Gastrointestinal parasites of ostrich [struthio camelus domesticus] raised in Iran

Introduction of ostrich [Struthio camelus domesticus], a new exotic host species to a new ecosystem like Iran, necessitates the study of its infectious diseases including parasitic infestations. For a period of one year, from 2002-03, faecal samples of 254 ostriches on 5 farms located at different parts of Iran, including Garmsar, Semnan province [n = 85]; Nashtaroud, Maz and aran province [n = 29]; Saveh, Central province [n = 47]; Eshtehard, Ghazvin province [n = 8] and around Tehran, Tehran province [n = 85] were examined for gastrointestinal parasites. Our findings revealed the presence of Libostrongylus douglasii in 55% of the examined birds in Nashtaroud and 25% of birds of Eshtehard farms. In the latter farm, 12.5% in the ostriches harboured Heterakis dispar in their alimentary canals. Oocyst of Eimeria sp. was found in ostrich on farm of Garmsar. All these parasites are reported for the first time from ostriches in Iran

[The effect of Phenytoin on retention and retrieval of memory in mice]

Phenytoin [DPH] is widely used as prophylactic in partial and generalized epilepsy and also in the treatment of status epilepticus. Since long-term use of phenytoin may affect nervous system function, this study was done to determine the effect of phenytoin on retention and retrieval of memory in mice. In this study, using the passive avoidance apparatus, the effect of acute and chronic DPH [IP] on memory of male and female mice was randomly investigated. The effect of acute and chronic doses of DPH on memory was determined by comparison between complete stepped down time of animals receiving DPH and blank group [Receiving 30% propylenglycol] and control group [Untreated]. The results of this study showed impairment in memory retention by 125 mg/kg acute dosage of DPH, although it did not change memory retrieval. Also, 50 and 75 mg/kg acute dosage of DPH [for 21 consecutive days] impair memory. Results obtained from recent study showed acute and chronic administration of phenytoin impair memory in mice

rare presentation of rosai-dorfman syndrome: first reported case in Iran

A case of intracranial Rosai-Dorfman syndrome is presented that was initially diagnosed and treated as meningioma, and was complicated due to a wrong diagnosis of coexistent lung sarcoidosis. Intracranial lesions appeared as dura-based parasellar and anterior fossa enhanc-ing lesions on magnetic resonance images. Excellent result was obtained from whole brain radiotherapy, which can be used as a guideline for treating similar cases

Clinical aspects of spinal cord meningiomas: analysis of forty cases

A retrospective analysis was performed on forty cases of spinal cord meningiomas, operated on at Dr. Shariati Hospital from 1976 to 1990. Age and sex distribution, clinical presentation and tumor location were comparable to those reported by others.'[15,12] In males the tumors were distributed evenly in cervical and dorsal areas and were often anterior to the cord. This finding makes a different surgical approach necessary. For prevention of postoperative CSF leakage and infection, repair and tight closure of the dura is mandatory. Concerning prognosis, even in paraplegic patients the chance of complete recovery is good