Pumpkin seed oil-supplemented diets promoted the growth productivity, antioxidative capacity, and immune response in heat-stressed growing rabbits.

Heat stress is the most major environmental element contributing to rabbit health problems and reduced production. It is proposed that essential oils be applied to alleviate heat stress-induced oxidative damage in rabbits. The purpose of this feeding trial was to determine the protective impact of pumpkin seed essential oil (PSO)-supplemented diets in reducing the threat of unambient temperature on growing rabbits. Five groups of 5-week-old rabbits were allocated randomly into separated galvanized wire battery. The first group was raised under normal conditions (18 ± 2 °C) and fed a control diet (control group; CNT), whereas the other four groups were exposed to high ambient temperature (38 ± 2 °C) and fed a control diet supplemented with 0 (PSO0.0), 0.5 (PSO0.05), 1.0 (PSO1.0), and 2.0 (PSO2.0) mL PSO/kg diet. Results indicated that all supplemented groups and the positive control have higher live body weight compared with the heat stress group (PSO0.0) at 9 weeks of age. Supplementing of PSO resulted in significant improvement in weight gain at 5-9 weeks and 9-13 weeks compared with PSO0.0 group. The highest feed intake was detected in PSO0.05 group compared with that in other groups. Both PSO2.0 and PSO2.0 groups showed the lowest feed conversion ration compared with other groups. Heat-stressed rabbits given a high dose of PSO (1 to 2 mL) had higher hemoglobin concentrations and lower white blood cell counts throughout the experiment than those given a control diet and subjected to heat stress. All hepatic and renal function parameters improved significantly in the rabbits fed a high dose of PSO as compared to the heat-stressed control group, while protein constituents were significantly higher in experimental groups fed 2 mL PSO compared with other groups. Heat-stressed rabbits administered graded amounts of PSO had the lowest plasma glucose, cortisol, thyroid, and corticosterone concentrations and were noticed to be equivalent to the control group fed unsupplemented diet and reared under normal conditions. The immunohistochemistry analysis demonstrated that rabbit groups reared under heat stress and given 2 mL PSO supplemented diets had negative caspase-3 immunoreactivity surrounding portal tract and normal structure. In conclusion, adding pumpkin seed oil up to 2 mL/kg diet for growing rabbits is indorsed to promote growth as well as antioxidant and immunological status under heat stress conditions.

Anti-Obesity Effects of Formulated Biscuits Supplemented with Date's Fiber; Agro-Waste Products Used as a Potent Functional Food.

Superabundant date fruit production in Al-Qassim in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), a plentiful region for producing date syrup resulting in massive amounts of date fiber (DF), causes environmental issues with what is considered dietary waste. However, no food producer or researcher has thought of the valorization of DF by extracting the crude polysaccharides that can be converted to nanoparticles (flours) to increase its functional group and enhance its functionality. Using the DF was the primary goal, with the new biscuits used within the current study investigated as a potent integrated approach for controlling obesity levels and its effects. Obesity is one of the most important human problems worldwide, connected to many metabolic diseases, e.g., diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Its prevalence has recently increased among Saudi children and adolescents. An investigation of the biological effects of the formulated products was carried out by feeding the formulated biscuits with different DF levels (5, 10 and 15%) to obese albino rats, in addition to positive and negative control groups, to evaluate the effect of a reduced calorie product on controlling their body weight and health stats (lipid profile, blood sugars, kidney and liver functions). The collected data showed that the most positive results were obtained from rats fed diets supplemented with 10% DF biscuits. All TCHO, TrGs, HDL, and HDL were decreased to the best levels in this group compared to the positive control group (148.23, 145.30, 37.50, and 81.67 vs. 238.37, 199.07, 62.57, and 135.99, respectively). To conclude, DF supplementation presented anti-obesity properties in animal models; however, more epidemiological trials are needed.

Chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Amblycera, Ischnocera) from Red Sea gulls with new host-parasite records.

Knowledge about chewing lice from marine birds of the Red Sea is minimal. Five species of gulls were examined for chewing lice in three different localities of the Saudi Arabian Red Sea coast. Two gull species were examined for lice for the first time (Larus armenicus Buturlin, 1934 and Larus michahellis Naumann, 1840) and their lice represent new host-louse associations. Four species and two subspecies of lice were identified from 159 specimens collected. Actornithophilus piceus lari (Packard, 1870) and Austromenopon transversum (Denny, 1842) (suborder: Amblycera), and Quadraceps punctatus (Burmeister, 1838) and Saemundssonia lari (O. Fabricius, 1780) (suborder: Ischnocera) were recorded for the first time from Saudi Arabia and Red Sea birds. Taxonomic and ecological notes, type hosts, data on specimens examined, collecting localities, an identification key, and photographs of each species and subspecies are given. 

Feather mites of the genus Zachvatkinia Dubinin, 1949 (Astigmata: Analgoidea: Avenzoariidae) from Saudi Arabia: A new species and two new records.

Feather mites of the family Avenzoariidae (Acari: Astigmata: Analgoidea) are recorded for the first time in Saudi Arabia. A new avenzoariid species, Zachvatkinia (Zachvatkinia) repressae sp. n. (Avenzoariidae: Bonnetellinae), is described from the White-cheeked Tern, Sterna repressa Hartert, 1916 (Charadriiformes: Stemidae). The new species belongs to the sternae group and is closely related to Z (Z.) chlidoniae Mironov, 1989a. Two more species, Z. (Z.) dromae Mironov, 1992 and Z. (Z.) sternae (Canestrini & Fanzago, 1876), were collected from the Crab Plover Dromas ardeola Paykull, 1805 (Charadriiformes: Dromadidae) and the Sooty Gull Ichthyaetus hemprichii (Bruch, 1853) (Charadriiformes: Laridae), respectively. Among the 18 described species of Zachvatkinia Dubinin, 1949, including the new species, this is the fifth species recorded from a sternid host. The remaining 13 nominal species are associated with birds of the families Diomedeidae, Dromadidae, Hydrobatidae, Laridae, Pelecanoididae, Procellariidae and Stercorariidae. A checklist of world species of Zachvatkinia with data on their distribution and type hosts is also provided.

Effect of mastitis on macro-minerals of bovine milk and blood serum in Sudan.

Milk and blood serum from clinically mastitis infected, subclinically mastitis infected and healthy Friesian cows (15 samples from each of 3 groups) were evaluated for macrominerals (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus). The milk from cows infected with subclinical mastitis revealed a significant decrease in potassium (P < 0.001) and a significant increase in sodium and phosphorus content (P < 0.01). Similarly, the milk from cows with the clinical form of the disease showed a significant increase in sodium (P < 0.001) and a significant decrease in potassium, magnesium (P < 0.001) and calcium (P < 0.01). Comparison of healthy cow's milk with that from cows with subclinical mastitis revealed a highly significant increase in sodium (P < 0.001). Comparison of healthy cow's milk with that of clinically mastitic milk showed a highly significant decrease in levels of calcium, magnesium (P < 0.001) and potassium (P < 0.01). However, sodium increased highly significantly (P < 0.001). Comparison of macro-minerals in milk from cows with subclinical and clinical mastitis revealed a significant decrease in potassium contents (P < 0.05) compared with that of healthy cows. Potassium levels were found to decrease significantly (P < 0.05) in subclinically infected cow's blood serum. However, calcium and phosphorus showed a significant decrease (P < 0.01) in blood serum samples from the clinically infected cows.

First report of an outbreak of ovine septicaemic listeriosis in Saudi Arabia.

Although a case of human listeriosis has recently been reported in Saudi Arabia, the disease has not been reported in animals to date. The authors describe an outbreak of septicaemic listeriosis in sheep, which occurred during winter. Adult animals and pregnant ewes were principally affected, with a morbidity rate of 7.1% and a mortality rate of 2.4%; no abortions were recorded during the outbreak. Clinical signs included inappetence, weakness, fever, respiratory distress, keratoconjunctivitis and compulsive circling. Listeria monocytogenes was isolated in pure culture from affected sheep. Pathological findings indicated septicaemic listeriosis with encephalitis. Hygienic measures and antibiotics were successful in treating the rest of the flock. Aspects of the outbreak and public health implications are discussed.

Plasma and urinary selenium in Saudi Arabian patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

We measured selenium (Se) levels in the urine and blood plasma samples of 72 Saudi Arabian patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and 70 control subjects of the same origin. To correct for differences in the hydration state of the subjects, the selenium concentration for each urine sample was normalized by dividing it by the concentration of creatinine (CREAT) in the same sample. The median (and range) of the values found for the concentration of Se in plasma, urine, and normalized concentration in urine for the control subjects was 1.306 (0.66-2.50) microM, 0.478 (0.05-2.00) microM, and 56.7 (10.6-426.5) microM Se/M CREAT, respectively, whereas, for the patients, it was 1.246 (0.53-2.45) microM, 0.39 (0.05-1.90) microM, and 75.1 (4.9-656.2) microM Se/M CREAT, respectively. Additionally, the patients were separated into three subgroups according to the severity of their disease state as judged by NYHA procedure, and were then compared to the control group. Only group 4 (the most severe state of the disease) had a significantly lower concentration of urinary Se than the control group. However, the difference became nonsignificant when normalized for CREAT levels. There was no significant difference in the plasma Se levels between the controls and any of the patient groups. As the plasma Se in the control group and in the DCM patients both fell on the low end of the "normal" range, with the patients being marginally lower than the controls, there is no firm evidence from this study to suggest that Se is related to the high incidence rate of DCM found in Saudi Arabia.

Prevalence and severity of hyponatremia and hypercreatininemia in short-term uncomplicated hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism is widely accepted as a cause of hyponatremia and hypercreatininemia. However, the prevalence and severity of hyponatremia and hypercreatininemia in hypothyroid patients without comorbid conditions have not been well documented. We retrospectively studied serum sodium and creatinine levels in thyroid-ablated patients with differentiated thyroid cancer off (no.=128) and on (no.=60) thyroid hormone therapy. In the hypothyroid state, mean(+/-SD) TSH, sodium, and creatinine levels were 130.3+/-104.8 mU/l, 139.3+/-2.7 mEq/l, and 89.4+/-20 mmol/l respectively. Twenty-four patients (18.8%) had creatinine levels above the age- and sex-adjusted normal range, whereas only five patients (3.9%) had sodium levels below 135 mEq/l. No patient had a sodium level less than 130 mEq/l. Compared to their euthyroid values, mean sodium and creatinine levels of the hypothyroid patients changed by -1.18 mEq/l (p=0.003) and 17.2 mmol/l (p<0.0001), respectively. There was significant correlation of TSH levels in the hypothyroid state with the changes from the euthyroid state to the hypothyroid state in creatinine levels (r=0.29, p=0.02) but not with the corresponding changes in sodium levels (r=0.06, p=0.6). In thirty-seven patients studied in two hypothyroid episodes, there was a significant correlation between a) TSH levels in hypothyroid state 1 and hypothyroid state 2 (r=0.56, p=0.0003), and b) the change in creatinine levels from the euthyroid state to hypothyroid state 1 and the corresponding change from the euthyroid state to hypothyroid state 2 (r=0.48, p=0.003). There was no significant correlation between the change in sodium levels from the euthyroid state to hypothyroid state 1 and the corresponding change from the euthyroid state to hypothyroid state 2 (r=0.32, p=0.05). We conclude that hyponatremia is very uncommon, whereas mild to moderate elevation in serum creatinine level is not uncommon in patients with short-term uncomplicated hypothyroidism.

Concentrations of soluble tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6 receptors in heatstroke and heatstress.

OBJECTIVE: Increased proinflammatory cytokine concentrations have been implicated in the pathogenesis of heatstroke. Soluble cytokine receptors can modulate circulating cytokine activities. We examined the possible role of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors (sTNFR 60, sTNFR 80) and interleukin-6 receptor (sIL-6R) in heatstroke by determining their concentrations before and after cooling, as well as in heatstressed controls. DESIGN: Prospective controlled study. SETTING: Heatstroke Center, Makkah, Saudi Arabia (1993 pilgrimage). PATIENTS: Twenty-five consecutive heatstroke patients before and after cooling, 14 heatstressed controls (HSC), and 13 normal controls (NC). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Concentrations of sTNFR 60, sTNFR 80, and sIL-6R, as well as their ligands, were measured using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Mean sTNFR 60 concentration was increased in heatstroke (p <.0001, vs. NC; p < .0001, vs. HSC) and in HSC (p = .004, vs. NC). Mean sTNFR 80 concentration was increased in heatstroke and decreased in HSC (p = .01, heatstroke vs. HSC). Mean sIL-6R concentration was decreased in heatstroke and increased in HSC (p = .04, heatstroke vs. NC; p = .001, heatstroke vs. HSC). IL-6 was undetectable in NC and mean IL-6 concentration was more increased in heatstroke than in HSC (p = .001). Rectal temperature and creatinine concentrations correlated significantly with sTNFR 60, sTNFR 80, sIL-6R, and IL-6 concentrations. After cooling, mean concentrations of sIL-6R and sTNFR 80 increased significantly, whereas the mean sTNFR 60 concentration did not change. Residual neurologic deficits were associated with higher precooling IL-6 (p = .002) and postcooling sTNFRs (p < .0001) concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Significant changes in cytokine receptor concentrations are associated with heatstress. In heatstroke, the changes are more pronounced, and for some cytokine receptors, the changes are in the opposite direction (compared with changes in heatstress). Concentrations of IL-6 and sTNFRs correlate with hyperthermia and outcome. Cooling did not normalize sTNFR concentrations, suggesting failure to control the inflammatory response.

An outbreak of cameline filariasis in the Sudan.

Sheathed microfilariae (mean length 278 +/- 10 microns SEM; mean width 7.2 +/- 0.8 microns) were detected in the blood of 7/14 housed camels (Camelus dromedarius). Microfilaraemic camels of either sex were inappetent, lethargic, reluctant to move and exhibited weakness in the hind limbs; some remained in sternal recumbency. Cardiac disorders, orchitis and skin nodules were conspicuously absent. The microfilariae showed a biphasic pattern in the blood that peaked at 20:00 and plateaued between 04:00 and 06:00. Adult filarial worms were recovered from the mesenteric and femoral arteries. Marked clinical improvement within 1-2 weeks was seen in three camels treated at 10:00 with a single subcutaneous injection of 0.2 mg/kg of ivermectin. These camels became amicrofilaraemic 2-5 days after treatment and remained so for the length of the observation period (133 days). Treatment of two camels at the time of high microfilaraemia (06:30) resulted in adverse reaction and death.

Bovine farcy: a clinico-pathological study of the disease and its aetiological agent.

An extensive survey for bovine farcy covering 14,192 animals was conducted in the Sudan. The incidence of the disease was 31.9 per cent in Western Sudan which is regarded as an endemic area. Animals were examined clinically and at post-mortem. The lesions involved the prescapular, femoral, parotid, retropharyngeal, submaxillary, inguinal and mediastinal lymph nodes. Some animals had farcy lesions in the udder and some developed the pulmonary form of the disease. The disease is slow, but progressive in nature and was more prevalent among adult cattle than calves. Mycobacterium farcinogenes was found to be the cause of bovine farcy in the Sudan. The morphological and biochemical characteristics, and the mycolic acid content of the isolated strains were found to be identical to the reference strains of M. farcinogenes and were quite different from reference strains of Nocardia farcinica from which they were easily distinguished by the presence of alpha-mycolate, alpha'-mycolate and epoxymycolate in M. farcinogenes. Hydrolysis of mycolic acids with tetrabutylammonium hydroxide and the precipitation with toluene and acetonitrile gave good results comparable with acid methonalysis and alkaline hydrolysis. Precipitin lines were detected in the sera of some farcy-infected cattle. Histopathological examination of farcy lesions revealed a severe granulomatous reaction characterized by lymphocyte, macrophage, epithelioid and giant cell infiltration as well as marked fibrous proliferation. These changes were indicative of a progressive disease of the delayed tuberculin hypersensitivity type.

First report of infectious necrotic hepatitis (black disease) among Nubian goats in Sudan.

In a flock of 425 female and male Nubian goats in the Khartoum Province, an outbreak of a disease causing sudden death of 18 apparently healthy goats occurred (11 females and 7 males, 3-6 years old). Adult Fasciola gigantica were found in the livers of all goats and in seven of them Cysticercus tenuicollis cysts. These organs showed necrotic and severe histopathological changes. Clostridium novyi type B was isolated from necrotic areas of all livers and found to be highly pathogenic and toxigenic to laboratory animals. The disease was diagnosed as infectious necrotic hepatitis (black disease). Faecal examination revealed the presence of F. gigantica eggs. Lymnaea natalensis snails were found to be prevalent in the water canals. As the Khartoum Province is regarded as an endemic area for black disease, routine vaccination is highly recommended for its control in goats and sheep.