[Effect of whey protein concentrate edible coating and Trachyspermum copticum essential oil on the microbial, physicochemical and organoleptic characteristics of fresh strawberries during storage]

Background and Aim: strawberry is a valuable product that has a relatively short storage life. Use of chemical fungicides to extend storage life has been a matter of concern. In recent years, use of edible coatings has been regarded as a safe method in order to replace synthetic coatings. The aim of this study was to increase the storage-life and maintain the quality of strawberry by using edible coatings of whey protein concentrate and Trachyspermum copticum essential oil during a storage time of 10 days at 4 +/- 1 degree C and relative humidity of 75 +/- 5%

Materials and Methods: we extracted the essence of the seeds by Clevenger apparatus. Then, the active components of the essence were identified by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry [GC-MS] method. In this study we used edible coating of whey protein concentrate and Trachyspermum copticum essential oil at different concentrations [0.2, 0.4 and 0.6%].Microbial quality] number of molds and yeasts, total microbial count[, physicochemical characteristics [weight loss, acidity, pH, soluble solids, texture firmness, and decay] and organoleptic characteristics were assessed in the experimental group after packing, before storage [at the beginning of storage ] and then 3, 5, 8 and 10 days after storage and compared with those in the control group

Results: this coating significantly delayed the growth of microorganisms. By increasing concentrations of 0.4 and 0.6%, the mold and yeast counts after 10 days of storage reached zero and we found a logarithmical cycle reduction in the microbial load. As well texture firmness, weight loss, and decay percentage significantly decreased in the experimental group compared to those in the control group. On the 10th day, the decay rate was 86% for the control group and 10% for the case group containing 0.6% essential oil. Changes in PH, acidity and soluble solids were not significant. The best organoleptic properties were related to the priming with 0.2% essential oil, which also had a positive effect on the parameters in our study

Conclusion: strawberry fruit coating with whey protein concentrate and Trachyspermum copticum essential oil can be regarded as a safe and effective way to increase the storage life and quality of strawberry fruit in cold environments

[Antimicrobial efficacy of Mentha spicata essential oil and nisin in combination on Listeria monocytogenes]

Natural biopreservative are as alternative approach for controlling growth of food borne microorganisms such as Listeria monocytogenes. Essential oils [EOs] possess antibacterial properties. Mentha is one of the most common aromatic plants that widely used as medicinal and biopreservative in food. Nisin a well known antibacterial peptide to effectively antagonize a broad spectrum of bacteria, and is widely used as preservative in food. The aim of this work was to investigate the antimicrobial efficacies of nisin and Mentha spicata essential oil in combination against Listeria monocytogenes. The effects of different temperatures [4, 9 and 14°C], pH [5, 6 and 7] and NaCl concentrations [0, 1, 2 and 4%] were determinate. Description study. Essential oil content of M. Spicata had 18 components. The dominant active components were carvone [78.76%], limonene [11.50%] and menthol [1%]. Minimum inhibitory concentrations for the essential oil and nisin were 160 micro ml and 320IU/ml, respectively. A synergy of low pH values, high temperatures and high NaCl concentrations was observed. Our results found that the combination effects of M. Spicata and nisin in all experimental concentrations significantly reduced the numbers of L. monocytogenes

[Molecular study of partial deletions of AZFc region of the Y chromosome in infertile men]

The most significant cause of infertility in men is the genetic deletion in the azoospermia factor [AZF] region that is caused by the process of intra- and inter-chromosomal homologous recombination in amplicons. Homologous recombination could also result in partial deletions in AZF region. The aim of this research was to determine the association between the partial AZFc deletions and infertility. The blood samples were taken from 100 infertile men, who referred to the Infertility Center of Isfahan, Iran. 100 healthy matched people were also selected as the control group. The five markers of sY1201, sY1206, sY1161, sY1291, and sY1191 were applied in order to study partial deletions. Partial deletions were analyzed in AZF region using the Multiplex-STS-PCR technique. The chi-square test was conducted to check the difference between pretest and posttest. Differences were considered significant if P < 0.05. 9% of studied persons showed gr/gr deletion [in the patient group]. Only one case of gr/gr deletion was observed in the control group. Five patients showed b2/b3 deletion. One b2/b3 deletion was seen in the control group. The b2/b4 deletion was observed in 3 patients. In conclusion, partial deletions were observed in 14% of the patients. The statistical analysis of the gr/gr deletion in the study indicates a meaningful difference, but b2/b3 deletion does not represent a meaningful difference. Our results suggest that gr/gr deletions are associated with spermatogenic failure, and there is no association between b2/b3 deletion and infertility

Coronary artery disease risk factors in an urban and peri-urban setting, Kerman, Southeastern Iran [KERCADR study]: methodology and preliminary report

This article was to present the sampling and measurements methods and the main preliminary findings of the KERCADR cohort study [first round] in an urban and peri-urban setting, Kerman, southeastern Iran2009-11. 5900 [3238 female] people aged between 15 to 75 years were recruited in the household survey by non-proportional to size one-stage cluster sampling. Trained internal specialists, general practitioners, clinical psychologists and dentists have assessed the study subjects by person-assisted questionnaires regarding different NCD risk factors including cigarette and opium smoking, physical activity, nutrition habits, anxiety, depression, obesity, hypertension and oral health. Blood samples were also collected for determining FBS, HbA1c, cholesterol and triglyceride. Weighted standardized prevalence estimates were calculated by STATA 10 survey analysis package. The participation rate was more than 95% in all subgroups. Cigarette smoking [18.4% vs. 1.2%], opium use [17.8% vs. 3.0%] and triglyceridemia [16.1% vs. 12.0%] were significantly higher among men than women. In contrast, women were presented with higher level of sever anxiety [29.1% vs. 16.7%], obesity [16.8% vs. 9.2%], low-physical activity [45.1% vs. 39.2%] and uncontrolled diabetes [60.2% vs. 31.0%]. More than 68% of all subjects have presented with moderate to severe gingival index scores. The first round of the KERCADR cohort with sufficient sample size and response rate provided precise estimates for the main clinical and para-clinical NCD risk factors. These evidences need to be translated into public health interventions and monitored in the next rounds of the cohort

Assessment of in vitro maturation and fertilization of BDF1 mice germinal vesicle oocytes with and without cumulus cell after vitrification

Improving pregnancy rate associated with the use of cryopreserved oocytes would be an important advancement in human Assisted Reproductive Technology [ART]. Vitrification allows glasslike solidification of a solution, a physical process, without ice crystal formation in the living cells. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the viability of the oocytes, in vitro maturation and embryo development vitrified germinal vesicle oocytes after single and stepwise exposure to cryoprotectants. Germinal vesicle oocytes or without cumulus cells were transferred to a verification solution composed of 30% M sucrose [v/v] ethylene glycol, 18% [w/v] Ficoll-70, and 0.3 M sucrose either by single step or in a step-wise fashion. After verification and storage in liquid nitrogen, the oocytes were thawed and washed twice in the medium TCM 119 and then subjected to in vitro maturation, the capacity of fertilization and embryonic development to 2-cell were examined in vitro. The oocytes surviving, maturing to MII, fertilization developmental rate in the step-wise exposure were significantly higher [P<0/05], compared with the corresponding rate in single step procedure. The results of the present study indicated that oocytes vitrified with cumulus cells and stepwise procedure had a positive effect on the maturation and developmental rate than oocytes without cumulus cells and single step procedure

Production and purification of anti-rhombomys opimus immunoglobulins

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis [ZCL] is an increasing public health problem in some endemic regions. Horseradish peroxidase [HRP] conjugated rabbit anti-Rhombomys opimus [R. opimus] Ig is needed for immunoblotting and ELISA tests used to explore the immune response of the rodents against the sand fly saliva. In this study, the production of HRP conjugated rabbit anti-R. opimus Ig was conducted for the first time. Rhombomys opimus Ig was purified from serum by protein G affinity chromatography column and injected into rabbit to produce anti-R. opimus Ig antibody. The titration of antibody against R. opimus Ig in rabbit serum was checked using indirect ELISA. Rabbit anti-R. opimus Ig was purified by Sepharose-4B-R. opimus Ig column. Reactivity of this antibody was assessed by indirect ELISA and was conjugated to HRP by periodate method. Approximately 3.5 mg Ig was purified from 1 ml R. opimus serum using protein G affinity chromatography column. The molecular weight of purified R. opimus Ig was estimated about 150 kDa by SDS-PAGE. Nearly 2.3 mg rabbit anti-R. opimus Ig was purified from 1 ml immunized rabbit serum. The purified antibody was conjugated to HRP and the optimum titer of HRP conjugated rabbit anti-R. opimus Ig was determined as 1:8000 using direct ELISA. HRP conjugated rabbit anti-Gerbil IgG has been produced by a few companies, but to our knowledge HRP conjugated rabbit anti-R. opimus Ig is not commercially available. Production of HRP conjugated rabbit anti-R. opimus Ig is considerably helpful for immunological studies of R. opimus, the main reservoir host of ZCL in Iran as well as some other countries

[Effects of ascorbic acid on the amplitude of ventral tegmental area field action potential in morphine-exposed rats [an electrophysiology study]]

Evidences have indicated that the Ventral Tegmental Area [VTA] is the major source of dopamine [DA] neurons projecting to cortical and limbic regions involved in cognitive and motivational aspects of addiction. Also, studies have indicated that the Ascorbic acid [vitamin C] can reduce the dependency symptoms of opioids such as morphine via effect of activity on dopaminergic neuron in VTA. For this reason, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of ascorbic acid on the amplitude of Ventral Tegmental Area field action potential in morphine-exposed rats. Forty male Wistar's rats were used in this experimental study conducted at Yasuj University of Medical Sciences in 2010. Animals were randomly divided into four groups after electrode implantation and recovery period: 1. No- Vit C and No-Addicted group [nVitC.nA] 2. Vit C and No-Addicted group [VitC.nA] 3. No- Vit C and Addicted group [nVitCA] 4.Vit C and Addicted [VitC.A], The Vit C groups received 500 mg/kg of Vit C during 20 days. For addicted groups morphine was administrated once daily for 20 days. In the 20[th] day, the field potential recording was accomplished. Two-way ANOVA was used for data analysis followed by the Tukey test for post hoc analysis. Results were considered significant at P<0.05. This study shows the exposure to morphine declined the power of Delta and Beta bands [p<0.05] and Vit C solely enhance power of Theta and Beta [p<0.05, p<0.001] in VTA nuclei. Furthermore, Vit C could alter power of some bands which were affected by morphine. Therefore, it seems that Vit C has an increasing effects on them [p<0.05]. Although the effect of Vit C on power of the VTA bands is not well known, but it is supposed that this phenomenon can be related to alteration in activity of dopaminergic neuron in the brain

Nitric oxide acts through different signaling pathways in maturation of cumulus cell-enclosed mouse oocytes

Nitric oxide [NO] have a dual action in mouse oocyte meiotic maturation which depends on its concentration, but the mechanisms by which it influences oocyte maturation has not been exactly clarified. In this study different signaling mechanisms which exist for in vitro maturation of meiosis was examined in cumulus cell-enclosed oocytes [CEOs] after injection of pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin [PMSG] to immature female mice. The CEOs were cultured in spontaneous maturation and hypoxanthine [HX] arrested model. Sodium nitroprusside [SNP, an NO donor, 10mM] delayed germinal vesicle breakdown [GVBD] significantly during the first 5 hrs of incubation and inhibited the formation of first polar body [PB1] at the end of 24 hrs of incubation. SNP [10-5M] stimulated the meiotic maturation of oocytes significantly by overcoming the inhibition of HX. Sildenafil [a cGMP stimulator, 100 nM], had a significant inhibitory effects on both spontaneous meiotic maturation and HX-arrested meiotic maturation. Forskolin [an adenylate cyclase stimulator, 6 micro M] and SNP [10mM] had the same effects on GVBD. Forskolin reversed the SNP [10-5M] stimulated meiotic maturation. These results suggest that differences in pathways are present between SNP-inhibited spontaneous meiotic maturation and SNP-stimulated meiotic maturation in mouse oocytes

Production and characterization of anti-Her 2 monoclonal antibodies

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the world. Early diagnosis of this cancer is a key element for its treatment. One of the approaches for diagnosis of breast cancer is detection of its tumour-associated markers. Hence, Her2 has been the main focus of the researches in the field. For diagnosis of Her2 overexpression, monoclonal antibodies [mAb] reacting against Her2 were produced in this study. For this purpose, two peptides from extracellular domain of Her2 were selected and the mAbs reacting against them were produced by hybrodoma technology. Reactivity of these antibodies were then evaluated in different immunological assays including ELISA, Immunoflurescence [IF], western blot [WB] and immunoprecipitation [IP]. Total of 5 clones were produced from two separate fusions, and antibody isotyping revealed that all clones were IgM. These mAbs showed appropriate reactivities in the following assays: ELISA, immunofluresence by staining of breast cancer cell line [SKBR3], WB and IP by detecting the 185 KD band of Her2. In conclusion, it seems that the mAbs are useful diagnostic tools for detection of Her2 expression in patients with breast cancer

Diploscapter coronata infection in Iran: Report of the first case and review of literature

We describe a 61 -year-old man who developed a mild gastrointestinal discomforts including diarrhea associated with feces containing many larvae similar to rhabditiform larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis diagnosed finally as Diploscapter coronata, a free-living nematode. This case is unusual infection in human and there are a few reports of this worm as a real parasite. Microscopically, Diploscapter larvae in feces should be considered in the differential diagnosis of Strongyloididasis and hook worm disease in endemic area. This was the first reported occurrence of human D. coronata infection in Iran. Most of the clinical manifestations of human infection are not yet known due to limited information; thus, there is a need for more studies

[ effects of hyaluronan on fertilization capability of mouse sperm before cryopreservation and after thawing]

Freezing and thawing induce a number of insults to the sperm cells, such as low motility and low fertilization capability. For evaluation of hyaluronan [HA] supplementation on sperm characteristics, we investigated the effect of hyaluronan [HA] on mouse sperm before freezing and after thawing. For this purpose we removed cauda epididimes from 24 male mice with aseptic method and freezed the semen in 1.8ml cryotubes with%18 raffinose and%3 skim milk cryoprotectant solution.We had 4 groups: group 1[fresh control] group 2 [freeze control] group 3[supplemented 750 micro g/ml HA to sperm before freezing] and group 4[supplemented 750 micro g/ml HA to sperm after thawing]. Fertility rate evaluated after routine IVF by counting two-cell stage embryos. HA supplementation [750 micro g /ml] after thawing improved fertilization capability parameters but supplementation before freezing had no effect on mentioned characteristic. Acording to data of present study the hyaluronan supplemen- tation [750 micro g /ml] after thawing has the greatest effect on the fertility rate of sperms

[Relationship between quality of life and coping among hemodialysis patients in hospitals]

Background and Objective: hemodialysis patients quality of life is a significant subject. Style of coping or adjustment among hemodialysis patients is a complicated problem that affects the quality of life status. Responses domain to these problems are different from readjustment to suicide. The object of this study was to determine the relationship between quality of life and copings the problem, which were applied by hemodialysis patients

Materials and Methods: this is a descriptive analytical and correlational study. The study has been done in hospitals of Gorgan, Gonabad and Bandar Torkaman cities. The data were collected using a questionnaire with likert scale [From 1 to 5]. Sample population was 167 patients

Results: the results showed that 89 patients were male, 78 patients female, 25.74% between 35-44 years old and hemodialysis of duration of 114 patients was more than 4 years. The quality of life mean score and standard deviatior were respectively 89.58, 8.13. About 75.42% of patient's quality of life were moderate. The emotional and problem focused strategies were used in moderate way by the hemodialysis patients. Statistic tests between quality of life and emotional focused coping was significant [P<0.05]. In general there are relationship between quality of life and total coping [P<0.05]

Conclusion: according to study, we conclude that emotional focused coping and total coping influence the quality of life of hemodialysis patients. Therefore hemodialysis patients must be educated and supported, to cope with the problems