Search

In recent years, nanotechnology has improved life with continuous growth in different fields. Nanoparticles can be employed in industry, imaging, engineering, and various biomedical filed because of their special physicochemical properties like rapid, effective, highly specific solutions, higher stability, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and cost. In this line, veterinary medicine has been influenced by nanotechnology in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases, cancer therapy, immunization, vaccine production, drug delivery, and health besides to related issues of animal production, maintenance, and welfare. The other important point is the interwoven linkage between animals and humans whether as a food source or as a companionship. Inorganic nanoparticles, polymeric, solid lipid, liposomal, nanocrystal, nanotubes, nanoemulsions, micelles, mesoporous silica nanoparticles, and dendrimers are kinds of nanoparticles that can be used widely. In this review, the impacts of nanotechnology on veterinary medicine have been summarized, criticized, and acknowledged as "veterinary nanomedicine" discipline.

The worthwhile intellectual synthesis proposing that nothing makes sense except in light of context has also revolutionized pharmaceutical science putting patients’ genomic context at the center of attention in a rapidly developing area known as pharmacogenomics. As a result, an alternative approach to medicine referred to as personalized medicine was born considering the individual-specific genomic context the hardcore of any diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic intervention. Therefore, a considerable need has been created to address questions based on the underlying genotypic characteristics of patients. Depressive spectrum disorders are a cluster of closely-linked psychiatric disorders with a growing incidence rate across the world. Although there are multiple therapeutic approaches to treating depressive spectrum disorders, pharmacotherapy is still considered one of the most effective strategies. Among the therapeutic antidepressant drugs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are most widely prescribed. Fluoxetine (FLX) is a highly valued SSRI which is broadly ordered by psychiatric practitioners to treat miscellaneous psychological disorders, including depressive spectrum disorders, anxiety spectrum disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Although FLX therapy can bring about a positive therapeutic effect on a considerable proportion of depressed patients, it does not elicit a favorable response in 30-40% of patients owing to the presence of genomic variations negatively affecting the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of this medication. This challenging fact has led us to conduct current research on how genotypic variations at the inter-individual level can heavily affect the response to FLX therapy. Peer Review History: Received: 2 May 2022; Revised: 9 June; Accepted: 28 June, Available online: 15 July 2022 Academic Editor: Dr. Amany Mohamed Alboghdadly, Princess Nourah bint abdulrahman university, Riyadh, amalbgadley@pnu.edu.sa UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file: Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 5.5/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10 Reviewers: Prof. Dr. Hassan A.H. Al-Shamahy, Sana'a University, Yemen, shmahe@yemen.net.ye Dr. George Zhu, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, sansan4240732@163.com Similar Articles: PREVALENCE AND SEVERITY OF DEPRESSION AMONG PEOPLE LIVING WITH HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS IN YENAGOA, SOUTHERN NIGERIA

The inclusion of antioxidants (AOXs) has been proposed in various protocols to conserve the normal physiology of spermatozoa during (cryo) preservation. The main aim of this review was to understand the necessity of AOXs inclusion in semen extenders of caprine and ovine semen samples and to decipher physico-chemical space of AOXs used in semen extenders till now. A total 27 full-text relevant articles were finally discussed here. This systematic review showed that the inclusion of AOXs may improve the success of semen cryopreservation although at least three studies could not support this finding. AOXs have been not added after assaying total antioxidant capacity of the sample of interest, and this is principal measurement bias of all papers. Furthermore, no rational dose-response curve and precise posology have been considered in comparable studies. Furthermore, new methodologies are requested to detect the oxidative status of semen specimens before AXOs fortification and new methodologies like imaging are also needed to detect various injuries of sperms during semen (cryo)preservation. Defining computational chemical and physical spaces of AOXs which used in semen (cryo)preservation would be an interdisciplinary effort to hasten deciphering epoch-making compounds. In conclusion, more in-depth analytical, toxicological and pharmacological methodologies should be pursued in supplementation or addition of AOXs during caprine and ovine semen (cryo)preservation after determining the oxidative status of semen samples.

Aim and objective: Vanillin-rich drink (Vimto®) is a popular drink among women. The aim of this study was to evaluate anti-breast cancer potential of Vimto®. Methods: the chemical composition of Vimto® has been determined by gas chromatography and foodinformatics used to identify its putative binders to canonical targets of breast cancer. The binding affinity (kcal/mol) of the target proteins of breast cancer and the phytocompounds was computationally obtained. Results: Major aliphatic hydrocarbons of Vimto® were hydroxymethyl furfurole, tetradecane, hexadecane, dodecane, octadecane and 9-octadecenamide while aromatic hydrocarbons were vanillin, benzoic acid, diisooctyl phthalate, butanoic acid, piperonal, bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and germacrene D. 9-octadecenamidebound firmly to HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) and warrant experimental studies. All aromatic hydrocarbons expect benzoic acid and vanillin showed reliable BA with HER2. Germacrene D showed acceptable binding affinity with estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and estrone sulfatase. Benzoic acid and diisooctyl phthalate showed strong BA with phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) and AKT (protein kinase B), respectively. Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and diisooctyl phthalate have been docked with HER2. Butanoic acid and bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate showed binding affinity with aromatase. Benzoic acid and diisooctyl phthalate, and bis (2-ethylhexyl) are not safe compounds while bounded to target proteins of breast cancer. Conclusions: To sum up, Vimto® is an amalgam of safe compounds possess possible anti-breast cancer, however it needs further experimental and biosafety evaluation. Peer Review History: Received: 10 January 2022; Revised: 10 February; Accepted: 8 March, Available online: 15 March 2022 Academic Editor: Dr. Jennifer Audu-Peter, University of Jos, Nigeria, drambia44@gmail.com UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file: Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 6.0/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.5/10 Reviewers: Dr. Rima Benatoui, Laboratory of Applied Neuroendocrinology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Badji Mokhtar University Annaba, BP12 E L Hadjar–Algeria, benattouiryma@gmail.com Dr. U. S. Mahadeva Rao, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu Malaysia, raousm@gmail.com Similar Articles: EVALUATION OF CURRENT SCENARIO OF CANCER DISEASE AT CHATTAGRAM IN BANGLADESH CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITIES IN VITRO OF FLOWER EXTRACTS OF THREE SPECIES OF ALOE GROWING IN YEMEN:ALOE RUBROVIOLACEAE, ALOE VERA AND ALOE SABAEA, AGAINST ELEVEN TYPES OF CANCER CELL LINES A REVIEW OF BREAST CANCER RISK FACTORS

This study was aimed to investigate the prophylactic effects of hydro-alcoholic extract derived from bulbs of Allium iranicum Wendelbo. (Alliaceae; AI) on mouse model of Staphylococcosis, and to decipher which phytochemicals of AI may involve in its anti-staphylococcal property. Male mice were allocated into four groups, i.e. normal control (NC) and three other groups received AI at 0.192, 0.384 and 0.768 mg/ml in drinking water for 9 days. Thereafter, mice were intravenously injected 10(6) colony forming unites (CFUs/ml) of Staphylococcus aureus suspension at 10th day and tissue homogenates were colony counted for S. aureus 9 days post-inoculation. Molecular docking among cardinal proteins involved in Staphylococcosis and phytochemicals of AI has been performed using PyRx software and the best ligand submitted to compute molecular and biological attributes. Induction of murine Staphylococcosis and inclusion of AI did not adversely alter bodyweights of mice while colony counts in selected tissues of mice infected with S. aureus were different among groups (P(ANOVA) = 0.016). Generally, the colony counts tended to decrease in AI 0.192 (P = 0.099) and AI 0.768 (P = 0.818) groups as compared to NC, however AI 0.384 (P = 0.005) group showed lesser colony counts than NC. In addition, colony counts decreased in AI 0.384 as compared to AI 0.768 (P = 0.009). The colony counts in kidneys of AI 0.0384 group were lesser than those of NC (P = 0.051) and AI 0.768 (P = 0.048). Among target proteins, trans-caryophyllene (TCP) showed reliable binding affinities (kcal/mol) to three hydrolase enzymes [beta toxin (sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase − 8.1), sortase B (protease − 8.1), and FtsZ (GTPase − 8.7) of S. aureus]. The ADMET properties of TCP showed that it followed the Lipinski’s rule of five with one violation with respect to its miLogP 5.17. In addition, Molinspiration bioactivity score indicated ion channel modulatory and enzyme inhibitory effect for TCP. Computational findings of admetSAR software revealed that TCP leads to carcinogenicity, Tetrahymena pyriformis, fish, rat, and honey bee toxicities, weak inhibition of human ether-a-go-go-related gene, and cytochromes inhibitory promiscuity. The TCP showed promising in human intestinal absorption, blood–brain barrier permeability, Caco-2 penetration, and solubility. The results of Toxtree software showed that TCP is not an endogenous molecule of the body and contains no functional groups associated with enhanced toxicity and considered as class I toxic compound close to terpenes. In conclusion, we found the hydro-alcoholic extract derived from of bulbs AI has a significant protective effect against Staphylococcosis in mouse model. In silico findings demonstrated that TCP has acceptable ADMET score to be considered as a bioactive compound for designing phytobiotics. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40203-021-00078-x.

Cannabis sativa L. Cannabaceae, used for psychoactive rituals in Mesopotamia. Here, we investigated in vitro inhibitory activity of methyl alcohol extract derived from leaves and resin of cannabis against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). Moreover, the binding affinity (BA; kcal/mol) of selected phytochemicals of cannabis to AChE and BChE has been predicted in silico. Phytochemicals of cannabis had acceptable BA towards AChE ranging from – 6.4 (beta-pinene) to – 11.4 (campesterol) and BChE ranging from – 5.5 (alpha-pinene) to – 9.8 (cannabioxepane). All cannabinoids, flavonoids (apigenin), terpenes, and phytosterols of cannabis were double inhibitors due they utilized hydrogen bonds and hydrophobically interacted with both catalytic triad and peripheral anionic site (PAS) of AChE and BChE. Campesterol is phytosterol docked with AChE and BChE via hydrogen bond and it will be a lead-like molecule for further drug design. Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid has been docked with AChE and BChE and it can be a candidate molecule for further drug design. To sum up, this study not only approved cholinesterase inhibitory effects of cannabis but also suggested an array of phytocompounds as hit small molecules for discovery or design of ecofriendly botanical antiinsectants or phytonootropic drugs.

P-glycoprotein (P-gp), which was first identified in cancer cells, is an ATP-dependent efflux transporter that expels a wide variety of cytotoxic compounds out of cells. This transporter can decrease the bioavailability of therapeutic drugs by preventing their sufficient intracellular accumulation. Over expression of P-gp in cancer cells lead to multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype that is one of the main reasons for the failure of chemotherapy. Hence, P-gp inhibition is a favorable method to reverse MDR. In this study, the lignanamides from Cannabis sativa were docked against P-gp to recognize potential binding affinities of these phytochemicals. Tariquidar and zosuquidar, two well-known P-gp inhibitors, were selected as the control ligands. It was observed that cannabisin M and cannabisin N exhibited higher binding affinities (− 10.2 kcal/mol) to drug-binding pocket of P-gp when compared with tariquidar and zosuquidar that showed binding affinities of − 10.1 and − 9.6 kcal/mol, respectively. Based on these findings, cannabisin M and cannabisin N could be good drug candidates against P-gp.

P-glycoprotein (P-gp), which was first identified in cancer cells, is an ATP-dependent efflux transporter that expels a wide variety of cytotoxic compounds out of cells. This transporter can decrease the bioavailability of therapeutic drugs by preventing their sufficient intracellular accumulation. Over expression of P-gp in cancer cells lead to multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype that is one of the main reasons for the failure of chemotherapy. Hence, P-gp inhibition is a favorable method to reverse MDR. In this study, the lignanamides from Cannabis sativa were docked against P-gp to recognize potential binding affinities of these phytochemicals. Tariquidar and zosuquidar, two well-known P-gp inhibitors, were selected as the control ligands. It was observed that cannabisin M and cannabisin N exhibited higher binding affinities (− 10.2 kcal/mol) to drug-binding pocket of P-gp when compared with tariquidar and zosuquidar that showed binding affinities of − 10.1 and − 9.6 kcal/mol, respectively. Based on these findings, cannabisin M and cannabisin N could be good drug candidates against P-gp.

The association of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as a member of neurotrophin family and metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been proposed, however basic evidence necessary to prove (or disprove) this association in non-genetic animal model is rare. Therefore, we investigated the alteration of encephalic BDNF gene expression in a mouse model of high-fat diet (HFD) induced MetS. To translate MetS, male NMRI mice (9 weeks old; N = 13) fed on a HFD including suet powder (37.50%) and granulated sugar (19.85%) while control mice were fed a diet contained suet powder (6.25%) and granulated sugar (49.09%). We monitored the development of MetS by measuring fasting blood sugar (FBS) and lipid (total cholesterol (TC) and triacylglycerol (TGs)) and lipoprotein (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C)) profiles, atherogenic index (AI), and somatic indices after 1 and 3 months of dietary interventions. The HFD intake led to increased body weight, liver weight, FBS, TC, and decreased HDL-C as compared to chow diet in mice after first month of dietary intervention. The increased FBS, body weight, abdominal fat mass, TGs, TC, and VLDL-C and decreased HDL-C were observed in HFD-fed mice as compared to those of chow-fed mice at 3th month. The statistical comparison of two HFD groups in two time intervals of 1st and 3th month confirmed that our HFD-induced MetS model was reliable because FBS, TGs and VLDL-C, TC, and AI have been increased significantly during selected time intervals. The AI increased significantly in HFD-fed mice compared to chow-fed mice after 3 months. The AI in HFD-fed mice treated with HFD for 3 months was increased significantly as compared to mice fed HFD for 1 month. Our diet-induced model more closely mimics the changes observed in human MetS and showed that encephalic BDNF gene in mice fed HFD was under-expressed by 0.30 fold with respect to chow-fed mice after 3 months of dietary intervention.

The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is involved in metabolic syndrome (MetS) and neurodegenerative diseases (NDD) like Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease and depression. If one factor plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of two diseases, it can be concluded that there might be a common root in these two diseases, as well. This review was aimed to highlight the crucial roles of BDNF in the pathogenesis of MetS and NDD and to introduce sole prophylactic or therapeutic applications, BDNF gene therapy and BDFN administration, in controlling MetS and NDD.

Cannabis sativa L. Cannabaceae, used for psychoactive rituals in Mesopotamia. Here, we investigated in vitro inhibitory activity of methyl alcohol extract derived from leaves and resin of cannabis against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). Moreover, the binding affinity (BA; kcal/mol) of selected phytochemicals of cannabis to AChE and BChE has been predicted in silico. Phytochemicals of cannabis had acceptable BA towards AChE ranging from – 6.4 (beta-pinene) to – 11.4 (campesterol) and BChE ranging from – 5.5 (alpha-pinene) to – 9.8 (cannabioxepane). All cannabinoids, flavonoids (apigenin), terpenes, and phytosterols of cannabis were double inhibitors due they utilized hydrogen bonds and hydrophobically interacted with both catalytic triad and peripheral anionic site (PAS) of AChE and BChE. Campesterol is phytosterol docked with AChE and BChE via hydrogen bond and it will be a lead-like molecule for further drug design. Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid has been docked with AChE and BChE and it can be a candidate molecule for further drug design. To sum up, this study not only approved cholinesterase inhibitory effects of cannabis but also suggested an array of phytocompounds as hit small molecules for discovery or design of ecofriendly botanical antiinsectants or phytonootropic drugs. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40203-021-00075-0.

Commiphora spp., Burseraceae family and their resinous matter, myrrh, are used in Mesopotamian medicine as fragrance or antiinsectant. Based on in vitro, leaves, bark, and resin methyl alcohol extract of C. myrrha showed similar inhibitory effects of 17.00, 26.00, and 29.33% for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) as compared to eserine, respectively. The ADMET properties and putative anticholinesterase activity of phytochemicals of myrrh were computationally predicted using in silico tools. Phytochemicals of C. myrrha had acceptable binding affinity (BA) towards principal sites of AChE ranging from − 5.8 (m-cresol) to − 10.5 (abietic acid) kcal/mol. In this regard, all terpenoid compounds (25 out of 28) of myrrh were dual inhibitors since they hydrophobically interacted with both catalytic triad and peripheral anionic site (PAS) of AChE while alpha-terpineol, elemol, and eugenol employed hydrogen bonds with AChE. Cuscohygrine as a pyrrolidine alkaloid has been docked with AChE through hydrogen bonds with PAS and through hydrophobic interactions with catalytic triad thereby we initially proposed it as dual inhibitor of AChE. M-cresol as a methylphenol has been loosely docked with AChE via hydrogen bond and would be a hit molecule for further drug synthesis. This study not only confirmed archaeopharmacological applications of myrrh as antiinsectant or nootropics but also offered an array of terpenoid compounds, cuscohygrine, and m-cresol as a good starting point for hit-to-lead-to-drug optimization phase in synthesis of phyto-nootropics and ecofriendly insecticides.

Allium porrum L. (leek; AP) is an edible plant that contains a variety of phytocompounds which their pharmaceutical properties are yet to be investigated. In this study, the computational analyses focused on PlcR protein as a putative target along with in vitro experiments were performed to elucidate the phytobiotic potential of the hydro-alcoholic extract of A. porrum against Bacillus cereus. The extract of the AP bulbs was prepared by using 70% (v/v) hydro-alcoholic solution. The antibacterial activity of this extract was then tested against B. cereus. Furthermore, a complete set of phytochemical compounds reported for AP were docked against the PlcR protein of B. cereus to evaluate their binding affinities. According to the results, this extract showed a remarked activity against B. cereus with the minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC, respectively) of 4 μg/ml and 213 μg/ml, while the bacterial strain was resistant to chloramphenicol (30 μg/ml). It was revealed that all phytocompounds of AP showed significant binding affinities against PlcR protein. Among them, five compounds, including neoporrigenin B, porrigenin C, porrigenin B, Kaempferol 3-O-gentiobioside, Seco-porrigenin and Neoagigenin, demonstrated the highest affinity with -9.17, -8.88, -8.77, -8.1, -9.69, and -8.73 kcal/mol, respectively. These features were considerably higher than that of chloramphenicol (-6 kcal/mol), suggesting them as potential binders against PlcR protein. Eventually, neoporrigenin B and porrigenin C are proposed as phytobiotic components against B. cereus PlcR protein.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate neurobehavioral toxicity of single-walled (SWNTs) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in mice. Methods: Male NMRI mice were randomized into 5 groups ( n = 10 each): Normal control (NC) group was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution (pH 7.8; ca. 1 mL), MW80 and MW800 groups were injected with either i.p. 80 or 800 mg kg−1 MWNTs suspended in 1 mL of PBS and SW80 and SW800 groups were injected with either i.p. 80 or 800 mg kg−1 SWNTs suspended in 1 mL of PBS. After 2 weeks, five mice from each group were evaluated for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) messenger RNA expression and protein content of brain tissues. Locomotion, anxiety, learning and memory, and depression were measured by open field test (OFT), elevated plus-maze (EPM), object recognition test (ORT), and forced swimming test (FST), respectively. Results: Ambulation time and center arena time in the OFT did not change among groups. In the EPM paradigm, SWNTs (800 mg kg−1) and MWNTs (80 and 800 mg kg−1) showed an anxiogenic effect. In ORT, MWNTs (80 mg kg−1) increased the discrimination ratio while in FST, MWNTs showed a depressant effect as compared to vehicle. The BDNF gene expression in mice treated with 80 and 800 mg kg−1 SWNTs or 80 mg kg−1 MWNTs decreased as compared to NC mice although BDNF gene expression increased in mice that were treated with 800 mg kg−1 MWNTs. The whole brain BDNF protein content did not change among groups. Conclusion: Our study showed that i.p. exposure to carbon nanotubes (CNTs) may result in behavioral toxicity linked with expression of depression or anxiety that depends on the type of CNTs. In addition, exposure to CNTs changed BDNF gene expression.

Xanthine oxidase (XO) is a member of xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) enzyme system that catalyses the terminal reactions of purine degradation to uric acid (UA). The synthesis of both antioxidant (i.e. UA) and numerous free radicals makes XO an important regulator of the cellular redox potential involved in normal foetal development. The aim of this study was to investigate ontogenetic changes of enteric XO activity and UA content during the last week of chick embryonic development. Fertilized eggs (n = 180) of layer-breeder (Bovans White) and broiler-breeder hens (Ross 308) were incubated at 37.7 °C and 60 % relative humidity. Enteric XO activity (n = 10 for each strain) was spectrophotometrically measured, based on the generation of UA using xanthine as substrate, at various incubation days namely D14, D16, D18, D20 and D21. Intestinal XO activity and UA content of both strains fluctuated and showed polynomial relationships with embryo age. The XO activity tended to be increased from D14 and reached its maximum level around D18 in both strains; however, its activity returned to minimal values at D21. Intestinal XO activity in broiler embryos was higher when compared to that of layer embryos at D18. The pattern of change in levels of intestinal UA were similar for the two strains with the highest UA levels being detected at D21. We have shown that the intestinal XO activity and UA content of chick embryos fluctuates during the last week of embryonic development.

We earlier reported that 1,4-dimethoxybenzene (DMB) was major component of aromatic water (AW) of Salix aegyptiaca L, Salicaceae, (SA). Here, Forty-eight male albino rabbits were divided into six equal groups: negative control (NC) group was gavaged with distilled water; positive control (PC) group was gavaged with simvastatin (0.6 mg/kg);SA1X and SA3X groups were gavaged with AW contains 1 mg/dl and 3 mg/dl essential oil, respectively and DMB1X and DMB3X were gavaged with 0.6 mg/dl and 1.8 mg/dl DMB, respectively. Serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations increased after 28 days in DMB-treated groups compared with NC group. The AW decreased TC level similar to the simvastatin-treated groups. DMB and SA intake did not positively modify highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triacylglycerides (TGs) levels compared to NC group and similar levels of very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), HDL-C and LDL-C in SA-treated groups compared to NC showed that SA could not positively modify lipoprotein profile in normolipidemic rabbits. The atherogenic index level was higher in DMB3X group compared to NC and SIM groups. Stereotypies like body whirling, biting, escaping attempt and head shaking behaviors have been observed in DMB-treated groups.

This study was designed to investigate the protective activity of hempseed oil on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) hepatotoxicity in male rats at Islamic Azad University, Saveh Branch, Saveh, Iran in 2015. Normal control (NC) group was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with distilled water (0.5 ml/kg); CCl4-intoxicated group (TCC) injected CCl4; hempseed oil treated group (HSO) gavaged hempseed oil; TCC-HSO group was injected CCl4 prior to intake of hempseed oil and HSO-TCC group was gavaged hempseed oil prior to being injected with CCl4. In all treated groups, toxicity was induced by i.p. injection of CCl4 (0.5 ml/kg) for two consecutive days and hemp seed, oil was gavaged at 8 ml/kg in respective group once daily for one week. Plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels increased in TCC. Protection against toxicity in HSO-TCC and TCC-HSO reduced AST and ALT activities compared to TCC. Plasma alkaline phosphatase activity in TCC-HSO and HSO-TCC increased as compared with other groups. CCl4 decreased plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in TCC. Hempseed oil decreased total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triacylglycerols in HSO compared to NC. Hempseed oil in TCC-HSO and HSO-TCC restored TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C levels to those of NC. Atherogenic index was lower in HSO in comparison to TCC. Based on histopathology, hempseed oil improved CCl4-induced-cardio- and hepatotoxicity in TCC-HSO and HSO-TCC; however, hempseed oil did not prevent CCl4-induced nephrotoxicity. To sum up, hempseed oil has mild protective effects against CCl4 toxicity in male rats.

Persian shallot, Allium hirtifolium Boiss. (AH), is an Iranian native medicinal plant belongs to Alliaceae family. Here, we investigated in vitro antibacterial activity of hydro-alcoholic extract derived from bulbs of AH. We also employed in silico molecular docking to decipher mechanisms of its antibacterial effects. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against E. coli ATCC 25922 were determined. Molecular docking was performed for major phytochemicals of AH against ribosome recycling factor (RRF). E. coli ATCC 25922 was gentamicin-resistant while AH showed MIC (42 ± 18 μg/ml) and MBC (106 ± 36 μg/ml) against E. coli. In silico results reported all phytochemicals of AH shown acceptable negative binding affinity (kcal/mol) with RRF. In essence, the binding affinities of alliogenin (−11.6), gitogenin (−11.6), kaempferol (−10.2), linoleic acid (−8.4), oleic acid (−8.0), palmitic acid (−7.4), palmitoleic acid (−8.4), quercetin (−10.8), and shallomin (−13.4) with RRF were comparable to that of gentamicin (−12.6). In sum, hydro-alcoholic extract of bulbs of AH could be considered as a commercial phytobiotics if in-depth antibacterial assays employed in future studies. More interestingly, shallomin showed more promising binding affinity with RRF and can be considered as lead molecule for future drug discovery.

Persian shallot, Allium hirtifolium Boiss. (AH), is an Iranian native medicinal plant belongs to Alliaceae family. Here, we investigated in vitro antibacterial activity of hydro-alcoholic extract derived from bulbs of AH. We also employed in silico molecular docking to decipher mechanisms of its antibacterial effects. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against E. coli ATCC 25922 were determined. Molecular docking was performed for major phytochemicals of AH against ribosome recycling factor (RRF). E. coli ATCC 25922 was gentamicin-resistant while AH showed MIC (42 ± 18 μg/ml) and MBC (106 ± 36 μg/ml) against E. coli. In silico results reported all phytochemicals of AH shown acceptable negative binding affinity (kcal/mol) with RRF. In essence, the binding affinities of alliogenin (−11.6), gitogenin (−11.6), kaempferol (−10.2), linoleic acid (−8.4), oleic acid (−8.0), palmitic acid (−7.4), palmitoleic acid (−8.4), quercetin (−10.8), and shallomin (−13.4) with RRF were comparable to that of gentamicin (−12.6). In sum, hydro-alcoholic extract of bulbs of AH could be considered as a commercial phytobiotics if in-depth antibacterial assays employed in future studies. More interestingly, shallomin showed more promising binding affinity with RRF and can be considered as lead molecule for future drug discovery.

Carbon nanotubes with extraordinary properties may become a novel drug and gene delivery tool in nanomedicine; however, insufficient information is available regarding their biosafety. Therefore, this work was performed to study the effect of prenatal exposure of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) on reproductive and neurobehavioral endpoints in mice. Thirty pregnant female mice were assigned to three groups ( n = 10 for each group). The two treated groups were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 1 or 10 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) of SWCNTs suspended in 1 ml of phosphate buffer saline (PBS) on gestational days 0 and 3. The control group was injected i.p. with an equal volume of PBS. The neurobehavioral ontogeny of pups was evaluated using a modified Fox battery. A decrease in litter size on postnatal day 2 was observed in the group treated with 10 mg/kg b.w. of SWCNTs whereas no significant differences between groups were observed in any other parameters. The behavioral development of pups did not show significant differences during growth except for the surface righting reflex, which showed significant delay compared to control in the group treated with 1 mg/kg b.w. SWCNTs. Moreover, exposed offspring (10 mg/kg b.w. SWCNTs) displayed enhanced anxiety in the elevated plus maze; however, other ethological analysis (Morris water maze and open field test) did not show behavioral changes in the experimental groups. In conclusion, the present results demonstrated small changes in offspring sensory and motor development following exposure to SWCNTs and support the idea that SWCNT risk assessment merits further investigation.

Aim The main goal of this study was to compare developmental competence and oxidative status of vitrified-warmed pre-antral follicles (VPF) with pre-antral follicles derived from vitrified-warmed ovarian tissue (VOF) in the presence of alpha lipoic acid (ALA). Materials and Methods Ovarian tissue and isolated pre-antral follicles were exposed to equilibration solution and then vitrification solution. After thawing of LN2 snap-frozen samples, pre-antral follicles were cultured with or without ALA for 12 days that followed by hCG-induced ovulation. MII oocytes were in vitro fertilized and embryo cleavage assessed. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels of cultured pre-antral follicles were measured. Results The rates of survival, antral-like cavity formation, MII oocytes, fertilization, 2-cell embryo and blastocyst development were higher in VPF compared to VOF. These rates were higher in ALA-supplemented groups in comparison to their respective groups. An increase and a decrease in ROS production and TAC levels were observed up to the 96 h during cultivation period, respectively. ROS level was lower in cultured VPF compared to VOF. In ALA-treated groups, ROS level decreased to reach comparable values of starting point and TAC levels increased after 24 h of culture and then remained constant. Conclusion Developmental outcomes showed vitrification of pre-antral follicles is more appropriate method than that of whole ovarian tissue. Moreover, it seems that inclusion of ALA improved in vitro development of pre-antral follicles in both vitrified and non-vitrified samples.

Background: Cryopreservation of ovarian tissues and pre-antral follicles is a promising prospect for preservation of women fertility. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro developmental competence of mouse vitrified pre-antral follicles in comparison to isolated pre-antral follicles derived from vitrified ovaries in the presence of alpha lipoic acid (ALA). Materials and Methods: Pre-antral follicles derived from fresh, vitrified-warmed ovarian tissues and vitrified–warmed pre-antral follicles were cultured individually with or without ALA, followed by adding hCG to induce ovulation. The follicle growth, oocyte maturation, and embryo development were assessed. Results: The diameter and development of follicles, oocyte maturation and embryo development rates were significantly higher in ALA supplemented groups compared to the respective ALA-free conditions groups. Aforementioned parameters were significantly higher in vitrified-warmed follicles in comparison to follicles derived from vitrified-warmed ovaries. Conclusion: These findings support a superior performance of pre-antral follicles when vitrified rather than when isolated from vitrified ovaries with regard to increasing the rates of developmental parameters. Moreover, ALA improves the in vitro maturation of pre-antral follicles in vitrified and non-vitrified samples.

The objectives of this study were to compare the following: (1) hatchability, (2) chicks' body and internal organs weights, and (3) plasma gonadotropin levels of hatchlings after in ovo administration of royal jelly (RJ) on Day 7 of incubation. Fertile eggs (n = 270) were injected into the air sac or yolk sac with 0.5 mL normal saline solution consisting of four formulations (normal saline solution with antibiotics, ultrafiltrate RJ, pure RJ, and RJ with antibiotics). The eggs were randomly divided into nine groups of 30 eggs each: (i) C: the control eggs received no injection, (ii) ASA: air sac-injected eggs received normal saline solution with antibiotics, (iii) ARJ: air sac-injected eggs received pure RJ, (iv) ARJA: air sac-injected eggs received RJ with antibiotics, (v) ARJF: air sac-injected eggs received RJ ultrafiltrate solution, (vi) YSA: yolk sac-injected eggs received normal saline solution with antibiotics, and (vii) YRJ: yolk sac-injected eggs received pure RJ, (viii) YRJA: yolk sac-injected eggs received RJ with antibiotics, and (ix) YRJF: yolk sac-injected eggs received ultrafiltrate RJ solution. Hatchability rate was lower in ARJ (46.7%), ARJA (43.3%), ARJF (43.3%), and YRJF (46.7%) groups than in the control (80.0%; P0.05). Hatchability rate in ASA (70.0%), YSA (66.7%), YRJ (66.7%), and YRJA (63.3%) groups were comparable to the control (P0.05). In ovo injection of RJ and or RJ with antibiotics in both sacs increased chicks' body weight (CWT), heart weight (HWT), and liver weight (LWT) and FSH and LH levels compared with control (P0.05). CWT in YRJ (37.02 g), YRJA (37.03 g), ARJ (36.82 g), and ARJA (36.89 g) groups were higher than control (34.9 g; P0.05). Similarly, HWT significantly increased in YRJ (0.22 g), YRJA (0.21 g), ARJ (0.20 g), and ARJA (0.20 g) in comparison to control (0.18 g; P0.05). In addition, LWT were higher in YRJ (0.83 g), YRJA (0.82g), ARJ (0.81g), and ARJA (0.81g) than control (0.72 g; P0.05). Six hours post-hatch, the mean plasma FSH and LH levels in ARJ (1.13 and 2.80 mIu/mL), YRJ (1.32 and 3.36 mIu/mL), ARJA (1.23 and 2.95 mIu/mL), and YRJA (1.31 and 3.28 mIu/mL) groups were higher than in the control (0.56 and 1.48 mIu/mL, P0.05). We concluded that in ovo administration of RJ or RJ with antibiotics might be an effective method to increase CWT, chicks' internal organs weights, and LH and FSH secretion rate without deleterious effect on hatchability. However, further research should be conducted to determine the putative endocrine disruptive effects of RJ and its byproducts.

Background: Onychomycosis is a nail disorder associated with aesthetic problems, discomfort, physical injury and loss of dexterity. The purpose of the present study was to isolate and identify the causative fungi of onychomycosis in 2402 patients in Kermanshah Province, western Iran in 1994 to 2010. Methods: Mycologic assessment was carried out by standard methods including either microscopic or cultural procedures. Results: Direct microscopy of the nail clips was positive in 1086 (45.2%) and fingernail and toenail onychomycoses were recognized in 773 (71.1%) and 313 (28.8%), respectively. Yeasts were detected in 853 (78.5%), dermatophytes in 201 (18.5%) and non-dermatophyte fungi in 32 (2.9%) patients. The results of fungal culture showed Candida albicans isolated in 384 (45.0%) and other Candida spp. isolated in 361 (54.0%) of the cases as the most common agents of onychomycosis while among dermatophytes, Trichophyton rubrum was found in 63 (37.0%) of the cases as the main dermatophytic agent followed by T. mentagrophytes 32 (15.9%) and Epidermophyton flocosum 30 (17.6%). Among the non-dermatophyte moulds, Aspergillus flavus was the most prevalent species 12 (37.5%) followed by A. niger 8 (25.0%) and A. fumigatus 4 (12.5%). Moreover, 139 (12.8%) samples with positive direct microscopy yielded no growth. The highest rate of onychomycosis was found in patients between 30–40 years of age. Conclusion: In sum, the current results identified the aetiological agents and primary epidemiological aspects of onychomycosis in west Iran.

The crucial role of xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) gene and its active isoform, xanthine oxidase (XO), in purine metabolism and cellular oxidative status led us to investigative their fluctuations in food deprivation induced food hoarding in mice. After, 10 h food deprivation, mice that hoarded lesser than 5 g were considered as ‘low-hoarders’ while mice that hoarded higher than 20 g were considered as ‘high-hoarders’. Mice who hoarded between 5 to 20 g of food were excluded from study. An increase (1.133-fold) in encephalic XOR expression has been found in high-hoarders compared with low-hoarders without sex consideration. An increase (~ 50-fold) in encephalic XOR in female high-hoarders vs. female low-hoarders while a decrease (0.026-fold) in encephalic XOR in male high-hoarders vs. male low-hoarders demonstrated that food deprivation is associated with sex-dependent alteration in XOR expression. The encephalic and hepatic XO activities were not different in male high-hoarders vs. male low-hoarders while encephalic XO activity has been also increased significantly in female high-hoarders (~ 4 times) compared to female low-hoarders. The plasma and hepatic XO activities tended to be increased in female high-hoarders as compared to female low-hoarders, however the uric acid levels in plasma, liver and brain tissues were not altered in female high-hoarders as compared to female low-hoarders. In sum, this study generally proposed that different gene expression space is behind of hoarding behavior in a food-deprived mouse model. Specifically, this is the first study that examined the levels of encephalic XO activity and XOR expression in hoarding behavior, although additional studies are requested.

1. Xanthine oxidase (XO) has many physiological functions associated with the synthesis of both antioxidant (uric acid: UA) and numerous oxidants (e.g. H2O2), which makes it an important regulator of the cellular redox potential involving organogenesis. The ontogenetic study of hepatic and renal XO makes a better understanding of the putative role of this enzyme in the development of these tissues. 2. Developmental changes of gene expression of xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR), XO activity and UA content of liver and kidney tissues in both broiler and layer chicken embryos were examined during incubation d 14-21. 3. In both strains, hepatic XOR gene expression peaked on d 21 while renal XOR gene expression did not change. 4. The XO activity was higher in kidney than liver in both strains. Hepatic XO activity of both strains peaked on d 18 and thereafter was decreased on d 21. Renal XO activity peaked on d 18 and from then on did not show any significant changes until d 21 in both strains. 5. The UA content was higher in kidney vs. liver in both strains. The hepatic and renal UA values of the both strains increased significantly from d 14 to d 21. 6. The present results showed dissimilar behaviour of XOR gene expression, XO activity and UA content of liver and kidney tissues in both broiler and layer chicken embryos.

The goal of this study was to investigate the common clinical chemistry and distribution of xanthine oxidase (XO) in selected tissues of a mouse model of menopause. Twenty four NMRI female mice were divided into three groups: normal control (NC), and ovariectomized (OVX) groups and an estrogen-treated ovariectomized (OVX+E) group which received subcutaneous injection of estradiol benzoate (2 mg/kg). After 8 weeks, blood samples were collected for determining plasma clinical chemistry. Tissue XO activity was measured spectrophotometrically based on monitoring uric acid (UA) formation. Plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), globulin (G), and calcium, and enteric XO activity increased in OVX group as compared with NC group. Hepatic XO activity in OVX group declined in comparison with NC group. E2, TP, and G levels and liver and brain XO activities increased in OVX+E group when compared with OVX group. However, TC, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, UA, and ALB levels decreased in OVX+E group compared with OVX group. The brain and heart XO activities increased in OVX+E group as compared to that of NC group. XO activity was not detected in womb, spleen and stomach of all studied groups. XO activity was not detected in muscles of NC group while OVX and OVX+E groups showed muscle XO activity. Induction of ovariectomy produced a hypoestrogenic state that coincident with an adverse alteration of plasma clinical chemistry in mice. XO activity also changed after ovariectomy and estrogen-replacement therapy with a tissue-specific manner.

The aim of this study was to evaluate neurobehavioral toxicity of single-walled (SWNTs) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in mice.Male NMRI mice were randomized into 5 groups ( n = 10 each): Normal control (NC) group was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution (pH 7.8; ca. 1 mL), MW80 and MW800 groups were injected with either i.p. 80 or 800 mg kgAmbulation time and center arena time in the OFT did not change among groups. In the EPM paradigm, SWNTs (800 mg kgOur study showed that i.p. exposure to carbon nanotubes (CNTs) may result in behavioral toxicity linked with expression of depression or anxiety that depends on the type of CNTs. In addition, exposure to CNTs changed BDNF gene expression.

This investigation was carried out to evaluate protective activity of an aqueous extract of alfalfa (Alfa-mix) against lead acetate (LA)-induced toxicity in broilers during 42 days. Birds in normal control (NC) group were fed a basal diet; alfalfa extract (AE) group was fed a basal diet supplemented with Alfa-mix (18.64 %); LA-intoxicated (Pb) group was fed the basal diet and LA (400 ppm) in drinking water; and finally, AE + Pb group was fed a basal diet supplemented with Alfa-mix (18.64 %) and LA (400 ppm) in drinking water. Inclusion of LA tended to increase the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentration, atherogenic index, and coronary heart diseases index levels by 45.24 % and 100 %, 16.66 % compared to NC. Plasma total cholesterol (TC), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), and triglycerides (TGs) levels increased significantly after Alfa-mix feeding. The plasma levels of TC, LDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), VLDL-C, and TGs increased significantly in AE group compared with Pb group. Plasma calcium level altered in four groups, while phosphorus and iron levels did not alter among groups. Plasma calcium level in Pb group decreased significantly compared to AE + Pb group. The levels of urea, uric acid, creatinine, total protein, albumin, albumin/globulin ratio, and total, direct, and indirect bilirubin did not differ among groups. Lead intake only increased alkaline phosphatase activity compared to AE and AE + Pb groups. Aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) activities and AST/ALT ratio decreased in Pb group compared to NC group. However, only ALT activity and AST/ALT ratio in AE + Pb group decrease significantly in comparison to NC group. ALT activity and AST/ALT ratio decreased significantly in AE group compared to NC group. In conclusion, alfalfa extract has mild protective effects against lead toxicity in Ross broiler chickens.

This study was design to evaluate the anti-candidal activity of Astragalus verus Olivier, Fabaceae (Av). The GC/MS analysis of essential oils of Av showed that aqueous extract contains thymol while hexadecanoic acid, 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, diisooctyl ester and phytol were found as major components of methanol and acetone extracts. The aqueous extract showed anti-candidal activity in the concentration 320 mg/mL using disc diffusion method and its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was 160 mg/mL. To induce cutaneous candidiasis, the dorsum of immunocompromised guinea pigs was infected with Candida albicans and animals were divided into five groups (n=5 for each): NC, received a vehicle; PC, received topical ketoconazole 2% and three other groups which received topical 10, 20 and 40% aqueous extract of Av. On ninth day postinfection, skins were cultured and colony forming unite per gram (CFU/g) skin was recorded. Systemic candidiasis was obtained by intravenous inoculation of C. albicans, 4000 CFU/g body weight. Here, animals have been divided into five groups like cutaneous candidiasis but their medications have been delivered in drinking water for ten days before induction of infection. On second day postinfection, all internal tissues were taken for determining CFU/g tissue. The aqueous extract (40%) prevented heavy burden of C. albicans in tissues and skin in oral and topical application, respectively. The results indicate that Av represents a potential source of anti-candidal drug.

Astragalus verus Olivier., Fabaceae, has been used as an immunopromoting remedy in Kurdish ethnomedicine. Here, phagocytic (nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) dye reduction and lysosomal enzyme activity of mouse splenocyte), (co)mitogenic (mouse splenocyte reduction of methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT)), and antioxidative (nitrite-induced methemoglobin formation) activities of A. verus extracts and chemical compositions of their essential oils (gas chromatography–mass spectrometry) were investigated. All aqueous (AQ), acetone (AC), and methanol (ME) extracts of aerial parts and root polysaccharide extract (PS) enhanced phagocytic activity compared with the control. The phagocytic activities assayed by lysosomal enzyme activity were in agreement with the values obtained by NBT reduction test and followed the order AQ > PS > AC > ME. All A. verus extracts showed enhanced mitogenic activities compared with the control; however, the AQ extract at 200 μg/mL showed maximum mitogenic activity by 311% compared with the control. The stimulation index values obtained by lipopolysaccharide comitogenic activity were roughly in agreement with the values obtained by concanavalin A comitogenic activity and followed the order AQ > PS > AC > ME. The AQ extract showed profound antioxidant activity while other extracts did not show an acceptable antioxidant activity. The main components isolated from the essential oil of A. verus were thymol in AQ, n-hexadecanoic acid, 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, diisooctyl ester, and phytol in both ME and AC and tetradecane, pentadecane, hexadecane, and phenol,2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl) in PS. The results clearly showed that A. verus could be employed as an immunopromoting remedy; however, more advanced researches are requested to develop a promised pharmaceutical drug from A. verus in the future.

Gender-related changes in plasma chemistry values were examined in guinea pigs after taking oral fluoxetine hydrochloride (HCl) as a widely prescribed drug for weight reduction and treatment of depressive disorders. Twenty guinea pigs of both sexes were divided into four groups of five animals. For both of the sexes, one group was treated with oral fluoxetine HCl (20 mg/kg/day) and another was used as a control which administered with distilled water. On the last day of the experiment (35th day), blood samples were collected for determining selected plasma biochemical parameters. For lipid profile, increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and triglycerides were seen in both sexes, along with increases in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in males and decreases of LDL-C in females and atherogenic index in both sexes. The levels of total protein, globulins, urea, and creatinine were increased only in the male guinea pigs that received fluoxetine. Although, the levels of creatine phosphokinase and alanine transaminase decreased in the fluoxetine-treated female guinea pigs compared to control. Other parameters like lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate transaminase, albumin, total bilirubin, (in)direct bilirubin, fasting blood sugar, calcium, and phosphorus did not alter following intake of fluoxetine in both sexes. For hormonal profile, testosterone and tetraiodothyronine (T4) in males and T3 and thyroid-stimulating hormone in both sexes did not change in fluoxetine-treated guinea pigs. However, the level of T4 decreased in fluoxetine-treated female group compared with the control group. Fluoxetine treatment resulted in gender-dependent effects. The decrease of T4 in female guinea pigs that received fluoxetine supports that this drug would be a possible endocrine disruptor.

Astragalus verus Olivier, Fabaceae has been used against ringworm in Kurdish ethnomedicine throughout millennia. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of A. verus extracts against Trichophyton verrucosum on in vitro and in vivo guinea pig model of dermatophytosis. The skin of albino guinea pigs was infected with T. verrucosum (1.0×10(7) conidia) and animals were divided into five groups (n=5 for each): negative control (NC), received a vehicle; positive control (PC), received topical terbinafine 1.0% and three other groups: AE10%, AE20% and AE40% which received topical 10%, 20% and 40% aqueous extract of A. verus, respectively. Evaluation of clinical efficacy was performed 72h after completion of a 7-day treatment regimen. Higher significant antifungal activities were observed in aqueous extract in the concentration 320 mg ml(-1) compared with acetone and methanol extracts. The aqueous extract showed minimum inhibitory concentration at 160 mg ml(-1) . Lower clinical scores indicate improved efficacy compared with NC. The lesion scores significantly declined in AE20%, AE40% and PC groups in comparison with NC group. The lesion scores in AE10% and AE20% groups were significantly higher than that of PC group. The AE10% group (18.3%) and AE20% group (39.43%) and AE40% group (66.19%) showed clinical efficacies compared with PC group (76.05%). In conclusion, aqueous extract showed promising antidermatophytic activity.

In oriental regions, the resinous agarwood from Aquilaria trees is used during daily Asian religious practices and/or ceremonies either alone or as a part of incense burning. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect agarwood stick smoke on certain biochemical parameters. Ten male adult rats were divided into two groups (n = 5 each): Smoke-treated animals were exposed to agarwood smoke in a smoking apparatus for four sessions (1 h/day) per week and control animals exposed only to compressed air in a smoking apparatus similar to the smoke-exposed group. Blood samples were collected on the 28th day of the experiment to determine levels of a number of biochemical parameters: lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, creatine phosphokinase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, globulin, albumin, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, cortisol, and testosterone. The changes in body weight and biochemical parameters were not statistically significant after exposure to agarwood smoke with respect to the control group. The only significant decrease was in plasma testosterone level and was observed in the smoking group in comparison to the control group which led us to consider agarwood as an endocrine disruptor.

The aims of the present study were to evaluate if seasonality in semen characteristics and plasma testosterone concentrations exist in Markhoz male goats. Ten Markhoz (Angora) bucks were housed and fed according to standard recognized practices. During the observation period, semen was collected monthly with the aid of an electro-ejaculator and examined microscopically immediately after collection. Physical parameters of semen and the semen index were recorded. Blood samples were also taken monthly throughout the observation period and the plasma testosterone concentration monitored. Bucks demonstrated a higher semen quality (P

Thermal stress in cattle results in major decreases in dairy production and reproduction. A study was designed to evaluate the influence of temporary cooling on pregnancy rate in Holstein heifers during summer heat stress. Estrus was synchronized with two injections of prostaglandin [Formula: see text] (PG), administrated 11 d apart, and all heifers were housed in a shaded enclosed structure at the time of the second PG injection. After estrus detection, heifers were randomly divided into three groups: Control (C; n = 30), Sprinkler (S; n = 30) or Sprinkler and Fan (SF; n = 30). Rectal temperatures were measured 2.5 hours before AI, at the time of AI, and 1.5 and 3.5 hours after AI. Group C heifers receive no further treatment, but heifers in S and SF groups were exposed to short-term cooling from 2 hours before until 2 hours after AI with a sprinkler (S) or sprinkler and a fan (SF), respectively. Estrus detection and AI were performed by a single skilled technician; semen was from a bull of known fertility. Rectal temperature did not differ among groups 2.5 hours before AI, but at the time of AI was lower (P0.05) in SF group (39.3 +/- 0.0 degrees C) than in S (39.5 +/- 0.0 degrees C) and C (39.9 +/- 0.1 degrees C) groups which also differed (P0.05). At 1.5 and 3.5 hours after AI, rectal temperature remained lower in SF group (38.9 +/- 0.0 and 38.7 +/- 0.0 degrees C, respectively) than in the S (39.4 +/- 0.0 and 39.2 +/- 0.0 degrees C, respectively) and C (39.3 +/- 0.0 and 39.3 +/- 0.0 degrees C, respectively) groups, which no longer differed. Pregnancy rate following AI was higher (P0.05) in SF group (56.7%) than in the C group (23.3%) with the S group (40%) intermediate and not different from either. The present study results indicate that cooling of dairy heifers for a short time before and after AI, especially with sprinkler and fan, can increase pregnancy rate during heat stress.

Dietary cholesterol has been suggested as a cause of dyslipidemic atherosclerosis with scarce convincing evidence. A systematic review and a meta-analysis were conducted in MEDLINE (2004–2015) to screen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that used cho‐ lesterol-fed rabbits as a model of atherosclerosis. A total of 32 RCTs (n = 1104 New Zealand rabbits; 4.37 ± 2.52 months old) reported lipid and lipoprotein outcomes fol‐ lowing cholesterol intake (0.98 ± 0.67%) for a duration of 8.90 ± 7.26 weeks. Cholester‐ ol intakes significantly raised combined lipid and lipoprotein outcomes (standardized mean difference) in a random-effect model by 5.618 (95% CI: 4.592, 6.644; P = 0.0001). The value of I2, heterogeneity, was 89.387%, indicating real variation. A subgroup analysis based on the duration and amount of cholesterol feeding in a mixed-effects analysis showed combined heterogeneous effects of 2.788 (95% CI: 2.333, 3.244; P = 0.000; Q = 112.206; df = 14) and 5.538 (95% CI: 4.613, 6.463; P = 0.000; Q = 31.622; df = 6), respectively. Random-effect meta-regression conducted using cholesterol moderator did not support causal effects of dietary cholesterol in inducing atherosclerosis, which may be due to significant publication bias. These high levels of heterogeneity among studies may decline fidelity of this animal model for translation of dyslipidemic athe‐ rosclerosis.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of ingestion of powder of hemp seed on blood picture. This study was experienced on five guinea pigs that fed with normal diet (fresh vegetable and tab water), in addition were force-fed 5 g/kg/day of the powder of hemp seed for 60 days by means of an endogastric tube and syringe. At the beginning day and the termination of study day-60 the blood was taken from animals and the erythrocyte number, leukocyte number, packed cell volume (PCV), and hemoglobin concentration values were determined. The result on analysis showed that erythrocyte-count and PCV significantly decreased (p0.05) whereas hemoglobin concentration and leukocyte number values showed a steady decline which was not significant (P0.05). None of the values fell below the normal physiological range of the experimental animals. This shows that hemp seed which contains tetrahydrocannabinols as its active constituents has long term significant toxicological implication such as bone marrow suppression with respect to the concentration given on the erythrocytes of mammals. It is recommended that individuals who have anemia or immunity complication should not use hemp seed in their food preparation on regular basis.

The main goal of this study was to compare developmental competence and oxidative status of vitrified-warmed pre-antral follicles (VPF) with pre-antral follicles derived from vitrified-warmed ovarian tissue (VOF) in the presence of alpha lipoic acid (ALA).Ovarian tissue and isolated pre-antral follicles were exposed to equilibration solution and then vitrification solution. After thawing of LN2 snap-frozen samples, pre-antral follicles were cultured with or without ALA for 12 days that followed by hCG-induced ovulation. MII oocytes were in vitro fertilized and embryo cleavage assessed. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels of cultured pre-antral follicles were measured.The rates of survival, antral-like cavity formation, MII oocytes, fertilization, 2-cell embryo and blastocyst development were higher in VPF compared to VOF. These rates were higher in ALA-supplemented groups in comparison to their respective groups. An increase and a decrease in ROS production and TAC levels were observed up to the 96 h during cultivation period, respectively. ROS level was lower in cultured VPF compared to VOF. In ALA-treated groups, ROS level decreased to reach comparable values of starting point and TAC levels increased after 24 h of culture and then remained constant.Developmental outcomes showed vitrification of pre-antral follicles is more appropriate method than that of whole ovarian tissue. Moreover, it seems that inclusion of ALA improved in vitro development of pre-antral follicles in both vitrified and non-vitrified samples.