ABSTRACT. Reducing livestock negative environmental impacts get great interest in last years. So, present study was carried out to determine the effect of adding different levels of mixture of thyme and celery versus salinomycin on ruminal fermentation, gas production, dry, organic matter and fiber degradation. Four experimental treatments were used by in-vitro batch culture technique, as follow: 60% CFM, 40% clover hay (control), control diet + 2.5 gm thyme + 2.5 gm celery kg-1 DM (T1), control diet + 5 gm thyme + 5 gm celery kg-1 DM (T2), control diet + 10 gm thyme + 10 gm celery kg-1 DM (T3), control diet + 0.4 gm Salinomycin kg-1 DM (T4). Ruminal pH value was significantly increased (p < 0.05) with T4 compared with other treatments. While, the T4 recorded the lowest value (p < 0.05) for microbial protein, short chain fatty acids concentrations (SCFA), total gas production, dry matter and organic matter degradability (DMd and OMd) compared with other treatments. Fiber fraction degradability (NDFd and ADFd) appeared no significant variance (p > 0.05) between control and other treatments except for T1 that recorded the lowest value (p < 0.05). It is concluded that mixture of thyme plus celery could be alternate for ionophores in the ruminant diets to enhance ruminal fermentation, reducing gas production without any negative effect on nutrients degradability.

RESUMEN Antecedentes: El alendronato sódico (ALDS) es el fármaco de elección para el tratamiento de la osteoporosis. Sin embargo, el 50% de los pacientes osteoporóticos cesaron el tratamiento en el primer año debido a su posible efecto secundario en el tracto gastrointestinal (GIT). Objetivo: El presente estudio tiene como objetivo utilizar la nanotecnología para desarrollar una preparación liposomal nano-oral que contiene polímero biodegradable (almidón) que mejoran la prosperidad de la droga. Métodos: Se prepararon nanoliposomas de ALDS utilizando diferentes concentraciones de almidón solubilizado (0,1 - 0,5 g) mediante un método de hidratación de película delgada. Se utilizó un nuevo método de determinación cuantitativa de alendronato para superar el obstáculo de su determinación utilizando un nuevo método de derivatización altamente sensible. La fórmula seleccionada se visualizó utilizando TEM, estudios de liberación in vitro y se realizó también un estudio de estabilidad. Además, los estudios de ulcerogenicidad se realizaron para comparar entre la fórmula óptima preparada y un estándar no liposomal ALDS. Resultados : Se prepararon seis formulaciones liposomales nano-orales con potenciales zeta que oscilaban entre -12 mV y -39 mV y un tamaño de partícula que variaba de 94 nm a 298 nm. Los estudios de eficacia de la encapsulación demostraron que la cantidad de ALDS atrapada dentro de los liposomas aumentaba con el aumento de la concentración de almidón. Los estudios de estabilidad confirmaron el papel del almidón en el aumento de la estabilidad de los liposomas preparados. Los estudios de liberación in vitro han demostrado un retraso relativo en las liberaciones de ALDS del núcleo de liposomas. Los estudios de ulcerogenicidad demostraron que la fórmula preparada tiene una tolerancia gástrica significativa. Conclusión: se desarrolló una nueva fórmula liposomal de ALDS con mejor tolerabilidad. Sin embargo, otras investigaciones clínicas son necesarias para evaluar su efectividad terapéutica.

ABSTRACT Background: Alendronate Sodium (ALDS) is the drug of choice for treatment of osteoporosis. However, 50% of the osteoporotic patients ceased the treatment within the first year due to its potential side effect on the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Objective: The current study aimed to utilize nanotechnology to develop a nano-oral liposomal preparation containing biodegradable polymer (Starch) that enhance the drug prosperities. Methods: Nanoliposomes of ALDS were prepared using different concentrations of solubilized starch (0.1 - 0.5 g) by thin film hydration method. A new method of alendronate quantitative determination was used to overcome the obstacle of its determination by using a new highly sensitive derivatization method. The selected formula was visualized using TEM, in vitro release studies and Stability study was also carried out. Furthermore, ulcerogenicity studies were performed to compare between the optimum prepared formula and a standard nonliposomal ALDS. Results: Six nano-oral liposomal formulations were prepared with zeta potentials ranging from -12 mV to -39 mV and a particle size ranging from 94 nm to 298 nm. The encapsulation efficiency studies demonstrated that the amount of ALDS entrapped within liposomes increased with increasing starch concentration. The stability studies confirmed the role of starch in increasing the stability of the prepared liposomes. In vitro release studies have demonstrated a relative delay in ALDS releases from the liposome core. Ulcerogenicity studies proofed that the prepared formula has a significant gastric tolerance. Conclusion: a novel liposomal formula of ALDS was developed with better tolerability. However, further clinical investigations are necessary to evaluate its therapeutic effectiveness.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an endemic infectious disease of cattle in Egypt. This survey aimed to define the prevalence of clinical and sub-clinical LSD virus (LSDV) infection among cattle and investigate their contact with water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in order to improve the understanding of LSD epidemiology. Cattle and buffalo were examined owing to the appearance of skin lesions. Because clinical signs were consistent with LSDV infection, samples from cattle in a non-grazing dairy farm (n = 450) were submitted for LSDV testing together with those from the in-contact buffaloes (n = 100). Results revealed that the intra-herd percentage of cattle infected with LSDV varied with the detection method. This ranged from 22.4% to 65.4% by virus isolation (VI) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively, in clinical cattle samples, compared to 0% and 10% by VI and PCR in non-clinical cases. Using the neutralising index (NI), LSDV antibodies were found in 100% (n = 100) of the tested cow's sera (NI = > 2.0 and ≥ 3.0), whereas buffalo's sera (n = 34) displayed little increase in antibody level (NI ≥ 1.5). None of the buffalo were positive for LSDV by VI and PCR. In addition, there were no significant differences in LSD prevalence among the cattle with regard to age and sex. In conclusion, the occurrence of LSD in cattle warrants a further epidemiological study of the spread of the disease in the area and adoption of control and prevention strategies. In addition, the PCR assay was confirmed to be useful in the diagnosis of LSDV and for wider epidemiological studies.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos: As crianças com síndrome de Down (SD) são vulneráveis à obstrução significativa das vias aéreas superiores devido à macroglossia relativa e ao colapso dinâmico das vias aéreas. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar as dimensões das vias aéreas superiores de crianças com SD e apneia obstrutiva do sono (AOS) com vias aéreas normais (VAN) sob sedação com dexmedetomidina (DEX). Métodos: Aprovação IRB foi obtida. Neste estudo retrospectivo, imagens clinicamente indicadas de ressonância magnética da dinâmica das vias aéreas superiores em plano sagital na linha média foram obtidas sob dose baixa (1 mcg/kg/h) e dose alta (3 mcg/kg/h) de DEX. Os diâmetros anteroposteriores das vias aéreas e as áreas seccionais foram medidas como dimensões mínimas e máximas por dois observadores independentes, no palato mole (região nasofaríngea) e na base da língua (região retroglossal). Resultados e conclusões: O diâmetro mínimo anteroposterior e a área seccional mínima das regiões nasofaríngea e retroglossal estavam significativamente reduzidos na SD em comparação com VAN, tanto com a dose baixa quanto com a dose alta de DEX. Contudo, não houve diferenças significativas entre as doses baixa e alta de DEX em SD e VAN. A média do índice de apneia e hipopneia na SD foi de 16 ± 11. Sob sedação com DEX, as crianças com SD e AOS, quando comparadas com as crianças com VAN, apresentaram reduções significativas nas dimensões das vias aéreas, mais pronunciadas nos pontos mais estreitos das regiões nasofaríngea e retroglossal.

Abstract Background and objectives: Children with Down Syndrome are vulnerable to significant upper airway obstruction due to relative macroglossia and dynamic airway collapse. The objective of this study was to compare the upper airway dimensions of children with Down Syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea with normal airway under dexmedetomidine sedation. Methods: IRB approval was obtained. In this retrospective study, clinically indicated dynamic sagittal midline magnetic resonance images of the upper airway were obtained under low (1 mcg/kg/h) and high (3 mcg/kg/h) dose dexmedetomidine. Airway anteroposterior diameters and sectional areas were measured as minimum and maximum dimensions by two independent observers at soft palate (nasopharyngeal airway) and at base of the tongue (retroglossal airway). Results and conclusions: Minimum anteroposterior diameter and minimum sectional area at nasopharynx and retroglossal airway were significantly reduced in Down Syndrome compared to normal airway at both low and high dose dexmedetomidine. However, there were no significant differences between low and high dose dexmedetomidine in both Down Syndrome and normal airway. The mean apnea hypopnea index in Down Syndrome was 16 ± 11. Under dexmedetomidine sedation, children with Down Syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea when compared to normal airway children show significant reductions in airway dimensions most pronounced at the narrowest points in the nasopharyngeal and retroglossal airways.