Infection in childhood sensory hearing loss

To evaluate the possible role of infectious agents on the occurrence of idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss [SNHL] in children. This case control study was carried out at Rasul Hospital in Tehran, Iran from 2002-2003. We compared specific serum antibodies [IgG, IgM] measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in 95 sensory hearing loss cases and 63 controls. Acute infections [IgM] detected in cases included: cytomegalovirus [CMV] 34.6%, toxoplasma 11.5%, mumps 8.7%, rubella 5.3%, and herpes simplex 5.3%. Previous infections [IgG] detected in cases included CMV 72%, herpes 6.6%, toxoplasma 26%, mumps 23.3%, and rubella 17.2%. Acute CMV and toxoplasma infections were more frequent in cases. Previous CMV, toxoplasma, rubella, and herpes infections were higher in controls. There was no significant difference for acute mumps, rubella, and herpes infections between cases and controls. These data are compatible with infectious agents having a significant role in the studied idiopathic SNHL cases, but association does not prove causation. We recommend specific drugs for confirmed active infections [CMV, toxoplasma, herpes] in idiopathic SNHL infants diagnosed before their first birthday. Mumps and rubella induced SNHL are preventable with routine vaccination

Effect of fattening period on growth, carcass characteristics and economic efficiency of chaalbreed male lambs

Twenty four male lambs divided into four groups and were allocated to 90, 105, 120 and 135 days of fattening periods. At the end of each fattening period, lambs were slaughtered. The percentage of cold carcass on the basis of empty body weight in the mentioned periods were 57.0 +/- 0.94, 57.5 +/- 1.7, 59.9 +/- 3.3 and 62.2 +/- 4.4, respectively [p < 0.05]. Moreover, the average of subcutaneous and intramuscular fat percentages were 11.2 +/- 1.6, 13.4 +/- 3.2, 15.2 +/- 2.4 and 16.0 +/- 2.4, respectively [p < 0.05]. Average percentages of crude protein, ether extract, ash and moisture showed significant difference among experimental groups [p < 0.01]. Moreover, ratio of weight percentage for large and small intestine, blood, abdominal and kidney fat to empty body weight showed significant difference among groups. [p < 0.01]. Results show that net profit per kilogram live weight gain increases in longer fattening period. Increasing of fattening period cause carcass quality to be reduced. So, the reduction of feed efficiency and carcass quality is not in favor of the national benefits