Iranian

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Over one-year period, 150 pasture soil samples and 138 sheep faecal samples, collected from different parts of Iran were screened for the presence of nematophagous fungi. The samples were cultured at 25ºC on chloramphenicol-2% water agar (CHF-WA) plates in the presence of Haemonchus contortus third stage larvae (L3) and checked over a two-month period for characteristic conidia, conidiophores and hyphal traps of nematophagous fungi. Suspected nematophagous fungi were isolated by periodic transfer of the fungi on CHF-WA plates using the agar block method. Overall, 11 soil samples were found to harbour the nematode-trapping fungus Arthrobotrys from which 3 pure isolates were made and consequently identified as Arthrobotrys oligospora IRAN 877 C, IRAN 878 C and IRAN 879 C. Nematophagous fungi were not found in any tested sheep faecal samples. The predatory capacity of the isolates was tested against H. contortus infective larvae and then compared to reference strains A. oligospora CBS 111.37, A. oligospora CBS 251.82 and Duddingtonia flagrans CBS 583.91. The local strains of A. oligospora reduced the development of H. contortus L3 by 75-85%, whereas, the predatory capacity of reference A. oligospora and D. flagrans strains was measured in the range of 51-85% compared to the fungus free controls. Study of the effect of temperature on predatory activity of A. oligospora strains IRAN 877 C and CBS 111.37 revealed a reduction of more than 95% in infective larvae of H. contortus at temperature levels between 15 to 25ºC. This reduction was significantly decreased to 30% and 50% at 10ºC and 30ºC, respectively. The nematode-trapping fungus A. oligospora is reported from soil of Iran for the first time and its potential role in biocontrol of gastrointestinal nematodes of ruminants is discussed

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Background: Aflatoxins are toxic fungal metabolites enable to contaminate a wide range of natural substrates. This contamination can be host-specific for different plant species. In this study, the ability of a toxigenic Aspergillus parasiticus to produce various aflatoxins on major Iranian cereals was evaluated with special focus on plant susceptibility to toxin production at cultivar level. Methods: Aspergillus parasiticus cultured on major Iranian cereal cultivars and some selected spices was incubated in shaking condition at 28ºC for 6 days. The concentration of aflatoxins B1 and total (B1, B2, G1 and G2) was measured by thin layer chromatography. Results: The amounts of aflatoxin B1 produced on maize, wheat and rice cultivars were in the ranges of 1.0-33.9, 41.9-193.7, and 39.1-82.3 µg/g fungal weight, respectively. Interestingly, genetically modified Bacillus thuringiensis rice (GM rice) of Tarom Molaii cultivar examined for the first time in this study showed less susceptibility to aflatoxin production in comparison with its normal counterpart (P<0.05). The mean of aflatoxin production on maize cultivars was less than both wheat and rice cultivars that indicates considerable resistance of maize to aflatoxin compared with two other cereals. Unlike to Cuminum cyminum, both Helianthus annuus and Carum carvi seeds were highly resistant to aflatoxin production. Conclusion: These results indicate that inter- and intra-species differences exist in susceptibility of the major Iranian cereals as well as spices tested to A. parasiticus growth and aflatoxin production. Further studies are recommended to determine resistance markers of selected cultivars of Iranian cereals.

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Background: Axotomy causes sensory neuronal loss. Reconnection of proximal and distal nerve ends by surgical repair improves neuronal survival. It is important to know the morphology of primary sensory neurons after the surgical repair of their peripheral processes. Methods: Animals (male Wistar rats) were exposed to models of sciatic nerve transection, direct epineurial suture repair of sciatic nerve, autograft repair of sciatic nerve, and sham operated. After 1 and 12 weeks of the surgery, the number of L5 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and ultrastructure of L4-L5 DRG neurons was evaluated by fluorescence and electron microscopy, respectively. Results: Nerve transection caused sensory neuronal loss and direct epineurial suture but no autograft repair method decreased it. Evaluation of morphology of the neurons showed classic features of apoptosis as well as destructive changes of cytoplasmic organelles such as mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus in primary sensory neurons. These nuclear and cytoplasmic changes in primary sensory neurons were observed after the surgical nerve repair too. Conclusion: The present study implies that the following peripheral nerve transection apoptosis as well as cytoplasmic cell death contributes to neuronal cell death and reconnection of proximal and distal nerve ends dose not prevent these processes.

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Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been recently received increasing attention for cell-based therapy, especially in regenerative medicine. However, the low survival rate of these cells restricts their therapeutic applications. It is hypothesized that autophagy might play an important role in cellular homeostasis and survival. This study aims to investigate the regenerative potentials of autophagy-modulated MSCs for the treatment of acute liver failure (ALF) in mice. Methods: ALF was induced in mice by intraperitoneal injection of 1.5 ml/kg carbon tetrachloride. Mice were intravenously infused with MSCs, which were suppressed in their autophagy pathway. Blood and liver samples were collected at different intervals (24, 48 and 72 h) after the transplantation of MSCs. Both the liver enzymes and tissue necrosis levels were evaluated using biochemical and histopathological assessments. The survival rate of the transplanted mice was also recorded during one week. Results: Biochemical and pathological results indicated that 1.5 ml/kg carbon tetrachloride induces ALF in mice. A significant reduction of liver enzymes and necrosis score were observed in autophagy-modulated MSC-transplanted mice compared to sham (with no cell therapy) after 24 h. After 72 h, liver enzymes reached their normal levels in mice transplanted with autophagy-suppressed MSCs. Interestingly, normal histology without necrosis was also observed. Conclusion: Autophagy suppression in MSCs ameliorates their liver regeneration potentials due to paracrine effects and might be suggested as a new strategy for the improvement of cell therapy in ALF.