influence of administration of different doses of arginine and lysine coupled with zinc in the lactating ewes on the zinc concentration in milk

Zinc [Zn] plays an essential role in the human and animal body system. Zinc deficiency might cause many disorders, so it is important to provide a sufficient amount of this microelement in both animals and humans. One of the most important sources of Zn is milk. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Zn can pass through the mammary epithelial cell into milk by a cotransport system with amino acid in the lactating ewes. This experimental research included 54 lactating ewes collected from the Agriculture-Jahad Organization of Tehran Province, that were allocated into 9 groups as follows: groups which received inorganic form as Zn chloride [1, 2 and 4 mg/kg], and groups which received organic Zn with different doses of arginine or lysine [1, 2 and 4 mg/kg] in chelate form. Milk samples were taken 30 min before and 6 h after intravenous injection of Zn preparations. Zinc concentration in milk was measured using the flame atomic absorption spectrometric method. There were no significant differences [P>0.05] between groups in Zn concentration of the milk before administration of inorganic or organic Zn. Data analysis showed that administration of inorganic Zn caused a significant increase of Zn concentration in the milk in a dose dependent manner. While administration of arginine or lysine with Zn in chelate form caused a significant decline in Zn concentration of milk compared to inorganic Zn in a dose dependent manner. According to our results, administration of different forms of Zn influenced the Zn concentration in milk

[Effects of testosterone and growth hormone on plasma concentrations of orexin in diet restricted rams]

It has been established that multiple neuroendocrine factors such as orexin operate as metabolic signals for the reproductive tract. Since the effects of testosterone and growth hormone on concentration of orexin in rams have not been studied, the goal of this study was to determine the effect of testosterone and growth hormone on mean plasma concentrations of orexin in rams fed restricted diets. Rams were randomly divided into 2 groups. Animals in first group were fed 100% of their required daily food and those in the second group were fed 50% of food fed to the first group for 10 days. Consequently, the rams in all groups received 6microg /Kg BW testosterone on days 7 and 8 and 6microg /Kg BW Testosterone and 5 microg /Kg BW growth hormone on days 9 and 10 of the experiment. Blood samples were collected from the jugular veins at -120 and +120 minutes of infusions. for orexin assay, Plasma orexin were measured by a homologous double-antibody radioimmunoassay [RIA]. Injection of different dosages of testosterone and combination of testosterone and growth hormone in the 50%-diet, significantly [P<0.05*] increased the mean plasma concentrations of orexin, while in the 100%-diet this had no effect. Results indicate that testosterone and growth hormone may increase mean concentrations of orexin in animals fed lower than their daily food requirement

Atypical pantothenate-kinase associated neurodegeneration [PKAN] in two Iranian patients

Pantothenate kinase- associated neurodegeneration [PKAN] or Hallervorden-Spatz syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by dystonia, Parkinsonism, and iron accumulation in the brain. There are two types of this disease: the classic disease which is characterized by an early onset and rapid progression, and the atypical disease which is characterized by later onset and slow progression. Clinical diagnosis is based on clinical and characteristic magnetic resonance imaging findings. We report two Iranian cases of atypical PKAN, the diagnosis of which was missed till MRI showed classic imaging findings

[Evaluation and identification of colors used in dentin porcelain and determination of laboratory production method for colored dentin similar to Vita VMK68 dentin]

Since there are rich mines of porcelain in Iran, dental porcelain production has been considered. Dentin porcelain was produced in previous projects. Color plays an important role in dental porcelain therefore, the aim of the present study was to identify different colors used in VitaVMK68 dentin porcelain and produce the similar porcelain in Iran and compare the quality and quantity of the produced colored samples with Vita samples. In this technical report, the best firing conditions was determined by XRD device. Dentin powder structure was evaluated by SEM. Chemical compound analysis and identification of colored particle found in Vita porcelain powder was done by different methods. In order to make colored dentin samples, compound colors with different formula and percentage, was added to dentin powder and after providing a homogenous compound, they were pressed and put in vita furnace for firing. The color of new dentin was examined with colorimeter and compared with vita dentin. 1] The results of X-Ray diffraction showed complete conformity of different phases in experimental dentin powder with Vita dentin powder. 2] Experimental dentin powder particle size was very similar to Vita dentin powder. 3] The main colors used in Vita dentin powder had crystalline structure and were the same as ceramic stains. 4] Sintered experimental colored dentin samples showed acceptable similarity to sintered Vita dentin samples [according to delta E]. Experimental colored dentin samples showed acceptable similarity to Vita dentin samples with no clinically perceptible color differences

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome with peripheral thromboembolism: Report of a case

The popliteal artery entrapment syndrome [PAES] is an uncommon developmental abnormality, which comprises various anatomic variants causing compression of the popliteal artery. Strenuous athletic activity can cause repetitive compression or microtrauma to the popliteal artery and may result in foot or calf claudication. Popliteal artery aneurysm, thrombosis, or thromboembolism may rarely occur which may mask the underlying pathology. The first diagnostic technique of choice in patients with possible PAES should be duplex color Doppler ultrasonography with high-frequency transducers. Use of stress views-active plantar flexion and passive dorsiflexion of the ankle-increases the diagnostic accuracy. Classically, arteriography with the foot in the neutral position demonstrates abrupt medial deviation of the popliteal artery. In this article, we describe imaging findings in a young wrestler with complicated PAES. As far as we know, this is the first reported case from Iran with PAES

[Invitro evaluation of cytotoxicity and elemental release of three types of nickel-chromium basemetal alloys and comparison with one type of high noble [gold-palladium-silver] alloy]

Dental alloys following corrosion cause changes in oral tissues. As base metal alloys are used for fabrication of dental prostheses and are manufactured in Iran, the aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxicity of three types of nickel-chromium base metal alloys with one type of high noble alloy on mouse fibroblast cell [L 929] by MTT test. In this experimental study, 12 disks of each alloy with 5mm diameter and 2.5 mm thickness were prepared and placed in RPMI culture medium for 48 hours and 72 hours [extract medium]. Then the extract mediums were diluted in two different dilutions of 200 micro 1 and 40 micro 1 and their cytotoxicity were evaluated by MTT assay and compared with two control groups consist of only culture media and culture media with teflon. The amount of Nickel, chromium, copper, zinc and silver released from each alloys were measured by flame atomic absorption device. The data were analyzed by Graph Instat software, one way ANOVA and Tukey tests. After 48 hours, no significant difference in cytotoxicity was found between samples and control groups. After 72 hours there was a significant difference between samples and control groups [Minalux vs. Control: P<0.01, Degubond vs. Control: P<0.001, Wiron 99 vs. Control: P<0.001, Supercast vs. Control: P<0.05] There was no significant difference in cytotoxicity with two dilutions of 200 micro 1 and 40 micro 1 between samples. Maximum release of nickel and chromium were observed from Minalux, silver from Degubond and zinc Supercast. The cytotoxicity of three Nickel-Chromium alloys and one high noble which were used in this study was not different. Cytotoxicity increased with time

case of primary adductor muscle hydatidosis: "water-lily sign" on magnetic resonance imaging

Primary hydatidosis of muscle is very rare and can cause a variety of diagnostic problems. Its diagnosis is based on clinical, laboratory and radiological findings. As this infestation resembles a soft tissue tumor on clinical examination, the preoperative radiological diagnosis is very important to avoid unnecessary biopsy. The objective of this article is to present the pathognomonic "Water-lily sign" that has not been previously reported in this muscle group. To the best of our knowledge, our case is the second reported case of this pathognomonic sign in magnetic resonance imaging of primary intramuscular hydatidosis

[Comparison of physical feed restriction methods during rearing on broiler breeder performance [growth and metabolic parameters]]

To compare the effects of four physical feed restriction methods during rearing broiler breeder on growth, metabolic status and blood indices of stress. A 4x2 factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design. On hundred and sixty pullets and 160 roosters of broiler breeder. The pullets and roosters were housed in pens and consumed the same amount of feed in both treatments. The effects of feed restriction methods [every day, six days a week, five days a week and skip-a-day] during 3 to 22 weeks of age on body weight, uniformity [coefficient variation], feed efficiency, serum biochemical parameters [glucose, triglyceride, total protein, cholesterol and uric acid] blood indices of stress [such as heterophil to lymphocyte ratio and basophil, monocyte and eosinophil counts] were determint. Analysis of variance [ANOVA]. While in the skip-a-day method the body weight and the feed efficiency were lower, the plasma cholesterol [P<0/05] and heterophil: lymphocyte ratio were higher in females. Because of higher body weight uniformity in five days a week and six days a week methods, these methods can be recommended

[ value of endobronchial biopsy in diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis]

Sarcoidosis is a multiorgan granulomatous disorder of undetermined etiology with 90% of patients exhibiting some degree of pulmonary involvement. Transbronchial Lung biopsies [TBLB] with fiberoptic bronchoscopy which demonstrate granuloma formation have been established as standard method for histological confirmation of sarcoidosis. In this study endobronchial biopsy [EBB] was used to assess the frequency of positive EBB findings in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis. The study included 28 patients [Mean +/- SD age 41.8 +/- 11.64 and 55% female]. Transbronchial and endobronchial biopsy were done for all patients. Results of EBB were analyzed. EBB was positive in 53.5% of subjects and TBLB showed granuloma in 71.5% of cases. In 8 cases [28.5%] diagnosis was established only by EBB. Normal appearing endobronchial mucosa in 73.5% of cases was associated with positive EBB findings. Endobronchial involvement is common in sarcoidosis and EBB can safely increase the diagnostic value of fiberoptic bronchoscopy

[Community-acquired pneumonia: a comparison between elderly and nonelderly patients]

Community-acquired pneumonia could be a life-threatening condition especially in elderly patients. The factors influencing the outcome in elderly patients are thought to be different from those in young adults. We compared the clinical and paraclinical profiles in elderly and nonelderly patients with community-acquired pneumonias. In this cross-sectional study, seventy nine patients who were hospitalized with community acquired pneumonia over a period of one year were included. Patients' medical records were reviewed; and data related to comorbid conditions, signs and symptoms, laboratory and radiographic findings were gathered using a checklist. The clinical features, laboratory parameters and complications from pneumonia were almost similar in 41 elderly [group I, age

Assessment of Normal Doppler Parameters of Portal Vein and Hepatic Artery in 37 Healthy Iranian Vilunteers

Doppler sonography is a valuable noninvasive method for the diagnosis of various liver diseases. However, there is scarce information on normal parameters of hepatic artery [HA] and portal vein [PV] in Iran. This study was conducted to assess normal Doppler indices of HA and PV in normal Iranian population. In this cross-sectional study, 37 [18 female, 19 male] healthy volunteers aged 20-40 years underwent Doppler sonography after 8 hours of fasting. PV was assessed at crossing point with inferior vena cava in normal respiration and HA in the hepatic hilum. The mean +/- SD PV diameter was 9.36 +/- 1.65 mm. The mean'SD maximum, and mean velocity of PV were 35.28 +/- 16.54 and 27.317 +/- 13.139, respectively. The mean +/- SD peak systolic velocity and resistance index of HA were 67.64 +/- 33.48 and 0.76 +/- 0.07, respectively. Normal Doppler parameters of HA and PV depend on different factors like gender, respiratory phase and technique of measurement and there is no uniform standard technique for these measurements. These factors must be considered when using Doppler parameters for diagnosis of liver disease