Chlorpromazine-Induced Hyperprolactinemia on Rat’s Uterus

Background:

Hyperprolactinemia is a common side effect of antipsychotic drugs that requires further investigation. The current study was designed to evaluate dose-dependent effect of chlorpromazine (CPZ) on hormonal changes and uterine horn histological structure in rats. Moreover, the mammary glands were analyzed to show hyperprolactinemia-induced histological changes.

Methods:

Albino Wistar rats (n = 32) were divided into four groups. The first group was set as a control. In the three drug-treated groups (eight rats in each group), CPZ was administered by a gavage at doses of 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg/day for 28 days. One day after the last administration of the drug, the animals were sacrificed. Histopathological and histomorphometrical analyses of the uterine horns and mammary glands were carried out to evaluate dose-dependent effect of CPZ on histological structure. Serum levels of prolactin (PRL), estradiol, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were also evaluated.

Results:

Remarkable (P < 0.05) elevation was observed in CPZ-administrated animals'' uterine horn endometrium, myometrium, and perimetrium thicknesses, and the mammary glands were observed with galactorrhea features. The serum level of progesterone and PRL significantly (P < 0.05) increased, while the serum concentration of LH, FSH, and estradiol was notably (P < 0.05) decreased depending on administrated CPZ dose. No histological and biological changes were occurred in the control animals.

Conclusion:

The present findings suggest that CPZ-induced disturbances not only depend on PRL level and increased PRL level largely depends on administrated doses of the CPZ. Key Words: Hyperprolactinemia, Uterus, Rats     

Moisture Content and Oil Uptake in Potatoes (Cultivar Satina) During Deep-Fat Frying

In this study, the effect of ultrasonic sound (at 20- and 40-kHz frequency for 15 min) and drying (at 60 °C for 15 min) pretreatments on the moisture content and oil uptake of potato slices (cultivar Satina) during deep frying were studied. The potato slices were fried at temperatures of 170 and 190 °C for 5, 7 and 10 min. Samples pretreated with ultrasound at 20 kHz had higher moisture contents than those receiving the 40-kHz pretreatment. The highest moisture content was obtained at 20 kHz and frying at 170 °C for 5 min. On the other hand, samples pretreated with ultrasound at 40 kHz had higher effective water diffusivity coefficient and activation energy than those pretreated at 20 kHz. The highest effective water diffusivity coefficient was obtained at 40 kHz and frying at 190 °C for 5 min, whereas the highest activation energy belonged to pretreatment with 40 kHz and frying at 170 °C for 10 min. The range for effective water diffusivity coefficient was 6.95?×?10^?8 to 8.80?×?10^?8 m² s^?1 and that for activation energy was 13.161 to 16.307 kJ mol^?1. In addition, samples pretreated at 40 kHz had a lower oil uptake than those pretreated at 20 kHz. The highest oil uptake took place at 20 kHz, with frying at 170 °C for 10 min. Regression analysis revealed that an exponential model was best for predicting variations in moisture content and oil uptake of potato slices.     

Enriched Artemia with L-lysine and DL-methionine on growth performance,stress resistance,and fatty acid profile of Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae

A 15-day study was conducted to evaluate the effect of enrichment of Artemia metanauplii with four different emulsions, including: (A) Easy-DHA Selco; (B) Easy-DHA Selco + L-lysine (4 g/L); (C) Easy-DHA Selco + DL-methionine (4 g/L); and (D) Easy-DHA Selco + L-lysine (2 g/L) + DL-methionine (2 g/L) on growth and stress resistance of white leg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei larvae (from Mysis I to postlarvae12). It is noticed that shrimp PL in group B had the highest wet (36.1 ± 3.1 mg) and dry (1116.7 ± 60.0 µg) weights as well as stress resistance to fresh water (64.0 ± 5.5%).     

Investigation formaize inbred lines resistance to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Maize Rough Dwarf Virus</Emphasis>(MRDV)

Maize rough dwarf virus (MRDV) is the most important disease affecting maize growth in Iran. In the present study, the putative resistance capacity of 35 maize inbred lines against the causal agents of MRDVwas studied under natural field infection in 2010 and 2011. The viral transmitter was a plant hopper known as Laodelphax steriatellus. Early sowing provided suitable temperatures for vector propagation and transmission and therefore natural infection under field conditions. Sowing single rows of SC704 as vector spreader between every five rows of inbred lines caused adequate vector propagation and viral transmission. This shows that viral infection was sufficient and possible resistance was linked to viral resistance, not failure, in vector transmission. In principal component biplot, plant height vector had wide angles with the vectors for disease severity index and MRDV incidence that showed the negative association of plant height with MRDV disease. The percentage of natural infection to MRDV in susceptible control(SC704) was about 64%. The genotypes A679, K3547/3, K3545/6, K3653/2, and B84 were more susceptible to MRDV. Only the line K3640/3 had low disease incidence and severity and it can be considered as resistant for possible use in genetic studies. Results showed that an early sowing of maize in temperate regions increases the chance of transmitting viruses via their vector.     

Effects of Drying Condition on Physico-chemical Properties of Foam-mat Dried Shrimp Powder

ABSTRACT

The effects of drying parameters on moisture content, water activity, bulk density, water binding capacity (WBC), oil absorption, and color parameters (L*,a*, b*) of foam-mat dried shrimp powders were investigated. Shrimp purees were dried as a foam mat at different drying temperatures (50ºC, 60ºC, and 70ºC) and thicknesses of the foam layer (4 and 8 mm). The experimental results showed that as the temperature increased, the moisture content, water activity, and oil absorption of the samples decreased. However, their solubility increased significantly (P ?0.05). Bulk density of shrimp powder increased with increasing the thickness of the foam layer. Increasing temperature led to increased and decreased WBC with 4 and 8 mm thickness, respectively. Furthermore, the a*, b*, and L* (at 8 mm thickness) decreased with increasing temperature; however, L* increased at 4 mm thickness. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra showed some major shifts, such as in the region of 1000–1700 cm^?1, related to C–O, C–O–C, and C–H band stretching. The differential scanning calorimetry thermograms showed a large peak with a denaturation peak around 72ºC for shrimp proteins.     

Biochemical and histological changes in the liver tissue of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of diazinon

The organophosphate insecticide diazinon is widely used to control pest in Iran. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant and histopathological changes in the liver tissue of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) exposed to 0.1 and 0.2 mg/L of a commercial formula of diazinon for a period of 28 days. Antioxidant enzyme activities—catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase—were determined after 7, 14 and 28 days of exposure. Histopathological analyses were performed at the 28th day. All antioxidant enzymes were induced after 7 days of diazinon treatment in both concentrations of diazinon. Catalase and superoxide dismutase maintained elevated activities during all the treatment period. Glutathione peroxidase activity returned to the control values at the 14th day, decreasing to values below control at the 28th day in both diazinon concentrations. Glutathione reductase maintained increased activities at the 14th day in the 0.1 mg/L diazinon, decreasing to control values at the 28th day. In the 0.2 mg/L group, the activity returned to control values at the 14th and decreased below the control at the 28th day. Total antioxidant capacity of hepatocytes significantly decreased in fishes exposed to diazinon during all experimental periods. Hypertrophy of hepatocytes, vacuolization of cell cytoplasm and hepatocyte cloudy swelling were observed in the liver tissue of fish exposed to both concentrations of diazinon. The results showed that diazinon altered the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the cellular total antioxidant capacity inducing oxidative stress and cellular damage in hepatocytes evidenced by histopathological analysis.     

Effects of Zn rates and application forms on protein and some micronutrients accumulation in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

In order to investigation the effects of Zn rates and application forms on protein and element contents (Fe, Cu, Mn, N and Zn) in bean plant, an experiment was conducted as a factorial based on completely randomized design at greenhouse conditions during 2006. Treatments were included zinc rates in 4 levels (10, 20, 30 and 40 mg Zn kg(-1) soil(-1) in ZnSO4 source) and 3 application forms (soil application, seed pelleting and foliar spraying). Results showed that Zn rates had significant effect on accumulation of Zn, Cu, Mn and N in bean leaves. Nitrogen accumulation in leaves reduced with increasing of zinc in the soil. Among Zn application forms, spray application had the highest accumulation of Fe, Zn and Mn in leaves (423.17, 282.89 and 88.17 mg kg(-1), respectively). The highest Zn content in seed was observed in 20 and 40 mg Zn kg(-1) soil(-1) levels (46.39 and 45.62 mg kg(-1), respectively). Meanwhile, all treatments of Zn (both rate and application) had not significant effects on Cu and Mn accumulation in bean seeds. According to interaction effects between Zn rates and application forms, the highest Fe content in seed was observed when 40 mg kg(-1) soil(-1) of Zn was applied as foliar spraying. The seed protein content nearly was stable while Zn levels was increased from 20 to 40 mg Zn kg(-1) soil(-1). Grain yield had significant correlation to zinc and Cu of leaves but, biomass had significant and negative correlation to Zn content of leaves at p < 0.05% probability levels.     

Fibrinogen and ceruloplasmin in plasma and milk from dairy cows with subclinical and clinical mastitis

The potential using of Acute Phase Proteins (APPs) in the assessment of mammary gland health was studied by examining the levels of Fibrinogen (Fb) and Ceruloplasmin (Cp) in plasma and milk from dairy cows with different grades of mastitis. Plasma samples were taken from jugular vein and milk samples were collected from quarters of cows with subclinical and clinical mastitis, as well as healthy controls. California Mastitis Test (CMT) were performed on each udder quarter of cows for detection of CMT2+ and CMT3+ quarters. CMT (0) and culture negative cases were considered healthy cows. Clinical mastitis, was graded as mild (clots in milk) or moderate (clots in milk and visible signs of inflammation in the mammary gland/s). The concentrations of Fb in the plasma of the cows with subclinical and clinical mastitis were higher than in the plasma of the healthy cows (p<0.01). There was no significant difference in plasma concentration of Cp between healthy and subclinical groups (p>0.05), but differences between clinical and healthy groups were significant (p<0.05). The concentrations of Fb and Cp in the milk of the cows with subclinical and clinical mastitis were higher than in the milk of the healthy cows (p<0.01). The results indicated that measurement of Fb in plasma and milk and Cp only in milk might be suitable for early diagnosis of mastitis in dairy cows.     

Bacillus pumilus and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia as two potentially causative agents involved in Persian oak decline in Zagros forests (Iran)

The oak decline is known as one of the most destructive complex diseases causing high economic losses around the world, especially in Iran. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the possible role of bacteria as causative agents of oak decline in the Zagros forests of Iran. To do this, stem, root and leaf samples were taken from symptomatic Persian oak trees (Quercus brantii) in different zones of Zagros forests (Ilam Province, Iran). From 150 bacterial isolates, 20 showed pathogenicity against Geranium seedlings. Among 20 hypersensitivity test positive strains, four strains showed pathogenicity against oak saplings. Based on morphological and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, three strains were identified as Bacillus pumilus and one strain as non‐sporulating Gram‐negative Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Pathogenicity studies of different B. pumilus and S. maltophilia strains revealed that they have potential to cause the disease in oak saplings and symptoms of disorder in Persian oak trees. To our knowledge, there are no previous records of B. pumilus and S. maltophilia causing decline on Fagaceous trees like Q. brantii. More detailed field and molecular studies are required to confirm the absolute role of such bacteria in occurrence of oak decline in Zagros forests.