Increased Risk of Conception Failure in German Holstein Friesian Cows with Chronic Endometritis

The objective of this retrospective field study was to evaluate the effect of chronic clinical endometritis (CCE) on days open in German Holstein Friesian cows. Two hundred and sixty‐four cows diagnosed with CCE from day 14 to 42 postpartum were included in this study. A Cox’s proportional hazards regression model with stepwise forward selection for days open was used and the variables type of vaginal discharge, ovarian cysts and a marked loss of body condition score proved to be significant with hazard ratios of 1.5, 2.0 and 1.9 respectively. Although not remaining in the model, a weak positive effect of treatment for CCE and a negative effect of high milk production could also be found in the univariate analysis. These results suggest that the suppression of fertility of animals diagnosed with CCE varies according to the different symptoms, which could be used to support decisions regarding treatment. Management factors such as a marked loss in body condition and high milk production prolonged the number of days open of animals with CCE.     

The relationship between KCl infusion and changes of ECG, electrolytes of plasma and K content of donkey's red blood cells

Sudden marked increases in the serum potassium concentration, up to 8 to 9 meq L(-1), are the result of transcellular movement of potassium and are associated with profound electrocardiographic abnormalities and fluid shifts. Electrocardiographic changes associated with hyperkalemia have been described in the cat, the dog, the horse and are well documented in man. Since there is no research about the effects of hyperkalemia on electrocardiogram of donkey, the purpose of this study was to induce the experimentally hyperkalemia in donkey and studying the relationship between KCl infusion and changes of ECG, electrolytes of plasma and K content of donkey's red blood cells. This research was carried out in seven clinically healthy female donkeys, injected with 0.35 molar potassium chloride solutions to jugular vein. Results indicated that potassium content of RBC at 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 min, blood potassium level at 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 min, blood calcium at 60, 75, 90 and 105, increased significantly and blood magnesium decreased significantly at 135 min. Electrocardiographic changes were first degree A-V block, wandering pacemaker, inversion of negative to positive T-wave, flattening of the P-wave, ventricular premature beat, sinus arrest, bradycardia and sinus tachycardia.     

Effect of vermicompost on growth, yield and nutrition status of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum)

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of vermicompost on growth, yield and fruit quality of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum var. Super Beta) in a field condition. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with four replications. The different rates of vermicompost (0, 5, 10 and 15 t ha(-1)) was incorporated into the top 15 cm of soil. During experiment period, fruits were harvested twice in a week and total yield were recorded for two months. At the end of experiment, growth characteristics such as leaf number, leaf area and shoot dry weights were determined. The results revealed that addition of vermicompost at rate of 15 t ha(-1) significantly (at p < 0.05) increased growth and yield compared to control. Vermicompost with rate of 15 t ha(-1) increased EC of fruit juice and percentage of fruit dry matter up to 30 and 24%, respectively. The content of K, P, Fe and Zn in the plant tissue increased 55, 73, 32 and 36% compared to untreated plots respectively. The result of our experiment showed addition of vermicompost had significant (p < 0.05) positive effects on growth, yield and elemental content of plant as compared to control.     

Comparative Study of the Effects of Wildfire and Cultivation on Topsoil Properties in the Zagros Forest,Iran

Eurasian Soil Science - This study compares the long-term effects of a wildfire on basic topsoil properties—bulk density, particle-size composition, pH, electrical conductivity, total C and...     

EVALUATION OF EQUTTHESIN AS A GENERAL ANAESTHETIC IN CAMELS (Camelus dro-medarius).

The effects of equithesin administered IV “to effect” were evaluated in twelve adult domesticated camels (Camelus Dromedarius). The mean dose required for “to effect” anaesthesia as 0.74 ± 0.03 ml/kg. Moderate relaxation of muscles lasted 30 to 45 minutes and duration of analgesia was 10–15 minutes. The sleeping time was 15 to 45 minutes and the animals showed recovery in 75–115 minutes. During anaesthesia, there was moderate tachycardia, transient hypotension and decrease in central venous pressure. Primary T wave changes were a consistent finding in the ECG. There was mild hypoxemia, mild hypercapnia and significant decrease in arterial-venous oxygen tension difference. A significant decrease in the total leucocyte count occurred during the peak effect of anaesthesia. Hyperglycaemia observed at the peak anaesthetic effect was followed by hypoglycaemia 24 hours after administration of equithesin. The changes in rectal temperature, respiratory rate and other biochemical constituents studies were not significantly affected.     

Antioxidant supplementation of low‐protein diets reduced susceptibility to pulmonary hypertension in broiler chickens raised at high altitude

A reduced‐protein diet (designated as RPD) was prepared and its effects on growth performance and the development of pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS) were evaluated in broiler chickens compared to a normal‐protein diet (designated as NPD) or to the RPD supplemented with CoQ₁₀ alone (30 mg/kg) or in combination with vitamin E (30 mg/kg CoQ₁₀ + 100 mg/kg vitamin E). The RPD had 30 g/kg less crude protein compared to the NPD. A total of 208 1‐day‐old male broilers (Ross 308 strain) were used in a 42‐day trial. Serum concentrations of uric acid (UA) and nitric oxide (NO) significantly (p < 0.05) declined when chickens fed on the RPD. However, supplementing RPD with the antioxidants significantly (p < 0.05) increased the serum NO concentration. Although serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the RPD than the NDP, supplementing RPD with CoQ₁₀ and CoQ₁₀ + VE decreased serum MDA concentration to similar levels found in the NPD. Significant overexpression in GPX1 gene observed in the heart and lungs of broilers fed on the RPD, which was effectively restored by supplementation of CoQ₁₀. The right to total ventricular weight ratio (RV:TV) was significantly (p < 0.05) increased in birds fed the RPD, which concurred with an increase in mortality from pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS). However, a significant decline in mortality from PHS was observed when birds on RPD received CoQ₁₀ or CoQ₁₀ + VE. In conclusion, antioxidant supplementation effectively improves pulmonary hypertensive response in broiler chicken fed of reduced‐protein diets.     

Effect of ascorbic acid on soybean seedlings grown on medium containing a high concentration of copper

The detoxifying effect of ascorbic acid on soybean seedlings grown on copper (Cu)‐containing medium is reported. The effect was due mainly to prevention of entry of Cu into plant roots. Short term exposure of the seedlings to high concentrations of Cu in the presence of ascorbic acid did not lead to Cu toxicity signs.     

Rapid detection of Salmonella enteritidis by PCR amplification of the SefA gene and it's cloning

The emergence of Salmonella enteritidis as an important food-borne pathogenesis in humans, demands the development of novel detection and intervention strategies. It is generally accepted that fimbriae are an important factor in bacterial survival and persistence in the host. This study is directed towards the method of amplifying and cloning the SefA gene, which encode Salmonella enteritidis fimbrial protein. Strains used for these studies were S. enteritidis (E3), which were collected from Kermanshah region. Chromosomal DNA was extracted by boiling method and PCR reaction was performed and single band of 511 bp amplified by SefA-F and SefA-R primers. The resulting PCR product was inserted into the cloning vector (pTZ57R/T). In order to amplify the recombinant plasmid, E. coli DH5 alpha bacteria were transformed with SefA-pTZ57R/T. Recombinant clones were identified by blue/white selection and purified recombinant plasmids were indicated by an alkaline lysis procedure. Identity of the SefA-pTZ57R/T product was confirmed by RFLP and sequencing. Nucleotide and protein alignment with BLAST software showed that the sequence of the SefA gene derived from S. enteritidis (E3), which was cloned in the pTZ57R/T vector, was 99% identical to that of the Genbank (L11008). The sequence of the SefA gene from S. enteritidis (E3) differed only in two nucleotides and one amino acid. The cloned SefA gene from S. enteritidis (E3) was submitted to the NCBI Genbank (EF553334).     

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry of cis- and all-trans-lycopene in human serum and prostate tissue after dietary supplementation with tomato sauce

Several epidemiological studies suggest a lower incidence of prostate cancer in men who routinely consume tomato products. Tomatoes are the primary dietary source of lycopene, which is among the most potent antioxidants of the carotenoids. Men with clinical stage T1 or T2 prostate adenocarcinoma were recruited (n = 32) and consumed tomato sauce based pasta dishes for 3 weeks (equivalent to 30 mg of lycopene per day) before radical prostectomy. Prostate tissue from needle biopsy just before intervention and prostectomy after supplementation from a subset of 11 subjects was evaluated for both total lycopene and lycopene geometrical isomer ratios. A gradient HPLC system using a C(18) column with UV-vis absorbance detection was used to measure total lycopene. Because the absorbance detector was insufficiently sensitive, HPLC with a C(30) column and positive ion atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometric (LC-MS) detection was developed as a new assay to measure the ratio of lycopene cis/trans isomers in these samples. The limit of detection of the LC-MS method was determined to be 0.93 pmol of lycopene on-column, and a linear response was obtained over 3 orders of magnitude. Total lycopene in serum increased 2.0-fold from 35.6 to 69.9 microg/dL (from 0.664 to 1.30 microM) as a result of dietary supplementation with tomato sauce, whereas total lycopene in prostate tissue increased 3.0-fold from 0.196 to 0.582 ng/mg of tissue (from 0.365 to 1.09 pmol/mg). all-trans-Lycopene and at least 14 cis-isomer peaks were detected in prostate tissue and serum. The mean proportion of all-trans-lycopene in prostate tissue was approximately 12.4% of total lycopene before supplementation but increased to 22.7% after dietary intervention with tomato sauce. In serum there was only a 2.8% but statistically significant increase in the proportion of all-trans-lycopene after intervention. These results indicate that short-term supplementation with tomato sauce containing primarily all-trans-lycopene (83% of total lycopene) results in substantial increases in total lycopene in serum and prostate and a substantial increase in all-trans-lycopene in prostate but relatively less in serum.     

in vitro Anti-Proliferative Effect of Adiponectin on Human Endometriotic Stromal Cells through AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 Gene Receptor Expression

Background:

Endometriosis is a complex disorder in reproductive age women which consist of stromal and epithelial cells implantation outside the uterine cavity. Adiponectin is a member of cytokine family with various metabolic roles and proliferation inhibition of many cancer cells. The aim of the present research was to determine adiponectin effect on human endometriotic stromal cells (ESCs) proliferation and their expression of adiponectin receptors.

Methods:

In this experimental study, endometrial biopsies (n=7) were taken. ESCs isolation was done by enzymatic digestion and cell filtrations. ESCs of each biopsy were divided into four groups: 0 (control), 10, 100, and 200 ng/ml adiponectin concentrations in three different times (24, 48, or 72 h). The effect of adiponectin on ESC viability and expression of mRNA Adipo receptor1 (R1) and Adipo receptor2 (R2) was determined by Trypan blue staining and semi-quantitative RT-PCR, respectively. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and unpaired student’s t-test, and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

Adiponectin inhibited human endometriotic stromal cell proliferation in time- and dose-dependent manners significantly (P=0.001). Expression of AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 gene receptors was increased in human ESCs significantly (P<0.05).

Conclusions:

Adiponectin can suppress endometriosis by inhibiting ESC proliferation and increased AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 expression.Key Words: Adiponectin, Adiponectin receptors, Endometriosis, Stromal cells