Full-genome characterization and genetic analysis of a H9N2 virus in commercial broilers in Iran, 2017

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Since 1998, Iran’s poultry industry has faced several outbreaks of low pathogenic avian influenza H9N2. Tissue samples were collected from a broiler...     

Efficiency of screening criteria for drought tolerance in chickpea

Crop drought tolerance improvement is one of the most challenging objectives of plant breeding programs. Developing an efficient screening technology and access to genetic variation for the traits contributing toward drought tolerance are major steps in this direction. To go in this quest, an experiment was conducted under controlled condition in a greenhouse. Nine Kabuli chickpea genotypes were grown under well-watered condition (85–90% field capacity (FC)) until start of flowering. Then, the following water treatments were imposed: well-watered, intermediate (55–60% FC), and severe (25–30% FC) drought stress. Physiological and agronomical traits were compared under different water treatments. Drought stress and genotypes interaction was significant in all measured traits, indicating that various genotypes responded differently to drought stress. Among measured traits, electrolyte leakage, stomatal conductance, yield components, and harvest index exhibited the highest variations. Yield components and stomatal conductance showed maximum reduction under drought stress and in susceptible known genotype, ILC3279, reduction reached up to 95%. Principal component analysis indicated that relative water content, photochemical efficiency of photosystem II, and stomatal conductance are the physiological traits with greater contribution toward drought tolerance. Therefore, these traits should be evaluated ahead of many other traits in making selections for drought-tolerant chickpea genotypes.     

The effect of Rosa damascena essential oil on the amygdala electrical kindling seizures in rat

We investigated the effect of Rosa damascena Mill, essential oil on the development of induced amygdala kindling seizures. Male Wistar rats were implanted with one tripolar and two monopolar electrodes in right basolateral amygdala and dura surface, respectively. The control group was injected solvent of essential oil and two experimental groups were injected 750 and 1000 mg kg(-1) of essential oil (ip), 30 min before a daily kindling stimulation. The number of stimulations required for the first appearance of seizure stages was significantly larger in two experimental groups than in control group. Mean after discharge duration was significantly different and essential oil reduced the increase of after discharge duration. Mean after discharge amplitude was also shorter in the groups treated with essential oil than in control group. Duration time for 5th stage of seizure at fully-kindled rats was significantly shorter in two experimental groups than control group. These results suggest that Rosa damascena essential oil significantly retarded the development of seizure stages and possesses the ability to counteract kindling acquisition. The flavonoids of Rosa damascena may act via GABAA receptors as previous studies have proposed for flavonoids of other medicinal plants. More detailed studies are recommended to define the effective component(s) of Rosa on different types of epilepsy.     

Dietary Broccoli Sprouts Protect Against Myocardial Oxidative Damage and Cell Death During Ischemia-Reperfusion

Cruciferous vegetables are known for antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic effects. In the current study we asked whether dietary broccoli sprouts can protect the heart from ischemia-reperfusion. Rats were fed either control diet (sham and control groups) or a diet mixed with 2% dried broccoli sprouts for 10 days. After 10 days the isolated hearts were subjected to ischemia for 20 min and reperfusion for 2 h, and evaluated for cell death, oxidative damage, and Nrf2-regulated phase 2 enzyme activities. Broccoli sprouts feeding inhibited markers of necrosis (lactate dehydrogenase release) and apoptosis (caspase-3 activity) by 78–86%, and decreased indices of oxidative stress (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and aconitase inactivation) by 82–116%. While broccoli sprouts increased total glutathione and activities of the phase 2 enzymes glutamate cysteine ligase and quinone reductase in liver, they did not affect these in ischemic-reperfused heart. While the mechanism is not clear, the results show that a relatively short dietary treatment with broccoli sprouts can strongly protect the heart against oxidative stress and cell death caused by ischemia-reperfusion.     

Comparing the effects of ginger and metoclopramide on the treatment of pregnancy nausea

This study assesses the effects of ginger on nausea and vomiting caused by pregnancy and compares it with metoclopramide medicine. This study was a randomized double-blind controlled trial. Metoclopramide, Ginger and placebo were putted in similar capsules. The medicines were administered three times a day. Then the Rhodes questionnaire was completed and its score were calculated. Data were analyzed by Chi square test, ANOVA and Repeated measurement. The intensity of changes in nausea, vomiting and Rhodes during study were statistically different in two groups of ginger and metoclopramide compared with placebo (p < 0.05), but it was not statistically significant between two groups of ginger and metoclopramide. According to our study, ginger is less effective than metoclopramide in reducing nausea and vomiting but it could be a good alternative for metoclopramide.     

The influence of silane coupling agent and poplar particles on the wet-tability,surface roughness,and hardness of UF-bonded wheat straw （Triticum aestivum L.）/poplar wood particleboard

We used silane coupling agents to improve the bonding ability between wheat straw particles and UF resin, and investigated surface properties （wettability and surface roughness） and hardness of parti-cleboard made from UF-bonded wheat straw （Triticum aestivum L.） combined with poplar wood as affected by silane coupling agent content and straw/poplar wood particle ratios. We manufactured one-layered particleboard panels at four different ratios of straw to poplar wood par-ticles （0%, 15%, 30% and 45% wheat straw） and silane coupling agent content at three levels of 0, 5% and 10%. Roughness measurements, average roughness （Ra）, mean peak-to-valley height （Rz）, and root mean square roughness （Rq） were measured on unsanded samples by using a fine stylus tracing technique. We obtained contact angle measurements by using a goniometer connected to a digital camera and computer sys-tem. Boards containing greater amounts of poplar particles had superior hardness compared to control samples and had lower wettability. Panels made with higher amounts of silane had lower Rq values.     

Pasteur Institute of Iran- An Evaluation Model

Background: Pasteur Institute of Iran was established in 1919 with the aim to produce vaccines and prevent communicable diseases in Iran. Over time, their activities extended into areas of research, education and services. Naturally, such a vast development begs establishment of a comprehensive management and monitoring system. With this outlook, the present study was carried out with the aim to design a performance assessment model for Pasteur Institute of Iran that, in addition to determining evaluation indicators, it could prepare the necessary grounds for providing a unified assessment model for the global network of the Pasteur Institutes. Method: This study was designed and performed in 4 stages: first; design of indicators and determining their scores. Second; editing indicators according to the outcome of discussions and debates held with members of Research Council of Pasteur Institute of Iran. Third; implementation of a pilot model based on the Institute’s activities in 2011. Fourth; providing the pilot model feedback to the stakeholders and finalizing the model according to an opinion survey. Results: Based on the results obtained, the developed indicators for Pasteur Institute of Iran evaluation were designed in 10 axes and 18 sub-axes, which included 101 major and 58 minor indicators. The axes included governance and leadership, resources and facilities, capacity building, knowledge production and collaborations, reference services, economic value of products and services, participation in industrial exhibitions, status of the institute, satisfaction and institute’s role in health promotion. Conclusion: The indicators presented in this article have been prepared based on the balance in the Institute’s four missions, to provide the basis for assessment of the Institute’s activities in consecutive years, and possibility of comparison with other institutes worldwide. Key Words: Pasteur Institute, Iran, Indicator, Evaluation