Phenotypic and genetic parameter estimates for reproductive traits in Zandi sheep

This study reports on the phenotypic and genetic (co)variance components for reproductive traits in Zandi sheep, using between 1,859 and 2,588 records obtained from 577 ewes. The data were collected from the Khojir Breeding Station of Zandi sheep in Tehran, Iran from 1994 to 2008. The basic traits were litter size at birth (LSB), litter size at weaning (LSW), litter mean weight per lamb born (LMWLB), and litter mean weight per lamb weaned (LMWLW), and the composite traits were total litter weight at birth (TLWB) and total litter weight at weaning (TLWW). Genetic analyses were carried out using the restricted maximum likelihood method that was explored by fitting the additive direct genetic effects and permanent environmental effects of the ewes as random effects and the ewe age at lambing and lambing year as fixed effects for all of the investigated traits. Akaike’s information criterion was used to choose the most appropriate model. LSB, LSW, LMWLB, LMWLW, TLWB, and TLWW direct heritability estimates were 0.07, 0.05, 0.12, 0.10, 0.08, and 0.14, respectively. The estimated fractions of variance due to the permanent environmental effects of the ewe ranged from 0.03 for LMWLB to 0.08 for LMWLW and TLWW. Corresponding repeatability estimates ranged from 0.10 for LSW to 0.22 for TLWW. Direct genetic correlations varied from ?0.61 for LSB–LMWLB to 0.88 for LSB–LSW and LSB–TLWB. Results indicate that genetic change depends not only on the heritability of traits, but also on the observed phenotypic variation; therefore, improvement of non-genetic factors should be included in the breeding programs.     

Effects of salinity stress on growth indices,physiological parameters and element concentration in Banebaghi (Pistacia sp.) as rootstock for pistachio

Banebaghi is considered a natural hybrid in Pistacia genus that can be used as rootstock for pistachio. In order to study the effects of salinity stress on growth indices, physiological parameters and element concentration in Banebaghi, an experiment was arranged as a factorial in completely randomized design (CRD). Factors were salinity of irrigation water (0, 60 and 120 mM of sodium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, respectively), growth type (mutica growth type and pistachio growth type) and stem height (stem height lower half of the plant and stem height upper half of the plant) with four replications. Our results showed that salinity reduced vegetative parameters, SPAD index, leaf relative water content (RWC) and water use efficiency (WUE). Shoot dry weight of seedlings in both heights, decreased at the salinity level of 120 mM, at about 60% compared with control. At the highest level of salinity (120 mM), seedlings with a height lower half of the plant had lower reduction in the fresh and dry weight of the root and showed more resistance to the salinity stress because of maintaining RWC of leaves and high levels of potassium and calcium in the shoot. Salinity increased sodium (Na) concentration of shoot and root in both growth types: mutica and pistachio. Seedlings with pistachio growth type and a height upper half of the plant and seedlings with mutica growth type and a height lower half of the plant had more resistance to salinity stress.     

Laser induced surface modification of clay-PAN composite nanofibers

In this study a newly laser treatment method for surface modification of nanofibers is introduced. The new method is based on different infrared absorption of materials. Surface modification of Clay-PAN composite nanofibers was performed using selective laser etching approach with CO₂ pulsed laser in order to increase surface area of nanofibers. The surface structure of resulted nanofibers is characterized using field emission scanning electron microscope and the results show characteristic modification of the surface topography of laser treated nanofibers. The modified surface structure of nanofibers was studied and analyzed for different laser pulse numbers and laser fluence. The results show that nanofiber surface modification strongly depends on the number of CO₂ laser pulses and frequency of modified sites on the surface of nanofibers increasing with increasing the pulse fluence. This new technique is highly selective and can also compete with conventional techniques for nanofibers surface modification.     

Expression of Two Basic mRNA Biomarkers in Peripheral Blood of Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Detected by Real-Time RT-PCR,Individually and Simultaneously

Introduction: Although extensive research has been conducted on lung cancer markers, a singular clinically applicable marker has not been found yet. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and the specificity of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) mRNA and lung-specific X protein (LUNX) mRNA biomarkers in peripheral blood to detect lung cancer individually and simultaneously. Methods: Thirty patients affected by lung cancer and 30 healthy individuals were studied in this research. Three vials of cDNA were made from each sample after taking peripheral blood samples and extracting total RNA. Each sample was examined by the real-time RT-PCR technique. The result from each vial was then compared with the sensitivity of overall marker. Results: The CEA mRNA was positive in 24 out of 30 lung cancer patients. Hence, its sensitivity was determined at 80%, differing significantly from that observed in healthy individuals, where 11 positive cases were seen. The overall sensitivity of this marker was significantly associated with positivity in vials 2 and 3 but not in vial 1. The LUNX mRNA was positive in 21 out of 30 patients, indicating 70% sensitivity. This finding significantly differed from that in healthy individuals. The overall sensitivity of this marker was significantly associated with positivity in vials 1 and 3, but not in vial 2. In 93.3% of the patients, at least one positive marker was observed. Conclusion: The mentioned mRNA could be suggested as sensitive and specific markers in peripheral blood for primary diagnosis of lung cancer.Key Words: Lung neoplasms, RNA, Carcinoembryonic antigen, Sensitivity and specificity     

Electrospinning of cellulose nanofibers mat for laminated epoxy composite production

In this study, a new approach consisting of chemical treatment steps followed by electrospinning process was applied to produce cellulose nanofibers from wheat straws. Wheat straws were initially pretreated by NaOH solution to open the complex structure of raw materials and remove non-cellulosic materials. Then, acid and alkali hydrolysis was separately performed to eliminate hemicellulose and soluble lignin. Also, bleaching processes were implemented to remove the insoluble lignin. Cellulose nanofibers were produced by electrospinning of various concentrations of cellulose in different solvents including sodium hydroxide/urea/thiourea, pure trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), and TFA/methylene chloride. Images obtained by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) showed long and uniform nanofibers produced from electrospinning of cellulose/TFA/methylene chloride solution. An epoxy based laminated composite was prepared by a lamina of cellulose microfiber and electrospun nanofiber mat using hand lay-up composite manufacturing method. The fracture surface of the epoxy nanocomposite was analyzed by SEM images. In addition, the mechanical properties of laminated epoxy composites were compared with pure epoxy by conducting tensile and impact tests. Tensile test results showed that the ultimate tensile strength, elongation, and modulus of laminated epoxy nanocomposites were significantly increased. Moreover, it was found that by adding a nanofiber lamina in the epoxy composite, the impact resistance was significantly improved as a result of crack growth prevention.     

Body growth,intestinal morphology and microflora of quail on diets supplemented with micronised wheat fibre

1. Particle size reductions of fibre-rich materials alter structure, functional and digestive properties. To determine the effects of using fibre as an additive in Japanese quail rations on performance and gut physiology, a trial using micronised wheat fibre (MWF) at levels of 0.0, 5, 10 and 15 g/kg in feed was conducted.

2. Growth rate and feed efficiency were significantly improved when diets contained MWF while feed intake was not affected by levels of the fibre. As MWF content increased, the relative weight of gizzard and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) significantly increased whereas liver relative weight significantly decreased.

3. MWF inclusion significantly increased relative length of gut segments, villi height, villus thickness, the villi height to crypt depth proportion in jejunum and ileum and the number of goblet cells in different parts of intestine.

4. Tibia weight, length and ash content were increased linearly with rising MWF inclusion. Litter moisture was affected by MWF inclusions in a quadratic manner. The colony forming unit (CFU/g) of Streptococci spp. in ileal digesta was decreased with increasing MWF inclusion levels in the diet.

5. In conclusion, MWF can be used as a feed additive in quail diets and its inclusion in feed resulted in better performance, beneficial changes in intestinal microbial counts and improvements in small intestine morphology.     

Determination of antibiotic resistance pattern and virulence genes in Escherichia coli isolated from bovine with subclinical mastitis in southwest of Iran

The aims of the present study were to investigate the prevalence of some virulence genes and also determine the antimicrobial resistance pattern of E. coli isolated from bovine with subclinical mastitis. The milk of 502 cows was collected from 8 dairy herds in the southwest of Iran. Conventional biochemical tests were used for identification of E. coli at the species level. Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of E. coli isolates were determined by disc agar diffusion method and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for detection of seven virulence genes including f17A, afaE-8, afaD-8, eaeA, cnf1, cnf2, and iucD. Seventy (13.94%) isolates of E. coli were identified in 502 milk samples. The highest rate of resistance was observed against tetracycline (18.6%), while none of the isolates were resistant to streptomycin. Eight (11.5%) out of 70 E. coli isolates carried at least one of the virulence genes. The afaD-8 was the most prevalent gene detected in 5 (7.1%) isolates. The afaE-8, iucD, and eaeA were detected in 3, 3, and 2 isolates respectively. Low prevalence of virulence factors may be indicating that most of the E. coli isolates originated from the commensal flora of cows and enter to the udders via environment contamination with feces.

     

Effects of medium-chain fatty acids on performance,carcass characteristics,blood biochemical parameters and immune response in Japanese quail

1. This study had the aim of evaluating the effects of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) on performance, carcass characteristics, some blood parameters and antibody titre against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) in quail.

2. A total of 240 quail chicks were allotted to 4 treatments consisting of respectively 0, 1, 2 and 4 g/kg dietary MCFA.

3. There were no significant differences in body weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio among treatments at different stages of the experiment.

4. MCFAs had no significant effect on breast, thigh, liver, spleen and bursa of Fabricius weight ratios. However, the relative weight of abdominal fat significantly decreased in quail receiving 0.2 and 0.4 MCFA as compared to other treatments.

5. Concentrations of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL), triglycerides and total cholesterol were decreased and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol was increased in quail chicks receiving MCFA compared with control quail chicks. The concentrations of SRBC antibody were not statistically different among treatments.

6. It is concluded that MCFA significantly decreased LDL, triglycerides, cholesterol and abdominal fat and increased HDL in quail chicks.