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The purpose of this study was to detect prevalence and risk factors of “cognitive dysfunction syndrome” (CDS) in geriatric dogs in Tehran. CDS is a neurodegenerative condition affecting geriatric dogs, which affects multiple aspects of behavioral function. This study was performed on total of 234 client-owned dogs (7-16 years old). A questionnaire to assess behaviors and a canine cognitive dysfunction rating (CCDR) scale were used. Other potential risk factors including dog's age, sex, breed, body condition score, reproductive status, type of food intake, and type of medication were assessed at the time of questionnaire completion. Scores > 50 on the CCDR scale were indicative of canine cognitive dysfunction. The results of the statistical analysis showed that 21 dogs had CCDR scores greater than 50. Thus, in this study, the prevalence of CDS based on the CCDR scale was 8.9% (21/234). There were no significant differences between risk factors with CDS in this study. The results of this study suggested a low prevalence of CDS in senior dogs (older than 7 years) in Tehran; however, practitioners should consider routine screening for cognitive change in all aging dogs.

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ethanol extract of green tea on biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus. Methods: Staphylococcus aureus samples were obtained from hospital sources and plant extracts; green tea was made using the rotary. The minimum inhibitory concentration was determined using the microdilution method. Inhibition of biofilm formation was determined by using a microplate. Results: The results of this study showed that the greatest resistance was to the antibiotics penicillin (88.2%) and erythromycin (82.4%) and the least resistance to the antibiotic Amikacin (76/11%), respectively. The results of the effect of green tea extract showed the lowest inhibitory concentration (MIC) is equal to 0.3 milligrams per milliliter, which is a strain on the inhibitory concentration, and the highest concentration (MBC) MBC resistant Staphylococcus aureus equal to 20 milligrams per milliliter, which is controlled unidirectional. The results of green tea extract effects on biofilm showed that with increasing concentrations of less biofilm formation the biofilm formation has been much lower concentration of the extract. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate good effects of green tea extract to inhibit biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus, which can be used to treat infections caused by these bacteria’s.

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is opportunistic bacteria that cause diseases in human beings, animals and plants. It is one of the most important factors of the nosocomial infections in a wide range of patients with immunodeficiency including patients with malignant diseases, cystic fibrosis and burns. Biofilm production is one of the pathogenic factors of these bacteria. Objectives: The current study aimed to investigate the effects of a few plant extracts on in-vitro formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm. Materials and Methods: Using the rotary system, the extracts of various plants were concentrated and prepared. Standard bacterial strains were provided and growth and biofilm formation of strains were determined using the microtiter plate method. Results: Results showed desirable antimicrobial effects of the silver nanoparticles and plant extract on the formation of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm and the highest effect was observed in silver nanoparticles and the lowest inhibitory effects were observed in Bucks beard and Prangos ferulaceae. Conclusions: Medicinal plants used in the study decreased the rate of biofilm formation. Since the biofilm formation is one of the pathogenic factors in mucoid strains, further studies will probably help to control the infections using the findings of the current study.

The present case–control study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Haemobartonella felis, study the role of its risk factors and compare the different diagnostic tests. In order to achieve these goals, direct blood smear and single PCR assay were performed on blood samples from 90 cats (45 healthy controls and 45 sick cats). In addition, age, sex, breed, outdoor access, castration and density of living area were recorded in each group, and haematological analysis was performed on all blood samples. A total of 50 and 72.2 % of cats were H. felis positive in direct blood smear and PCR, respectively. The results showed a significant difference between control and case groups regarding the quantitative variables including fever and dehydration in direct blood smear, and tachycardia, icterus, fever and dehydration in PCR (P

Due to the sandy character of the desert sandy soils, surface reactivity and hence adsorption of micronutrients are very low. Therefore, different fractions from sand particles were coated with four partially hydroxylated ferric sols of OH/Fe molar ratio of 1.00, 1.50, 2.00, and 2.84. The obtained results prove that the extractability of iron is reduced by increasing the OH/Fe molar ratio before its addition to the sand particles. Iron oxide coating of sand particles increased the amount of Cu adsorbed as compared with uncoated ones. With regard to the effect of polymerization degree of ferric sols, results show that decreasing OH/Fe molar ratio of iron sols enhanced the Cu adsorption maximum capacity, as calculated from the Langmuir equation. The amount of adsorbed Cu increased by decreasing the size of sand particles. Moreover, increasing the pH value of Cu equilibrium solution from 4.5 to 7.5 resulted in more adsorption of Cu by ferric hydroxide-coated sand particles.

Zinc solubility in clay and soil suspensions was controlled by chemisorption at pH 4.5 – 7.0. The solubility in clay mineral suspensions was in the order palygorskite < montmorillonite « kaolinite and reflected the high affinity of zinc to palygorskite and the high CEC of montmorillonite. The solubility in soil suspensions was in the order Haplustoll < Torrifluvents and reflected the effect of high CEC and organic matter content of the first. The slopes of the pH-pZn curves, calculated zinc potential and sequential desorption data suggested that Zn++ − Zn(OH)2 aqueous controlled the solubility of zinc in soil and clay mineral suspensions at pH 7.5 – 9.0. The slopes of the pH–pZn curves of two soils were, however, modified by the possible peptization of organic matter and Zn(OH)2.

Summary Qasim, some 500 km north-west of Riyadh, is one of the agriculturally important areas of Saudi Arabia. Silt fractions of the soils of the Wadi ar Rimah and side wadis, classified as Torrifluvents, are characterized by high quartz contents and the universal occurrence of kaolinite and felspar, generally with plagioclase predominant; mica, chlorite and hornblende also generally occur. The clay fractions contain mainly palygorskite and a smectite-mica interstratification with smaller amounts of kaolinite, traces of quartz and occasionally chlorite. Palygorskite generally increases in content with depth. Variations in mineralogy probably reflect changes in depositional conditions rather than pedogenic processes; possible reasons for the high palygorskite content are discussed. Sedentary soils (Torriorthents) reflect the mineralogy of the rock from which they were derived. In clay fractions from salt-marsh soils (Salorthids) calcite reacts strongly with smectite-mica during DTA.

These investigations were conducted to provide basic soil chemical, physical, and mineralogical data for an area of Saudi Arabia that had not been studied and for which greatly increased agricultural development is anticipated. Fourteen soils were collected from two arid interior basin areas of Saudi Arabia. The silt and clay mineralogy was studied using x-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, and electron microscopy. Quantitative estimation of clay-sized minerals was based on a combination of chemical and x-ray diffraction techniques. The calcareous soils of the central basins show minimal profile development. Particle-size classes range from sandy-skeletal to fine silty. Soils with shallow water tables are saline with large SAR values. The clay minerals in soils of the basins are primarily inherited. Soils developed in alluvium from mixed igneous rocks have clay fractions in which smectite > mica > kaolinite > chlorite, palygorskite, vermiculite. Soils formed from Permian sedimentary rocks have kaolinitic clay fractions. It is postulated that the central basins do not receive sufficient Si inputs for palygorskite neoformation and it is though that palygorskite is detrital, originating from easternregion Tertiary rocks. The soil clays of the central hasins have greater smectite contents than those of the kaolinitic western highland soils and palygorskite-rich eastern-region soils.

The occurrence of palygorskite in some Tertiary sediments in eastern Saudi Arabia was studied. Mineralogical and chemical analyses were made of samples from two sections several meters thick from the Umm er Radhuma and Dammam Formations of Paleocene and Eocene periods, respectively. Layers of shales were observed within the sections of the dolomitic-calcitic limestone of the Umm er Radhuma Formation and of the dolomitic limestone of the Dammam Formation. After treatment for carbonate removal the shales consisted of more than 95% clay-size particles, most of which were

Three wheats and one triticale were grown, up to flowering stage, in pots on calcareous soil adjusted to a range of salinities (S1=3.5, S2=6, S3=8.5, and S4=11 mmhos/cm, 20°C, soilpaste extract) by adding solution consisting of 3∶2∶1 of Na-, Ca- and Mg chlorides in chemical equivalent amounts. Moisture in the pots was kept at 100% (W1), 40% (W2) and 20% (W3) of the available water.

Examination of soil clays from Saudi Arabia and the People's Republic of the South Yemen by X-ray diffraction, DTA and electron microscopy has shown the widespread occurrence of palygorskite. Detailed examination of wadi samples suggest that both neoformation and inheritance are operative, the former predominating. Sepiolite was found 1n a wadi sample and vermiculite in mountain and delta samples from Yemen. The significance is discussed.