BACKGROUND: Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) can induce major changes in the function of different organs, including the liver. Studies have indicated that ischemic post-conditioning (HIPO) can protect the tissues against ischemia-reperfusion injury.OBJECTIVES: To investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of ischemia post-conditioning against the IRI of the rat liver through four 30-second cycles of alternating ischemia and reperfusion, before 24-hour persistent reperfusion.METHODS: Fifteen rats were randomly divided into 3 groups 1) operation control group, 2) ischemia-reperfusion (IR) group whose liver was exposed to 60-miute ischemia of by 24-hour reperfusion and 3) ischemic post-conditioning (IR+IPO) group underwent the same procedure as the second group except that before persistent reperfusion, the rats were subject to post-conditioning by four 30-second cycles of alternating ischemia and reperfusion. The changes induced by IRI and the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of ischemic post-conditioning were assessed by the serum level of IL-6 using the ELISA method, malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). RESULTS: Ischemic post-conditioning potentiated antioxidant effects and reduced the inflammation caused by the IR in the liver. The serum level of IL-6 reduced from 394.4±126.4 to 124.4±29.07 pg/ml (post-conditioning group), and the tissue MDA reduced from 431.4±76.53 to 207.2±25.77 nmol/g) compared to the IR group. The data revealed that the levels of the indices returned almost to the level of the operation control group (P<0.001). Additionally, the total antioxidant capacity of the liver significantly improved (P<0.01) from 11.58±1.87 (in the IR group) to 17.53±2.51 mmol/mg (in the IR+IPO group).CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates that the protective effect of ischemic post-conditioning against IR-induced injury may be mediated through decreasing inflammation and improving antioxidant activities.

BACKGROUND: Recently, a subpopulation of monocytes expressing Tie2 receptors has been identified, playing an important role in tumor angiogenesis. Selective depletion of Tie2-expressing monocytes in tumor-bearing mice can inhibit tumor angiogenesis. Some of these macrophages have been shown to be located near the tumor blood vessels, forming vessels in these areas paracrinely during the angiogenesis process.OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the role of putative phosphorylation sites on Tie2 receptor in tumor- associated macrophages connected to human endothelial cells.METHODS: In this study, we used a series of Tie2 mutants. After transfection of tumor-associated macrophages  with these mutants, they were evaluated for physical connection using the surface plasmon resonance technique and by non-contact co-culture of these macrophages with endothelial cells.RESULTS: Mutation in the tyrosine residues 1106 and 1111 had an inhibitory effect on macrophage binding to endothelial cells, resulting in deterioration of the angiogenic activity of these cells.CONCLUSIONS: Tie2 receptor and its downstream molecular pathways such as AKT/PI3 have a role in the interaction of tumor-associated macrophages with human endothelial cells, directly (via physical binding) and indirectly (through secretion of factors affecting angiogenesis). This emphasize the importance of the molecular mechanisms of Tie2 receptor activation in the interactions of endothelial cells with tumor-associated macrophages and as an anti-angiogenic therapy for cancer.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, the interest in functional food has dramatically increased. Herbal plants and functional foods have health-enhancing effects on consumers due to their medicinal, antioxidant, and nutritional properties. Probiotics are one of the most emerging and popular functional food products. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess the effect of irradiated and non-irradiated saffron petal extract on the viability of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (M4PM99) in probiotic yogurt.METHODS The ethanolic extract of irradiated saffron petals with a 10 KGy dose of gamma ray at concentrations of 25, 50, and 75 mg/mL and non-irradiated extract at the same concentrations were used and their effect on the viability of Lacticaseibacilus paracasei and their antioxidant and physicochemical properties in set yogurt were studied. Probiotic survival, pH, acidity, content of total phenolic compounds, DPPH inhibition percentage, and sensory properties on days 0, 7, 14, and 21 were assessed.RESULTS: Both irradiated and non-irradiated saffron extracts significantly increased the viability of probiotic bacteria compared to the control sample (P<0.05). The addition of extracts was effective in increasing acidity and decreasing pH compared to the control (P<0.05). With the increase in the amount of extract, the percentage of DPPH inhibition and phenolic compounds significantly increased in the irradiated samples (P<0.05). The effect of storage time was also significant on these indicators, such that the antioxidant properties and phenolic compounds increased until the 14th day and then decreased (P<0.05). In the sensory evaluation, in terms of taste, odor, and color, the lowest score was related to the sample containing 0.75% extract. No significant difference was observed in other concentrations compared to the control sample.CONCLUSIONS: Saffron petal extract has a positive effect on the viability of probiotics during storage. Gamma irradiation has a significant effect on the amount of total phenolic compounds and the antioxidant activity of saffron petal extract. It can be used as a natural antioxidant in dairy products.

BACKGROUND: The H9N2 avian influenza is one of the most important viral diseases of poultry in Asian countries. Continuous mutations in the hemagglutinin (HA) protein as the main viral antigen make interpreting the HA-based serology test results difficult.OBJECTIVES: In this experimental study, the ability of polyclonal antibodies against the conserved motif of HA protein in detecting heterologous H9N2 isolates was evaluated.METHODS: Based on the bioinformatics data, a conserved motif of HA protein was selected and expressed in the pET-28a(+) vector. The recombinant peptide was mixed with an oil adjuvant and injected into specified pathogen free (SPF) chickens to produce the polyclonal antiserum. Similarly, antiserum from the inactivated virus was prepared. The efficiency of the prepared antisera was evaluated in the cross hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test using the homologous and heterologous H9N2 viruses.RESULTS: The average titer of HI antibody against homologous and heterologous viruses using the polyclonal antiserum was equal to five. This titer was estimated to be seven for the homologous virus and much lower for heterologous viruses with inactivated virus antiserum. The difference was statistically significant.CONCLUSIONS: According to the evaluations, this antiserum has a suitable efficiency in identifying different isolates of the H9N2 virus, and compared to the usual antiserum, it detects different antigens of a subtype more accurately. The resulting polyclonal antiserum does not contain non-specific inhibitors, which may cause problems interpreting serological findings. The results showed that polyclonal antiserum could identify H9N2 viruses isolated in different years by HI test; however, its validation requires testing with more viruses.

BACKGROUND: Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is created by the connection between the mandibular condylar process and the mandibular fossa of the temporal bone in all mammalian species. This is a synovial joint and has a fibrocartilage disc. The joint disorders affect mastication, movements of TMJ, and mandibular functions. TMJ imaging can be evaluated by radiography; however, CT imaging is preferred, since the images have no superimposition and present more details of different structures and therefore show a more accurate evaluation of TMJ.OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to provide accurate statistics on TMJ disorders and to evaluate their prevalence based on CT-scan findings in dogs and cats.METHODS: In this study, 265 cases of cats and dogs (102 cats and 163 dogs) were evaluated. A total of 59 cases (38 cats and 21 dogs) had temporomandibular joint disorders. In this study, information on sex, breed, and age regarding TMJ disorders were described in detail.RESULTS: In the evaluated CT images, osteoarthritis, fracture, dislocation (luxation and subluxation), ankylosis, osteochondrosis, dysplasia, and osteomyelitis were observed.CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that although the total number of dogs was larger than that of cats, the incidence of temporomandibular joint disorders was higher in cats than in dogs. The most common disorders in cats and dogs were fractures, followed by dislocations (luxation and subluxation), and then osteoarthritis exhibited the highest frequency. In the next rank of frequency in cats, ankylosis and then osteomyelitis were observed. Additionally, osteochondrosis and dysplasia and then ankylosis were observed in dogs in the next ranks.

BACKGROUND: Cadmium is a heavy metal harmful to animals and humans. Exposure to it causes inflammation, apoptosis, or necrosis in numerous tissues, including the adrenal.OBJECTIVES: The present research investigates the effect of cadmium toxicity on the expression of genes involved in inflammation and fibrosis. Inflammation increases the rate of parenchymal cell death, and fibrosis will only fill the place of dead cells without being able to perform the function of the primary parenchyma.METHODS: In this research, cadmium chloride with a concentration of 20 mg/kg was added to the diet of ten mice in two groups of five. On the 30th day of the study, the adrenal glands were quickly sent to the laboratory. The expression of NF-kB/MAPK, hematoxylin, eosin tissue staining, and immunohistochemistry (CD163) were performed.RESULTS: The inflammation mentioned in others’ research can also be associated with the activation of the nuclear factor kappa (NF-kB) pathway. NF-κB gene products initiate mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and p38 pathways. Previous studies indicate that MAPK induces necrosis or apoptosis in tissues. In histopathology, dense and possibly pyknosis nuclei are more common in the cadmium group. The higher expression of the CD163 molecule in the cadmium group reveals the beginning of the fibrosis process after chronic inflammation.CONCLUSIONS: This report provides more basic data to investigate the mechanism of adrenal damage in cadmium poisoning. Cadmium causes the death of cells by affecting the inflammatory pathways. Additionally, the stimulation of the fibrosis process causes greater irreparable damage to the damaged tissue of the adrenal gland.

BACKGROUND: Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) is an anaerobic Gram-positive bacillus with spores, whose biotype A is responsible for a variety of diseases, including intestinal inflammation, bloody diarrhea, and gas gangrene, and hemorrhagic bowel syndrome. Genetic variety can explain the bacteria’s phenotypic diversity, geographic distribution, host specificity, pathogenicity, antibiotic resistance, and virulence. A molecular method using the pattern of DNA bands classifies bacteria based on the size of fragments produced by enzymatic digestion of the genome.OBJECTIVES: This study aims to standardize the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)- restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method in identifying the genetic diversity of C. perfringens biotype A isolates.METHODS: The genomic DNA of the investigated strains was extracted, and the complete sequence of the alpha toxin gene locus was synthesized using specific primers designed by PCR technique. Enzymatic cleavage of the synthesized amplicons was performed with the Mse l restriction enzyme, and the resulting fragments were separated by electrophoresis and analyzed by ImageJ and NTSYSPC software.RESULTS: The findings showed that the alpha toxin gene locus sequence may change and is not conserved. In this research, 4 different patterns were identified based on enzymatic cleavage. Mutations in this locus can lead to diversity in C. perfringens biotype A and the creation of new strains.CONCLUSIONS: The results of this research showed that the alpha toxin gene locus could be considered a DNA molecular marker in C. perfringens, and the PCR-RFLP technique can be used as a tool for typing this bacterium and estimating the phylogenetic relationships through comparative studies of nucleotide sequences.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have investigated the positive effect of chitosan and nano-chitosan loaded clinoptilolite on growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, and intestinal histomorphology in different fish species. However, there are no data evaluating the potential effect of the composites on the fish stomach.OBJECTIVES: In the current study, the effects of chitosan and nano-chitosan loaded clinoptilolite on histological features and pepsin activity in the rainbow trout stomach were considered.METHODS: Chitosan and nano-chitosan loaded clinoptilolite were synthesized, and then two hundred and forty fish (~27.75 g) fish were distributed in eight groups each in three replicates. Ten days after adaptation, the fish were fed with eight diets, including control diet (CTR), clinpotilolite (T1), chitosan composites (T2, T3, T4), and nano-chitosan composites (T5, T6, T7) for 70 days. Afterward, all fish in each tank were anesthetized in clove extract (50 μl/l), and tissue samples were obtained for pepsin activity (n= 5) and histological assay (n = 5).RESULTS: The groups administrated with nanochitosan composites showed the highest pepsin activity (P˂0.05). Additionally, histological examinations exhibited a higher epithelial height, increased mucosal density, and oxynticopeptic cells hypertrophy in fish fed composites compared to the CTR group (P˂0.05). Meanwhile, nanochitosan composite administration could cause higher reaction of secreted granules to periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) staining.CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrated the potential application of chitosan and nano-chitosan loaded clinoptilolite composites for improvements in the histomorphology and pepsin activity of the rainbow trout stomach, resulting in higher growth performance.

BACKGROUND Agricultural pesticides can cause environmental pollution and damage to aquatic organisms. Bensulfuron-methyl is a widely used herbicide in agricultural fields, especially rice fields. Despite the solubility of Bensulfuron-methyl in water and its entry into aquatic environments, limited research has been conducted on the toxicity of this herbicide in aquatic organisms.OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the effects of chronic toxicity of Bensulfuron-methyl in common carp (Cyprinus carpio).METHODS: The fish were divided into four groups. Group 1 was considered as a control, and groups 2, 3, and 4 were exposed to 10 %, 20 %, and 30 % of the 96 h lethal concentration 50 of Bensulfuron-methyl equal to 0, 0.162, 0.324 and 0.486 g/L.  After 21 days, blood samples, serum levels, and liver tissue of fishes were analyzed.RESULTS: The number of white blood cells increased in groups 2 and 3 (received 0.162 and 0.324 g/L Bensulfuron-methyl) compared to group 1, while a significant decrease was observed in group 4 (received 0.486 g/L Bensulfuron-methyl) compared to other groups. The number of red blood cells, the amount of hemoglobin, and the percentage of hematocrit in groups 3 and 4 showed a significant decrease compared to other groups, and the values of mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were not significantly different in any groups. The amount of total serum protein in groups 3 and 4 decreased significantly compared to the control group. Serum glucose showed a significant increase in groups 3 and 4 compared to other groups. The values for aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase enzymes showed an increasing trend with the increase of Bensulfuron-methyl concentration. The most liver tissue damage was observed in group 4, which included hyperemia, hepatocyte vacuolar degeneration, edematous cell infiltration, bile duct hyperplasia, and hepatic necrosis.CONCLUSIONS: The increase in the concentration of Bensulfuron-methyl can cause liver tissue damage and changes in hematological and serum biochemical markers in common carp.

BACKGROUND: Milk and dairy products are important sources of food-borne pathogens. Non-pasteurized dairy products are popular due to home production, beliefs about their higher nutritional value, high accessibility, and taste.OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the consumption pattern of local dairy products in women in Qom, Iran, in 2022, and determine the affecting factors.METHODS: In this cross-sectional study conducted in 2022, 319 women in Qom were selected using a stratified random sampling method. Their demographic information (age, educational level, employment status, and income) and consumption of local dairy products were surveyed. In addition, a questionnaire based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) with 32 items and 4 subscales (attitude towards nutrition, subjective norms, behavioral intention, and nutritional behavior) was completed. The data was analyzed in SPSS software using ANOVA, and Chi-square test.RESULTS: Overall, the consumption rate of local milk was 82.3 %; yogurt, 85.1 %; cheese, 57.3%; cream, 53.7 %; butter, 42.3 %; and curd, 33.9 %. Regarding the daily consumption rate, the highest consumption rate was related to milk (13.9 %) and yogurt (11.8 %), and the lowest consumption was related to curd (3.1%) and cream (5.1 %). The type of dairy consumed was significantly related to behavioral intention and nutritional attitude (P<0.05). There was a significant difference in the type of consumed dairy in terms of the husband's occupation (P=0.001), but there was no significant difference in terms of educational level, marital status, employment status, and relationship with the villagers (P>0.05).CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of local dairy products consumption, especially milk and yogurt, is high in women living in Qom. Their behavioral intention to consume healthy dairy products is at good level, but they do not have proper nutritional attitude and nutritional behavior. Therefore, the risk of developing common zoonotic diseases, including brucellosis and crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is high in Qom.