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

Efficacy of Echinacea purpurea and protexin on systemic and mucosal immune response to Newcastle diseases virus vaccination [VG/GA strain] in commercial turkey poults

Background: it is important to understand the efficacy of immunoregulatory materials, herbal remedies or probiotics, in different parts of immune system following vaccination with different tropism

Objectives: aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Echinacea purpurea and a probiotic [protexin] on systemic and mucosal immune response in turkey

Methods: a total of 288 1-day-old male turkey poults were randomized into 6 groups as follow: Group T1: Turkeys received Echinacea purpurea at the rate of 1 ml /1 liter water and Newcastle disease virus [NDV] vaccine, Group T2: Turkeys received probiotic at the rate of 1 g /1 liter water and NDV vaccine, Group T3: Positive control, turkey received NDV vaccine without any additives. Group T4: Turkeys received Echinacea purpurea at the rate of 1 ml /1 liter water without NDV vaccine. Group T5: Turkeys received probiotic at the rate of 1 g /1 liter water without NDV vaccine, Group T6: Negative control group, neither vaccinated against NDV vaccine nor given additives. At age of 10 and 20 days, poults were vaccinated with Villegas-Glisson/University of Georgia [VG/GA] strain of Newcastle disease vaccine by eye dropper method. For systemic and mucosal antibody analyses, blood samples and tracheal lavages were collected at different ages. The titers of antibody against NDV were measured using ELISA and HI tests

Results: addition of Echinacea to the water increased the systemic IgG, IgA and HI compared to the positive control group. Protexin supplementation to the water of T2 turkeys increased serum IgG and both total and specific IgA compared to the T3 group turkeys. Generally, turkeys that were supplemented with probiotic had higher specific and total tracheal IgA antibody levels than the other vaccinated groups. Among vaccinated turkeys only T1 group showed significantly higher HI antibody titers on day 42

Conclusions: results indicated that systemic and mucosal immunity of turkeys following vaccination against Newcastle disease [ND] could be improved by supplementation of Echinacea and probiotic. The effect of Echinacea purpurea on systemic immunity of turkeys seemed more pronounced than on mucosal immunity; further, the effect of probiotic on mucosal immunity was more obvious

Dimensional stability of two polyvinyl siloxane impression materials in different time intervals

Statement of Problem: Dental prosthesis is usually made indirectly; therefore dimensional stability of the impression material is very important. Every few years, new impression materials with different manufacturers' claims regarding their better properties are introduced to the dental markets which require more research to evaluate their true dimensional changes

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate dimensional stability of additional silicone impressionmaterial [Panasil[R] and Affinis] in different time intervals

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, using two additional silicones [Panasil[R] and Affinis[R]], we made sixty impressions of standard die in similar conditions of 23 °C and 59% relative humidity by a special tray. The die included three horizontal and two vertical lines that were parallel. The vertical line crossed the horizontal ones at a point that served as reference for measurement. All impressions were poured with high strength dental stone. The dimensions were measured by stereo-microscope by two examiners in three interval storage times [1, 24 and 168 hours].The data were statistically analyzed using t-test and ANOVA

Results: All of the stone casts were larger than the standard die. Dimensional changes of Panasil and Affinis were 0.07%, 0.24%, 0.27% and 0.02%, 0.07%, 0.16% after 1, 24 and 168 hours, respectively. Dimensional change for two impression materials wasn't significant in the interval time, expect for Panasilafter one week [p = 0.004]

Conclusion: According to the limitations of this study, Affinis impressions were dimensionally more stable than Panasil ones, but it was not significant. Dimensional change of Panasil impression showed a statistically significant difference after one week. Dimensional changes of both impression materials were based on ADA standard limitation in all time intervals [< 0.5%]; therefore, dimensional stability of this impression was accepted at least until one week

[ study on the effects of garlic essential oil on growth curve and TDH toxin production of vibrio parahaemolyticus]

Vibrio parahaemolyticus causes acute gastroenteritis associated with the consumption of contaminated raw or under cooked seafood. The virulence of vibrio parahaemolyticus is initially attributed to the production of a thermostable direct hemolysin [TDH]. The survey of different concentrations of garlic essential oil [Allium sativum] on MIC, MBC, growth curve and production of TDH toxin of vibrio parahaemolyticus. The effects of garlic essential oil at concentrations of 0, 0.005, 0.015, 0.03 and 0.045% on the MIC, MBC, growth curve and production of TDH toxin of vibrio parahaemolyticus were studied in BHI model. MIC and MBC of garlic essential oil was estimated 0.03%. The essential oil showed significant effect on toxin production, Titers of TDH production in 0 and 0.005% were 1/256 comparing to 1.64 in 0.015% concentration of EO. Concentrations of 0.005 and 0.015% of garlic essential oil reduced the bacterial growth rate significantly [p<0.05] compared to the control group. Garlic essential oil showed to be effective against bacterial growth and production of TDH toxin. Its potential application in food systems may be suggested

Use of N-trimethyl chitosan for intranasal delivery of DNA encoding M2e-HSP70c in mice

Influenza outbreak has become a great lifethreatening disease in the world. Nasal vaccines can induce systemic IgG and mucosal IgA antibody responses, which establish two layers of immune defense against the infectious pathogens like influenza. Mucosal vaccines must overcome several limitations, including the mucociliary clearance and inefficient uptake of soluble antigens. Therefore, nasal vaccines require potent adjuvants and delivery systems. In this study we evaluated the effect of N-trimethyl chitosan [TMC] as a potent vehicle for DNA encoding M2e/HSP70c in order for intranasal administration in mice. Ectodomain of the conserved influenza matrix protein 2 [M2e], which has been found to induce heterosubtypic immunity, was fused to HSP70359-610 or C-terminus of Mycobacterium tuberculosis HSP70 [HSP70c] in pcDNA3.1 vector [pcDNA/M2e-HSP70c] and then encapsulated into a derivative of chitosan, N-trimethyl chitosan [TMC]. After encapsulation of the plasmid, physical properties of the particles were investigated using Zetasizer[R] 3000 the particles were then administered through the intranasal delivery in BALB/c mice. It was found that the particles had a size ranging between 90-120nm and positive surface charge. The intranasal immunization with M2e-HSP70c+TMC in BALB/c mice significantly induced higher M2e specific IgG than those induced in control groups [pcDNA/M2e-HSP70c without TMC, pcDNA/M2e, bearing M2e alone, and PBS]. The present study showed that the encapsulation of M2e/ HSP70c into N-trimethyl chitosan [TMC] could strongly induce the humoral immune response against the M2e-HSP70c plasmid without lowering the adjuvant efficacy of HSP70c

Bacterial contamination of dead-in-shell embryos in ostrich hatcheries and antimicrobial resistance patterns of isolated Escherichia coli

The bacterial contamination of fertile eggs is the most common cause of embryonic death in ostrich hatchery units leading to financial loss in ostrich industry. The aim of this research was to investigate the bacterial contamination status, with emphasis on Escherichia coli, of ostrich hatcheries and the antimicrobial resistance profile of isolated Escherichia coli. A total of 120 ostrich eggs with dead embryos, at weekly intervals, were collected from three ostrich hatcheries. The dead embryos were sent to laboratory and samples were collected aseptically from different organs. Bacterial detection and identification were performed by using standard bacteriological and biochemical techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was carried out by agar disk diffusion method against 27 antimicrobial agents. Different types of bacteria were isolated from 56 eggs [46.7%]. Twenty-four ostrich eggs were shown to carry E. coli. In some eggs, in addition to yolk sac, E. coli was also isolated from meconium, liver, or heart blood which increased the total number of E. coli isolates to 32. All E. coli isolates were susceptible to trimethoprim + sulphamethoxazole, danofloxacin, and flumequine, whereas all were resistant to carbenicillin and erythromycin. Resistance to other agents was variable. Multi-drug resistance pattern was found among all E. coli isolates and included 2 to 12 drugs. Thirty-two E. coli isolates generated 30 different resistance profiles against 27 antimicrobial drugs. This was the first comprehensive report regarding the bacterial, particularly Escherichia coli, contamination of dead-in-shell ostrich embryos and antimicrobial resistance status of the Escherichia coli isolates from ostrich eggs in Iran

comparative study of hypolipidemic activities of the extracts of Melissa officinalis and Berberis vulgaris in rats

Hyperlipidemia is a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by an excess of lipids in the bloodstream. Given previous studies on barberry and Melissa officinalis extracts, this study aims at comparing hypolipidemic activities of Melissa officiizalis extract and Berberis vulgaris. For the purpose of this study, 64 Wistar rats were selected and divided into 8 groups [n=8]. The control group was administered with ordinary diet; the sham group was administered with high-fat diet and intraperitoneally 0.2 ml/dl of the extract solvent [normal saline]; and similarly, experimental groups received minimal, moderate and maximum dosages of barberry and Melissa officinalis extracts. The treatment groups was given high-fat diet for 21 days. After this period, blood samples were taken and the gathered data were analyzed using SPSS software. The amount of cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL were increased in the model group compared to the control group, whereas the same substances were decreased significantly in the group receiving the extract compared to the model group [p<0.05]. Hypolipidemic properties of alcohol extracts of Melissa officinalis are more effective than those of Berberis vulgaris. Moreover, it should be noted that it is rather the antioxidant properties of Melissa officinalis and their effects on the increase in thyroid hormones as well as the presence of alkaloid compounds, such as berberine in Berberis vulgaris, that inhibits cholesterol synthesis and enables its excretion

[ experimental study of the effect of hydroalcoholic extracts of Chelidonium majus on liver function tests and renal in rats with hypercholesterolemia]

The People believe that herbal medicines are not toxic, but the toxicity of these drugs are reported to be seen. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate hepatic and renal toxicity is Chelidonium majus hydroalcoholic extract. In this study, 35 male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups [n=7], control group with normal diet and sham group with fat diet and experimental groups of animals hpercholesterolemia that received the minimum dose of 100, averaged 200 and maximum dose of 300 mg/kg hydroalcoholic extract Chelidonium majus [that collected from farms in the North of the country] by gavage. After this Period [21 days], blood samples were drawn and levels of liver alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alkaline Phosphatase [ALP], albumin and total Protein as well as renal creatinine and blood urea nitrogen [BUN] were measured. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 17. The ALT was not seen any significant changes between the groups treated with the extract. AST, albumin, total Protein and creatinine increased, but the amount of ALP decreased significantly in high dose of extract. BUN in groups receiving the at least extract dose was not any significant changes compared to the control group but Cholesterol had a decreased significant changes at same dose compared to the control group [p<0.05]. Since the amount of AST, albumin and creatinine extract the maximum dose is increased, especially at doses appear to extract Chelidonium majus have high toxic effects on the liver and kidneys

Use of single-enzyme PCR-restriction digestion barcode targeting the internal transcribed spacers [ITs rDNA] to identify dermatophyte species

Dermatophytes are the most common causative agents of superficial mycoses. Species identification of these fungi is important from therapeutic and epidemiological point of wive. Traditional approaches for identification of dermatophytes at the species level, relying on macroscopic and microscopic features of the colonies, usually are time-consuming and unreliable in many circumstances. Recently a broad varieties of rapid and accurate DNA-based techniques were successfuly utilized for species delineation of dermatophytes. The ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of rDNA from various reference strains of dermatophyte species were amplified using the universal fungal primers ITS1 and ITS4.The PCR products were digested by a single restriction enzyme, MvaI. The enzyme was evaluated in both in silico and practical PCR-RFLP assay to find the exact differentiating restriction profiles for each species. To validate the standardized PCR-RFLP system, all tested strains were subjected to sequencing and sequence analysis. The obtained RFLP patterns were specific for many species including T. interdigitale, T. rubrum, T. violaceum, M. persicolor, M. audouinii, M. nanum [A. obtusum] and E. floccosum but were similar for some closely related species such as M. canis / M. ferrugineum. Sequencing of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 fragment from all type strains affirmed the RFLP findings. It was practically revealed that the ITS-PCR followed by MvaI-RFLP is a useful and reliable schema for identification and differentiation of several pathogenic species and can be used for rapid screening of even closely related species of dermatophytes in clinical and epidemiological settings

[Comparison study of quality control standards between private and public medical diagnostic laboratories in Shiraz- 2011]

Medical diagnostic laboratories play an important role in diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the diseases. Today's without assisting of the laboratories, conserving of public health and outbreaks prevention of infectious and genetic diseases is impossible. In this research the cases determined by the department of health and medical education questionnaire in quality control of public and private laboratories. This study is a cross sectional [descriptive and analytic] in which 20 private medical diagnostic laboratories and 16 training centers were selected. The quality control standards were reviewed and compared. From 12 items of the questionnaire the two following items, rules and regulations in both private and public laboratories gained the highest priorities with 100% private and 93% governmental laboratories respectively. The lowest score was related to testing quality control of the laboratories with that of public and private ones, 82% and 75.7 percent respectively. In all that cases, governmental laboratories and training centers were rated lower than private labs. This study showed that both private and public laboratories' score were under below of standards. Governmental laboratories were rated lower than private labs. In private laboratories, identifying errors and in the governmental laboratories, testing quality control should be considered

Synchronous contra lateral transitional cell carcinoma [TCC] of the kidney and bladder

Synchronous upper urinary tract tumor and superficial bladder tumor are uncommon. This is a report of a 62- year- old man presented with episode of painless gross hematuria and flank pain. We worked him up and found a left renal mass and bladder lesion. He underwent nephrectomy and TUR-BT, and the pathology report of both showed a high grade urothelial transitional cell carcinoma. The patient was followed by surveillance protocol for ureter stump. Our report included an uncommon case of high grade synchronous upper urinary tract and bladder transitional cell carcinoma

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

EEG signals processing for diagnosis petitmal [absence] and grandmal epilepsies using artificial neural network

Epileptic seizures are manifestation of epilepsy. Understanding of the mechanisms causing epileptic disorder needs careful analyses of the electroencephalograph [EEG] records. The detection of epileptic form discharges [spike wave] in the EEG is an important component in the diagnosis of epilepsy. Approximately one in every 100 persons will experience a seizure at some time in their life. Already intelligence spike detection method discucsed but purpose of this research is diagnosis of different kind of epilepsy [grandmal and Petitmal] by design of an intelligence diagnosis processing. In this descriptive study, 100 EEG signals of brain hemispheres from different person in healthy, interictal and ictal conditions were used. Fifty Hz noise and artifact signals were removed by soft ware procedure then signals separated by expert neurologist to three categories, healthy [frequency band 8-12 Hz], petitmal seizures [typical 3 Hz], grandmal seizures [clonic stage with 4 Hz frequency] and divided each of them to 6 seconds segments. Information of this signals [background alpha, spike and slow, poly spike and poly sharp] were extracted by wavelet transform and classified by soft ware procedure neural network to there groups healthy, ptitmal and grandmal epilepsy. In designed software accuracy of diagnosis ptitmal and grandmal epilepsies was obtained about 80%. This method introduced intelligent diagnosis of epilepsy [ptitmal and gradmal] and automatically detected healthy person from epileptic patients. One of the other advantages is help to neurologist for detection of sickness clearly and expendable different kinds of other epilepsy

[Comparison of ethanol, methanol and succinate effects as carbon sources on effluent biological denitrification]

Increase of nitrate concentration in water sources is becoming a serious problem in many parts of the world. Nitrogen containing compounds released into environment can create serious problems, such as eutrophication of water sources and hazard potential to human health, because it has potency of causing methemoglubinemia disease and cancer. Between recommended methods, biological denitrification is an effective method to remove nitrate from water and wastewater. In this study, biological nitrogen removal process was evaluated using ethanol, methanol and succinate as different organic carbon sources in batch scale. The different parameters, carbon source, initial nitrate concentration, pH, and inoculated of bacteria were evaluated. The experimental results were showed that bacteria can not use methanol as carbon source. The dinitrifyers bacteria can dissimilate 200 mg/L No3-N, in the optimum condition: 28 °C, pH 7.2 and initial inoculation of 3x 10[8] CFU/ml, respectively. In the process, produced nitrate-N was less than 1 mg/I. The bacterium Pseudomonas stuizeri can use ethanol as carbon source for biological denitrification, but efficiency of succinate was better than ethanol

Gastrointestinal helminthic parasites in Stray cats [Felis catus] from North of Iran

Cats play a crucial role in the epidemiology of gastrointestinal helminthic parasites and also play a major role in transmitting of these parasites through faecal contamination of soil, food or water. The aim of this study was to determine the species of gastrointestinal helminthes parasites in stray cats from a rural area of Bandar-e-Anzali, Iran. Gastrointestinal helminthes were collected from 50 necropsied stray cats [Felis catus] after capturing them by trapping from different regions of the city and humanely euthanatized in Bandar-e-Anzali, a port in the Caspian Sea in northern Iran, from March to November 2003. The prevalence of infection was 90%, with those of individual parasites being Diplopylidium nolleri 54%, Physaloptera praeputialis 32%, Ancylostoma tubaeforme 20%, Joyeuxiella pasqualei 10%, Toxocara cati 8%, Pterygodermatites affinis 6%, Ancylostoma caninum 4%, and Taenia taeniaeformis 2%. Concurrent infections with two or more parasites were recorded in 34% of the individuals. In relation to the sex, the differences were not significant. P. praeputialis, T. cati, D. nolleri and sometime J. pasqualei are the commonest Helminthes in cats. This is the first reported isolation of P. affinis and A. caninum infections from cats in Iran

Detection of antisperm antibodies by indirect flow cytometry: Comparison with direct mixed agglutination reaction test

The immunobead binding test [IBT] and the mixed agglutination reaction [MAR] are the most commonly used methods for detection of antisperm antibodies [ASA]. The detection of ASA by flow cytometry [FCM] was first described by Haas and Cunningham. Both assays can be performed as direct or indirect methods. In this study, indirect FCM was compared with the direct MAR for detection of ASA. Semen samples were obtained from 80 men [infertile couples] in Isfahan Fertility and Infertility Center. Seminal plasma samples were incubated with ASA-negative donor sperm. Then, surface-bound antibody was detected with FITC-labeled antihuman immunoglobulin directed against IgA and IgG in the indirect FCM assay. ASAs bound to the surface of patients' sperm were detected by direct MAR test. The indirect FCM correlates with direct MAR for detection of IgA antisperm antibodies [r=0.55 and P=0.006]. The indirect FCM, however, does not correlate with direct MAR for the detection of IgG antisperm antibodies [r=0.25 and P=0.25]. Some of the ASAs in seminal fluid bind to spermatozoa. Therefore, indirect tests to detect ASAs in seminal plasma are likely to miss the presence of IgG antisperm antibodies while they effectively detect IgA antisperm antibodies

removal of color and COD from wastewater containing water base color by coagulation process

In this study acrylic water base color was removed from synthetic wastewater using coagulation process. Experiments were conducted on the sample containing 100 mg/L and 400 mg/L of acrylic water base color. Destruction of color by means of coagulation/flocculation techniques using ferrous sulfate, alum, lime and polyelectrolyte [cationic, anionic and non ionic].The study was performed in a systematic approach searching optimum values of alum and FeSO[4] concentration, pH and temperature. All the experiments were run in a laboratory scale. The obtained results show that treatment with alum and ferrous sulfate alone proved to be very effective in removing the color [> 99%] and part of COD [60-70%] from aqueous solution. Lime alone did not significant change on COD and color removal

Personality characteristics in patients with migraine headaches

To determine the personality characteristics in patients with migraine headaches. The sample group of this cross-sectional study included 96 adult patients suffering from migraine who were randomly selected to be tested by Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory [MMPI], from which eight Personality scales [hypochondriasis depression, schizophrenia, psychopathy, paranoia, psychasthenia, hysteria and mania] were reviewed. Of all participants, 77 were female, 66 were married, 58 had a college degree or higher education and the patients' mean age was 32.8 years. As of personality characteristics, the symptoms of somatization, hysteria and obsessive-compulsive disorder were more prominent in women, whereas depression, anxiety and psychasthenia were the main features of MMPI test interpretation among men. Patients with migraine headaches have specific personality features that may affect the initiation and exacerbation of headaches and the symptoms of migraine disease. Considering the personality and psychologic aspects of these patients could be beneficial in their management

[The effect of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid on skin wound healing in chronic diabetic rat]

The potential role of omega - 3 [omega-3] and omega - 6[omega-6] fatty acids on wound healing is of interest and controversial. In the present study, the effect of dietary intake of fish oil [omega-3 diet] and corn oil [omega-6 diet] on skin wound healing has been investigated in rat. This experimental study was performed on four groups of male rats [one normal group and three diabetic groups]. Diabetes was induced by subcutaneous injection of 50 mg/kg streptozotocin. In diabetic groups, one group was control and received STZ alone, and the other two diabetic groups were respectively fed with oral Fish oil [Fo group] and corn oil [co group] from 4 weeks after the induction of diabetes till complete wound healing. All animals were wounded by a 4 cm vertical incision in the midline of dorsum 8 weeks after diabetes induction. Wound surface area, percentage of wound healing, vessels density, and epidermal growth were measured at various post-operated periods. The results showed that, surface area of wound in co group was less than that of FOtreated rats and control group at the 7[th] post - operative day. Moreover the percentage of wound healing in co group was 97% at the 20[th] day, while this parameter in FO group and control group were 66% and 71.3% respectively. Although vessels density and epidermal growth in control group were significantly less than those of normal group, no significant difference was found between both FO and CO groups with control group in this regard. Moreover, FO diet and CO diet had an inhibitory effect on increased plasma glucose in diabetic rats by 46.8% and 40.7% respectively. Diabetic rats demonstrated increased plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDLC levels, but this change was significantly decreased by both diets at the end of 7[th] week. FO and CO diets also caused an increase in plasma HDL level comparing to the control group. We concluded that, corn oil [omega-6 diet] supplementation can result in an acceleration of skin wound healing in chronic diabetic rats, but fish oil have no effect. These actions of corn oil may be mediated through changes in inflammatory or fibroplasias stages of wound response