Mandibular pyogranulomatous osteomyelitis in a Sannen goat

Mandibular pyogranulomatous osteomyelitis was diagnosed in a female Sannen goat. The doe presented for difficulty prehending and chewing food. The left mandible was swollen and firm on palpation. Radiographs revealed changes consistent with osteomyelitis of the affected mandible. Arcanobacterium pyogenes was isolated from aspirates of swollen mandible. Despite antimicrobial therapy, the goat died. Histopathological findings were consistent with pyogranulomatous disease of the affected mandible. The histopathological findings were similar to those reported for actinomycosis, caused by Actinomyces bovis. Mandibular osteomyelitis is a common condition in cattle and very rare in goat.     

Seed yield and water use efficiency of canola (Brassica napus L.) as affected by high temperature stress and supplemental irrigation

The effects of high temperature stress and supplemental irrigation on seed yield and water use efficiency (WUE) of canola (Brassica napus L.) were studied in a field experiment conducted for 2 years. The experiment was a randomized complete block design arranged in split plot, conducted at Agricultural Research Station of Gonbad, Iran. It was arranged in two conditions, i.e. supplemental irrigation and rainfed. Two cultivars of canola (Hyola401 and RGS003) as subplots were grown at five sowing dates as main plots. The sowing dates were 9 November, 6 December, 5 January, 4 February and 6 March in 2005-2006 and 6 November, 6 December, 5 January, 4 February and 6 March in 2006-2007, to have a wide range of environmental conditions around flowering and seed filling periods, and to coincide reproductive stages of the crop with high temperature stress. Seed yield was improved due to field management practices, such as supplemental irrigation and optimum sowing date. Supplemental irrigation was an efficient practice to mitigate water stress, and to increase aboveground dry matter and seed yield. There was a strongly negative relationship between seed yield and air temperature during reproductive stages. Delay in sowing led to more rapid developmental of canola, decreased aboveground dry matter, leaf area index (LAI), harvest index (HI), WUE, and seed yield. Achieving a high aboveground dry matter was an essential prerequisite for high reproductive growth and a high seed yield. Greater seed yield and WUE at first sowing date were associated with greater LAI and aboveground dry matter, and lower temperatures during reproductive stages. The results support the view that WUE can be used as an indirect selection criterion for seed yield in genotypic selection.     

Variation in juvenile traits of natural black poplar (Populus nigra L.) clones in Turkey

Natural black poplar (Populus nigra L.) clones sampled from river courses were tested in the arid southeast region of Turkey, using a randomized complete block field design with four replications. Clones were laid out in row plots of eight ramets each. Height and apical dominance were assessed at age one year; diameter, survival, bole straightness and branchiness were measured at age two years. Clones differed significantly in survival, growth and quality traits. The results showed that promising clones exist in natural populations. Two commercial clones out of four did not grow as fast as the top new selection clones. For bole straightness, three commercial clones had significantly lower grading scores than the top best 14 clones. Principal components analysis indicated that growth, apical dominance and branching are the most important traits distinguishing black poplar clones. Diameter had a moderate correlation (0.34) with bole straightness. Relationships between geographic variables (elevation, latitude and longitude) with growth and stem quality traits were weak. Considerable genetic variation was observed among clones for all the traits. Genetic differences among the clones accounted for 27% (survival, bole straightness) to 39% (height) of the total variance. Broad-sense individual heritability ranged from 0.27 (survival) to 0.37 (apical dominance). Clonal mean heritabilities were higher than individual heritabilities and ranged from 0.60 (survival) to 0.82 (diameter), implying considerable gain could be realized via selective improvement methods.     

Seasonal changes in levels of heavy metals in tissues of Mullus barbatus and Sparus aurata collected from Iskenderun Gulf (Turkey)

Levels of cadmium, copper, zinc, lead and iron were determined seasonally in the liver, spleen, kidney, gill and muscle tissues of Mullus barbatus and Sparus aurata from the Iskenderun Gulf, East Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Wet digested tissues were analysed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Metal levels were higher in liver, spleen and kidney compared with the gill and muscle tissues in both species; the levels of all metals in a given tissue were always higher in Mullus barbatus than in Sparus aurata.     

Detection of specific hydatid antigens and antibodies in serum and urine of experimentally infected sheep

Immunodiagnostic confirmation of cystic human hydatidosis is frequently required before surgical intervention or of chemotherapy. However, it remains inadequate to detect specific antibodies or antigens in some confirmed cases of echinococcosis. This study was carried out to investigate the accuracy of three different immunodiagnostic tests for detection of specific circulating antigens or antibodies in the serum and urine of 13 experimentally infected sheep. For this purpose, Echinococcus granulosus were collected from small intestine of experimentally infected dogs, and 2000 taenid eggs were orally administered to each of the 13 sheep. There were six other sheep, which were kept as the control group. Biweekly serum and urine samples were collected from all the sheep for 4 months after infection. The sera were subjected to indirect hemagglutination test and the concentrated urine samples were subjected to coagglutination and counter immunoelectrophoresis tests. The results revealed that the sensitivity of these tests in detecting the hydatid antigens in the urine or antihydatid antibodies in the serum of the infected sheep reached their maximum in 12th and 13th week after infection; then it decreased in the following weeks. Examination of the non-infected sheep samples throughout the experiment showed that the aforesaid findings were specific only to the infected sheep. It seems that the appearance of specific hydatid antigen in urine and its antibodies in the serum were simultaneous. Although these tests are highly specific, false negative outcomes were encountered in their detection of cystic echinococcosis. In general, it seems rational to establish some series of diagnostic procedures in order to reveal antibodies and antigen of metacestode in serum and urine of the patients.     

Response of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinus carpio</Emphasis> to copper exposure: alterations in reduced glutathione,catalase and proteins electrophoretic patterns

This study was conducted to characterize the alterations in reduced glutathione (GSH) level, catalase (CAT) activity and proteins electrophoretic patterns in response to sublethal copper (Cu) exposure in Cyprinus carpio and to determine whether these responses are related to Cu accumulation in gills, chosen as target tissue. Fish were exposed to 0.1 and 1.0 mg/l Cu for 10 and 20 days. There were increasing level of Cu in the gill with increasing concentrations of metal in the exposure medium, and with increasing duration of exposure. GSH level and CAT activity increased in fish exposed to 1.0 mg/l Cu for both exposure periods, while no change was detected at the lower Cu concentration. Electrophoretic patterns of gill proteins by sodium dodecyl sulphate gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) consist of 25-, 26-, 30-, 44- and 48-kDA medium molecular weight proteins (MMP) for five bands and 64-, 72-, 90- and 101-kDA high molecular weight proteins (HMP) for four bands in both control and treatment groups. The levels of 25-, 26- and 30-kDA MMP and 72- and 90-kDA HMP increased in response to Cu exposure. The present study demonstrated that Cu caused stress in fish gills and an acclimation with induction of GSH, CAT, MMP and HMP, which were important in the protection against metal damage, was observed.     

Molecular Genetic Analysis of the Variable Number of Tandem-Repeat Alleles at the Phenylalanine Hydroxylase Gene in Iranian Azeri Turkish Population

Background:

The variable numbers of tandem-repeat (VNTR) alleles at the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene have been used in carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis in phenylketonuria families. This study was carried out to analyze VNTR alleles at the PAH gene in Iranian Azeri Turkish population.

Methods:

In this study, 200 alleles from general population were studied by PCR.

Results:

The frequencies of VNTR alleles were 45%, 46%, 2%, 3%, 1%, and 3% in studied group regarding 3, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 13 repeat copies, respectively. Statistically significant differences were not found between expected and observed frequencies of VNTR genotypes (P > 0.05).

Conclusions:

VNTR alleles with three and eight repeats were frequent, and the VNTR alleles with 13 repeats showed 3% frequency in the tested group. This study is the first report on tested population genetic structure using VNTR alleles at the PAH gene. Key Words: Phenylalanine hydroxylase, Population genetics, Variable numbers of tandem-repeat     

Effects of Polygonum aviculare herbal extract on sperm parameters after EMF exposure in mouse

Electromagnetic fields with high energy same as ionizing radiation inserts their destructive effects via free radical production. Using antioxidants or herbal plants with antioxidants components could diminish hazardous effects of EMF. Polygonum aviculare has a high amount of phenolic and flavonoid and proved that has antioxidants effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Polygonum aviculare herbal extract on sperm parameters after EMF exposure in mouse. Twenty four male mice, 8 weeks divided to 4 groups (one control and three experimental groups). Control group didn't receive EMF exposure. EMF group mice received 3 mT EMF during 2 months, 4 h daily and 5 days weekly. Polygonum aviculare group received 50 mg kg(-1) herbal extract during 2 months and poly -EMF group received 3 mT EMF during 2 months, 4 h daily and 5 days weekly and 50 mg kg(-1) herbal extract during 2 months. After 2 months the mice sacrificed with cervical dislocation and sperm obtained from tail of epididymis and motility and morphology of them were analyzed. Sperm analysis results showed that in group with Polygonum aviculare, morphology and motility of sperm developed (p < 0.05). Present results showed that EMF can reduce motility of sperm and treatment of Polygonum aviculare after EMF exposure developed sperm quality after EMF exposure.     

Yield Components and Fatty Acids Variation of Canola Cultivars Under Different Irrigation Regimes and Planting Dates

To investigate the effect of different planting dates and irrigation regimes on six canola cultivars, a 2-year (2014–2016) experiment was conducted at the Seed and Plant Improvement Institute of Karaj. The experiments were conducted as the factorial split-plot in a randomized complete block design including six canola cultivars (Gabriella, Brutus, Triangle, Marathon, Danube, and Natali), two irrigation regimes (fully irrigated and irrigation termination at the flowering stage) and two planting dates (October 1 and November 1). The results showed that irrigation termination from the flowering stage prevented the supply of required material for filling the seeds and the metabolism of the seed compounds and reduced the growth period of the seed. Therefore, a reduction was observed in the content of oleic and linoleic acids and proline. Also, water deficit stress caused an increase in the glucosinolate content of the seed. The response of canola cultivars was different in terms of fatty acids, so that the Natali cultivar had higher palmitic, oleic acids, and proline content compared to the other cultivars at both planting dates. Fully irrigated treatment and planting date of October 1 produced the highest amount of seed and oil yield (4659 and 2073?kg ha^?1), palmitic acid (5.5%), and proline (22.7?μmol/g) content, and the lowest glucosinolate content (13.2?mg/g). Generally, the Natali cultivar and planting date of October 1 and the fully irrigated regime are highly recommended in the studied area regarding qualitative traits and yield of canola.