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Background: Toxoplasma gondii is a widely prevalent zoonotic protozoan parasite in humans and warm‐blooded animals worldwide. Infection of humans by this parasite can result in severe clinical symptoms, particularly in individuals with congenital toxoplasmosis or immunocompromised patients. Contamination mainly occurs through foodborne routes, especially the consumption of raw or undercooked meat from animals. Objectives: The aim of this study was to use PCR to detect T. gondii in tissues and organs of buffaloes and cattle slaughtered at Tabriz slaughterhouse, in Iran. Methods: Fifty grams of heart, thigh, diaphragm and tongue from 50 buffaloes and 100 cattle slaughtered at the Tabriz industrial slaughterhouse were selected for sampling using a combination of convenience sampling. The samples were tested using a previously published PCR method. Results: Out of the 150 animal samples, T. gondii was detected in 10 (6.7%, 95%CI: 3.2–11.9), including one buffalo (2%, 95%CI: 0.1–10.6) and nine cattle (9%, 95%CI: 4.2–16.4). There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of T. gondii infection among cattle based on age and sex (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The results indicated a potential risk of T. gondii transmission to humans through the consumption of infected meat. Therefore, appropriate and effective preventive measures should be taken to limit the transmission of this parasite to humans, and the consumption of raw and undercooked meat should be discouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sarcocystis is a food‐borne zoonotic protozoan whose final hosts are humans, dogs, cats, and other carnivores and intermediate hosts are birds and mammals, especially humans and herbivores. Humans become infected by eating raw and undercooked meat contaminated with bradyzoites or by consuming water or food contaminated with the sporocyst stage of the parasite. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of gamma radiation and electron beam on the survival rate of Sarcocystis bradyzoites in infected beef and to determine the effective dose. Methods: Three replicates of 100 g of infected meat were treated with different doses (0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 kGy). As a control, 20 g of contaminated meat was stored separately at 4°C. The viability of the bradyzoites after digestion in pepsin solution was assessed, stained (trypan blue) and unstained, under a stereomicroscope. To assess survival of the bradyzoites, the irradiated meat samples were fed to 30 dogs. After 10 days, faecal samples were examined for sporocysts. Results: The results showed that the highest and lowest mortality rate of Sarcocystis bradyzoites in infected organs using electron beam at a dose of 2 kGy were 92.5% and 100%, respectively, and the lowest mortality rate at a dose of 0.5 kGy were 2.5% and 7.89%, respectively. Conclusion: The results of statistical analysis showed that the mortality rate of Sarcocystis bradyzoites was significant between different doses of gamma ray and electron beam, so that gamma rays were better compared to electron beam in destroying Sarcocystis bradyzoites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, is an important zoonotic disease produced by ingesting food contaminated with oocysts and tachyzoites of this parasite and as well as congenital infection occurs unintentionally in humans by the placenta. The study of this parasite in pre-pregnancy women is of paramount importance because of abortion, hydrocephalus, microcephalus, intracranial calcifications, retinochoroiditis, strabism, blindness, epilepsy, psychomotor and mental retardation. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the seroepidemiology of T. gondii infection in pre-pregnancy women referring to private laboratories in Yazd city. In this study, blood was sampled from 185 pre-pregnancy women. Anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were determined in separated serum samples using the ELISA test. Data were entered in Excel 2016 to calculate the percentages. The results indicated that 50 (27.03%) out of 185 pregnant women were positive for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies. Among these women, IgG and IgM antibodies were observed in 35 (18.91%) and 14 (7.56%) subjects, respectively. Both antibodies were found in the serum of one participant (0.5%). Since the anti-T. gondii antibody level is low in the blood serum of pregnant women in this region; pregnant women are recommended to avoid contact with cats, restrain from eating raw meat and food during pregnancy, and be tested for T. gondii at least once, particularly in the first trimester of pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reactions of laser-ablated boron atoms with ethylene during condensation in excess argon were examined. The study's objectives were to prepare the smallest aromatic molecule, borirene; to produce the borirane radical, BC2H4, similar to the borirene radical generated by adding B atoms to C2H2; and to promote the identification of new BC2Hx species through the comparison of isotopic frequencies derived through density functional theory with observed values.

Laser ablation matrix IR spectroscopic studies on the reactions of pulsed Nd:YAG laser ablated uranium atoms with F2, ClF and Cl2 reveal the formation of various uranium fluorides. Lower laser energy studies reveal absorptions at 400, 446, 496 and 561 per centimeter. A new doublet at 312 and 308 per centimeter occurs due to UCl2 derived from uranium's reaction with Cl2.

The mechanism of sulfur-nitrogen species formation is studied, with emphasis on its analogy with nitrogen oxide chemistry and on sulfur's catenation properties. The species are produced in microwave-powered argon discharge, trapped in solid argon at 12 degK and analyzed by IR spectrometry. Three stable species of interest, SN, 2S and NS2, are produced in the gas-phase reaction. The less stable NSS isomerizes to NS2 which, on addition of another S atom, forms the SN-SS chain. A higher sulfide, -NS2, which may mark the SN-NS2 analogue of ON-NO2, is observed. The IR study shows that S-S bonding determines the structure of these polymeric species.

Background Canids and herbivores are the definitive and intermediate hosts of Linguatula sp. respectively. Methods Mesenteric lymph nodes (n=32 525) were randomly collected from 7585 buffaloes from July 2016 to July 2019 and examined macroscopically. Results Results showed that 388 (5.11%) buffaloes were infected. The intensity of infection was determined to be 3.07±0.07. Significant statistical association was identified between infection rate and age and sex. Although there were no significant differences in the infection rate over different seasons, the highest infection rate was observed in autumn. Conclusions These data highlight the importance of inspection at slaughter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactions of pulsed laser produced B and N atoms at high dilution in argon favored diboron species. At low laser power with minimum radiation, the dominant reaction with N2 gave BBNN (3Π). At higher laser power, reactions of N atoms contributed the B2N (2B2), BNB (2Σu+), NNBN (1Σ+), and BNBN (3Π) species. These new transient molecules were identified from mixed isotopic patterns, isotopic shifts, and ab initio calculations of isotopic spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, use of edible coatings as carriers of food additives and antimicrobial compounds has been considered in fishery products. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of 2.00% chitosan coating singly and combined with 0.10% grape seed extract (GSE) on microbial (mesophils and psychrophils counts), chemical (thiobarbituric acid; TBA), pH and peroxide value (PV) and sensorial properties of rainbow trout fillet stored at 4 °C over a period of 15 days. The coating had a significant effect in reducing aerobic mesophilic and psychrophilic bacteria counts. The TBA, PV and pH of samples of chitosan coating alone and with GSE were lower than control ones indicating a significant influence of coating on fillet shelf-life. Moreover, chitosan coating represented an equal sensorial quality with controls. It can be concluded that chitosan coating containing GSE can help to maintain the sensorial quality and increase the shelf-life of rainbow trout fillets at refrigerated conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The borirene radical, (CH)sub2B has been identified using matrix isolation spectroscopy, following laser-ablated boron atom reactions with acetylene. Acetylene has just two hydrogen atoms, therefore a closed-shell borirene molecule with three hydrogens was not formed. Six isotopic (CH)sub2BH molecules are presented.

The boron-acetylene reaction was studied to analyze the C-H insertion and C=C addition interreactions between the boron and acetylene atoms. Mixtures of argon/acetylene were deposited with laser-evaporated boron atoms at the target using 40 milliJoules/pulse. Calculations were performed at the MP2 level using the DZP basis set. Results indicate the presence of a strong absorption band in the mixture near the ultraviolet range.

Linear HBCBH with carbon-boron double bonds is established and characterized from matrix infrared spectra and ab initio computations. Isotopic shifts and isotopic intensity distribution patterns helped establish their new molecule. The vibrational movement involves two equivalent boron atoms. Laser-evaporated elemental boron was codeposited with a mixture of methane/argon.

Yoghurt samples treated with Teucrium polium essential oil ( EO; 40, 60 and 80 ppm) and Lactobacillus casei (108-109 cfu/mL) were stored up to 28 days at 4C. The physicochemical, viability of L. casei and organoleptic properties of yoghurt samples were analyzed at a 7-day interval during storage. A gradual increase in acidity was observed, whereas a decline in pH and solid nonfat contents was noted in all the samples ( P < 0.05). Changes in protein and fat content of yoghurt samples during storage period were not remarkable. The survival of L. casei decreased throughout the storage period. Nevertheless, probiotic yoghurt and treatment containing 60 ppm EO had the highest ( P < 0.05) viable count of probiotic bacteria (6.44cfu/g). Considering the organoleptic effect of the EO, the best treatment with acceptable flavor, good appearance without any signs of spoilage organisms and also with appropriated viability of L. casei was obtained at combination of 40 ppm EO and probiotic. Practical Applications Based on our results, yoghurt can be a very suitable food product to carry relevant probiotic bacteria while adding certain herbal EOs. In this study, T. polium EO had adverse effect neither on physicochemical properties nor on the viability of L. casei of yoghurt. In addition, T. polium EO is nontoxic and safe for public health, so it can be an acceptable alternative to chemical preservatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]