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Background. Avian influenza A (H5N1) virus is one of the most important public health concerns worldwide. The antiviral activity of native and esterified whey proteins fractions (- lactalbumin, - lactoglobulin, and lactoferrin) was evaluated against A/chicken/Egypt/086Q-NLQP/2008 HPAI (H5N1) strain of clade 2.2.1 (for multiplicity of infection (1 MOI) after 72 h of incubation at 37°C in the presence of 5% CO2) using MDCK cell lines. Result. Both the native and esterified lactoferrin seem to be the most active antiviral protein among the tested samples, followed by - lactoglobulin. -Lactalbumin had less antiviral activity even after esterification. Conclusion. Esterification of whey proteins fractions especially lactoferrin and -lactoglobulin enhanced their antiviral activity against H5N1 in a concentration dependent manner. © 2010 Taha et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

The current work investigates the structural, optical, electrical, and mechanical properties of Rochelle salt (RS)-doped polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite. The RS with concentrations (0 to 50 wt%)-filled PVA were prepared via the casting method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) of PVA and RS indicates the semi-crystalline nature of PVA and the crystal nano-size of RS. Moreover, the XRD of RS-doped PVA composites confirms the interaction and miscibility between PVA and RS. The changes in molecular structure were investigated by using attenuated total reflection—Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and confirmed the interaction and structure change in PVA by doping RS. The optical properties of the RS-doped PVA composites are greatly dependent on the RS concentrations. The absorption edge, direct, and indirect band gap increase with doping RS compering with pure PVA. The dielectric constant, loss, real and imaginary parts of dielectric modulus, and alternating current (AC) conductivity were investigated. Decrease in dielectric constant and loss followed by constant values with frequency increase due to the interfacial polarization. Also, increased AC conductivity and dielectric moduli with frequency increase and only a single relaxation peak were found and shifted to lower frequencies by increasing RS concentrations. Moreover, mechanical measurements reveal a significant improvement in the flexibility of RS-doped-PVA composites. The modulus of elasticity decreased by 72% compared with pure PVA. Dynamic mechanical analysis also reveals a decrease in storage modulus by 76% compared with pure PVA. Also, the RS concentrations greatly affect peak height, width, and position of loss factor.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate bioactivity and osteogenic potential of calcium silicate (CS)-doped iron oxide (FeO) nanoparticles versus pure CS in the reconstruction of induced critical-sized mandibular defects.

DESIGN: CS-doped FeO was prepared; morphological and microstructure identification of nanoparticles were made. An randomised design was developed on 24 adult male dogs where four critical-sized mandibular defects were created in each dog. Bone defects were allocated into control, CS, CS-3% FeO and CS-10% FeO group. Dogs were euthanized at 1 and 3 months (12 dog/time) for histopathologic and histomorphometric evaluation.

RESULTS: At three months, bone formation and maturation were evident where mean ± SD percent of mature bone was 2.66 ± 1.8, 9.9 ± 2.5, 22.9 ± 4.9, and 38.6 ± 8.1 in control, CS, CS-3% FeO, and CS-10% FeO groups respectively. A high significant ( < 0.001) increase in area percent of mature bone was recorded in CS, CS-3% FeO, and CS- 10% FeO groups compared to control group (73%, 88% and 93.3% respectively). Significant increase ( < 0.001) in area of mature bone was recorded in CS-3% FeO and CS-10% FeO groups compared to CS group. A significant increase ( < 0.001) in area of mature bone formation was detected in CS-10% FeO group compared to other groups.

CONCLUSION: CS-doped FeO has good osteoconductive, biocompatible properties with promoted bone regeneration. FeO has synergistic effect in combination with CS to promote bone formation. Increasing concentration of FeO nanoparticles resulted in improved osteogenesis and maturation. Results suggests that the novel CS-FeO alloplasts could be used for reconstruction of critical-sized bone defects.

Mass mortalities in Egyptian hatchery-reared Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fries have negatively impacted the livelihood of fish farmers for the past 3 years due to fish loss (up to 70%), feed waste, and loss of job opportunities. An investigation into possible viral causes of massive die-offs in tilapia during 2018–2019 identified nervous necrosis virus (NNV) strains phylogenetically related to red-spotted grouper NNV. Clinical signs and gross pathology of naturally infected fish were consistent with classical NNV infections. Electron micrographs revealed virions in the retina and brain. NNV RNA was also detected in the brood stocks’ brains and ovaries. Experimental infection of NNV-free fries resulted in 100% morbidity and mortality. Since this is the first report of VNN-outbreaks in African tilapia, different aspects of viral epidemiology and possible ways to break the epidemic wave and prevent future interspecies transmission events are discussed.