Prevalence of avian influenza (H9N2) in commercial quail,partridge, and turkey farms in Iran, 2014–2015

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Avian influenza virus (AIV) H9N2 subtype is endemic in Iran and causes substantial economic loss to the growing poultry industry within the country. In this...     

Response of wheat genotypes to foliar spray of ZnO and Fe2O3 nanoparticles under salt stress

This study evaluated the effects of iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) and zinc oxide (ZnO) on two wheat genotypes (Kavir and Tajan) at three levels (0, 75, and 150 mM sodium chloride (NaCl)) of salinity. Spray treatments included two forms of normal and nanoparticles of Fe₂O₃ and ZnO, a mixture of nanoparticles of Fe₂O₃ and ZnO (2 g L^?1) and a non-spray treatment. The pot experiment was arranged as factorial in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Two forms of Fe₂O₃ and ZnO significantly accelerated plant height, leaf area, shoot dry weight, and the concentration of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in comparison with non-spray treatment. The highest plant height and leaf Fe concentration belonged to Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles; however, it seems that the spray of nanoparticles may not be superior compared with normal forms in alleviation of salinity impacts.     

Biochemical and Biological Evaluation of an L-Asparaginase from Isolated Escherichia coli MF-107 as an Anti-Tumor Enzyme on MCF7 Cell Line

Background: One of the most widely used anticancer agents is microbial L-ASNase. Herein, we assessed the biochemical and biological properties of an isolated L-ASNase from a Gram-negative bacteria strain, Escherichia coli MF-107. Methods:Using garden asparagus, we obtained several bacterial isolates. These strains were further screened for L-ASNase activity. A promising bacterial isolate was selected for L-ASNase production and subsequent purification. The molecular weight of purified L-ASNase was determined. The MTT assay was applied to assess the cytotoxic effect of the purified enzyme. Also, for caspase activity determination and the apoptotic effect of purified enzyme on in cells, we conducted a real-time PCR method. Results:The molecular weight of the enzyme was approximately 37 kDa. In the pH range of 7.5 to 8, the enzyme had considerable stability. At 35 °C, the purified L-ASNase optimum activity was recorded. The cytotoxic effect of the enzyme on treated cells was dose-dependent with an IC₅₀ value of 5.7 IU/ml. The Bax gene expression considerably raised by 5.75-fold (p < 0.001) upon L-ASNase treatment. On the other hand, the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 gene expression showed a 2.63-fold increase compared to the control (p < 0.05). It was detected that the mRNA levels of caspase-3 and p53 were considerably upregulated (5.93 and 1.85-fold, respectively). We did not find any alternation in the caspase-8 activity of the treated cells compared to untreated cells. Conclusion:In this research, the proliferation of the breast cancer cells remarkably inhibited via the cytotoxic effect of isolated L-ASNase from microbial sources.Key Words: Apoptosis, Breast cancer, Escherichia coli, MCF7 cell line     

Common carotid intima-media thickness in patients with late rheumatoid arthritis; what is the role of gender?

This study aimed to evaluate color Doppler sonographic findings in carotid arteries in RA patients under pharmacological treatments and to compare them with normal population. Forty nine patients with late RA and 48 healthy age and sex-matched controls were recruited. The two groups were matched for other known risk factors of atherosclerosis including serum lipid abnormalities, smoking status, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. High resolution B-mode color Doppler ultrasound with a 7 MHZ transducer was used for measuring the Common Carotid Intima-Medial Thickness (CCIMT) in both sides in all subjects. Presence of atherosclerotic plaque was also investigated. The mean left and maximum CCIMT was significantly higher in the case group (0.72 vs. 0.62 mm for the left artery; p < 0.01; 0.72 vs. 0.64 mm for the maximum reading; p = 0.01). No atherosclerotic plaque was found in common carotid arteries. There were 3 (6.1), 7 (14.3) and 9 (18.4%) plaques in left internal carotid artery, right carotid bulb and left carotid bulb in the case group, respectively with no atherosclerotic plaques in the controls (p = 0.24, 0.01 and < 0.001, respectively). Comparing the findings by gender in the case group with the controls, the mentioned significant differences were only between the male patients and the controls. The process of atherosclerosis in RA patients is similar to that in normal population. However, it is apparently accelerated and more advanced in these patients.     

Studies of enzymatic oxidation of TMP-fibers and lignin model compounds by a Laccase–Mediator-System using different 14C and 13C techniques

In this work, the results of the enzymatic oxidation of TMP-fibers (thermomechanical pulp) and a well-structured lignin model compound, the dehydropolymer (DHP), were investigated by different ¹⁴C and ¹³C methods, caused by a Laccase–Mediator-System (LMS). These methods are the nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹³C-NMR) with DHP (unmarked) and the determination of the ¹⁴CO₂ release of ¹⁴C-marked DHP and TMP-fibers. The ¹³C-NMR measurements were chosen to analyze the structural changes of the LMS-treated DHP model compounds and TMP-fibers qualitatively and quantitatively. The data of ¹⁴CO₂ release give an explanation of the demethylation of DHP and TMP-fibers. The effect of the LMS is shown by comparing the results in respect of DHP and TMP-fibers, which were only treated with laccase and of an inactivated LMS as the control. Comparing the results of the ¹³C-NMR method, in particular the use of the Mediator during the enzymatical treatment, showed significant changes in the structure of the DHP. Also, the TMP-fibers were materially influenced by the LMS. The analysis of the ¹⁴CO₂ release data of the ¹⁴C-marked DHP and TMP-fibers revealed that the rate of ¹⁴CO₂ increases in the ¹⁴C-2 atom as well as in the O¹⁴CH₃ group within the first hour of Laccase–Mediator incubation. Therefore, the ¹⁴CO₂ release from the DHP was higher than from the TMP-fibers.     

Effect of different levels of dietary sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) peel extract on humoral immune system responses in broiler chickens

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) peel extract (SOPE) on humoral immune system responses in broiler chickens. Three hundred 1‐day broilers (Ross‐308) were randomly allocated to treatments varying in supplemental SOPE added in the drinking water. The experimental groups consisted of three treatments fed for 42 days as follows: a control treatment without feed extract, a treatment containing 1000 ppm of SOPE and a treatment containing 1250 ppm of SOPE. All treatments were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. Broilers were vaccinated with Newcastle disease virus (NDV), avian influenza (AI), infectious bursal disease (IBD) and infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) vaccines. Antibody titer response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) was higher in the group fed 1250 ppm of SOPE (P < 0.05) as well as for immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM. Similarly, antibody titer responses to all vaccines were constantly elevated (P < 0.05) by SOPE enrichment in a dose‐dependent manner. Relative weights of spleen and bursa of Fabricius were unaffected by treatments. Dietary SOPE supplementation may improve the immune response and diseases resistance, indicating that it can constitute a useful additive in broiler feeding. Thus, supplying SOPE in rations may help to improve relative immune response in broiler chickens.     

Analysis of the Phenylpropanoid Enzyme Activities and Products in the Soft- and Hard-Seeded Pomegranate Genotypes During Fruit Development

To find out more about the biochemical aspects of seed-softness trait in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), some of the phenylpropanoid pathway enzymes as well as their products were evaluated in the various soft- and hard-seeded genotypes during fruit development. Results showed that peroxidase (POD) activity decreased in all studied genotypes during fruit growth, while increasing at the last stages only in the hard-seeded genotypes. Although laccase (LAC) activity did not show high differences during fruit ripening and in different genotypes, but its general trend was increasing. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity decreased during the fruit development and approximately diminished for the hard-seeded genotypes. All genotypes had lignin components in their seeds and amount of lignin increased during the growth season. Total phenolic decreased drastically and antioxidant capacity increased gradually showing an opposite trend and probable competitive effect for the same substrate during fruit development. Considerable differences that were observed in the POD activity at the last sampling stage, and higher activity that was observed in POD than LAC, may indicate that POD is more important for polymerization of lignin in the pomegranate seed and this enzyme might have some role in the development of seed softness trait in pomegranate. Also, this is the first report about lignin detection in the seeds of soft-seeded pomegranate genotypes, and represents a different mechanism (such as monolignol conformation in the final polymer) from lignin content for development of the soft-seeded pomegranate genotype.     

Age estimation of Arabian mares by incisors morphometry and dentition changes

Veterinary Research Communications - Accurate estimation of a horse's age based on the condition of the tooth status is necessary as a scientific and artistic technique, which has not been...     

Induction of superoxide dismutase,malate dehydrogenase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase during enhancing resistance of common bean against Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli by exogenous salicylic acid

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Bacterial blight of common bean caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli (Xap) is one of the most devastating diseases and causes serious yield...     

Yield Components and Fatty Acids Variation of Canola Cultivars Under Different Irrigation Regimes and Planting Dates

To investigate the effect of different planting dates and irrigation regimes on six canola cultivars, a 2-year (2014–2016) experiment was conducted at the Seed and Plant Improvement Institute of Karaj. The experiments were conducted as the factorial split-plot in a randomized complete block design including six canola cultivars (Gabriella, Brutus, Triangle, Marathon, Danube, and Natali), two irrigation regimes (fully irrigated and irrigation termination at the flowering stage) and two planting dates (October 1 and November 1). The results showed that irrigation termination from the flowering stage prevented the supply of required material for filling the seeds and the metabolism of the seed compounds and reduced the growth period of the seed. Therefore, a reduction was observed in the content of oleic and linoleic acids and proline. Also, water deficit stress caused an increase in the glucosinolate content of the seed. The response of canola cultivars was different in terms of fatty acids, so that the Natali cultivar had higher palmitic, oleic acids, and proline content compared to the other cultivars at both planting dates. Fully irrigated treatment and planting date of October 1 produced the highest amount of seed and oil yield (4659 and 2073?kg ha^?1), palmitic acid (5.5%), and proline (22.7?μmol/g) content, and the lowest glucosinolate content (13.2?mg/g). Generally, the Natali cultivar and planting date of October 1 and the fully irrigated regime are highly recommended in the studied area regarding qualitative traits and yield of canola.