Abstract

Enterococci, common hospital-acquired infections in immunocompromised patients, have garnered attention in clinical microbiology. To determine the clinical relevance of enterococci as food-borne pathogens, 116 fish, 90 vegetables, and 120 human diarrheal samples were tested for E. faecalis and E. faecium pathogenicity. Conventionally, 69 of 326 (21.17%) samples were positive for Enterococcus species, 52 (15.95%) of which were molecularly classified as E. faecalis and 13 (3.99%) as E. faecium. The E. faecalis contamination percentage of fresh fish (19.70%) was higher than frozen fish (4%). Cauliflower had the highest E. faecalis percentage (16.67%) when fish and vegetable samples didn’t harbor the E. faecium atpA gene. 23.33% and 10.83% of participants’ samples were molecularly confirmed as E. faecalis and E. faecium positive, respectively. E. faecalis isolates had all virulence genes, with gels being the most common (65.38%), while cylA and asa1 genes couldn’t be detected in E. faecium isolates. E. faecalis showed the highest resistance against vancomycin and tetracycline (69.23%), whereas E. faecium extremely resisted tetracycline (76.92%) and erythromycin (69.23%) with the recognition of MDR among 44.2% of E. faecalis and 38.5% of E. faecium isolates. The great similarity of our isolates showed the clinical importance of food-borne antibiotic-resistant enterococci.

Introduction: The morphological characteristics of eyes in fishes are highly diverse and have evolved to meet the specific visual requirements as per their habitats. These morphological features of eyes are important for researchers and ecologists. The dusky spinefoot (Siganus luridus) is a tropical teleost fish with a laterally flattened body which lives in the Mediterranean Sea. Currently, there are no histological data relating to the Siganus luridus eye.

Methods: In this study, the morphology of the Siganus luridus eye was examined to enhance our understanding of its structure and its relationship to fish ecology. Detailed gross and microscopic features were recorded using light and scanning microscopy.

Results: The key observations describe the main structural features of the eye of Siganus luridus, specifically, the diameter of the orbit, architecture of three tunics of eye and detailed lens description. The choroid was divided into four layers, and had a rete mirabile, consisting of numerous small blood vessels in the choroidal gland. The tapetum lucidum was observed, which is interesting since Siganus luridus is herbivore and herbivores typically lack a tapetum lucidum.

Discussion: These observations shed new light on the intricate eye structure of Siganus luridus and provide valuable insights into its visual abilities and adaptations to the aquatic environment and feeding behavior.

Background

Kuruma shrimp (Marsupenaeus japonicus) is a commercially important crustacean and a valuable global food source. This study employed scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to explore the morphology and morphometric features of the Marsupenaeus japonicus cephalothoracic structures, including antennules, antennas, scaphocerite, rostrums, and eye stalks. The primary focus was on understanding the role of each part, especially through the examination of setae, which are crucial for chemoreception and defense. Additionally, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis was utilized to identify the elemental composition of these structures.

Material and methods

The samples from the heads of fifteen Marsupenaeus japonicus were studied by gross morphology and morphometry, SEM, and EDX analysis. This study is the first to integrate both SEM and EDX techniques for a detailed analysis of these cephalothoracic structures, offering an innovative approach to understanding both morphological and elemental characteristics.

Results

Marsupenaeus japonicus exhibited two antennules and two antennae. The antenna featured four basal segments: basicerite, ischiocerite, merocerite, and carpocerite, each with distinctive articulations and setae distribution. The antennule, with three segments covered by plumose setae, displayed curved cone-shaped flagellae. The scaphocerite, resembling a paddle, showcased plumose setae, while the rostrum exhibited dorsal and ventral spines, lateral grooves, and unique setal arrangements. Setal measurements across structures revealed diverse lengths and widths, indicating functional specialization. The compound eyes were connected to an optic stalk adorned with plumose setae. EDX analysis revealed higher percentages of calcium and phosphorus in the spear-like structures of the scaphocerite, rostrum, and antenna, respectively.

Conclusion

This investigation provides a thorough examination of the intricate morphological features of the cephalothoracic region of Marsupenaeus japonicus, shedding light on its sensory and defensive capabilities. The novel application of both SEM and EDX not only deepens our insights into these structures but also lays the groundwork for future studies using this dual approach to explore crustacean morphology, with potential advantages for sustainable aquaculture and the conservation of marine ecosystems.

Twenty-four adult molly fish (Poecilia sphenops, Valenciennes 1846) were collected to study the morphology and distribution of ganglia using histological, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopy and focusing on their relation to the immune cells. The ganglia were classified spatially into cranial and spinal, and functionally into sensory and autonomic. Spinal ganglia (dorsal root ganglia, DRG) contained large close ganglionic cells, enclosed by satellite cells, as well as bundles of both myelinated and non-myelinated nerve fibers. There are glial cells, immune cells and telocytes close to the ganglion. In addition, oligodendrocytes were closely related to myelinated axons. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression was confined to the glia cells and the nerve fibers in the cervical ganglia next to the gills, and surprisingly, in the large ganglionic cells of the DRG. The vestibular ganglia were large, connected to the hind brain, and contained numerous neurons packed in columns. The cervical ganglia were large and observed around the pseudobranch, head kidney, and thymus. Their neurons are randomly distributed, and nerve fibers are peripherally situated. CD3-positive T-lymphocytes, dendritic cells, and CD68-positive macrophages were in close contact with the ganglia. Furthermore, the ganglia around the head kidney showed positive Iba1-expressing cells. Most ganglion cells and nerve fibers in the DRG, autonomic, and vestibular ganglia showed moderate to strong S-100 immunoreactivity. The enteric glia, CD68-expressing macrophages, and acetylcholine (Ach)-expressing neurons were observed along the muscular layer of the …

Hesperidin (HSP) and Olive oil possess many biological activities that are required for the safe and effective treatment of corneal ulcers. However, the poor aqueous solubility of HSP hinders its topical utilization. This work aims at enhancing the dissolution of HSP and combining the powerful effectiveness of Olive oil in treating corneal ulcers. HSP was isolated from orange peel and described by spectroscopic methods (1H NMR and 13C NMR), then HSP nanovesicles were prepared with and without Olive oil using the ethanol injection method. Nanovesicles were applied topically to rabbits’ eyes in which alkali burn corneal ulcers were induced. After five weeks, histopathological studies were performed. No ulcers were determined after topical application of HSP, and the inclusion of Olive oil returned the eye to its normal conditions. Thus, this study clarified the potential role of the HSP - Olive oil combination in managing corneal ulcers
 

Milk-sucking (self-sucking and inter-sucking) is an anxious problem causing economic losses in dairy farms. Although several studies were conducted to elucidate the main cause, the etiology is still unclear and might be a multi-factorial problem. The present study aimed to meticulously study individual cases of milk-sucking as well as the outcome of conservative and surgical treatment in cows and buffaloes. One hundred self-sucking cows and buffaloes were admitted to different clinics of Elkharga city in New-Valley Governorate between January 2019 and August 2020. Complete clinical examination of the animals was conducted. The recorded data were the history, signalment of the animals, clinical findings, associating problems and response to conservative treatment. Forty cows were treated conservatively through the application of the plastic nose (n= 27) or mouth rings milk-sucking preventer (n= 13). Surgically operated animals were divided into two groups according to the surgical technique. Twenty animals (cows=14, buffaloes=6) were subjected to ventral partial glossectomy, and the other ten cases (cows=6, buffaloes=4) were treated using inverting technique (tongue reshaping). The results revealed good body condition, normal physiological parameters, good appetite, good fertility and conception rate and good milk yield in 70 cases. Thirty animals had suffered depraved appetite, nutritional deficiency and delay of post-partum estrus and ovulation. Fore teats were the most common sites for milk-sucking. Cross-sucking in the calf-hood period, energy and some mineral deficiency, and overcrowding in the markets might be the main causes of milk-sucking. Conservative treatment was effective as far as the device present in situ. Ventral glossectomy was better than tongue reshaping in treatment of the milk-sucking in cows and buffaloes.
 

Corneal ulcers represent an anxious problem in animals and humans. The alkali burn corneal ulcer is severe and may be associated with damage to most of the corneal structure. The healing of the corneal ulcer is mainly complicated by the impairment of vision. The striving to find a new therapy that promotes the healing of corneal injuries with the maintenance of the power of vision is the main aim of most studies. The current study was conducted to evaluate the effect of hesperidin with or without olive oil after its deposition under the bulbar conjunctiva on the healing of induced alkali burn corneal ulcers. For carrying out the study, 18 New Zealand albino rabbits were included. They were divided into three equal groups. Group I (control) received 0.5 ml of normal saline 0.9% under the bulbar conjunctiva 5 times at one-week intervals. Group II (H) received 0.5 ml of hesperidin nanovesicles subconjunctivally 5 times at one-week intervals. Group III (HO) received 0.5 ml of nanovesicles of hesperidin with olive oil under the bulbar conjunctiva 5 times one week apart. The right eye of animals was subjected to induction of corneal ulcer using 1% NaOH before the commencement of treatment. The left eye was used as a negative control one. The animals were examined clinically (lacrimation, neovascularization, pus formation, corneal perforation, measurement of corneal ulcer), and with fluorescein test staining every week just before each treatment. The animals were examined on days 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36 post corneal ulcer induction. At the end of the experiment, the treated and nontreated eye samples were collected for histopathological and electron microscopy examination. The results showed an improvement in the total clinical score in groups H and HO especially in the fifth week, while the control group displayed increasing in the inflammatory process of the injured eye throughout the time of experiment. There was a significant difference between both of H and HO groups and the control group in the third, fourth, and fifth weeks. The results of the histopathological and electron microscopy revealed the superiority of hesperidin with olive oil over hesperidin alone in promoting the healing of corneal ulcers (p= 0.045). The current study concluded that the subconjunctival injection of hesperidin with or without olive oil has a beneficial and promoting effect in the healing and regeneration of alkali burn corneal ulcers in rabbits. Moreover, subconjunctival injections can ensure long-term drug maintenance compared to topical methods, which in turn saves time and effort.
 

The study was designed to monitor the cleavage rate (CR) and in-vitro cultivation rate (IVC) after addition of energy sources, non-essential amino acids, and antioxidants to the Synthetic oviductal fluid (SOF) and FertiCult. After in-vitro maturation and in-vitro fertilization, presumptive zygotes were cultured in one of two culture media: FertiCult media and SOF medium, supplemented with pyruvate, glucose, and sodium lactate as energy sources, as well as 10, 20, 250, 500, and 750 mg non-essential amino acids, and antioxidants. All stages of cleavage rate (CR), and in-vitro cultivation rate (IVC) of embryonic development including morula stage (MOR) and blastocyst (BLAS) have been assessed. The findings revealed that there were no significant differences in the CR between the control and other treated groups with sources of energy when added to SOF media (P > 0.05), while there were significant differences (P < 0.05) in the IVC of embryonic development between groups (The percentages of MOR stage in the control, pyruvate, glucose and mixture of source of energy (MIX) were at 50%, 62.5%, 60%, and 63.6%, respectively). The highest percentage of the BLAS was recorded after SOF supplementation with glucose (40%). Similarly, there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the CR between control and FertiCult supplemented with sources of energy, while the IVC stages increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the FertiCult media supplemented with glucose, pyruvate, sodium lactate, and MIX. The percentages of the MOR stage in the control, pyruvate, glucose and mix media were at 50%, 55.6%, 55.6%, 54.5%, 57.1% respectively. The lowest percentage of the BLAS was recorded after FertiCult supplementation with pyruvate (11.1%). Replenishing the SOF maturation media with 20 mg of non-essential amino acids significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced the MOR stage (100%). There was also an improvement in the development of BLAS stage, where it reached 31.2% and 47.4% in the SOF maturation media supplemented with 10, and 750 mg non-essential amino acids, respectively. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in neither CR nor IVC between control and FertiCult supplemented with antioxidants. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in the MOR stages (control, 42.9% & treated, 57.9%) and BLAS stages (control, 21.4% & treated, 42.1%) in antioxidant supplemented SOF maturation media compared to control. In conclusion, supplementation of SOF cultivation medium with energy sources, 20 mg of non-essential amino acids and antioxidant addition may improve the cleavage rate (CR) and in vitro cultivation rate (IVC) of buffalos’ embryonic development.