Echocardiographic assessment of myocardial infarction: comparison of a rat model in two strains

The purpose of this study was to induce myocardial infarction [MI] and compare the echocardiographic parameters and mortality ratio of Lewis inbred and Wistar outbred strain before and after the procedure to help choose the best one for MI studies. In this study MI was induced in 46 Lewis and 34 Wistar by occlusion of left anterior descending artery [LAD]. Doppler, two-dimensional [2-D] and 2-D guided M-mode images were recorded from parasternal long-axis and parasternal short-axis and apical four-chamber views. The following parameters were acquired. Interventricular septum diastolic and systolic dimension [IVSd, s], diastolic and systolic left ventricular internal diameter [LVIDd, s], diastolic and systolic left ventricular posterior wall dimension [LVPWd, s], ejection fraction [EF], and fractional shortening [FS]. The significant changes were observed in systolic IVS, LVID and EF and FS before and after MI and no significant difference was detected between Lewis and Wistar. The high mortality rate of 51% was seen in the procedure, including anesthesia in Lewis compared to 34% in Wistar. As a conclusion the echocardiographic parameters of these two strains were similar, but according to mortality rate and more cardiac anatomic variation in Lewis rats, Wistar is better for MI studies

phylogenetic study on the NP gene of detected canine distemper virus in [2008-2011] Iran

Canine Distemper [CD] is a lethal systemic disease affecting a wide variety of terrestrial carnivores. This study was performed to survey epidemiological and molecular characteristics of the canine distemper virus [CDV] strains circulating in Iran. In this study, 19 CDV-suspected unvaccinated dogs from Northeast and center of Iran were analyzed for presence of CDV nucleoprotein [NP] gene using Nested-PCR during 2008- 2011. Different biological samples of 14 dogs were positive. The phylogenetic analysis based on partial NP gene sequences indicated the presence of two major clusters that are clearly different from vaccine strains in Iran. One cluster belongs to the European group and the other one to the Arctic group. Due to a lack of phylogenetic analysis on CDV in countries bordering Iran, except Turkey, the ancestor of Iranian sequences specially Iranian Arctic sequences could not be definitely identified. This study is the first report on phylogenetic analysis of CDV from domestic dogs in Iran

[Antibody monitoring to canine distemper virus in unvaccinated rural dogs in the southern coastal region of Caspian sea]

Mass mortality of Caspian seal has occurred in recent years and canine distemper virus [CDV] has been identified as the main pathogenic agent in these events. Despite the repetition of this event and the presence of a large number of dead seals in the coastal region of the Caspian Sea, very little is known about the epidemiological role of these animals in canine distemper virus survival in this area. In this study the frequency of antibody against CDV in unvaccinated rural dogs in the southeast coastal region of the Caspian Sea [Iran] was evaluated by means of serum neutralization test. Serum samples [185] were randomly collected from rural dogs from 2008 to 2010. Totally the frequency of positive antibody reaction in animals against CDV was found to be 55.6% [103/185] in 1/32 dilution [CI%95: 47-61]. In this study no significant difference in susceptibility was observed between males and females and among different age groups. Moreover, most of the positive cases were observed during the winter. These results indicate that this virus is present in the ecosystem. Furthermore, there is evidence of previous natural exposure to CDV. This high frequency of antibody in serum samples might be because of previous contact with CDV contaminated corpse of Caspian seal. Dogs' population in rural areas is dense enough to maintain CDV in environment and rural dogs can be a reservoir of infection for urban dogs and wild carnivores

Molecular Surveillance of Avian Influenza in Bird Parks of Tehran, Iran

Avian influenza [AI] viruses have been isolated from a wide diversity of free-living avian species representing several orders. Since 1998, H9N2 AI outbreaks have been one of the major problems in Iranian poultry industry. In 2006, H5N1 was reported in swans in the north of Iran first, but until now there has been no official report from commercial flocks in Iran. The aim of this study was Molecular Surveillance of Avian Influenza in Bird Parks of Tehran, Iran. In this study, 100 fecal samples from different avian species of Public and Bird Parks [The avian species included Pigeon, Duck, Swan, Parrot, Crow and Sparrow] were collected in Tehran, in the central region of Iran during November and December 2009. RNA extraction and RT-PCR have been done according the WHO Instruction for detection of Influenza Type A. In 14% of samples genetic materials [RNA] were detected. Species including duck and sparrow were positive. This is the first report of AIV detection in this these species in Iran. Due to emergence of new H1N1 influenza and bird flu throughout the world and in regional countries, surveillance programs for monitoring the spread of these viruses need to be redesigned. Surveillance activities for AI in wild birds should be continued to provide further virological [subtype] and epidemiological [Phylogenic Study] information about circulating viruses

[Review on the laboratory diagnosis of crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever]

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever [CCHF] is a potentially fatal zeonosis disease caused by a tick-borne virus from the Bunyaviridae family. The CCHF virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of the Ixodid ticks or contact with the blood or tissues of CCHF patients or infected livestock. Human infections begin with the nonspecific febrile symptoms, but progress to a serious hemorrhagic syndrome with a case fatality rate of 2-50%. As Rapid and precise diagnosis approach is critical for control, treatment and detection of patients and is useful for epidemiological studies. We conducted a review study on the different research works on diagnosis field in the world and Iran scientific databases, according to laboratory diagnosis of CCHF in bio safety, sampling and diagnosis assays aspects. Laboratory Diagnosis of CCHF is based on three approaches: Virus Isolation, Serological assays [IIF, RPHA, and ELISA] and antigen detect assays [ELISA, RT-PCR, Real Time RT-PCR and Microarray]. Early diagnosis is critical for patient therapy, prevention of potential nosocomial infections and in biological attacks. Also, the ability to distinguish between an infection with a reassortant and a nonreassortant variant may have prognostic value. According to Iranian health center facilities, we should design and established domestic methods in each three approaches especially in BSL4 facilities in Iran

polymerase chain reaction method for rapid detection of Salmonella typhi

Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi is the causative pathogen of typhoid fever. Morbidity and mortality rates of the disease are 16x106 and 6x105 cases per year, respectively. Proper diagnosis of the disease and its suitable treatment have critical roles in morbidity and mortality reduction, especially in the developing countries. The traditional methods for detection of the organism are time consuming with low sensitivity. The aim of the present study is to design a new polymerase chain reaction [PCR] method for rapid detection of the organism. Target specific viaB genes were used for primer designing using Generunner j software. PCR tests were sat up using the standard Salmonella typhi genome. Besides, specificity of the method was determined using negative control bacterial genomes. For construction of positive control, determination of sensitivity of the method and limit of the detection, PCR products were cloned in a pTZ57RT plasmid vector. The agarose gel electrophoresis of PCR products showed 441 bands for the viaB genes. PCR tests for control negative genomes did not create any band on the agarose gel. Results of PCR, enzymatic digestion and sequencing confirmed the cloning process and the positive control construct. Considering the disadvantages of the classic methods for detection of the organism and the advantages of the molecular methods, the diagnostic kit proposes a suitable tool for rapid detection of the Salmonella typhi

Rapid detection of causative agents of Malta fever using polymerase chain reaction

Malta fever is a zoonosis that it's causative agent is Brucella species. Although the disease is rarely fatal, but in natural epidemics or probable biologic wars, it's rapid and proper indiscrimination will scathe medical supplies drastically. Drawbacks of traditional diagnostic methods are time consuming, less accurate, less sensitive and contain false positive results. So the aim of this study is to design the PCR method for rapid detection of the organism. Genus specific bcsp target gene was selected for primer designing using Primer express v3.0 software. Specificity of the PCR tests was determined using reactions containing various bacterial negative control genomes. For evaluation of sensitivity and limit of detection, the PCR products were cloned in pTZ57R/T plasmid and used from their serial dilutions. Electrophoresis of bcsp gene PCR product showed a single 150 bp band for B.abortus and B.melitensis. PCR tests using negative control bacterial genomes were not showed detectable bands after gel agarose electrophoresis. The cloning processes were confirmed by PCR and sequencing. This method can be used for genus detection of the pathogen Brucella. and, it reduces time and cost needed for the organisms detection

Psychosocial care for breast cancer: physicians' perspective

Many literatures have documented that psychosocial care can improve health outcomes and reduce morbidity in women with breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the opinion of the breast cancer professional team members on integration of psychosocial care in regular management of breast cancer. A cross sectional sample of 313 physicians involving in diagnosis, treatment and supportive care for breast cancer patients were interviewed using a questionnaire. The majority of participants [52.7%] declared that psychosocial care is necessary for all patients with breast complaints. All except one of the respondents irrespective to their age and job believed that providing the patients with psychosocial supportive care definitively have some positive points for the patients with breast cancer. Of all respondents, 29.6% thought it should be offered as soon as suspicion is raised toward breast cancer, 54.7% preferred to provide such care after the diagnosis of malignancy is confirmed, 11.3% thought it should be prescribed before surgery and 4.4% believed that care should be provided before adjuvant therapy. The necessity of providing psychosocial care for breast cancer patients was mentioned by the majority of respondents; however there are some major differences among the team members of breast cancer care in regard to psychosocial supportive care. The results of this study highlight the insufficient collaboration among medical team members and the necessity of multidisciplinary approach to all aspects of the important disease through programmed sessions and provide the patients with an integrated comprehensive care

Investigation of mitochondrial common deletion and BRCA mutations for detection of familial breast cancers in archival breast cancer materials

Mutation analysis of mitochondrial genome and BRCA genes are helpful in the early diagnosis of familial breast cancers. In this study, we investigated mitochondrial common deletion and BRCA mutations through multiplex PCR and clinical parameters for the detection of familial breast cancers in archival breast cancer samples. The multiplex PCR was conducted on DNA from 34 archive breast tissue samples and 13 blood samples. Five mtDNA4977 deletions and three 5382insC mutations were detected from familial breast cancers. The mtDNA4977 deletion was highly prevalent in peripheral blood but it was absent in the breast tissue of the cancer cases. On the other hand, familial breast cancer tumors exhibited different clinical parameters such as higher mitotic activity, higher polymorphism, lower necrosis, lower tubules, higher ER- and PR-negatives and lower TP53-positives compared to the non-familial cancers. Our results demonstrated that the testing of mtDNA4977 deletion and 5382insC mutation in combination with clinical parameters can serve as major risk factors in the identification of familial breast cancers