The <em>Bifidobacterim bifidum</em> (BIB2) Probiotic Increased Immune System Factors in Men Sprint Athletes

Foods supplemented with probiotics enhance athletes’ immune system functions, improve body health and consequently decreases athlete’s health maintenance costs. Probiotics improve immune system function against pathogens via affecting on innate immune system, humeral immunity and cytokines. The effects of consumption of Iranian probiotic Bifidobactrium bifidum (BIB2) on athletes’ immune system functions were evaluated. The results showed studied immune system factors were significantly different between test and control groups, so that IgA, IgM, lymphocyte and monocytes percentage and CD4 measurements of test group were higher than control. The Bifidobacterim bifidum (BIB2) probiotic consumption can affect some immune system factors; therefore its ability to improved general health should be studied more

The supernatural characters and powers of sacred trees in the Holy Land

This article surveys the beliefs concerning the supernatural characteristics and powers of sacred trees in Israel; it is based on a field study as well as a survey of the literature and includes 118 interviews with Muslims and Druze. Both the Muslims and Druze in this study attribute supernatural dimensions to sacred trees which are directly related to ancient, deep-rooted pagan traditions. The Muslims attribute similar divine powers to sacred trees as they do to the graves of their saints; the graves and the trees are both considered to be the abode of the soul of a saint which is the source of their miraculous powers. Any violation of a sacred tree would be strictly punished while leaving the opportunity for atonement and forgiveness. The Druze, who believe in the transmigration of souls, have similar traditions concerning sacred trees but with a different religious background. In polytheistic religions the sacred grove/forest is a centre of the community's official worship; any violation of the trees is regarded as a threat to the well being of the community. Punishments may thus be collective. In the monotheistic world (including Christianity, Islam and Druze) the pagan worship of trees was converted into the worship/adoration of saints/prophets; it is not a part of the official religion but rather a personal act and the punishments are exerted only on the violating individual

Effects of circadian variation of dietary protein sources on growth performance, carcass composition and intestinal enzyme activity in beluga, Huso huso

Abstract The main cost in aquaculture production is feed, so management practices and feeding strategies aim to optimize both feed intake and efficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the growth performance of beluga, Huso huso, affected by periodic changes in dietary protein sources and hence identify possible innovative feeding strategies toward more efficient use of dietary protein. This study was designed with two experimental diets, namely fish meal (diet A) and plant protein blend (diet B) (protein 40%, fat 16%), which were used in different food schedules for feeding beluga (initial weight 82.08 ± 4.1 g) during 8 weeks. The experimental treatments included: continuously feeding a fish meal diet (A); continuously feeding a plant protein diet (B); alternating between diet A in the morning and diet B in the afternoon (A am/B pm); alternating between diet B in the morning and diet A in the afternoon (B am/A pm); and alternating between diet A for one day and diet B for one day (1A/1B). At the end of the eight‐week trial, superior growth performance and feed utilization were respectively observed in fish receiving A, Bam/Apm, and Aam/Bpm diets compared with the remaining treatments. The specific activity of trypsin and chymotrypsin was significantly high in fish fed Aam/Bpm and Bam/Apm. Feeding the fish‐meal‐based diet (A) continuously, led to decreased protein and increased fat deposition in the carcass. Among the mixed feeding schedules, the highest cost‐saving was recorded with the Aam/Bpm and Bam/Apm schedules. Based on economic analysis, applying Aam/Bpm and Bam/Apm schedules led to the reduced cost of beluga production compared with the other treatments. Therefore, the optimal feeding schedules for beluga are Aam/Bpm and Bam/Apm, which should be used as a practical feeding guideline for H. huso production

Characterization of the mitochondrial Huso huso genome and new aspects of its organization in the presence of tandem repeats in 12S rRNA

Abstract Background The sturgeon group has been economically significant worldwide due to caviar production. Sturgeons consist of 27 species in the world. Mitogenome data could be used to infer genetic diversity and investigate the evolutionary history of sturgeons. A limited number of complete mitogenomes in this family were sequenced. Here, we annotated the mitochondrial Huso huso genome, which revealed new aspects of this species. Results In this species, the mitochondrial genome consisted of 13 genes encoding proteins, 22tRNA and 2rRNA, and two non-coding regions that followed other vertebrates. In addition, H. huso had a pseudo-tRNA-Glu between ND6 and Cytb and a 52-nucleotide tandem repeat with two replications in 12S rRNA. This duplication event is probably related to the slipped strand during replication, which could remain in the strand due to mispairing during replication. Furthermore, an 82 bp repeat sequence with three replications was observed in the D-loop control region, which is usually visible in different species. Regulatory elements were also seen in the control region of the mitochondrial genome, which included termination sequences and conserved regulatory blocks. Genomic compounds showed the highest conservation in rRNA and tRNA, while protein-encoded genes and nonencoded regions had the highest divergence. The mitochondrial genome was phylogenetically assayed using 12 protein-encoding genes. Conclusions In H. huso sequencing, we identified a distinct genome organization relative to other species that have never been reported. In recent years, along with the advancement in sequencing identified more genome rearrangements. However, it is an essential aspect of researching the evolution of the mitochondrial genome that needs to be recognized

Data from: Genome-wide identification of microsatellites and transposable elements in the dromedary camel genome using whole genome sequencing data

Transposable elements (TEs) along with simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are prevalent in eukaryotic genome, especially in mammals. Repetitive sequences form approximately one-third of the camelid genomes, so study on this part of genome can be helpful in providing deeper information from the genome and its evolutionary path. Here, in order to improve our understanding regarding the camel genome architecture, the whole genome of the two dromedaries (Yazdi and Trodi camels) was sequenced. Totally, 92- and 84.3-Gb sequence data were obtained and assembled to 137,772 and 149,997 contigs with a N50 length of 54,626 and 54,031 bp in Yazdi and Trodi camels, respectively. Results showed that 30.58% of Yazdi camel genome and 30.50% of Trodi camel genome were covered by TEs. Contrary to the observed results in the genomes of cattle, sheep, horse, and pig, no endogenous retrovirus-K (ERVK) elements were found in the camel genome. Distribution pattern of DNA transposons in the genomes of dromedary, Bactrian, and cattle was similar in contrast with LINE, SINE, and long terminal repeat (LTR) families. Elements like RTE-BovB belonging to LINEs family in cattle and sheep genomes are dramatically higher than genome of dromedary. However, LINE1 (L1) and LINE2 (L2) elements cover higher percentage of LINE family in dromedary genome compared to genome of cattle. Also, 540,133 and 539,409 microsatellites were identified from the assembled contigs of Yazdi and Trodi dromedary camels, respectively. In both samples, di-(393,196) and tri-(65,313) nucleotide repeats contributed to about 42.5% of the microsatellites. The findings of the present study revealed that non-repetitive content of mammalian genomes is approximately similar. Results showed that 9.1 Mb (0.47% of whole assembled genome) of Iranian dromedary’s genome length is made up of SSRs. Annotation of repetitive content of Iranian dromedary camel genome revealed that 9,068 and 11,544 genes contain different types of TEs and SSRs, respectively. SSR markers identified in the present study can be used as a valuable resource for genetic diversity investigations and marker-assisted selection (MAS) in camel-breeding programs

Prompt cytomolecular identification of chromosome aberration in irradiated blood cells

Background: understanding the genomic alteration induced by ionizing radiation still remains to be a methodological challenge in genetic field. The energy released from this type of radiation can potentially causes structural and numerical alterations in lymphocytes, which in turn converts them into abnormal tumor cells. Chromosomal abnormalities associated with specific type of hematological malignancies are determinant factors in evaluation of radiation dose and its potential in harming the body. None the less early detection of chromosomal aberration (CA) is crucial in prognosis and selection of therapy for the people exposed to irradiations. The aim of this study was to explore a swift and accurate genetic test that identifies CAs in radiologist exposed to X-rays. In addition synergistic effect of other clastogens in irradiated workers was also evaluated. Material and methods: thirty four heparinized blood samples were obtained from radiology workers exposed to X-rays. Blood samples were cultured in RPMI 1640 and F-10 Medias with and without PHA stimulation. Lymphocytes were harvested, separated and arrested at metaphase and their chromosomes were analyzed by solid and G-Banding techniques. Lymphocytic CA was also analyzed through whole chromosome painting FISH. Results: of the 37 blood sample from workers, 60% had various structural aberrations in which both the frequency and type of CAs were intensified among tobacco smokers. Conclusion: the results did not show any significant differences between the genders but other carcinogen like smoking can significantly increases the rate of CA