ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: It has become established that Helicobacter pullorum could be isolated from raw chicken meat. AIMS: This study was aimed to develop a novel culture method (protocol B) to isolate H. pullorum from chicken meat by adding some modifications to the traditional culture method (protocol A), and as a consequence to compare their sensitivity, specificity, and the accuracy of these methods with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. METHODS: 400 chicken meat samples were collected from various retail markets and supermarkets. Each sample was processed by protocol A, protocol B, and PCR test. RESULTS: Out of 400 samples, 77 (19.25%), and 163 (40.75%) were culture-positive by protocol A and protocol B, respectively. Using PCR test as a gold standard, 196 (49%) samples were identified as H. pullorum. The specificity for both protocols was determined 100%, while the sensitivity of protocol B and protocol A was assessed 83% and 39%, respectively. Also, the higher and lower accuracy belonged to protocol B (92%) and protocol A (70%), respectively. CONCLUSION: The methodology designed herein can provide a suitable, approximately sensitive, specific, and accurate method to cultivate H. pullorum from chicken meat.
ABSTRACT
Vitamin D has been shown to play physiological functions beyond calcium and phosphorus homeostasis and control bone metabolism in the body since its cellular receptors are present in numerous tissues. A total of 20 healthy bulls were divided into four groups to evaluate the effect of different doses of vitamin D3 on the number of bovine blood cells. Groups A, B, C, and D received 11,000, 22,000, 33,000, and 44,000 units/kg of vitamin D3, respectively. The control group was injected with 10 ml of physiological saline intramuscularly. Blood samples were taken before the injection, as well as 2, 4, and 6 days after the injection; furthermore, the white blood cell counts (including granulocytes and lymphocytes), hematocrit, haemoglobin, and platelets were examined by a cell counter. The results showed that vitamin D could cause leukopenia (e.g., neutropenia and lymphopenia), thrombocytopenia, as well as an increase in hematocrit and hemoglobin levels in the blood. Although the mentioned increase or decrease is largely dose- and time-dependent, the first and best group to indicate this is group B. To find the second group, the investigation of the long-term effects of injections, especially in high doses, and evaluation of different tests are required with larger groups over a longer period.
Subject(s)
Cholecalciferol , Vitamin D , Animals , Calcium/metabolism , Cattle , Cholecalciferol/pharmacology , Dietary Supplements , Male , Vitamin D/metabolism , Vitamin D/pharmacologyABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Scrophularia striata water extract on the quality and shelf life of the rainbow trout fillet during superchilled storage. Fish samples were treated with 1% and 3% S. striata water extract and then stored at -2°C for 20 days. The samples were analyzed periodically for chemical, microbial and sensory characteristics. Results indicated that incorporation of S. striata water extract on rainbow fillets caused the delay of lipid peroxidation and hydrolytic spoilage in 3% treated sample in comparison with the control sample at the last day of the experiment (P<0.05). Moreover, fish fillets containing 3% S. striata water extract showed lower bacterial count than the control and 1% water extract supplemented samples (P<0.05) during the experiment. According to sensory analysis results, 3% treated samples were acceptable even at the end of the 20-day storage. It was concluded that the effect of S. striata extract on fish samples was to retain their good quality characteristics and extend the shelf life during superchilled storage.
