postoperative mortality. The 1-year mortality rate was noted to be 2·5 per cent among patients scoring 0-10 (low risk), 17·3 per cent among patients scoring 11-20 (intermediate risk) and 29·2 per cent among those scoring between 21 and 25 (high risk) (P < 0·001). CONCLUSION: Clinical and morphometric measures of frailty accurately predict the risk of 1-year mortality following HPB surgery in elderly patients, and can be used to risk-stratify patients appropriately.

Intraoperative and delayed wound approximation in closure of skin defects in different areas.

OBJECTIVE: Wound approximation device is an interesting reconstructive option but not well popularised. In this study we present a simple device that can be used for immediate or delayed closure of large dermal wounds in different anatomical areas. METHOD: Patients with acute and chronic wounds were recruited and underwent immediate intra-operative wound approximation and/or delayed wound approximation, with a home-made wound approximation device. RESULTS: Approximation time in the immediate closure group ranged from 20-140 minutes. Satisfactory scars were obtained in 19 patients (76%) and adherent scars developed in 6 patients. Delayed wound approximation was used successfully in closure of 9 defects. CONCLUSION: This simple dermal wound approximation device can be used intraoperatively to successfully close large difficult wounds, located on the trunk and thigh, with minimal complications. The device can also be used to approximate delayed wounds located in regions where closure is particularly problematic, like the lower leg, foot, and scalp. Some modifications of the device are needed to improve its safety and efficacy. Wound tension is detrimental to adequate wound healing and tensile strength, another basic principle that should not be overlooked to avoid wound dehiscence. Wound approximation is adding to reconstructive options, not replacing them, and they must always be considered.

Antigenic analysis of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses circulating in Egypt (2006-2012).

The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in Egypt circulated continuously after its introduction in February 2006 with substantial economic losses and frequent human infections. Phylogenetic analysis of the available HA sequences revealed the presence of two main sublineages; the classic 2.2.1 and the variant 2.2.1.1. The classic 2.2.1 had subdivided into two clusters of viruses; cluster C1 contained the originally introduced virus and isolates from 2006 to 2009 and cluster C2 emerged in 2007 and continues to circulate. The variant 2.2.1.1 represents the isolates mainly from chickens and subdivided into two clusters; cluster V1 contains isolates from 2007 to 2009 and cluster V2 contains isolates from 2008 to 2011. Sequence analysis revealed 28 amino acid mutations in the previously reported antigenic sites and high evolution rate which may be due to selective pressure from vaccination and/or natural infection. Antigenic analysis of 18 H5N1 isolates from 2006 to 2012 that represent different clusters was conducted using hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and virus neutralization (VN) assays using hyperimmune sera produced by immunizing SPF chickens with inactivated whole-virus. Antigenic relatedness of ancestral Egyptian H5N1 isolate (459-3/06) with other isolates ranged from 30.7% to 79.1% indicating significant antigenic drift of the H5N1 viruses from the ancestral strains. The antigenic relatedness between C2 and V2 clusters ranged from 28.9% to 68% supporting the need for vaccine seed strains from both clusters. Interestingly, A/CK/EG/1709-6/2008 H5N1 strain showed a broad cross reactivity against viruses in different H5N1 clusters (antigenic relatedness ranged from 63.9% to 85.8%) demonstrating a potential candidate as a vaccine strain. Antigenic cartography which facilitates a quantitative interpretation and easy visualization of serological data was constructed based on HI results and further demonstrated the several antigenic groups among Egyptian H5N1 viruses. In conclusion, the cross reactivity between the co-circulating H5N1 strains may not be adequate for protection against each other and it is recommended to test vaccines that contain isolates from different antigenic groups in experimental infection trials for the selection of vaccine seed strain. Furthermore, the continuous monitoring for detecting the emerging variants followed by detailed antigenic analysis for updating vaccines is warranted.

Impact of a single-day multidisciplinary clinic on the management of patients with liver tumours.

PURPOSE: Multidisciplinary cancer clinics may improve patient care. We examined how a single-day multidisciplinary liver clinic (mdlc) affected care recommendations for patients compared with the recommendations provided before presentation to the mdlc. METHODS: We analyzed the demographic and clinicopathologic data of 343 patients assessed in the Johns Hopkins Liver Tumor Center from 2009 to 2012, comparing imaging and pathology interpretation, diagnosis, and management plan between the outside provider (osp) and the mdlc. RESULTS: Most patients were white (n = 259, 76%); median age was 60 years; and 146 were women (43%). Outside providers referred 182 patients (53%); the rest were self-referred. Patients travelled median of 83.4 miles (interquartile range: 42.7-247 miles). Most had already undergone imaging (n = 338, 99%) and biopsy (n = 194, 57%) at the osp, and a formal management plan had been formulated for about half (n = 168, 49%). Alterations in the interpretation of imaging occurred for 49 patients (18%) and of biopsy for 14 patients (10%). Referral to the mdlc resulted in a change of diagnosis in 26 patients (8%), of management plan in 70 patients (42%), and of tumour resectability in 7 patients (5%). Roughly half the patients (n = 174, 51%) returned for a follow-up, and 154 of the returnees (89%) received treatment, primarily intraarterial therapy (n = 88, 57%), systemic chemotherapy (n = 60, 39%), or liver resection (n = 32, 21%). Enrollment in a clinical trial was proposed to 34 patients (10%), and 21 of the 34 (62%) were accrued. CONCLUSIONS: Patient assessment by our multidisciplinary liver clinic had a significant impact on management, resulting in alterations to imaging and pathology interpretation, diagnosis, and management plan. The mdlc is an effective and convenient means of delivering expert opinion about the diagnosis and management of liver tumours.

Genetic characterization of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza viruses isolated from poultry farms in Egypt.

Twenty-four avian influenza viruses were collected from poultry farms in three different governorates in Egypt during the years 2006-2009 and genetically characterized. All the isolates were confirmed to be type A and subtype H5 influenza virus by chromatographic strip test and hemagglutination inhibition assay. The sequence and phylogenetic data revealed that all Egyptian isolates cluster together and belong to subclade 2.2.1 of the H5N1 virus of Eurasian origin. Within the clade, Egyptian isolates were classified into three major groups (A, B, and C) based on genetic similarity and chronology of the isolation. The majority of the recent isolates belonged to subgroup A. Interestingly, four strains, which were isolated from the same farm with two of the samples collected on the same day, were located in separate subgroups. In addition, the difference in topology between HA and NS phylogenetic trees, which indicates possible difference in dynamics of genetic evolution in two genes, was observed. Genetic characterization data of H5N1 isolates obtained from farms with different vaccination histories indicate the vaccines currently being used in Egypt do not provide adequate level of protection. Our study provides additional evidence for the need for updated vaccine and warrants continuous monitoring of H5N1 influenza virus in Egypt.

Protective role of propolis against reproductive toxicity of triphenyltin in male rabbits.

Triphenyltin (TPT) is known to cause endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity and a decrease in testosterone production. It is involved in the production of reactive oxygen species. Propolis has been reported to be an important antioxidant. Therefore, the present study aimed to elucidate the possible protective effects of propolis in alleviating the toxicity of triphenyltin chloride (TPTCl) on reproductive performance, testosterone levels, lipid peroxidation and enzyme activities in seminal plasma of male New Zealand white rabbits. Animals were orally administered the doses of propolis, TPTCl and propolis plus TPTCl every day for 12weeks. Results showed that semen quality was deteriorated following treatment with TPTCl. Also, testosterone levels, body weight (BW), relative weights of testes (RWT) and epididymis (RWE) were decreased. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and lactate dehydrogenase were increased, while glutathione S-transferase, transaminases and phosphatases were decreased in seminal plasma of rabbits treated with TPTCl compared to control. Propolis alone significantly increased testosterone levels, BW, RTW, REW, semen characteristics and seminal plasma enzymes, and decreased the levels of free radicals and lactate dehydrogenase. Furthermore, the presence of propolis with TPTCl alleviates its toxic effects. From the present study, it can be concluded propolis can be effective in the protection of TPTCl-induced reproductive toxicity.