JOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT (QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES)
Year:2010 | Volume:3 | Issue:1 (8)|Papers Count:11

Caffeine as an important allelochemical agent has physiological or poisonous effect on plants and microbes, and also participates in metabolic and physicochemical processes. Salysilic acid (SA) as a hormone has important roles in developmental regulation, and strongly participates in several biotic and abiotic defense mechanisms. The aim of this investigation was to study the allelopathic effects of Caffeine on growth and the photosynthetic pigment content in Soybean Seedlings (Glycine max L.), and it’s interaction with Salicylic acid. This experiment was performed using a Two-factor Randomized Complete Block Design. The first factor was 3 levels of Caffeine (0, 100, and 200 mg/L), and the second factor was 4 levels of Salicylic acid (0, 50, 75, and 100 mg/L), each with 4 replicates on Williams’ Soybean seed variety in the laboratory. Samples were collected on the 14th day post-pretreatment in order to evaluate growth indices and the pigment content. Our results showed that Caffeine and SA, each had a significant effect on the growth index and the pigment content. Salicylic acid decreased the caffeine intensity stress in all measured characteristics. When used in combination, the intensity of Caffeine-induced stress was lowered by the presence of SA, and the effect on pigment content was significant.

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is one of the water soluble vitamins. This vitamin is synthesized from glucose in the liver in some mammals. This process is not seen in primates and the guinea pigs. Vitamin C is an important antioxidant, and plays an essential role in the synthesis of certain extracellular matrix proteins. In this experimental study we examined the effects of vitamin C on the limb-bud development in vitro using NMRI mouse strain as an Animal model. On day 11.5, pregnant mice were killed and the embryos’ limb-buds were dissected and grouped as control, exp1 & 2. A sample from each group was cultured using the Trowell technique in vitro. The different doses of ascorbic acid used in these experiments were 50  mg /ml & 100mg /ml for exp1 & 2, respectively. Culture dishes in control samples contained only Eagles Minimum Essential Medium (EMEM), supplemented with 15% human embryonic cord serum and antibiotics. Samples from the three groups were incubated in 37oC, 5% CO2 and 95% air condition. Morphological and histological studies in control, exp1 & 2 groups showed a dose- related increase in length growth along the proximo-distal axis in exp1 & 2 with respect to the control group. Number of mesenchymal cells in the experimental groups decreased significantly in vitro; this occurs due to the differentiation of mesenchymal cells to chondrocytes. Results also showed a significant increase in the number of red blood cells in the experimental groups. Number of chondrocytes also increased significantly in the experimental groups. Especially in the proximal zone, hypertrophic chondrocytes were observed in the experimental groups. The results of this study demonstrated that the antioxidative, proliferative and differentiating effects of vitamin C act in a dose dependent manner.

Wild life is an important biological parameter in every ecosystem and an important criterion in the field of biological diversity. Protecting wild life necessitates the identification of the different species as well as their interactions with each other and with their habitats. The lack of knowledge on the contribution of animals to the biological diversity and their interaction with the environment has resulted in the extinction of certain animal species and the disappearance of their habitats. Even in a lot of protected areas many species are on the verge of extinction. Brown Bear (Ursos arctos) has long been an inhabitant of the northern, western and southwestern areas of the country, but the ongoing destruction of their habitat as well as the human interference has resulted in a decrease in their population and distribution. This study was aimed at assessing the conditions of the Brown Bear habitat and identifying their coexisting species with the hope of providing a better strategy for a proper management of their habitats. Along with the recognition of the properties of the Brown Bear habitats, some of its coexisting species were also sampled and identified. The data collected through this study demonstrate a very high diversity in vertebrate species (161 species) that include; 27 mammals, 82 birds, 22 reptiles, 3 amphibians and 27 fishes. Of all the identified species, 2 species of fishes, 3 species of amphibians, 1 species of reptiles, 70 species of birds and 15 species of mammals are on the IUCN red list. Of these, one species is listed as endangered and five as vulnerable in this list, while three species have been considered as endangered by the internal regulations. Therefore, considering the conservation and management of these co-existing species in the Brown Bear management program in this province appears inevitable.

Saffron(Crocus sativus L.) has long been used as a herbal medicine, and serves as a rich source of carotenoids with anti-cancer and anti-tumor effects. The biological activity of Saffron flower organs is correlated with the chemical composition and concentrations of the main biologically active ingredients in each organ. The present comparative study was designed to evaluate the antimitotic activity of petals, stamens and stigma water extracts of saffron flowers in root meristematic cells of Chickenpea (Cicer arietinum L.), Caraway (Carum carvi), Onion (Allium cepa L.) and Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). The antimitotic effects of these extracts were determined using root growth and cell division assays. All flower extracts had antimitotic effects on root meristematic cells. Extracts of stigma and petals possessed the most and the least inhibitory effects on spindle formation, respectively. It is speculated that the difference in the antimitotic activitity of these extracts correlates with the difference in chemical composition and concentrations of biologically active carotenoid ingredients present in each Saffron flower organ.

Among the gram negative bacteria causing food born enteritis, the most important organisms belong to the members of Salmonella genus. In this investigation, three methods of Serotyping, Resistotyping and Plasmid Profile Analysis were used to study the Salmonella strains isolated from food products. A total of 50 Salmonella strains isolated from food products and sent to the Veterinary Organization of Tehran Province and pasteur Veterinary Laboratory were studied from April to August 2005. Serotyping was performed using the Mast Diagnostic Kit. Resistotyping was performed by Kirby and Bauer disk diffusion method according to the NCCLS criteria. Plasmids were extracted using Takara kit (Takara company, Japan) and electrophoresed on a 1% Agarose gel. Fifty Salmonella strains belonged to 11 serotypes. S. Durban was the most common serotype followed by S. Nigeria and S. Thompson. All 50 Salmonella strains were resistant to Ampicillin and Streptomycin. Resistance to three or more antibiotics (MDR) was detected for 58% of the studied strains. Strains showed 6 different resistance patterns. The most common resistance pattern was S. Am. Gm. Cz. Te. All fifty Salmonella strains contained one to four plasmids and showed 4 different plasmid profiles. All the strains had a 3.036 MD plasmid and all these serotypes were resistant to Ampicillin and Streptomycin. Serotyping distinguished more strains than did the two other methods. Since our strains contained very few plasmids, this method could distinguish few strains. However, the method of Plasmid Profile Analysis showed that all the strains contained a 3.036 MD plasmid that can be considered as a common characteristic of Salmonella strains isolated from food products.

Light is an effective factor in the metabolism, growth and locomotion of fishes. Due to the importance of vision in the nutrition of fishes in pisciculture, this research was designed to study the effect of different colors of light on certain growth and survival parameters, and glucose levels in Cichild sulfur head (Labeotropheus trewavasae). A total of 150 fishes, each weighting an average of 2 grams were selected, and were randomly transferred to 4 different aquariums (about 12 fishes per tank) in three replicates. After being adapted to their environment, their tanks were illuminated with a different color of light (sunlight, red, blue and white light). The 40-50 watt bulbs (blue, red or white) were situated over the tanks at a distance of 40 cm. The photoperiod duration was maintained at a 12-hour photoperiod. Larval feeding lasted for 75 days, and the biometry of the fishes was performed once every 14 days. Data were calculated and analyzed using the ANOVA (Analysis Of Variance). Results indicated that the fishes exposed to white and red lights weighed the most and the least, respectively. The difference between the treated and the control lines were insignificant. The longest and the shortest fishes were the ones treated with white and red light, respectively. The highest and the lowest levels of glucose were observed in red and white light-treated fishes, respectively. The highest and the lowest FCR (Feed Conversion Ratio) was recorded in fishes grown under red and white light, respectively, which was significantly (P<0.05) different between the treatments. The highest SGR (Specific Growth Rate) or CF (Condition Factor) and HSI (Hepato-Somatic Index) were recorded for white light-treated fishes, and the lowest was recorded for the red light-treated ones. The highest and the lowest survival rates were observed in white and red light-treated fishes, respectively, and a significant (P=0.05) difference was determined between the treatments. The higher wavelength of red light is absorbed at the top layers of water, whereas the white light which is a combination of all the wavelengths present in a light spectrum, including yellow, orange and green is highly absorbed by the Sulfur head fishes. White light resembles the light spectrum of the natural environment of fishes and thus can be an appropriate light for the growth of these fishes.

Seed coat morphology is an excellent characters for taxonomic and evolutionary studies. Thus, understanding its structure and development has set an important goal for biologists. Alyssum genus belongs to the Brassicaceae family with 36 annual and perennial species. These species are polymorphic in morphological characters, making their identification difficult. In this study, seed micromorphological characters of eight Alyssum species were examined through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Sculpture, size and the thickness of cell walls as well as the shape of cells in the seed were assayed. Presence or absence of the wing around the seed and the ornamentation are important factors in distinguishing the Alyssum species. Based on our results, subspecies of the three species A. desertorum, A. linifolium and A. minus were distinguished from each other using the micro-morphological characters.

Pseudomonas aeruginosais a gram negative, opportunistic, and pathogenic bacterium that Its ubiquitous presence in the environment is a result of it sability to adapt to various adverse environmental conditions. The most serious infections caused by P. aeruginosain humans range from acute infections like endocarditis, meningitis, and septicemia to chronic lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients. Many infections can be attributed to a general immune suppression such as in AIDS patients, burn victims and neutropenic patients undergoing chemotherapy. Pseudomonas aeruginosa product various of proteins toxic and virulence factors, of which exotoxin A is the most toxic. ETA by ribosylation of elongation factor 2 inhibit protein synthesis in the eukaryotes and cell death. Therefore, accurately identifying P. aeruginosa in early time is beneficial to control due infection and reduce mortality variant methods are for detection Pseudomonas aeruginosabut PCR method detected Pseudomonas aeruginosa befor proteins and virulence factors expression. This method rapid, sensitive, proprietary, inexpensive and the different than to Biochemical and serological tests. In this study, a pair of specific primers were designed in the conservative region of ETA gene by the method of bioin-formation analysis Pseudomonas aeruginosa sample seventy were isolated from burn patients bedridden at Moosavi Hospital, Zanjan, Iran and Pseudomonas aeruginosa species were identified by Biochemical tests. Bacteria genomic DNA was extracted and the detection by method PCR was successfully development. The specificity of the PCR was determined by analyzing 5 different strains. DNA of Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella paratify A, Vibrio cholera, Shigella and Escherichia coli was taken as negative control. The results showed that only 4 P. aeruginosastrains isolated from burn patients without ETA gen and 66 isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosastrains were asset ETA gen that specificity test determine 94.3 percent. The results sensitivity determine showed for five strain bacteria negative.