effect of methylprednisolone on spatial learning and memory in adult male rats using an experimental model of Alzheimer's disease

The methylprednisolone [MP] is a synthetic glucocorticoid steroid initiallydeveloped for its enhanced anti-inflammatory activity. The present study aimed to examinethe effect of MP on the spatial learning and memory in an experimental model ofAlzheimer's disease in rats. Male rats were allocated into five groups: control group; lesiongroup which received electrically-induced lesion [0.5 mA, 3s] in the nucleus basalismagnocellularis [NBM] to create Alzheimer's model; sham group [the electrode wasimpaled into the NBM with no lesion]; MP group [lesion+30 mg/kg MP] and saline group [lesion NBM + 0.2 mL saline]. After one week, the rats were trained to perform the Y-mazetask for five days. The animals were tested for spatial memory one month later. Results showed that the bilateral lesion of NBM impaired the .spatial learningcompared to the control group [P=0.01]. The administration of MP significantly improved spatial learning of rats with the Alzheimer's disease [P<0.001]. Moreover, no effect onspatial learning was seen in the sham group compared with the lesion group. No significantdifference was observed between the results in the 5th day of training and the memory testafter one month. Administration of MP can be an effective treatment for the Alzheimer'sdisease

[Evaluation of furazolidone reabsorption in the dog bladder following ileocystoplasty]

Drug absorption within intestinal urinary diversions has been reported to cause prolonged and higher grade toxicity. The aim of this study has been to determine the importance and significance of drug absorption via neobladder after ileocystoplasty. Ten healthy adult mixed breed dogs of both sexes [7 males and 3 females], weighing between 15-25 kg were selected. The animals were randomly divided into equal test and control groups. In treatment group, partial cytectomy, resecting 50 percent of the bladder and immediate ileocystoplasty was performed by Lamesch and Dociu technique. In control group an ileal resection and intestinal tract re-anastomosis was achieved without partial cystectomy and ileocystoplasty. In all animals, blood and urine samples were taken before surgery, at hours 1, 3, 6 and 24 after oral administration of Furazolidone [100 mg/dog] and this process was repeated on days 7, 25 and 45 after operation at the same hours. After preparation of the samples, the Furazolidone was measured by HPLC assay. One way analysis of variance and Dunnet test were used for the analysis of the data and P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. In test group, the blood samples showed significant changes of Furazolidone on day 25. The urine samples revealed significant changes on day 45 in both groups and on day 25 in test group. The results of this study showed absorptive effect of the ileum that decreases with time. Problems arising from drug reabsorption are usually rare and in most drugs a change in dosage [except those which have a narrow

Feline herpesvirus 1 infections in a domestic cat population in Ahvaz, Iran

Feline herpesvirus 1 [FeHV-1] and feline calicivirus [FCV], associated with upper respiratory tract disease, are highly prevalent in cats worldwide. With the aim of investigating the importance of FeHV-1 in a population of cats, samples were taken in a hospital in Ahvaz, south-west Iran, between June 2007 and June 2008. Oropharyngeal, nasal and ocular swabs were collected from 65 domestic cats, including 52 stray and 13 household animals and were tested for the presence of FeHV-1 DNA by polymerase chain reaction [PCR]. The overall prevalence rate of FeHV-1 was 35.38%. There was a statistically significant association between the prevalence rate of FeHV-1 and the presence of respiratory signs. High prevalence of FeHV-1 infection strengthens the importance of applying hygienic and preventive measures in cats in the study area

Effects of Zataria multiflora and Geranium pelargonium essential oils on growth-inhibiting of some toxigenic fungi

The effects of two Iranian medicinal plants including Zataria multiflora and Geranium pelargonium were evaluated on growth-inhibiting of some toxigenic fungi such as Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus, A. ochraceus and Fusarium verticillioides. In this study, standard Z. multiflora and G. pelargonium essential oils [EOs] were diluted in 0.01% dimethyl sulfoxide. Different dilutions of Z. multiflora [500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 ppm] and G. pelargonium EOs [1000, 2000, 4000 and 8000 ppm] along with 0.1 ml of each fungal suspension were inoculated onto sabouraud glucose agar and incubated at 25 [degree sign] C for 7 days. Zataria multiflora [>/= 2000 ppm] and G. pelargonium [>/= 8000 ppm] EOs completely inhibited all the tested fungi. Aspergillus species were more susceptible than F. verticillioides to two EOs. The EOs considerably exhibited inhibitory effects against these important toxigenic fungi and their different concentrations demonstrated various degrees of growth inhibition. This study showed inhibitory effects of Z. multiflora and G. pelargonium EOs against some toxigenic fungi including A. flavus, A. parasiticus, A. ochraceus and F. verticillioides

Characterization of Eimeria species in commercial broilers by PCR based on ITS1 regions of rDNA

Coccidiosis is an intestinal disease of chickens caused by various species of protozoan parasites within the genus Eimeria. Diagnosis and genetic characterization of different species of Eimeria are central to the prevention, surveillance, and control of coccidiosis. The aim of this study was to detect different chicken Eimeria species from several areas in Khuzestan, south-west Iran. From February to September 2008, PCR assay as well as parasitological examinations was applied for the identification of field isolates of Eimeria parasites around Ahvaz, center of Khuzestan, southwest Iran. Data were analyzed bythe Kappa statistic test. Eimeria maxima, E. necatrix, E. tenella, E. acervulina and E. mitis were detected in this study. The prevalence of Eimeria spp. was 31.5% [126 and 400] and E. tenella was the most prevalent species in Khuzestan. Based on the Kappa statistical test, a good correlation between the results of PCR and traditional biometrical methods was only observed for E. maxima. The present study is the first on the prevalence of Eimeria species in Khuzestan, based on the molecular findings. We believe that traditional methods are not sufficiently reliable for specific diagnosis of Eimeria species in chickens and PCR based amplification of DNA sequence of parasite, could resolve this problem

study on seroprevalence and coproantigen detection of Toxoplasma gondii in companion cats in Ahvaz area, southwestern Iran

Cats play crucial roles in the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis. In the present study, a total of 198 companion cats of different ages were examined for serum antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii by immunochromatography assay and for oocyst presence in faeces by microscopic examination [flotation method] and immunochromatography assay. The cats were selected between referred cases to the veterinary Hospital of Ahvaz University, southwestern Iran from December 2006 to November 2009. Classification was made by age, sex, breed, region and season. The studied cats were divided into three groups based on age [<6 months, 6months -3 years and >3 years] and into five regions based on area [north, east, west, south and central]. The results were analyzed by Chi-square analysis, Fischer's exact test and Z test. Forty nine of 198 serum samples [24.75%] had antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii [955 CI: 18.7-30.7%]. Prevalence was significantly higher in adult cats above 3 years [38.8%] and 6 months-3 years [26.6%] compared with cats less than 6 months [3.8%] [P<0.001]. Prevalence was higher in male cats [29.7%] than females [20.6%], in less than 6 months [3.8%] [P<0.001]. Prevalence was higher in male cats [29.7%] than females [20.6%], in the summer season [26.2%] and west region [27.5], but the difference was not significant between the prevalence of infection relative to host gender [P=0.14], season [P=0.99] and region [P=0.98]. Faecal flotation technique and immunochromatography assay was carried out on faecal samples also and T. gondii oocysts were not detected in any of the 198 samples. Our study showed that the prevalence of infection [24.75%] is relatively high in serum of companion cats in the Ahvaz district