The effect of Persian bee propolis and pollen extracts on innate immune response of rainbow trout (Onchorhynchus mykiss) was investigated. Fish were fed diets containing 1% Pollen, 1% propolis and combination of the two immune-stimulants (0.5% Pollen and 0.5% propolis) as treatment groups and fed without the two immune-stimulants as positive and negative control groups for 4 weeks. The effects of different stimulants at different weeks (Time × stimulants) were analyzed with the Repeated Measures ANOVA. The first-four groups were then subjected to Aeromonas hydrophila for 5 days. The phagocytic activity, respiratory burst activity, Plasma Total Protein and cumulative mortality were monitored. The results showed that fish fed diet containing 1% propolos or 0.5% Pollen+0.5% propolis enhanced non-specific immunity including respiratory burst activity, phagocytosis but decreases the mortality in challenging with A. hydrophila by 45 and 65%, respectively.

The predatory Bdellovibrio is considered one of the most promising probiotics in aquaculture. Yet the effect of dietary Bdellovibrio probiotics on Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis has never been evaluated. In the present study, a fifty-day feeding trial was conducted to assess the effects of dietary Bdellovibrio powder at a recommended final dose of 7. 5 g kg-1 diets on non-specific immunity, antioxidant ability and disease resistance of E. sinensis. The results indicated that compared with the control, the activities of lysozyme, superoxide dismutase, catalase, acid phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase were significantly increased in the serum and hepatopancreas of E. sinensis fed with Bdellovibrio powder-supplemented diets (p<0. 05). Besides, a significant reduction of malondialdehyde level was also observed in the serum and hepatopancreas of Bdellovibrio powder-fed crabs (p<0. 05). In addition, the test crabs fed diets with Bdellovibrio powder for fifty days exhibited significantly (p<0. 05) higher protection against aeromonasis, showing a relative percentage survival of 81. 25% against Aeromonas veronii challenge for seven days. To conclude, dietary supplementation of Bdellovibrio powder for fifty days can increase immunity, antioxidant capability and resistance of E. sinensis to A. veronii infection.

Introduction: Validated questionnaires are a valuable tool in medical practice. The role of septoplasty in improving patients’,non-nasal symptoms and their quality of life is still controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the differences in outcome after septoplasty measured by a disease-specific questionnaire vs a general QoL questionnaire. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 patients underwent septoplasty and completed the SNOT-22 and the SF-36v2 questionnaires preoperatively and at 6 months post-op. Pre-op, post-op and variation for each domain in both questionnaires were calculated and compared with a measure of self-reported health transition (Question 2 of SF-36v2) and with the Minimal important difference (MID) for our sample. Results: SNOT-22 scores significantly improved for each specific question and for the total score. SF-36v2 showed a significant improvement in scores for mental domains (Mental Health, Role Emotional, and Vitality) but less so for the physical domains. MID for our sample was 4. 2 points. Patients with variations greater than 4. 2 in SNOT-22 total score (74%) revealed significantly better variations in Physical Function, General Health, Social Function and Vitality. Conclusions: Validated questionnaires are a fundamental tool for assessing outcomes of commonly performed surgeries in ENT. Disease-specific questionnaire showed improvement in scores for the majority of patients. The general QoL showed improvement only in Mental Domains. This may suggest that the impact of septoplasty in patient’, s general health might not be significant.