Nitric oxide increased the rosmarinic acid and essential oil production in in vitro-cultured melissa officinalis

Background: Nitric oxide is a free radical that recently has emerged as a key signaling molecule in regulating important physiological processes in plants

Objective: In this work, sodium nitroprusside [SNP] was utilized as the donor of nitric oxide to investigate the effects of exogenous nitric oxide on essential oil, rosmarinic acid and antioxidant activity of in vitro-cultured Melissa officinalis plants

Methods: The Plantlets were treated with different concentrations of SNP [0, 5, 10 and 20 mM] at eight leaf stages

Results: The results showed that SNP decreased trans-caryophyllene and other selected essential oils in M. officinalis plants, while increased most of major components of essential oils. The highest content for linalool, neral and thymol was achieved at 5, 5 and 20 mM of SNP respectively. The highest monoterpene [56.17 % v/w] and sesquiterpene content [76.01 % v/w] were achieved by 5 and 20 mM SNP, respectively. In addition, the class of essential oil compounds varied depending on the SNP concentration. Application of SNP on culture media increased rosmarinic acid production and phenolic levels, which in turn improved the antioxidant properties of the extracts

Conclusion: It seems that nitric oxide elicited M. officinalis culture and increased the secondary metabolite production. This current finding open new opportunities for obtaining valuable natural antioxidants for commercial exploitation by using tissue culture systems

Production of the phospholipase D and heat-shock protein [HSP]-60 recombinant proteins from Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis

Background: Caseous lymphadenitis, caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, is one of the most important diseases of sheep and goats, causing considerable losses for herd owners. Phospholipase D [PLD] is a potent exotoxin produced by C. pseudotuberculosis and it has been considered as the major virulence factor for this bacterium, possibly contributing to the spread of the bacteria from the initial site of infection to secondary sites within the host. Heat shock proteins [HSPs] are important candidates for the development of vaccines because they are usually able to promote both humoral and cellular immune re-sponses in mammals

Objectives: The aim of this study was the cloning and expression of the PLD and HSP genes of C. pseudotuberculosis

Methods: PLD and HSP[60] genes were cloned into pMAL-c2X vector and recombinant plasmids construct was transformed to DH[5] strain of E. coll. Expression of the proteins was shown by SDS-PAGE and accuracy of the cloned genes was confirmed by nucleo-tide sequence analysis

Results: The transformed E. coll strain DH[5] expressed PLD and HSP60 proteins effectively. The expressed fusion protein was found almost entirely in the soluble form

Conclusions: In the following studies the immunogenicity and protectivity of these recombinant proteins against C. pseudotuberculosis infections can be assessed

Preventive effect of omega-3 fatty acids on ethinyl estradiol induced hepatosteatosis in female wistar rat

Hepatic steatosis due to estrogen therapy increases the activity of inflammatory markers, particularly the activity of TNF alpha -which in turn induces more lipogenesis. Omega-3 fatty acids are among the negative regulators of hepatic lipogenesis. In this research, the preventive effect of omega-3 fatty acids on estrogen-induced steatosis in rats was evaluated. 2 mg/kg. BW/SC of 17 alpha-ethiny-lestrasdiol were injected into 25 female wistar rats in 5 equal groups [excluding the control group] over 10 consecutive days. Simultaneously, 3 of estradiol-treated groups were orally given 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg. BW omega-3 fatty acids, respectively. At the end of the experiment, plasma ALT, AST, and TNF alpha level were determined. Histopathological changes in the liver were also identified by the evaluation of samples stained with H and E and Oil Red O. The histological findings revealed hepatic microvesicular steatosis and fat deposit in ethinylestradiol and, to a lesser extent, in the 250 mg/kg BW omega-3 fatty acids groups. The plasma levels of AST, ALT, and TNF alpha -significantly increased in the ethinylestradiol group compared to the control [p<0.05] and 1000 mg/kg. B.W omega-3 group. Omega-3 fatty acids reduced these parameters in comparison to the estradiol group [p<0.05]. It was concluded that 1000mg/kg.BW of omega-3 protects the liver against steatotic injuries

[Histopathological evaluations of ureter and kidney after experimental ureteral anastomosis in dog]

To determine histomorphological changes of ureter and kidney following experimental ureteral anastomosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate more details about complications arising from ureteral anastomosis in dogs. Five healthy mongrel dogs weighing between 15-30 kg were used. Anesthesia was induced by acepromazine and thiopenthal sodium and maintained by halothane in oxygen in a closed circuit. After midline celiotomy, left ureter near trigon area was incised and immediately end to end anastomosis was performed in simple interrupted pattern by using polydiaxanon 6/0. All animals were euthanized at day 90 after operation and the ureters and their related kidneys were evaluated both macroscopically and microscopically. The gross observations of the ureters showed obstruction [one case] and mild hydroureter [three cases]. Microscopically, hyperplasia [in epithelial and muscularis layers], fibrosis [lamina properia-submucosa and serosal layers] and different phases of inflammation and repair [in lamina properia-submucosa, muscularis and serosal layers] were observed in the ureters. Histological sections in the related kidneys revealed hydronephrosis in one case. Although ureteral anastomosis is technically difficult in small animals and has a high rate of postoperative obstruction, in case of transected or damaged ureter, ureteral reanastomosis is one of the options for veterinary surgeons. In the present study, in spite of some complications, the anastomosis has been performed successfully in 80 percent of animals and certainly meticulous surgery is mandatory to prevent ureteral obstruction

effect of support group method on quality of life in post-menopausal women

Quality of life in post-menopausal women and menopausal symptoms are closely related concepts. Influence health education policy in order to promote health and adopt a menopause lifestyle requires alternative strategies, including health training programs with community - based interventions. The current study aims to survey the effects of support groups on quality of life of post-menopausal women. A blind field trial [2010] was conducted at Saadatmandii Clinical Center [Robat Karim, Iran]. 110 women were selected randomly divided into test and control groups [consisting of 55 ones]. Menopause specific quality of life questionnaire [MENQOL] was used for evaluation of life quality before and three months after intervention; there was no intervention in the control group. Data were analyzed by using SPSS/16. Qualitative variables were analyzed using chi-square tests and quantitative variables were analyzed using Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon test, paired T-test and independent t-test. There was significant difference between vasomotor, psychosocial, physical, sexual aspects and life quality of this group pf women [P<0.001]. There was no statistically significant difference in the quality of life of women in control group. According to the results method of support group can lead to improved quality of life for postmenopausal ones and it can be appropriate healthcare policy to promote health and improve life quality of this group of women

[Prevalence of different abomasal ulcers in buffalos of Ahvaz: an abbatorial survey]

Abomasal ulcer is a digestive disorder in domestic ruminants. There are several forms of ulcers which produce different clinical signs. For determination of lesion prevalence, abomasa of 200 buffaloes were examined grossly and in some cases, histopathologically. One hundred and twenty seven examined abomasa [63.5%] had ulcerative lesions. All ulcers [except in 2 cases] were classified as type 1. This type of lesion was sub-classified to 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d, based on its severity. Eighty six abomasa [43%] had minimal mucosal defects which were sub-classified as type 1a. Deeper injuries, type 1b, were observed in 62 [31%] abomasa. Type 1c and 1d were seen in 19 [9.5%] and 18 [9%] abomasa, respectively. The most of abomasa had several kinds of ulcers. While types 1a and 1b mainly occurred in the pyloric region, type 1d was mainly shown in the fundic region. The frequency for type 1c ulcer occurrence was the same in both regions. Frequency of abomasal ulcer, did not show any sex or age dependency

Linguatula serrata nymph in a cat

Linguatula serrata is a tongue-shaped parasite that infects carnivores or insectivorous reptile as final host and herbivores as intermediate ones. During necropsy of a 1.5-year-old female stray cat, a few white and fine nodules were observed on the diaphragmatic lobes of the lung. In histopathological examination, the nodules contained a turned spinosum parasite with cuticular spines and in parasitological examination of digested suspension, nymph of L. serrata with characteristic features was seen. This is the first confirmed infestation in a cat with nymph of L. serrata in Iran

Correlation between basal antral follicle count and mean ovarian diameter with ovarian responsiveness in ART cycles

Since, ovarian response during assisted reproductive technology [ART] depends on ovarian reserve so it is important to evaluate ovarian reserve before the ART cycle. The purpose of this study was to determine correlation between basal antral follicle count and mean ovarian diameter before treatment with ovarian responsiveness. This study was performed on 94 infertile women who consecutively underwent ART in Fatemeh Zahra Center in Babol for one year. FSH, LH and FSH/LH were measured on day 3 of cycle, and basal antral follicle count and mean ovarian diameter were determined by vaginal sonography. GnRH Agonist was administered for hypophysial down regulation and then gonadotropin was administered for induction of ovulation. Ampules of gonodotropin, days of stimulation, numbers of oocytes, pregnancy rate and cycle cancellation were recorded. A positive linear correlation was seen between basal antral follicle count with recovered oocytes [p<0.05]. Also, pregnancy rate had a positive linear correlation with recovered oocyte, fertilized ovum and basal antral follicle count [p< 0.05]. A negative linear correlation was observed between basal antral follicle count with ampules of gonadotropin, days of stimulation that was not statistically significant [p>0.05]. It was not seen a significant correlation between mean ovarian diameter and pregnancy rate, recovered oocytes, days of stimulation and ampules of gonodotropin. The results show that antral follicle count on cycle day 3 has positive correlation with oocyte count and pregnancy rate. It is an easy and reliable method to predict ovarian responsiveness that allows physicians to evaluate patients immediately before ART stimulation and to optimize stimulation protocols

Psychological symptoms in infertile people referred to babol infertility center

Studies showed that, infertility is known as a stressful incident and infertile men and women are exposed to many stresses. Thus, physicians who treat these couples should be aware of the effects of these stresses to use appropriate therapeutic procedures to reduce the stresses of the infertile couples during the treatment. This is a descriptive-analytic and cross-sectional study. The study has been done by means of a demographic questionnaire and a SCL-90-R test on 452 infertile people who referred to Fatemeh- Zahra infertility Center in Babol from March 2002 to November 2003. According to this study 213 people [47.1%] showed the symptoms of the psychiatric disorders, among which 66.2% and 33.8% were women and men, respectively. Most of the symptoms were due to the paranoid thoughts [44.4%] and interpersonal sensitivity [38%], while the least of them were related to the psychosis [18.14%] and phobia [17.04%]. The most prevalent was between 20 to 26 years. Most patients had education lower than diploma [60.1%], also their infertility has lasted for about 4-6 years. Most of them were housewife women and men with optional jobs and living in the city. According to the presence of high percentage of the psychiatric disorders symptoms among the infertile couples, specially the more number of the women being affected by this problem, more attention and psychological supports are required besides the other therapeutic managements