Aerobic Stability of Corn Silages Inoculated with Novel isolate of Lactic acid bacteria separated from Various Sources

Introduction: Corn silage is a major source of forage for ruminants, which provides a higher energy level compared to other forages. But it is susceptible to aerobic deterioration, because yeasts utilize the lactic acid, produced by lactic acid bacteria, as a source of energy. Thus, silages become a favor environment for the growth of mold and bacteria. The susceptibility of a silage to the aerobic deterioration is an important factor since it is directly related to its quality and nutritive value. When silage is exposed to air, increase of temperature and pH may occur, resulting in soluble carbohydrates loss and fermentation of the products of microbial metabolism, reducing its quality. Aerobic stability is an important feature in the evaluation of corn silage quality. Researchers reports that the use of lactic acid bacteria can improve fermentation and aerobic stability of silage. This study aimed to investigate the changes in the chemical compositions and concentration of fermentation end products that occur in corn silages with or without microbial inoculants during aerobic exposure and to select bacterial strains that can improve the aerobic stability after silo opening.Materials and Methods: This study was conducted to select lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains isolated from corn silage, the intestinal contents of broilers, laying hens, Turkey, Ostrich and assess their effects on the quality and aerobic stability of maize silage. The LAB strains were inoculated into aqueous extract obtained from maize to evaluate their production of metabolites, pH reduction and antimicrobial activity. One hundred and twenty-one strains were isolated from various sources in the Laboratory, which all isolates were considered to be LAB as determined by Gram-stain appearance, catalase test and lactic acid productivity. Analysis of the 16S rDNA sequence of representative strains was used to confirm the presence of the predominant groups. The sequences from the various LAB isolates showed high degrees of similarity to those of the GenBank type strains between 99% and 100%. Five LAB strains that showed the best results were assessed in experimental silos. All treatments were ensiled in laboratory-scale silos for 105 days, and then subjected to an aerobic stability test for 8 days. Silage samples were collected at 0, 4 and 8 days after aerobic exposure to determinate the changes in the chemical compositions, products of fermentation, and to evaluate the silages microbial changes to determine the aerobic deterioration. Data in the experimental design, after opening the silos, were analyzed in a completely randomized design with nine replicates by GLM procedure of SAS software. In aerobic conditions, the data were analyzed as repeated measures in time. The data were analyzed in a completely randomized design by GLM procedure of SAS software. Variance analysis and multiple comparisons of data were performed using the GLM procedure of and the means were separated by Tukey’s test.Results and Discussion: The results indicated that after 105 days of conservation, all silages had good fermentation characteristics with low pH (<3.80) and ethanol concentration and high lactic acid contents (P<0.01). A linear decrease in pH values and water-soluble carbohydrates contents were observed. Addition of lactic acid bacteria, increased acetic acid, but decreased ethanol contents of inoculated silages compared to the control (P<0.01).  Across treatments, there were significant differences in the yeast populations (P<0.01). The population of yeasts which was initially high in the fresh forage (5.57 log cfu g−1 forage) before ensiling and a drastic reduction in the numbers of yeasts was observed in all silages throughout the experiment. The addition Lactobacillus Fermentum resulted in a higher concentration of acetic acid and reduced populations of yeasts in silage compared to the other silage treatments, and a lower ethanol concentration in the silage (P<0.01). The strains tested were able to modify the fermentative and chemical parameters and the populations of yeasts of silage after aerobic exposure.  Aerobic stability of corn silages was associated with high acetic acid and reduction the populations of yeasts. all Lactobacillus strains promoted an increase in aerobic stability of silage. Addition of lactic acid bacteria, further improved silage aerobic stability with more acetic acid production and reduction the populations of yeasts (P<0.01). After 8 days of aerobic exposure, inoculated silage with Lactobacillus Fermentum remained stable, but the control silage deteriorated as indicated by a reduction in lactic acid and an increase in pH, and numbers of yeast (P<0.01). These results proved the advantage of microbial inoculation. The best Lactobacillus strains is Lactobacillus Fermentum because it provides more stable pH, production higher acetic acid, higher reduction of yeasts and filamentous fungi in maize silage, thereby decreasing the aerobic deterioration by these microorganisms.Conclusion: The results showed that application of inoculants is recommended because it promoted higher production of acetic acid, reducing the populations of yeast and filamentous fungi, a more stable pH and, therefore, improving the aerobic stability of silages. The best inoculation is Lactobacillus Fermentum because it provides higher reduction of yeast and filamentous fungi in maize silage, thereby decreasing the aerobic deterioration by these microorganisms. The Lactobacillus Fermentum strain show the best results in relation to silage aerobic stability

Are older people more vulnerable to long term impacts of disaster?

Background: Despite the growing interest in the study of disasters, there is limited research addressing the elderly population that lead to prejudiced beliefs that older adults are more vulnerable to disasters than younger adults. This study aimed to compare positive mental health between elderly and young earthquake survivors. Method: Data for this study, consisting of 324 earthquake survivors, were obtained from a population-based cross-sectional survey conducted in Iran, 2015. The long-term effect of earthquake was assessed using the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form questionnaire. A one-way multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) using SPSS (version 22) was used in data analysis. Results: Older adults scored significantly a higher level of overall positive mental health (mean [M]=34.31, standard deviation [SD]=10.52) than younger age group (M=27.48, SD=10.56, t=-4.41; P<0.001). Results of MANCOVA revealed a statistically significant difference between older and young adults on the combined positive mental health subscales (F(3,317)=6.95; P<0.001), after controlling for marital status, sex, and employment status. Conclusion: The present findings showing a higher level of positive mental health among elderly earthquake survivors compared with their younger counterparts in the wake of natural disasters suggest that advancing age per se does not contribute to increasing vulnerability

Short communication: The effect of different inclusion levels of polyethylene glycol as a silage additive on ensilage characteristics of pomegranate peel and in vitro rumen fermentation

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of ensiling pomegranate peel (PP) with different levels of polyethylene glycol (PEG) on its chemical composition, tannin content, in vitro gas production and fermentation characteristics. Fresh PP was chopped and ensiled in mini silos made of polyvinyl chloride tubing. Five levels of PEG were studied: 0 (control), 5, 10, 15, and 20% of fresh PP (dry matter basis). Total phenolics, total tannins, crude ash, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber content and pH decreased with increasing PEG levels, whereas dry matter and non-fiber carbohydrates content, non-tannin phenols, lactic acid and ammonia concentrations and buffering capacity increased. The water soluble carbohydrates and ether extract concentrations were not influenced by the addition of PEG. The partitioning factor and efficiency of microbial biomass production were quadratically decreased (p=0.020 and p=0.032, respectively) as PEG inclusion increased, but the in vitro apparent dry matter disappearance did not differ among treatments. Compared to control, the in vitro true disappearance and in vitro fiber digestibility had a tendency to be higher in silages treated with PEG (p=0.081 and p=0.069, respectively). The metabolizable energy content and total volatile fatty acids concentration increased quadratically by PEG inclusion. The asymptotic gas production and rate of gas production were higher in PEG-treated silages. Overall, ensiling PP with PEG can improve the fermentation characteristics of this by-product

Prevalence of Psychopathology and Sociodemographic Characteristics among Earthquake Survivors in Eastern Azerbaijan, Iran

Background:  This  study  aimed  to  prospectively  analyze  the  effect  of  a  major  earthquake on the prevalence of psychological disorders such as acute stress disorder (ASD), anxiety, depression,  mixed  anxiety  depression  disorder  (MADD),  phobia,  aggressive  behavior, insomnia, psychosomatic disorders and also sociodemographic aspects among residents of rural community sample in East Azerbaijan, Iran. Materials and Methods: The sample was composed of 801 adults exposed to the earthquake. Two months after the earthquake, all subjects were surveyed with measures administrated in a standard order as follows: demographic data sheet, disaster experiences scale (DES), general health questionnaire (GHQ), and symptom checklist 90-revised (SCL-90-R). Results: The results revealed that 23% of the survivors in the exposed group had ASD, 10% had  anxiety  symptoms,  7.5%  depression,  4%  MADD,  5%  psychosomatic  disorders,  10% phobia, 7% aggressive behavior, and 10% insomnia. Conclusion: This article has summarized the current status of information on mental disorders caused by experiencing or witnessing a life threatening severe earthquake. The experience of fear, helplessness, and panic during the earthquake, and the appraisal by the victims of serious psychological, social, as well as demographical consequences after the earthquake, were positively related to the subscale scores and the total score of GHQ, SCL-90-R, and DES

Short communication: The effect of different inclusion levels of polyethylene glycol as a silage additive on ensilage characteristics of pomegranate peel and in vitro rumen fermentation

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of ensiling pomegranate peel (PP) with different levels of polyethylene glycol (PEG) on its chemical composition, tannin content, in vitro gas production and fermentation characteristics. Fresh PP was chopped and ensiled in mini silos made of polyvinyl chloride tubing. Five levels of PEG were studied: 0 (control), 5, 10, 15, and 20% of fresh PP (dry matter basis). Total phenolics, total tannins, crude ash, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber content and pH decreased with increasing PEG levels, whereas dry matter and non-fiber carbohydrates content, non-tannin phenols, lactic acid and ammonia concentrations and buffering capacity increased. The water soluble carbohydrates and ether extract concentrations were not influenced by the addition of PEG. The partitioning factor and efficiency of microbial biomass production were quadratically decreased (p=0.020 and p=0.032, respectively) as PEG inclusion increased, but the in vitro apparent dry matter disappearance did not differ among treatments. Compared to control, the in vitro true disappearance and in vitro fiber digestibility had a tendency to be higher in silages treated with PEG (p=0.081 and p=0.069, respectively). The metabolizable energy content and total volatile fatty acids concentration increased quadratically by PEG inclusion. The asymptotic gas production and rate of gas production were higher in PEG-treated silages. Overall, ensiling PP with PEG can improve the fermentation characteristics of this by-product

Prevalence of Psychopathology and Sociodemographic Characteristics among Earthquake Survivors in Eastern Azerbaijan, Iran. A B S T R A C T

Background: This study aimed to prospectively analyze the effect of a major earthquake on the prevalence of psychological disorders such as acute stress disorder (ASD), anxiety, depression, mixed anxiety depression disorder (MADD), phobia, aggressive behavior, insomnia, psychosomatic disorders and also sociodemographic aspects among residents of rural community sample in East Azerbaijan, Iran. Materials and Methods: The sample was composed of 801 adults exposed to the earthquake. Two months after the earthquake, all subjects were surveyed with measures administrated in a standard order as follows: demographic data sheet, disaster experiences scale (DES), general health questionnaire (GHQ), and symptom checklist 90-revised (SCL-90-R). Results: The results revealed that 23% of the survivors in the exposed group had ASD, 10% had anxiety symptoms, 7.5% depression, 4% MADD, 5% psychosomatic disorders, 10% phobia, 7% aggressive behavior, and 10% insomnia. Conclusion: This article has summarized the current status of information on mental disorders caused by experiencing or witnessing a life threatening severe earthquake. The experience of fear, helplessness, and panic during the earthquake, and the appraisal by the victims of serious psychological, social, as well as demographical consequences after the earthquake, were positively related to the subscale scores and the total score of GHQ, SCL-90-R, and DES

The Status of Posttraumatic Growth in Earthquake Survivors, Three Years After the Earthquake in East Azerbaijan

Background: Experience of difficult incidents, besides its negative and adverse consequences, can have positive consequences and lead to the growth of people in several areas. Evaluating the status of posttraumatic growth in earthquake survivors could help better understand the various dimensions of this incident. The present study aimed to evaluate the status of posttraumatic growth in East Azerbaijan earthquake survivors. Materials and Methods: This study is a cross-sectional and descriptive-analytical research. The study population consisted of East Azerbaijan earthquake survivors and the study sample included 295 survivors randomly selected from those who were eligible for the study. The research tools were a demographic questionnaire and posttraumatic growth inventory. Results: The mean (SD) age of the participants was 43(14.3) years, and 50.5% of them were male. The mean (SD) of the posttraumatic growth score of the study sample was 48.25(21.18). The findings of this study showed that among posttraumatic growth dimensions, &ldquo;spiritual changes&rdquo; (11.11[5.1]) and &ldquo;connecting with others&rdquo; (4.9[2.3]) had the highest score, while the &ldquo;new possibilities&rdquo; got the lowest score (16.3[7.19]). Conclusion: Posttraumatic growth issue requires further attention in the mental and social health policies. The study results indicate that despite the many problems that the earthquake creates for people, dealing with this disaster leads to positive psychological effects on people, too

Checking the Validity and Reliability of the Persian Version of the Resilience Assessment Questionnaire in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Objective This study aimed to investigate the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the “resilience assessment questionnaire” in patients with multiple sclerosis. Materials & Methods The statistical population of the present study included all multiple sclerosis patients living in Tehran City in 2022. Of them, 250 people were selected through available sampling. The participants completed the questionnaires of Gromis et al. resilience and the hospital anxiety and depression scales. The validity of the questionnaire was investigated using the formal, content, construct, and predictor methods. Also, the reliability of the test was checked through the Cronbach α method and retesting. Data analysis was done using SPSS software, version 26. Results The face validity was confirmed by checking the content and solving the appearance problems. The content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed after correcting the questions. The results of exploratory factor analysis showed that the resilience questionnaire includes 5 components: Emotional and cognitive strategies, physical activity and diet, family and friends support, peer support, and spirituality. Also, the Cronbach α values of these components were 0.88, 0.79, 0.62, 0.76, 0.50, and 0.89, respectively. The eigenvalues of these components explained 47.49% of the variance. There was a significant relationship between the resilience and anxiety/depression questionnaire components. The correlation value between the first and second stages confirmed the retest validity of the resilience questionnaire. Conclusion The Persian version of the “multiple sclerosis resilience” scale is a valid and reliable tool for assessing resilience features in Iranian MS patients, which can be used in policymaking and research studies

Psychosocial Stresses and Concerns of People Living in Tehran: A Survey on 6000 Adult Participants

Objective: Nowadays stress and tensions are among the most important factors affecting health. Identifying the stressors and their determinants provides substantial information for understanding the health of the community. Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on citizens over 18 years who were living in all 22 districts of Tehran in 2017. The participants were selected using multistage cluster sampling method. The research tool was a checklist that evaluated various factors. Different statistical tests, such as descriptive tests and logistic regression, were used for data analysis. Results: Of the participants, 82.7% experienced at least 1severe stress during the past year. In the last year, 45.6% of the participants had at least 1severe economic stress, 32.3% had at least 1severe family-related stress, 28.8% had at least 1severe health-related stress, and 25.7% experienced at least 1severe future-related stress. The most common psychosocial stressors experienced in the last year were concerns about personal/family future (53.7%), concerns about the financial and economic future (47.1%), and the high cost of living (41.7%). However, the most severe stresses were due to the participants’ concerns about family health (14.4%), personal/family futures (13.2%), and financial and economic future (12.7%). Furthermore, health status, subjective socio-economic status, and age were the most important predictors of severe stress experiences. Conclusion: It is necessary to take actions to reduce the prevalence of common severe stresses. In addition, psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, and social workers need to provide stress management interventions carefully to their patients

The Role of Social Support in the Anxiety and Depression of Elderly

Objectives: This study has been conducted to investigate the &laquo;social support&raquo; various roles in anxiety and depression of elderly people, in Tehran&rsquo;s second district habitants. Methods & Materials: The method of study is causal-comparative and required data was collected by Norbeck Social SupportQuestionnaire and Anxiety and Depression Scale. The sample includes 100 elder subjects who are 60 years old and over which having been chosen from elderly population of Tehran&rsquo;s second district. Regression and correlation coefficient tests have been applied for dataanalysis. Results: Findings show that anxiety and depression rates were 44% and 40% respectively in elder subjects. Correlation test showed that all types of social support pecuniary, emotional, functional, structural support) had a reverse and significant relationship with depression and anxiety. The results of multiple regression showed that pecuniary and structural support were significant predictive for anxiety and pecuniarysupport was significant predictive for depression in elderly peopel. Conclusion: The Results of this study emphasize on the importance of social determinants of health role, especially, social support on the mental disorders of the elderly. Taking this inexpensive resource into account in tackling elderly depression and anxiety, and as a result,improvement of their quality of life, is of a great importance