Corrigendum: Future impact of thymoquinone-loaded nanoemulsion in rabbits: prospects for enhancing growth, immunity, antioxidant potential and resistance against Pasteurella multocida

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1340964.].

Chlorella vulgaris extract conjugated magnetic iron nanoparticles in nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): Growth promoting, immunostimulant and antioxidant role and combating against the synergistic infection with Ichthyophthirius multifiliis and Aeromonashydrophila

Nile tilapia reared under intensive conditions was more susceptible for Ichthyophthirius multifilii (I. multifiliis) infection eliciting higher mortality, lower productive rate and further bacterial coinfection with Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila). The higher potency of magnetic field of iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) can kill pathogens through inhibiting their viability. Herein, coating of Chlorella vulgaris extract (ChVE) with magnetic iron oxide NPs (Mag iron NPs) can create an external magnetic field that facilitates their release inside the targeted tissues. Thus, the current study is focused on application of new functionalized properties of Mag iron NPs in combination with ChVE and their efficacy to alleviate I. multifiliis and subsequent infection with A. hydrophila in Nile tilapia. Four hundred fingerlings were divided into: control group (with no additives), three groups fed control diet supplemented with ChVE, Mag iron NPs and ChVE@Mag iron NPs for 90 days. At the end of feeding trial fish were challenged with I. multifiliis and at 9 days post challenge was coinfected by A. hydrophila. A remarkable higher growth rate and an improved feed conversion ratio were detected in group fed ChVE@Mag iron-NPs. The maximum expression of antioxidant enzymes in skin and gills tissues (GSH-Px, CAT, and SOD) which came in parallel with higher serum activities of these enzymes was identified in groups received ChVE@Mag iron-NPs. Furthermore, group fed a combination of ChVE and Mag iron-NPs showed a boosted immune response (higher lysozyme, IgM, ACH50, and MPO) prior to challenge with I. multifiliis. In contrast, fish fed ChVE@Mag iron-NPs supplemented diet had lower infection (decreased by 62%) and mortality rates (decreased by 84%), as well as less visible white spots (decreased by 92 % at 12 dpi) on the body surfaces and mucous score. Interestingly, post I. multifiliis the excessive inflammatory response in gill and skin tissues was subsided by feeding on ChVE@Mag iron-NPs as proved by down regulation of IL-1β, TNFα, COX-2 and iNOS and upregulation of IL-10, and IgM, IgT and Muc-2 genes. Notably, group exposed to I. multifiliis-showed higher mortality when exposed to Aeromonas hydrophilia (increased by 43 %) while group fed ChVE@Mag iron-NPs exhibited lower morality (2%). Moreover, the bacterial loads of A. hydrophilia in fish infected by I. multifiliis and fed control diet were higher than those received dietary supplement of ChVE, Mag iron-NPs and the most reduced load was obtained in group fed ChVE@Mag iron-NPs at 7 dpi. In conclusion, ChVE@Mag iron-NPs fed fish had stronger immune barrier and antioxidant functions of skin and gills, and better survival following I. multifiliis and A. hydrophilia infection.

Future impact of thymoquinone-loaded nanoemulsion in rabbits: prospects for enhancing growth, immunity, antioxidant potential and resistance against Pasteurella multocida

Phytochemical nanoemulsions, such as thymoquinone nanoemulsions (TQN), are regarded as innovative alternatives to antimicrobials that significantly improve the performance, digestion, antioxidant potential and immunity of rabbits. Thus, the potential effects of TQN on growth, digestibility, antioxidant potential, immunity and resistance against Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) in rabbits were assessed. Herein, 240 rabbits were offered either a basal diet or diets fortified with three TQN-graded concentrations. At 60 days of age, rabbits were challenged with multidrug-resistant (MDR) virulent P. multocida strain. Our outcomes described that dietary inclusion of TQN, especially at higher concentrations, significantly enhanced the growth performance of rabbits, which was supported by increasing the levels of jejunal lipase, amylase and trypsin enzymes. Of note, the levels of muscle and jejunal antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC)], serum immunological markers (IgG, IgG, IgM and total Igs) and blood phagocytic percentage were significantly provoked after TQN fortification; meanwhile, the levels of muscle and jejunal MDA, serum biochemical parameters (total cholesterol, TG and LDL), abdominal fat percentage, breast and thigh cholesterol were significantly decreased following TQN supplementations. Our findings showed that TQN protected rabbits against P. multocida experimental challenge as evidenced by reducing P. multocida counts in rabbits' lungs, downregulating the transcription levels of P. multocida virulence-related genes (ptfA, toxA and nanB) at 48 and 96 h post-infection and ameliorating the expression levels of cytokines-related genes (IL-1β, IL-10, IL-8, IL-6, DEFB1, TNF-α, TLR-4 and TLR-2) at 96 h post-infection. Our findings suggest the utilization of TQN in rabbits' diets due to their stimulating effects on digestibility as well as their growth-promoting, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-virulence and immunostimulant properties, which enhance the rabbits' P. multocida resistance.

Evaluation of immunochromatography test for detection of four enteropathogens in the feces of sheep and goats in Kuwait

Background:

Diarrhea in newborn small ruminants continues to be the cause of significant financial loss in sheep and goat farms worldwide. Commercial immunochromatographic (IC) assays have been designed and evaluated to be used for the diagnosis of diarrhea in cattle; however, there are no trials to use rapid tests in small ruminants.

Aim:

This study was carried out in Kuwait to evaluate the performance of the rapid immunochromatography test (BoviD-4, BioNote, Inc, Korea) for diagnostics of Cryptosporidium, rotavirus A (RVA), bovine coronavirus (BCoV), and Escherichia coli K99 (E. coli K99) in fecal samples of sheep and goats.

Methods:

A total of 85 samples were examined using BoviD-4, and the results were compared with that of polymerase chain reaction for Cryptosporidium, RVA, and BCoV, whereas for E. coli K99 it was by isolation and identification as reference tests.

Results:

The kappa test agreement results between the BoviD-4 and reference tests were 0.870 (perfect), 0.783 (substantial), 0.728 (substantial), and 0.281 (fair) for the detection of E. coli K99, Cryptosporidium, RVA, and BCoV, respectively. The sensitivity of BoviD-4 kit was 91.2%, 80.0%, 90.0%, and 37.5% and the specificity was 88.2%, 96.0%, 96.4%, and 92.2% for Cryptosporidium, RVA, E. coli K99, and BCoV, respectively.

Conclusion:

The Bovid-4 kit can be used as a rapid pen-side test for Cryptosporidium spp., E. coli K99, and RVA in the field. Nonetheless, care must be taken while interpreting the BCoV results of the kit.

Screening of Egyptian toddlers for autism spectrum disorder using an Arabic validated version of M-CHAT; report of a community-based study (Stage I)

BACKGROUND

Although there is a recommendation that toddlers be screened for Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during their 18- and 24-month well-care child visits, diagnosis often occurs well after the child turns 4 years old. Such delayed diagnosis hinders the implementation of early intervention thus worsens the long-term prognosis of ASD.

OBJECTIVE

The current community-based study in its stage I aimed at early screening of Egyptian toddlers for ASD using an Arabic validated version of Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT).

METHODOLOGY

A cross-sectional community-based descriptive study was carried out enrolling 5546 Egyptian toddlers. They were randomly recruited from those attending Primary Health Care Units in six Egyptian governorates with a fair representation of the urban, semi-urban, and rural Egyptian populations. An Arabic validated version of M-CHAT was used as a screening tool for ASD.

RESULTS

The current study revealed failure of M-CHAT (suspected to have ASD and needs further evaluation) in 1320 out of the enrolled 5546 Egyptian toddlers (23.8%).

CONCLUSION

M-CHAT as a screening tool for ASD has flagged a considerable percent of the enrolled toddlers that necessitates referral for further evaluation (stage II) to settle the diagnosis of ASD in the true positive cases. Perfecting the delicate balance between sensitivity and specificity for ASD screening tools is crucial in order not to miss early detection of ASD cases and at the same time, to avoid over-diagnosis with subsequent abuse of the limited healthcare resources in developing countries.

Role of bronchoscopy during non invasive ventilation in hypercapnic respiratory failure

Introduction

Non invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) is the first line treatment for hypercapnic acute respiratory failure (ARF) secondary to COPD exacerbation in selected patients. Limited data exist supporting the use of fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) during this clinical setting. The aim of this study is to assess the role of FOB during NIPPV in patients with decompensated COPD acute exacerbation.

Methods

This study is a randomized prospective case control pilot study carried out on 50 patients - admitted to critical care units at Alexandria University Hospital, Egypt - suffering from hypercapnic ARF secondary to COPD exacerbation with Kelly Matthay Score from 2 to 4. All patients received NIPPV. Patients were divided randomly into 2 equal groups: group I (cases) (25 patients) was subjected to additional intervention of early FOB during the first 6–12 h from admission while group II (control) (25 patients) received the conventional treatment and NIPPV only. Outcome parameters measured were changes in ABG data, duration of NIPPV, rate of its success, ICU stay and mortality as well as the safety of FOB and possible complications.

Results

No significant difference was detected between the 2 groups regarding the baseline characteristics. No serious complications happened from FOB, and Oxygen desaturation happened in 4/25 patients (16%), Tachycardia in 2/25 patients (8%). In group I, 23 patients (92%) were successfully weaned from NIPPV versus 16 patients (64%) in group II (p = 0.037). Total duration of NIPPV was 28.52 h in group I versus 56.25 h in group II (p = 0.001). Length of ICU stay was 4.84 days in group I versus 8.68 days in group II (p = 0.001). Only 1 patient died in group I versus 3 patients in group II (p = 0.609).

Conclusion

The early application of FOB during NIPPV in patients with ARF due to COPD exacerbation was shown to be safe. Significant improvement in the outcome of patients who underwent FOB was noticed in terms of improved ABG data, shorter duration of NIPPV, higher percentage of success and shorter ICU stay while no significant difference was detected in mortality.

Surface free energy characterization of vernix caseosa. Potential role in waterproofing the newborn infant

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Vernix caseosa is a proteolipid biofilm synthesized by the human fetus, which progressively covers the fetal skin surface during the last trimester of pregnancy. The exact physiological functions of vernix are unclear. Hypothetically, it serves a role in "waterproofing" the fetus during the critical period of epidermal barrier development before birth. Vernix may also play a role in adaptation of the fetal skin surface to the dry, cool extrauterine environment after birth. Given the strategic position of vernix on the fetal skin surface and the rapidly changing environment encountered by the skin at birth, we proposed that investigation of vernix surface characteristics would facilitate understanding its putative physiological roles.

METHODS

In this paper, we focused on the determination of the surface free energy (SFE) of vernix caseosa. Different approaches were used to calculate the SFE of vernix from contact angle (theta) measurements between vernix and various liquids (benzyl alcohol, diiodomethane, glycerol, and water). The critical surface tension (CST) of vernix was calculated using Zisman plots. The dispersive and the polar components of vernix SFE were calculated using the Owens-Wendt geometric mean method. Vernix was contrasted with petrolatum, a commonly used skin protectant.

RESULTS

CST of fresh vernix was 40.5 dyne/cm while that of petrolatum was 35.8 dyne/cm. Fresh vernix polar SFE was 1.5 dyne/cm while petrolatum had almost no polar SFE component (0.03 dyne/cm). For all liquids (except the nonpolar diiodomethane) there was a significant decrease in contact angle with time.

CONCLUSIONS

The CST and the total SFE values suggest that vernix has very low surface energy and is highly unwettable. These findings are significant insofar as the main component in vernix is water, which is highly energetic. Although vernix has a very high water content, the major part of its SFE is hydrophobic (dispersive). The limited interaction between vernix and hydrophilic liquids supports the hypothesis that vernix acts as a natural protectant cream to "waterproof" the fetus in utero while submerged in the amniotic fluid.

Palindromic rheumatism: a response to chloroquine

We reviewed 71 patients with palindromic rheumatism. The average length of followup was 3.6 years. Fifty-one patients received antimalarial therapy. Forty-one of the 51 patients experienced marked improvement with 77.5% reduction in frequency and 63% reduction in duration of attacks. Sixteen out of the 71 patients developed persistent arthritis in the form of rheumatoid arthritis (12 patients), systemic lupus erythematosus (2 patients), Crohn's disease (1 patient) and asymmetric seronegative arthropathy (1 patient). Chloroquine therapy, therefore, seems effective in relieving palindromic rheumatism.

[Treatment of acute crises of bronchial asthma in children using subcutaneous salbutamol as an alternative to adrenaline: comparative study]

A prospective study has been made in order to asses the efficacy of subcutaneous salbutamol as acute treatment for asthmatic crisis, comparing the results with those of adrenaline. The series consisted of 30 cases, divided into two groups according to the administered treatment, with ages ranging between 5 to 18 years. Once the clinical examination and spirometric measurements were made the first group was treated with subcutaneous adrenaline 0.1 cc/kg (max.; 0.5 cc), while the second was treated with subcutaneous salbutamol 20 micrograms/kg (max.: 500 micrograms). A clinical and spirometric examination was performed at 15, 30, 60 and 90 minutes. A similar increase in FEV1 was observed in the two groups at 15 minutes, maintaining this increase for 90 minutes in the group treated with salbutamol and decreasing in the group treated with adrenaline, being the difference statistically significant (p less than 0.001). In view of this results it seems advisable to administer subcutaneous salbutamol as urgent treatment for an acute asthmatic crisis.

[Hematemesis in childhood. Use of the fiberscope in diagnosis]

Authors report the results of utilization of fiberscope (FEC) in pediatric patients with hematemesis. They emphasize the utility of this method, its high percentage of positivity in the diagnostic in relation to the precocity of the FEC and the high incidence of hemorrhage gastritis in relation to salycilates ingest.

[Poisoning by spirits of turpentine or turpentine oil. Review of its treatment apropos of a personal case]

Authors deduce from their experience during 1979 that intoxication by spirit oil of turpentine is an accident with few repercussions in infancy, because the quantity ingested does not reach toxic levels, except for children over seven who try to commit suicide. Gastric lavage must not be practiced because removing turpentine can provoke its' aspiration with a consequent pulmonary disease in the majority of occasions. Only when ingestion is more than 1 ml./Kg., or symptoms suggest important disease, can gastric lavage, be done because secondary complications can aggravate the disease. Antibiotics are used if there is an obvious infection, remembering that turpentine intoxication itself can provoke fever. In their experience, corticoids don't modify the evolution.