Eggshell quality is a critical trait in poultry production, as it directly influences economic outcomes. The genetic architecture underlying this trait remains poorly characterized. In this study, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on Chinese Wenshang Barred chickens at 43 weeks of age to identify genomic loci and candidate genes associated with eggshell quality. This analysis revealed 87 significant SNPs and 14 candidate genes. Genes including MC2R, CDC73, LYSMD2, TNFAIP8L3, and CYP19A1 were associated with eggshell weight; PHEX, ATM, STXBP6, SLIT3, and RALY with eggshell thickness; and SOCS5 and ATG4C with eggshell strength. Notably, three SNPs emerged as the most promising markers for eggshell quality, though their functional roles in laying hens require further investigation. This study advances our understanding of the genetic basis of eggshell quality and holds significant practical implications for improving this trait through targeted breeding strategies.
Cellular rotation is an understudied mechanism that regulates animal morphogenesis. In C. elegans, the dorsal-ventral axis is established when the two-cell-stage AB cell rotates within the eggshell as it divides, generating the diamond-shaped blastomere arrangement at the four-cell stage that enables distinct cell fate specification. Multiple mechanisms, including actomyosin-dependent oriented division, chiral cortical flow, and eggshell shape, have been proposed to regulate this arrangement, but whether these represent conflicting hypotheses or co-acting mechanisms remains unclear. Here, we show that CUL-3-actomyosin-dependent oriented division, eggshell geometry, and the Ras-MAPK signaling pathway regulate distinct steps of cellular rotation. AB cell rotation occurred in two distinct phases: Phase I during AB cytokinesis and Phase II during cytokinesis of the neighboring P1 cell. Quantitative analysis revealed that CUL-3-actomyosin-dependent oriented division is the only one of these three pathways that regulates the AB division axis before anaphase. Actomyosin-dependent oriented division and eggshell geometry were both required for Phase I rotation, whereas Phase II rotation was independent of eggshell geometry. We further identified the Ras-MAPK signaling pathway as a regulator of AB cell rotation that acts independently of eggshell geometry. Strikingly, the CUL-3-actomyosin-dependent pathway may have two distinct roles: first, specifying the AB division axis, and second, correcting the division axis in all cell types during cytokinesis. Together, these functions contribute significantly to cellular rotation and dorsal-ventral axis establishment.
Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) exhibit antibacterial activity and can be applied by spraying for the disinfection of the external eggshell surface. This study evaluated the effects spraying of Ag NPs synthesized using Stachys recta L. extract on eggs from Plymouth Rock chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus). Ninety-six fresh eggs were randomly divided into four treatment groups: Ag NPs, AgNO₃, Stachys recta extract, and Virocid, a broad-spectrum disinfectant based on glutaraldehyde and quaternary ammonium compounds. Microbial load was assessed on the eggshell surface before (0 minutes) and after disinfection (1, 5, and 15 minutes). By comparing microbial loads before (0 min) and after disinfection (1, 5, and 15 min), a significant effect of treatment was observed (P < 0.0001). After 15 min of exposure, Virocid achieved complete microbial elimination (3.47 log₁₀ CFU/egg reduction) and was significantly more effective than all other treatments (P < 0.0001). Ag NPs reduced microbial load by 1.34 log₁₀ CFU/egg and were significantly more effective than AgNO₃ (0.39 log₁₀ CFU/egg reduction) and the plant extract (0.20 log₁₀ CFU/egg reduction) (P < 0.0001). By microbiological culture examination of eggshells, we identified 8 bacterial species, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococccus faecium, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, and Staphylococcus xylosus. Reducing microbial contamination on the eggshell may help decrease the risk of egg spoilage and microbial penetration. However, the effectiveness of sanitation procedures must also be considered in relation to the preservation of the eggshell cuticle and other natural protective barriers that contribute to egg quality and shelf life.
Sustainable and fluoride-free alternatives for oral care products are increasingly sought. This study aimed to valorize eggshell waste as a calcium source for the synthesis of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (HAp) and to evaluate its suitability as a multifunctional filler in toothpaste formulations, focusing on rheological, viscoelastic, and enamel remineralization performance. Hydroxyapatite was synthesized from eggshell-derived calcium oxide via wet chemical precipitation and characterized using particle size analysis, FTIR, and XRD. Toothpaste formulations containing 0, 3, 5, and 7 wt% HAp were prepared. Steady shear and dynamic oscillatory rheological measurements were performed and fitted using the Herschel-Bulkley model. In vitro, remineralization was assessed on artificially demineralized bovine enamel using Vickers microhardness testing before demineralization, after lesion formation, and after treatment with HAp-based toothpaste. The synthesized HAp was phase-pure and nanocrystalline, with an average crystallite size of approximately 12-14 nm. All formulations exhibited non-Newtonian shear-thinning behavior with a well-defined yield stress. Increasing HAp content significantly enhanced yield stress, consistency index, storage modulus, and critical stress, indicating progressive reinforcement of the internal microstructure. The formulation containing 5 wt% HAp showed the most balanced viscoelastic properties. Artificial demineralization reduced enamel microhardness by approximately 53% compared with sound enamel. Treatment with HAp-based toothpaste significantly increased microhardness (p < 0.001), restoring values to levels not statistically different from sound enamel. The calculated remineralization percentage reached 115.97%, suggesting effective mineral deposition and surface reconstruction. Eggshell-derived hydroxyapatite acts as both a rheological reinforcing agent and a biomimetic remineralizing material in toothpaste formulations. An optimal loading of 5 wt% provides improved mechanical integrity and controlled flow behavior while promoting substantial enamel remineralization under vitro conditions. This study supports the use of eggshell-derived hydroxyapatite as a sustainable biomimetic remineralizing agent for fluoride-free or fluoride-complementary toothpaste formulations, combining favorable handling properties with significant enamel remineralization potential.
Eggshell-free (ex ovo) culture systems enable direct observation and manipulation of avian embryos, but embryo viability and hatchability under these conditions remain variable. This Research Note evaluated embryo viability during culture and hatchability of White Leghorn (WL) and Barred Plymouth Rock (BPR) chicken embryos under eggshell-free culture. A total of 28 embryos from two independent experiments were analyzed (WL, n = 13; BPR, n = 15). Embryo viability during culture was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method, with embryo death or developmental arrest treated as an event and hatching treated as a censored observation at the day of hatching. Embryo viability during culture did not differ significantly between WL and BPR embryos by the log-rank test (p = 0.472). Hatching was observed in 3 of 15 BPR embryos (20.0%; 95% CI, 4.3-48.1%) but in none of the 13 WL embryos (0.0%; 95% CI, 0.0-24.7%); however, hatchability did not differ significantly between breeds by Fisher's exact test (p = 0.226). All 3 hatched chicks died from undetermined causes within 2 wk. after hatching; these post-hatching observations were treated descriptively and were not included as primary endpoints. These results support the separate assessment of embryo viability during culture and hatchability under eggshell-free culture conditions. Although statistically significant breed differences were not detected in the present dataset, the observation that hatching occurred only in BPR embryos highlights the need to consider breed, genetic background, or source-flock-related factors as potential contributors in future evaluations of eggshell-free culture systems.
Salmonellosis is an important foodborne and zoonotic disease commonly related to the ingestion of poultry products contaminated with Salmonella spp. Although a wide range of poultry farming practices are widely practised in the region, public health concerns regarding the distribution of foodborne zoonotic pathogens at the human-poultry interface remain poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence, associated factors and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Salmonella spp. at the human-egg layer farm interface in the Mekelle and southeast zones, Tigrai, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 January to 30 June 2025. Data were collected from poultry farm personnel, and 44 stool samples from farm workers, 44 pooled eggshell swab samples and 44 fresh fecal samples from egg-laying hens were collected. Standard microbiological procedures, including pre-enrichment, selective enrichment, selective isolation and biochemical identification, were used to detect suspected Salmonella spp. isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Data were entered, cleaned and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. Three Salmonella spp. were identified from the collected specimens. Of these, 2 (4.55%) were isolated from fecal samples of egg-laying hens and 1 (2.27%) from pooled eggshell swab samples. However, Salmonella spp. were not detected among stool samples collected from farm workers. More than 80% of farm workers reported not practicing hand washing after handling eggs, and 68% lacked knowledge about disease-causing pathogens that may be transmitted through eggshell contact. No statistically significant association was observed between Salmonella spp. occurrence and the assessed risk factors. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that isolates were resistant to β-lactams, tetracyclines and aminoglycosides, and two of the three isolates were multidrug resistant. The detection of Salmonella spp., including multidrug-resistant strains, in egg-layer farm environments indicates a potential public health concern. Strengthening biosecurity measures, improving hygiene practices, promoting responsible antimicrobial use and implementing continuous One Health surveillance are essential to minimise the risk of pathogen transmission.
The valorization of drinking water treatment sludge (DWTS) and eggshell waste represents a promising route for reducing landfill disposal and developing alternative stabilized materials for geotechnical applications. This study aimed to evaluate the mechanical and microstructural behavior of DWTS stabilized with commercial lime (CL) and eggshell-derived hydrated lime (EHL), including alkali-activated EHL systems. EHL was produced from locally collected eggshell waste through washing, drying, grinding, calcination at 1000 °C for 4 h, hydration, drying, and sieving. The mixtures were prepared with lime contents of 5%, 8%, 11%, and 14%, while NaOH solutions of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 M were used for the activated systems. A total of 120 cylindrical specimens were compacted under controlled dry unit weight and moisture content and cured for 7 and 28 days. The stabilized DWTS was evaluated through unconfined compressive strength (qu), SEM-EDS analysis, and multifactorial ANOVA. The highest qu for CL-treated specimens was 4561.72 kPa at 14% lime and 28 days, while EHL reached its best response at 11% lime and 7 days, with a qu of 3195.13 kPa. In general, EHL showed a competitive performance at intermediate and high lime contents, although increasing NaOH molarity tended to reduce strength.
Sanitization constitutes a pillar of modern bacterial control in the management of hatching eggs. When improperly performed, eggshell contamination may increase, thereby increasing embryo susceptibility to bacterial pathogens and negatively affecting their viability and development. Sanitizing agents based on quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) and sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) have been considered potential treatments to mitigate bacterial problems in poultry production. Therefore, this review aims to analyze the antibacterial potential of QACs and NaClO as sanitizers for bacterial control on hatching eggshells. In summary, both evaluated compounds proved effective in reducing bacterial contamination on eggshell surfaces, as evidenced by the significant antibacterial activity observed. However, their use should be rational, respecting the specific characteristics and recommendations of each compound, and guided by manufacturers' guidelines and scientific evidence.
Limitations of conventional wound dressings have spurred the exploration of regenerative biomaterials capable of actively promoting tissue repair. Eggshell membrane (ESM) is emerging as a low-cost, biocompatible scaffold with significant potential in advanced wound care applications. To evaluate the therapeutic potential of ESM-based wound dressings in enhancing the wound-healing process. A systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Comprehensive searches were performed across PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and ProQuest, covering all records up to 22 June 2024. Only English-language studies investigating eggshell membrane as a wound care biomaterial were included. Study selection adhered to predefined eligibility and inclusion criteria. From 599 identified records, 36 studies met the inclusion criteria. Fifteen studies involved in vivo experiments (eight in rats, three in rabbits, three in mice, and one in murine models), with ten also incorporating in vitro analyses. Eight studies were exclusively in vitro. Overall, 15 studies used in vivo methods and 18 utilized in vitro approaches. ESM-based wound dressings consistently demonstrated promising outcomes, accelerating wound repair and tissue regeneration, and often outperforming untreated controls or conventional gauze dressings. A meta-analysis was not feasible due to heterogeneity in study designs, experimental models, and outcome measures. This review highlights the considerable potential of eggshell membrane-based dressings as regenerative biomaterials for the management of complex wounds. While ESM shows strong promise as a scaffold for wound healing, further standardized and clinically focused research is necessary to establish robust evidence supporting its translational and therapeutic applications. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420260551038, identifier CRD420260551038.
Heavy metals (HMs) such as copper (Cu), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and zinc (Zn) from industrial activities are discharged into nearby water resources after treatment. In the present study, the potential of utilizing chemically activated carbon derived from water hyacinths as a sustainable and low-cost adsorbent for heavy metal removal from industrial wastewater from the Nakawa industrial area, Uganda was investigated. The measured physicochemical parameters of wastewater (temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, chlorides and total hardness) varied significantly among the three sampled sites (p < 0.05), except for pH. Similarly, the concentration of the HMs in the samples (0.54 ± 0.04 mg L-1 for Cr to 93.54 ± 0.07 mg L-1 for Pb) varied significantly between sites (p < 0.05), exceeding the maximum permissible limits of Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu and Zn specified in the National Environment Standards for Discharge of Effluent into Water or Land. The water hyacinth biomass was activated using eggshell powder and phosphoric acid, followed by thermal treatment. Characterization using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy confirmed that there was improvement in its surface functionality and porosity post activation. Batch adsorption experiments indicated that optimal removal of the HMs was achieved at pH 4-5, contact time of 90 min, and 1.0 g of adsorbent. Maximum adsorption capacities of Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr and Zn were in the range of 1.04-8.36 mg g-1. Under the optimized conditions, the eggshell-activated carbon derived from water hyacinths had removal efficiencies of 91.2 ± 9.1% (range: 71.3-100%). Adsorption occurred through both monolayer and multilayer coverage, as indicated by the experimental data which fitted well to the Freundlich isotherm (Cd2+, Pb2+, Zn2+ and Cu2+ ions) and Langmuir isotherm model (Cr3+ ions). These results support the potential of water hyacinth-derived activated carbon as an ecofriendly alternative for treating low concentrations of these HMs in industrial wastewater.
A novel one-step alkaline method was developed to simultaneously extract keratin and gelatin from eggshell membrane waste. The process achieved successful separation via centrifugation and filtration. Physicochemical analysis confirmed the isolation of both proteins, with yields of 12.5% for keratin and 57.6% for gelatin. The extracted proteins exhibited low molecular weights, good solubility, and significant antioxidant activity (37.06% and 25%, respectively). While individual emulsion stability was limited, combining keratin and gelatin enhanced emulsifying performance. The proteins formed flexible amyloid structures, improving adsorption at the oil-water interface and stabilizing emulsions. This method provides an efficient approach for the high-value utilization of eggshell membrane waste.
Prior to in-ovo vaccination, the eggshell must be perforated at the air cell region; however, inappropriate perforation parameters can easily cause hole-shape deformation, crack propagation, and shell membrane damage, thereby affecting hatching safety. To obtain low-damage perforation parameters, this study independently designed an impact perforation experimental device for embryo eggs, established a Pogorelov-Griffith bending-fracture coupled model, and optimized punch diameter D, impact velocity V, and impact force F by combining single-factor experiments, three-factor three-level orthogonal experiments, and GA-BP neural network optimization. The mechanical damage score S, constructed from the hole-shape deviation index DI and crack length CL, was used as the primary evaluation indicator, and the effects of the optimized parameters on hatch-of-viable, late embryonic mortality, visible contamination rate, methylene blue penetration, and shell membrane damage were further evaluated through simulated in-ovo manipulation experiments. The results showed that the effects of D, V, and F on S followed the order of "D > V > F". An increase in punch diameter significantly aggravated hole-shape deformation and crack propagation; impact velocity exhibited an optimal window within the range of 2.2-2.3 m/s; and results of impact force tended to stabilize near 1.5-1.6 N. The GA-BP model showed good predictive ability for S, with an overall R² of 0.91 and an RMSE of 0.02. Based on the combined results of mechanical optimization and biological validation, the recommended parameters were D = 2.0 mm, V = 2.25 m/s, and F = 1.6 N. This parameter group had the lowest S, milder dye penetration and shell membrane damage, a lower visible contamination rate, and the highest hatch-of-viable among the perforation-treated groups. This study indicates that S can serve as a mechanical evaluation indicator for screening low-damage perforation parameters, and the recommended parameter window can provide experimental evidence for optimizing eggshell perforation in in-ovo vaccination.
Although eggshell-derived calcium sources have been widely explored for hydroxyapatite (HAp) synthesis, the minimum processing conditions required to obtain crystalline and high phase-purity HAp under comparable wet-chemical routes remain insufficiently defined. In this study, six wet-chemical synthesis methodologies were systematically compared using CaO derived from chicken eggshells as the calcium source, while maintaining equivalent chemical conditions and varying only key processing parameters, particularly the presence or absence of moderate heating. The synthesized materials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction with Rietveld refinement (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy. Quantitative XRD analysis revealed that nonheated routes resulted in incomplete conversion, with the persistence of intermediate calcium phosphate phases, whereas methodologies employing moderate heating promoted enhanced crystallinity and phase purity. Among the investigated routes, Methodology 6, conducted at 70 °C, exhibited the most advanced structural development, yielding predominantly hydroxyapatite, with approximately 88% hexagonal HAp and 11% monoclinic HAp, nanometric crystallite sizes (≈12-33 nm), and minimal residual Ca-(OH)2.
Eggshell powder (EP) has been suggested as a cost-effective pulpotomy material due to its high biocompatibility, remineralization potential, and ability to induce dentin bridge formation. This study compared the clinical and radiographic outcomes of EP, Biodentine, and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) when used as pulpotomy agents in primary molars. A randomized split-mouth clinical trial was performed on 30 children, each receiving pulpotomy in 3 primary molars assigned to Group I (EP), Group II (Biodentine), and Group III (MTA), with 30 teeth per group. Clinical evaluations were carried out at baseline, 3-, 6-, and 12-month. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were performed immediately postoperatively and at 12- month to evaluate root resorption and radiodensity changes. All groups demonstrated 100% clinical success within 3-month. At 12-month, Group I showed significantly higher rates of spontaneous pain, abnormal mobility, fistula, and internal and external root resorption (p < .05). CBCT analysis revealed significantly lower radiodensity values in Group I compared with Groups II and III. Group III (MTA) exhibited the most favorable radiographic outcomes, followed by Group II (Biodentine). EP achieved acceptable short-term results; however, its long-term performance was inferior to MTA and Biodentine.Clinical significance EP represents a low-cost, biocompatible, and environmentally sustainable biomaterial derived from recycled natural waste. Despite its eco-friendly and biomimetic advantages, its long-term clinical and radiographic performance remained inferior to Biodentine and MTA, which continue to be the more reliable pulpotomy materials for primary molars.Trial registration NCT05812053, "ComparativeEvaluation of Eggshell Powder in Primary Teeth Pulpotomy", https://clinicaltrials.gov/ . Registered: 2023/04/13.
Nanozymes act as a promising alternative to natural enzymes in constructing a colorimetric sensing platform for biosensing and food analysis, yet most nanozymes are in powder form and require special separation prior to colorimetric detection. To address such issues, monolithic architecture has attracted more attention due to its simple operation and convenient control. In this work, Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) grown on discarded eggshell membranes (Ag/ESM) were proposed as a novel biomaterial based monolithic oxidase mimic to fabricate a colorimetric sensing platform for ascorbic acid (AA) detection. Due to the abundant reductive functional groups in ESM protein, Ag NPs were acquired through the auto-reduction of Ag+ without the participation of other reductive agents. These Ag NPs feature small size and high dispersion, which make them highly active in triggering 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) oxidation, with a low Km of 0.118 mM and a high Vmax of 1.32 × 10-7 M s-1. More significantly, Ag/ESM as a monolithic oxidase mimic holds great merits of simple operation and facile control of the enzyme-mimicking reaction for on-demand analysis. A colorimetric sensing platform based on an Ag/ESM-TMB system was established, which exhibits excellent sensitivity and selectively for AA detection, as well as remarkable feasibility and reliability for real food samples. This work exemplifies a novel "turn trash to treasure" strategy to fabricate a Ag-based monolithic oxidase mimic by using waste ESM as the matrix, and establishes a simple but sensitive colorimetric sensing platform for AA in food samples.
Eggshell membrane peptides (ESMPs) are natural bioactive compounds with reported chondroprotective properties. However, their regulatory effects on canine chondrocytes remain unclear. This study investigated ESMP in an interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced inflammatory model of canine chondrocytes. Chondrocytes were assigned to control (Cont), IL-1β, and ESMP + IL-1β groups. Cell viability was assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting (WB) were used to measure mRNA and protein expression levels, respectively. ESMP inhibited IL-1β-induced NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation and reduced the IL-1β-induced increases in interleukin-6 (IL-6), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) at both mRNA and protein levels. ESMP also decreased IL-6, nitric oxide (NO), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels in culture supernatants. ESMP reversed the IL-1β-induced reduction in type II collagen α1 chain (COL2A1) and aggrecan (ACAN) expression at both transcriptional and protein levels. ESMP attenuates IL-1β-induced inflammatory responses and extracellular matrix degradation in canine chondrocytes, potentially associated with suppression of NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation. This supports its potential application in promoting joint health in dogs.
The co-occurrence of antibiotics and heavy metals in livestock wastewater presents a significant challenge for environmental management due to their complex interactions during treatment and potential ecological risks. In this study, a porous eggshell-derived CaCO3/g-C3N4 composite was developed for Cu2+ mediated adsorption and photocatalytic removal of tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) from livestock wastewater. The optimized eggshell 5%-C3N4 composite exhibited a maximum TCH adsorption capacity of 29.76 mg g-1 in the presence of Cu2+. Under Cu2+-free conditions with an initial TCH concentration of 50 mg L-1, eggshell 5%-C3N4 showed an apparent photocatalytic degradation rate constant 1.9 times that of pristine g-C3N4. Mechanistic analysis indicated that the porous CaCO3 framework enhanced adsorption and light utilization, whereas Cu2+ mainly promoted TCH adsorption through surface complexation and cation bridging but generally suppressed apparent photocatalytic TCH removal to different extents. The material showed good reusability and stable performance in fixed-bed column experiments, with breakthrough behavior well described by the Thomas model. Validation using real livestock wastewater further demonstrated its applicability under complex conditions. These findings suggest that the proposed approach has potential for mitigating antibiotic-metal co-contamination in livestock wastewater and contributes to the development of practical treatment strategies for agricultural pollution management.
Chronic urinary schistosomiasis is an important cause of hematuria and genitourinary morbidity in individuals from endemic regions. In advanced disease, computed tomography (CT) may show circumferential calcification of the bladder and distal ureters, a classic pattern that can suggest the diagnosis even when laboratory tests are negative. A 38-year-old man from Mozambique, living in Portugal with human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B virus infections, presented with 2 months of painless gross hematuria. He denied dysuria, fever, flank pain, weight loss, prior urinary tract instrumentation, tuberculosis, or recent travel, and baseline blood tests and renal function were normal. Urinalysis showed hematuria and leukocyturia, but multiple urine examinations for Schistosoma ova and a urine Schistosoma-specific polymerase chain reaction were negative. Noncontrast CT of the abdomen and pelvis was obtained and demonstrated diffuse circumferential calcification of the urinary bladder wall with distal ureteral involvement, producing a classic "eggshell" appearance without hydronephrosis, renal stones, or intraluminal mass. Cystoscopy showed yellowish plaques and nodular mucosal lesions, and targeted bladder biopsies revealed numerous calcified Schistosoma haematobium ova within the urothelium and submucosa with chronic inflammation and stromal calcification, confirming chronic inactive infection. The patient received a single dose of praziquantel 40 mg/kg and 3 months later, hematuria had resolved and renal function was stable. This case highlights that in chronic urinary schistosomiasis, CT findings can be decisive when urine-based tests are negative.
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.6c02783.].
Sanitizing hatching eggs has become increasingly recommended as a strategy to reduce infections, limit the spread of bacteria, and promote healthier conditions for developing embryos. The absence of this procedure can contribute to lower hatchability rates in commercial hatcheries. Therefore, investigating different sanitizers applied to hatching eggs is essential. This review synthesized evidence from Google Scholar up to June 2026, examining the effects of ultraviolet light (UV), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), peracetic acid (PAA), and ozone (O3) on eggshell bacterial load, eggshell structural integrity, and hatchability. The findings reveal that these sanitizers have the potential to reduce eggshell bacterial load without apparently causing significant structural alterations or compromising hatchability. However, it also became clear that outcomes depend strongly on the protocol configuration, as adverse effects may occur under different conditions, such as concentration, exposure time, or application method. Overall, UV, H2O2, PAA, and O3 can be used to sanitize hatching eggs, if protocols prioritize microbiological safety without impairing embryonic performance, thereby avoiding negative impacts on hatchability rates.