Evaluation of humoral immune responses against C. perfringens epsilon toxin in Iranian sheep and goats after vaccination.

Clostridium perfringens is a common cause of death in domestic animals worldwide. However, vaccination on a regular basis is an economically beneficial means for controlling clostridial contamination.The objective of the current investigation was to evaluate the humoral immune responses using iELISA in Iranian sheep and goats following the vaccination programs administered by the bacterin-toxoid polyvalent entrotoxemia vaccine. A total of one-hundred-and-twenty animals, consisting of sixty sheep and sixty goats, were randomly divided into three groups. These animals were vaccinated with clostridial vaccine on days 0 and 14 using two different dosages. Blood samples were collected on day zero, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 following vaccination. The sera samples were then separated and antibody titers were measured using an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) against C. perfringens epsilon toxin. The titers of antibodies in sheep were notably higher than those in goats, particularly after receiving the booster dose. No statistically significant variations were identified in the immune responses of Iranian sheep and goat breeds. (p>0.05). Overall, the duration of the humoral immune response in goats upon administration of the clostridial vaccine was relatively brief, requiring multiple booster injections.

The effects of melissa officinalis on depression and anxiety in type 2 diabetes patients with depression: a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Depression is more common in diabetic patients, with a 1.5-fold increased risk of death.Melissa officinalis (M. officinalis) have anti-diabetic and anti-depression activities. The study aimed to determine the efficacy of M. officinalis extract on depression, anxiety, and sleep quality in patients with type 2 diabetes with depressive symptoms. METHODS: In this double-blind clinical trial, 60 volunteer patients (age range 20-65 years) with type 2 diabetes mellitus with symptoms of depression were randomized into the intervention (received 700 mg/day hydroalcoholic extract; n = 30) or control group (received 700 mg/day toasted flour; n = 30). Dietary intake, physical activity, anthropometric indices, FBS (Fasting blood sugar), hs-CRP(High-sensitivity C-reactiveprotein), depression, anxiety, and sleep quality were determined at the beginning and end of the study. Depression and anxiety were assessed by Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), respectively; sleep quality was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). RESULTS: Sixty participants received M. officinalis extract or placebo, of which 44 patients completed the 12-week double-blind clinical trial. After 12-week the mean change of depression and anxiety scores were statistically significant between the two groups (p < 0.001 and p = 0.04, respectively), but no significant differences were observed in FBS, hs-CRP, anthropometric indices, sleep quality, and blood pressure.In the intervention group, there was a significant decrease in depression and anxiety severity(p < 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively) at the end of the study compared to the baseline. TRIAL REGISTRATION: All protocols in this study were followed in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration (1989 revision). Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Iran University of Medical Sciences Ethics committee (IR.IUMS.FMD.REC 1396.9413468004; research.iums.ac.ir). The study was registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT201709239472N16); Registration date: 09/10/2017.

Effects of Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm) on cardio-metabolic outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Recent evidence indicates a beneficial effect of Melissa officinalis (MO) intake on several chronic diseases. However, the effects of MO intake have not yet been systematically reviewed. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effect of MO intake and focused on several cardiometabolic outcomes. MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for MO-RCTs evaluating cardiometabolic outcomes. Random-effects meta-analyses estimated the pooled standardized mean differences (SMD) between intervention and control groups. Risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing the risk of bias in RCTs. Seven RCTs were finally deemed eligible. MO intake was associated with a reduced total cholesterol (TC) (SMD: -0.26; 95% CI: -0.52, -0.01; I2 = 13.7%; k = 6) and a reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) (SMD: -0.56; 95% CI: -0.85, -0.27; I2 = 00.0%; k = 3). MO intake was not associated with statistically significant changes in triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, diastolic blood pressure, high sensitivity c-reactive protein levels, fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, insulin or high-density lipoprotein levels. No serious adverse events were reported. The risk of bias was high in a considerable amount of studies. Our study suggests that MO is a safe supplement with beneficial effects on TC and SBP. However, the findings of our study must be seen in the light of major limitations such as a low number of included studies and a serious risk of bias. High-quality RCTs are needed for firm conclusions concerning the effects of MO on cardiometabolic outcomes.

Efficacy of Melissa officinalis L. (lemon balm) extract on glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with type 2 diabetes: A randomized, double-blind, clinical trial.

Melissa officinalis is a plenteous source of antioxidant flavonols and flavonoids that contain health-promoting and antidiabetic properties, so this study was undertaken to provide the first assessment of the antidiabetic properties of hydroalcoholic extract of M. officinalis in type 2 diabetic patients. We did a randomized, placebo-controlled trial which included 62 patients, receiving either M. officinalis capsules (700 mg/d; n = 31) or the placebo (n = 31) twice daily for 12 weeks. There were significant differences in serum FBS (P = 0.007), HbA1c (P = 0.002), ß-cell activity (P = 0.05), TG (P = 0.04), HDL-c (P = 0.05), hs-CRP (P = 0.001), and systolic blood pressure (P = 0.04) between the two groups at the end of the study; but total cholesterol, LDL-c, insulin, and HOMA-IR showed no significant changes between the groups. In M. officinalis group, there was a significant change in HDL-c (P = 0.009) and QUICKI (P = 0.005) compared with baseline values. No adverse effects were observed. It seems that M. officinalis is safe and effective in improvement of lipid profile, glycemic control, and reduction of inflammation.

ECOR phylotyping and determination of virulence genes in Escherichia coli isolates from pathological conditions of broiler chickens in poultry slaughter-houses of southeast of Iran.

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) are responsible for wide ranges of extra-intestinal diseases in poultry including colibacillosis, cellulitis, coligranuloma and yolk sac infection. Numbers of virulence are considered important in the pathogenicity of these diseases. The aims of the present study were phylogenetic typing and virulence genes detection in Escherichia coli isolates from colibacillosis and cellulitis of broiler chickens in poultry slaughterhouses of Shahrbabak region, Kerman, Iran. A total number of eighty three E. coli isolates were taken from broiler chickens with colibacillosis and thirty four isolates were taken from carcasses with cellulitis in the industrial slaughterhouses. Biochemically confirmed E. coli isolates were subjected to polymerase chain reaction assay to determine phylogenetic groups and presence of pap C, sfa/focDE, iucD, afaIB-C, hlyA, fimH and crl virulence genes. Colibacillosis isolates were belonged to A (54.21%), B1 (7.22%), B2 (6.03%) and D (32.53%) phylogroups. Whereas, the isolates from cellulitis cases were belonged to three main phylogroups; A (55.88%), B1 (5.88%) and D (38.24%). Statistical analysis showed a specific association between the presence of crl virulence gene and phylogroups of A and D in colibacillosis isolates. The results showed that the isolates from both diseases in broiler chickens could be assigned to various phylogenetic groups (mainly A(. Also, the virulence genes profile of cellulitis E. coli is completely different from that of colibacillosis in this region.

Safety and efficacy of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) on ApoA-I, Apo B, lipid ratio and ICAM-1 in type 2 diabetes patients: A randomized, double-blinded clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety and effects of Melissa officinalis, a good source of bioactive components, on apolipoprotein (Apo)B, Apo A-I, and their ratio, lipids ratios and intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: For the present randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 70 type 2 diabetic patients aged 20-65 years old were randomly assigned to receive hydroalcoholic extract of M. officinalis (HEMO) (700 mg/d) or placebo twice-daily for 12 weeks. RESULTS: There were significant differences in serum Apo A-I, TC/ HDL-c and LDL-c/ HDL-c between the two groups at the end of the study (p < 0.05), but we did not show significant differences in the values for Apo B, Apo B/Apo A-I, TG/HDL-c, ICAM-1 and liver enzymes include AST, ALT, and ALP between the study groups. Although both groups showed a significant reduction in ICAM-1, AST and, ALP (p < 0.05), no significant differences in ICAM-1, AST and, ALP were observed. At end, in M. officinalis group, there was a significant increase in Apo A-I (p = 0.003) and significant reduction in TG/HDL-c (p = 0.05) compared with initial values, as well as in placebo group, there was a significant rising in Apo B/Apo A-I (p = 0.02) and significant reduction in Apo A-I (p = 0.001) compared with baseline values. CONCLUSIONS: M. officinalis is safe and effective in improvement of Apo A-I, Apo B/Apo A-I, and lipids ratios as key factors promoting cardiovascular disease (CVD) in type II diabetic patients.

A case presentation of spider lamb syndrome in a Kermanian breed lamb.

Skeletal abnormalities are most often used to describe defects in the arms or legs that are associated with genes or chromosomes, or that occur due to an event that happens during pregnancy. Spider lamb syndrome (SLS) is a congenital disorder in sheep breeding that is recognized by some deformities in skeletal system especially in the limbs. A dead day-old cross-breed white lamb with deformed limbs was referred to the anatomy hall of the Veterinary Faculty of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman. In the external examination, the lamb was very skinny and in the facial region, superior brachygnathia with a slight Roman nose were observed. Metacarpal and metatarsal regions were more elongated than that expected. Also Metacarpal and metatarsal bones were as long as the antebrachial and crural regions, respectively. This paper, the first report of this syndrome in Iran, described the anatomic and radiographic features of the skeletal deformities in a day-old dead Kermanian breed lamb.