Effect of carboxymethyl cellulose-based coatings incorporated with Zataria multiflora Boiss. essential oil and grape seed extract on the shelf life of rainbow trout fillets

To prolong the shelf life of seafood products, lipid oxidation and growth of microorganisms should be retarded. The objective of the current study was evaluating the potential application of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) coatings incorporated with Zataria multiflora Boiss. essential oil (ZMEO) and grape seed extract (GSE) on chemical (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N)), microbial (total viable count, lactic acid bacteria and Pseudomonas spp.) and organoleptic attributes of rainbow trout fillets during refrigerated storage for twenty days. GCeMS analysis showed that ZMEO is rich in monoterpene phenols such as thymol and carvacrol. The following results were obtained after 20 days of storage: The minimum level of TVB-N was measured in the fillets coated with CMC + 2 v/v ZMEO + 0.5 v/v GSE. The minimum number of total viable bacteria, lactic acid bacteria and Pseudomonas spp. were determined in the fillets coated with CMC + 2 v/v ZMEO + 1 v/v GSE. The fillets coated with CMC + 1 v/v ZMEO + 1 v/v GSE showed the best organoleptic properties. Our results revealed that CMC-based coatings incorporated with ZMEO and GSE could improve chemical, microbial and sensorial characteristics of rainbow trout fillets during cold storage. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd

A Preliminary Study of the Correlations of Serum Concentrations of Electrolytes and Trace Elements with Clinical Signs in Diarrheic Dairy Calves

To study the correlations of clinical signs with serum electrolytes and trace elements, 50 diarrheic dairy calves in a dairy herd were examined. The diarrheic calves, before any treatment, were clinically examined, and fecal consistency score, age, and days between disease onset and sampling were recorded per calf. The serum concentrations of calcium, magnesium, copper, zinc, manganese and iron were measured. Serum copper concentration had a significant correlation with PCV (r=-0.56, P<0.001) and had marginally significant correlations with calves age (r=-0.32, P=0.06) and disease length (r=-0.31, P=0.07), and serum calcium concentration had significant correlations with body temperature (r=0.41, P<0.01) and calves age (r=-0.41, P<0.01). Fecal consistency score or diarrhea severity had a significant effect on none of the measured serum factors. Our results showed the importance of diarrhea length and calves age vs. fecal score in estimation of changes in serum parameters in diarrheic calves

Antibacterial activity of acetic and lactic acid against Listeria monocytogenes and their effect on the intracellular constituent release

Background: Organic acids (e.g. acetic and lactic acid) have been used in foods as natural preservatives. Acetic acid and its salts are used in foods as antimicrobial and acidulant agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of acetic and lactic acids against the Listeria monocytogenes. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted at the Department of Food Hygiene (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University) during autumn 2015. The antibacterial effects of acetic and lactic acid against Listeria monocytogenes were determined using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and cell constituents release methods. The concentration ranges of acetic and lactic acid (0.0195-10 and 0.043-22.2 &mu;l/ml, respectively) were used to determine the MIC of acids. Results: Based on the results, acetic and lactic acid inhibited the growth of Listeria monocytogenes and acetic acid had stronger effect against the the bacterium. The MIC values for acetic acid and lactic acid were 2.5 and 5 &mu;l/ml, respectively. Cell constituents release showed that acetic and lactic acids are able to lyze the bacterial cell. Conclusion: Acetic and lactic acids were effective in inhibiting the growth of Listeria monocytogenes and the antibacterial effect of acetic acid was stronger than that lactic acid. These acids can be used in foods in combination with other preservatives to inhibit the food borne pathogens and food spoilage microorganisms

Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells exert in vitro immunomodulatory and beta cell protective functions in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice model

Regenerative and immunomodulatory properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) might be applied for type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) treatment. Thus, we proposed in vitro assessment of adipose tissue-derived MSCs (AT-MSCs) immunomodulation on autoimmune response along with beta cell protection in streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetic C57BL/6 mice model. MSCs were extracted from abdominal adipose tissue of normal mice and cultured to proliferate. Diabetic mice were prepared by administration of multiple low-doses of streptozotocin. Pancreatic islets were isolated from normal mice and splenocytes prepared from normal and diabetic mice. Proliferation, cytokine production, and insulin secretion assays were performed in coculture experiments. AT-MSCs inhibited splenocytes proliferative response to specific (islet lysate) and nonspecific (PHA) triggers in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). Decreased production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-17, and increased secretion of regulatory cytokines such as TGF-β, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13 by stimulated splenocytes were also shown in response to islet lysate or PHA stimulants (P < 0.05). Finally, we demonstrated that AT-MSCs could effectively sustain viability as well as insulin secretion potential of pancreatic islets in the presence of reactive splenocytes (P < 0.05). In conclusion, it seems that MSCs may provide a new horizon for T1DM cell therapy and islet transplantation in the future. © 2015 Hossein Rahavi et al

A Study of Correlation of Serum Leptin with Trace Elements in Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

The present study was designed to evaluate the correlations of the serum leptin with trace elements in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). The serum concentration of leptin and its correlations with serum concentrations of copper, zinc, selenium, iron and manganese were measured in 80 clinically healthy water buffaloes. The serum concentration of leptin had no significant correlation with the measured trace elements (P>0.05). Separate evaluation of the age groups also showed no significant difference between age groups and no significant correlation between serum leptin and the measured trace elements. In male buffaloes, the serum concentration of leptin had a significant correlation with the zinc/copper ratio (r= 0.53, P=0.014). These relationships were not measured in water buffalo previously and were partially different from those of other species

Functional assessment of the fontan operation: Combined M-mode, two-dimensional and doppler echocardiographic studies

Combined M-mode, two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographie studies were used to assess the postoperative status of 33 patients who had undergone the modified Fontan procedure. Twenty-four patients had surgical repair with use of a simple direct right atrium to pulmonary artery anastomosis. The remaining patients had repair with use of a prosthesis or associated Glenn shunt. Twenty-seven patients were studied early in the postoperative period (2 months or less) and the remaining patients were studied up to 6 years postoperatively. A total of 36 examinations were performed. Of the 33 patients, 13 had tricuspid atresia, 12 had double inlet left ventricle with hypoplastic right ventricular outlet chamber and 8 had complex lesions with atrioventricular canal, double outlet right ventricle or a hypoplastic ventricle.Postoperative assessment by M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography demonstrated normal or mildly reduced ventricular function (ejection fraction > 40%) in 22 patients. In 24 patients, a “normal” (low pattern was observed in the pulmonary artery by pulsed Doppler echocardiography, with predominant diastolic flow and accentuation by atrial systole somewhat similar to the venous flow pattern observed in the superior vena cava. “Abnormal” flow patterns (disorganized systolic flow, absence of atrial waves and little or no increase with inspiration) were observed in nine patients with reduced ventricular function or residual shunt. Continuous wave Doppler study also demonstrated mild dynamic subaortic obstruction in two patients. Combined pulsed and continuous wave studies showed atrioventricular valve insufficiency in 10 patients. Follow-up studies revealed a satisfactory clinical course in most patients. Three patients died approximately 4 to 8 months after their Fontan operation

Diagnosis of lipomatous hypertrophy of the atrial septum by two-dimensional echocardiography

Originally described in 1964, lipomatous hypertrophy of the atrial septum currently remains a diagnosis established primarily at autopsy. Clinical interest in this disorder has centered on the reported association with supraventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. Because two-dimensional echocardiography allows detailed assessment of atrial septal configuration, we reviewed two-dimensional echocardiographic reports obtained over a 1 year period and identified 17 patients who had features consistent with lipomatous hypertrophy of the atrial septum. Nine were men and the average age was 70 years. Autopsy confirmation of the echographic findings was possible in one patient. In nine patients, ideal body weight was exceeded by 10% or more. The atrial septum viewed from the subcostal transducer position showed a distinctive echo-dense globular thickening sparing the valve of the fossa ovalis. The resultant tomographic image of the atrial septum had a characteristic dumbbell appearance. The mean thickness of the atrial septum was 21 mm (range 15 to 29). Seven patients had supraventricular arrhythmias, and eight had P wave abnormalities.The two-dimensional echocardiographic features described are distinctive and suggest that this technique is the procedure of choice not only for establishing the diagnosis of lipomatous hypertrophy of the atrial septum but also for providing a means for prospective follow-up of patients with this little known entity

Two-dimensional echocardiographic spectrum of univentricular atrioventricular connection

The spectrum of anomalies in hearts having a univentricular atrioventricular (AV) connection was examined by two-dimensional echocardiography in 183 patients and the anatomic findings were compared with angiography. The mode of AV connection was found to be of three types: 1) double inletvia two A V valves; 2) singleinlet via one AV valve with absence of the other (left or right AV valve atresia); and 3) common inletvia a common AV valve. Identification of an accessory chamber by two-dimensional echocardiography was possible with 90% sensitivity, but it was limited compared with angiography in patients with severely hypoplastic anterior Chambers and pulmonary valve atresia. All patients with subaortic outlet foramen obstruction were detected. Great artery position and the presence of obstruction to pulmonary flow were correctly predicted in all but one patient. Two-dimensional echocardiography was superior to angiography for the detection of AV valve abnormalities which were present in 27% and included abnormal chordae, hypoplasia or dysplasia of either valve. Two-dimensional echocardiography should play an essential role in the complete preoperative assessment of patients with univentricular AV connection

Outcome of Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and a Normal Electrocardiogram

ObjectivesThis study sought to clarify the frequency, clinical phenotype, and prognosis of those patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) who present with a normal electrocardiogram (ECG).BackgroundHypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common cause of sudden death in young people. Screening advocates have recommended a 12-lead ECG for the early detection of HCM in athletes, yet the clinical outcomes of those presenting with a normal ECG remains to be fully delineated.MethodsBaseline characteristic and echocardiographic data were collected on all patients with HCM who initially presented to our institution with a diagnostic echocardiogram but a normal ECG. Follow-up was obtained and compared with the prognosis of HCM patients who presented with abnormal ECGs.ResultsWe compared 135 HCM patients with a normal ECG with 2,350 HCM patients with an abnormal ECG. The latter group was more likely to have worse symptoms, have higher gradients, and a greater degree of septal wall thickness than the patients with a normal ECG. Severe obstructive symptoms requiring surgical myectomy and implantation of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator were more common in patients with abnormal ECGs. Cardiac survival was significantly better in the group with a normal ECG at presentation—none of these patients had a cardiac death at follow-up.ConclusionsAlmost 6% of patients presenting with demonstrable echocardiographic evidence of HCM had a normal ECG at the time of diagnosis. This subset of patients with normal ECG-HCM appears to exhibit a less severe phenotype with better cardiovascular outcomes