Effect of microplastics on Yersinia ruckeri infection in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Exposure to microorganisms such as Yersinia ruckeri can significantly affect bacterial infections in fish. Microplastics (MPs) may predispose fish to infection and act as carriers in pathogen transmission. Therefore, this study is designed to evaluate MPs' effect on damage caused by exposure to Y. ruckeri in rainbow trout. In this study, blood biochemical parameters and hepatic oxidative biomarkers as clinical signs were measured in the fish co-exposed to Y. ruckeri (5 and 10% the median lethal dose (LD50)) and MPs (500 and 1000 mg Kg-1) for 30 days. There were no significant changes in the creatinine, triglyceride, cholesterol levels, and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activity in the blood of fish infected with Y. ruckeri. In contrast, exposure to MPs had a significant effect on most clinical parameters. The total protein, albumin, globulin, total immunoglobulins, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, cholesterol levels, and γ-glutamyltransferase activity decreased, whereas glucose, triglyceride, and creatinine levels, and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities increased in the plasma of fish after co-exposure to MPs and Y. ruckeri. Dietary MPs combined with a Y. ruckeri challenge decreased catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities, and total antioxidant levels. However, superoxide dismutase activity and malondialdehyde contents increased in the hepatocyte of fish co-exposed to MPs and Y. ruckeri. This study suggests that fish exposure to MPs and simultaneous challenge with Y. ruckeri could synergistically affect clinical parameters.

Histopathological study of gill, kidney and liver of Persian Sturgeon (Acipenser persicus Borodin, 1897) and Stellate (Acipenser stellatus Pallas, 1811) exposed to sublethal concentration of un-ionised ammonia UAN.

This study was carried out to investigate the histopathological changes of gill, kidney and liver of Persian Sturgeon and Stellate in response to various sublethal concentration of ammonia. The sublethal doses were determined after a lethal pre-test and then the experiment was done in six treatments with three replicates for both species. In Persian sturgeon, the treatments were including 5, 7, 9.7, 13.2, 18 and 25 mg/l ammonia. In stellate, the concentrations of 5, 6.23, 7.76, 9.66, 12.04 and 15 mg/l ammonia were considered as treatments. Also, one group without ammonia was considered as control for each experiment. The histopathological investigations were done after 96 h exposure. According to our observations, a range of histopathological alternations were found in gill, liver and kidney of both examined fish. The alternations of gill tissue were lamellar necrosis, hyperplasia, lamellar adhesion, haemorrhage, swelling of gill lamellae. Severity of these alternations was dose-dependent and was significantly higher in Persian sturgeon than in stellate. The degree of histopathological alternations of liver did not show a regular pattern between treatments in both species. These alternations were hyperemia, bile record, cell necrosis, cell atrophy, fatty degeneration and cloudy swelling. The signs of kidney alternations intensified with increasing of ammonia concentration in both species. The signs such as hyperemia, vision tissue degeneration, cell necrosis, dilatation of Bowman's space. In conclusion, our results showed that ammonia in concentration of more than 5 mg/l have more adverse impacts on gill, liver and kidney tissues.

Can Dermatoglyphics Be Used as a Marker for Predicting Future Malocclusions?

INTRODUCTION: Dermal ridges and craniofacial structures form from the same embryonic tissues during the same embryonic period. Thus, this might indicate a possible association between dermatoglyphics and facial skeletal disorders, such as malocclusions. Early diagnosis of skeletal malocclusions sometimes can prevent future surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to compare the dermatoglyphic characteristics of different malocclusions. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 323 patients who were referred to Orthodontic Department of Mashhad Dental School were recruited. The participants were classified into three groups according to Angle's classification, i.e., Skeletal Class 1 (n = 163), Skeletal Class 2 (n = 111), and Skeletal Class 3 (n = 49). For all participants, we recorded the total ridge counts of each finger (TRC), atd angles, a-b ridge counts, and types of fingerprint patterns. Right- and left-hand asymmetry scores were calculated. The chi-squared test was used to compare the dissimilarity of the types of patterns for each finger. Asymmetry of other parameters was analyzed statistically using the ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis tests. P-values greater than 0.05 were considered to be significant. RESULTS: A significant difference was determined between Class I and Class III patients in terms of left a-b ridge count (p=0.049). Loop was the most frequent pattern in the three groups, whereas the arch pattern occurred with the lowest frequency. No significant difference was found in the other parameters that were studied. CONCLUSION: Although there were some slight differences in dermatoglyphic peculiarities of different skeletal malocclusions, most of the palm and fingerprint characteristics failed to indicate any significant differences.

The association between oral lichen planus and hepatitis C virus infection; a report from northeast of iran.

BACKGROUND: The association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and oral lichen planus (OLP) has been the focus of many studies. Fifteen percent of HCV infections lead to sets of extrahepatic manifestations including lichen planus (LP). The prevalence of HCV is heavily influenced by geographical location. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between OLP and HCV infection in Mashhad, northeast of Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood samples were taken from 134 OLP patients and 134 healthy controls (without OLP) to screen for anti-HCV by ELISA (third generation) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for HCV-RNA. RESULTS: Of the 134 OLP patients only three (2.23 %) had HCV infection where both anti-HCV and HCV-RNA were positive. All controls were negative for both anti-HCV and HCV-RNA (P = 0.082). CONCLUSIONS: Our investigation illustrated that the prevalence of hepatitis C was higher among OLP patients compared to the control group. These findings are in line with previous results that reported a hepatitis C prevalence of 0.19% among the general population of Mashhad.

Anterior traumatic dental injuries in East Iranian school children: prevalence and risk factors.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence and etiology of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) in school children of the Northeast of Iran. The type of involved teeth, the place of injury and treatment quality as well as the relationship between TDI and anatomic predisposing factors such as overjet and lip coverage were evaluated. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 778 school children were clinically examined for signs of trauma to their permanent teeth and the amount of overjet and lip coverage were also recorded. A questionnaire containing demographic data of participants and history of the dental trauma was given to the children's parents. The data were analyzed using the chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy eight (22.9%) children had a history of previous trauma to their permanent teeth. There was a significant difference between boys and girls (P=0.017). A total of 46.1% of children had experienced luxation injuries of permanent teeth, 37% had crown fractures, and 16.9% experienced avulsion of anterior teeth. Maxillary central incisors were the most commonly affected teeth (84%). There was a significant relationship between TDI and overjet (P=0.02) in permanent teeth. On the other hand, there was no statistically significant relationship between TDI and lip coverage. The most common cause of TDI was falling over (42.9%) followed by fighting (34%). The majority of traumas happened at home (46.8%) and school (29.9%). Sixty two (39.7%) children with TDI did not receive any dental or medical care after injury. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of dental trauma in school children in Iran was rather high (22.9%); the most common type of trauma to the permanent teeth was luxation injuries.

Value of prophylactic postoperative antibiotic therapy after bimaxillary orthognathic surgery: a clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Antibiotic therapy before or after orthognathic surgery is commonly recommended by surgeons to minimize the risk of wound infection. This article evaluates the value of Prophylactic antibiotic therapy in order to diminish the incidence of postoperative wound infection after orthognathic surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty candidates for bimaxillary orthognathic surgery were divided into cases and controls. Cefazolin (1g) was administered intravenously to all participants 30 mins prior to surgery followed by a similar dose 4 hours later. Case-group patients ingested amoxicillin (500 mg) orally for 7 days after surgery. Postoperative wound infection was assessed using clinical features, and the P-value significance was set at P<0.05. RESULTS: Both groups were similar according to gender, age, and operating time. During the follow-up period no infection was observed in either the case or control group. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that long-term postoperative antibiotic therapy is not essential for the prevention of postoperative infection, and that application of aseptic surgical technique and hygiene instruction after surgery are sufficient.

Clinical Evaluation of Etched Enamel Discoloration following Immediate and Delayed Exposure to Colored Agents.

Introduction. The aim was to evaluate etched enamel discoloration following immediate and delayed exposure to colored agents. Method & Material. 64 premolars were divided into four groups. Buccal surface of the teeth was divided into two halves and baseline color values were measured. One half was covered and the other half was etched and dried. In first and second groups, the patients did not eat any colored agents for the next 24 hours. Both halves were colorimetered after 48 hours and 1 month, respectively. In third and fourth groups, the process was similar, but the patients drank cola and avoid eating any other colored agents and the teeth were colorimetered after 48 hours and 1 month, respectively. Color change values (ΔE) of each half were calculated according to CIE lab system. Sign test was used to compare values of etched and unetched halves. P < 0.08 was set as significant. Results. A significant difference was observed in groups III and IV regarding comparison of ΔE of the etched and control enamel (P = 0.077). Conclusion. Exposure of etched enamel to colored agents in the first 24 hours after etching can affect its color which remains at least for one month.