BACKGROUND: The consumption of probiotics in aquaculture is constantly growing due to the numerous benefits conferred on the fish health. Degradation of probiotics in gastrointestinal tract is one of the most important challenges in probiotic efficacy. Encapsulating of probiotics within a physical barrier has been found to increase probiotic viability in fish gastrointestinal tract. Objectives: In this study the effect of encapsulation of Lactobacillus plantarum with alginate/chitosan nano particles in in vitro situation and their effects in Huso huso were evaluated. Methods: Firstly, in vitro probiotic potential including: pH and bile resistance, gastrointestinal juice tolerance was evaluated. Then effects of encapsulated probiotic were evaluated in Huso huso. 480 juvenile H. huso were randomly divided into four treatments in triplicates. Fish in T1 were fed with alginate/chitosan enriched free probiotic diet, T2 received encapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum, T3 received bacteria without any encapsulation and T4 received basic diet as a control group. All treatments were fed with experimental diets for 60 days and study lasted for 15 days with control diet in all fish. Fish samples were taken on days 30, 60 and 75 and bio chemically compared among the treatments. Results: Results of first phase of study showed that mostly all probiotic properties of encapsulated bacteria were more appropriate than control treatment (P<0.05). Encapsulation of bacteria in both procedures enhanced almost all immunological parameters compared to control treatment (P<0.05). Higher Ca and Mg of plasma were observed in fish fed with Lactobacillus plantarum nano/microencapsulated and alginate/chitosan at day 30 and 60, whereas decreased TRI of plasma was observed in fish fed with Lactobacillus plantarum nano/microencapsulated at day 30. Conclusions: It can be concluded that nano encapsulation of Lactobacillus plantarum with alginate/chitosan not only improved in vitro probiotic effects of L. plantarum, but also it can increase Biochemical parameters of H. huso and could improve the positive performance of probiotics activity.

BACKGROUND: Alveolar pattern of the lung field is usually caused by several lung involvements such as edema, hemorrhage and pneumonia, but differentiation using radiography is usually impossible. Objectives: Evaluation of HU and lung pattern of pneumonia in dogs using CT-scan technique and confirmation by CT assisted FNA as a safe diagnostic procedure. Methods: In this study, 10 dogs with respiratory distress suspected for pneumonia were selected and radiography and CBC were used for evaluation of lung pattern and cytology. Before and after contrast medium injection, CT-scans of the lung field were achieved. Finally, in transverse CT sections, FNA of involved lung lobes was taken for cytologic evaluation. After the confirmation of pneumonia, CT scans were reevaluated with more attention and pulmonary pattern was described and HU of involved regions was measured. Results: In all of the patients, ventral region of the lungs, especially cranial and middle lung lobes were involved and the involvement of the left lungs was prominent. The mean HU of the unhealthy lung parenchyma before contrast medium study was between 31 and 39, and after contrast study was between 46 and 70. It means the HU has been significantly increased. Also, the contrast of the involved lung regions was increased which helped to differentiate the unhealthy lung tissue from the adjacent soft tissues. Hematology tests in all of the patients were representative of infection. Conclusions: Both CT-scan and CT assisted FNA from the lung are beneficial and practical methods for the diagnosis of pulmonary disorders such as pneumonia

BACKGROUND: Extensive effort is focused on identifying genomic conserved antigens in development of effective vaccine against Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. Antigen 43 is one of the members of a large secreted protein family named autotransporters in the E.coli and other gram negative bacteria. Autotransporter proteins have a similar conserved structure. Some of them are recognized during both experimental and naturally occurring ETEC infections. Antigen 43 is represented as a potential target in vaccine development because of its virulence functions such as cell aggregation, biofilm formation and its presence in convalescent sera from human patients with ETEC diarrhea. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we carefully investigate antigenic structure and immunogenicity of the Antigen 43 protein of strain 510 E.coli isolated from calves by experimental methods and immunoinformatics tools. METHODS: Amino acid sequence, physico-chemical parameters, stability, secondary and tertiary protein structure, the ability of induction the B and T cell immune responses by having the effective epitopes and also the allergenicity assessment were analyzed. RESULTS: In this study, we identified 15 peptide sequences that can potentially induce B and T cell immune responses and finally, 9 of them were introduced as antigens. CONCLUSIONS: The results of in-silico analysis on this protein suggested that it can be used in bovine colibacillosis vaccine development.

BACKGROUND: Lactococcusis disease due to Lactococcus garvieae, one of the most important zoonotic bacterial diseases. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Cinnamon essential oil and Nisin on the growth of Lactococcus garvieae. Methods: The effect of cinnamon essential oil with concentrations of 0, 0.25 and 0.75%, and Nisin 0, 0.4 and 0.8 μg/mL on growth of this bacteria at 4 and 8 °C during 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 days of storage was investigated. Results: The results of this study showed that on samples kept at 4 °C, bacterial growth was delayed until the fifteenth day using cinnamon essential oil or Nisin, and in the case of cinnamon, the growth rate of bacteria in the ninth and fifteenth days was below 2 log cfu/g. While the combination of 0.8 μg/ml Nicin and 0.75% essential oil of cinnamon postponed growth on the third day. At 8 °C, Nisin, the cinnamon essential oil alone and in combination (similar to 4 ºC) until the sixth day prevented bacterial growth. Compared to the control treatment, the concentration of Nisin and cinnamon essential oil had a significant difference in inhibitory bacterial growth (P<0.05). The results also showed that the combination of Nisin and cinnamon essential oil, had a significantly higher effect than their single state. Conclusions: Results indicate that Nisin and cinnamon essential oil effectively inhibit the growth of Lactococcus garvieae in the rainbow trout fillet.

BACKGROUND: As regards the role of the hind limb in propulsion, it is obvious that the tarsus forms a powerful center movement, it begins upon the point of the hock that the powerful extensor muscles which propel the body exert much of their energy. Tarsus injuries of water buffalo are the commonest limb joint disorders. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to an access accurate detailed osteology and radiology of tarsus Khuzestan river buffaloes. METHODS: Ten joints of the five water buffaloes aged approximately two to three years were obtained from Ahvaz abattoir. In addition, the ten normal tarsal joints of five water buffaloes referred to the clinic of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine were examined radiographically. Radiographic examination was performed in dorsoplantar, lateromedial, dorsolateral-plantaromedial oblique and plantarolateral-dorsomedial oblique, and flexed lateral projections. RESULTS: Unlike the dromedary camel, the general configuration of river buffalo tarsal bones and cow shares many similarities; however, there are concrete differences between buffalo and ox on the shape and extension of articular surfaces of tarsal bones. Unlike the ox, the metatarsal sesamoid bone was not noted radiographically in water buffalo, similar to that in horse and dromedary camel. The dorsoplantar view was optimal for the evaluation of articular surfaces and joint spaces of tarsocrural as well as the intratarsal joints. The dorsoplantar view was the best for evaluation of joint spaces of tarsocrural as well as the intratarsal joints, the lateromedial view for talocalcaneal joint, the dorsolateral-plantaromedial view for medial aspect of the tarsocrural joint, and the plantarolateral-dorsomedial view for the plantar aspect of the sustentaculum tali and the lateral trochlea of the talus. CONCLUSIONS: The normal appearance of bony structures of tarsus described in this study provided basic reference data for radiographic investigations of the water buffalo tarsal disorders. ___________________________________

BACKGROUND: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one of the prevalent medical problems. Post Traumatic Epilepsy (PTE) is one of the complications of TBI. Traumatic and ischemic brain injuries are amongst the well-known risk factors of developing PTE Objectives: The present study tends to figure out changing kindling parameters in the model of the classical electrical epilepsy following traumatic brain injury. Methods: Male Wistar rats became epileptic using the amygdala kindling model of epilepsy. Rats underwent stereotaxic surgery. Five days thereafter, trauma was exerted to the temporo-parietal cortex of the rats by Controlled Cortical Impact (CCI) device causing a 2 mm lesion. After 24 hours, kindling stimulations were started. Each stimulus is delivered at an intensity of 200-500 µA, with 50 Hz frequency with monophasic square wave train stimulations once daily. One control group with no trauma and just kindling stimulation was considered in experimental groups. A sham group was also considered in which animals underwent all procedures including surgery and kindling stimulations without trauma. Results: Mean number of 14 stimulations is needed for kindled state in control and sham groups. Traumatic rats became kindled with a significantly lower number of electrical stimulations (5 stimulations). The after discharge duration (AD) at stage 5, after discharge duration (AD) at stage 3, total duration of seizure behavior (SD) and duration of stage 5 seizure behavior (S5D) in traumatic rats were higher than threshold with control and sham group. The threshold of seizures in traumatic rats was significantly lower than the threshold in control and sham groups. Conclusions: Classical electric kindling after trauma has a significant effect on the parameters of the kindling.

BACKGROUND: Echocardiography is a noninvasive technique that is an important tool in diagnosis of cardiac diseases. Interoperation of the results of the echocardiography is dependent on having anatomical knowledge of the heart. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to prepare the anatomical slices according to the related views in echocardiography. These sections can be used as a model for teaching of echocardiography. METHODS: Six dogs euthanized for purposes rather than the present study were used. The hearts were dissected and then dilated and fixed using formalin 10%. Fixed hearts were then cut to obtain representative slices corresponding to long and short axes of right parastenal standard echocardiographic views which were taken from three healthy dogs. After that, both anatomical and ultrasound images were correlated. RESULTS: The external and internal morphology of the heart were suitable for this study. The comparison of the anatomical slices with related echocardiograms showed a high level of correlation. In the long axis views, the four chambers, the atrioventricular valves and the cardiac septum were visible. The left ventricular outflow and aortic valve were represented in deeper views. The short axis series showed two ventricles and their internal morphology. CONCLUSIONS: The slices of hearts which were fixed using formalin may be used for echocardiography interoperation

BACKGROUND: Population growth and the need for food, especially proteins, have increased the interest in using inexpensive and available supplements to increase protein production. ObjectiveS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Qom region zeolite as a supplement to the histological and histochemical structure of broiler chicken intestine and to compare it with commercial zeolite. Methods: In this experimental study a total of 200 broiler chicks were purchased from Qom poultry and randomly divided into five groups including the control group; the experimental group of Qom zeolite which was subsequently subdivided into three different doses including (Z1 = 0.5 %, Z2 = 1%, Z3 =1,5%); and finally the anzymite group which received the commercial zeolite. 42 days later, 10 samples were selected from each group and after tissue preparation, the slides were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, PAS period, and toluidine blue; then microscopic assays were applied using the Image-j 1.49f software. Data analysis was done with SPSS 20 and One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test. PResults: The height of the epithelial cells decreased in the anzymite group but the number of mucosal glands and goblet cells increased significantly (P<0.05). Except for Z1 group in other Qom zeolite treatment groups (Z2 and Z3), the number of goblet cells increased significantly (P<0.05). Therefore, the effect of zeolite higher than 1.5% may be comparable with anzymite. Conclusions: Our results showed that zeolite does not have any effect on increasing the absorption rate of the small intestine, but could stimulate the function of goblet cells and intestinal glands, so Qom zeolite with higher percentage could have the same effect as anzymite

BACKGROUND: Honey bee Chalkbrood disease is a fungal disease that is distributed in apiaries in the north provinces of Iran. Chalkbrood causative agent is Ascospaharea apis that can survive in colonies products for many years. Many chemical materials are used for control of Chalkbrood disease in honeybee colonies that can make some problems in honeybee consumer products, so  that survival of safe material and methods for honeybee colonies treatments is a important aim in honeybee research field. OBJECTIVES: In this study antifungal effects of the Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum on the Ascospharea apis causative agent of honey bee Chalkbrood disease is examined. METHODS:  Simultaneous inoculation, Agar spot, Confrontation assay, Overlay assay methods are used. LABs are cultured in MRS and A.apis is cultured in SDA media. RESULTS: L.casei and L.acidophilus had moderate effects on the A.apis growth, but B.bifidum and LABs cell free supernatants(CFS) could not  inhibit growth of  this fungi. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this survey show that LABs have antifungal activities on the honey bee Chalkbrood disease agent in culture medium and may be used as an alternative method for control of this disease in the honeybee colonies.

Different species of Panicum have been reported as a cause of photosensitization in sheep, horses, cattle and goats. P. miliaceum grows across different regions of Iran. This plant may contain toxic levels of hepatotoxic steroidal sapogenins. Sapogenins are metabolized in animals to glucuronide conjugates of epsimilagenin which are crystallized in bile, leading to biliary blockage, cholangitis and secondary photosensitization. An outbreak of poisoning was observed in a flock of 170 fat-tailed sheep grazing on pasture of proso millet (P. miliaceum) in Birjand, South Khorasan province of Iran. Affected animals showed tachycardia and tachypnea. Anorexia, reduced rate and amplitude of ruminal movements up to ruminal stasis were observed. Severe head swelling and marked icterus in mucous membranes were observed. Seven affected sheep died. Serum biochemical parameters were analyzed. Marked elevation of BUN, total bilirubin, and the activities of GGT and high level of Ca2+ were observed in comparison with normal ranges. High levels of GGT activity indicates biliary lesions and BUN elevation in serum is probably due to renal failure and both are consistent with exposure to P. miliaceum