Effect of thymol and carvacrol on nutrient digestibility in rams fed high or low concentrate diets

Published data on the effects of essential oils [EO] on in vivo nutrient digestibility in sheep are contradictory. In 2 experiments, the effect of thymol and carvacrol on nutrient digestibility was studied in sheep fed with high [70%] or low [52%] concentrate diets, using incomplete Latin Square designs. The essential oils were mixed with the concentrate portion of the diet at the rate of 0.0, 0.3, or 0.6 g per kg dry matter [DM] diet. Supplementation of thymol had no significant effect on digestibility of dry matter [DM], organic matter [OM], crude protein [CP] and acid detergent fiber [ADF]. The main effect of thymol on neutral detergent fiber [NDF] and ether extract [EE] digestibility and on nitrogen balance [NB] was significant [P<0.05], but within each level of dietary concentrate no significant differences were observed for these measurements. Overall, ruminal ammonia concentration was higher [P<0.05] in both HCD and LCD lambs receiving 0.3 mg thymol per kg diet. Supplementation of carvacrol had no significant effect on nutrient digestibility. The main effect of carvacrol on ruminal ammonia levels and NB was significant, but within each level of dietary concentrate no significant differences were observed in ammonia levels and NB. Inclusion of 0.3 g/kg diet DM of carvacrol or thyme was more effective than 0.6 g/kg diet DM in terms of NB but neither dose affected nutrient digestibility. Future research should determine the long-term effects of essential oils on digestibility and performance in sheep, before recommendation can be made for their use under practical husbandry conditions

[Evaluating the protective effects of melissa officinalis on learning deficits of rat's offspring exposed to lead acetate during pre-and postnatal periods]

Lead contamination dramatically influences different body systems especially the central nervous system. Lead absorption during gestational period has deleterious effects on fetal differentiation and development and it may possibly result in learning deficits in adulthood. Recent studies have demonstrated positive effects of Melissa officinalis on memory improvement in some neural disorders. The aim of the present study is to investigate the protective effects of Melissa on learning deficits in lead acetate exposed rats. In this experimental study in department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad [2008-2009], 40 mated Wistar rats were divided into 8 groups as follows: control, negative control [Pb], Melissa [M] and Pb+M, and each in 3 different subgroups. The treatment started from the 7th day of gestation and continued during pregnancy and lactation. The learning ability and memory retention of four months old offspring were tested by complex T-maze. The collected data was analyzed by the SPSS software using one-way ANOVA and Toki test. A significant difference was found between lead exposed group and other groups regarding the time to reach the goal and the number of errors; while there was no meaningful difference between the control and other experimental groups. In lead exposed rats, learning deficits were obviously noticed. Since there was meaningful difference between control and Pb+M subgroups, Melissa can possibly improve learning deficits in lead acetate exposed rats

[Evaluation the associated factors with recurrent aphthous stomatitis]

Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis [RAS] is one of the most common oral ulcerative diseases. This lesion affects 20% of general population. Clinical features of these lesions are as minor, major and herpetiform ulcers. Etiology is unknown. It seems that RAS to be multifactorial. Evaluate the associated factors with recurrent aphthous stomatitis. In this descriptive - analytical and cross sectional study, 1105 persons attending to heath-therapeutic centers in Zahedan were selected in a multi-stage random manner; they were assessed for associated factors to development of RAS. Data gathered as single stage and by interview, filling questionnaire and clinical exam. Diagnosis was performed at base of clinical feature, in this type, in minor aphthea, the ulcers are less than 1 cm in diameter, round, clearly defined and erythematic ulcers. In major RAS, painful lesions are more than 1 cm in diameter which may last for several weeks, and usually heal with scar formation. The herpetiform aphthous stomatitis, the least common type, presents itself as multiple clusters of pinpoint lesions that may give rise to large irregular ulcers lasting 7 to 10 days. Finally all of data were extracted from the questionnaire and statistically analyzed by SPSS and chi-square manner. Among 1105 examined person [476males and 629 females], 199 persons [18%] were affected to aphthea that among them, 168 cases [84.4%] minor aphthea, 26 cases [13.1%] major and 5 cases [2.5%] had herpetiform. There were significant statistically correlation between the abundance of RAS and age [P<0.001], education [P<0.001], job [P=0.002], history of aphtea [P<0.001], family history [P<0.001] and brushing [P<0.001]. There were significant statically correlation between the abundance of RAS and sex, using snuff, using tobacco and using mouthwash. RAS is multifactorial lesion and factors such as age, high stress job groups, high education were associated with occurrence of the aphthea in this study. Tobacco had no correlation with occurrence of RAS

Focal dermal hypoplasia [Goltz syndrome]

Focal dermal hypoplasia [Goltz syndrome] is a rare congenital syndrome, found primarily in females. This syndrome is characterized by a wide range of meso-ectodermal defects. We report on 3 cases [one male and 2 females] who had typical manifestations of this syndrome. The skin lesions comprised of linear hypoplasia and vegetating tumors. They had significant skeletal and dental defects, and ocular abnormalities. Histopathologic examination of the skin lesions showed a markedly thinned dermis that was replaced by adipose tissue. About 200 cases of the syndrome have been reported worldwide, but to our knowledge, this is the first report from Iran

Erysipeloid type of leishmaniasis: a clinical study of an unusual presentation of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iranian women in Isfahan, Iran

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is pervalent in Iran. There are many unusual clinical presentations in acute cutaneous leishmaniasis [ACL]. Patients with infiltrative leisons over the face and nose referring to our department were studied. Fourteen female patients aged 45-74 had this unusual presentation. Direct smear and leishmanin skin test were positive in all of them, and histologically they showed cutaneous leishmaniasis. Other paraclinical data were within normal limits. All the patients responded well to methylglucamine antimonate treatment and their lesion healed leaving no scars. Erysipeloid type of leishmaniasis is an unusual clinical presentation of cutaneous leishmaniasis. The reason why this special presentation is seen only in women is not clear. However, host defense mechanisms, hormonal changes of the body [they were all elderly women], and fragility and friability of the nose and face skin due to senility may be involved