Water relations and microbial proliferation in vase solutions of Narcissus tazetta L. cv. ‘Shahla-e-Shiraz’ as affected by biocide compounds

Summary

Disruption of cut flower water relations due to the growth and proliferation of microorganisms in the vase solution is one of the most important factors causing reduced vase-life and deterioration in cut flowers. These experiments were conducted to study the effects of some biocides in controlling microbial proliferation in vase solutions and on water relations in cut Narcissus tazetta L. cv. ‘Shahla-e-Shiraz’, a native bulbous cut flower of Iran. The stems of ‘Shahla-e-Shiraz’ Narcissus cut flowers were exposed to 17 treatments: aluminium sulphate (at 100, 200 or 300 mg l^–1), citric acid (at 150, 300 or 450 mg l^–1), 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate (at 200, 300 or 400 mg l^–1), sodium hypochlorite (at 400, 600 or 800 mg l^–1), calcium hypochlorite (at 400, 600 or 800 mg l^–1), sterilised distilled water, or tap water (control). Generally, the least effective compounds in controlling microbial proliferation were low concentrations of aluminium sulphate or citric acid. 8-Hydroxyquinoline citrate treatments were most effective, and the vase solution did not contain any microbes until day-6. Vase solution contaminants were yeasts, Bacillus ssp., Staphylococcus ssp., Actinomycetes and Aspergillus ssp. Yeasts and bacilli were the most common microorganisms. Severe symptoms of phytotoxicity such as bud abortion and yellowing in aluminium sulphate-treated flowers, stem proximal-end browning and shrinking in 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate-treated flowers, and bleaching of soaked parts in sodium hypochlorite treatments, were seen. Most solution was taken up in 150 mg l^–1 citric acid, while the reduction in fresh weight was least in 200 mg l^–1 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate. The correlation between microbial counts and growth rate with solution uptake was slightly negative, but their correlation with fresh weight loss was slightly positive.     

Effects of long-term silymarin oral supplementation on the blood biochemical profile of rainbow trout (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus mykiss</Emphasis>)

Silymarin, an extract from “milk thistle” (Silybum marianum) plant is traditionally used as herbal medicine. The present study was conducted to investigate the clinical effects and possible side effects of silymarin on biochemical blood parameters of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Fishes were treated with 0 (control), 100, 400, and 800 mg of silymarin per kg of food during 4 weeks. Plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine kinase (CK), glucose, total protein, creatinine, triglyceride, cholesterol, urea, uric acid and liver cellular total antioxidant, and protein content were measured after 7, 14, and 28 days of silymarin treatment. The results showed that oral administration of silymarin in fish significantly reduced plasma glucose and cholesterol levels and relatively increased plasma total protein and globulin concentrations (P < 0.05). Increasing plasma albumin levels indicate the important role of albumin in drug transportation in circulatory system of fish. Silymarin also stabilized cellular membrane structure and regulated the levels of AST, ALT, ALP, CK, and LDH activity. In conclusion, on the basis of these results, oral administration of silymarin up to 400 mg per 1 kg of food has no side effect on blood biochemical and clinical parameters of fishes. However, oral administration of 800 mg/kg- of silymarin caused cytotoxicity and modifications in blood biochemical parameters of fish.     

Salvia officinalis hydroalcoholic extract improved reproduction capacity and behavioral activity in rats exposed to immobilization stress

This study was conducted to evaluate the Salvia officinalis hydroalcoholic extract on fertility capacity and behavioral features in rats exposed to immobilization stress. Male rats were randomly divided into five groups; Control; Stressed rats; and Stressed rats received 50, 100 and/or 200 mg/kg bw S. officinalis hydroalcoholic extract. To induce stress, rats were immobilized for 49 days and received S. officinalis extract orally. On day 56, we analyzed behavioral tests and evaluated reproduction capacity by measuring LH, FSH, and testosterone. Sperm parameters such as motility, viability, and total count were also determined. Bodyweight changes were also calculated on day 56. Male rats from different groups were mated with healthy female rats. Data showed that the use of 100 and 200 mg/kg bw S. officinalis extract in stressed rats increased bodyweight gain and improved behavioral disorders compared to control‐matched groups (p < .05). Besides, administration of 100 and 200 mg/kg bw S. officinalis extract had the potential to improve sperm parameters and fertility capacity in stressed rats (p < .05). Decreased testosterone levels were blunted in the stressed rats that received plant extract coincided with the reduction of LH and FSH compared to control‐matched stressed rats (p < .05). We found neutral effects in stressed rats that received 50 mg/kg bw plant extract. Collectively, the hydroalcoholic extract of S. officinalis could improve the fertility capacity and behavioral features under stressful conditions in a dose‐dependent manner.     

The Effect of Coenzyme Q10 and α-Tocopherol in Skim Milk–Based Extender for Preservation of Caspian Stallion Semen in Cool Condition

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of different concentrations of coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) and α-tocopherol (T) along with their interaction effects on the quality of preserved stallion semen at 5°C for a period of 48 hours. Semen was collected and diluted with skim milk–based extender that was supplemented with different antioxidants: no antioxidant (negative control [NC]), 0.9% (vol/vol) dimethyl sulfoxide (positive control [PC]), α-tocopherol (5 [T5] or 10 [T10] mM), CoQ₁₀ (1 [C1] or 2 [C2] μM), 1 μM CoQ₁₀ + 5 mM α-tocopherol (C1T5), 1 μM CoQ₁₀ + 10 mM α-tocopherol (C1T10), 2 μM CoQ₁₀ + 5 mM α-tocopherol (C2T5), and 2 μM CoQ₁₀ + 10 mM α-tocopherol (C2T10), then kept at 5°C. The results showed that C1 extender resulted in higher total motility (62.44 ± 3.82) and plasma membrane integrity (65.16 ± 3.63%) compared with NC after 48 hours of storage (P < .05). Different concentrations of α-tocopherol had no significant effects on sperm quality, with the exception of plasma membrane integrity, compared with NC and PC extenders (P > .05). Also, C1T5 extender improved total and progressive motility, plasma membrane integrity and functionality, and decreased lipid peroxidation compared with NC and C2T10 extenders over 48 hours of storage at 5°C (P < .05). The C1T5 extender was similar to C1 and T5 extenders in all semen parameters evaluated during storage time. In conclusion, between previously mentioned extenders, C1T5 could improve stallion sperm quality during 48 hours of storage. In the present study, none of extenders had effect on sperm quality until 24-hour storage.     

Morphometrical study of the cat cerebellum using unbiased design-based stereology

The objective of the present study was to investigate the morphometrical features of the cat cerebellum using design-based stereology. Cerebellar hemispheres from four male cats were examined. Isotropic, uniform random sections were obtained and processed for light microscopy. Cerebellar total volume (V), white (WM) and grey matter (GM) volume fractions, and the volumes of the molecular and granular layers were measured using the Cavalieri's estimator and the point counting system. Cerebellar surface area was estimated using test lines, and Purkinje cellular and nuclear volumes were analysed using the nucleator technique. The volume of the cat cerebellar hemispheres was 2.06 ± 0.29 cm³. The relative volume fractions of the GM and WM were 70.6 ± 2.6% and 29.3 ± 2.6%, respectively. The surface area of the cerebellar hemisphere was 68.2 ± 17.8 cm². The volumes of the molecular and granular layers were estimated at 0.89 ± 0.16 cm³ and 0.56 ± 0.1 cm³, respectively. The Purkinje cell volumes were found to be ranging from 1,717 to 28,489 µm³, of which cells with a perikaryon volume of 6,994 µm³ had a higher incidence. The Purkinje nuclear volume was estimated at 440–3,561 µm³, and nuclei with a volume of 1,252 µm³ were the most frequently occurring ones. Our data might contribute to the veterinary comparative neuroanatomy knowledge, help develop experimental studies in this field, and possibly lead to advancement in the diagnosis and treatment of nervous diseases in the cat.     

Chitosan-Based Intranasal Vaccine against Escherichia coli O157:H7

Background:

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 is an infectious zoonotic pathogen causing human infections. These infections, in some cases, can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome and its life-threatening complications and even death worldwide. The first intimate bacterial adhesion, intimin (I), with its own receptor translocated intimin receptor (Tir) and E. coli secreted protein A, acting as Tir conduit, are highly immunogenic proteins for vaccine development against E. coli O157:H7.

Methods:

A chimeric trivalent recombinant protein was previously found to be a suitable strategy for developing vaccines against E. coli O157:H7. In this study, the recombinant EIT (rEIT) was used to design a protective EHEC nasal nanovaccine. Chitosan and its water-soluble derivative, trimethylated chitosan (TMC), as muco-adhesive biopolymers, are good candidates for preparation of nanovaccines.  Using the electrospraying technique, as a novel method, we could obtain particles of rEIT loaded with chitosan and TMC on a nanometer scale. Mice were immunized with intranasal administration or intrapretoneal injection of rEIT.

Results:

The rEIT-specific immune responses (IgG and IgA) were measured by indirect ELISA. Only nasal administration of chitosan electrospray and TMC formulation produced significant secretion IgA. Intranasal administration of nanovaccine reduced the duration of bacterial fecal shedding on mice challenged with E. coli O157:H7.

Conclusion:

Since development of mucosal vaccines for the prevention of infectious diseases requires efficient antigen delivery; therefore, this research could be a new strategy for developing vaccine against E. coli O157:H7.Key Words: EnterohemorrhagicEscherichia coli, Nanoparticles, Intranasal vaccination     

Antibiotic Resistance Pattern of Different Escherichia coli Phylogenetic Groups Isolated from Human Urinary Tract Infection and Avian Colibacillosis

Background : The emergence and propagation of different phylogenetic groups of antimicrobial-resistant E. coli have become a worldwide health concern in human and veterinary medicine. Therefore, the evaluation of the phylogenetic distribution of antibiotic-resistant E. coli is important for therapeutic and economic purposes. The aims of this study were to determine phylogenetic groups and patterns of antibiotic resistance of E. coli strains isolated from human urinary tract infection and avian colibacillosis. Methods: A total of 50 E. coli isolates (25 from human urinary tract infection and 25 from avian colibacillosis) were characterized by culture and assigned as different phylogenetic groups (A, B1, B2, and D) by triplex PCR assay. Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method was used to assess the susceptibility of all isolates to ten antibiotics. Results: Results showed that the majority of the human and poultry isolates belonged to phylogenetic groups A and B2 and phylogenetic group B1 of the avian pathogenic strain isolates were the most drug-resistant isolates. Most of the isolates were resistant to at least five antibiotics, and multiple drug resistance was observed in 98% of E. coli isolates. A high degree of resistance was seen against penicillin and erythromycin. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, multidrug-resistance among isolates and high relation between phylogenetic groups and resistance in both human and poultry isolates were observed. Key Words: Escherichia coli, Avian colibacillosis, Phylogenetic grouping     

Lead stabilization in a polluted calcareous soil using cost-effective biochar and zeolite amendments after spinach cultivation

Biochar has been shown to be an effective organic soil amendment for the in-situ immobilization of lead (Pb).Little research has been done on the effects of biochar and zeolite interactions on Pb immobilization in contaminated calcareous soils.Therefore,the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different levels of zeolite (2% and 4%,weight:weight) and biochars (3%,weight:weight) prepared from green compost (GB),poultry manure (PB),and municipal waste (MB) on the content of Pb in sp...     

Screening for probiotic characters in lactobacilli isolated from chickens revealed the intra-species diversity of Lactobacillus brevis

Considering the importance of the poultry industry and the increasing interest in alternative growth promoters, probiotics are considered as a potential candidate for use in the poultry industry. In this study, Lactobacillus species were isolated from 21 rectal swabs of 11 healthy 6-day-old and 10 healthy 21-day-old chickens and their fecal and feed samples. The isolates were characterized and their probiotic characteristics, including resistance to gastric acid and bile salts, biofilm formation and adherence to epithelium or mucus, amylase and protease activity and production of inhibitory compounds, were assessed. From 31 acid and bile resistant lactobacilli, only 2 Lactobacillus brevis and 1 Lactobacillus reuteri strains showed significant probiotic properties. These isolates indicated detectable attachment to Caco-2 cells and significant antibacterial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. Additionally, phenotypic and genotypic diversity of lactobacilli isolates were studied by Phene Plate (PhP) system (PhP-LB) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR, respectively. PhP-LB results of 24 L. brevis isolates showed a high phenotypic variation among the isolates. In comparison, results of RAPD-PCR highlighted a low diversity. Therefore, it seems that combination of the 2 techniques (PhP and RAPD-PCR) could result in a significant discriminatory power than each of them used alone.