Obesity’s dangers are becoming more widely recognized around the world. Obese people are more likely to develop a variety of serious diseases, including fatty liver. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Origanum majorana on light microscopic changes in the liver, as well as hematology and some liver enzymes in experimentally obese albino rats. Four groups of twenty-four male albino rats were formed. For three months, the control group was fed a standard laboratory diet and received saline orally by gavage tube. Obese rats were given a high-fat diet. The marj group received 20 mg/kg of aqueous extract of marjoram via gavage tube. The obese/marj group received the same treatment as the obese group and received 20 mg/kg of aqueous extract of marjoram daily via gavage tube. The liver and visceral fat weights of animals were recorded, blood samples for hematology and liver functions were estimated. Liver samples were fixed in 10% formol saline then stained by Hematoxylin and Eosin for histological examination. Obese animals had significantly higher liver, visceral fat weights, and liver function than the control group. Histologically, there was an increase of fatty degeneration in the obese group. However, the obese group that received the aqueous leaf extract of Origanum majorana was lower in all the measured and examined liver parameters than that of the control group. In this study the aqueous leaf extract of Origanum majorana may ameliorate the obesity induced abnormal changes in the hepatocytes.

Avian colibacillosis is one of the most devastating diseases in chickens, resulting in high economic losses as well as high morbidity and mortality. Colistin is considered one of the most effective antimicrobials against colibacillosis. The recent discovery of mobile colistin resistance (mcr-1) determinants in humans and animals raised serious concerns about its potential dissemination among bacteria. This study aimed to investigate the presence of mcr1 gene among E. coli isolates in broiler chickens infected with colibacillosis. As an experimental design was performed on broiler chickens after molecular detection of mcr-1 gene to explore the efficacy of neomycin as a hydrophobic antibiotic wither in the mcr-1 absence or its existence after oral inoculation of E. coli strains. . Results revealed the high prevalence of colibacillosis among broiler farms in addition to highly spread of colistin resistance among E. coli isolates either through isolation on specific colistin resistance medium or molecular detection of the mcr-1 gene. On other hand, by histological examination we observed that the presence of the mcr-1 gene among E. coli isolates improved the treatment efficacy of the hydrophobic antibiotic. As a result of the significant antibiotic resistance issues and high risk of transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes to humans, the development of antibacterials only for animal uses without cross-resistance to existing antibiotics might afford a solution in the future. Although there is an increase in acquired antibiotic resistance genes, it is possible to take advantage of this phenomenon, which in turn led to an increase in the sensitivity of some other antibiotics. Therefore, we recommend studying pharmacokinetic of antibacterials and making the most of this widespread phenomenon.

The present study investigated the effect of Sumac Water Extract (SWE) on microbial growth and chemical changes in minced meat during refrigerated storage. Therefore, SWE used at three concentrations (4, 5, and 6%) to determine their effect on the sensory attributes, chemical parameters (pH, total volatile nitrogen, and thiobarbituric acid), and bacteriological status including total bacterial count, Enterobacteriaceae count, total staphylococcus count of minced meat stored at 4°C for 12 days. The study's results suggest that incorporating different concentrations of SWE improved the sensory attributes of the treated minced meat samples compared to the control samples. Furthermore, the use of SWE with different concentrations led to a decrease in pH, TVN, and TBA values in the treated minced meat as compared to the control group. Among the different concentrations tested, the 6% concentration of SWE exhibited the most significant impact on improving the sensory, chemical, and bacterial quality, surpassing the effects observed with the 4 and 5% concentrations. Consequently, the study concluded that the utilization of SWE as a natural antioxidant and antibacterial preservative for refrigerated minced meat could prolong its shelf life for up to 12 days, in contrast to the control group, which became spoiled completely within 6 days.

Fish can be considered as an ideal food as it contains high protein content, minerals, vitamins and omega 3 fatty acids. Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are characterized by their low cost, severe toxicity against a wide array of pests, long duration of action and stability in the environment. OCPs have been used for many years in African countries, particularly in Egypt. Despite being outlawed everywhere, OCPs are still being used illegally. One of the main responsibilities of the food safety and public health sectors is to guarantee the safety and wholesomeness of such food products before they are made available to the general public. In order to determine the residual OCP contents in retailed tilapia, catfish, mullet, saurus, and pagrus, this study was conducted. The obtained results in the current investigation revealed the detection of OCPs at 80%, 50%, 20%, 15%, and 15% in the examined catfish, tilapia, mullet, saurus, and pagrus, respectively. Different OCPs were detected at variable concentrations; however, such concentrations were within the established permissible limits in Egypt. In conclusion, OCPs are still detected in different aquatic species and residual concentrations can be detected in different fish species retailed in the Egyptian fish markets. Therefore, it is highly advised to continuously check for OCP residues in fish.

Obesity alters lipid profile, blood glucose, liver enzymes, oxidative stress, and hormonal balance. Fennel has shown anti-obesity effects in preliminary studies, but its role in ameliorative metabolic complications of obesity needs further research. This study assessed the provisional influences of fennel extract against high-fat diet-provoked metabolic deviations in rats. Forty male albino rats were allocated into standard diet control, obese control, low dose fennel (100 mg/kg) and high dose fennel (300 mg/kg) groups. Obesity was triggered by 4 weeks of high-fat nourishment. Fennel extract was applied orally for 6 weeks. Parameters considered were body weight, lipid profile, blood glucose, liver enzymes, anti-oxidant status, thyroid hormones, leptin, and hepatic insulin receptor gene expression. Fennel significantly diminished body weight, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, liver enzymes, glucose, and leptin while increasing HDL-cholesterol, anti-oxidant enzymes, and thyroid stimulating hormone compared to obese controls. Histological examination has shown alleviation of fat accumulation and intracellular changes in the liver. Insulin receptor gene expression was also significantly increased by fennel extract. This study demonstrated that fennel extract reverses obesity-induced metabolic syndrome, oxidative stress, endocrine disruption, and histopathological change in the liver of rats. The hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, anti-oxidant, and hepatoprotective properties of fennel may be beneficial in managing obesity-associated metabolic complications.

Cisplatin is famous, effective anti-cancer drug but has some adverse effects such as nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. This work was planned to assess the protective effect of Ziziphus spina-christi oil extract against Cisplatin induced hepatorenal toxicity.  A total of 24 male albino rats divided into equal four groups for 14 consecutive days. G1(control), G2(ziziphus spina-christi), G3(cisplatin), G4(cisplatin+ ziziphus spina-christi). Cisplatin treated rats showed increase serum of AST, ALP, ALT, triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL- cholesterol, urea, creatinine concentrations and decreased total protein and albumin concentration. Furthermore, cisplatin treated rats significantly increased the MDA level and decreased both of CAT and SOD levels in hepatic and renal tissue compared to control.  Administration of Ziziphus spina-christi oil extract orally at dose of with once intraperitoneal IP at 10th day of experiment renormalized cisplatin hepatorenal damaged group by exerting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. Both of histopathological and immunohistochemical (TNF alpha) examination showed good changes, recorrection after using of Ziziphus Spina-Christi oil extract orally.

Maggots of some blowflies (Diptera: calliphoridae) are typically used in a wide range of medical and forensic applications. One of these flies is Chrysomya marginalis. This fly has not received attention in the researches in Egypt. Accordingly, we start to examine the effect of Chrysomya marginalis maggots extract on the land snails. Nevertheless, the effect of this extract on the environment is still under research. Thus, the present investigation was performed to determine the median lethal concentration of Chrysomya marginalis maggots extract (96-h LC50) and to evaluate the effectiveness of maggots extract in controlling land snails Theba pisana by measuring levels of biochemical, oxidative and antioxidant parameters and the analysis at the molecular level. The results showed that LC50 of maggots extract for T. pisana for 96 hrs was 235.5 g/l. 1/2, 1/4 and 1/10 LC50 (117.75, 58.875 and 23.55 g/l) values were chosen for sublethal studies for 28 days. The results indicated that aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alanine transferase (ALT) levels were significantly higher, while total protein (TP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), hexokinase (HK) and pyruvate kinase (PK) levels were significantly higher in maggots extract-exposed snail compared to the control. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were significantly higher, while catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH) levels were significantly higher in maggots extract-exposed snail as opposed to the control group. A significant down-regulation was noticed in gene expression levels of Cu-Zn SOD in the exposed group. On the other hand, exposure to tested extract caused significantly up-regulated gene expression levels of HSP 70 compared with the control group. In conclusion, Chrysomya marginalis maggots extract caused alteration in biochemical, and antioxidant activities and gene expressed changes.

Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) is Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium not only associated with food-borne outbreaks but also responsible for spoilage of food products. Therefore, the aim of this study is to trying to control of B. cereus by safe nanoparticles and studies the antibacterial effects of Nigella sativa and green synthesized Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (NPs) on B. cereus. The isolated strains of B.cereus from meat and milk products with detection of their virulence genes (nhe, cytK, hbl and ces) by PCR were used to assess the antibacterial activity of these nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) to investigate their properties which revealed that Nigella sativa NPs was 87.5 nm in size and cuboidal in shape, the polydispersity index, zeta potentials, viscosity and conductivity were 0.456, +15.9 mV, 0.877 cp and 58 uS/cm respectively, while Zinc Oxide NPs were 0.2484, -21.8 mV, 0.925 cp and 269 uS/cm respectively and their size was 67.8 nm and rhomboid in shape. Antibacterial activity was determined by using micro wells dilution method to determine Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). The MIC result for Nigella sativa NPs showed slight inhibition with the 30% concentration, while for Zinc Oxide NPs was 1.25 mg/ml. The morphological characters and changes of bacterial cells before and after treatment with nanoparticles were described by SEM. The Results show significant inhibitory effect of Zinc Oxide NPs than Nigella sativa NPs on B.cereus growth with distinctive destruction in its ultrastructure. SO, applications of nanoparticles in the meat and dairy industry will be a market trend to improve quality by their antibacterial effects and enhancement their shelf life.

A coprological survey was conducted to determine the types and prevalence of internal parasites in captive African lions (Panthera leo) in Egypt. Individual fecal samples were collected from 30 lions of different ages and gender from Giza Zoo and different circuses over a 1-year period. Young, aged lions were suffered from weight loss, lethargy, and mild decrease in appetite with mild gastrointestinal symptoms and vomiting with presence of adult toxascaris leonina in vomitus of 3 of them while adult ones show normal body condition without any symptoms. Fecal samples were subjected for macroscopic examination then examined using flotation and sedimentation techniques to assess the presence of parasite eggs and oocysts. The overall prevalence of helminth infections was 33.33% (10/30). Eggs of Toxascaris leonina were found in the feces of 6 (6/10, 60%) lions and Taenia species in 4 (4/10, 40%) lions. In conclusion, due to the increased number of lions in Egypt either for the purpose of acquisition or for work in show as in circus and in the zoo, therefore, diseases that affect lions must be taken into consideration. Parasitic disease is of veterinary importance for lions, but future work including other parasitic, bacterial and viral infections, epidemiology, disease distribution, line of prevention and control for each problem are required.

The current study is aimed to investigate the fungal contaminants in fish feed. Isolation of fungi was conducted on modified dichloran 18% glycerol agar (DG18) and potato dextrose agar (PDA). Feed samples were assayed for aflatoxins using HPLC. A total of 43 species belonging to 19 fungal genera recovered from 45 fish feed samples. Aspergillus and Penicillium were the most predominant genera with isolation frequency values indicated the retrieval capability of DG18 over PDA medium. For instance, Aspergillus spp. recorded 60%, 53.3% while Penicillium spp. were 33.3%, 17.8% on DG18 and PDA respectively via direct plating. 41.4% of the tested isolates were mycotoxin producers. Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 were detected by 6 out of 10 screened Aspergillus isolates. Fumitremorgens, Gliotoxin, Ochratoxin A and B, and Zeralenone were also detected. The feed samples of high total count percentages (TC%) of A. flavus recorded the highest incidence of aflatoxins B2, G1 and G2 (2.3, 35.3 and 7.8 ng/g respectively). Meanwhile, the highest B1 concentration (3.7 ng/g) was recorded for the highest TC% interval studied (1:9 cfu/g). Thus, it is important to monitor the fungal load and mycotoxins in fish feed periodically using proper practical approaches.