Molecular detection and characterization of beak and feather disease virus in psittacine birds in Tehran, Iran

Beak and feather disease virus [BFDV], a member of genus circovirus, is a small, non-enveloped, single stranded DNA virus. Although BFDVs are among the most well studied circoviruses, there is little to no information about BFDVs in Iran. The aim of the present study was to detect and identify BFDV molecules from the birds referred to the avian clinic of The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tehran University, Iran. A total of 55 DNA samples were extracted from birds from nine different species of the order psittaciformes. A robust conventional polymerase chain reaction [PCR] was applied to detect the rep gene of the virus. Ten out of 55 samples, from four different species, were tested positive for BFDVs in PCR [Melopsittacus undulates [4], Psittacula Krameri [3], Psittacus erithacus [2], Platycercus eximius [1]]. Molecular identification of the detected BFDVs was performed based on their rep gene sequences. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Iranian BFDVs from this study were clustered into four genetically distinct clades belonging to different genetic subtypes of BFDVs [L1, N1, T1, and I4]. Although the relation between the samples and their related subtypes in the tree are discussed, further studies are needed to elucidate the host specificity and incidence of the BFDVs from different genetic subtypes

[Hepatic Lipidosis in a common mynah [acridotheres tristis] associated with pododermatitis and consumption of broiler pelleted feed]

An adult common mynah [Acridotheres tristis] was presented with severe signs of progressive depression, anorexia, debilitation, and also a history of moderate pododermatitis for the last two months

Hepatomegally was diagnosed clinically and radiologically

The bird died a couple of hours after referral. Postmortem examination revealed typical liver enlargement with yellowish brown discoloration

Diffused hepatocytes fatty degeneration was demonstrated in histopathology and hepatic lipidosis was diagnosed as the main lesion in the liver. Providing a very small enclosure and a single low quality perch with minimal activity opportunity led to pododermatitis. Subsequent further activity restriction and feeding a high energy diet to the bird were possibly the triggers of this metabolic disorder. Regarding the bird species, providing appropriate diet and enclosure are essential for having healthy pet birds, and is often ignored by negligent or uninformed owners

Association between anthropometric measures and bone mineral density: population-based study

Osteoporosis is a major public health concern around the world. It has been shown that bone mineral density is correlated to anthropometric measures like height and weight, but this association may vary depending on ethnic and environmental factors. The aim of this study was to identify probable relations between anthropometric measures and bone mineral density. In this population-based study, we compiled the data collected from Iranian Multicenter Osteoporosis Study to assess the possible associations between different anthropometric indices and bone mineral density at femur and lumbar spine. The gathered data was analyzed using t-test and one way ANOVA. Data was available for 4445 subjects, consisting 1900 males [42.7%] and 2545 females [57.3%]. We observed statistically significant correlations between bone mineral density and height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist to hip ratio and body mass index [BMI]. Based on the result of linear regression modeling studies, BMI could be considered an independent predictor of bone mineral density. Iranian population shows similar measures compared to analogous studies in other populations. Lower weight should be carefully considered as a predisposing factor for bone loss and osteoporosis

[ study of relation between pre-eclampsia and retinal disorders using electroretinography]

Pre-eclampsia is a systemic disorder which is associated with hypertension and proteinuria and may develop from 20 weeks of gestation. Pre-eclampsia affects different organs of the body. The present study is an attempt to check the effect of pre-eclampsia on retina using electroretinography. A total of 82 pregnant subjects divided in 2 groups [41 normal pregnant subjects as control and 41 pre-eclampsia pregnant patients as case group]. The total population was undergone electroretinographic examination in Qods center. ERG is a technique to examine the retina. Latency and amplitude of b wave of ERG were recorded and compared in 2 groups. The results showed no statistically significant difference between the age of the two groups [p>0.05 for 24.56 +/- 3.5 in control and 25.33 +/- 3.9 in case group]. Mean latency and standard deviation of ERG b wave in control and case groups were 128.77 +/- 24.85 and 125.10 +/- 22.56 msec, respectively. Mean amplitude and standard deviation of ERG wave in control and case groups were 43.27 +/- 2.3 and 43.44 +/- 2.7 micro r, respectively. Therefore no significant difference [p >0.05] was obtained in two groups. It was concluded that pre-eclampsia had no adverse effect on retina and more research is needed to perform to reach a certain conclusion

[Accuracy rate of clinical diagnosis of disc displacement without reduction in temporomandibular joint using MRI]

Internal derangement [ID] of TMJ is the most common type of temporomandibular disorders after muscle disorders and includes all disorders related to incoordination and dislocation of disc and condyle. Anterior disc displacement without reduction or closed lock will happen if the disc or condyle displaces severely or if the disc traps in the space in front of the condyle accompanied with reduction in maximum mouth Opening. The purpose of this study was to evaluate reliability of clinical diagnosis of disc displacement without reduction [closed lock] by using magnetic resonance imaging as the Gold standard. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 10 patients who had referred to Dental school of Mashhad University with the symptoms of ID and were assigned a clinical diagnosis of disc displacement without reduction. Sagital and coronal MR images were obtained with 0.5 Tesla magnetic resonance system, with the jaw in closed and maximum opening position subsequently to establish the corresponding diagnosis of disc-condyle relationship. The data analysis included kappa statistic and calculation of positive predictive values and sensitivity. The overall diagnostic agreement for disc displacement without reduction was 0.22 with a corresponding kappa value. The predictive value for clinical diagnosis of disc displacement without reduction was 20% and the sensitivity was 100%. According to the results, clinical diagnostic criteria for disc displacement without reduction is not reliable and patients assigned clinical TMJ-related diagnosis of disc displacement without redaction may need to be supplemented by evidence from MRI to determine the functional disc - condyle relationship

Evaluation of temporomandibular joint status and related signs and symptoms in students of Mashhad dental school

In recent years, the number of patients suffering from temporomandibular disorders [TMD] is increasing. Considering the increasing number of dental students with TMD, this study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of TMD and its signs and symptoms among the students of Mashhad dental school. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 37 male and 30 female students with ages between 21 to 34 who were in grade 4 to 6 of study in Mashhad dental school were randomly selected and examined for TMD and its signs and symptoms. The data were analyzed using Chi square test. The prevalence of TMD was 51.5% totally, among which 34.8% had disc displacement, 3% had masticatorymuscle disorder and 13.6% had both of them. Joint clicking was the most frequent symptom [32.4%] followed by muscle pain and tenderness [26.5%]. There was no statistical difference between males and females in TMD frequency. [P-value=0.307]. Among the dental students, TMD frequency was rather high and disc displacement was more frequent than masticatory muscle disorder. The most common signs and symptoms were joint clicking followed by tenderness and muscle pain

Vitamin D status in pregnant and their newborns

Adequate vitamin D concentrations during pregnancy are necessary for neonatal calcium homeostasis, bone maturation and mineralization. The purpose of this study was to evaluate serum vitamin D in mothers and their newborns. This study comprised 552 pregnant women from Tehran University hospitals. Maternal and cord blood samples were obtained in delivery room just after child birth. The serum samples were assayed for 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, calcium, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in mothers and cord blood were 66.8% and 93.3% [<35nmol/l] respectively. There was a significant correlation between maternal and cord blood levels of vitamin D. In mothers with vitamin D deficiency, cord blood vitamin D levels were lower than those of normal mothers [p=0.001]. Furthermore, considering increased requirements of calcium and vitamin D during pregnancy; intake of higher amounts of these nutrients are recommended

[ comparative study on incidence of post tubal ligation vomiting between two different anesthetic airway managements]

Nausea and vomiting are considered as two common clinical complications? following anesthesia and surgery. The occurrence of such complications causes the patient tobe kept in recovery room and hospital for longer periods of time and also leads to electrolyte disturbances, dehydration and hemorrhage from the site of sutures. To compare the incidence of post tubal ligation vomiting in patients following the application of two different anesthetic techniques [mask and combination of cuffed pharyngeal tube and esophageal obtorator tube].This was a single blind, randomized clinical trial in which 122 cases as candidates for tubal ligation were studied at Qazvin Kosar hospital in 2001-2002. The subjects, all with ASA class I, were randomly divided into two groups as A and B. The anesthetic drug for induction and maintenance was similar in two groups. Ventilation of patients was carried out using masks in group A and a combination of cuffed pharyngeal tube [Tashayod tube] and atracheal tube inserted into esophagus in group B. There was no statically significant difference between the incidence of vomiting among both groups with values of 23.3% and 14.5% for groups A and B, respectively When parameters such as mean age, weight and the duration of surgery were compared in two study groups, no significant difference was found, statistically. The incidence of post tubal ligation vomiting in study groups following the application of two different anesthetic techniques was similar