effect of all-trans retinol on in vitro mouse embryo's developmental competence

All-trans retinol is a biological antioxidant scavenging the ROS in the cell culture. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of all-trans retinol in fertilization and culture medium on mouse embryo's developmental competence. This study was designed into two experiments. In the first experiment, in vitro mature oocytes were co-cultured with sperm in fertilization medium containing different concentrations of all-trans retinol [0, 1, 5, and 10 micro M]. After fertilization, zygotes in each group were separately cultured in CZB culture medium for 5 days to the blastocyst stage. In the second experiment, in vitro produced zygotes were cultured in CZB culture medium containing different concentrations of all-trans retinol [0, 1, 5, and 10 micro M] for 5 days to the blastocyst stage. In the first experiment, the blastocyst formation rate significantly increased by 5 micro M in all-trans retinol, which was more than those of the other groups. Also, percentage of grade one embryos was significantly higher in the presence of 5 micro M all-trans retinol than those in the presence of 0 and 1 micro M all-trans retinol. In the second experiment, different concentrations of all-trans retinol could not alter blastocyst formation rate; however, the percentage of grade one embryo was higher in the presence of 10 micro M all-trans retinol than that of the control group. These results showed that supplementation of fertilization medium with 5 micro M alltrans retinol could improve mouse embryo's development and morphology. On the other hand, supplementation of embryo culture medium can improve mouse embryo morphology without any effect on embryo developmental competence

[Radiographic evaluation of condylar angle and glenoid fossa and their correlation with malocclusion]

Malocclusion refers to misalignment or incorrect relation between the teeth and its frequency increases with age. Knowledge about normal occlusion can help determine the degree of deviation from the normal position. This study aimed to find a relationship between condylar angles and type of malocclusion. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 81 patients aged 15-25 years randomly selected from those presenting to the Orthodontics Department of School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences from 2001 to 2008. Subjects with craniofacial syndromes, congenital rheumatic diseases, thyroid problems and those taking hormonal medications were excluded from the study. Lateral cephalograms of pa-tients were obtained and type of malocclusion was determined using Wits analysis and measurement of ANB angle. The angle between the condylar head, condylar neck and articular eminence slope and the angle between the bisector of the afore-mentioned angle and the articular slope were measured on the cephalograms. Data were analyzed using Spearman's correlation test, paired t-test and two-way ANOVA. The correlation between the right and left angles was 0.459 in patients with class I malocclusion [P=0], 0.276 in patients with class II malocclusion [P=0.011] and 0.334 in patients with class III malocclusion [P=0.02]. There were no significant associations be-tween these measurements and age, gender or type of malocclusion. The interaction effect of the two independent variables was not statistically significant either. This study showed that there was no correlation between the type of maloc-clusion and the angle between the articular eminence slope and the horizontal line, the angle between the condylar head and condylar neck or the angle between the bisector of the aforementioned angle and the articular slope

study of the plerocercoid of diphyllobothriidae [cestoda, pseudophyllidea] in two cyprinid hosts, Abramis brama and Alburnoides bipunctatus from north and northwest of Iran

The plerocercoid stage of Pseudophyllidean cestoda infected a wide range of fresh water fish, particularly the members of the Cyprinidae family. The parasite species are the most common pathogens that have severe effects on fish. The aim of the present study is to determine the occurrence and distribution of the plerocercoid of Diphyllobothriidae in two freshwater fish from north and northwest of Iran. Finally, we discuss the role and dynamics of these species of fish in the transmission of infection. This study was carried out from September 2011 to September 2012on a total of 883 A. bipunctatus and 418 A. brama from north and northwest of Iran. The samples were analyzed to find the plerocercoid infection. From a total number of 883 A. Bipunctatus and 418 A. brama fish samples, 558 fish [63.19%] of the former and 67 fish [16.02%] of the latter were infected. The rate of infection was significantly lower in winter [p<0.01]. Also, the weight of infected fish was significantly lower than noninfected ones [p<0.01]. Moreover, the infection in northwest of Iran was significantly higher than north of Iran [p<0.01]. The family of Diphyllobothriidae is an important cestode and the prevention programs to break the cycle of infection are essential. More suitable solutions to tackle the problem, further epidemiological studies on other fresh water sources of Iran are needed

First detection of nosema ceranae, a microsporidian protozoa of european honeybees [apis mellifera] in Iran

Nosemosis of European honey bee [Apis mellifera] is present in bee colonies worldwide. Until recently, Nosema apis had been regarded as the causative agent of the disease, that causes heavy economic losses in apicultures. Nosema ceranae is an emerging microsporidian parasite of European honeybees, A. mellifera, but its distribution is not well known. Previously, nosemosis in honeybees in Iran was attributed axclusively to N. apis. Six Nosema positive samples [determined from light microscopy of spores] of adult worker bees from one province of Iran [Savadkouh - Mazandaran, northern Iran] were tested to determine Nosema species using previously- developed PCR primers of the 16 S rRNA gene. As it is difficult to distinguish N. ceranae and N. apis morphlogically, a PCR assay based on 16 S ribosomal RNA has been used to differentiate N. apis and N. ceranae. Only N. ceranae was found in all samples, indicating that this species present in Iran apiaries. This is the first report of N. ceranae in colonies of A. mellifera in Iran. It seems that intensive surveys are needed to determine the distribution and prevalence of N. ceranae in different regions of Iran

[Evaluation of fixed splinting in periodontally compromised abutments; utilizing 3-D finite element method [FEA]]

Fixed splinting of abutment teeth can alter the stress distribution characteristics of removable partial denture [RPD]. However, periodontally compromised abutments may complicate free end RPD treatment plans. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of fixed splinting of periodontally compromised abutments on load distribution in free end RPD. Three-dimensional finite element models were designed for mandibular first and second premolars including their PDL and surrounding bony structures. In the first model the teeth had no periodontal involvement; in the second model, the first premolar was healthy, the second premolar had periodontal involvement [C/R=1]; and, in the third model both teeth had periodontal involvement [C/R=1]. Likewise, before and after fixed splinting, situations were defined for each model. The Von misses stress in surrounding bone was analyzed after applying 50 N loads on the specimens. In all three models the maximum Von misses stress before splinting were found to be in the apical area of teeth and the minimum was detected near the mesial crest of first premolar and distal crest of second premolar. After splinting the teeth together, a stress reduction was observed in the interdental crest areas; while in model 1 and 2, increase in the stress was observed in apical areas. The greatest remedy was demonstrated in model 2 where a periodontally compromised tooth was splinted to a healthy one. Fixed splinting of periodontally compromised teeth can reduce the stress concentration in the interdental crest areas and it can improve the stress distribution in the surrounding bone

Effect of systemic antibacterial administration during prepartum period on coagulase negative Staphylococcal intramammary infection in Holstein Heifers

A total of 183 coagulase negative Staphylococcal infected quarters and 64 uninfected quarters were randomly allotted to 4 experimental groups: infected quarters that did not receive any treatment [positive control group; n = 60]; infected quarters that received Tylosin [n = 61] or Cefquinome [n = 62] and also uninfected quarters that did not receive any treatment were considered as negative control group [n = 64]. Treated heifers received Tylosin or Cefquinome 10 to 14 days before the expected calving date. The bacteriological cure rate based on sampling obtained 3 days after calving was significantly higher [P<0.01] in mammary glands treated with systemic Tylosin [85.3%] than in the positive control group and mammary glands treated with systemic Cefquinome [69.4%]. At the same time Tylosin treated heifers had significantly lower [P<0.01] somatic cell count scores compared to the positive control and Cefquinome groups. With the exception of one heifer that calved 8 days earlier than the expected calving date, there was no detectable antibiotic residues in the milk of the treated heifers on the 3rd day of lactation

Prevalence of parasitic infections in the red fox [Vulpes vulpes] and golden Jackal [Canis aureus] in Iran

Red foxes and golden jackals are the two most abundant wild carnivores of Iran which have the ability to adopt a variety of habitats and human proximity. Despite this, very few investigations on their helminth and none on their external parasites infections have been carried out in Iran. Between 2003 and 2004, a total of 79 jackals and 37 foxes were collected from 3 different climatic zones of Iran and examined for helminth and ectoparasite infections. A number of parasites including: Mesocestoides lineatus, Taenia hydatigena, Dipylidium caninum, Diplopylidium nolleri, Ancylostoma caninum, Uncinaria stenocephala, Toxocara canis, Onicola canis, Dirofilaria immitis, Rhipicephalus sp., Ctenocephalides canis and Pulex irritans were common parasites between jackals and foxes, whereas Echinococcus granulosus, Spirocerca lupi, Rictularia affinis, Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus, Dermacentor sp. parasitized jackals and Jeuyoxiella pasquali, Ixodes ricinus, Haemaphysalis sp. were collected only from foxes. All ectoparasites, S. lupi and O. canis reported from jackals and foxes in this study represent new host and distribution records

Assessment of Marhame-mafasel pomade effect on knee osteoarthritis with non-compliance

Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent chronic non-infective joint arthritis. In this present study, the effect of new herbal pomade [Marhame-Mafasel] on knee osteoarthritis was investigated in randomized trial. The objective of this study was to assess efficacy of Marahme-Mafasel pomade, which was consisted of several medic herbs like Arnebia euchroma and Martricaria chamomilla in primary osteoarthritis of the knee with non-compliance. The 2x2 crossover trial enrolled 42 osteoarthritis patients [Marhame-Mafasel versus placebo] in 2006. The instrument of data collection was Western Ontario and Mc Master Universities [WOMAC] LK3.1 standard questionnaires. We used conditional estimation to adjust non-compliance effect. The participants in each group were 21 patients. About 30 [71.4%] were female. The participants were between 40-76 years old. Positive analgesic effect of herbal pomade "Marhame-Mafasel" on knee osteoarthritis severity was considerable [P<0.01]. After adjusting results to compliance level, the estimators were sharper than crude results. Herbal joint pomade "Marhame-Mafasel" has significant positive analgesic effect on primary knee osteoarthritis

effect of LH and GnRH analogues on induction ovulation in Bactrian camel [Camelus bactrianus]

Ovarian follicle response and corpus luteum formation following induction of ovulation using gonadotropin-releasing hormone [GnRH] analogues and luteinizing hormone [LH] in Bactrian camel were characterized. Bactrian camels with a mature follicle [13-19.6 mm] received: 1] natural porcine LH [25 mg, IV, n = 4], 2] Buserelin [20 microg, IV, n = 4] and 3] Alarelin [25 microg, IM, n = 4]. Daily ultrasonography and blood samplings were conducted between day -3 and +15 of the experiment [day 0 = Induction of ovulation]. Data were analyzed by univariat analysis with repeated measures analysis included in the model. Following treatment, mature follicle ovulated within 2 days and a new follicle wave emerged after 2-3 days. New mature follicle reached a size of 13.5 +/- 0.14 mm by day 12. Corpus luteum was detected on day 6 and reached the maximum size of 19.73 +/- 0.81 mm on day 9. Progesterone concentration initiated to increase on day 5, reached maximum concentration on day 9 and decreased significantly on day 11. In conclusion, due to the lack of significant difference among treatment groups [P>0.05], Alarelin may be considered as a drug of choice for inducing ovulation in Bactrian camel because of its effectiveness, simple route of administration [IM vs. IV], lower price, and local availability

Effect of lactose extender with different levels of osmolality and pH on the viability of bactrian camel [camelus bactrianus] spermatozoa

The effect of different levels of osmolality and pH of lactose extender on the viability of Bactrian camel spermatozoa was investigated. Semen was collected from 10 Bactrian camel bulls using modified bovine artificial vagina. In experiment I, the extenders consisted of 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13% lactose with respective osmolalities of 290, 333, 350, 376 and 419 mOsm/kg and the pH of 6.9. In experiment II, 10% lactose extender with different levels of pH = 5.9, 6.9, 7.5, 7.9 and 8.9 were compared. All extenders contained 20% egg yolk and antibiotics. There were three replicates [ejaculates] for each trial. After dilution, semen was evaluated for progressive forward motility [PFM], plasma membrane integrity [PMI] and live percentage of sperm, at time 0, 4, 12 and 24 hrs after incubation at 4[degree]C. Viability of sperm was similar among 9-11% lactose concentrations at time 0 and 4. PFM was compromised [<8%] at 10 and 11% lactose extenders at time 12. Although, PFM was greatest at time 0 [P<0.05] for the pH of 6.9, it reduced to 15% at time 4 [P<0.05]. At the pH of 5.9-7.9, PMI and live percentage of sperm reduced at time 12 and 24, respectively [P<0.05]. In conclusion, 9-11% lactose with the pH of 6.9 may consider as a suitable extender for the shortterm preservation [up to 4 hrs] of Bactrian camel semen maintained at chilled condition [4[degree]C]

[ effect of the dietary barley and phosphorous on the incidence of uroltihiasis in Iranian Raeinimale kids]

To determine effects of dietary barley andphosphor ous on Uroltihiasis.Experimental study.Iranian Raeini male kids.For assessing the effect of barley andphosphorous on the occurrence of Uroltihiasis, a total ofseventy five male kids [initial live weight of 17.5 +/- 2.1 kg]werestudied.Animalswerefedwithpelleteddietcontaining barley, Lucerne hay, wheat straw, wheat branand cottonseed meal. After observing the urolithiasissymptoms, 10 g of limestone was added to the diet ofanimals through water, in order to increase the ratio of Ca:Pto 3.5. Addition of limestone has eliminated the urolithiasisin the animals.Fisher's exact test [2-tail] and chi-square test with SAS Software.After three months, 12 kids out of 75 showed thesymptoms of urolithiasis. Most of the affected kids werefrom the groups consumed high barley diets. The chemicalcomposition of the urinary calculi was 10% phosphorusand 5% calcium.The results of chi-square test haveshown that the effect of dietary barley or phosphorous onthe occurrence of Urolithiasis is significant [P<0.10]