[Vitamin C supplementation to rainbow trout [Oncorhynchus mykiss] diet and analysis of growth indices, survival and carcass composition at two different stocking densities]

Background:Vitamin C is one of the important nutrients in fish culture and as a potent anti-oxidant, is of great importance in preserving cells against oxidation and boosting resistance in stress conditions and against pathogens

Objectives: The purpose of the present study is to add high level of vitamin C supplementation to rainbow trout [Oncorhynchus mykiss] diet reared at high density and analysis of growth indices, survival and carcass composition at two different stocking densities

Methods: Rainbow trout juveniles with initial body weight of 9.6 +/- 0.69 g at two densities of 50 and 100 pieces in 50 liters of water were fed two diets containing the same level of protein and fat. Experimental diets were diet 1 without adding vitamin and diet 2 with adding 1500 mg/kg of vitamin C. A total number of 900 rainbow trout juveniles in four treatments each with three replicates as T50 [0] [with the density of 50 and fed with diet 1], T100 [0] [with the density of 100 and fed with diet 1], T50 [C] [with the density of 50 and fed with diet 2] and T100 [C] [with the density of 100 and fed with diet 2] were randomly distributed in incubators

Results:After 6 weeks of feeding, growth indices, feed conversion ratio and viability were significantly different between treatments [p<0.05]. T50 [0] and T50[C] treatments had higher weight gain, specific growth rate and viability than T100 [0] and T100[C] [p<0.05]. In the case of feed conversion ratio, it was higher in T100 [0] and T100[C] treatments compared to T50 [0] and T50[C] ones [p<0.05]. Carcass composition was not significantly different between treatments [p>0.05]

Conclusions: The results showed that vitamin C supplementation in the diet of rainbow trout juveniles did not have significant effects on growth indices, feed conversion ratio, survival and carcass composition but density was a key factor in growth, feed conversion ratio and survival in this species

comparison of pain intensity and anxiety during bone marrow biopsy under general anesthesia or local anesthesia in children with acute leukemia

Background: In recent years, the need to decrease pain and anxiety in patients with acute leukemia during invasive diagnostic and therapeutic measures has been emphasized. This study was performed with the aim of evaluating pain and discomfort caused by bone marrow aspiration under general anesthesia compared with local anesthesia

Materials and Methods: This cohort study was performed on 239 patients with acute leukemia under 18 years of age admitted to Dr. Sheikh Hospital in Mashhad during two years

Children undergoing bone marrow aspiration with either general anesthesia with propofol or local anesthesia with lidocaine were compared in terms of pain intensity [Visual Analogue Scale], resistance to procedure, and the fear and anxiety during aspiration. Results were evaluated with SPSS software version 16 using t test and chi-squared test

Results: Among the 135 patients who were under general anesthesia, 20.1% showed a slight resistance to apply the anesthesia mask. The least amounts of pain, fear, and anxiety were reported. Among the 104 patients under local anesthesia, 80.2% had physical resistance, 44.4% had severe and very severe pain, and 86.1% showed intense fear and anxiety. In the general anesthesia group, physical resistance [p=0.01], pain [p=0.01], and fear and anxiety [p<0.005] were significantly lower than in the local anesthesia group

Conclusion: In bone marrow aspiration, general anesthesia is more acceptable to children and their parents than local anesthesia. This method can greatly reduce pain, resistance, and fear caused by the aggressive actions during bone marrow aspiration in children

Neuroprotection effect of female sex steroids after traumatic brain injury in rats: the role of inflammatory cytokines

Previous studies have demonstrated estrogen and progesterone decrease brain edema induced by TBI. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of female sex steroids on cytokines, and proinflammatory evaluation of the effects of cerebral edema of these hormones whether ovarian hormones decrease brain edema by change in concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines. In this experimental study, 98 ovariectomized female rats [except groups 1 and 2] were divided into groups of control, sham, vehicle, low does of estrogen [El], high dose of estrogen [E2], low dose of progesterone [PI] and high dose of progesterone [P2]. Vehicle and sexual steroid hormones were injected intraperitoneally at 0.5 h after Moderate and diffuse TBI induced by Marmarou method. Brain level of cytokines and ovarian hormones were measured 6 h after TBI by ELISA method. Both E2 and PI caused significant increase of 52.8% and 79.2% in brain level of IL-lp. P2 significantly decreased the levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha by 45.9% and 72% respectively. TGF-beta level seem to be increased by El up to 3.37 times significantly. Level of beta-Estradiol increased 4.58 times in E2 group and progesterone increased 1.56 times in P2 group significantly. This results suggested that ovarian hormones increased brain IL-lp and TGF-P and decreased IL-6 and TNF-alpha, this may be one mechanism by which hormones reduce cerebral edema

[Evaluation of correlation between iron over load and the response of chronic hepatitis c in thalassemia major patients treat with alfa- interferon and ribavirin]

beta thalassemia is genetic disorders in beta globin chain production. There is either a complete absence of beta globin chain production or a partial reduction. In bone marrow, thalassemic mutations disrupt the maturation of red blood cells, resulting in ineffective erythropoiesis and disrupt of red blood cells in spleen causes severe hemolytic anemia in beta thalassemia major Patients. Transfusion therapy can lead to normal life expectancy but also exposes Patients to the risks of iron over load and transfusion - transmitted viruse. [Especially HCV] these Patients need for effective anti viral therapy in addition to regular iron chelation. Evaluation of correlation between iron over load and the response of chronic hepatitis C In thalassemia major Patients treat with alfa- interferon and ribavirin. We enrolled 30 Patients with beta thalassemia major and chronic hepatitis C who referred to clinic of hematology from December 1998 to April 2006. HIC was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy before treatment. Hepatitis C virus, genotype, viral load, were analyzed. Multiple variables were analyzed by SPSS [15] Among the 30 Patients, 17 cases [56.7%] were male and 13 cases [43.3%] female. HIC was determined on a liver biopsy specimen. This study showed that HIC was not correlated to a therapeutic response [p =1]. Evaluation of correlation between viral load and therapeutic response showed that viral load was not correlated to a therapeutic response [p= 0.414]. Among the 30 Patients, 24 cases [80%] had genotype la and 6 cases [20%] had genotype 3a and genotyping was not correlated to a therapeutic response. [p<0.068]. Gender and HIC were not correlated to a therapeutic response. [Male p=0.226] and [female p= 0.199]. In this study HIC, genotyping, viral load and gender were not correlated to a therapeutic response and it does not need chelation therapy before anti viral therapy

Color discrimination in Caspian pony

Although an early and influential review led to the often-cited conclusion that color vision is rare among mammals, more recent findings suggest that it is actually widespread. According to Jacobs, all non-nocturnal mammalian species that have been adequately examined show some color vision capacity, although the degree varies enormously. Data on the presence and characteristics of color vision in the horse, however, remain sparse and none in the case of ponies. Eight Caspian ponies were presented with a series of two-choice color vs. grey discrimination problems. One mare pony was eliminated due to traumatic injury to the eye. Experiments were performed in a box of 3 _ 3 meter containing a wall with two translucent panels that were illuminated from behind by light projected through color or grey filters to provide the discriminative stimuli. Ponies were first adopted to the stall [box] with two panels in it and then learned to push one of the panels in order to receive the food rewards behind the positive stimuli in an achromatic light-dark discrimination task. The ponies were then tested on their ability to discriminate between grey and four individual colors: red; 617 nm., yellow; 581 nm., green; 538 nm. and blue; 470 nm. The criterion for learning was set at 85% correct response, and final testing for all color vs. grey discrimination involved grey of varying intensities, making brightness an irrelevant cue. The ponies were tested with all four colors vs. grey discriminations. Except two ponies, the rest were successfully reached the criterion for learning blue color vs. grey discrimination. Only two ponies reached the criterion for learning green color vs. grey discrimination. Only tow ponies reached the criterion for discriminating red and yellow vs. grey. So the answer to the question "do the ponies see color" is yes, they can discriminate between the four selected color vs. grey

[Evaluation of fragile X syndrome in patients with moderate mental retardation in Rafsanjan city]

Fragile X syndrome [FXS] is the most common cause of inherited mental retardation. Patients are identified with different levels of mental disabilities, elongated ears, prominent foreheads and chins, enlarged testes, large skull and obesity. This syndrom is generally associated with a break on X chromosome [Xq27.3], which can be observed in cultured chromosomes in specific culture media at metaphase stage. Prevalence rates of FXS in different ethnic groups have been estimated to be about one per 1500 in males and one per 2500 in females. The aim of this study was to determine FXS prevalence in moderate mental retarded students of Zohreh Shamsaei school in Rafsangan city. Fifty two students with moderate mental retardation [IQ=55-75] who were clinically suspicious to have FXS were screened for fragile X chromosome by using cytogenetic methods. Blood samples were collected and cultured in specific culture media. G-Banding method was used for karyotyping. Patients consisted of 37 males [71.2%] and 15 females [28.8%] with mean age of 12.7 years [ranged 7-17 years] and mean IQ 65.3 [ranged 55-74]. 8.1% of male students and 6.6% of female students were found to have fragile X site at Xq27.3 [in total 7.7%]. The frequencies of fragile X-positive cells in males and females were 8-52% and 12-27%, respectively. The frequency of fragile X positive cases found in this study is equal to that is reported by other investigators who studied the frequency of fragile X syndrome in preselected patients

Biliary pseudolithiasis during ceftriaxone therapy in children

Ceftriaxone is almost widely used in the treatment of pediatric infection and this is accompanied by some complications. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of abnormal ultrasonography findings of gallbladder [pseudolithiasis or sludge] during ceftriaxon therapy and its relation to fasting, sex and G6PD deficiency. This quasi-experimental survey was done in Amirkola Children's Hospital, Babol, Iran. First ultrasonography was done before initiation of ceftriaxone therapy and it was repeated 24-48 hours after therapy and in the 5th, 7th, 10th and 14th day after the treatment. If abnormal finding was seen, ultrasonography was done weekly in the first two weeks until the side effect disappeared. Data was collected and analyzed by SPSS software. Of all 108 patients, who were between 3 months to 10 years old, 20 cases had abnormal findings in gallbladder [2 sludges and 18 pseudolithiases]. Length of fasting before ceftriaxone therapy had a positive relation with possibility of stone formation [p<0.005], but age, sex, duration of therapy and G6PD deficiency were not related [p>0.05]. In four cases pseudolithiasis was formed after only 1-2 doses of ceftriaxone. Shortest and longest periods of resolution of complications were 1 and 17 days respectively after formation. Incidence of pseudolithiasis or sludge formation during ceftriaxone therapy was 18.5% and fasting had a great effect on these complications

Study of the effects of raw garlic consumption on the level of lipids and other blood biochemial factors in hyperlipidemic individuals

Hyperlipidemia is one of the famous disorders that can lead to atherosclerosis. Garlic has been considered as one of the blood lipids lowering agents for ages, and various studies have been carried out, some of them confirmed this effect of garlic and some did not. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of raw garlic consumption on human blood biochemical factors in hyperlipidemic individuals. This clinical trial was conducted on 30 volunteer individuals with blood cholesterol higher than 245 mg/dl. Fasting blood samples were collected for biochemical tests. The volunteers consumed 5 g raw garlic twice a day for 42 days. Second fasting blood samples were collected and the individuals did not use any kind of garlic for next 42 days. After that, the third fasting blood samples were collected and the biochemical factors were measured. After 42 days of garlic consumption the mean of blood total cholesterol [p<0.001] triglycerides [p<0.01] and FBS [p<0.01] were reduced significantly, but HDL-C was increased [p<0.001] significantly. Following 42 days of no garlic consumption total cholesterol [p<0.001], triglycerides and FBS [p<0.05] were significantly increased and HDL-C [p<0.01] decreased. Garlic consumption alone can decrease serum lipids, but it cannot be used as the main therapeutic agent for hyperlipidemia. Garlic can be used in mild hyperlipidemia or when the patients cannot tolerate the chemical drugs

Ascorbic acid improves vascular permeability in experimental-induced diabetic rats

The most devastating manifestations of diabetes mellitus are vascular complications. Although there are many factors involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic vasculopathy, many studies suggest a role for glucose-induced oxidative stress. Studies in animal models, have demonstrated that the administration of antioxidants restores normal endothelial functions. The study was designed to examine the possible beneficial effects of ascorbic acid, which have antioxidant properties, on vascular permeability in the duodenum of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Female adult rats were divided into two control and three diabetic groups. Diabetes was induced by a single injection of streptozotocin [55 mg/kg, ip]. One control and two diabetic groups received ascorbic acid in drinking water [800 mg/kg]. Diabetic groups received ascorbic acid either as therapeutic for 4 weeks, starting after the induction of diabetes or as combination therapy for 8 weeks starting 3-4 weeks before the induction of diabetes. Vascular permeability was estimated by measuring the extravasations of Evans blue dye and water content of duodenal tissue. As compared to the control group, diabetic animals significantly increased both Evans blue extravasations and water content by 202%. Ascorbic acid, used as treatment or in combination therapy, similarly restored these two variables to normal level. The findings of this study suggest that ascorbic acid might have a role in restoring some dysfunctions of experimental diabetes

effect of Nifedipine and Verapamil on vasculopathy in chronic experimental diabetic rats

Since in diabetes the permeability of vessels is impaired, therefore late onset complications of diabetes originated from vascular changes. Calcium plays a major role in inducing and starting process that cause vascular injury and increased permeability. The aim of this study was to indicate whether calcium channel blockers [nifedipine and verapamil] could prevent vascular permeability. In this experimental interventional study, male rats, divided into seven groups randomly. Diabetes induced by subcutaneous injection of 50 mg/kg streptozotocin. Vasculopathy was evaluated by extravasations of Evans blue dye and water content of tissue. Animals received 40 mg/kg of verapamil and 10 mg/kg of nifedipine orally daily. Results of this study showed that extravasations of Evans blue dye was increased significantly [P<0.001] in diabetic group compare to control group, while verapamil decreased extravasations of Evans blue significantly compare to diabetic control group [P<0.01], however nifedipine had no inhibitory effect an water content of tissues did not change significantly. The body weight of animals in diabetic group decreased significantly [p<0.05] at the end of experiment compare to the beginning of experiment, but verapamil and nifedipine have prevented the decrease of body weight in diabetic group. The results of this study suggest that using calcium channel blockers particularly verapamil can inhibit diabetic vasculopathy and prevent the body weight reduction effectively

Evaluation of carpal tunnel syndrome by laser doppler flowmentry

Autonomic disturbance can leads to blood flow changes that can be studied by various methods. To assess the blood flow changes in patients with severe carpal tunnel syndrome by laser Doppler flowmetry. Ten patients with severe unilateral carpal tunnel syndrome confirmed by electrodiagnostic examination enrolled in this study. Patients comprised one man and nine women with mean age of 37 years, an average duration of symptoms for 29 weeks. Unaffected hand and little finger of affected hand were used as control. Skin blood flow was measured in neutral, flexed and extended positions of hands. There was significant reduction of skin blood flow of median nerve territory as compared to control [unaffected hand] [p<0.05]. There was also significant [p<0.05] reduction of blood flow of median nerve territory as compare to ulnar nerve territory of affected hand except in extended position. Circulatory disturbances are seen in hand skin of CTS patients. This change depends on the type and severity of CTS. This study showed a reduction of skin blood flow in severe form of CTS

unusual presentation of an impacted maxillary molar

A 27 year old male presented with a buccal space abscess. A four and half year history was given. He had been treated by numerous medical and dental specialists and had been on various medications. Investigations revealed that an impacted maxillary wisdom tooth was the cause. The buccal abscess was drained and the tooth was surgically removed. The integrity of the maxillary tuberosity was also preserved