Hematological characteristics and reproduction indices of wild beluga [Huso huso] broodstocks from the southeast of the Caspian Sea

Hematological studies are valuable diagnostic techniques in the medical care of fish, reflecting the health condition and the effects of environmental factors on fish. Due to the high value of sturgeon fish and necessity to recover the brood stock, this study was done to provide data about hematological parameters and reproduction normative of wild brood stock beluga, Huso huso, from the southeast of the Caspian Sea. Hematological parameters including RBC, WBC, hematocrit, hemoglobin, MCV, MCH, MCHC, and differential leukocyte count were determined. In this regard, 7 male and 7 female wild broods were studied. Differences in mentioned parameters between genders were evaluated. The correlations among parameters were also determined. According to the results, the male fish had significantly higher WBC and lymphocyte and lower neutrophil compared to the females. Also, functional fecundity was 447000 +/- 157210 and weight of extracted oocytes was 35.4 +/- 3.78 mg/ cell. The oocytes' long diameter was 4.17 +/- 0.21mm and width diameter was 3.75 +/- 0.19 mm. Egg fertilization rate was 46.7 +/- 24.33%, and larvae weight was 25.48 +/- 1.56 mg. Hematological parameters of juvenile and fingerling reared beluga showed wide ranges, and there are differences in hematological parameters between reared and wild broodstock belugas. These findings highlight the importance of hematological study in wild beluga sturgeon

[Pathogenicity of Streptococcus iniae in Persian sturgeon [Acipenser persicus] fingerling]

Streptococcosis caused by Streptococcus iniae is one the most important bacterial diseases in aquaculture industry worldwide. This study was aimed to assess the experimental pathogenicity of Streptococcus iniae in Persian sturgeon [Acipenser persicus] fingerling. A number of 400 Persian sturgeon [Acipenser persicus] fingerling weighting 17 +/- 3 g were used. Fish were challenged with a virulent strain of Streptococcus iniae via both intraperitoneal and intramuscular injections at dosage of 4.7×106, 4.7×105, 4.7×104, 4.7×103, 4.7×102 cells/fish. Each treatment group included 12 fish in two replicates. Control fish received 0.1 mL per fish sterile normal saline [0.9% NaCl]. Clinically mortality started after 24 hours post-challenge and the affected fish showed listless, spiral swimming, spot haemorrhages on different parts of bodies particularly at the base of fins, the lateral line around the bone columns, on the base of barbells, mouth and around anal area. Also signs of abdominal distention, hyperemia of intestine, accumulation of bloody fluid in abdominal cavity, lordosis and scoliosis as well as hemorrhages in eyes were seen. The lethal concentration [LD50] of intraperitoneal injection was calculated 1.1×103, 8×103, 3.7×106 cells/fish after 48, 72 and 96 hours post-challenge, respectively. The LD50 of intramuscular injection was 4.8×102, 1.8×103 and 6.4×105 cells/fish at 48, 72 and 96 hours post-challenge, respectively [p<0.05]. No mortality or abnormal signs was seen in control fish up to 14 days post-experiment. The results of this study showed that Parisian sturgeon fingerling is highly susceptible to Streptococcosis

[Antibacterial activity of 7 species of medicinal plants on bacteria isolated from UTI patients in golestan province]

Urinary tract infection [UTI] is extremely prevalent in the world. Despite treatment with antibiotics, recurrency is common in the patients and there is potential for developing antibiotic resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial activity of ethanolic extracts of 7 medicinal plants on pathogenic bacteria causing Urinary Tract Infection. Plants were collected from their natural habitats in Golestan province [North of Iran]. Antibacterial effects of ethanolic extracts were analyzed by disc diffusion method. Also the Minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] of the extracts was determined by the microdilution Broth. The results showed that Berberis vulgaris was the most effective extract with 29.4 mm diameter of inhibition zone on gram positive bacteria specially S. epidermidis. A. calcoaceticus, S. aereus, S. epidermidis, and S. saprophyticus were the most sensitive bacteria with maximum inhibition zone of 20.1, 26, 29.4, 28.5 mm, respectively. P. aeroginosa, C. freundii, K. pneumonia, and P. mirabilis were the most resistant bacteria in this research. Also extracts had better antibacterial effect in amount of 100 mg/ml. The lowest MIC values was measured in Berberis vulgaris with 0.09 mg/m10 against S. epidermidis. Gram positive bacteria were more sensitive than gram negative bacteria. These plants in native's traditional medicine have been used by rural people as antiseptic for the treatment of UTI. In addition, Our results showed that Berberis vulgaris and Hypericum perforatom were have strong antibacterial effects. In addition to Traditional uses of these plants in Golestan province for the treatment of UTI symptoms, invitro evaluation and clinical trials for their effects to treat UTI is suggested for future research

[Study on phenolics and antioxidant activity of some selected plant of mazandaran province]

Plants are rich in phenolics [phenolic acids, flavonoids and Tannins]. The interest in phenolics has been increased by recent reports of their antioxidant activities. These antioxidant nutrients from food sources reduce the harmful effects of oxidative stress and offer health advantages. Total phenolics, flavonoids contents and antioxidant capacity of seven culinary plants of Mazandaran province were investigated and compared to Rosemary. Methanolic extracts of dried powdered aerial parts of plants were prepared. Total phenolic compounds in extracts were determined spectrophotometrically using the Folin- Ciocalteu reagent. Antioxidant activity assessed by using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] method. The total phenolic content of plants extracts ranged from 38.27 to 58.45 mgGAEg[1] [Gallic acid equivalent/g dried weight], flavonoid content ranged from 25.5 to 182.23 mgQUEg[1] [mg Quercetin equivalent/g dried weight] and IC[50] ranges from 55.52 to 489.9 microgml[-1]. Among the 7 different plants, Marrubium vulgare contained a higher level of phenolics and high antioxidant capacity compared to Rosemary, while Mentha spicata had the lowest content of phenolics. The antioxidant capacity determined by the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] method was lowest for of Mentha spicata. These results clearly showed the antioxidant activity could be correlated with the phenolic components content in the extracts

[ antibacterial effects of 20 herbal plants on methicillin resistant and sensitive s.aureus in Golestan provience]

Staphylococcus aurues is on important cause of community and hospital- aquired infections. Caused by methicillin or oxacillin- resistant s.aureus [MRSA] are mainly nosocomial and are increasingly from many countries word wide. Many attempt have been made by the reasearchers to find new compounds as a subsitute for this antibiotics. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of alcoholic extracts of 20 medical plants species of Golestan provience on clinical and standard strains of MRSA and MSSA and comprative and detect the best medical plant. In this study the compounds of the plant were extracted by percolation method and the effect of ethanolic extract of 20 Iranian medical plants against methicillin resistant and methicillin sensitve strains were assessed by disc diffusion method and each test were repeated 3 times and mean inhibition zone were recorded and then, the minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] of the extracts, that show good inhibition zone in disc diffusion method, was determined by the micro broth dilution method. The results of antibacterial activity of the ethanolic extracts of 20 plants revealed that, the ethamlic extracts of 8 plants have the best effect on strains and the maximum mean inhibition zone was 22.4 mm and the lowest MIC of plants was 0.01 mg/ml. The result of this study indicate that, ethanolic extract of Eucalyptus. Global, Peganum.hermla, Punica.granatum, Berberis.vulgaris, Ttamarixaphylla, Nnigella.sativa, Hypericum.perforatum AND, Artemisia. Herbaalba have the best antibacterial effect against MRSA andMSSA. The result obtained from these plants might be considered sufficent for further study

relation between amillaze activity and total protein with cigarette smoking

Normal saliva has a critical role in maintenance of oral and dental health. Saliva is the first biologic fluid to confront the inhaled cigarette smoke. Chemical compounds in cigarette may change the amount and activity of salivary proteins and enzymes. The aim of this study was to compare the total protein concentration and amylase activity in smoker and nonsmoker men before dental practice. In a case - control study, 30 smoker men with mean age of 36 years and 30 nonsmoker men with mean age of 34 years who referred to Babol dental school were studied. After completing the questionnaire and before performing any dental work salivary samples were obtained. Their salivary samples were stored in -20°C and after centrifuge of saliva specimens, a modified Biuret method was used for measurement of total protein concentration. Caraway starch - iodine method was used to determine a-amylase activity on supernatants. Data were analyzed with SPSS software and t-test. The mean salivary a-amylase activity in smokers [121.47 +/- 22.41 IU/lit] was lower than in nonsmokers [133.52 +/- 18.73 IU/lit], but total protein concentration in smokers [257.43 +/- 49.18 mg/dl] was higher than nonsmokers [193.24 +/- 31.75mg/dl]. Although the mean a-amylase activity and total protein concentration were different in saliva of smoking and nonsmoking groups, but the difference wasn't statistically significant which suggests that smoking can not significantly change salivary total protein and a-amylase activity in smokers in comparison with nonsmokers