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Mixed-metal oxide spinel ferrite nanoparticles of composition Na 0.5 Mn x Co (0.5− x ) Fe 2 O 4 (where x  = 0.0, 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5) were synthesized successfully through a well-known citrate sol–gel autocombustion method. X-ray diffraction approach, transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, and spectroscopic Fourier transform infrared were used to investigate the microstructure and the formation of the composites. Diffuse reflectance was employed to investigate the optical properties and estimating of optical band gap type and value. The magnetic analysis was made by employing a vibrating sample magnetometer. It was found that the average crystallite size increases with the increase of manganese (Mn) content. The formation of the spinel structure of Mn-doped Na-CFO was confirmed by FTIR spectra. The direct optical band gap was observed through the Kubelka–Munk function calculation of diffusely reflected light. The saturation magnetization decreases with the addition of Mn cations.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of two marine macroalgae, Ulva lactuca (Chlorophyta) and Pterocladia capillacea (Rhodophyta), meals as a supplement to enhance the nutritional value of formulated feeds for European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax fry. Seven isoproteic (50 % crude protein), isocaloric (500 Kcal/100 g gross energy) diets containing four levels (0 or control, 5, 10, and 15 %) of either Ulva meal (UM) or Pterocladia meal (PM) were tested. Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of D. labrax fry (initial body weight, 0.23 ± 0.02 g for Ulva- and 0.14 ± 0.01 g for Pterocladia-fed fish), to apparent visual satiety for 8 weeks. The results indicated that feeding seabass at 5 % UM or PM level (U₅ and P₅ diets) produced the best growth, feed utilization, nutrient retention, and survival rates among all the dietary groups. Feeding fish with a 5 % PM-added diet has also improved stress response after a 5-min air exposure test, prior to the termination of the feeding trial. These findings suggest that both Pterocladia and Ulva meals could be potentially used as an additional feed component (at 5 %) for enhancement of seabass D. labrax fry performance, nutrients composition, and stress resistance especially when subjected to transportation from hatchery to weaning ponds/tanks.

Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation and autoantibodies, affecting different organs. Musculoskeletal manifestations are one of the most common manifestations in SLE, usually nonerosive and nondeforming. Musculoskeletal ultrasonography (US) can detect synovial inflammation and structural damage lesions. Aim The aim was to detect ultrasound abnormalities of the wrist and metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints in a cohort of Egyptian patients with SLE and their relation to disease activity. Patients and methods A total of 80 female patients with SLE and 10 age-matched apparently healthy controls were enrolled. Clinical examination and laboratory investigations were done for all patients. US examinations of both wrists and second to fifth MCP joints were done for all participants. Patients were divided according to clinical and US assessments. Results US detected synovitis of MCPs and/or wrist in 63.75% patients compared with 10% of healthy control ( P <0.01). Synovitis was identified in most of the patients with SLE who had hand arthralgia when compared with patients without ( P <0.01). Conversely, 18.3% of patients had wrist joints tenderness on physical examination with no sonographic abnormalities. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index score and dsDNA antibodies were associated with the presence of synovitis. Conclusion US is a valuable tool for assessment of joints in patients with SLE. It helps in detection of inflammation when compared with clinical examination and monitoring disease activity.