Serum profiles of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D and parathyroid hormone in Caspian horses during different seasons

Minerals play an essential role in the normal vital process. Calcium, phosphorus and magnesium are the most abundant minerals. Vitamin D and parathyroid hormone play a key role in regulation of their homeostasis as well. The aim of this study was to evaluate calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D and parathyroid hormone on 30 Caspian horses of Guilan Province (south of the Caspian Sea) in two different seasons. So that, 15 stallions and 15 mares were sampled at the age groups ≤ 3 years and > 3 years, respectively. Fasting blood samples were collected twice, in August and January 2015 from jugular vein of horses. Serum calcium, phosphorus and magnesium were measured by colorimetric methods, while 25(OH)D3 and parathyroid hormone were measured by ELISA. The calcium (11.50 vs. 14.25 mg dL-1 ), magnesium (2.13 vs. 3.72 mg dL-1 ) and vitamin D (1.66 vs. 2.48 ng mL-1 ) levels were lower in winter than in summer (P < 0.05). The Caspian horses had higher phosphorus (4.52 vs. 3.26 mg dL-1 ) in winter than in summer (P < 0.05). Effect of sex on the measured parameters was not significant. Effects of age on the calcium, magnesium, vitamin D and parathyroid hormone levels were not significant, but ≤ 3 year - old horses had higher phosphorus (4.63 vs. 3.15 mg dL-1 ) than > 3 year - old ones (P < 0.05). The vitamin D level of mares was higher (3.10 vs. 1.43 ng mL-1 ) in summer than in winter (P < 0.05). Effects of sex, season, age and their interactions on parathyroid hormone were not significant. In conclusion, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and parathyroid hormone levels in Caspian horses were within their physiological range, but vitamin D was low without any signs of deficiency. The Caspian horses had lower calcium, magnesium and vitamin D levels in winter than in summer

Cyanobacterial metabolites as a source of sunscreens and moisturizers: a comparison with current synthetic compounds

The recognition of the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation on the skin has led to the commercial development of inorganic and synthetic organic UV filters that can attenuate the negative effects of sunlight exposure. In addition, chemical moisturizers are extensively used in cosmetic products to improve the ability of skin to retain water. Whilst these chemicals have clear beneficial qualities, they may also have adverse effects such as contact sensitivity, oestrogenicity and even tumorigenic effects on human skin. Furthermore, the accumulation of such chemicals in the aquatic environment could be potentially harmful. Consequently, there is interest in exploiting safer alternatives derived from biological sources, especially from photosynthetic organisms such as cyanobacteria that have developed mechanisms for coping with high UV irradiation and desiccation. In order to overcome the detrimental effects of UV radiation, these microorganisms produce UV screening compounds such as mycosporine-like amino acids and scytonemin, which are good candidates as alternatives to current synthetic UV filters. In addition, extracellular substances produced by some extremophilic species living in hyper-arid habitats have a high water retention capacity and could be used in cosmetic products as moisturizers. In this review, we present an overview of the literature describing the potential of cyanobacterial metabolites as an alternative source for sunscreens and moisturizers

Serum acute phase proteins in cows with SARA (Subacute Ruminal Acidosis) suspect

The aim of this study was to evaluate the variations of Acute Phase Proteins (APPs) and other blood constituents during the onset of the sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA) pathological status. A total of 108 cows from 12 dairy herds were randomly selected and divided into three Groups of 36 animals each. All animals were subjected to a rumenocentesis. Group A was composed by subjects with a rumen pH>5.8, Group B was composed by subjects with a rumen pH ≤5.5≤5.8 and Group C was composed by subjects with a rumen pH<5.5. Blood samples were collected by jugular venipuncture and Haptoglobin (Hp), Serum Amyloid A (SAA), Total Proteins, Albumin and White Blood Cells (WBC) were determined. One-way ANOVA showed a statistical significance on Rumen pH, Hp, SAA. SARA seems not stimulate the APPs production from liver

Identification and Molecular Analysis of Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) and Bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV) in Mazandaran Province

Introduction: Among legume crops, common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is one of the most important worldwide crops, because of its cultivation area and nutritional value. The closely related potyviruses Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) and Bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV) are the most common and most destructive viruses that infect common beans throughout the world. The viruses induced similar symptoms in numerous bean genotypes, including mosaic, leaf distortion, stunting, and lethal necrosis. Like all potyviruses, BCMV and BCMNV have non-enveloped flexuous filamentous virions of 750 nm long and 11–13 nm wide, which encapsidate a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA molecule of approximately 10,000 nt long. Both are naturally transmitted by aphids in a non-persistent manner and by seed, which explains their worldwide distribution. These viruses are major constraints on bean production and can cause serious crop losses. Mazanadaran province in north of Iran is one of the major producing areas of legumes, so identification of these viruses is a concern. However, so far, no studies have been done with these viruses in this province. The aim of this research was to study the existence of BCMV and BCMNV in research areas and determining of their phylogenetic relationship. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with degenerate primers for conserved sequences of the viral genomes has facilitated the rapid detection of many potyviruses and enabled partial genomic sequencing. In the absence of complete genomic sequences of potyviruses, CI-coding region is more suitable for diagnostic and taxonomy purposes, rather than the coat protein (CP) usually used. The CI gene most accurately reflects the taxonomic status according to the complete ORF. Materials and Methods: From July to September 2013 and 2014, a total of 50 leaf samples of beans showing virus symptoms were collected from different bean fields in Mazandaran province. Total RNA was extracted from all samples. The RT-PCR assay was performed using potyvirus degenerate primers corresponding to the virus CI gene. Expected PCR products of 680 bp were purified from 1% agarose gels using the Gel Recovery kit, then cloned into the pTG19-T vector and sequenced. Sequences were compared to data available in GenBank. Phylogenetic tree for grouping based on nucleotide sequences was constructed by MEGA 5.1 software program using neighbor-joining method. Multiple alignments of the nucleotide and amino acid sequences were carried out using the Clustal W and DNAMAN7 software. Results and Discussion: Using potyvirus degenerate primers CI F/R, an amplicon of the expected size (680 bp) was generated from 13 plant samples. Specific amplification using the potyvirus degenerate primers in infected samples, but not from healthy samples, confirmed the presence of a potyvirus. The most typical symptoms in positive samples were mosaic, mottling, rugosity, leaf distortion and necrosis. Two selected PCR positive samples were cloned into the pTG19-T vector, sequenced and submitted to BLASTn to identify the best matching sequences recorded in GenBank. BLASTn analysis of the sequenced data revealed that the PCR-amplified fragments belonged to Bean common mosaic virus (Cowpea) and Bean common mosaic necrosis virus (White bean). Phylogenetic tree based on multiple sequence alignment of 680 nt of CI gene divided all BCNMV isolates into two groups: I and II. Members of each group were divided into two subgroups: A, B. Isolates in subgroup IA included three isolates from China and two isolate from Indonesia. Iranian isolate (BCMV-MAZ) was classified in the group IB with RU1M isolate (USA). Group II included a wide range of Chinese isolates and also one isolate from USA, Germany, India and South Korea. Phylogenetic analysis by comparing the 680 bp of CI gene sequences showed that all BCMNV sequences can be placed into two groups: Only TN1 isolate (USA) was classified in group I. Group II included 2 subgroups A, B. Iranian isolate (BCMNV-MAZ) with NL8 isolate (USA) were classified in the subgroup IIA. Isolates in group IIB included a number of USA isolates and one isolate from the UK. Isolate of BCMV-MAZ (from Sari) showed the highest (96.8% - 98.7%) and the lowest (79.5%-91.6%) nucleotide and amino acid sequence identity with RU1M isolate (USA) and Habin1 (Korea), respectively. Also BCMNV-MAZ (from Jouybar) displayed the highest (97.8%) and the lowest (96.9%) nucleotide sequence identity with NL-3 K, NL5 and NL8, respectively. This isolate was 97.7 % identical with other isolates of the BCMNV at the amino acid identity level. Conclusions: BCMV and BCMNV are widespread in almost all bean growing areas of Iran and often present in the mixture. In this study, for the first time we reported the occurrence of BCMV and BCMNV in common beans in Mazandaran province based on the RT-PCR, and CI gene analyses, and determining their phylogenetic relationship with other isolates of these viruses available in the GenBank. Primary detection was performed by using CI F/R degenerate primer based on the potyvirus CI gene motifs I and V. Since the sequence identity of CI gene is higher when compared to that of the CP gene and is involved in helicase activity during replication, the use of CI is more accurate in defining orders in potyvirus taxonomy and in evolutionary relationships. Due to ease in the spread of these viruses by seed and vectors, detection of such viruses has a crucial role in the control of these diseases. The data obtained in this study will be beneficial to improve control strategies for these viruses in Iran. Study on the distribution of BCMV and BCMNV will be useful for breeders to incorporate virus resistance into bean cultivars, where any or both of the two viral species occur

Review of Ten Years of Albanian Competition Law Developments

Albania was one of the last countries in Europe to adopt a free market economy after suffering from one of the worst dictatorial communist regimes in the world. In order to succeed in its efforts to establish a free market economy, Albania needed to undertake a set of reforms to modernize its economy in order to cope with the new reality of global markets and Euro-Atlantic integration. An important aspect of these reforms is also the implementation of a competition law in line with the acquis an its effective implementation. A lot has been achieved in the last ten years but there is a lot to be done still in order to facilitate a competitive economy able to cope with Albania’s EU integration. The work of the ACA is only one aspect of this process, but it is of utmost importance for the development of the national economy and successful EU membership

Association between Slip Severity and Muscle Synergies of Slipping

Falls impose significant negative impacts to the US population and economy. A significant number of falls may be prevented via appropriate slip-responses since a strong relation exists between slips and falls. More importantly, as severe slips are more prone to result in a fall, identifying severe slippers along with the responsible factors for their adverse motor control and severe slipping should be the highest priority in fall prevention process. Previous studies have suggested that muscle synergies may be building blocks of the central nervous system in controlling motor tasks. Muscle synergies observed during slipping (‘post-slip-initiation synergies’ or ‘just briefly,’ ‘slipping muscle synergies’), may represent the fundamental blocks of the neural control during slipping. Hence, studying the differences in slipping muscle synergies of mild and severe slippers can potentially reveal the differences in their neural control and subsequently, indicate the responsible factors for the adverse post-slip response in severe slippers. Even though the slipping muscle synergies have been investigated before, it still remains unclear on how the slip severity is associated with the slipping muscle synergies. More importantly, muscle synergies can be interpreted not only as neural blocks but also as physical sub-tasks of the main motor task. Hence, studying the differences of slipping synergies of mild and severe slippers would reveal the discrepancies in sub-tasks of their post-slip response. These discrepancies help pinpoint the malfunctioning sub-function associated with inadequate motor response seen in severe slippers. Twenty healthy subjects were recruited and underwent an unexpected slip (to extract their slipping synergies). Subjects were classified into mild and severe slippers based on their Peak Heel Speed. An independent t-test revealed several significant inter-group differences for muscle synergies of mild and severe slippers indicating differences in their neural control of slipping. A forward dynamic simulation was utilized to reveal the functionality of each synergy. Decomposition of slipping into sub-tasks (synergies), and finding the malfunctioning sub-task in severe slippers is important as it results in a novel targeted motor-rehabilitation technique that only aims to re-establish the impaired sub-task responsible for the adverse motor-response in severe slippers