BACKGROUND: Cheese is recognized as a source of foodborne illness worldwide.OBJECTIVES: In this study, the growth inhibition of Aspergillus flavus inoculated on Iranian white cheese was investigated using cold atmospheric plasma and Zataria multiflora essential oil individually and in combination along with their effect on the sensory properties of cheese .METHODS: Slices of cheese cut in the presence and absence of 100 ppm of Zataria multiflora essential oil were exposed to cold atmospheric plasma for 2 and 5 minutes and stored in a refrigerator for 60 days. Afterwards, they were incubated in 5 time intervals (days 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60) and each was evaluated over a period of 10 days at 25 °C.RESULTS: Based on the results, the plasma inhibitory effect had a pattern dependent on the plasma flow time and the increase in the flow time reduced the radial growth rate of mold. At all times of plasma flow, a significant inhibitory effect was observed on the mold growth compared to the control group (P<0.05). In terms of growth inhibition percentage, the lowest inhibition was detected in the presence of essential oil alone and the highest inhibitory property resulted from 5 minutes of plasma flow with essential oil. There was no difference between the sensory properties of plasma-treated cheese and the essential oil in combination with those of plasma-treated samples alone. The findings also showed that the addition of essential oil had no effect on the sensory properties of cheese.CONCLUSIONS: Gliding arc plasma has inhibitory effects on the growth of Aspergillus flavus mold in cheese without adverse sensory changes, but the conditions must be optimized for industrial applications.

BACKGROUND: Microencapsulation of probiotic bacteria is an area that has rapidly expanded over the recent years. It is one of the new methods of improving probiotics stability, through which the biological agents are protected with an enclosed coating to release the active agents within the coating at a controlled rate in time and under special conditions.OBJECTIVES: The present study the aims to evaluate the effect of Lactobacillus plantarum microencapsulation with chitosan/alginate microparticles on the oxidative response of Nile tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus).METHODS: Herein, 240 pieces of Nile tilapia, with an average weight of 15.56±0.02 g, were randomly divided into four groups as follows: group1 or control with a diet without probiotics, groups 2, 3, and 4 respectively with a diet containing 108 Log CFU/g of unencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum, a diet containing microencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum, and with feed containing alginate with chitosan without the presence of bacteria. They were fed for 60 days at the rate of 2 % of body weight twice a day.RESULTS: The activity level of oxidative enzymes, biochemical factors, and liver enzymes of the Nile tilapia fish were investigated. The findings revealed that oxidative enzymes, biochemical factors, and liver enzymes were positively affected in the groups with microencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum (P<0.05). The three enzymes of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase were higher in the micro-encapsulated probiotic group compared to the two groups of probiotics and alginate with chitosan without the presence of bacteria, and all the three groups performed better compared to the control (P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: Microencapsulation of probiotics maximizes the efficiency of probiotics in reducing oxidative stress.

In bovine tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis, cattle are known as the main host, and sheep are relatively resistant. Sheep become infected only when there is very close contact between cattle and sheep or when the mycobacterium is abundant in the environment. In the present study, a case of generalized tuberculosis was reported in the sheep of the Sanandaj slaughterhouse.The examined animal carcass was transferred from the slaughterhouse to the University of Kurdistan microbiology laboratory and was dissected under complete health safety conditions. In the carcass examination, necropsy lesions (generalized tubercular granulomas) were visible in different organs and mediastinal lymph nodes, bronchioles, mesentery, and liver portal system. These lesions were seen in the lymph nodes of different body parts, including the lung, liver, digestive system, reproductive system, bladder, and different muscles, including the peritoneal muscle, diaphragm muscle, and abdominal muscles.Diagnostic tests included clinical observations, Ziehl-Neelsen staining for Mycobacterium bacteria, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) molecular technique. In Ziehl-Neelsen staining, Mycobacterium acid-fast bacilli were seen in red color on the pale blue background of the slide. Also, the product of 499 base pairs was amplified in the specific PCR reaction, which confirmed Mycobacterium bovis.The present report shows that Mycobacterium bovis strains present in the region can be transmitted to sheep and cause disease with severe clinical symptoms. This report is critical, particularly for mixed cattle and sheep farming. Since cattle and sheep are kept together in many breeding farms in Kurdistan province, special attention was paid to the possibility of transmission of bovine tuberculosis to sheep and humans.

BACKGROUND: Over the recent years, Neospora caninum has been one of the most important causes of abortion in dairy cattle. OBJECTIVES: We conducted the present study in order to investigate the seroprevalence of N. caninum in dairy cattle in Semnan province and its effect on abortion. METHODS: 237 blood samples were obtained from various Semnan dairy farms and 104 bulk dairy samples from four milk collection centers in Semnan, Garmsar, Damghan, and Shahrood were tested for sera and milk utilizing ELISA (Svanova Biotech AB) test kits. RESULTS: The results revealed that 87.27 % of bovine serum was positive. The percentage of opacity density (OD) of positive sample (PP) ranged from 72.17 to 137.3 (114.21±24.65). In addition, the average rate of milk seroprevalence to the parasite was 95.23 % in Semnan province. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of Neospora caninum infection in blood and milk was high in Semnan, yet no significant relationships were observed with abortion (p < /em>>0.05).

BACKGROUND: It is possible for Sex reversal of eggs with female embryo using anti-aromatase agents, and the hatchlings have an improved performance. OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to survey the effect of in ovo injection of 0.1 mL Nettle (Urtica dioica) and mushroom extracts and Fadrozole hydrochloride as anti-aromatase agents  on sex differentiation of broiler chickens. METHODS: 366 fertile eggs from Ross 308 strain broiler breeders were divided into 4 groups. At the beginning of the fifth day of incubation in ovo injection operation was carried out. A control group was injected with 0.1 mL distilled water. The hatched chickens were then reared in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 6 replicates for 42 days. RESULTS: In ovo injection of 0.1 mL of fadrozole hydrochloride, mushroom and nettle extracts led to 100, 66.67 and 37.5 percent sex reversal, respectively (p < /em><0.05). During the whole of the experimental period, daily feed intake and daily weight gain of chickens of fadrozole hydrochloride and mushroom extract groups were higher than those on the control and nettle extract (p < /em><0.05). Fadrozole hydrochloride reduced levels of serum triglyceride and VLDL (p < /em> <0.05), but there was no significant difference in cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels (p < /em>> 0.05). White blood cells and hematocrit percentage were not affected by experimental treatments (p < /em>> 0.05). Compared with other treatments, in ovo injection of mushroom extract caused a significant increase in the number and average diameter of muscle fibers (p < /em><0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study confirm the significant anti-aramatogenic properties of the mushroom extract and the positive effect of in ovo injection of  mushroom extract on the sexes reversal and improvement in performance of broiler chickens.

BACKGROUND: Due to the numerous biological effects of nanoparticles, nanotechnology can play a major role in future research areas in the poultry industry. OBJECTIVES: The SNP have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties that are increasingly used in poultry farms. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of SNP on carcass and laying performance, qualitative and quantitative characteristics of eggs, fertility and hatchability in Japanese quail. METHODS: 96 quails including 24 male quails and 72 female quails were assigned to 4 experimental groups with 6 replications in a completely randomized design. The experimental groups consisted of 0 (control), 4, 8, and 12 ppm SNP, which were given to the birds in drinking water. Quantitative and qualitative parameters of eggs and determining the percentage of fertility and hatching were performed on a weekly basis. Also, at the end of the experiment, body weight and relative weight of internal organs were measured. RESULTS: The relative weight of liver and kidney organs increased in the SNP-receiving groups as compared to control (p < 0.05). There was a significant decrease in egg weight in SNP- receiving groups compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The effect of experimental groups on relative yolk weight was not significant. Albumin weight and yolk to albumin ratio increased in two groups of control and 8 ppm SNP, respectively (p < 0.05). Egg thickness and shape index decreased in groups 4, 8, and 12 ppm SNP as compared to control (p < 0.05). However, the effect of different experimental groups on quantitative and qualitative parameters of eggs including eggshell weight, eggshell membrane, and egg volume was not statistically significant. The SNP-receiving groups caused a dramatic increase in fertility rate as compared to control (p < 0.05); furthermore, the increase in hatchability rate in SNP groups was not significant (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study showed that the use of 4 and 8 ppm SNP can improve the laying performance, fertility and hatchability rates in Japanese quail.

BACKGROUND: Bovine tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis is an important disease that has negative effects on public health and entails economic loss. Traditional controlling programs for cattle  focus on test and slaughter strategy, and false positive is one of the disadvantages associated with tuberculin skin test. To overcome this limitation, proteins with high specificity have to be utilized. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to clone and express virulent protein CFP-10 from Mycobacterium bovis AN5. METHODS: Full-length genes of cfp-10 were amplified by PCR technique. In parallel, pET23a(+) and PCR products were double digested by EcoRI and HindIII. Ligation was performed at 16˚C followed by transformation into competence E. coli DH5α. After being identified with sequencing, the cloned vector was transformed into E. coli BL21. Induction was performed by isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). Urea 8M was used to dissolve the expressed protein in the inclusion body form. Recombinant protein was purified by Nickle-Resin, and urea was eliminated by decreasing the gradient. RESULTS: The CFP-10 gene clone was proved by sequencing method. The CFP-10, as a 10 KDa protein, was confirmed by Western blotting using monoclonal antibodies. Based on the results, the recombinant protein was successfully cloned and expressed. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that cfp-10 gene was successfully cloned and expressed in prokaryotic system, indicating that this recombinant protein could be utilized in diagnostic kits against bovine tuberculosis in the future.

BACKGROUND: Cystic echinococosis (CE) is known to be one of the most important zoonotic diseases in different parts of Iran. Even though it causes major health problems, there is limited information regarding its transmission cycles and strain of this infection in eastern Iran. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to characterize the strain of Echinococcus granulosus cysts in the slaughtered sheep and goats in Birjand area using morphological and molecular criteria. METHODS: Isolates of E. granulosus were collected from sheep (30) and goats (30) from Birjand slaughterhouse and characterized employing both DNA (PCR-RFLP of ITS1) and morphological criteria (metacestode rostellar hook dimensions). In addition, the fragments of the genes coding for ITS-1 were sequenced. RESULTS: Among the two different identified strains/genotypes (sheep and camel), the sheep strain appeared to be the most common genotype of E. granulosus affecting sheep and goats. All of the 30 sheep samples and 20 out of 30 goat samples were infected with sheep strain. However, the camel genotype was only observed in the goats and 10 out of 30 goat isolates were infected with the camel genotype. The camel genotypes had RFLP patterns, which were different from the RFLP patterns of the rest of isolates (sheep strain). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study revealed that the ‘sheep’ strain was the most prevalent strain in sheep and goats in this area. Moreover, the camel genotype (G6) was confirmed to trigger infection in the slaughtered goats of Birjand area.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress is involved in pathogenesis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Lutein is a herbal compounds with antioxidant properties. OBJECTIVES: The current research aimed to evaluate the effect of lutein on body weight and histomorphometry of uterus in experimental PCOS induced with Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in mouse models. METHODS: Twenty-four female NMRI mice aged 20 days and weighing 14-17 g were randomly assigned to four equal groups: control, experimental PCOS, and PCOS treated groups with 125 and 250 mg/kg lutein. The induction period of PCOS with oral administration of DHEA (6 mg/100 g, daily) was 21 days and lutein treatment was followed by the induction period of 28 days. The mean body weight of the groups was evaluated on day 0, day 21 (at the end of DHEA treatment), and day 49 (at the end of treatment period) with lutein. The mean diameter of the uterine wall, the mean overall thickness of the uterine wall, the average thickness of the endometrium, myometrium and uterine epithelium, along with the number of endometrial gland branches were measured utilizing light microscope. RESULTS: The results revealed that body weight in the PCOS group was significantly higher than that in the control group on days 21 and 49. Treatment with 125 and 250 mg/kg of lutein reduced body weight in the lutein treated groups compared with PCOS (p < /em><0.01). The mean uterine wall diameter, mean total uterine wall thickness, mean thickness of endometrium, myometrium, and uterine epithelium with the number of uterine endometrial branching were significantly lower in the control and lutein treated groups compared to those in the PCOS group (p < /em><0.05). The use of both doses of lutein (125 and 250 mg / kg) significantly improved uterine histopathological indices, particularly the mean uterine wall diameter (p < /em>=0.0001) compared to the PCOS group. CONCLUSIONS: Lutein could improve the side effects of induced PCOS by DHEA on body weight and uterine parameters.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported the application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for the treatment of equine musculoskeletal disorders. Bone marrow (BM) and adipose tissue (AT) are the main sources for isolation of MSCs. Although the MSCs derived from various sources have similarities, certain differences have been reported in terms of biological, proliferative, immunological, and differentiative characteristics. They are also different concerning gene expression profiles. So, comparative gene expression analysis on mRNA level via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) is believed to be of great value for better characterization of MSCs from different sources.