Impact of foliar spray of spherical nano-carbon and salicylic acid on physiological traits and parthenolide content in two feverfew cultivars [tanacetum parthenium linn. cv. pharmasaat and jelitto]

Background: Biotic and abiotic elicitors produce secondary metabolites and alter physiological traits of the plants by affecting some of the mechanisms within the plant cells

Objective: This study was aimed to investigate the effects of different concentrations of spherical nano-carbon and salicylic acid on physiological traits and paratolenolidae content in Feverfew

Methods: This research was conducted in a factorial experiment based on randomized completely design [CRD] under greenhouse conditions. The first factor was Feverfew cultivar with two levels [T.parthenium Linn. cv. Jelitto and T. parthenium Linn. cv. Pharmasaat], the second factor was foliar spray of spherical nano-carbon with 5 levels [0, 125, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/L] and the third factor was considered as foliar spray of salicylic acid with two levels [0 and 0.2 mM]

Results: The results showed that the cultivars, different concentrations of spherical nano-carbon, salicylic acid and their interactions had a significant effect on some of the studied traits. Two cultivars in the content of chlorophyll a and b and parthenolide showed significant differences at P<0.01. Also, the effect of spherical nano-carbon and salicylic acid concentrations on parethenolide content of extract was significant [P <0.01]. However, the highest content of parthenolide [24.22 Mug/0.1 g dry matter] was observed in pharmasaat and at the concentration of 500 mg/L spherical nano-carbon without salicylic acid application

Conclusion: Application of spherical nano-carbon at concentration of 500 mg/L along with 0.2 mM salicylic acid improved physiological traits and metabolic content of both cultivars

Influence of drought stress, biofertilizers and zeolite on morphological traits and essential oil constituents in dracocephalum moldavica L.

Background: essential oil content and composition in medicinal and aromatic plants is highly affected by both biotic and abiotic factors

Objective: to investigate the effects of drought stress, zeolite and bio-fertilizers on morphological characteristics and essential oil constituents in Dracocephalum moldavica L

Methods: this experiment was conducted in the form of split factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications in two years [2014 and 2015]. The factorial experimental treatment was three levels of soil moisture [90%, 60% and 30%FC] applied to main plot, while application of zeolite [0 and 2 g per kg of soil] and bio-fertilizers [control, nitroxin, phosphate barvar-2 and nitroxin×phosphate barvar-2] were applied to sub plots

Results: application of zeolite had the highest effect on plant height, leaf area, dry matter and flowering top branches yield [FTBY] in 90%FC and essential oil percentage and yield in 60%FC. Similarly, combination of nitroxine+phosphate barvar-2 caused maximum value of plant height, leaf area, dry matter and FTBY in 90% FC and essential oil percentage and yield in 60%FC. The GC-MS analysis of the essential oil identified 14 compounds including ester and non ester combinations. The main compounds of ester combinations were geranyl acetate and neryl acetate and the main compounds of non ester combinations were neral, geraniol and geranial. The maximum percentage of ester and non ester combinations produced in 30% FC and 60-90%FC, respectively

Conclusion: application of zeolite accompanied by combination of nitroxine+phosphate barvar- 2 produced the highest value of examined traits in D. moldavica L.

[Effect of mycorrhizal fungi and biophosphor fertilizer on growth features, yield and yield components, and essntial oil constituents in Cuminum cyminum L.]

Background: Achievement of optimal production of medicinal plants along with adherence to scientific principles of sustainable agriculture is of great importance

Objective: Evaluation of different mycorrhiza fungi and biophosphorus fertilizer on morphological, yield, yield components, and quality and quantity of essential oils in cumin

Methods: This study was carried out in a factorial experiment based on RCBD with three replications at Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands. Factors were considered as inoculation with mycorrhiza species [G. mosseae, G. interradices, G. hoi] and types of biophosphate application [seed inoculation, and seed inoculation + foliar application], and non inoculation with employed treatments considered as control

Results: Results showed statistically [P <0.01] significant increase in plant height, canopy diameter, number of stem branches, number of umbel in plant, number of umbelet in umbel, number of seeds in umbel, number of seeds in plant, seed thousand weight, seed yield and essential oils content upon application of treatments compared to control. The highest value of plant height, canopy diameter, number of stem branches, number of umbel in plant and essential oils content were achived in plants inoculated with G. interradices. Maximum essential oil content and yield were obtained in plants treated with G. interradices, and the highest value of major oil constituents [Cuminaldehyde, p-Mentha-1,4-dien-7-ol, gamma-Terpinene, gamma-Terpinene-7-al, beta-Pinene, p-Cymene and Myrcene] was identified from G. mosseae and G. hoi treated plants

Conclusion: Totally and accordance with iteraction effects, co-application of G. interradices and foliar spray of biophosphate fertilizer produced maximum essential oil content and yield in cumin

[Effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on physiological traits, phenolic contents and antioxidant capacity of salvia mirzayanii rech. f. and esfand. under drought stress]

Background: environmental stresses and biotic and abiotic elicitors induce secondary metabolites biosynthesis and hypersensitive response in plants through activation of defense mechanisms

Objective: this study was carried out with the aim of assessing the effects of different drought stress and multi-walled carbon nanotube [MWCNT] levels on physiological variations, flavonoid and phenolic contents, and antioxidant capacity of Salvia mirzayanii

Methods: this study was arranged in a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design under research greenhouse of medicinal plants department at Arak University. The first factor was considered as drought stress in 4 levels [25, 50, 75 and 100% of field capacity], and the second factor was designated as foliar spray of MWCNT [functionalized and non- functionalized] at 4 different concentrations [0, 50 and 200 mg/L]

Results: results showed that drought stress and MWCNT and their interactions significantly affected some studied traits. Leaf relative water content [P<0.01] and chlorophyll index [P<0.05] was significantly changed under drought stress treatment, however, electrolyte leakage index significantly [P<0.01] affected under different levels of MWCNT. Furthermore, total phenolics was significantly [P<0.01] changed under interaction of experimental treatments. The highest and the lowest phenolics content were achieved in functionalized MWCNT exposed plants at 50 and 200 mg/L under 25% of FC, respectively

Conclusion: application of functionalized MWCNT at concentration of 50 mg/L along with moderate drought stress improved physiological traits and antioxidant activity of extract in S. mirzayanii plants

Comparison of chemical compounds and antioxidant and antibacterial properties of various satureja species growing wild in Iran

Background: Many members of the genus Satureja L. [Lamiaceae] have interesting pharmacological and biological properties

Objective: In this research, major essential oil [EO] compositions, rosmarinic acid [RA] content, and antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the leaf extracts of nine Satureja species [S. bachtiarica, S. mutica, S. sahandica, S. macrantha, S. atropatana, S. edmondi, S. spicigera, S. isophylla and S. intermedia] were assessed

Methods: The chemical composition of EO was determined using Gas Chromatography [GC] and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry [GC-MS] analysis. RA content of the extract was detected using a High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography [HPTLC] method, and the 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydracyl hydrate [DPPH] radical scavenging procedure was used to study of antioxidant capacity

Results: According to the analytical results, EO of the most samples were mainly composed of p-cymene, gamma-terpinene, thymol, and carvacrol. There was a wide variability for RA content among the studied species ranging from 0.03 mg g[-1] RA [S. sahandica] to 1.11 mg g[-1] RA [S. isophylla]. The lowest IC[50] in the radical scavenging assay was shown by S. sahandica extracts as compared to the other samples. This activity was followed by S. spicigera and S. edmondi. The minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] varied from 0.06 to 32 mg ml[-1], however, the minimum bactericidal concentration [MBC] value differed from 0.06 to >64 mg ml[-1]. Moreover, S. sahandica revealed the lowest inhibitory activity against all microorganisms tested particularly on E. coli

Conclusion: In conclusion, the extracts of certain Satureja species have the potential to be considered as alternatives for synthetic food preservatives and antibiotics

Influence of copper and zinc on growth, metal accumulation and chemical composition of essential oils in sweet basil [Ocimum basilicum L.]

Background: Biosynthesis and metabolism of phytochemicals in medicinal and aromatic plants are vigorously affected by different abiotic elicitors including chemicals

Objective: This experiment was designed to investigate the effects of three levels of copper sulfate [Cu: 0, 5, 25 mg kg[-1]] and zinc sulfate [Zn: 0, 10, 50 mg kg[-1]] and their combinations on yield, chemical compositions of essential oil and metals accumulation in sweet basil [Ocimum basilicum L.]

Methods: The amount of employed metals dissolved in 200 ml distilled water and sprayed over each pot, layer by layer as evenly as possible. Physical and chemical properties and concentration of the elements in soil samples were measured. The essential oil was isolated by hydro-distillation and analyzed by GS and GS-MS technique

Results: Results showed that the dry weight of root, shoot and essential oil yield were increased in treatments of Cu[0]Zn[10], Cu[5]Zn[0]and Cu[5]Zn[10], as compared to control. The increase of Zn levels in soil enhanced the concentration of Zn in shoot and root of plant when compared to control. Also, Zn and Cu antagonized the uptake of together at the high levels. Root tissues always showed greater concentration of both Cu and Zn than those of shoot. The content of linalool and methyl chavicol was significantly increased by application of employed metals in comparison to control plants

Conclusion: Findings indicate that the growth and essential oil yield of O. basilicum was significantly enhanced by application of low levels of Cu and Zn. However, the highest levels of Cu and Zn were accumulated in root, without significant reduction in growth and biomass values

Essential oils composition, antioxidant activities and phenolics content of wild and cultivated satureja bachtiarica bunge plants of yazd origin

Satureja bachtiarica Bunge, an endemic species with relatively wide distribution, is traditionally used as a medicinal and spice plant in Iran. Essential oils composition, antioxidant activities and phenolics content of wild and cultivated S. bachtiarica of Yazd origin were determined in this study. Hydrodistilled essential oils were analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. Folin-Ciocalteu and A1C1[3] methods were served to determine total phenolics and flavonoids of methanol extracts, respectively. Antioxidant activities of the extracts were examined by DPPH and FRAP methods and their rosmarinic acid content was measured by using HPLC. The oil content of cultivated and wild plants was 1.8% and 0.9% v/w, respectively. Oxygenated monoterpens [78.3 - 79.5%] constituted the major fraction of essential oils with carvacrol [71.4% and 57.4% in cultivated and wild plants, respectively- Cymene [8.6 - 12.5%] was another major components of essential oils. Methanol extract from wild growing plants exhibited the higher levels antioxidant activities in both DPPH and FRAP methods [29.04 and 58.25 mg Trolox/g, respectively]. This extract also contained the higher amounts of total phenolics [24.5 mg caffeic acid /g sample], total flavonoids [87.99 mg catechin /g sample] and rosmarinic acid [3.73 mg/g dry weight] in comparison to cultivated ones [16.2 mg caffeic acid /g sample, 40.55 mg catechin /g sample and 1.73 mg/g dry weight, respectively]. Obtained results may be helpful for domestication of this plant and development of natural antioxidants for use in different industries

[ effects of inoculation with pseudomonads rhizobacteria on growth, quantity and quality of essential oils in sage [salvia officinalis L.] plant]

Rhizobacteria are specific group of soil microorganisms that aggressively colonize the rhizosphere and rhizoplane, and substantially improve plant growth and efficiency via direct or indirect mechanisms. To investigate the growth promoting effects of rhizobacteria strains on cuttings growth and variations of essential oils content and yield in Salvia officinalis. In this research, different rhizobacteria including Pseudomonas putida [strains 41 and 159] and fluorescence [strain 23] with different growth promoting characteristics was used first on stem cuttings and later on aerial parts of S. officinalis L. [with final concentration of 109 CFU/ml]. The essential oils were isolated from aerial parts of the plants by hydro-distillation method and then subjected to GC and GC-MS apparatus to determine the oil constituents. Results showed that the dry weight of above and below ground parts of plants were increased in response to employed rhizobacteria inoculation. The highest root and leaf dry weight were observed in plants treated with Putida strain 159 which is caused increase of 45% and 33% compared to control untreated plants, respectively. Also, the highest essential oil yield was obtained in plants treated with putida strains, and the lowest of that was gained in control plants and also plants treated with fluorescence strain. The most abundant essential oil components were cis-Thujone, camphor, 1,8-cineol, camphene, alpha-pinene, viridiflorol, alpha-humulene, borneol and trans-meta-mentha-2,8-diene. Results from the current research indicate the plants inoculation with rhizobacteria had positive impact only on the major constituents of the essential oil compared to controls

Essential oil compositions and photosynthetic pigments content of Pelargonium graveolens in response to nanosilver application

Nanosilver particles are among the potentially candidates for modulating the redox status and changing the growth, performance and quality of plants because of their physicochemical characteristics. This study was carried out to elucidate the potential effects of nanosilver particles application on variations of photosynthetic pigments [chlorophyll and carotenoids] and essential oil content and composition of Pelargonium graveolens. Four nanosilver particles [5 - 20 nm] concentration [0, 20, 40, and 80 mg.L[-1]] were used as foliar application. The essential oils were isolated from aerial flowering parts of the plants by hydro-distillation method and then subjected to GC and GC-MS apparatus to determine the oil constituents. Chlorophyll and carotenoids content increased in leaves of nanosilver treated plants in compare with the control. Nanosilver application at 40 mg.L[-1] was the most effective treatments in pigments and essential oil content. Also, results showed that 26 components were identified in essential oil and citronellol was the major component under all employed treatments. Maximum citronellol/geraniol ratio was obtained at 80 mg.L[-1] nanosilver treatment, indicating the positive influence of nanosilver particles on essential oil quality of Pelargonium plants. The nanosilver particles application could maintain and enhanced the photosynthetic pigments and essential oil content of P. graveolens plants. Our findings suggested that nanosilver application improved quality and quantity of essential oil

Seed alkaloids content and antioxidant enzymes activity in black henbane as influenced by ammonium nitrate application and water deficit stress

Since alkaloids are nitrogenous compounds, the availability of nitrogen [N] is expected to play an important role in the biosynthesis and accumulation of alkaloids in plants. This study intended to investigate the nitrogen [N] fertilization and water deficit stress [WDS] effects on seed tropane alkaloids elicitation including hyoscyamine [HYO] and scopolamine [SCO], and also antioxidant enzymes activities variations including superoxide dismutase [SOD], peroxidase [POX] and catalase [CAT] in black henbane. Plants were treated with different nitrogen [0, 0.14, 0.28 and 0.56 g N pot[-1] as ammonium nitrate, N0-N3, respectively] and WDS treatments [30, 60 and 90% depletion of water from field capacity, W1-W3]. Alkaloids extracted were identified by gas chromatography [GC] and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry [GC-MS] analysis. Results showed that the highest alkaloid content values in seeds [HYO: 0.145% dw; and SCO: 0.271% dw] achieved in plants grown under sever [W3] and moderate [W2] WDS accompanied with nitrogen supply of 0.28 g N pot[-1] [N2], respectively. The maximum and minimum [2.112 and 0.114 g.plant[-1]] total alkaloids yield were obtained in N3W1 and N3W3 treatments, respectively. Furthermore, SOD activity increased with increasing N fertilization in all WDS treatments. CAT activity increased with WDS up to 60% FC, and then decreased with WDS increase. The POX activity was the opposite to that of CAT activity with N application under WDS levels. Our results suggest that N in appropriate level may act as a modifier for seed physiological responses and as an elicitor for tropane alkaloids biosynthesis pathway in black henbane [hyoscyamus niger] plants

Effect of dietary chitosan on immune response and disease resistance in Cyprinus carpio

Occurrence of resistance against antibiotics and inadequate efficacy of some vaccines necessitates studies of natural immunostimulators in aquaculture. Shrimps shell derived from Chitosan can be used as immune stimulators in fish. In this study, the effects of oral administration of chitosan, derived from shrimp shell, on some immune responses and disease resistance in Cyprinus carpio were studied. Three hundred healthy fish weighing 42.4+8.1 g were divided into 4 equal groups: the first group [G10] was fed with food supplemented with 10 mg kg-1 chitosan, the second [G5] and third groups [G2.5] were fed with food supplemented with 5 mg kg-1 and 2.5 mg kg-1, respectively. The control group was fed with basal feed [without chitosan]. All groups were treated for 60 days. Blood samples were taken on 0, 20, 40, and 60 days post- experiment; In addition, some immunological indices, including serum lysozyme activity, serum bactericidal activity, Nitro Blue Tetrazolium [NBT] reduction activity, serum proteins, white blood cell count [WBC], and differentiated count were measured. At the end of the treatment, fish were challenged with live Aeromonas hydrophila and mortality rate was recorded for 14 days. Oral administration of chitosan [0.5 and 1%] significantly enhanced NBT reduction activity and resistance to A. hydrophila infection [p=0.012]. Serum lysozyme and bactericidal activity, serum total protein and globulin, WBC and leukocytes ratio showed no significant change among the groups [p>0.05]. This study indicates that oral administration of shrimp shell chitosan may have a positive effect on some immune parameters and resistance against bacterial infection in Cyprinus carpio

Bacteriological study of urine and its relationship with histopathological findings of bladder and kidney in river buffalo [Bubalus bubalis]

Cystitis and pyelonephnitis in ruminants most often result from ascending urinary tract infection [UTI]. Investigating the prevalence of urine infection and its relationship with histopathological findings of bladder and kidney. This study was carried out on 353 slaughtered buffalos [143 female and 210 male] at Ahvaz abattoir, southwest of Iran. After slaughter, urinary samples were taken directly from bladder by sterile syringe. The bladder and kidney were inspected and samples from them were taken for histophatological study. All of the urine samples were incubated for isolation of bacteria on blood agar and MacConkey. Biochemical characterizations of the isolates were performed according to Bergey's manual of systemic bacteriology. Histopathological samples were taken from representative parts of each bladder and kidney and were stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Out of the 353 urine samples, 19 [5.38%] were positive. The percentages of infected cattle in female and male were 6.3% and 4.8%, respectively. These bacteria were isolated: E.coli [21%], Staphylococcus spp. [31.6%], Streptococcus spp. [15.8%], Proteus spp. [15.8%], Klebciella spp. [5.3%], Yercinia spp. [5.3%], and Actinimyces and Pasteurelle spp. [5.3%]. In histopathological examination, 51[14.4%] and 5 [1.4%] of the buffalos had chronic cystitis and pyelonephritis, respectively. Bacteria were isolated only in 3 cases of chronic cystitis and 2 cases of pyelonephritis. Statistical analysis showed there was no relationship between isolation of bacteria from urine with cystitis and pyelonephritis. Some cases of chronic cystitis are not able to isolate of bacteria from urine and for causing pyelonephritis they need predisposing factors which caused urine retention

Effects of exogenous salicylic acid application on growth, metabolic activities and essential oil composition of Satureja khuzistanica Jamzad

Satureja khuzistanica Jamzad, with the common Persian name "marzeh khuzestani", is an endemic medicinal plant, distributed in the southwestern areas of Iran. Salicylic acid [SA] is a signaling molecule and a hormone-like substance that plays an important role in the plant physiological processes. This study was conducted to determine the influence of foliar SA application [0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg.L[-1]] at two times including vegetative stage [VS] and both vegetative and reproductive stages [VS+RS] on growth parameters, enzymes activity including superoxide dismutase [SOD] and polyphenol oxidase [PPO], protein content, essential oil percentage and composition of S. khuzisra, zica under field conditions. The essential oils were isolated from aerial flowering parts of the plants by hydro- distillation method and then subjected to GC and GC-MS analyses to determine the oil constituents. Results showed that SA application at 100 and 200 mg.L[-1] were the most effective treatments in growth characteristics, but the highest essential oil content and yield was obtained at 400 mg.L[-1] SA treatment. In both spraying times, plants treated with 100 and 200 mg.L SA concentration showed more PPO and SOD activity than control plants, respectively. Also, results showed that the 14 compositions were identified in essential oil of plants under all employed treatments. Carvacrol was the major component of oils, which is also showed more variability than that of other components. It was concluded that foliar spray of SA at low concentration once at vegetative and second time at reproductive stage might be employed for enhancing both primary and secondary metabolites production of S. khuzisranica plants

[ improvement of RAPD-PCR molecular marker efficiency in detection of polymorphism in fennel [Foeniculum vulgar] using restriction enzymes]

Fennel [Foeniculum vulgar] is a medicinal plant species in the Apiaceae family with culinary and medicinal uses. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of enzymatic digestion of PCR product in improvement of the efficiency of RAPD markers. Nine RAPD primers were used to amplify the genomic DNA of fifteen accessions of Fennel. Following amplification, a part of PCR products was digested with two restriction enzymes [EcoRl and MseI]. Both of digested and undigested PCR products were separated on agarose gel electrophoresis. The accessions were grouped by cluster analysis and polymorphic information content index was calculated for each marker. Also percentage and component of essential oil were indicated by CC/MS analysis. The comparison of banding patterns of digested and undigested PCR products revealed that digestion of RAPD-PCR product using a four base cutter enzyme such as Mse I shows a higher level of polymorphism as compared to standard RAPD. Cluster analysis based on data obtained by modified RAPD classified accessions more suitable as compared to standard RAPD data. There was no correlation between genetic diversity and metabolic yield. Restriction enzymes have enormous potential to improve the efficiency of RAPD markers in evaluation of genetic diversity across genome

Two main tropane alkaloids variations of black henbane [hyoscyamus niger] under pgprs inoculation and water deficit stress induction at flowering stage

Plants infection with microorganisms as well as physical factors such as osmotic stresses especially drought stress induced particular secondary metabolite production. Plant root and shoot hyoscyamine [HYO] and scopolamine [SCO] variations were investigated under three water deficit stress [WDS] levels as 30 [W1], 60 [W2] and 90% [W3] water depletion of field capacity and Pseudomonas putida [PP] and P. fluoresence [PF] strains inoculation at flowering stage. Seedling radicles and culture media were inoculated with PP and PF [10[9] CFU/ml] strains. Monitoring of soil moisture levels was conducted using gravimetric method. Alkaloids extracted were identified by gas chromatography [GC] and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry [GC-MS] analysis. Results revealed that HYO was the prevalent alkaloid in root and shoot organs. The highest ratio of SCO to HYO [0.53] and the highest alkaloids both HYO and SCO content in root and shoot was observed in W3PF treatment. The largest total alkaloids [HYO+SCO] yield [25.7 mg.plant[-1]] was showed in PP treated plants under W1 conditions. Integrative use of effective Pseudomonades strains and WDS sounds to be an encouraging and eco-friendly strategy for increasing tropane alkaloids yield and content in Hyoscyamus niger root and shoot parts

[Variations of root and shoot tropane alkaloids production of hyoscyamus niger under two rhizobacteria strains inoculation and water deficit stress]

Plants infection with microorganisms as well as physical factors such as osmotic stresses induced particular secondary metabolite pathways. To investigate the growth promoting effects of two Rhizobacteria strains including Pseudomonas fluoresces [PF] and Putida [PP] in combination with application of water deficit stress on plant biomass of Hyoscyamus niger young roots and variation of tropane alkaloids content and yield in root and shoot parts. Two grams of dried each shoot and root samples was added to appropriate volume of CHCl3: MeOH: NH4OH 25%, [15:5: 1], and sonicated for 20 min. Alkaloids extracted were analyzed by gas chromatographic [GC] method using a Younglin Acme 6000 GC system equipped with a flame ionization detector [FID] and HP-5MS capillary column [30 m x 0.25 mm, film thickness 0.25 micro m]. The identification of alkaloids was based on the comparison of their GC retention time and mass spectra data with their standards substances. Results indicated that the highest alkaloid content values in root [hyoscyamine: 0.26% DW; scopolamine: 0.12% DW] and shoot [hyoscyamine: 0.85% DW; scopolamine: 0.48% DW] were achieved in PF-187 treated plants grown under severe water stress conditions [W3]. By contrast, the maximum alkaloid yield in root [hyoscyamine: 1.92 mg.plant[-1]; scopolamine: 0.83 mg.plant[-1]] and shoot [hyoscyamine: 5.88 mg.plant[-1]; SCO: 3.06 mg.plant[-1]] were obtained in PP-168 treated plants under low water stress conditions [W1]. Rhizobacteria strains can function as environmentally sound tools to increase alkaloids production and counteract growing problems under stress conditions, especially by auxin production

[Effect of pantoprazole on the rate of immunoglobulin absorption in newborn calves]

Newborn calves are agammaglobulinemic due to not receiving maternal immunoglobulin [Ig] in the uterus, and gain immunity immediately after birth through colostrum intake. Abomasum produces more acid within 24 hours after birth, leading to an increase of the probability of colostrum globulin destruction. The aim of the present study was to find if blocking acid secretion through proton pump inhibitors might prevent the destruction of colostrum immunoglobulins. Fifteen newly-born male Holstein calves were divided into five equal groups, including three control groups and two test groups. The calves were fed colostrum and milk at zero, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 and 84 hours after birth using an esophageal tube as follows: Control groups: A- calves were fed milk for 24 hours after birth, then colostrum for 72 hours; B- calves were fed milk for 48 hours after birth, then colostrum for 72 hours; C- calves were fed colostrum for 72 hours after birth. Test groups: A] pantoprazole was injected intravenously every 24 hours [2 mg/kg] and the calves were fed milk for 24 hours after birth and then colostrum for the next 72 hours. B] pantoprazole was injected intravenously every 24 hours [2 mg/kg], and the calves were fed milk for 48 hours after birth and then colostrum for 72 hours. Serum IgG, IgM and IgA levels were measured using ELISA. The results did not show any significant differences in Ig blood concentrations in the control and test groups. Therefore, it is assumed that the high pH of abomasum has no significant effect on Ig intake

Bacteriological and serological studies on mannheimia haemolytica infection in cattle slaughtered at Ahvaz [southwestern Iran] abattoir

In order to investigate the prevalence of Mannheimia haemolytica infection in cattle, nasal and nasopharyngeal swabs and blood samples were obtained from 250 cattle after slaughter at Ahvaz [southwestern Iran] abattoir. Nasal and nasopharyngeal swabs were cultured on blood agar and incubated at 37 [degree sign] C for 24-48 h. The suspected bacterial cultures were processed for isolation of M. haemolytica following routine bacteriological techniques. Sera were tested by indirect hemagglutination test [IHA] to reveal antibodies against the organism. M. haemolytica was isolated from 1.6% of the samples cattle. Statistical analysis showed that there was no relationship between age and sex with bacterial infection. Serological studies showed that 71.6% of tested sera contained antibody [titer >/= 1/16] against M. haemolytica. There was no association between age and sex with serological results

Cloning and expression of tetanus toxin C fragment [Fc] in prokaryotic vector for constructing recombinant protein based vaccine for tetanus

Tetanus is a disease caused by tetanus toxin, a potent inhibitor for the release of inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system that causes spastic paralysis. Fragment C [52 kD] of this toxin is responsible for binding to the neuronal membrane. For this reason, and also its non toxigenic and immunogenic nature, this fragment might be ideal for new vaccine development. Presently, with respect to the incidence of disease in neonates and animals and the side effects of toxoid vaccine, designing a more effective and efficient vaccine for prevention of this disease is crucial. A segment of Clostridium tetani DNA corresponding to C fragment of tetanus toxin was amplified using polymerase chain reaction. This fragment was cloned into expression vector pMalc2x, under the control of the lac promoter. Expression of this plasmid in Escherichia coli was confirmed by western blotting. In this study, the vector had a strong promoter to allow high level expression of C fragment. Based on our results it appears that this recombinant plasmid may be suitable for the production and development of recombinant vaccine and also has many other applications, such as construction diagnostic kits, production hyperimmune antiserum for serotherapy and as a vehicle for drug delivery to CNS

[Comparison of complications of laparoscopic and open hernioplasty of inguinal hernia in Hamadan Beesat hospital]

Open and laparoscopic surgery are performed around the world to treat this condition. The aim of this study is to compare post operative complications of these two surgical methods. In this randomized clinical trial 100 patients with inguinal hernia were evaluated in two groups [open group A and laparoscopic surgery group B]. Patients were followed at 1 week and 3 months post-operatively to evaluate complications such as wound infection, edema, post-operative direct hernia, hydrocele, testicular atrophy and chronic pain. Data were statistically analyzed through chi square and t-tests. In open hernioplasty group [A] there were 46 males and 4 females and in laparoscopy group [B] 44 males and 6 females [P>0.05]. Mean age in hernioplasty group was 17.6 years and 16.3 years in laparoscopy group [P>0.05]. There were 4 mild, 2 moderate and 1 severe inflammation in group A and 1 mild and 1 moderate inflammation and none wound infections in group B [P>0.05], one week after surgery. There was no wound infection, testicular atrophy and post operative direct hernia in any of the groups. Three months after surgery 4 chronic pain cases were recorded in group A and 3 in group B. One patient with hydrocele was recorded in group B. [P>0.0]. The findings of this study showed that there were no statistically significant differences in post-operative complications between either laproscopic or open hernioplasty