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: Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection is one of the most important diseases in healthcare facilities and community. Ribotypes 027 and 078 are known as hyper-virulent strain of C. difficile in molecular study. PCR-ribotyping is a suitable method to interpret the relation of C. difficile isolated from food and hospital. Objectives: In the present study, the clostridim difficile binary toxin (cdtB) and ribotype pattern evaluated in toxigenic C. difficle isolated from beef. Methods: Detection of cdtB in 12 toxigenic C. difficile (encoding tcdA and tcdB gene) isolated from 100 beef samples was determined through PCR. Afterwards, PCR-ribotyping was performed to examine the ribotype patterns of C. difficile. Results: cdtB gene was not detected in any positive isolate. Ten different patterns were observed in 12 toxigenic isolates. No similarity existed in the ribotypes of our study with ribotypes 027 and 078. Conclusions: Albeit  ribotyp 027 and 078 were not found in our study, the isolation of toxigenic C. difficile with new ribotypes in Iran may indicate the probable hazard of this bacterium in public health. Comprehensive research about C. difficile in different food sources is recommended on a national level.

BACKGROUND: The term ‘‘marinated fish’’ is used to define semi-preserved fish made by immersion in a solution of organic acids or vinegar and salt. Objectives: This study was conducted to compare  nutritional value (Lipid, Protein, Moisture, Ash, pH), chemical (TVB-N, PV, TBA, FFA) and sensory attributes, microbial communities (TC, Mold) and fatty acids profile of cooked and fried marinades and 30 days storage at 4°C. Methods: The marinades were produced using formulas from Silver carp fresh fillets. Then the products were stored at 4°C and sampling was done to determine of quality indexes during storage, every 10 days. Results: The results showed that there were no differences in moisture, protein and lipid contents between two products (p>0.05). Also, there were no differences with regard to  PV, TBA and FFA between two marinades (p>0.05), but TVB-N in cooked and fried products (with 16.46 and 18.91 mg/100g) showed significant  changes (p<0.05). In addition, total  bacteria count was 4.19 and 4.89 and total mold-yeast was 2.47 and 2.60 Logcfu/g at day 30 in cooked and fried marinades, respectively (p<0.05). As sensory aspect, appearance, color, texture and odour attributes showed  better points in fried marinade,  cooked product had more acceptable  taste (p<0.05). However, there was no difference in overall acceptance. Omega-3, omega-6 and EPA+DHA fatty acids had higher amounts in fried marinade (p<0.05). Cooking reduced the UFA amount, but conversely, frying increased it. Conclusions: Quality of both marinades was acceptable during 30 days storage refrigerator, but fried marinade showed a preferred quality as sensory attribute.

BACKGROUND: Comparison between Infectious Bursal Disease vaccines. OBJECTIVES: Comparison between foreign and Iranian intermediate uncloned Gumboro vaccines on feed conversion ratio. METHODS: Three hundred and thirty day-old chicks were purchased and for determination of vaccination time by Deventer formula, thirty chicks were randomly bled and the remaining chicks divided into 3 equal groups, each group was divided into 4 equal subgroups with the same mean weight. On the basis of Elisa results and vaccine instructions, chicks of group 1 and 2 were vaccinated by uncloned intermediate Gumboro vaccine manufactured by Lohman Company, Germany and Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Iran subsequently at 16 and 23 days by drinking water. One group was kept as unvaccinated control group. Mean feed intake, weight gains, feed conversion ratio and B:B ratio of 3 groups  were determined at 16, 23 and 42 days. At the end of experiment B:B ratio was measured in 3 groups. RESULTS: This study showed that foreign and Iranian intermediate uncloned Gumboro vaccines had negative effect on mean weight gains and both vaccines atrophied bursa of Fabricius, but had no effect on mean feed intake and feed conversion ratio. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that foreign and Iranian intermediate uncloned Gumboro vaccines had no effect on feed conversion ratio.

BACKGROUND: Increase of people’s awareness about side effects of chemical food preservatives has raised public interest to consume products with natural preservatives such as essential oils. Garlic (Allium Sativum L.) is one of the medicinal plants in traditional medicine of Iran and it is necessary to evaluate its antimicrobial effects on some food borne bacteria such as E.coli O157:H7. This bacteria has low infectious dose and causes hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic-uremic syndrome. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to evaluate inhibitory effect of garlic essential oil (Allium Sativum L.) on growth of E. coli O157:H7 and shiga-toxin 2 (Stx2) production. METHODS: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of garlic essential oil was evaluated by broth microdilution method and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) methods. Effect of subinhibitory concentrations (subMICs) of garlic essential oil on bacterial  growth over 72 h (at 35 °C) evaluated by surface plate counting and production of Stx2 were evaluated by kit (VTEC-RPLA). RESULTS: MIC and MBC of garlic essential oil were estimated 0/02% and 0/04%, respectively. Concentrations of 0.005%, 0/01% and 0.015% of garlic essential oil reduced the bacterial growth. Concentration 0/015% after 72 h reduced 2 log10 (cfu/ml) growth rate and was the most effective concentration. Concentration 0/005% reduced Stx2 production and higher concentrations inhibited Stx2 production. It was found that the effect of different concentrations of essential oil on growth and production of Stx2 by E. coli O157:H7 were statistically significant (p≤0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Garlic essential oil showed to be effective against bacterial growth and production of Stx2. This study indicated that garlic essential oil can be used as natural preservative in food system.

BACKGROUND: Glutamine supplementation to the pre-starter diet of broiler chicks could improve their performance during the first week of post-hatch. OBJECTIVES: This experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of glutamine levels in the pre-starter diet on intestinal mucosa morphology and performance of broiler chicks. METHOD: A total of 160 Ross 308, one-day old broilers were used in a complete randomized block design with 3 treatments of 5 replicates. Diets were formulated to contain different levels of glutamine (0, 0.5 and 1%). Body weight and feed intake were measured at 6 and 13d. On d 0, 3, 6 and 13 post hatch, 2 birds per each replicate were weighted and killed, and samples of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were taken subsequently. RESULTS: Supplementation of diets with 1% glutamine improved growth performance and feed efficiency at 6 and 13 day post hatch (p<0.05). On d 3 and 6, glutamine supplementation increased villi height and width in the small intestinal significantly (p<0.05). On d 13, chicks fed glutamine added diet had a longer villi height and width than those fed the basal diet (p<0.05). Glutamine supplementation has also decreased crypt depth of jejunum and ileum at 3, 6 and 13, but increased crypt depth in duodenum at 3 and 6 d of age (p<0.05). Increase in glutamine levels of pre-starter diet increased villi height relative crypt depth of jejunum and ileum at 3 and 6 d of age. On d 13, chicks fed diet contain 1% glutamine had a higher villi height relative crypt depth than those fed the basal diet. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of 1% glutamine to the pre-starter diets improved broiler growth performance and resulted in better development of the intestinal mucosa in broiler chicks.

BACKGROUND: Soybean oil is one of the highly consumed vegetable oil worldwide. Nowadays, usage of genetically modified (GM) soybean seeds for soybean oil production is constantly increasing. The recommended methods for GMO detection are based on analysis of residual DNA in vegetable oil and highly processed food. However, the successful amplification of isolated DNA depends on the efficiency of DNA extraction method. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to apply three different DNA extraction methods for analysis of residual genomic DNA in crude and refined soybean oil to obtain high pure of DNA suitable for DNA amplification. Methods: Extraction methods were developed based on the specific binding of DNA molecules to the silica membrane (column) or resin. The isolated DNA was then analyzed by PCR technique using primer pairs, derived from 18S rRNA and 5.8S rRNA gene and soybean lectin gene. Results: The results showed that amplifiable DNA could not be extracted from crude/refined soybean oil in method 1. In method 2, by pre-treating of oil with PBS and subsequent precipitation with Isopropanol, the amplification was not observed but OD260 was decreased. In method 1 and 2 the DNA was not pure enough to be amplifiable. To remove more effectively contaminant, method 2 was combined with chloroform extraction as method 3. The extracted DNA from all examined oil samples could be amplified. ConclusionS: We believe that the purity of DNA in samples is decisive for amplification and not necessarily the low amount of DNA in samples. Method 3 can be determined as a suitable method for the isolation of the pure DNA.

BACKGROUND: Regulation of electrolytes levels and water in fish is very important because of its vast permeable surfaces that are in contact with the environment. Therefore, for homeostasis and osmoregulation, various adaptation mechanisms at different biological levels have  been developed. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the changes and adaptations of mitochondria-rich cells as an important cellular response to these changes.This was influenced by different environmental salinities in fish Sparidentex hasta which are very important economic species in the southern region of the country. METHODS: 180 fish, aged three months, 20 - 25 cm in length and weighing about 150 gr were exposed  directly to different concentrations of salt (5, 20, 40 and 60 ppt) for 1 week. Localization of the Na +, K +-ATPase in mitochondria-rich cells in gill epithelial were studied in different environmental salinities during the adaptation period.  was performed by using IgGα5 as immunohistochemistry method. RESULTS: NKA localization showed that the mitochondria-rich cells are in the filament and rarely in lamellar epithelium. Intensity reactive of the antibody used during the period showed an increase  in 5 and 60 ppt and decrease  in 40 ppt. CONCLUSIONS: Generally, tolerance and compatibility of Sparidentex hasta to salinity changes are due to rapid changes in mitochondria-rich cells to regulate the entry and exit of water and electrolytes. So to adapt with the new condition of environment some changes in the apical openings appear that regulate the amount of the carrier electrolyte enzymes in basolateral membrane. It also causes adaption of mitochondria activity to the new condition.

BACKGROUND: Following the ban on the use of growth stimulant antibiotics in many countries, interest has arisen in finding  a suitable alternative for antibiotics in poultry production. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementation of two levels of nano-copper (0 and 100 mg/kg) and two levels of mannan oligosaccharide (0 or 1 g/kg) as natural growth stimulants on digestibility of nutrients and performance in broiler chicks. METHODS: At the end of the second week of breeding, 160 Cobb-500 broiler chicks were assigned in four treatment groups. For each treatment, four replicates (10 chicks per replicate) were considered. Experiment was conducted as a 2×2 factorial model in a completely randomized design. Results: No significant differences in digestibility of nutrients and growth performance between birds that ate the supplements with control group were observed (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Mannan oligosaccharides and nano-copper on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in broiler chicks had no significant effect. At the doses used, concomitant supplementation of copper and mannan oligosaccharide did not have a positive effect on traits that were studied in broilers.

BACKGROUND: Biofloc technology is considered  a method that degrades organic waste by microorganisms and produces bacterial flocculation. OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to evaluate of the application of biofloc technology in therearing of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fingerlings in intensive culture. METHODS: The experiment was designed in four treatments (Commercial diet as a control, 75% commercial diet + Biofloc, 50% commercial diet + Biofloc, 25% commercial diet + Biofloc) with carp fingerlings (Initial weight 58 ± .2 g) over a period of one month. Water exchange in Biofloc treatments was 1% during 24 h while water flow through system was used in control. At the end of experiment, all fish were intraperitoneally injected with 12×107 colony forming units (CFU) of Aeromonas hydrophila per fish. RESULTS:The results of the experiment indicated that the highest weight gain was observed in fingerlings fed 75% commercial diet + Biofloc that differed significantly from the group fed 25% commercial diet + Biofloc (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between control and 50% and 75% commercial diet as well (p<0.05). No significant difference was observed in case of condition factor, viscerosomatic index (VSI) and survival in experimental treatments (p>0.05). Also, Biofloc significantly increased ash content in muscle (p<0.05). The highest mortality (64.2 %) was observed in control inchallenge of Aeromonas hydrophila. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the Biofloc technology can increase growth performances of carp fingerlings in intensive system and decrease water exchange via quality improvement.