BACKGROUND: One of the most artificial sweeteners is Aspartame which is commonly  used in a variety of foodstuffs. Objectives: This study has been carried out in order to evaluate the effects of Aspartame on histology and histometry of duodenum. Methods: Forty female Balb/C mice, 21 days of age were selected and initial weight was determined. The treatment groups received 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of Aspartame for 6 weeks, control group received only distilled water. At the end of experiment, the mice were reweighed. Then the duodenal tissue sections were prepared and stained with H&amp;E. Besides the histological study, histometric data were collected by a light microscope equipped with Axiovision software. Results: The body weights in treatment groups (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) were 5.57±1.18, 4.47±0.89 and 5.84±0.57 respectively, which in comparison with the control group (9.38±0.81) showed a significant difference (p<0.05). The histological study showed that the rate of destruction in the cells and mucosal structures, at the dose of 200 mg/kg compared to the dose of 100 and 400 mg/kg has been increased. In histometric aspect, abundance of duodenal villi, height of the villi and thickness of duodenal mucosa, only in the experimental group of 200 mg/kg were significantly increased compared to the control group (p<0.05). Whereas the width of villi (width of the apex, body and the base), in all of the experimental groups showed a significant decrease compared to the control group (p<0.05). The thickness of musculature of duodenum in experimental groups had no significant differences with the control group. Conclusions: Based on this study, it can be concluded that Aspartame can cause some histological and histometrical changes in duodenum.

BACKGROUND: Salmonella Enteritidis in poultry is one of the main causes of illness that can be controlled effectively by some plant compounds, antibiotics and probiotics. OBJECTIVES: This study compares the effect of rosemary, thyme, propolis, antibiotic and probiotic on the immune system and blood parameters of broilers challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis.  Methods: Four hundred and twenty 1-day- old male broiler chicks Cobb strain were divided into seven groups: including rosemary ethanol extract, ethanol extract of propolis, ethanol extract of thyme, and probiotics, virginiamycin (10%) and positive and negative controls, and were reared for 6 weeks. At the end of experiment chickens were sampled and slaughtered. RESULTS: The results showed that plant extracts with probiotics can improve the immune system, reduce serum lipids, reduce harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and E.coli and increase the beneficial bacteria such as lactic acid bacteria. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the herbal extracts and probiotics can be used as an alternative to antibiotics in broiler diets.

BACKGROUND: Mastitis is an important health disorder in dairy herds which affects milk production, animal reproduction and production. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to estimate the cumulative incidence of mastitis in dairy herds in Tehran province.  METHODS: From 679 dairy herds in Tehran province that have more than 50 animals, 32 dairy herds were selected randomly and animals that had calved from March 2007 to March 2008 were followed until the next calving or culling. In total 10506 animals were included in the study. The information on number, parity, occurrence of mastitis was gathered from registry forms. RESULTS: Cumulative incidence of mastitis in this study was calculated 35.8% (95% Confidence interval (34.9-36.8), 3764 animals of 10506). Incidence of mastitis was increased by the increasing parity of animals, and animals in fifth parity have the most incidence. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed the incidence of mastitis in this area is very high and it is necessary to control it.

BACKGROUND: The Mesobuthus eupeus scorpion venoms are known to contain α-toxin peptides, many of which interfere with K+ ion channel function. These toxin peptides have important value in  the pharmacology and physiology studies of specific K+ channel of cells. OBJECTIVES: Given the  lack of information of the molecular biology of peptides in the toxin of Iranian scorpions, the aim of this study is Amplification and Analyses of cDNA sequence coding for a peptide toxin from the venomous gland of the Khuzestan province scorpion Mesobuthus eupeus. METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from the venom glands of scorpion Mesobuthus eupeus collected from  Khuzestan province of Iran and then cDNA was synthesized with the modified oligo (dT) primer. By applying the Semi-nested RT-PCR using homologous primers, the fragments of 227 bp were amplified and sequenced. RESULTS: The full-length sequence of coding region was 174 bp which  contained an open reading frame of 57 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 6.434 KDa and theoretical pI of 5.12. It contains a signal peptide of 19, propeptide of 4 and a mature peptide of 34 amino acids. For comparison of this peptide with the similar sequences registered in NCBI database, BLAST program was used. This protein with homology to the “Scorpion toxin-like domain” belongs to the Toxin-6 super family. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple alignment of the putative amino acid sequence of this gene exhibited the highest sequence identity with lesser Asian scorpion M. eupeus venom potassium channel α-toxin-1. This high sequence similarity indicates that this gene is a member of α-toxin from the Iranian Mesobuthus eupeus.

BACKGROUND: Atrazine is one of the most important and effective pollutants in aquatic ecosystems. The widest sugar cane farms of the Middle East are located in Khouzestan province, Iran. Large amounts of Atrezine are being used in farming on these farms.                  Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate acute toxicity (LC50 96 h) of atrazine on Barbus grypus and the effects of chronic toxicity with sub-lethal concentration of atrazine on hematological parameters as well. Methods: 180 B grypus were divided into 4 equal groups (5, 10 and 20% of LC50 96 h and control). Blood samples were taken on days 0, 7, 14 and 21 of experiment. Hematological parameters including hemoglobin level, hematocrit, and red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), and globular indices were measured and compared among the groups. Results: LC50 96 h was measured 65 mg l-1. Hematological parameters were  significantly affected by chronic toxicity of atrazine. Hemoglobin, hematocrit and RBC were decreased at all sampling periods in fish exposed to different levels of atrazine (p<0.05). There were no significant changes in globular indice values among the groups in sampling periods (p>0.05). For all samples, WBC value was decreased significantly on day 21 (p<0.05). Conclusions: Based on the results, it can be concluded that chronic atrazine toxicity adversely affects hematological parameters of B. grypus.

BACKGROUND: Lactococcus lactis is one of the lactic acid bacteria that can be considered as a probiotic in Persian sturgeon. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to increase the resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila after feeding the L. lactis JF831150. METHODS: In the present study, first 60 fish were fed different doses of L.lactis JF831150 for 56 days. The bacterial flora were counted with  TSA and MRS. Resistance of fish against A. hydrophila were considered after feeding. RESULTS: The use of L. lactis JF831150 for 56 days in P. sturgeon showed significant improvement in decreasing heterotrophic aerobic bacteria flora and increasing the lactic acid bacteria in the intestine. In the face of fish against A. hydrophila in third treatment (108 CFU/g), the survival rate was shown to be significantly higher than the control and other treatments. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that consumption of L. lactis JF831150 (108 CFU/g) could improve the intestinal flora and increase resistance to A. hydrophila, and therefore has  potential for use  with P. sturgeon.

BACKGROUND: Probiotics have more functional effects and less survival  under hard acidic-bile circumstances of digestive system, and foodstuff products situation has persuaded investigators to find techniques to resolve this problem. Microencapsulation as a useful method has a perceptible effect in this regard. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the protective role of double coated beads of calcium alginate-chitosan-eudragit S100 achieved from microencapsulation of Lactobacillus acidophilus as a predominant flora of human and animals gut. Methods: Following activation of starter culture of L.acidophilus in MRS-broth medium,  centrifuge (at aspeed of 5000 rpm for 10 minutes) was used to purify bacteria. Extrusion technique was used for Microencapsulation of probiotic bacterium. The survey of beads solidity was carried out for 12 hours and the study of survival of microencapsulated bacteria was done for 120 minutes inside hydrochloric acid, phosphate buffer and digestive powder solution.  MRS-Salicin-agar and pour plate method and incubation at 37oC for 48 h was done for cultivation. Data were analyzed by means of an independent t-test. Results: Shape and size of beads were shown by optical microscope. The consequences demonstrated that survivability of microencapsulated bacteria in the mentioned conditions, in both situation with and without mechanical tensions, is significantly more than free bacteria (p<0/05). Conclusions: Microencapsulation with calcium alginate- chitosan-eudragit S100 plays a significant role  in increasing the rate of L. acidophilus viability.

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) possess a variety of virulence genes that are involved in the pathogenesis of infections caused by this agent. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of the genes encoding collagen binding (cna) and fibronectin binding (fnb) adhesion factors in Staphylococcus aureus isolates from food and clinical specimens. METHODS: During the time period 2010-2013, a total of 38 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from clinical specimens and 32 isolates from food samples were collected. All isolates were identified biochemically and subjected to DNA extraction. The accuracy of DNA extraction from each isolate was confirmed by PCR amplification of aroA gene and then the presence of cna and fnb genes in the extracted DNAs was assessed by PCR, using the specific primers. RESULTS: The results showed that among 38 isolates from clinical specimens, 15 (39.5%) &amp; 32 (84.2%) and among 32 isolates of food origin 10 (31/2%) and 16 (50%) isolates had cna and fnb genes respectively. Thirteen clinical (34.21%) and 6 food isolates (18.7%) were positive for both fnb and cna genes and 4 clinical (10.5%) and 12 food isolates (37.5%) were lacking both genes. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, it is concluded that, although these adhesion genes are not present in all Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates, but their prevalence is high and using the products of these genes in vaccines may be effective in protecting against infections caused by this bacterium.

BACKGROUND: One of the most important heart diseases in dogs is chronic valvular disease which can be evaluated by diagnostic ways such as physical examination, electrocardiography, echocardiography and…. Traditionally, the evaluation of heart function has been accomplished by electrocardiography, radiography, and echocardiography. Within the past 15 years, cardiac biomarkers, primarily cardiac troponin and natriuretic peptides, have become a mainstay for both the diagnosis and patient monitoring in human heart disease. Recently, veterinary research has provided insight into the utility of these blood-based cardiac biomarkers in canine and feline patients. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the current study was to evaluate  the chronic valvular disease and assess its  severity via evaluation of circulating amino terminal-pro-B-type natriuretic peptide. METHODS: This survey was done on 20 dogs which had valvular disease and on 20 control dogs. Serum NT-pro BNP concentration was measured with an ELISA validated for use in dogs. Results of physical examination, thoracic radiography, echocardiography, and serum biochemical analysis were recorded for dogs with cardiac disease. RESULTS: Serum NT-pro BNP concentration was significantly higher in dogs with cardiac disease than in control dogs.  Serum NT-pro BNP concentration in group B2 and C was correlated with left atrial to aortic ratio. CONCLUSIONS: According to this study, results suggested that serum NT-pro BNP concentration could be a useful adjunct clinical test for diagnosing chronic valvular disease and assessing the severity of disease in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that high intake and level of omega-3 have a positive impact on insulin sensitivity in the tissues. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the effect of omega-3 fat supplementation on glucose metabolism and insulin in  Mahabadi kid. METHODS: Twenty-eight Mahabad goat kids (3 to 4 months, with an average initial weight of 17 ± 5 kg) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, with 2 types of feeding frequency (twice or 4 times in a day) combined with 2 types of fat (saturated fat and fish oil in 2% of DM) to investigate the effect of omega-3 fat supplementation and feeding time frequency on glucose and insulin metabolism. Goats were fed individually for 90 days. On day 70 an intravenous glucose tolerance test was performed after 20 hours of food deprivation. Blood samples were collected at -15, -10, -5, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120 and 180 min after glucose injection. Data were analyzed using the SAS GLM procedure. RESULTS: The IVGTT indicated that Omega-3 supplementation had a significant effect (p<0.05) on glucose clearance rate (CR). On the other hand, with increasing feeding frequency, kids had higher glucose clearance rate (K) and lower glucose half-life. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that dietary supplementation with omega-3 fat and increased feeding frequency of diet improved glucose and insulin metabolism.