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Prostate cancer is one of the five most common cancers in men. It is suspected that selenium protect or exacerbate the risk of prostate cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the association between prostate cancer risk and selenium in the serum, toenail and supplements. So it was tried to do a systematic review and meta-analysis and meta-regression of 22 studies (5 toenail studies, 14 serum studies and 3 supplements studies) in order to obtain detailed results of these studies’ data. Meta-regression results showed that location of study (p value

Sodium bicarbonate or baking soda is a chemical compound dissolved in water which is widely used as an additive in foods and mineral water and as a medicine. In Iran, due to the introduction of harmful effects of this compound, using it in baking is prohibited. Therefore, we tried to search and evaluate all health effects of using this compound with a systematic review. In this study, all available evidences on the beneficial and harmful effects of sodium bicarbonate were searched. The method was based on systematic study of reputable databases including Embase, Ovid, Scopus, Pubmed and ISI Web of science. Invalid studies were found that shows the relationship of harmful effects of sodium bicarbonate on general health. In addition to that, the studies showed therapeutic aspects and useful effects of this material. Some studies showed the harmful effects of therapeutic using of sodium bicarbonate with high dose that randomly happened. Reviewing of credible studies showed that not only using sodium bicarbonate is not harmful for human health, but also using it as a drug can be useful in treatment and relief of some diseases

This study focuses on the extent of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As) bioaccumulation in edible muscles of Caspian kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum), in both male and female sexes at Noor and Babolsar coastal regions from the southern basin of Caspian Sea. These values were compared with the WHO and the UNFAO safety standards regarding the amount of the abovementioned heavy metals in fish tissues (mg/kg ww). Results showed that the accumulation of these elements (except for Zn) was not significantly different between sexes of male and female in Babolsar coastal regions (P > 0.05). In the other hand, accumulation of Hg and As at edible muscles of Caspian kutum has significant difference between two sexes of male and female in Noor coastal regions (P 0.05). Based on the results, the concentration of heavy metals in the studied fish tissues proved to be significantly lower than international standards (P

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infec tion has been widespread. Objectives: We aim to investigate the demographic and clinical characteristics associated with COVID-19 infection between January 24 to June 10, 2020. Methods: All data related to tested patients (positive and negative cases) were extracted from the integrated health information system (IHIS) between January 24 to June 10, 2020. Statistical analyses were performed using data related to the anamnesis of all patients, odds ratios (OR) of COVID-19 infection in defined subgroups including contact history, partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) higher than 93 mmHg, the muscle-pain symptom, the cough symptom, and the fever symptom. Results: The COVID-19 infection was significantly associated with contact history (OR 5.25, [95% CI 4.35 to 6.34], P-value < 0.0001); PO2 higher than 93 mmHg (OR 1.74 [95% CI 1.44 to 2.22], P-value < 0.0001); muscle-pain symptom (OR 1.89 [95% CI 1.58 to 2.26], P-value < 0.0001); cough symptom (OR 1.32 [95% CI 1.14 to 1.53], P-value < 0.0001); and fever symptom (OR 1.29 [95% CI 1.11 to 1.49], P-value = 0.0004). Conclusions: The results of our study indicated that contact with patients or suspicious individuals can be considered as the most important symptoms of COVID-19 disease. Furthermore, the high pressure of oxygen, muscle-pain, cough, and fever symptoms were identified as considerable symptoms of COVID-19 disease.

Canine brucellosis is a contagious disease associated with health implications for humans as well as for a wide range of wild and domesticated animals. In this study, 173 dog blood specimens were sampled from herding dogs in three different provinces including Tehran (n = 127), Qom (n = 40) and Alborz (n = 6) provinces. The presence of Brucella antibodies was determined using Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), slow agglutination test (SAT) and 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME), respectively. The seropositive samples were further screened using blood culture and PCR tests to identify and differentiate the implicated Brucella species. According to our results, 24.3% (42/173), 13.8% (24/173) and 6.3% (11/173) of blood samples were tested positive using RBPT, SAT and 2-ME, respectively. However, among 42 seropositive samples, only 38.1% (16/42) and 14.2% (6/42) were positive by PCR and culture, respectively. Brucella melitensis biovar 1 and biovar 2 was isolated from the bacterial cultures of 6 blood samples and confirmed by biotyping, AMOS PCR and Bruce-ladder PCR assays. These findings highlight the potential risk of Brucella transmission from dog to humans along with other livestock and reflect the critical role of infected dogs in the persistence of Brucella infections among ruminant farms. This study stresses the need for further epidemiological investigations on canine brucellosis among herding dogs and suggests the systematic screening of the disease among companion animals such as dogs in order to improve brucellosis surveillance and control programs.

Brucellosis is a significant zoonotic infection in Iran impacting both humans and animal health status. A number of reasons such as few clinical signs complicate the diagnosis of this infection in Camelidae. Despite the ubiquitous use of serological tests for the first screening of brucellosis in camel, this approach showed several restrictions because of the intracellular properties of this organism as well as decline antibody titers in chronic stage. This study aimed at identifying the presence of Brucella spp. in blood and lymph node samples collected from slaughtered male camels of Sistan-Baluchistan province by serology, culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. For this purpose, 2854 blood camel samples were sampled and analyzed for Brucella detection by serological screening tests. The molecular detection of IS711 gene and Bruce-ladder assay as well as culture were performed using the lymph nodes of all seropositive camel (n = 10) and 30 seronegative samples. Results showed that 0.35% (10/2854), 0.24% (7/2854) and 0.21% (6/2854) of blood samples were positive by RBPT, SAT and 2ME, respectively. However, 0% (0/10) and 70% (7/10) of lymph node samples collected from seropositive camels were positive for Brucella infection by culture and PCR, respectively. Furthermore, 6.6% (2/30) of seronegative lymph node specimens showed the presences of Brucella by PCR and culture assay. The results of the present study indicated the low seroprevalence of Brucella infection in male camels of the Sistan-Baluchistan province and highlighted the complementary role of PCR techniques for a better screening of Brucella infection among seronegative camels. Moreover, the potential shedding of Brucella within undiagnosed camel milk and secretions is a serious problem which may result in further spread and maintenance of Brucella infection among both human and livestock. Thus, for brucellosis detection and control, our results suggested that a first PCR screening supported by a bacteriological isolation on positive samples should be performed along with the serological test in endemic countries to identify the source and prevent the uncontrolled spread of the disease among camels.

It has been demonstrated that metals can induce autoimmunity. However, few studies have attempted to assess and elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action. Recent research has tried to evaluate the possible interactions of the immune system with metal ions, particularly with heavy metals. Research indicates that metals have the potential to induce or promote the development of autoimmunity in humans. Metal-induced inflammation may dysregulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and thus contribute to fatigue and other non-specific symptoms characterizing disorders related to autoimmune diseases. The toxic effects of several metals are also mediated through free radical formation, cell membrane disturbance, or enzyme inhibition. There are worldwide increases in environmental metal pollution. It is therefore critical that studies on the role of metals in autoimmunity, and neuroendocrine disorders, including effects on the developing immune system and brain and the genetic susceptibility are performed. These studies can lead to efficient preventive strategies and improved therapeutic approaches. In this review, we have retrieved and commented on studies that evaluated the effects of metal toxicity on immune and endocrine-related pathways. This review aims to increase awareness of metals as factors in the onset and progression of autoimmune and neuroendocrine disorders.

It is an ugly fact that a significant amount of the world's population will contract SARS-CoV-II infection with the current spreading. While a specific treatment is not yet coming soon, individual risk assessment and management strategies are crucial. The individual preventive and protective measures drive the personal risk of getting the disease. Among the virus-contracted hosts, their different metabolic status, as determined by their diet, nutrition, age, sex, medical conditions, lifestyle, and environmental factors, govern the personal fate toward different clinical severity of COVID-19, from asymptomatic, mild, moderate, to death. The careful individual assessment for the possible dietary, nutritional, medical, lifestyle, and environmental risks, together with the proper relevant risk management strategies, is the sensible way to deal with the pandemic of SARS-CoV-II.

Indications of proximal tubule effects have been observed in recent surveillance study of Gulf War veterans exposed to depleted uranium (DU). This gives some support for the suspicion that DU may represent one of the causes for the so-called Persian Gulf syndrome. Proposed effects may be especially harmful if the toxicity hits the mitochondrial DNA since the mitochondria lack the nucleotide excision repair mechanism, which is needed for repairing bulky adducts that have been associated with DU. It is a plausible working hypothesis that a significant part of the symptoms from various organs, which have been observed among veterans from Gulf War 1 and that have been grouped under the name of the Persian Gulf syndrome, may be explained as a consequence of mitochondrial DNA damage in various cell types and organs. Interpretation of observations, on military personnel and civilians after Gulf War 1, is associated with difficulties because of the abundance of potential confounding factors. The symptoms observed on veterans from Gulf War 1 may be attributed to a multiplicity of substances functioning directly or indirectly as mitochondrial mutagens. A concise analysis of the cascade of toxic effects initiated by DU exposure in the human body is the subject of this article.

This study investigated the possible effects of using Pediococcus pentosaceus in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) diet on the growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, haematological indices, and innate immune responses. Four diets were prepared, including a control diet and three diets supplemented with P. pentosaceus at 107, 108, and 109 CFU g−1. After 45 days, fish fed P. pentosaceus at 108 CFU g−1 had significantly higher final body weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate when compared to the control group (P

Numerous studies have reported neurobehavioural effects in dental personnel occupationally exposed to chronic low levels of mercury (Hg). Hg exposure from dental work may also induce various chronic conditions such as elevation of amyloid protein expression, deterioration of microtubules and increase or inhibition of transmitter release at motor nerve terminal endings. Therefore, clinical studies of Hg toxicity in dentistry may provide new knowledge about disturbed metal homeostasis in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis and mood disorders. The purpose of this MiniReview is to evaluate the evidence of possible relevance between Hg exposure in dentistry and idiopathic disturbances in motor functions, cognitive skills and affective reactions, as well as dose-response relationships.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a viral infection with skin-to-skin based transmission mode. HPV annually caused over 500,000 cancer cases including cervical, anogenital and oropharyngeal cancer among others. HPV vaccination has become a public-health concern, worldwide, to prevent the cases of HPV infections including precancerous lesions, cervical cancers, and genital warts especially in adolescent female and male population by launching national programs with international alliances. Currently, available prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines are expensive to be used in developing countries for vaccination programs. The recent progress in immunotherapy, biotechnology, recombinant DNA technology and molecular biology along with alternative and complementary medicinal systems have paved novel ways and valuable opportunities to design and develop effective prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines, drugs and treatment approach to counter HPV effectively. Exploration and more researches on such advances could result in the gradual reduction in the incidences of HPV cases across the world. The present review presents a current global scenario and futuristic prospects of the advanced prophylactic and therapeutic approaches against HPV along with recent patents coverage of the progress and advances in drugs, vaccines and therapeutic regimens to effectively combat HPV infections and its cancerous conditions.

Mercury (Hg), which is a non-essential element, is considered a highly toxic pollutant for biological systems even when present at trace levels. Elevated Hg exposure with the growing release of atmospheric pollutant Hg and rising accumulations of mono-methylmercury (highly neurotoxic) in seafood products have increased its toxic potential for humans. This review aims to highlight the potential relationship between Hg exposure and Alzheimer's disease (AD), based on the existing literature in the field. Recent reports have hypothesized that Hg exposure could increase the potential risk of developing AD. Also, AD is known as a complex neurological disorder with increased amounts of both extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles, which may also be related to lifestyle and genetic variables. Research reports on AD and relationships between Hg and AD indicate that neurotransmitters such as serotonin, acetylcholine, dopamine, norepinephrine, and glutamate are dysregulated in patients with AD. Many researchers have suggested that AD patients should be evaluated for Hg exposure and toxicity. Some authors suggest further exploration of the Hg concentrations in AD patients. Dysfunctional signaling pathways in AD and Hg exposure appear to be interlinked with some driving factors such as arachidonic acid, homocysteine, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) sulfate, hydrogen peroxide, glucosamine glycans, glutathione, acetyl-L carnitine, melatonin, and HDL. This evidence suggests the need for a better understanding of the relationship between AD and Hg exposure, and potential mechanisms underlying the effects of Hg exposure on regional brain functions. Also, further studies evaluating brain functions are needed to explore the long-term effects of subclinical and untreated Hg toxicity on the brain function of AD patients.

Brucellosis is a costly contagious disease of human, domestic and wild animals. It is a serious health problem in Iran causing significant economic losses therefore, control approaches to prevent its spread are of great importance. In Iran, the species and biovars of virulent Brucella species are still under-reported due to the inadequate diagnostic protocols and insufficient laboratory facilities. The objective of this study was to characterize Brucella isolates obtained from passive animal and human surveillance in Iran from 2011 to 2018 in order to understand the current epidemiological situation of the disease. A total of 419 samples (milk, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, abomasum content and aborted fetus tissues) were collected from 65 cases/case series (human and animals) and examined bacteriologically. The initially identified Brucella isolates were further characterized using phenotypic and molecular approaches. All recovered isolates were either B. abortus or B. melitensis. The infection in sheep appeared to be exclusively associated with B. melitensis, but both B. abortus and B. melitensis were common in bovine samples. Samples from one sheep and one goat were confirmed to be infected by the B. melitensis vaccine strain Rev1. In spite of B. abortus burden in animals (14 cases in cattle and camel), brucellosis in human was predominantly associated with B. melitensis (15 cases). The results confirmed that B. melitensis biovar 1 and B. abortus biovar 3 remain the most prevalent biovars in Iran. This report builds a picture of the significance of different Brucella species in different hosts in Iran and provides applicable information for the healthcare professionals about the public health risks of brucellosis and relevant preventive strategies.

Cancer-related Cachexia (CAC) is a syndrome occurring in many cancer patients, with a detrimental effect on their survival. Recent reports have outlined that the syndrome may be partly explained by the deleterious and pro-inflammatory action of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). This review focuses on nutrients that theoretically could counteract the oxidative stress in tumor cells, fundamentally due to their antioxidant activity. The preclinical and clinical results obtained with the nutritional elements selenium, melatonin, taurine, carnosine, coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone), and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA's) are discussed in the light of the pathophysiology of CAC. This should indicate that they are viable candidates for the treatment of CAC, with the ultimate goal to promote patient survival. Combination therapy with diet modification added to the novel pharmaceutical agent ghrelin, a hormone with anti-inflammatory properties, represents a promising concept.

Plant-derived foods are the most common allergenic sources in adulthood. Owing to the rapidly increasing prevalence of plant food allergies in industrialized countries, the environmental factors are suspected to play a key role in development of allergic sensitization. The present article provides an overview of ways by which chemicals may influence the development and severity of allergic reactions to plant foods, with especial focus on plant allergens up-regulated under chemical stress. In plants, a substantial part of allergens have defense-related function and their expression is highly influenced by environmental stress and diseases. Pathogenesis-related proteins (PR) account for about 25% of plant food allergens and some are responsible for extensive cross-reactions between plant-derived foods, pollen and latex allergens. Chemicals released by anthropogenic sources such as agriculture, industrial activities and traffic-related air pollutants are potential drivers of the increasing sensitization to allergenic PRs by elevating their expression and by altering their immunogenicity through post-translational modifications. In addition, some orally-taken chemicals may act as immune adjuvants or directly trigger non-IgE mediated food allergy. Taken together, the current literature provides an overwhelming body of evidence supporting the fact that plant chemical exposure and chemicals in diet may enhance the allergenic properties of certain plant-derived foods.

Several studies have reported that nature-derived antioxidants may prevent free radicals over-production and therefore control the onset and prevent the exacerbation of different kinds of diseases caused by oxidative stress and redox-derived stressors, including ageing, fundamentally by suppressing the oxidative by-products-mediated degradation. Naturally derived antioxidants exert their anti-ageing action via a panoply of signalling systems, many of which engaging reactive oxygen and nitrogen species scavenging, with the Nrf2/Keap1-ARE system and improving the many survival genes and functions (such as the pathway mTOR/Foxo/SIRT1) able to slow cellular senescence. Most of the research in this field has evaluated the regulative effects and even pathways of herbal extracts with antioxidant property in the ageing process, and various age-related disorders such as cardiovascular disease, ischaemia-reperfusion injury, coronary and myocardial circulatory perfusion, peripheral vascular resistance, and even neurodegenerative disorders are prevented plant phytochemicals often via their antioxidant potential. A much more complex ability to interact with survival functions makes these compounds successfully active in preventing ageing-related disorders. This report aimed to discuss in more detail some selected medicinal plants including Allium sativum, Aloe vera, Crataegus spp., Cynara scolymus, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Ginkgo biloba, Hippophae rhamnoides, Panax ginseng, Rosmarinus officinalis, Schizandra chinensis, Vitis vinifera and seaweeds in the prevention of ageing-related pathologies. A systematic overview of the relevant information in the antioxidant function of the many herbal products reviewed here for the control of the ageing process is proposed, to provide a new horizon on the design of anti-ageing herbal medicines. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Daily ingestion of lead (Pb), even through piped drinking water, has long time been an important issue of concern, attracting for decades research in environmental science and toxicology, and again comes to prominence because of recent high-profile cases of exposure of populations in several countries to Pb-contaminated water. Numerous studies have reported an association between Pb in water and the risk of cardiovascular pathologies. Low levels of magnesium and calcium, i.e., low degree of hardness of the drinking water, may accentuate Pb leaching from water pipes and furthermore increase Pb absorption. This review evaluates the evidence for an association between Pb exposure from drinking water and cardiovascular end points in human populations.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder afflicting about one in every 68 children. It is behaviorally diagnosed based on a triad of symptoms, including impairment in communication, impairment in sociability and abnormal and stereotypic behavior. The subjectivity of behavioral diagnosis urges the need for clinical biomarker tests to improve and complement ASD diagnosis and treatment. Over the past two decades, researchers garnered a broad range of biomarkers associated with ASD and often correlating with the severity of ASD, which includes metabolic and genetic biomarkers or neuroimaging abnormalities. Metabolic biomarkers are either involved in key pathways such as a trans-sulfuration pathway or produced due to the derangement of these pathways in the case of oxidative stress. Recent studies reported several genetic abnormalities related to ASD, encompassing various mechanisms, from copy number variations (CNVs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to chromosomal anomalies. However, it is still premature to consider these genetic variants as true biomarkers for ASD, due to their low reproducibility and regional-specific nature. Herein, we comprehensively review state of the art about major biomarkers reported in ASD and the association of some biomarkers with ASD symptoms and severity. It is important to establish those biomarkers to be able to help in the diagnosis and to optimize the treatment of ASD.

Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV), a member of family Rhabdoviridae and genus Novirhabdoviridae, causes a highly lethal disease of salmon and trout. In Iran IHNV was first detected in 2001 on farms rearing rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). To evaluate the genetic relationships of IHNV from northern and western Iran, the sequences of a 651-nt region of the glycoprotein gene were determined for two Iranian isolates. These sequences were analyzed to evaluate their genetic relatedness to worldwide isolates representing the five known genogroups of IHNV. Iranian isolates were most closely related to European isolates within the genogroup E rather than those of North American genogroups U, M and L, or the Asian genogroup J. It appears that Iranian IHNV was most likely introduced to Iran from a source in Europe by the movement of contaminated fish eggs.

Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Virus (IPNV) is a member of the family Birnaviridae which causes significant losses in the aquaculture industry. To develop a recombinant vaccine for IPNV, a cDNA construct of IPNV VP2-VP3 fusion gene was prepared and cloned into an Escherichia coli (E. coli) expression vector (pET-26b) to obtain recombinant protein products. A study was conducted to determine the antibody responses and protective capacity of this recombinant vaccine expressing VP2-VP3 fusion protein. Subsequently, juvenile rainbow trout were inoculated by injecting purified recombinant IPNV VP2-VP3 proteins, followed by challenge with virulent IPNV in rainbow trout. Our results demonstrate that recombinant E. coli derived VP2-VP3 fusion protein induced a strong and significantly (P < 0.05) higher IgM antibody response in serum samples compared to control groups. Following intraperitoneal challenge, the relative percent survival (RPS) rate of survivors was 83% for the vaccinated group. Statistical analysis of IgM levels indicated that immunogenicity of recombinant VP2-VP3 protein, combined with adjuvant, was much higher than any other groups of rainbow trout challenged with virulent IPNV. This result was confirmed by measuring the viral loads of IPNV in immunized rainbow trout which was drastically reduced, as analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. In summary, we demonstrate that E. coli-expressed IPNV VP2-VP3 injectable vaccine is highly immunogenic and protective against IPNV infection.

Candida albicans is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen representing an important source of invasive disease in humans and generating high healthcare costs worldwide. This fungus is frequently found in different anatomical sites of healthy persons and could induce systemic and superficial infections under optimal environmental conditions. Invasive candidiasis (IC) is an important nosocomial infection with high morbidity and mortality rates in hospitalized children. It represents a major source of prolonged infections in intensive care unit (ICU), particularly in immunosuppressed or elderly patients. Clinical diagnosis of candidiasis could be difficult because of the lack of specific symptoms and clinical signs. Although C. albicans is the most frequently isolated Candida species in IC, non-albicans Candida (NAC) species are also commonly detected. Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE), fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), electrophoretic karyotyping (EK), and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), multilocus sequence typing (MLST) are known as an efficient technique used for molecular typing of Candida species. The efficacy of antifungal treatment against candidiasis has been evaluated and discussed in the context of large epidemiological studies. The present review highlights the etiology, epidemiology, molecular typing, commensalism and virulence factors, along with the appropriate prevention and control strategies regarding this widespread pathogen.

Genetic background accounts for only 5 to 10% of the reported cases of Parkinson's disease (PD), while the remaining cases are of unknown etiology. It is believed that environmental factors may be involved in the causality of a large proportion of PD cases. Several PD genes are activated by xenobiotic exposure, and a link between pesticide exposure and PD has been demonstrated. Many epidemiological studies have shown an association between PD and exposure to metals such as mercury, lead, manganese, copper, iron, aluminum, bismuth, thallium, and zinc. This review explores the biological effects, the pathogenetic processes, genetic susceptibilities to metals as well as examining future strategies for PD treatment, such as chelation therapy.

Pesticides are being widely employed in the modern agriculture, though in different quantities, across the globe. Although it is useful for crops yield enhancement, however, there are the serious environment, health and safety related concerns for aquatic and terrestrial living biomes that include humans, animals, and plants. Various in practice and emerging pesticides adversely affect the survival, development and biological systems stability. Several research efforts have been made to highlight the bio-safety and toxicological features of toxicants through risk assessment studies using different animal models, e.g., different fish species. Among several pesticides, cypermethrin is extensively used in agriculture and households, and the reported concentrations of this pesticide in different water bodies including rivers and streams, soil and even in rainwater are threatening. Consequently, cypermethrin is considered for risk assessment studies to know about its deep and different level of toxicological effects subject to its dose, exposure time and route. The cypermethrin existence/persistence in the environment is posing a severe threat to humans as well as another non-target terrestrial and aquatic organism. Herein, the toxic effects of pesticides, with special reference to cypermethrin, on fish, the mode of toxicity, concerns regarding public health and harmful impacts on human beings are comprehensively reviewed. The information is also given on their appropriate control and prevention strategies.

Myrtle ( Myrtus communis L., Myrtaceae) is a significant plant which naturally distributed around the globe. Although numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of myrtle in different species, studies using the oral route are rare in the literature. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of myrtle intake on the antioxidant, immune, appetite and growth related genes as well as mucosal immune responses in zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) model. Zebrafish were fed control or myrtle (5, 10 and 20 g kg −1 myrtle) supplemented diets for sixty days. The results showed that, oral administration of Myrtle significantly improved mucosal immune responses (the activity of lysozyme, total Ig and protease). Furthermore, fish fed 20 g kg −1 showed remarkably higher antioxidant ( sod and cat ) enzymes gene expression compared other treatment. There were significant difference between myrtle fed fish and control group regarding tnf-alpha and lyz expression. Also, evaluation of growth ( gh and igf1 ) related genes revealed remarkable upregulation in 20 g kg −1 myrtle treatment compared other myrtle treatments and control group. Similar results was observed regarding the mRNA levels of appetite related genes ( ghrl ) in zebrafish fed 20 g kg −1 myrtle. The present results indicated that dietary administration of myrtle improved mucosal immune parameters and altered mRNA levels of selected genes. These results on zebrafish model also highlights the potential use of Myrtle supplements as additive in human diets.

Propionate is a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) that improves physiological and pathophysiological properties. However, there is limited information available about the effects of SCFAs on mucosal immune parameters as well as growth and appetite related genes expression. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of sodium propionate (SP) intake on the mucosal immune parameters, growth and appetite related genes expression using zebrafish (Danio rerio) as model organism. Zebrafish fed control or diet supplemented with different levels (0.5, 1 and 2%) of SP for 8weeks. At the end of feeding trial, the expression of the key genes related to growth and appetite (GH, IGF1, MYSTN and Ghrl) was evaluated. Also, mucosal immune parameters (Total Ig, lysozyme and protease activity) were studied in skin mucus of zebrafish. The results showed that dietary administration of SP significantly (P

Together with several health benefits, fish meat could lead to heavy metal intoxication of consumers. In this study, we discuss Zn, Cu, Pb, Hg and Cd concentrations in fillets of forty specimens of Carcharhinus dussumieri, analyzed with atomic adsorption spectroscopy (AAS). The potential human health risks due to consumption of C. dussumieri was assessed by estimating average daily intake (EDI) and target hazard quotient (THQ) of metals. The average concentrations of metals measured in this study were (ppm dry weight): Cu 7.49 ± 0.25; Zn 3.47 ± 0.26; Pb 0.12 ± 0.03; Hg 0.028 ± 0.02; Cd 0.11 ± 0.03. Our results showed that no metal exceeded the EC and FAO limits. Cu and Cd accumulate in muscles with a body length (age)-dependent manner. The exposure daily intake of all toxic metals analyzed was found lower than the PTDI provided by WHO and the THQ resulted lower than 1, suggesting no risk for human health derived from consumption.

The effects of injectable killed Aeromonas hydrophila on lymphocyte populations and on serum proteins of juvenile common carp, Cyprinus carpio, were examined. The fishes were injected either intraperitoneally or intramuscularly with killed A. hydrophila bacterin isolated from a diseased fish. 15 days after injection the lymphocyte count was significantly higher in the kidney of intraperitoneally bacteria injected fishes than in the normal saline injected fishes (p 0.05). In the intramuscular bacteria injected fishes in comparison with the normal saline group, the lymphocyte count was significantly higher only in the blood (p 0.05). In comparison between the serum protein parameters in different groups, in intraperitoneal injection of killed-bacteria, total albumin as well as the ratio of albumin/globulin was greater than the control group (p 0.05). In intramuscular injection, the normal saline-injected group, amount of α?-globulin was significantly higher than bacteria-injected group (p 0.05).

The present study evaluated the benefits of dietary administration of host-derived candidate probiotics Enterococcus casseliflavus in juvenile rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. Experimental diets were prepared by incorporating the microorganisms in the basal feed at 3 inclusion levels (i.e. 10(7) CFU g(-1) of feed [T1], 10(8) CFU g(-1) of feed [T2], 10(9) CFU g(-1) of feed [T3]). The probiotic feeds were administered for 8 weeks, with a group fed with the basal diet serving as control. The effects on growth performance, gut health, innate immunity and disease resistance were evaluated. Results showed that growth performance parameters were significantly improved in T2 and T3 groups. Activities of digestive enzymes such as trypsin and lipase were significantly higher in these two groups as well. Gut micro-ecology was influenced by probiotic feeding as shown by the significant increase in intestinal lactic acid bacteria and total viable aerobic counts in T2 and T3. Humoral immunity was impacted by dietary probiotics as total serum protein and albumin were significantly elevated in T3. The levels of serum IgM significantly increased in all probiotic fed groups at week 8; with the T3 group registering the highest increment. Respiratory burst activity of blood leukocytes were significantly improved in T2 and T3. Hematological profiling further revealed that neutrophil counts significantly increased in all probiotic fed groups. Challenge test showed that probiotic feeding significantly improved host resistance to Streptococcus iniae infection, specifically in T2 and T3 where a considerable modulation of immune responses was observed. Taken together, this study demonstrated E. casseliflavus as a potential probiotics for rainbow trout with the capability of improving growth performance and enhancing disease resistance by immunomodulation.

Viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV), a member of family Rhabdoviridae and genus Novirhabdoviridae, causes mortality in numerous marine and freshwater hosts located in northern hemisphere. To evaluate the genetic diversity of VHSV from the North and South West of Iran, the sequences of a 1483bp nt region of the glycoprotein gene were determined for four Iranian isolates. These sequences were analysed to evaluate their genetic relatedness with 86 worldwide isolates representing the four known genogroups of VHSV. Phylogenetic analysis by nucleotide sequences showed that all the VHSV isolates studied were closest related to the 19 fresh water strains from Germany grouped within the European genogroup Ia-2. This finding indicates that Iranian VHSV most likely was introduced to Iran by the movement of contaminated fish fry from a source in Europe.

Concentrations of cadmium, lead, and mercury were measured in different tissues (liver, muscle, and shell) of 60 Caspian Pond Turtles collected from Tajan and Shiroud Rivers, southern basin of the Caspian Sea. Based on the results, different tissues showed different capacities for accumulating trace elements. The general trend of metals accumulation was: liver > shell > muscle. Results also showed that accumulation of these elements was not significantly different between sex and river in turtles (p > 0.05). Based on the results, Hg and Pb concentrations recorded in the present study were higher than some of the maximum concentration permissible. To our knowledge, this is the first report into heavy metal accumulation in tissues and organs of Caspian Pond Turtle from the southern basin of Caspian Sea. Further studies are needed to measure different heavy metals and trace metals in this valuable species.

Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Virus (IPNV) is a member of the family Birnaviridae that has been linked to high mortalities in salmonids. Bacterial based systems as live vectors for the delivery of heterologous antigens offer a number of advantages as vaccination strategies. VP2 is a structural viral protein of IPNV with immunogenicity effects. In this study IPNV was isolated from diseased fry of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) using CHSE-214. Then an expression vector was constructed for expression of viral protein VP2. The designed vector was constructed based upon pET-26b (+) with T7 promoter. A fragment containing the full length of the VP2 gene of Iranian Sp strain was amplified by PCR using genomic RNA of IPNV as template and cloned inpET-26b(+) plasmid. Recombinant structural viral protein VP2 was expressed as a soluble, N-terminal PelB fusion protein and secreted into the periplasmic space of Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) and Rosetta (DE3). The glucose, Isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) was used as a chemical inducer for rVP2 production in 37º C. The rVP2 was extracted from the periplasm by osmotic shock treatment. The presence of gene in bacterial system of E. coli was confirmed by gel electrophoresis technique. The constructed vector could efficiently express the rVP2 into the periplasmic space of E. coli. The successful cloning and expression of the structural viral protein gene into E. coli can be used for developing a useful and safe vaccine to control IPNV infection in Iranian fish industry.

The concentrations of heavy metals in Persian Gulf are low, but petrochemical and refinery activities have caused an increase in heavy metal wastes, especially in coastal regions. The present study was done to determine the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the muscle of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The experiment was conducted in four important coastal regions of the Persian Gulf: Bushehr, Deylam, Mahshahr, and Abadan. Amounts of seven heavy metals such as Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), Nickel (Ni), Cadmium (Cd), and Cobalt (Co), were measured as µg/g heavy metal in dry weight in the muscle of white shrimp from the afore-mentioned regions during 2011. This study revealed information that the primary risk for human health and the marine life chain was lead in the muscles of white shrimp in Mahshahr, where intense petrochemical and refinery activities are conducted. Concentrations of other heavy metals were lower than world standards.

Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) is the causal agent of a highly contagious disease that affects many species of fish and shellfish. This virus causes economically significant diseases of farmed rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), in Iran, which is often associated with the transmission of pathogens from European resources. In this study, moribund rainbow trout fry samples were collected during an outbreak of IPNV in three different fish farms in north and west provinces of Iran in 2012; and we investigated the full genome sequence of Iranian IPNV and compared it with previously identified IPNV sequences. The sequences of different structural and nonstructural-protein genes were compared to those of other aquatic birnaviruses sequenced to date. Our results show that the Iranian isolate falls within genogroup 5, serotype A2 strain SP, having 99% identity with the strain 1146 from Spain. These results suggest that the Iranian isolate may have originated from Europe.

Background: Anisakid nematodes are common parasites of fish, mammals, fish-eating birds, and reptiles with a worldwide distribution, causing diseases in human, fish and important economic losses. Methods: A preliminary epidemiological study was carried out on Anisakid nematodes larvae in some commercially important fish species to evaluate the anisakid nematode larvae from greater lizardfish, (Saurida tumbil), Japanese thread fin bream (Nemipterus japonicus), crocodile longtom (Tylosurus crocodilus crocodiles) and longfin trevally (Carangoides armatus) from the Persian Gulf of Iran. Result: The collected larvae were identified mainly as the third larval stage (L3) of Hysterothylacium larval type A, B and C, Anisakis sp., Raphidascaris sp., Pseudoterranova sp. and Philometra sp. (Nematoda: Philometridae). The prevalence of Anisakid larvae infection of examined fishes was 97.2% in N. japonicus, 90.3% in S. tumbil, 20.5% in crocodile longtom and 5.5% in longfin trevally. Anisakis type III for the first time was different from Anisakis type I and Anisakis type II. Discussion: Zoonotic anisakids by high prevalence in edible fish could be a health hazard for people. So health practices should be considered in these areas.

Whereas it is well documented that the genus Acinetobacter is associated with antibiotic resistant bacteria and human clinical infections, there are very few studies to date that report it as an emerging new pathogen for fish. In the present study, Acinetobacter lwoffii was isolated from diseased rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) from Iranian farms, in the Khuzestan Province by both biochemical tests and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods and further confirmed as the causative agent by infectivity experiment. Uni or bilateral exophthalmia, blackening of the skin, abdominal distension, hemorrhages around the mouth cavity and eyes, basal fine, skin, gills and in internal organs were the main clinical signs in the affected fish. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA sequence of MD77 revealed a 99% homology with that of A. lwoffii (GenBank accession no. KR856323.1) from Iran. Histopathological changes of challenged rainbow trout including focal necrosis of liver cells (hepatocyte), pyknotic nucleus and karyolysis of hepatocyte, hyperemia, fatty acid composition change of liver, infiltration of inflammatory cells, sinusoidal dilatation and congestion. The drug resistance of isolates and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was examined and showed that A. lwoffii was multiresistant to 8 of the antimicrobial agents tested.

Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Virus (IPNV) is the causal agent of a highly contagious disease that affects many species of fish and shellfish. This virus causes economically important diseases of farmed rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, in Iran which is often associated with the transmission of pathogens from European resources. In this study, moribund rainbow trout fry were collected during an outbreak of IPNV in three different fish farms in one northern province (Mazandaran), and two west provinces (Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad) of Iran. We investigated full genome sequence of Iranian IPNV and compared it with previously identified IPNV sequences. The sequences of different structural and non-structural protein genes were compared with other aquatic birnaviruses sequenced to date. Our results showed that the Iranian isolate fall within genogroup 5, serotype A2 strain SP, having 99 % identity with the strain 1146 from Spain. These results suggest that the Iranian isolate may have originated from Europe.