Edible film based on corn zein containing dill extract and essential oil/ß-cyclodextrin inclusion complex: Shelf life enhancement of common carp fillet.

The aim of this study was to examine the impacts of corn zein edible film (Z) fortified with dill leaves extract (DE) and encapsulated dill essential oil with ß-cyclodextrin (nDEO) on the quality of refrigerated common carp fillet. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis showed that the most frequent substances of DEO were apiol (35.1%) and carvone (31.4%), respectively. Designated treatments were as follows: (1) Control (C), (2) Z, (3) Z-DE, (4) Z-DEO, (5) Z-nDEO, (6) Z-DE-DEO, and (7) Z-DE-nDEO. The physicochemical properties (thickness, moisture percent, tensile strength, elongation at break, Young's modulus, color, morphology, functional groups, and thermal resistance) of the activated films significantly improved (p ≤ .05). The total viable counts, lactic acid bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and psychrotrophic bacteria significantly decreased in all wrapped fillets compared to the unwrapped ones (p ≤ .05). Throughout storage period, the wrapped fillets exhibited lower changes in pH, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and total volatile-based nitrogen values than the unwrapped fillets. According to the sensory findings, incorporating DE and nDEO in the zein films created significantly desirable aroma and flavor in the wrapped samples during storage time (p ≤ .05). Encapsulation of DEO with ß-cyclodextrin significantly fortified preservative effects of the films in fish fillets during storage period (p ≤ .05). In conclusion, the designated composite zein edible film containing DE and nDEO can be introduced as an active edible packaging in the shelf life improvement of common carp fillets during cold storage.

Comparison of the individual salinity and water deficit stress using water use, yield, and plant parameters in maize.

Though water deficit and salinity effects on plants have similarities, they are physiologically different. This motivated us to separately explore the effects of salinity and water deficit on water consumption, yield, and some plant parameters for maize (Zea mays L., var. SC704). Greenhouse experiments were conducted during two seasons. In one experiment, maize was cultivated in wet soil (matric potential of - 10 kPa), and the irrigation water salinity was varied between treatments (osmotic potentials up to - 336 kPa). In a parallel experiment, five water deficit levels were maintained by irrigating with water to accomplish the same daily water uptake as in the salinity treatments. The experiments were conducted in pots with a randomized design and four replicates. Salinity and water deficit stress significantly affected yield and other plant parameters. However, root dry matter in autumn was not significant. We observed a profound effect of evaporative demand on most of the plant parameters and water use, such as water use efficiency (WUE). For same water use rate, the values of osmotic and matric potential were different. In spring season, the ratios of matric to osmotic potential were 0.25, 0.46, 0.44, and 0.43 in corresponding D1, D2, D3, and D4 water deficit and S1, S2, S3, and S4 salinity treatments. For autumn season, these ratios were 0.26, 0.36, 0.34, and 0.36. We concluded crop models that lump water deficit and salinity (additively or multiplicatively) to predict yields can result in inappropriate predictions.

The effect of biochar on severity of soil water repellency of crude oil-contaminated soil.

Crude oil contamination adversely affects soil water repellency. In this study the effect of biochar on this soil characteristic has been investigated in the laboratory. Soil sample was collected from a field located near Pars Oil Company, at the top depth of 0-15 cm below surface. After air-drying and passing through a 2-mm sieve, the soil was artificially contaminated with four levels of crude oil (1:0, 1:25, 1:16.6, and 1:12.5 ratios). Biochars used in this research were generated from beechwood and maize residues at three different pyrolysis temperatures (350 °C, 550 °C, and 750 °C). Chemical functionality of all biochar samples was determined using Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry. Sufficient amounts of beechwood and maize biochars, passed through a 0.053-mm and 2-mm sieves, were mixed into crude oil-contaminated soil at the rate of 0, 0.5, 1, and 2% of total dry soil weight. The mixed samples were then laboratory incubated for 90 days at 24 °C and 10% soil moisture. Water repellency was measured using water drop penetration time (WDPT). The experimental results showed that functional groups on the biochars' surfaces produced at the studied temperatures were distinct. Beechwood and fine size of biochar showed more ability in reducing the hydrophobicity. The produced biochars, at higher temperature, had more potential to alleviate water repellency due to the strong interactions between functional groups of biochars and crude oil. The highest amount of biochar used (2%) significantly alleviated water repellency.

Root-induced changes of Zn and Pb dynamics in the rhizosphere of sunflower with different plant growth promoting treatments in a heavily contaminated soil.

Root induced changes are deemed to have an important role in the success of remediation techniques in contaminated soils. Here, the effects of two nano-particles [SiO2 and zeolite] with an application rate of 200mgkg-1, and two bacteria [Bacillus safensis FO-036b(T) and Pseudomonas fluorescens p.f.169] in the rhizosphere of sunflower on Zn and Pb dynamics were studied in greenhouse conditions. The treatments reduced the exchangeable Zn (from 13.68% to 30.82%) and Pb (from 10.34% to 25.92%) in the rhizosphere compared to the control. The EC and microbial respiration/population of the rhizosphere and bulk soil had an opposite trend with the exchangeable fraction of Zn and Pb, but dissolved organic carbon followed a similar trend with the more bioavailable fractions. As a result, the accumulation of Pb and Zn in the plant tissues was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by the application of amendments, which might be due to the shift of the metals to immobile forms induced by the nature of the treatments and changes in the rhizosphere process. The empirical conditions of this research produced the intensification of the rhizosphere process because the findings highlight those changes in the rhizosphere EC, pH and dissolved organic carbon can affect the efficiency of zeolite/SiO2 NPs and bacteria to immobilize Pb and Zn in the soil, depending on the chemical character of the metals and the treatments. Generally, the affinity of the biotic treatment for Pb was more than the abiotic and conversely, the abiotic treatment showed a higher ability to immobilize Zn than the biotic treatment.

Geochemical fractions and phytoavailability of Zinc in a contaminated calcareous soil affected by biotic and abiotic amendments.

Many studies have conducted to determine the best management practice to reduce the mobility and phytoavailability of the trace metals in contaminated soils. In this study, geochemical speciation and phytoavailability of Zn for sunflower were studied after application of nanoparticles (SiO2 and zeolite, with an application rate of 200 mg kg-1) and bacteria [Bacillus safensis FO-036b(T) and Pseudomonas fluorescens p.f.169] to a calcareous heavily contaminated soil. Results showed that the biotic and abiotic treatments significantly reduced the Zn concentration in the aboveground to non-toxicity levels compared to the control treatment, and the nanoparticle treatments were more effective than the bacteria and control treatments. The concentration of CaCl2-extractable Zn in the treated soils was significantly lower than those of the control treatment. The results of sequential extraction showed that the maximum portion of total Zn belonged to the fraction associated with iron and manganese oxides. On the contrary, the minimum percent belonged to the exchangeable and water-soluble Zn (F1). From the environmental point of view, the fraction associated with iron and manganese oxides is less bioavailable than the F1 and carbonated fractions. On the basis of plant growth promotion, simultaneous application of the biotic and abiotic treatments significantly increased the aboveground dry biomass yield and also significantly reduced the CaCl2-extractable form, uptake by aboveground and translocation factor of Zn compared to the control treatment. Therefore, it might be suggested as an efficient strategy to promote the plant growth and reduce the mobile and available forms of toxic metals in calcareous heavily contaminated soils.

Zinc and Manganese of serum were negatively, but Copper positively influenced by Iron elevation in diet of male Wistar rats.

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of dietary iron on distribution of zinc, manganese, copper, calcium and magnesium in the body of Wistar rats. Commercial Sangak, an Iranian traditional flat bread was used in this study. It was prepared by additionof yeast and sourdough. Different doses of iron (35, 70, 140, and 210 mg/kg per diet) were added to bread vehicle for 30 days with or without baking soda (250 mg/kg per diet). The concentrations of the above elements were determined by graphite furnace and flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. Serum zinc and manganese concentrations were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in rats that received higher concentrations of iron compared to the controls. Serum iron, and copper concentrations increased significantly (P < 0.05) with an increase in dietary iron compared to the controls. Increments of dietary concentrations of iron raised the concentration of iron, zinc and manganese in the feces, and lowered the concentration of copper and calcium in the feces (P < 0.05). Diets that contained baking soda showed a statistically significant increase in phytic acid (P < 0.05). Lower serum iron was seen in rats that received baking soda with diet of the control group. Conversely, feces iron and zinc were increased in this group. It is concluded that iron absorption might interfere with zinc and manganese because of similar physicochemical properties. Knowledge about these interactions is essential when supplementation of some elements is recommended in populations with a high risk of some deficiencies such as iron and zinc.

Prevalence of diabetes mellitus after extra corporeal shock wave lithotripsy in 15 years follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the hypothesis that extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) increases the risk of new onset diabetes mellitus (DM) or significant changes in fasting blood sugar (FBS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total number of 307 patients enrolled in this study. All of them had undergone ESWL for kidney stone from 1991 to 1994. In 2009, after 15-19 years, we invited patients to check their blood sugar. RESULTS: There were 307 patients, 19.8% females, and 80.1% males. The mean age of the patients was 44 for females and 42 years for males. 47.5% had kidney stone in the left side, 42.9% in the right side and 9.4% bilateral. The mean FBS increasing was 11.86 g/dl. It was 14.54 g/dl for the right side, 8.57 g/dl for left and 16.24 g/dl for bilateral ESWL. DISCUSSIONS: The increasing of FBS is more significant in shock wave intensities higher than 15.5 KV. And there wasn't any significant relationship between age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and total number of shock waves with increasing of FBS. ESWL treatment might associate with increasing FBS without any relation to age, sex and BMI.

Effects of Simple and Microencapsulated Lactobacillus acidophilus With or Without Inulin on the Broiler Meat Quality Infected by Avian Influenza Virus (H9N2).

The aims of the present study were to investigate the effects of simple and microencapsulated Lactobacillus acidophilus as probiotic with or without inulin as prebiotic on meat quality of broiler infected by avian influenza virus (H9N2). Two hundred-day-old chicks were randomly allocated into 14 groups based on simple, microencapsulated probiotic and prebiotic and based on vaccination and challenge with H9N2 virus. Groups 1-7 contained 20 chicks, and groups 8-12 and 14 contained 10 chicks. Group 13 was derived from group 1 with 10 chicks at challenge day with avian influenza virus (AIV). Half of the groups were vaccinated by H9N2 vaccine on day 5. All groups except the negative control and positive vaccine control were challenged with 106.5 EID50 of low-virulence H9N2 AIV at day 21. Each bird was received 109 CFU of simple or microencapsulated probiotic on days 0 and 17 by gavage. Prebiotic as dose as 0.1 % of feed weight was used daily. Increase in water-holding capacity, dry matter, ash and protein content, and decrease in dripping loss plus beneficial changes in lightness and redness of breast meat were detected in response to probiotic especially microencapsulated synbiotic. In conclusion, probiotic alone or with prebiotic was able to improve the physicochemical properties of chicken breast muscle in both healthy and AIV-infected chickens.

Endohelminths of European pond turtle Emys orbicularis in Southwest Iran.

Very little is known about parasitic diseases of European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) in Iran. The objective of this study is to examine parasitic fauna of European pond turtles collected from Fars province, southwest Iran. Carcasses of turtles (n = 52) which died during dredging procedure are collected from earthen fishery basins in Zarghan region. They have been died earlier during dredging procedure in different farms. Three species of helminths in total were found in gastrointestinal tract, including two nematodes (Serpinema microcephalus and Falcaustra araxiana) and one digenean trematod (Telorchis assula). Large intestines of all examined turtles were infected by F. araxiana (100 %, Mean intensity = 18) and this nematode were also found in gastric nodules. Nine turtles (17.3 %, 3 male, 6 female, Mean intensity = 3) were infected with Serpinema microcephalus. T. assula were found in 25 turtles (48.07 %, 5 male, 20 female, mean intensity = 5). Helminths were not found in any examined organs and no ectoparasite found eighter. F. araxiana is the most prevalent nematode in European pond turtles. Detection of Serpinema.microcephalus is in agreement with the fact which this parasite is common parasite of turtles in all over the world. T. assula might be transmitted between variety of reptiles so presence of the trematod should be considered as a risk factor for other reptiles.

Renal vascular Doppler resistance after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

OBJECTIVES: Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is mainly an alternative for other therapeutic methods such as surgery and endourology to treat urinary tract calculus. Although it is safe and effective, it has undesirable effects on renal function. Diagnostic techniques such as color Doppler ultrasonography create a new attitude toward renal function. The aim of this study was to evaluate renal vascular resistance change before and after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. METHODS: During the present study, vascular resistive index (RI) of renal intralobar artery was measured before, 30 min, and 1 week after ESWL using Doppler ultrasonography. RESULTS: Thirty minutes after ESWL, RI was significantly increased from primary value of 0.62 ± 0.05 to 0.66 ± 0.06 (p = 0.0001). There was no correlation between increase of RI and patients' age. Following up the patients revealed that mean RI did not return to pretreatment level after 1 week (p < 0.05). The RI level in the old patients (3 patients who were 60 years or older) was higher than that of the younger ones (19 patients who were younger than 60 years) after 1 week (0.76 ± 0.05 vs. 0.64 ± 0.06). There was no meaningful relationship between ESWL voltage or number of shocks and RI variation before and after ESWL. CONCLUSION: Following ESWL, patients are at risk of renal tissue damage due to increase of primary RI level. Measuring RI variations using ultrasound techniques after ESWL may provide helpful information to clinical detection of renal tissue damage.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy in patients with previous open nephrolithotomy: one-shot versus telescopic technique for tract dilatation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) can be done in patients who have previously had open nephrolithotomy. Currently, dilatation of the nephrostomy tract is achieved using an Amplatz renal dilator or telescopic metal dilators in these patients. The aim of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of the "one-shot" procedure in patients with previous open nephrolithotomy with those of the current telescopic technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients with past history of open surgery for kidney stone disease underwent PCNL at our institution from February 2006 to March 2007. Patients were randomly divided into two groups according to dilation technique used: group A (telescopic procedure) and group B (one-shot procedure). X-ray exposure, blood loss, and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: No significant difference in hemoglobin decrease was seen in the two groups. The stone-free and complication rates were the same in the two groups. Fluoroscopy time during the one-shot procedure was significantly shorter than that of the telescopic procedure (P < 0.000). CONCLUSION: Our experience indicated that the one-shot procedure is feasible in patients with previous open nephrolithotomy. It is as safe and effective as the telescopic procedure, with significant reduction in x-ray exposure.