hydrophilic proteins of lung surfactant as a prognostic marker in experimental pneumonia

Background: SP-A and SP-D are hydrophilic proteins which regulate the inflammatory response of the lung. Pasteurella multocida is one of the most common bacteria isolated from calves suffering from shipping fever pneumonia, one of the majorproblems in dairy herds

Objectives: evaluation of surfactant content may provide a valuable diagnostic tool for detection of calf pneumonia due to Pasteurella multocida and also state of treatment

Methods: ten Holstein-Frisian bull calves aged 4 months with body weight of 120 +/- 5 kg were selected for study in two groups. The Pasteurella multocida [PMC66 Razi] was used in the present study for inducing pneumonia. The Bronchoalveolar lavage [BAL] process was done in selected calves. BAL fluid was collected and centrifuged and finally the sediment [crude surfactant] was reserved at -20degreeC. The cytological evaluation and surfactant content was assayed by ELISA, TPL kit assay and HPLC

Results: the serum levels of SP-A and SP-D in pneumonic group were significantly elevated. Although the increased Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid [BALF] level of SP-A in pneumonic cases was found as compared with the control animals, the statistical analysis did not show any significant differences between two groups. The level of SP-D in BALF of pneumonic group significantly elevated. The amount of Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine [DPPC] in pneumonic group decreased significantly in comparison with control group

Conclusions: pasteurella inducing pulmonary can change the major component of lung surfactant, evaluation of these markers can be helpful as an appropriate tool in diagnostic state of pneumonia and healing

Changes in clinical signs after treatment in calves with experimental colisepticemia with Escherichia coli

Background: Colisepticemia is an acute fatal disease in farm animal neonates. Clinical finding of septicemia is non-specific and cannot be differentiated from signs of non-infectious disease or disease with local infection such as diarrhea

Objectives: Evaluation of clinical signs variations in calves with experimental septicemia with Escherichia coli 01 11 :H8

Methods: Colisepticemia was experimentally induced in ten Holstein bull calves after an adaptation period. Vital signs and 7 clinical criteria were recorded from 24 h before septicemia until 48 h after that. Blood culture was performed and treatment was done based on antibiogram from 24 h after challenge

Results: Changes of suckling reflex and shock were not significant. Changes of appetite, dehydration, behavior, standing ability, total score from 24 h before the challenge to 24 h after treatment were significant [p=0.00l]. Fecal consistency altered with treatment [p<0.04]. Heart rate [p=0.04 and p=0.033, respectively], respiratory rate [p=0.009 and p=0.001, respectively] and body temperature [p0.00l and p=0.004, respectively] have significant changes till 24 h after challenge and till 24 h after starting treatment. Blood cultures were positive except for 0 h and 48 h after challenge

Conclusions: The present study indicated clinical signs changed unfavorably following septicemia that were dissolved approximately during 24 h, depending on treatment in appropriate time and drug choice. Thus, a targeted scoring system will be useful in clinical evaluation of septicemia, quantifying the changes procedure and treatment efficacy

[Relationship between menarche age and body mass index in female adolescent [10-17 yr] of Sabzevar schools in 1390]

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the factors influencing age at menarche in sabzevarian girls, for health policy.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive – analytical study, we enrolled 400 girls aged 10-17 years, whose menstruation had started during 6 months before the study; and lived in Sabzevar at least for 3 years ago. Data such as demographic information, height and weight of the girls were collected using a checklist, and analyzed in SPSS 11.5 software. Pearson correlation coefficient test was used to determine relationships, and T test for qualitative variables.

Results: The mean age of the participants, age at menarche, weight, height and body mass index [BMI] were 12.88 +/- 1.26 years, 15.12 +/- 1.53 years, 53 +/- 10.49 kg, 160.49 +/- 0.07 cm, and 20.58 +/- 3.83 kg/m2, respectively. There was a significant correlation between age at menarche, and height [P<0.001, r=0.209], underlying disease [P=0.008], mother's age [P=0.002, r=0.153], body mass index [P=0.026, r= - 0.112] and level of mother's education [P=0.001, r= - 0.164]. There was no significant correlation between age at menarche and weight, mother's job, and father's job.

Conclusion: The results showed that there is a significant correlation between changes in BMI with age at menarche in Sabzevarian female adolescent. But, because of differences between societies, further researches should be conducted to determine exact factors.

[ effects of age, sex and slaughtering on cellular distribution of bronchoalveolar lavage fluids in calves and cattle]

Based on our knowledge, there have been no studies about the effect of age, sex, lobe and slaughtering stress on cellular distribution of bronchoalveolar lavage fluids in calves and cattle in Iran. The main purpose of this study was to compare the cell distribution pattern of bronchial alveolar lavage fluids in calves and cattle in terms of age, sex, type of lung lobes and the stress of slaughtering. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed in twelve calves at three different ages' groups [less than 2 months, 2-4 months and 4-6 months]. 250 milliliters sterile normal saline was infused through the tracheal tube and lavage was performed using syringe pressure. Post-mortem BAL was performed on twelve isolated lungs by infusing 150 milliliter normal saline. The lavage fluid was collected in sterile plastic tubes. The slide smears was prepared by pellet which were air-dried and stained with a Giemsa stain. Slides were evaluated cytologically. The data was analyzed by T-test, One Way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey test .Also, the Spearman correlation coefficient was used to assess the age and cell. Significant negative correlations were observed between cells such as epithelial cells, macrophages and mast cells, with a correlation coefficient of -0.430, - 0.059 and- 0.267- and age although the differences were not significant [p<0.01]. Statistically significant difference was observed in percentages of mast cells in males [1.48 +/- 1.25%] and females [zero percent] [p=0.04]. The differences were significant [p=0.019] between percentage of epithelial cells in the lungs of slaughtered cattle and lavaged lung of calves. The percentages of macrophages in slaughtered animals was significantly decreased [p=0.019] compared with live calves. Significant differences were not observed in cell density in different ages and sexes. But in the cell density in live animals [583 cells per microliter] was significantly higher than the lungs of slaughtered [237 cells per microliter] [p=0.03]. It seems that age and lobe do not affect pattern of lung immune cells. Sex and slaughtering stress, however may cause changes in immune cell type and density and lead to develop more respiratory disease

[Verbal-auditory skills in 5-year-old children of Semnan/Iran in 2006]

This research was planned to determine some verbal-auditory skills [verbal-auditory short memory and phonological awareness] that have the closest relationship with speech and language development in 5-year-old children. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 400 children of pre-school classes affiliated to Education and Welfare organizations in Semnan city were selected randomly. Required data were gathered by using a questionnaire and performing verbal - auditory skills tests. The obtained means were as follows: monosyllable non word repetition: 3.28, 4 syllabic non word repetition: 1.17, syllable recognition: 10.27, syllable segmentation: 3.04, syllable blending: 3.20, alliteration [word with same starter phoneme] recognition: 0.92 and production of word with same starter phoneme: 0.54. Test material has a great influence on the results of the auditory memory test. Due to lack of enough Iranian research and any agreement between them, we can not determine the sequence of phonological skills exactly and it requires further researches. Moreover, more surveys are required to find the effect of age

[Study of motor skills in 5-years-old children [Semnan, 2006]]

The current study was performed to assay motor skills [rapid naming, word and phrase repetition] in 5 years old children that these skills are in close relationship with speech and reading development. The aim of this study was to identify the mean and 95% confidence interval of these developmental aspects in normal 5 years old children in order to finding the normal range of these skills, which are the basis of reading and speaking. Performing a screening test in order to diagnosis, training and treatment of abnormal motor skills in 5-year-old children was another aim of the present study. This study was a cross-sectional and descriptive study. All nursery schools affiliated to education and welfare office in Semnan were included in this study. In each nursery school, children with auditory, visual and speech disorders were excluded and 20% of those whose mother tongue was farsi or semnani were selected randomly [a total number of 2256 persons]. Statistical analysis was carried out using independent t test and Chi-square test. The means were as follows: rapid picture naming 72 words in 100 seconds, word repetition 4.97, unfamiliar phrase repetition 4.31. There was no significant difference between girls and boys with regard to the above skills. The mean of word repetition in Semnanian 5-year-old children was greater than mean of unfamiliar phrase repetition. Semnanian 5-year-old children's mean of rapid picture naming and word repetition was lower than that of 5-year-old children in Tehran, but in unfamiliar phrase repetition Semnanian 5- year-old children's scores were greater

[Visual discrimination and visual memory in 5-year-old Children of Semnan [1385]]

To learn, read and write as the most influential aspect of human civilization, a learner needs to reach to a certain levels of conceptual and sensorial skills, memory [auditory and visual] and intelligence abilities. Verbal visual skills play an important role for learning of reading and writing. The present study was performed to assay some visual skills [discrimination and memory], which are in close relationship with speech and language development in 5-year-old children. the aims of the study were to identify the mean and 95% confidence interval in normal children with respect to in these developmental aspects. The findings of this study would help us in finding the normal ranges of these skills, which are a base for reading and writing, as well as making a screening test to diagnose, train and treat abnormal skills in 5-year-old children. In this transactional and descript ional study, 20% of qualified Kindergarteners who had healthy vision, audition and speech, and speaking in Farsi or Semnani language and affiliated to the education and welfare department in Semnan city were selected randomly [total of 2256 persons]. They were evaluated by Visual Skills Test. In 5-year-old children who speaking in Farsi, mean levels of tested skills were as follows: visual memory= 3.25, shape visual discrimination= 2.12 and alphabet visual discrimination =1.62. In 5-5.5 year- old children, the mean levels of visual memory, shape visual discrimination and alphabet visual discrimination were 3.24, 2.20 and 1.65, respectively. Finally, these mean levels were respectively 3.27, 1.93 and 1.54 for visual memory, visual discrimination, and alphabet visual discrimination in 5.5- 6 year old children. 5-year-old children were more skilled in shape visual discrimination than that of alphabet visual discrimination. Since the date of birth was an effective factor on children abilities in shape visual discrimination test, the older the child the better the scores. There were no differences between girls' and boys' scores in any of tests

Study of some syntactic and inflectional indicators in the hearing loss students in Birjand

Hearing is one of the most important sensory abilities through which man can hear the people's speech after birth, and then gradually acquires the ability of understanding and expressing them. If hearing damage occurs, specially from the beginning of the birth and or before speech acquisition, with respect to the severity of damage, one will have delay in speech and language. Morphology and syntax are two important aspects of language which are usually affected in the hearing impaired students. In this study, some morphologic and syntactic indicators in speech of hearing impaired students and some non-language features were studied too. This is a descriptive study research. Sampling has been non-randomly done on the whole 29 hearing loss students without any IQ problems at the age of 10-16 in the deaf primary school with hearing loss more than 65 decibels in the Best Binaural Average Scale in Birjand. Students' file in school, picture description, and supplementary questions were tools which were used. All the cases' utterances during the test were recorded by a tape recorder and then were written on the paper. Then all the indicators were analysed. Findings containing the following descriptive information, mean of MLU of cases was 3.7 morphemes and 2.4 words. Among 1051 utterances, 17.4% of utterances were correct which among them 57.3% were sentences and 42.7% were also non-sentences. Only 24% of verbs had been inflected correctly and the rest [76%] had some problems. 66% of cases used total communication method, 10% sign method, and the rest [24%] used lip-reading and oral methods. 13.8% of all cases used hearing aid continuously, 44.8% barely and 41.4% did not use hearing aid at all. Meanwhile, 24.1% of cases had at least one hearing loss person in their family. Findings showed that mean of MLU among these people is very low;. However they used verb a lot in their speech, but they had a lot of problems in agreement of verb with subject and tense

Survey of the prevalence of the articulation disorders in primary-school children [Semnan-2004]

Articulation disorders due to the problems that create in communication with others, is a great obstacle in individual's development and may cause difficulties. Generally, 5% of school age children have articulation disorders and should be referred to the speech therapy clinics. In this research, prevalence of articulation disorders was studied in Semnan primary school children to evaluate the range of problem. In this cross-sectional study done among the primary school, 5 boy schools and five girl schools with 3013 pupils, were examined by speech therapists. Among them, those with articulation disorders were separated and the supplementary evaluations were performed on them in clinics. To analyze the data, Ratio test, Chi-square and correlation coefficient were used. Findings showed that 8.7% [95% CI: 7.7-9.7%] of the cases, suffering the articulation disorders; 8% of them having lisp, chiefly, in [s] and [z] sounds. Meanwhile, articulation disorders in males were higher than in females significantly [P=0.002]. Also there did not exist any significant relation between the kind of articulation disorder and age [P=0.55], between the severity of articulation disorder and gender [P=0.397], and also between the articulation disorder and age. Considering the high rate of lisp in the elementary school children, it is suggested that the parents and school officials should pay the special attention to these problems and try to refer them to the speech therapy clinics