Characterization of aflatoxigenic aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus strain isolates from animal feedstuffs in northeastern Iran

Aflatoxins are secondary toxic metabolites produced by some Aspergillus spp. particularly, Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus that contaminate food and feed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the contamination of feedstuffs with Aspergillus spp. And detect genes involved in the aflatoxin biosynthesis pathway of A. flavus and A. parasiticus isolates. A total of 110 cow feed samples [comprised of silage, concentrate, hay and total mixed ration] from 30 industrial and semi-industrial dairy farms of Khorasan Razavi province, northeastern Iran, were examined using cultural and PCR methods. 68 [61.82%] Aspergillus spp. were isolated from 110 samples of feedstuff. The predominant Aspergillus isolates were A. fumigates [21.81%], followed by A. flavus [17.27%], A. niger [10%], A. parasiticus [8.18%], and A. oryzae [4.54%]. Fungal contamination levels of industrial and semi-industrial dairy farm samples were not significantly different [P>0.05]. Using four sets of primers, a quadruplex PCR was developed to detect genes [nor1, ver1, omtA and aflR] at different loci coding enzymes in the aflatoxin biosynthesis pathway of A. flavus and A. parasiticus strains. Out of 28 strains of A. flavus and A. parasiticus, 10 isolates [35.71%] showed a quadruplet pattern indicating the important genes involved in the aflatoxin biosynthesis pathway, encoded for functional products. These isolates were confirmed to be aflatoxigenic by Thin Layer Chromatography. 18 isolates [64.29%] had three, two and single molecular patterns. The results obtained by this study show that rapid and specific detection of aflatoxigenic molds is important to ensure the microbiological safety of feedstuffs

[ relationship between catastrophizing, pain-related anxiety and coping strategies in cancer patients]

Introduction: The pain caused by cancer affected by 50 to 90 percent of patients with cancer and anxiety caused by these diseases and cancer treatment increases the need for supporting patients, Therefore their coping strategies adopted by patients in adapt is important roles. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between pain catastrophizing, pain-related anxiety, social support and coping strategies of pain in patients with cancer

Methods: Type of cross - sectional study was correlational. A total of 110 cancer patients referred to 5[th] Azar Hospital [2013] were recruited Convenience sampling into the study. Questionnaire pain catastrophizing, pain anxiety, pain, social support and coping strategies were used. Data were collected and analyzed using SPSS16 software and doing descriptive and inferential statistics, and considering levels of significance [P<0.05]

Results: The results showed that Mean and standard deviation of Pain Catastrophizing in patients [23.9 +/- 8.8], pain-related anxiety [35.7 +/- 18.4], coping strategies [107.9 +/- 38.8], social support [151.1 +/- 15.8]. The Pearson correlation test, showed is significant differences between pain catastrophizing [P=0.00, R=-0.46], pain-related anxiety [P=0/00, R=-0/47], coping strategies [P=0/00, R=0/46] with social support

Conclusions: The results showed that significant differences are between pain catastrophizing pain-related anxiety, coping strategies and social support patients with cancer. Therefore, developing a comprehensive care program for patients cancer with Strengthen coping strategies, Increase social support In order to reduce the level of anxiety and pain catastrophizing is recommended

Seroprevalence of neospora spp. in horses in north east of Iran

Neospora caninum, an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite, is recognized as a major cause of abortion in cattle, while limited information is presently available on the seroprevalence of Neospora antibodies in horses' worldwide. The aim of the present study was to determine serologic prevalence of Neospora infection in horses in Iran. Sera from 150 horses from Mashhad suburb in Razavi Khorasan Province, northeast Iran were examined for antibodies to Neospora spp. using Neospora modified direct agglutination test [N-MAT]. Antibodies to this parasite were detected in 45 [30%] of the examined serum samples. Thirty four percent of the samples had titer of 1:40 while then reduced to 30% when 1:80 serum dilution was applied as significant cut off titer. This study is the first investigation carried out on the Neospora in horses in Iran and indicates that horses in Iran are exposed to this parasite

Cryopreservation of in situ cool stored buffalo [Bubalus bubalis] epididymal sperm

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of testis-epididymis cool storage on viability and progressive motility of buffalo epididymal sperm [EP] and to compare the influences of two basic semen extenders on post thaw EP viability and progressive motility. Abattoir collected buffalo testicles were allotted to three storage times [0 h: n = 10; 24 h: n = 10 and 48 h: n = 12]. Following storage, isolated sperm were subjected to cryopreservation with two different cryoprotective media: whole cow milk-7%glycerol [MG] or egg yolk-tris-citrate-7% glycerol [EYG]. Pre freeze and post thaw sperm progressive motility and viability were evaluated. Results indicated that viability and progressive motility of sperm decreased after 24 h cool storage of the epididymis [P<0.05]. There was no difference between 24 and 48 h of storage on sperm viability [P>0.05], but progressive motility decreased across storage times [24 h versus 48 h: P<0.05]. Cryopreservation severely influenced viability and progressive motility of EP [P<0.05]. Milk-7% glycerol protected viability and progressive motility of EP against cold shock more efficiently than EYG [P<0.05]. The results of this study demonstrate that it is possible to preserve buffalo EP within the epididymis at 4°C short term, but that it has poor freezability upon recovery by basic semen freezing protocols

investigation of community response to urban traffic noise

Traffic noise is a major environmental source of pollution in the whole planet, both in developed and in developing nations. The study being reported here has been carried out on one of the most busy and crowded streets in the downtown area of Kerman, located in south east of Iran, which have heavy traffic during the day. Total of 20 measuring points were selected along the main road and its 6 connecting streets. In this study the A-weighted continuous equivalent sound level values and statistical levels were manually measured at each site separately. The noise equivalent level varied between 66 to 79.5 dBA. The results of the study established the fact that noise levels are more than the acceptable limit of 60 dBA, which is the daytime governmentally prescribed noise limit for residential-commercial areas. This paper also describes the reaction of the environmental noise of the city of Kerman. A total of 250 questionnaires were processed. The results of the interview questionnaire revealed the following items; [I] the main isolated noise source was traffic [50%] and street noise [34%]; [II] 70% of the people classified the noise in his/her street as "very high"; [III] 52% and 48% of the respondents answered that noise bother them more in morning and evening, respectively; [IV] 86% and 86.8% of the subjects answered that traffic noise produce physicsl and psychological annoyance to them; [V] the main outcomes of exposure to noise were: irritability [40.8%], insomnia [24%], difficulty in concentrating [16%] and conservation disruption [16%]

[ relationship between copper and zinc concentration and free radical markers in copper industry workers]

Copper and zinc play a key role in oxidative reactions and in vivo studies have shown their different effects. In this study we examined the influence of exposure to copper and zinc on catalase and superoxide dismutase [SOD] activities in erythrocytes, total serum antioxidant capacity and malondiadehyde [MDA] production of copper industry workers. In the present study, 70 workers in a Copper Industry and 70 healthy controls with the age range of 35-55 years were studied. The catalase assay and SOD activity in RBC lysate and total antioxidant were measured by spectrophotometric methods. Using thiobarbitoric acid reaction, MDA concentration was determined. The results showed a higher copper and zinc concentration in serum of worker group [113.8 +/- 2.2 and 148.3 +/- 3.2micro g/L respectively, P<0.001] in comparison with the control group [104.5 +/- 1.5 and 107.7 +/- 2micro g/L respectively]. Serum catalase and SOD activities in RBC were higher in workers [7621.7 +/- 199.3 and 1489.5 +/- 12.3micro /l] than in the control group [7049.1 +/- 157.4 and 1421.7 +/- 11.1 micro /l respectively, P<0.05, for SOD only]. Serum total antioxidant was significantly higher in workers than controls [1.6 +/- 0.03 vs. 1.4 +/- 0.01] and it was the same for MDA concentration [245.5 +/- 3.7nmol/gHb in the worker group compared to 205 +/- 3.2nmol/gHb in the control group]. No correlation were found between copper and zinc concentrations and the other factors [P>0.05]. These results suggest that occupational exposure to copper and zinc induces oxidative stress followed by anti oxidative defense system

[Comparison of the therapeutic effects of Florfenicol and Tilmicosin in enzootic calf bronchopneumonia]

Objective: to compare the field efficacy of Florfenicol with I Tilmicosin in the treatment of naturally occurring enzootic calf bronchopneumonia

Design: randomized controlled trial

Animals: a total of 70 Holstein calves between 1-6 months old in three daily farms of Mashhad suburb were used

Procedure: calves with visual signs of pneumonia were entered into the trial. After physical examination, clinical findings were recorded. They were weighed and blood samples collected by venipuncture. They were randomly assigned to received either Florfenicol [20 mg/kg bw, IM, 2 injections 48h apart, 35 calves] or Tilmicosin [10 mg/kg bw, SC, 1 injection, 35 calves]. Clinical I measures of efficacy-included mortality, rectal temperature, illness I index scores, assessment of treatment success or failure, and the number of relapses or reinfections. Also, hematological indices, total plasma protein and fibrinogen were studied on day 0 and day 4 after the treatment

Statistical analysis: independent t-test, Mann- Whitney and Chi- Square

Results: There were not any significant differences between two treatment groups [P>0.05]. Resolving clinical sings in Florfenicol and Tilmicosin treatments were, 88.5% [31 cases] and 85.7 % [30 cases] respectively, which were not statistically significant [P>0.05]. No significant adverse reaction was noticed with either drugs

Conclusion: results indicate that Florfenicol and Tilmicosin are comparable in the treatment of enzootic calf bronchopneumonia