Effects of enrichment of refined olive oil with phenolic compounds from olive leaves

The possibility of preparing olive oil, with the same nutritional value and stability characteristics found in virgin olive oil, by the enrichment of refined olive oil with olive leaf polyphenols was studied. To obtain antioxidant phenols similar to those found in virgin olive oil, these components were extracted from the leaves of several olive cultivars from the Northern region of Portugal, namely, Carrasca, Ripa, Negruche, Cordovil, Verdeal, Madural, and Bical cultivars, under several conditions. The concentration of a leaf extract required for addition to refined olive oil to obtain the same stability as virgin olive oil was determined. The extract from 1 kg of leaves was sufficient to fortify 50-320 L of refined olive oil to a similar stability as a virgin olive oil sample depending on the metal concentration of the oil, cultivar, and time of the year when the leaves were picked.     

Comparative study on hormones and biochemistry indices in plasma,ovarian fluid and oocytes of LHRHa2‐induced female Stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus)

Reproduction efficacy of sturgeon as donors of oocytes is regulated by hormones effects. It can influence the egg quality or larvae functions as rearing mediators for successful production. This study is conducted to evaluate the concentration of sex steroids, cortisol and thyroid hormones and distinguish the relationship of maternal hormones' correlation in Stellate sturgeon. The study followed the hormones fluctuations that could impress some egg quality information such as fertilization rate. Female breeders were injected with LHRH_a2 for controlled propagation. Samples from blood, ovarian fluid and oocytes were obtained for hormonal and biochemical analysis. Our results showed that the concentrations of estradiol 17‐β and testosterone were significantly higher and lower in oocyte and the plasma, respectively. The level of plasma cortisol was significantly higher than in ovarian fluid and oocytes. The results showed elevation of triiodothyronine and thyroxine concentrations in oocytes, which were significantly different with plasma and ovarian fluid. Thyroxine concentration of plasma and ovarian fluid revealed a significant negative correlation. The mentioned parameters showed negative correlation with fertilization rate. The biochemical parameters (calcium, glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride) revealed significant differences in blood, ovarian fluid and oocytes. These results showed direct relations of fertilization rate with hormones level. Therefore, fertilization rate as egg quality index could be recommended as a relevant indicator of maternal transferring of hormones from blood and ovarian fluid to oocyte.     

Molecular characterization of a pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 virus isolated from Eurasian collared doves in Iran, 2017

In September 2017, an outbreak with high mortality, which showed the typical signs of ND, occurred among a flock of more than 2000 Eurasian collared doves in Konarak, southeast of Iran. A confirmed pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 strain was isolated from the brain tissues of the dead doves. The isolate, which was called Pigeon/Iran/Konarak/Barin/2017, was classified as a highly velogenic NDV. Complete genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolate belonged to subgenotype XXI.2, which has never been reported from Iran before. The isolate had the highest homology (96.15%) with early 2010s Italian isolates. Further studies will be required to understand the diversity better.     

Molecular and in vitro biochemical assessment of chemosensory protein 10 from brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens at acidic pH

Chemosensory proteins(CSPs) are important molecular components of the insect olfactory system, which are involved in capturing, binding, and transporting hydrophobic odour molecules across the sensillum in sensillar lymph in regulating insect behavior. This protein family(CSPs) is also involved in many other systems that are not linked to olfactory receptors in olfactory sensilla. The brown planthopper(BPH) is a monophagous pest of rice that causes damage by sucking phloem sap and transmitting a...