Antioxidant status, immune system, blood metabolites and carcass characteristic of broiler chickens fed turmeric rhizome powder under heat stress

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary turmeric rhizome powder (TP) on performance, blood metabolite, immune system, antioxidant status, and relative weight of organs in pre and post heat stressed broilers. Two hundred and sixty-four (264) day-old male Arian broiler chicks were randomly allotted to three dietary treatments containing 0, 0.4 or 0.8% turmeric powder. Each diet was fed to four replicates of 22 birds each. Heat stress was applied for 5 h (33°C) from 28 to 42 days. Two birds from each replicate were randomly selected and blood samples were taken to collect the serum, plasma and whole blood. These were slaughtered to determine the relative weight of organs pre (28 days PHS) and after heat stress (42 days AHS). TP did not affect feed intake, body weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR), production index, and protein and energy efficiency ratio of broilers. Blood cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) decreased and blood high density lipoprotein (HDL) increased when fed TP in PHS and AHS birds. TP did not affect serum triglyceride, protein, antibody production against sheep red blood cell (SRBC), IgG, IgM and Newcastle vaccination (ND) in PHS and AHS. TP suppressed the enzyme activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of heat stressed birds. The enzyme activity of creatine kinase (CK) in AHS and superoxide dismutase (S OD) in PHS were not affected by TP diets. TP diets increased blood activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and SOD and decreased blood thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) index. The H:L ratio, relative weight of bursa of fabircus and abdominal fat decreased in birds fed TP diets. TP diets did not alter percentage of bone Ash, and P of heat stress broilers; however, it increased bone Ca of heat stressed broilers. It can be concluded that the supplementation of TP to diets, decreased the activity of dehydrogenase enzyme, stressor index, and improved the antioxidant status without affecting performance and the immune system of heat stressed broilers.Key words: Turmeric powder, immune and antioxidant system, blood metabolite, broiler

Localization and Distribution of Primary Cilia in the Adult Mouse Heart

Although primary cilia have been shown to play crucial roles in the development of embryonic mouse heart, their presence and function in adult mouse heart remains controversial. In this study, the presence of primary cilia in adult mouse heart was investigated. The presence of primary cilia was initially demonstrated in the surface of cardiac cells of mouse hearts from both young and adult mice by immunostaining with acetylated α-tubulin, a ciliary structural marker. The presence of cardiac primary cilia in 1-, 3-, 6- and 12-month old mice was further confirmed by staining heart tissues with an antibody against pericentrin, a marker for the basal body or the centriole. Ciliary polycystin-2 is a calcium channel and mechanosensory molecule, was demonstrated for the first time to localize to primary cilia of cardiac cells in both early and late stages of mouse adulthood, thus proposing a role of primary cilia in adult mouse heart calcium signaling. Primary cilia presence in different heart chambers was further confirmed by immunostaining. Furthermore, the abundance and length of cardiac primary cilia during mouse adulthood in three different age groups (\u3c 3 month, 3-6 month, and \u3e6 month old mice)was studied and found out that cardiac cells with primary cilia in the first age group (\u3c 3 month) accounted for 37% of the total number of cells; however, the number of primary cilia in the 3-6 month and \u3e 6 month age groups accounted for 29% and 25%, respectively, suggesting that primary cilia abundance is age dependent

Comparison of Glucose Levels of the First and Second Fingertip Blood Drops in Edematous Diabetic Patients Hospitalized in Intensive Care Units (Point Of Care Method)

Aims: Based on the principles of physiology, the blood used in the system of point of care is the capillary blood that its biochemical contents are in equilibrium with the mediastinum fluid. In edematous diabetic patients, the first and second blood drops of the stick place are apparently different. In the clinical centers of the country, the first drop is used as a blood glucose test using point of care method. The aim of this study was to compare the level of glucose through first and second fingertip blood and venous blood samples of edematous diabetic patients in stroke intensive care units. Materials & Methods: In this cross sectional, analytical descriptive study, 103 edematous diabetic patients were selected via available sampling method. The subjects were hospitalized in stroke ICU Qaem Hospital in Mashhad, Iran in 2012. Glucometry was performed, using first and second capillary blood drops and standard venous sample simultaneously. The data were analyzed by SPSS 17 software, using repeated meature ANOVA, paired t-test, and Bland–Altman plot. Findings: There was no significant difference in glucose levels in the first and second fingertip blood drops (p=0.257), while there was a significant difference between glucose levels in the first and second fingertip blood drops with standard venous sample (p<0.05). There was also a significant correlation between 2 drops in expression of glucometry results. Conclusions: The first or second fingertip blood drops have similar glucose test results

A Mediterranean diet is associated with improved total antioxidant content of human breast milk and infant urine

Background: The composition of breast milk (BM) is dynamic and can be influenced by maternal variables that include the diet and nutritional status. This study examined the association between maternal adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and total antioxidant content of BM and infant urine. Methods: We collected 350 BM samples from mothers and urine samples from their infants. The dietary intakes of the mothers were recorded using a validated 65 items-food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The total antioxidant status of the samples was assessed using the ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP), the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and thiol quantification assays. Milk protein, calcium, and triglyceride (TG) were also determined using standard biochemical kits. Results: Subjects with the highest MedDiet scores were among the women in the highest tertile (T3) for consumption of dietary fiber, fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and seeds, low-fat dairy, whole grains, and the lowest consumption of red meat, sweetened beverages, and sodium, compared to women in the first tertile (T1) with the lowest MedDiet scores. After adjustment for potential confounders, the individuals in the highest tertile for MedDiet score had a significantly higher level of milk DPPH, and infant urinary DPPH than the lowest tertile and had a significantly higher level of milk protein, FRAP and infant urinary FRAP compared to the T2 (P < 0.05). In addition, the mothers in the T3 for the MedDiet pattern had a significantly lower level of milk TG compared to those within the T1 (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Our findings show that a high maternal adherence to a MedDiet can affect BM composition and their infants' urine

Methylation at the C-3′ in D-Ring of Strigolactone Analogs Reduces Biological Activity in Root Parasitic Plants and Rice

Strigolactones (SLs) regulate plant development and induce seed germination in obligate root parasitic weeds, e.g. Striga spp. Because organic synthesis of natural SLs is laborious, there is a large need for easy-to-synthesize and efficient analogs. Here, we investigated the effect of a structural modification of the D-ring, a conserved structural element in SLs. We synthesized and investigated the activity of two analogs, MP13 and MP26, which differ from previously published AR8 and AR36 only in the absence of methylation at C-3′. The de-methylated MP13 and MP26 were much more efficient in regulating plant development and inducing Striga seed germination, compared with AR8. Hydrolysis assays performed with purified Striga SL receptor and docking of AR8 and MP13 to the corresponding active site confirmed and explained the higher activity. Field trials performed in a naturally Striga-infested African farmer’s field unraveled MP13 as a promising candidate for combating Striga by inducing germination in host’s absence. Our findings demonstrate that methylation of the C-3′ in D-ring in SL analogs has a negative impact on their activity and identify MP13 and, particularly, MP26 as potent SL analogs with simple structures, which can be employed to control Striga, a major threat to global food security

Investigation of Nutritional Status in Elementary School Students of South Khorasan Province:East of Iran

Background and ObjectivesChildren have greater nutritional needs than adults in order to maintain their growth. It has been determined that about 70% of all malnourished children in the world live in Asia. This study evaluates nutritional status of elementary students in south khorasan province and some effective factors on it. MethodsThe height and weight of 1303 elementary school students ages between 7 to 12 years old which were selected by multistage random sampling from urban and rural areas of the South Khorasan province were measured. Data for this study was collected for a period of six months from September 2006 to February 2007. Nutritional habits of these students and its relation to demographic factors were evaluated using Gomes (weight – for – age), Maclaren-ride (weight to height for age) and Waterlow (height – for – age) criteria. ResultsBased on the finding of this study, 69.8% of the students were underweight, 30.9% were wasted and 43.6% were stunted. The effects of malnutrition in this group were mild and severe cases of malnutrition effects were rare. The adverse effects of malnutrition were more widespread with the increase in the age of the students. These adverse effects were also more persistence with increased level of illiteracy among the parents of these students. The number of underweight students was significantly larger in the rural areas than in the urban areas. Heights of the students were directly correlated to the order of their birth. The higher the birth orders the higher the prevalence of being shorter Being stunted was more widespread among female students with less educated mothers.ConclusionIn order to improve high prevalence of malnutrition in elementary school students of South Khorasan province, we recommend improvement of the level of literacy, nutritional education of mothers, and students. We also suggest improvement of quality of students’ free meal in schools. Keywords: Underweight; Wasting; Stunting; students; Nutritional Status

Correlation of Cataract with Serum Lipids, Glucose and Antioxidant Activities: A Case-control Study

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between cataract development and serum lipids, glucose as well as antioxidants in a case-control study. Methods: Ninety patients with cataract and 90 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were inves-tigated. Lipid profiles including triglyceride (Tg), total serum cholesterol (Chol) and cholesterol con-tent in high-density lipoproteins (HDL chol) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL chol) as well as fasting glucose (FBS) were measured for all subjects. Plasma oxidative stress as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and the status of antioxidants were studied as ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) and thiol substance assay. Results: A higher prevalence of abnormal FBS (8.9 vs 1.1%), Tg (26.7 vs 8.9%) and Chol (54.4 vs 30%) was found in cataract patients than the control group (p < 0.05). Plasma Tg (p = 0.02), Chol (p = 0.001) and LDL chol (p = 0.04) were significantly higher in the cataract group than in the control group. Likewise TBARS (p = 0.05) as the level of oxidative stress was significantly higher in the case group, and FRAP (p = 0.03) and thiol (p = 0.02) assays as the antioxidant activity was significantly lower among cataract patients. Conclusion: This study has shown that hypercholesterolaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia, high LDL chol and high FBS are associated with cataract. Also lower plasma antioxidant levels and higher levels of oxidative stress were seen in cataract patients than healthy controls. These findings indicate a need for health promotional activities aimed at controlling these preventable factors among high risk populations. Keywords: Cataract, glucose, lipids, oxidative stress "Correlación de la Catarata con los Lípidos Séricos, la Glucosa, y las Actividades Antioxidante Un Estudio de Caso-control" RESUMEN Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la relación entre el desarrollo de la catarata y los lípidos séricos, la glucosa, así como los antioxidantes, en un estudio de caso-control. Métodos: Se investigaron noventa pacientes y noventa controles sanos, pareados por edad y sexo. Los perfiles lípidos, incluyendo los triglicéridos (Tg), el colesterol sérico total (Chol) y el contenido de colesterol en lipoproteínas de alta densidad (HDL chol) y lipoproteínas de baja densidad (LDL chol) fueron medidos en todos los sujetos, así como la glucosa en ayunas (FBS). Se estudió el estrés oxidativo en plasma como sustancias reactivas al ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS) y el estado de los antioxidantes como poder reductor férrico/antioxidante (FRAP) y ensayo de tiol. Resultados: Se encontró una prevalencia mayor de FBS anormal (8.9 vs. 1.1%), Tg (26.7 vs 8.9%) y Chol (54.4 vs 30%) en los pacientes con catarata, en comparación con el grupo control (p < 0.05). El Tg en plasma (p = 0.02), Chol (p = 0.001) y LDL chol (p = 0.04) fueron significativamente más altos en el grupo con catarata que en el grupo control. Igualmente TBARS (p = 0.05) como nivel de estrés oxidativo fue significativamente más alto en el grupo de caso, y FRAP (p = 0.03) y el ensayo de tiol (p = 0.02) como actividad antioxidante fue significativamente más baja entre los pacientes con catarata. Conclusión: Este estudio mostró que la hipercolesterolemia, la hipertrigliceridemia, el colesterol LDL alto, y el FBS alto se hallan asociados con la catarata. También se observaron niveles más bajos de antioxidante plasmático y niveles más altos de estrés oxidativo en los pacientes con cataratas frente a los controles saludables. Estos hallazgos indican una necesidad de actividades de promoción de la salud a fin de controlar estos factores prevenibles entre la población de alto riesgo. Palabras claves: catarata, glucosa, lípidos, estrés oxidativ

Evaluation of antioxidant status in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by Ferric reducing ability of plasma assay

Enhanced oxidative stress in diabetes mellitus may contribute to the pathogenesis of diaetic complications. In this article, the stress oxidative generation has been studied in experimental diabetes by ferric reducing ability of plasma assay, a sensitive and simple method, and by other oxidative damage markers. The ferric reducing ability of plasma values as a total antioxidant capacity were significantly decreased at the 3th 4th weeks of stuy ( P&lt;0.02), while the thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) levels in plasma wre increased at the 3rd and the 4 th weeks ( (P&lt;0.05). the plasma carbonyl groups (PCG) were not affected, and total thiol groups (TG) were significantly decreased at the 4th week (P&lt;0.02).In conclusion the present study suggests that hyperglycemia in diabetes leads to oxidative stress, as shown by ferric reducting ability of plasma assay. This method is rapid, simple and economi