Does streptobacillary arthritis reduce house mouse population density,activity and damage to sorghum crops?

An experiment to examine the effect of streptobacillary arthritis on mouse populations was conducted in maturing sorghum crops in mouse-proofed pens. There were three treatment pens and three control pens in which mice with and without clinical signs of streptobacillary arthritis were introduced, respectively. A constant mouse density (533 mice ha⁻¹) was introduced to the pens by releasing 12 mice in each pen. The sex ratio of introduced mice was also constant by releasing in each pen nine males and three females. Mean track index was lower in treatment pens than in control pens, indicating that streptobacillary arthritis reduced the activity of mice. However, this was not translated into a reduction in other population responses. Mean mouse density at harvest, percentage of female pregnant at harvest, yield loss caused by mice and a feeding index (oil card index) did not differ significantly between treatment and control groups. A plausible explanation for these findings was that mice with the clinical signs might be less active but were able to consume as much grains as mice without the clinical signs because food was in abundant supply.     

Kinetics of substrate oxidation and hydrogen peroxide production by Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides Large Colony (LC) type and Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri

Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides Large Colony (LC) type is a pathogen of goats causing contagious agalactia and respiratory disease, found on all continents where small ruminants are kept. It shares close genetic characteristics with M. mycoides subsp. capri. Substrate oxidation by 22 strains of M. mycoides subsp. mycoides LC from nine countries was compared with that of eight strains of M. mycoides subsp. capri from five countries. There was considerable similarity in the substrates used, but substrate saturation coefficients (K_s) varied for different substrates. Substrate utilization patterns and K_s values did not (1) significantly differentiate the LC strains from each other, (2) show any correlation with geographical origin, or (3) distinguish the LC strains from the capri strains. These results support previous studies justifying the reclassification of these subspecies as a single species.     

Assessment of morphological and functional changes in the mouse testis and epididymal sperms following busulfan treatment

BACKGROUND: Busulfan, a cytotoxic drug, which is currently used as a chemotherapeutic agent, has many side effects on different body organs. In this research, the effects of busulfan on sperm parameters and microstructure of mouse testis were investigated. METHODS: Busulfan was injected intrapretoneally at 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mg/kg and testes were removed after 4, 6 and 8 weeks, weighed and processed for light microscopic examination. Transverse and cross section diameters of testes, seminiferous tubules diameters, percentage of different types of tubules, epithelium thickness, spermatogenic cell numbers and capsule thickness as well as the sperm parameters in epididymis were measured. RESULTS: There was a significant decline in sperm numbers and marked changes in testes structures. Almost 8 weeks after the injection of drug, some of the changes are reversed. Accordingly, the changes in percent of normal tubules without sperm, abnormal tubules and capsule thickness were increased until 6 weeks of drug administration, the changes declined thereafter. CONCLUSION: In general, busulfan caused a decrease in all analyzed parameters (except capsule thickness, normal tubules without sperm and abnormal tubules), probably due to the arrest of spermatogenesis. Our results also revealed that some of the changes are reversible and dose dependent.     

Producing Gelatin Nanoparticles as Delivery System for Bovine Serum Albumin

Background: Progress in the field of biology and biochemistry has led to the discovery of numerous bioactive peptides and proteins in the last few decades. Delivery of therapeutic proteins/peptides has received a considerable amount of attention in recent years. Methods: In this study, a two-step desolvation method was used to produce biodegradable hydrophilic gelatin nanoparticles (GNP) as a delivery system of protein model (BSA). The size and shape of the nanoparticles were examined by dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy. Results: Particles with a mean diameter of 200-300 nm were produced and the percentage of entrapment efficiency was found to be 87.4. The optimum amount of theoretical BSA loading was obtained, the release of BSA was monitored in vitro, and the mechanism of release was studied. The BSA release profile showed a biphasic modulation characterized by an initial, relatively rapid release period, followed by a slower release phase. Conclusion: Results show that the two-step desolvation is an appropriate method for preparing GNP as a delivery vehicle for BSA. Key Words: Gelatin, Nanoparticles, Bovine serum albumin     

Assessment of chronic gastritis in pet dogs and its relation with helicobacter-like organisms

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of chronic gastritis in pet dogs, to determine the histopathologic changes of gastric mucosa and, to determine its relationship with canine gastric Helicobacter infection. Sixty percent (n = 18), 27% (n = 8) and 13% (n = 4) of the examined stomachs showed normal, congested and erosive gastric mucosa respectively. Histopathologic examination was confirmed the presence of chronic gastritis in 40% of dogs (n = 12). Lymphocytic-plasmacytic gastritis was the most common type of chronic gastritis. Gastric Helicobacter was detected in cytological examination of 26 out of 30 dogs (86.6%) but in the PCR analysis, 93% of gastric samples were positive for GHLO. There was no significant relation between the presence of Helicobacters and chronic gastritis (p>0.05). Follicular gastritis was detected in 12 cases (40%) and there was also no significant correlation between its presence and GHLO's infection (p>0.05). In conclusion, chronic gastritis can be considered as a prevalent disease especially in dogs. Nutritional and environmental factors as well as individual immune response may have role in induction of chronic gastritis, but the clinical significance of these histopathologic changes should be evaluated.     

Production of monoclonal antibody against recombinant bovine sex-determining region Y (SRY) and their preferential binding to Y chromosome-bearing sperm

Separation of X and Y chromosome-bearing sperm is an appropriate method for the selection of desired sex of offspring to increase the profit in livestock industries. The purpose of this study was the production of a monoclonal antibody against recombinant bovine sex-determining region Y protein for separation Y sperm. The hybridoma cells from splenocytes of immunized female's balb/C mice and Sp2/0 cells were made. The binding affinity of our monoclonal antibody (mAbSRY2) was compared with mouse monoclonal SRY-15. The Western blot method indicated that mAbSRY2 successfully detected the rbSRY protein. The specificity and sensitivity of mAbSRY2 is comparable to SRY-15 commercially ones. The SRY gene in 100% of bull semen contains the Y chromosome that had the strongest binding affinity to mAbSRY2 was synthesized. In other words, the binding affinity of semen contains the X sperms near the negative control. In general, this immunological method can help to separate X from Y sperms. However, the mAbSRY2 is bind to Y-bearing sexed sperm, but in the future; the sexed sperms need to apply in farms.     

Analysis of Aroma and Phenolic Components of Selected Achillea Species

Dried flowers and leaves of four different Achillea species grown wild in several provinces of Iran, including one species collected from three different locations of Isfahan province were analyzed for the headspace volatile components, total phenolics (TP) and tartaric esters (TE). Capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) combined with a purge and trap method was used for quantification of aroma components. Over 70 compounds were determined in the samples. Flower samples from all species contained 2-methyl butanal, α-pinene, α-thujene, camphene, hexanal, β-pinene and 1,8-cineole; however, the major constituents of the aerial parts were determined as α-pinene, camphene, DL-limonene and 1,8-cineole. The largest number of aroma components were found in Achillea tenuifolia Lam. and Achillea millefolium L. In all species, except A. millefolium, the leaves contained more TP and TE than flowers. However, A. wilhelmsii from Semirom in Isfahan province showed the highest values for TP and TE.     

The effect of organophosphate pesticides on the blood glucose levels in the mouse

The aim of the present study was to study the effect of two selected agents of this group on blood glucose levels in an animal model. Forty-two adult male mice were divided into 7 groups of 6 each. Animals were exposed by their entire tail for 10 sec once a day for 7 successive days to either 0, 0.1, 1, or 10% azynphos methyl (AZP) malathion (MLT). On days 1,4 and 8, a small drop of blood was taken from tail of the animals that had been kept fasted overnight. Blood glucose levels were measure using a glucometer. The animals then were fed and after 1 h the blood glucose measurement was performed again. Results of this study indicated that the administration of organophosphate agents significantly prevented from the rise of blood glucose after feeding in comparison to the control animals. This reached the level of statistical significance on day 1 with MLT 1% (p < 0.001). It is concluded that exposure with organophosphate pesticides may suppress excessive blood glucose levels with no effect on the basal blood glucose in the fasting animals.     

Screening drought-tolerant genotypes in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using different multivariate methods

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most widely cultivated crops in rainfed areas of Iran, where drought is the main limiting factor on yield. The object of this study was the identification of drought-tolerant genotypes in bread wheat. Forty bread wheat genotypes were tested in separate experiments under drought stress and normal conditions in two years (2009–2010 and 2010–2011). Nine drought-tolerance/susceptibility indices including stress susceptibility index (SSI), mean productivity (MP), tolerance (TOL), stress tolerance index (STI), geometric mean productivity (GMP), yield index (YI), yield stability index (YSI), linear regression coefficient (β) and drought response index (DRI) were determined. Simultanously applied factor analysis used two factors instead of nine indices in this study. Mahdavi was recognized as the most drought-tolerant genotype in both years based on factor analysis. In this study an equation was developed for estimating the Stress Tolerance Score (STS). The results of the equation were identical to those of factor analysis in both years. The equation was much easier to use than factor analysis and is suggested as a screening tool for the identification of drought-tolerant genotypes. In this study, Mahdavi was the most drought-tolerant genotype also corresponding to this equation.     

Plasma renin activity and plasma concentrations of aldosterone, cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone in healthy cats

A pathogenetic role of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system has been implicated in cats in both systemic arterial hypertension and hypokalemic myopathy. Yet, measurement of plasma aldosterone concentrations (PACs) and plasma renin activity (PRA) has not unequivocally pointed to hyperaldosteronism as a cause of these conditions. To obtain appropriate reference ranges, this study included a large number (130) of healthy house cats of different breeds without a history of recent illness and plasma concentrations of urea and creatinine below the upper limit of the respective reference ranges. In addition, the pituitary-adrenocortical axis was studied by measuring plasma concentrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), and cortisol. Reference ranges for PACs (110-540 pmol/L; 40-195 pg/mL), PRA (60-630 fmol/L/s; 0.3-3 ng/mL/h), and the aldosterone to renin ratio (ARR) (0.3-3.8) were very similar to those established in the same laboratory for humans in a supine position. No breed differences were found. The ARRs in neutered cats were significantly higher than in intact cats, primarily because of low PRA in neutered cats. The ARRs of cats > or = 5 years of age were significantly higher than those of cats < 5 years of age. The plasma concentrations of ACTH, alpha-MSH, and cortisol did not correlate significantly with PAC. Thus, although blood sampling was performed in cats in nonstandardized positions and was associated with a wide variation of stress responses, the references ranges of PAC, PRA, and ARR were similar to the relatively narrow limits established for humans under standardized conditions. The effects of neutering and aging on PRA and ARR warrant further investigation.