[Phylogenetic analysis comparing partial S1 gene of avian infectious bronchitis virus to commercial vaccine strains in Iran]

Background:Infectious bronchitis is a highly contagious disease which may cause poor weight gain and low feed efficiency in infected chickens. There are a large number of reported serotypes/genotypes, which makes the control of the disease more difficult through vaccination. However, there are only a few amino acid differences in the S1 protein of vaccine and wild type strains which are responsible for protection

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to compare IBV variants isolated from commercial chicken flocks in Iran with currently used vaccine strains

Methods: The partial S1 gene of the spike protein, covering a hypervariable and constant regions, was amplified and sequenced using conventional RTPCR

Results: Phylogenetic analysis of amino acid sequences revealed that eight of total nine isolates were divergence at least 21.8% from vaccinal Massachusetts serotypes, and six of nine isolates were divergence at least 22.7% from 4/91, and none of the nine isolates were similar to Dutch-type, D274,vaccine serotypes

Conclusions: These findings are essential for continuous surveillance disease control strategies and monitoring of variants, and thus emphasize on the importance of improving the vaccination program in Iran

[Effect of zinc and selenium supplementation on serum testosterone and plasma lactate in cyclists after one bout of exhaustive exercise]

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate how exhaustion exercise affects testosterone levels and plasma lactates in road cyclists supplemented with oral zinc and selenium for 4 weeks

Materials and Methods: Twenty-four male road cyclists volunteers, were selected from the Tehran Traffic team, and based on BMI were divided into three groups; the selenium, zinc, and controls. The status of zinc and selenium in subjects was assessed at baseline. After 4 weeks of supplementation free, total testosterone, and lactate levels of all subjects were determined before and after exercise. Data was analyzed according to repeated measures ANOVA, and the Bonfferoni post hoc test, with a significance level of P<0.05

Results: Resting total, free testosterone, and lactate levels did not differ significantly between groups, and were increased by exercise [P>0.05]. Total testosterone levels in the Zn group were higher than in the Se group after exercise [P<0.05]. Free testosterone levels in the Zn group were higher than the other groups [P<0.05]. There was an insignificant difference between levels of lactate in the three groups after exercise [P>0.05]

Conclusion: According to this study, 4-week selenium and zinc supplementation had no significant effect on testosterone or lactate levels of subjects who had a zinc and selenium sufficient diet. Zinc supplementation increased levels of total testosterone in contrast with selenium group, and also increased free testosterone versus the other groups, whereas there was no change in the levels of lactate in the three groups post-test

[Effect of low level laser therapy on orthodontic movement in human]

Lasers with different characteristics have been used to stimulate orthodontic tooth movement. Considering the contradictory findings in this regard, this study was designed to assess the effect of low level laser therapy [LLLT] on the rate orthodontic tooth movement. In this randomized clinical trial study, 12 patients [4 boys and 8 girls; average age: 16.9 +/- 3.4] with extracted upper first premolars and required canine retraction into extraction site were included. While in both sides canines were retracted by NiTi coil spring, one side was exposed to GaAlAs laser [890 nm]. LLLT was done [on the buccal and palatal mucosa by slow movement of probe] at the beginning of the first month. Impression and cast fabrication performed at the beginning of retraction, one and two months later. The amount of retraction on the cast was measured with the aid of a reference plaque fabricated on the rogae using a digital caliper. Data were analyzed using paired sample T-test and one-sample Kolmogorov- Simirnov test. There was no significant difference in the amounts of canine movement between laser exposed and control sides [P>0.05]. The energy dose of laser used in this study [72 J per each tooth] was not appropriate for increasing dental movement

comparison of the effect of artificial blood emulsion [FC-43] and mannitol on the serum level of nitric oxide after reduction of brain blood flow in rabbit

Perfluorocarbons [artificial blood] are keen to bond with oxygen. Therefore, in tissues with blood flow decrease, they would be appropriate candidates to improve oxygen delivery to the ischemic tissues. Moreover, nitric oxide as an active vasodilator increases blood flow. Transient common carotid artery ligation was performed on 15 male white anaesthetized rabbits that were randomized into 3 groups. The groups 1 and 2 received FC-43 and mannitol [12ml/Kg] respectively. The group 3 was considered as control without receiving injection. All animals were monitored for 5 hours. Systolic, diastolic, mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate, hematocrite, plasma level of nitrite and electrolytes [Na+, K+, Ca++] were measured before and after carotid artery ligation at 10 min, 30 min, 1 hour, 3hours and 5hours after injection. The animals were kept in isolated cages, and the survival of animals was monitored for one week. Finally all animals were sacrificed and brain water content was measured to compare the intensity of ischemic edema. A significant increase in nitrite level was observed in the first group at 10 min, 30 min and 1 hour after infusion as compared with the second and control groups [p<0.05]. No significant difference was seen in other parameters between the groups between the groups. Nitric oxide elevation showed improved blood circulation and oxygen delivery to ischemic tissues. It seems that FC-43 as a soluble oxygen delivery system can improve oxygen delivery to ischemic tissues and help their recovery