A study on the effects of the estrous cycle on uterine fluid and blood serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) content in the cow

To investigate the IgG content and its variations in uterine fluid (UF) during the estrous cycle of the cow and to compare them with those of the blood serum (S), six pairs of serum and UF samples for each phase of the cycle selected out of 240 bovine genital tracts and blood samples were collected from Urmia abattoir. The UF samples were collected by gentle scraping of the endometrium using a curette after uterine incision and their IgG content and those of the serum were measured by single radial immuno-diffusion (SRID) assay. Serum IgG values (Mean ± SEM) were generally higher than the UF values throughout the cycle except for di-estrus (S: 38.50 ± 0.90, UF: 51.60 ± 2.10 mg mL-1), in which the highest values were observed in UF samples. In met-estrus the difference was not significant (S: 34.80 ± 1.80mg mL-1, UF: 30.80 ± 5.20 mg mL-1), however, in estrus the mean UF IgG value (12.50 ± 1.10 mg mL-1) was lower than that of the serum (31.30 ± 1.20 mg mL-1). In pro-estrus, the lowest values (S: 27.80 ± 1.30 mg mL-1, UF: 9.10 ± 1.50 mg mL-1) were obtained. The results showed a lower IgG values in the bovine UF than those of the serum in the follicular phase of the cycle, while in di-estrus the UF IgG content was the highest, suggesting some IgG production in the uterus at this phase

Detection and Molecular Characterization of Sorbitol Negative Shiga Toxigenic Escherichia Coli in Chicken from Northwest of Iran

AbstractShiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are food-borne pathogens primarily associated with the consumption of contaminated ground beef and are an important food safety concern worldwide. STEC has been found to produce a family of related cytotoxins known as Shiga toxins (Stxs). Shiga toxins have been classified into two major classes, Stx1 and Stx2. A single strains of STEC can produce Stx1, Stx2 (or its variants) or both. The aims of this project were to determine the prevalence and molecular characteristics of STEC isolates from chicken flocks in Northwest of Iran. A total of 350 fecal samples from 28 broiler farms were screened for the presence of STEC by conventional culture methods and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All samples were initially subjected to phenotypical analysis using the Sorbitol MacConkey agar plate for the detection of the sorbitol negative E. coli, and then for genotypic analysis, by multiplex PCR for detection of stx1and stx2 genes. STEC were isolated from 14 (4 %) chicken fecal samples. To our knowledge, this is the first report of isolation of STEC from poultry in Iran. To conclude, this work revealed the presence STEC strains harboring stx1 and stx2 gene in healthy chicken fecal samples in Northwest of Iran suggesting they can play as an important potential source of contamination for people working on broiler farms or are in contact with chicken carcasses at meat processing plants

Metformin attenuates myocardial remodeling and neutrophil recruitment after myocardial infarction in rat

Introduction: Acute treatment with metformin has a cardio-protective effects by suppression of inflammatory responses during myocardial infarction (MI) through activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Neutrophils have a pivotal role during MI-induced inflammatory responses. Some anti-inflammatory treatments have decreased cardiac injury and infarct size in MI. Here we evaluated the effects of chronic pre-treatment with metformin on myocardial remodeling and neutrophil recruitment after isoproterenol-induced MI. Methods: Male wistar rats were randomly assigned into 6 groups (n=6) of untreated control, sham, isoproterenol (Iso), and pre-treated orally with 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg of metformin, twice daily, for 14 days. Isoproterenol was injected subcutaneously (sc) at 13th and 14th days for induction of acute MI. Histopathological examinations were done on the harvested hearts. Number of neutrophils in peripheral blood and their infiltration to myocardium were evaluated by Gimsa staining and myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay, respectively. Results: Histopathological analysis showed a significant attenuation of isoproterenol-induced cardiomyocyte necrosis and fibrosis by all three doses of metformin. The heart to body weight ratio was also decreased with all doses of metformin. Pre-treatment with metformin in comparison to Iso (MI) group reduced peripheral neutrophils (p<0.05, p<0.01, and p<0.001 at 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg; respectively) as well as MPO activity (p<0.05 and p<0.01 at 50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively). Conclusion: Pre-treatment with metformin decreased post-MI myocardial injuries by reducing cardiac remodeling and myocardial neutrophil activity. The results could be explained as a new mechanism for cardio-protective effect of metformin

Effects of in vitro selenium addition to the semen extender on the spermatozoa characteristics before and after freezing in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of in vitro supplementation of selenium on fresh and frozen spermatozoa quality of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bulls. Five healthy buffalo bulls (5 ejaculates from each bull) were used. Each ejaculate was diluted at 37 ˚C with tris-based extender containing 0 (control), 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 μg mL-1 sodium selenite and the sperm motility and viability were evaluated at 0 (T0) (immediately after dilution), 60 (T1) and 120 (T2) min after diluting semen. In the second step, semen samples were diluted with tris-egg yolk-glycerol extender containing the same amounts of sodium selenite, cooled to 4 ˚C, equilibrated and semen parameters (motility, viability, membrane integrity and DNA damage) were estimated. Then, the semen was packed in 0.5 mL French straws and frozen in liquid nitrogen. Later, the semen was thawed and analyzed for the same parameters, as well as total antioxidant capacity. Results showed that addition of 1 and 2 μgmL-1 selenium to the semen extender significantly increased the sperm motility of fresh and equilibrated semen compared to the control without affecting other parameters. However, in frozen-thawed semen, extenders containing 1 and 2 μg mL-1 selenium significantly improved sperm motility, viability, membrane integrity and semen total antioxidant capacity and also resulted in lower DNA damaged sperms. In this study selenium supplementation of semen extender of 4 and 8 μg mL-1 had deleterious effects on sperm parameters as early as the samples were prepared for freezing

Phenotypic modulation of auto-reactive cells by insertion of tolerogenic molecules via MSC-derived exosomes

Auto-reactive cells-mediated immune responses are responsible for the current tissue damages during autoimmunity. Accordingly, functional modulation of auto-reactive cells has been a pivotal aim in many of recent studies. In the current study, we investigated the possibility for insertion of regulatory molecules onto auto-reactive cells through exosomal nano-shuttles as a novel approach for phenotype modification of auto-reactive cells. The exosomes were isolated from supernatant of mesenchymal stem cells culture. Resultant exosomes co-cultured with lymphocytes were harvested from established EAE mice in the presence of antigenic MOG35-55 peptide. After 24 hr, insertion of exosomal tolerogenic molecules (PD-L1, TGF-β, galectin-1) onto auto-reactive cells were explored through flow cytometry. The potency of exosomal inserted membrane molecules to modulate phenotype of auto-reactive lymphocytes was assessed upon ELISA test for their-derived cytokines IFN-γ and IL-17. Incorporation of exosomal molecules into lymohocytes’ membrane was confirmed by flow cytometric analyses for surface levels of mentioned molecules. Additionally, the decreased secretion of IFN-γ and IL-17 were detected in exosome pre-treated lymphocytes upon stimulation with MOG peptide. Mesenchymal stem cells -derived exosomes showed to be efficient organelles for insertion of bioactive tolerogenic molecules onto auto-reactive cells and modulation of their phenotypes

Expression of the human coagulation factor IX in the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are appropriate target for gene and cell-based therapy of hemophilia B patients. MSCs possess several unique properties such as capability of differentiating into multiple lineages and lower immunogenecity in transplant procedure that make them attractive candidates for cell and gene therapy. One of the challenges in the gene therapy is the low expression level of transgene. To improve expression, strong regulatory elements in the context of vectors could contribute to improve efficacy of gene therapy strategies. In this study four human factor IX (hFIX)-expressing plasmids equipped with various combination of human -globin (hBG) introns and Kozak sequence were transfected into the MSCs and expression of the hFIX was evaluated in vitro. Material and Methods: MSCs were obtained from tibias and the femora of rats and phenotypic characterization of the MSCs was determined by flow cytometry. Four hFIX-expressing plasmids were introduced into the culture-expanded MSCs using transfection agent. 48 hours after transfection, ability of the MSCs for expression of the hFIX and efficacies of the plasmids were evaluated by performing sandwich ELISA on cultured media as well as semi-quantitative RT-PCR. All analyses were performed with One-way ANOVA using SPSS software. Results:The highest expression level of the hFIX was obtained from intron-less and hBG intron-I containing construct. The highest biological activity was obtained from hBG intron-I,II containing construct. Conclusion:Successful expression of the hFIX was obtained from recombinant MSCs. MSCs were able to splice heterologous hBG intron-I from the hFIX-cDNA. Application of thehBG introns reduced the hFIX expression levels, probably due to improper splicing of the hBG introns