Effects of Coenzyme Q10 on the ratio of TH1/TH2 in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Model of Multiple Sclerosis in C57BL/6

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is known as a progressive central nervous system inflammatory disease. Certain factors, such as interleukins, inflammatory cells, and oxidative stress are supposed to involve in MS etiology. Because of the important role of oxidative stress, antioxidant therapy for MS has received more attention. Although coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) acts as an antioxidant, there is a lack of enough research on its effects on MS. Therefore, the present research was designed. Methods: C57BL/6 female adult mice (n = 30) were used in this study. The animals were randomly divided into trial and control groups. To induce MS, routine procedure for experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was used, and scoring was performed based on clinical signs. By detecting score one, CoQ10 administration was started (10 mg/kg/three weeks). By using ELISA and real-time PCR, the brain levels of TNF-, IL-10, IL-4, and IL-12 were studied. Statistical tests were used to analyze the data and the P value less than 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: Clinical symptoms in EAE animals were significantly decreased (P<0.05) as compared to control ones. In addition, the level of the TNF- was significantly decreased following CoQ10 administration versus IL-10. The ratio of TH1/TH2 interleukins in treated animals was significantly less than that in non-treated animals (P<0.01). Conclusion: Our findings showed that CoQ10 is capable of suppressing the inflammatory pathway of MS. Key Words: Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)     

Investigating the reduction of sodium adsorption ratio from agricultural waste by rice husk in batch scale and physical model of drain envelop

Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) is one of the water quality indexes that whose is important due to reuse or depletion to environment. Solutes in drain water can be controlled by adsorption, chemical or biological reaction, organic envelope of drainage. Rice husk is the common option of drainage envelops in paddy fields. In this study, the ability of reduction of SAR by rice husk was evaluated in batch scale and physical model of drain envelops. In the batch experiments, the adsorption of SAR parameters was investigated by adding 2 g of rice husk into a 100 ml of sodium chloride solution. The results indicated that rice husk absorbed calcium, magnesium and sodium, respectively. By increasing the temperature, contact time and pH, adsorption of calcium, magnesium and sodium was increased; however, the higher concentration of sodium in soil solution reduced the percentage of adsorption. In a more realistic state, physical models of subsurface drainage in the paddy fields were made. Drainage envelope treatments included of rice husk (H), combination of 20 and 60 % of husk with gravel (H₂₀G₈₀ and H₆₀G₄₀) and a pipe without envelope (NE). Due to higher drain discharge and more sodium removal (lower SAR in drain water), treatment H with the discharge of 16.2 ml/min and SAR of 1.27 (meq/l)^0.5 was better in comparison with other treatments.     

Using kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) as a phytoremediation plant species for lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) removal in saline soils

Ornamental kale (Brassica oleracea var. Acephala) is usually planted from early autumn until late winter. Since most of the plants used for phytoremediation cannot be grown during this time, kale can be a suitable option for phytoremediation and utilized during autumn and winter in urban landscape, especially in metropolitan areas where high levels of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) pollutions exist. Kale growth in saline soil at different growth stages (germination and vegetative growth stages) was studied in this investigation. A factorial experiment based on completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications was used in this study. Treatments included three levels of sodium chloride (NaCl) (0, 30, and 60 mg/kg), four levels of Cd (0, 4, 8, and 16 mg/kg), and four levels of Pb (0, 1, 5, and 10 mg/kg). Results indicated that increase in Cd and Pb concentrations in the soil decreased fresh and dry weights of the plants. The results of the various growth stages revealed that under salinity stress, kale plants were able to absorb more Pb than Cd and effectively remediate Pb in polluted and saline lands. Cd accumulation in control treatment was 6.2% more than that in the saline treatments, whereas, Pb accumulation in the highest NaCl level, 60 mg/kg salinity treatment was 7.64% more than that of the control condition. Also, proline content of the plants was significantly increased under Cd and Pb stress. From the results of this study, it was concluded that using kale plant is recommended for phytoremediation of saline soils with 10 and 16 mg/kg Pb and Cd contents, respectively.     

Identifying Soil and Plant Nutrition Factors Affecting Yield in Irrigated Mature Pistachio Orchards

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the potential use of a hybrid Genetic Algorithm-Artificial Neural Network (GA–ANN) method for predicting pistachio yield and for identifying the determinant factors affecting pistachio yield in Rafsanjan region, Iran. A total of 142 pistachio orchards were selected randomly and soil samples were taken at three depths. Besides, water samples and leaves from branches without fruit were taken in each sampling point. Management information and pistachio yields were achieved by completing a questionnaire. Primarily, 58 variables affecting pistachio yield were measured, and then 26 out of them were selected by minimizing mean square error (MSE) using a feature selection (FS) method. The results showed that the accuracy of the method was acceptable. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis showed that the main determinant features affecting the pistachio yield were the irrigation water amount, leaf phosphorus, soil soluble magnesium, electrical conductivity (EC), and leaf nitrogen.     

Chemical composition and in vitro antifungal activity of Sambucus ebulus and Actinidia deliciosa on the fish pathogenic fungus,Saprolegnia parasitica

The aim of the present study was to determine the chemical composition of Sambucus ebulus and Actinidia deliciosa ethanolic extracts as well as their in vitro antifungal activity on the mycelial growth of the water mold, Saprolegnia parasitica. The preliminary minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) and minimum lethal concentration (MLC) were determined by the HeMP method and finally, concentrations of each extract ranging from 1 to 10% were prepared by an agar dilution method to assess the in vitro antifungal activity, quantitatively. Both herbal extracts inhibited growth of Saprolegnia hyphae in vitro. Complete in vitro growth inhibition was found at a concentration of ≥5% for S. ebulus, whereas it was not observed even at 10% concentration of A. deliciosa. Based on gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis, the main constituents of S. ebulus include monophthalate (66.17%), fatty acids (26.47%), phytol (4.25%), and acetic acid (2.11%). Using colorimetric assays, A. deliciosa contained phenolic contents at 162 mg gallic acid (GAE)/g DW and flavonoid contents at 2.31 mg quercetin (QE)/g DW. In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that S. ebulus and A. deliciosa showed some antifungal activities against S. parasitica with formerly exhibiting stronger activity (p < 0.05).

     

Pre-treatment effect of different doses of soy isoflavones on spatial learning and memory in an ovariectomized animal model of Alzheimer's disease

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different doses of dietary soy meals (with or without isoflavone) on dementia in ovariectomized (OVX) animal model of Alzheimer's disease. Female Wistar's rats with the exception of intact group were ovariectomized at the first line of study. Animals were divided into 2 main groups: control (c) and pre-treatment groups. Animals in pre-treatment groups received one of five types of diet during four weeks prior Nucleus Basalis Magnocellularis (NBM) electrical lesion normal diet (0), 10 g soy with isoflavone (10), 20 g soy with isoflavone (20), 10 g soy without isoflavone (-10) and 20 g soy without isoflavone (-20) in 30 g daily diet. The spatial learning and memory were tested using Morris water maze after electrical lesion. Rats were trained in water maze to find a hidden escape Platform. Rats received 6 blocks that each block consisted of 3 trials. Following acquisition trials, one probe trial was conducted in which the platform was removed. Soy meal diet (with or without isoflavone) in ovariectomized rats with Alzheimer's disease caused improvement of performance across 18 trials of Acquisition. Our results suggest that soy meal is a potential alternative to estrogen in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.     

Immobilization of Urease onto Modified Egg Shell Membrane through Cross Linking

Background:Immobilization is an approach in industry to improve stability and reusability of urease. The efficiency of this technique depends on the type of membrane and the method of stabilization. Methods:The PEI-modified egg shell membrane was used to immobilize urease by absorption and glutaraldehyde cross-linking methods. The membranes were characterized by FTIR and AFM, and Nessler method was applied to measure the kinetic of the immobilized enzymes. Finally, the storage stability (6 °C for 21 days) and reusability (until enzyme activity reached to zero) of the immobilized enzymes were investigated. Results:Based on FTIR, three new peaks were observed in both the absorption- (at 1389.7, 1230.8, and 1074.2 cm^-1) and the cross-linking (at 1615-1690, 1392.7, 1450 cm^-1) immobilized enzymes. The surface roughness of the native membrane was altered after PEI treatment and enzyme immobilization. The optimal pH of cross-linking immobilized enzymes was shifted to a more neutral pH, while it was alkaline in adsorption-immobilized and free enzymes. The reaction time decreased in all immobilized enzymes (100 min for free enzyme vs. 60 and 30 min after immobilizing by adsorption and cross-linking methods, respectively). The optimal temperature for all enzymes was 70 °C and they had a higher K_m and a lower V_max than free enzyme. The stability and reusability of urease were improved by both methods. Conclusion:Our findings propose these approaches as promising ways to enhance the urease efficiency for its applications in industries and medicines. Key Words: Egg shell, Immobilization, Polyethylenimine, Urease     

Effects of forest harvesting on runoff and sediment characteristics in the Hyrcanian forests,northern Iran

Loss of canopy cover by forest harvesting generally increases the average surface runoff volume and sediment. Selective cutting (single and group selection method) is the most usual forest harvesting method in the Hyrcanian forests in the north of Iran. The purpose of this study is to find the effect of selective logging technique on the hydrological behavior of runoff and sediment in the Kheyrud forests located in northern Iran over 1 year. Four treatments were implemented: natural forest without harvesting (C), forest with selective harvesting (H) and area without canopy cover (WC) and skid trail (S). Three types of data were measured in each plot including soil chemical and physical properties, runoff and sediment load after each rainfall. The results indicate significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) in runoff generation and sediment production with respect to the treatments cover. The runoff in all treatments showed relatively similar response to rainfall, while the highest runoff and sediment were observed in skid trails, and the area without canopy cover (1.13 and 0.62 mm, and 1.2 and 0.51 g m^?2), averagely. In contrast, the natural forest without harvesting and the forest with selective harvesting treatments exhibited the lowest amounts of runoff (0.2 and 0.44 mm) and sediment (0.1 and 0.17 g m^?2), averagely. Implementation of low logging technique was useful to control the effects of logging on the runoff and sediment yield.     

Independent and combined effects of Satureja khuzistanica essential oils and acetic acid on prevalence and intensity of fatty liver syndrome in broiler chickens

Two hundred fifty two male Ross 308 broiler chicks were raised to examine the effects of Satureja khuzistanica essential oils (SkEO; 0, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 mg/bird/day) administrated via oral gavage and dietary supplementation of acetic acid (AA; 0 or 20 g/kg) in a 6 × 2 factorial fashion using a complete randomized block design with seven replicates of three birds each. In Day 34 of age, liver fat percentage decreased by increasing SkEO levels in a quadratic trend (p < .05). Oral gavag of 200 and 300 mg of SkEO decreased AST activity by 16.67% and 16.94%, respectively, compared with the control birds (p < .05). In Day 38 of age, liver percentage was greater by 0.37% in the birds received 400 mg SkEO than those given 500 mg (p < .05). Liver fat percentage decreased in the birds fed the acidified diet and received 300 and 500 mg SkEO as well as in the birds offered 200 and 400 mg of SkEO and fed non-acidified diet than those received acidified diet with no SkEO administration (p < .05). Prevalence of score zero for hepatocytic vacuolations and necrosis was 80.00% and 42.42% in the birds receiving 600 mg SkEO respectively. Median for relative frequency of scores for hepatocytic vacuolations and hepatocytic necrosis was lesser in the birds received SkEO by oral gavage compared with that of control birds (p < .05). In conclusion, administration of SkEO via oral gavage reduced liver fat in broiler chicken but no consistent dosage could be verified as the effective dosage for all ages concerned. The acidified diet per se showed no evident effect on liver fat at all ages considered. The SkEO × AA interaction exhibited promising but unreliable effects on liver colour score in market age (42 days).     

Effects of Ammonium Nitrate and Monosodium Glutamate in Waste Water on the Growth,Antioxidant Activity,and Nitrogen Assimilation of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

It has been hypothesized that the uptake of organic as opposed to inorganic nitrogen compounds found in wastewater can be properly substituted for plant nutrients. The objective of this study was to compare effects of applying monosodium glutamate wastewater (MGW) and ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) (AN) on nitrogen metabolism and growth of lettuce. The results showed that while NH₄NO₃ (AN), NO₃^-, nitrite content and NR activity increased the protein content of lettuce. Applying MGW with a high concentration of 17 amino acids and macro- and microelements improved the fresh weights of shoot and root as well as the protein content of lettuce. Antioxidant activities were not affected by AN and MGW, and their interaction effects only increased POD after 8 weeks. In conclusion, substituting a portion of the chemical fertilizers with MGW improved lettuce growth, but did not increase NO₃^- accumulation in leaves.