This study aimed to assess the effect of titanium dioxide (TiO2), Thyme essential oil, and a mixture of both on the quality of chicken fillets. Fresh chicken breast fillets samples were treated with TiO2 nanoparticles as a trial (T), Thyme oil (2%) as a trial (O) individually and in mix of both as a trial (M). All samples were examined during cold storage (4 ± 1 °C at zero, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 days from sensory, bacteriologically and chemical points of view. The results indicated a positive effect on the shelf life of treated samples as compared to untreated ones especially in trial (M). On the other hand, there was a good antibacterial activity of such treatment on APC, Psychrotrophic and coliform counts. Also, the results showed that pH, TBA and TVN values were increased but not reached to spoilage (6.4) in all Thyme oil 2% treated samples; which gave the best effectiveness followed by TiO2 and finally the combination of both Thyme oil 2% and TiO2.

Imidacloprid is an insecticide that protects against insects in the agriculture, animal, and poultry production sectors. Since the accumulation of imidacloprid induces adverse impacts on general health status and quality of the food chain, this study tested the impacts on broilers. Besides, selenium nanoparticles were fed to birds to relieve the negative impacts on growth performance and health status. Birds (1-day age, initial weight 46.05 ± 1.0 g) divided into four groups (triplicates) where 15 chicks of each replicate (45 for each group). The first group (control) was fed the basal diet without either selenium or imidacloprid toxicity. The second group was fed selenium nano form at 3 mg/kg. The third group was fed selenium and exposed to imidacloprid at 1/10 LT50 (3 mg/kg body weight). The fourth group was fed selenium nano form (3 mg/kg) and exposed to imidacloprid at 1/10 LT50 (3 mg/kg body weight). All groups were kept under the same conditions for 35 days. The final weight and weight gain of birds fed selenium nano form showed marked improvement compared to the imidacloprid-exposed group, while the feed intake and feed conversion ratio markedly reduced. The red blood cells showed higher values in birds fed selenium nano than the control and those exposed to imidacloprid. Interestingly, the hemoglobulin and hematocrit increased in birds fed selenium nano form with or without imidacloprid exposure. Furthermore, the white blood cells increased in birds fed selenium nano form with or without imidacloprid exposure. The total protein, albumin, and globulin were higher in birds fed selenium nanoparticles than those exposed to imidacloprid with or without selenium feeding. Birds in the control and imidacloprid groups had higher aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and malondialdehyde levels than the remaining groups. Accordingly, dietary selenium nanoparticles are suggested in broiler feed to cope with the adverse effects of imidacloprid toxicity.

Depuis nos premiers pas en Egyptologie, Ramadan El-Sayed était un grand nom au moins parmi les égyptologues égyptiens, parfois grâce à sa réputation scientifique internationale et d’autres fois en raison de son image effrayante pour sa rigueur et son intensité. Malheureusement, il n’a jamais été un de nos enseignants ou directeurs de recherches, pourtant, nous le considérons toujours comme le pionnier des chercheurs égyptiens étudiant l’Egyptologie en France. À Ramadan El-Sayed qui nous inspire toujours, nous dédions ces réflexions sur le pays de Pount. L’expédition que la reine Hatchepsout a envoyée au pays de Pount est figurée sur les murs de la partie sud de la terrasse intermédiaire du temple de Deir el-Bahari. Ce bas-relief présente un intérêt particulier pour diverses raisons : l’expédition à Pount est considérée comme l’un des exploits les plus importants du règne d’Hatchepsout.Cette expédition est clairement la première mission vers Pount au Nouvel Empire ; sa représentation sur le mur d’un temple, c’est-à-dire, le château de millions d’années de la reine Hatchepsout, est la seule mention directe de relation entre l’Egypte et Pount dans l’institution religieuse. Les scènes mêmes sont bien détaillées surtout dans la représentation du voyage de la flotte et de l’environnement de Pount, de telle sorte que beaucoup d’égyptologues se sont appuyés sur elles pour construire leurs hypothèses sur la localisation de Pount.