[Neuropharmacological properties of farnesol in Murine model]

Research on new compounds of therapeutic value for behavioral disorders has progressed recently. Several studies have reported neuropharmacological activities of plant derived terpenes. Farnesol is a sesquiterpene whose most popular source is fruits but the anxiolytic activity for farnesol is still unknown. The present study was conducted on 32 male Swiss Albino mice [8 in each group] to evaluate the neuropharmacological properties of farnesol and its effects on plasma cortisol levels. Farnesol was administered intraperitoneally at single doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg, while diazepam 2 mg/kg was used as standard anxiolytic. Thirty minutes after injections, open field test [OFT], elevated plus maze [EPM], a forced swimming test [FST], and a hot plate test [HPT] were performed for evaluation of anxiety-like behavior, depression and nociception. In OFT, farnesol at the dose of 100 mg/kg led to significant decrease in locomotor activity [P<0.01]. In EPM, only farnesol 100 mg/kg led to significant increase in the number of entries to the open arms and the time spent in open arms [P<0.01]. Increase in immobility time in FST was seen in farnesol 50 and 100 mg/kg [P<0.001]. Farnesol 100 mg/kg exerts significant prolongation in the latency of responses to noxious heat stimuli in HPT. Like diazepam, farnesol decreased plasma levels of cortisol. Results revealed that farnesol had anxiolytic, anti-nociceptive and depressant effects in murine models. The present study provides pharmacological evidence supporting the use of farnesol as a sedative for anxiety disorders

Flow cytometric immunophenotyping of bone marrow in cats diagnosed with hematopoietic disorders

Cytological examination of bone marrow in cats, due to the large number of cells and various growth phases is somewhat complicated. The use of flow cytometric techniques and monoclonal antibodies are appropriate methods in the diagnosis of hematopoietic malignancies. The purpose of the present study is to determine cell-surface antigens for various developmental stages of feline bone marrow cells in hematopoietic disorders using flow cytometric. In this study, bone marrow cells from 4 cats with hematopoietic disorders and 2 clinically healthy cats, were labeled with 5 types of anti-feline MAbs included: CD21-like [Cr-Br], T lymphocyte subpopulation, CD-172a, Granulocyte, Pan-Leukocyte [CD45-like] and then analyzed using flow cytometric. The results revealed changes in immunophenotyping and light scatter properties compared with normal cases. The percentage of CD45, Granulocyte and CD172a markers in the bone marrow of a cat with erythroleukemia were lower compared with normal bone marrow. In a cat with myelodysplastic syndrome, scatter plot indicated an increase in the immature myeloid cells and a decrease in mature myeloid cells. It was concluded that cytological examination of bone marrow with studying dispersion studies on cells using flow cytometric and usage of a panel of antibodies such as CD21-like[Cr-Br], T lymphocyte subpopulation, CD-172a, Granulocyte, Pan-Leukocyte [CD45-like] could support the diagnosis of feline hematopoietic abnormalities

[Identification of fungal isolates from conjunctival sac in healthy goats]

Fungi are present as normal flora in the surface of the eye of healthy animals but under certain conditions may cause disease. The purpose of this study was to identify the fungal isolates from the conjunctival sac of clinically normal goats and determine the effect of host age and sex on the isolates. A total of 140 swabs were taken from the inferior conjunctival sac of 70 healthy goats. The selected animals were of both male and female and divided into two age groups. The samples were inoculated in sabouraud dextrose agar with chloramphenicol and incubated at 25[degree sign]C for 21 days. Data were analyzed by Fisher's exact test. In total, 6 different fungal genera were identified in 26 [37.14%] goats and 36 [25.7%] eyes. The isolates included Penicillium spp.- 14 eyes [38.88%], Scopulariopsis spp.-11 eyes [30.55], Aspergillus fumigates - 4 eyes [11.11%], Fusariumspp. -3 eyes [8.33%], Mucorspp. -3 eyes [8.33%] and Alternariasp. -1 eye [2.77%]. The sex of goat had significant effect on frequency of fungal isolation [p<0.01]. The fungal species isolated in this report are comparable with studies on ruminants. The present study is the first report of fungal flora of normal caprine conjunctiva

Urologic diseases in the Islamic Republic of Iran: what are the public health priorities?

This study was designed to estimate the burden of urologic diseases in the Islamic Republic of Iran as a practical method for defining public health priorities. Using World Health Organization guidelines for national burden of disease studies, 6 steps were performed: selecting diseases to include; dynamic modelling of diseases; gathering data about urologic diseases; computing the local disability weights of urologic diseases; data analysis with DisMod II; and computing the disability-adjusted life years for each disease. Renal calculus, acute cystitis, chronic prostatitis, benign prostate hyperplasia, male infertility and adult polycystic kidney disease comprised the greatest burden