Effects of dietary supplementation of chromium methionine chelate on growth performance, oxidative stress, hematological indices, and carcass traits of broiler chickens.

This study was conducted to evaluate the dietary effects of chromium methionine (Cr-Meth) chelate on growth performance, oxidative stress parameters, blood biochemistry, and carcass traits of broiler chickens. An experiment was conducted on 34,000 1-day-old straight-run broiler chicks (Indian River; 42.0 ± 0.03) at a commercial farm. The chicks were divided randomly into 3 groups; the first group contained 17,000 birds, which used as a control, whereas the second and third groups consisted of 7000 and 10,000 birds, respectively, with 5 replicates per group. A completely randomized design was used. The birds were fed the experimental diets containing graded levels of Cr-Meth chelate: 0 (control), 50, and 100 g/ton. This compound consisted of chromium (0.4%) chelated with methionine, and it supply the diets with 200 and 400 ppb Cr for the used levels of 50 and 100 g/ton feed, respectively. Growth performance indices (body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio) were measured throughout the experiment. At the end of experiment, 10 birds per treatment were slaughtered, and the carcass yield with relative weight of the internal organs was determined. Also, blood samples were taken and analyzed for glutathione peroxidase activity, malondialdehyde, ALT, AST, total protein, albumin, glucose, urea, creatinine, triglycerides, and total cholesterol. It was found that Cr-Meth improved the body weight, weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio of broilers. Moreover, it reduced the mortality rate of birds. The chelated chromium can alleviate the oxidative status of birds by increasing the plasma glutathione peroxidase activity and reducing the serum malondialdehyde level. It was observed that the effects of 100 g/ton Cr-Meth chelate on performance indices, mortality rate, and oxidative stress parameters were better than that of 50 g/ton inclusion rate. Supplementation of Cr-Meth increased the total protein level, but reduced the glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations in the blood serum. In addition, it increased the carcass yield and reduced the abdominal fat percentage of the birds' carcass. Therefore, chromium can be included in diets of broilers at a rate of 200 to 400 ppb, and the higher concentration was more effective than the lower one. So, it can be recommended to use Cr-Meth chelate in broiler diets at 100 g/ton to improve the productive performance and reduce the oxidative stress of birds.

Effect of head covering on phototherapy induced hypocalcemia in term neonates with hyperbilirubinemia: A randomised controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Phototherapy is the primary treatment for hyperbilirubinemia in neonates. Hypocalcemia is a lesser known but potential detrimental effect of phototherapy. It has been hypothesized that phototherapy inhibits pineal secretion of melatonin, which blocks the effect of cortisol on bone calcium. Therefore, unchecked cortisol increases bone uptake of calcium and induces hypocalcemia. Covering head during phototherapy in order to prevent light reaching to the pineal gland which eventually leads to the prevention of hypocalcemia is hypothesized to prevent hypocalcemia but it lacks sufficient evidence worldwide. METHOD: It is a prospective, randomized controlled study. 112 neonates were randomized into two groups of 56 neonates. Group A underwent phototherapy without head cover and group B with head covered by a cap. RESULT: The mean decline in serum ionic calcium after 48 hours of phototherapy in group A and group B was 0.57±0.37 mg/dl and 0.34±0.24 mg/dl respectively. This decline in serum ionic calcium was significantly higher in group A. (p < 0.001). 26.8% newborns from group A developed hypocalcemia while in group B only 14.3% developed hypocalcemia however it was not found to be statistically significant. Incidence of symptomatic hypocalcemia between the two groups was also not significant. CONCLUSION: There was significant reduction in serum calcium in neonates undergoing phototherapy without head cover as compared to neonates with head cover but risk of hypocalcemia was not significant. Further studies with larger sample size including preterm are recommended.

Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of the methanol leaf extract of Dalbergia saxatilis Hook.F in rats and mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The decoction of the leaves of Dalbegia saxatilis is used in Traditional Medicine for various ailments such as cough, small pox, skin lesions, bronchial ailments and toothache. The study is aimed at evaluating the analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic effects of D. saxatilis to provide scientific basis for its use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Phytochemical screening and evaluation of oral median lethal dose was carried out on the methanol leaf extract of the plant. Analgesic activity using acetic acid induced writhing and hot plate method in mice, anti-inflammatory activity using carrageenan induced paw oedema in rats, and antipyretic activity using Brewer׳s yeast induced pyrexia in rats were evaluated at 250mg/kg, 500mg/kg, and 1000mg/kg doses of the extract. RESULTS: The oral median lethal dose was found to be above 5000mg/kg. The extract was found to contain alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, and triterpenes. The extract and the standard drug (Aspirin) significantly decreased the number of writhes caused by acetic acid at p<0.001. There was statistical significant increase in reaction time in standard group, extract 250mg/kg, and 1000mg/kg from 60 min at p<0.05 and p<0.01, from 30 min in 500mg/kg group at p<0.05 and p<0.01 compared with 0 min. A statistical significant decreases in paw sizes at p<0.05 and p<0.01 compared to the peak increase in both standard and test groups was observed. Statistical significant reduction in rectal temperatures was observed in standard group at 21 and 23 h, and in 500mg/kg and 1000mg/kg doses of the extract at 23 h at p<0.05 compared with the 19h. CONCLUSION: The results obtained indicated potential analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of the methanol leaf extract of D. saxatilis observed at doses tested which support the claim for the traditional use of the plant in treatment of toothache.

FOXL2 is a sensitive and specific marker for sex cord-stromal tumors of the ovary.

Sex cord-stromal tumors (SCSTs) of the ovary are relatively uncommon tumors. Diagnosis of SCST rests primarily on the histomorphology of these tumors, and tumors with an atypical or unconventional appearance can pose diagnostic challenges. Previously, we had identified FOXL2 (402C→G) mutation as being characteristic of adult granulosa cell tumors (aGCTs). However, molecular screening for this mutation is not always possible and adds time and cost to the diagnostic process. In this study, we investigated the potential diagnostic use of immunostaining for FOXL2 on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections. Using a commercially available polyclonal antiserum against FOXL2 protein, immunoexpression of FOXL2 was tested in 501 ovarian tumor samples, including 119 SCSTs, using whole tissue sections and tissue microarrays. Staining was correlated with FOXL2 mutation status. In addition, we compared FOXL2 immunoexpression with that of α-inhibin and calretinin, the 2 traditional immunomarkers of SCST, in a subset of 89 SCSTs. FOXL2 immunostaining was present in 95 of 119 (80%) SCSTs, including >95% of aGCTs, juvenile granulosa cell tumors, fibromas, and sclerosing stromal tumors. Only 50% of Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors (N=40) expressed FOXL2. One of 11 steroid cell tumors and 3 of 3 female adnexal tumors of probable Wolffian origin showed FOXL2 immunoreactivity, whereas all other non-SCSTs tested (N=368) were negative for FOXL2 expression. Thus, the sensitivity and specificity of FOXL2 immunoreactivity for SCST are 80% and 99%, respectively. The FOXL2 (402C→G) mutation was confirmed to be both a sensitive and relatively specific indicator of aGCT. Forty-five of 119 SCSTs were mutation positive. These cases were 39 of 42 (93%) aGCTs, 3 of 40 Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors, 2 of 5 thecomas, and 1 of 4 (25%) SCSTs of unclassified type. SCSTs harboring a FOXL2 mutation consistently immunoexpressed FOXL2 (44 of 45, 98%), but FOXL2 immunostaining was also seen in many SCSTs that lacked a mutation (49 of 73, 67%). FOXL2 immunostaining showed higher sensitivity for the diagnosis of SCST, compared with α-inhibin and calretinin, and FOXL2 staining was typically more intense in positive cases compared with either α-inhibin or calretinin. In the SCSTs that were negative for FOXL2 expression, α-inhibin and/or calretinin immunostaining yielded positive results. In conclusion, FOXL2 is a relatively sensitive and highly specific marker for SCST. FOXL2 staining is present in almost all SCSTs with a FOXL2 mutation, and also in a majority of SCSTs without a mutation. FOXL2, together with α-inhibin and calretinin, forms an immunomarker panel that will result in positive staining with 1 or more markers in essentially all cases of SCST.

Antibacterial and antifungal activities of different parts of Tribulus terrestris L. growing in Iraq.

Antimicrobial activity of organic and aqueous extracts from fruits, leaves and roots of Tribulus terrestris L., an Iraqi medicinal plant used as urinary anti-infective in folk medicine, was examined against 11 species of pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Serratia marcescens, Salmonella typhimurium, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans using microdilution method in 96 multiwell microtiter plates. All the extracts from the different parts of the plant showed antimicrobial activity against most tested microorganisms. The most active extract against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria was ethanol extract from the fruits with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 0.15 mg/ml against B. subtilis, B. cereus, P. vulgaris and C. diphtheriae. In addition, the same extract from the same plant part demonstrated the strongest antifungal activity against C. albicans with an MIC value of 0.15 mg/ml.

Antibacterial and antifungal activities of different parts of Tribulus terrestris L. growing in Iraq / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Antimicrobial activity of organic and aqueous extracts from fruits, leaves and roots of Tribulus terrestris L., an Iraqi medicinal plant used as urinary anti-infective in folk medicine, was examined against 11 species of pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Serratia marcescens, Salmonella typhimurium, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans using microdilution method in 96 multiwell microtiter plates. All the extracts from the different parts of the plant showed antimicrobial activity against most tested microorganisms. The most active extract against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria was ethanol extract from the fruits with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 0.15 mg/ml against B. subtilis, B. cereus, P. vulgaris and C. diphtheriae. In addition, the same extract from the same plant part demonstrated the strongest antifungal activity against C. albicans with an MIC value of 0.15 mg/ml.