Rare report of concurrent metastasis on bilateral atrial myxoma masses.

BACKGROUND: This study simultaneously reports bilateral atrial tumor masses including the concurrent occurrence of metastatic carcinoma, consistent with metastatic breast carcinoma, on the main cardiac myxoma mass in the left atrium (LA) and metastatic carcinoma consistent with metastatic breast carcinoma for the right atrial (RA) mass. CASE REPORT: These masses were observed in a 79-year-old female patient who had received her pacemaker 6 months ago due to electrical conduction disease. However, no tumor/mass was found in her echocardiogram at the time of the pacemaker reception and mild chest pain and dyspnea were the only signs of her huge masses. Bilateral interseptal atrial cardiac masses protruded to the LA and RA were observed in both atrial chambers in echocardiography, and she underwent the surgical resection of masses. CONCLUSION: The findings of the current study represented a novel condition for a patient. More precisely, the patient had two different huge cardiac masses, and at the same time, the metastasis of breast cancer was reported on the other cardiac tumor/myxoma as well. In addition, metastatic carcinoma should be suspected in patients with cardiac myxoma mass consistent with heart block. The simultaneous presence of multiple masses inside the heart is not always evidence of myxoma, rather can be a metastatic lesion.

Association of COVID-19 and other viral infections with interstitial lung diseases, pulmonary fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension: A narrative review.

BACKGROUND: Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) include a broad range of diffuse parenchymal lung disorders and are characterized by diffuse parenchymal lung abnormalities leading to irreversible fibrosis. ILDs are correlated with the occurrence of pulmonary fibrosis (PF), which generally also results in pulmonary hypertension (PH). Interferons, secreted in larger amounts during viral infections, are an important possible risk factor contributing to this outcome. AIMS: In this narrative review, the role of 10 different viral infections on the generation/development of ILDs and their outcomes are described in detail. The aim of this review is to determine the probable risk that COVID-19 and other viral infections pose in the post-infection development of ILDs, PF, and PH. METHODS: Searches in PubMed (Medline), Google Scholar, Web of Science (ISI, Researcher ID, Publons), ResearchGate, Scopus, and secondary sources yielded 134 studies. After exclusion criteria, 92 studies containing the terms "Coronavirus" (COVID-19), "Interstitial Lung Diseases," "Pulmonary Fibrosis," "Pulmonary Hypertension" and "viral infections" were selected for inclusion. Selected articles were read with a focus on the roles of the 10 commonly studied viral infections on generation/intensification of ILDs and classified according to their dominant effect on the respiratory system, with a focus on each infection's effects on parenchyma of the lungs and generation and/or intensification of ILDs. RESULTS: This review found that ILDs, PF, and PH can occur after a COVID-19 viral infection. Similar results are also seen in post-infection cases of other viral infections, including Epstein-Barr virus, Cytomegalovirus, Human herpesvirus-8, adenovirus, Hepatitis C, Torque-Teno (Transfusion-Transmitted) Virus, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. CONCLUSION: Results of current studies show probable possibility for generation and/or intensification of ILDs in COVID-19 infected patients like other studied viruses. Studies on determination of the actual prevalence of ILD, PF and PH in post-COVID-19 infected patients, follow-up studies on the prevention of ILDs in recovered COVID-19 patients, and meta-analyzed studies on pulmonary outcomes of pandemic corona viruses are strongly recommended as topics for future studies.

Zingiber officinalis and Eucalyptus globulus, Potent Lethal/Repellent Agents against Rhipicephalus bursa, Probable Carrier for Zoonosis.

BACKGROUND: Rhipicephalus bursa is a hard tick with importance in transmission of tick-borne diseases and zoonosis. Natural products are excellent alternative to pesticides. In this study for the first time, lethal and repellent activity of Zingiber officinalis and Eucalyptus globulus against Rh. bursa were studied. METHODS: In July till September of 2017, essential oils were extracted in Shahrekord University, Iran from fresh plant materials and engorged mature ticks were collected from infested sheep herd located in Saman, Iran. Ticks were challenged by different concentrations of essential oils including 300, 500 and 800µl/ml and 1 (pure) singly and/or in combination. Percentages of killed and repellent ticks as efficacy of acaricidal and repellent activity of essential oils against Rh. bursa were calculated and analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Efficacy of eucalyptus essential oils was more in whole concentrations and its highest performance was observed in concentration 1 (pure). Efficacies of ginger and combined essential oils were different for each concentration but their highest efficacies were observed in concentration 1 (pure), too. CONCLUSION: This study showed considerable values of acaricidal and repellent activity against Rh. bursa for both essential oils singly and in combination, so they can be considered as potent lethal/repellent agents for control of ticks, but more studies need for this purpose, study on lethal/repellent activity of these essential oils and/or other plants against other important arthropods can be considered as subjects for next experiments.

In-vitro antigiardial activity and GC-MS analysis of Eucalyptus globulus and Zingiber officinalis essential oils against Giardia lamblia cysts in simulated condition to human's body

In order to finding of potent natural medication/agent which can kill giardial cysts in the interval between lysing of outer membrane of cysts due to exposure by acidic condition of stomach and their encystation in proximal small intestine, In-vitro antigiardial activity and GC-MS analysis of Eucalyptus globulus and Zingiber officinalis against Giardia lamblia were studied in simulated condition to human's body singly and in combination. Essential oils were extracted and their chemical components were identified via GC-MS method. After purification, cysts were exposure to acidic condition and were challenged by different concentrations of essential oils in simulated condition to human's body. Percentages of inactivated (killed) cysts as efficacy of antigiardial activity were calculated and analyzed statistically. Presence of 1,8-eucalyptol, α-pinene, α-terpineol acetate, etc. in essential oil of E. globulus and presence of geraniol, α-zingiberene, (E,E)-α-farnesene, etc. in Z. officinalis essential oil were identified. Highest antigiardial activity (73.55%) was observed for eucalyptus essential oil in time 480 minutes after exposure. Efficacies of ginger and combined essential oils were different in different times. This study shows considerable antigiardial activity for both of essential oils singly and in combination together against giardial cysts. In-vivo study of protective effect of these essential oils against giardiasis can be considered as a subject for next studies.

Mutations of Voltage-Gated Ionic Channels and Risk of Severe Cardiac Arrhythmias.

BACKGROUND: Arrhythmias as important malfunctions of heart are known as abnormal rhythm of heart. Several causes can make arrhythmias and most of them are related to generation and/or conduction of action potential in heart. Action potential in myocytes results from the sequential opening and closing of ion channel proteins that span the plasma membrane of individual myocytes. Action potential's conduction through the heart is depended on electrical coupling between myocytes, which is mediated by gap junctions. Generation and conduction of action potentials are related to perfect action of ionic channels in heart. OBJECTIVES: This novel review comprehensively addressed the ionic mechanisms of the arrhythmogenic mutations in cardiac voltage-gated ionic channels including: CACNA1C, CACNA1D, KCNA5, KCND2, KCND3, KCNE1, KCNE2, KCNE5, KCNH2, KCNJ2, KCNJ5, KCNQ1, SCN4A, SCN5A, SCN1B, SCN2B, SCN3B and SCN4B. METHODS: Current study, for the first time, review and discuses about relation between cardiac arrhythmias and whole of important voltage gated ionic channels from different families, altogether and at the same time. RESULTS: This review clears that mutations in voltage-gated ionic channels play important roles in generation of severe cardiac arrhythmias, and among them it is looked that mutations in voltage-gated potassium channels are more important. CONCLUSIONS: Most of induced arrhythmias due to voltage-gated ionic channels mutations result in action potentials prolongation and long QT syndromes. Study on ionic channel regulators can be considered as a subject for future research.

Effect of heat stress on the gene expression of ion transporters/channels in the uterus of laying hens during eggshell formation.

Heat stress is a problem in laying hens as it decreases egg quality by decreasing eggshell mineralization. Heat stress alters gene expression, hence our aim was to investigate effects of heat stress on gene expression of ion transport elements involving in uterine mineralization (TRPV6, CALB1, ITPR3, SCNN1G, SLC4A4, KCNJ15, SLC4A9, and CLCN2) by real time quantitative PCR. Forty 23-week-old White Leghorn laying hens were housed in two rooms. The control group (n = 20) was maintained at 21-23 °C, and the heat stress group (n = 20) was exposed to 36-38 °C for 8 weeks. All parameters of egg quality including egg weight, surface area, volume, and eggshell weight, thickness, ash weight, and calcium content were decreased in the heat stress group compared to the control group (by 26.9%, 32.7%, 44.1%, 38.4%, 31.7%, 39.4%, and 11.1%, respectively). Total plasma calcium was decreased by 13.4%. Levels of ITPR3, SLC4A4, and SLC4A9 transcripts in the uterine lining were decreased in the heat stress group compared to the control group (by 61.4%, 66.1%, and 66.1%, respectively). CALB1 transcript level was increased (by 34.2 fold) in the heat stress group of hens compared to controls. TRPV6, SCNN1G, KCNJ15, and CLCN2 transcript levels did not significantly differ between control and heat stress groups of laying hens. It is concluded that the down-expression of ITPR3, SLC4A4, and SLC4A9 genes may impair transportation of Cl-, HCO3-, and Na+ in eggshell mineralization during heat stress. Increased CALB1 gene expression may increase resistance of uterine cells to detrimental effects of heat stress.

The insecticidal and repellent activity of ginger (Zingiber officinale) and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) essential oils against Culex theileri Theobald, 1903 (Diptera: Culicidae

Insecticidal and repellent activity of essential oils of Zingiber officinale and Eucalyptus globulus against Culex theileri Theobald, 1903 as a wide-distributed species of mosquitoes in different parts of world with an important role in transmission of infectious organisms and agent were studied. Essential oils were extracted from fresh parts of plants and different concentrations of 250 µl/ml, 500 µl/ml, 750 µl/ml and 1 (undiluted extract) were prepared for each of essential oils. Insecticidal and repellent activity of essential oils against adult form of Culex theileri Theobald mosquitoes, collected from small pools located near the Zayande-Rood River in the Saman city, Iran, were examined via direct exposure method and Y-tube olfactometer bioassay, respectively. Results of current study, as the first study on insecticidal and repellent activity of mentioned essential oils against Culex theileri Theobald, show considerable values of insecticidal and repellent activity against mosquitoes, concentration of one (undiluted extract) had the highest insecticidal and repellent activity against Culex theileri Theobald for both of essential oils and essential oil of Eucalyptus globulus (66% insecticidal and 74% repellent activity) was more potent than Zingiber officinale (45% insecticidal and 61% repellent activity). This study shows that these essential oils can be considered as good replaces for chemical pesticides but more experiments are need for this purpose. Study on insecticidal activity of these essential oils in the field condition can be considered as a subject for next experiments.

A First Report of Infestation by Pseudolynchia canariensis in a Herd of Pigeons in Shahrekord (Southwest of Iran).

BACKGROUND: Pigeons (Columba livia) have been kept as pet and reared for food in several countries including Iran. Ectoparasites are regarded as the basic causes of retardation in growth, lowered vitality and poor conditions of the birds. Pseudolynchia canariensis a hippoboscidae fly is one of the important ectoparasites of pigeons and is responsible for the transmission of pathogens to birds and humans same as pathogenic protozoan Haemoproteus columbae. METHODS: A herd of domestic pigeons contained 50 pigeons in Shahrekord, southwest Iran was evaluated clinically infested by ectoparasites. Ectoparasites were removed. The samples were collected and then referred to the Laboratory of Parasitology of Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran. RESULTS: Usin diagnostic key for diptera fly, these flies were find P. canariensis. This is a rare report of infestation of pigeons herd by P. canariensis in Iran. The infestation rate was 40% that rate of infestation in pipers was more than females and in females was more than males. CONCLUSION: The rate of infested pipers was more than adults that maybe the less potential of pipers in removing of ectoparasites is reason of this higher rate.

Comparison of the anticoccidial effect of granulated extract of Artemisia sieberi with monensin in experimental coccidiosis in broiler chickens.

Coccidiosis is the most important parasitic disease of the poultry production industry. Due to increasing resistance to conventional anticoccidial agents, it is necessary to find new anticoccidial compounds. Herbal compounds such as those from Artemisia species are promising weapons in this regard since preliminary studies have shown its anticoccidial effects. To compare the anticoccidial effect of a granulated extract of Artemisia sieberi (GEAS) versus monensin in experimental broiler coccidiosis, 120 one-day old Ross 308 broiler chickens were divided in four groups, each with three replicates (n=10). Group 1 was separated as an uninfected negative control and received no treatment. At 21days of age, groups 2, 3 and 4 were inoculated with a mixed suspension of 2×10(5) oocysts of Eimeria tenella, Eimeria maxima, Eimeria acervulina and Eimeria necatrix. Group 2 was maintained as an infected positive control and received no treatment while groups 3 and 4 received GEAS (5mg/kg feed), and monensin (110mg/kg feed) from the first day until 42days of age as a feed additive, respectively. Five days after inoculation, the number of oocycts per gram (OPG) of feces for 7 successive days was measured. Also, mean body weight (MBW), weight gain (WG), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were determined weekly in all groups and replicates. The results showed that GEAS and monensin improved performance attributes (FI, MBW, WG, FCR) and significantly (P<0.05) decreased OPG in inoculated broiler chickens.

A report on the genital myiasis by Wohlfahrtia magnifica in camel herds in southwest of Iran.

Myiasis is a disease of vertebrate animals caused by different fly larvae. Wohlfahrtia magnifica is responsible for serious losses in animal husbandry in Eurasia. Larvae of W. magnifica parasitize several warm-blooded vertebrates and are responsible for a severe traumatic myiasis of mucosal membranes or wounds. This myiasis has been reported in many European areas, but for the first time was reported from Iran. Larvae infestation was observed in five camels out of 35 (14.28%) around the perinea and vaginal region of camels in a herd in southwest of Iran. The larvae samples were collected and transferred to the laboratory of parasitology for identification. This is the first report of infestation of a camel herd (camelus dromedarius) in Iran. The treatment was performed and prevented the loss from camels and improved their physical condition. Although the myiasis is not a lethal disorder, however knowledge of the disease is necessary from preventive, diagnostic and curative standpoint.

Prevalence and Rate of Parasitemia of Haemoproteus columbae in Columba Iiviadomesticain Southwest of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Parasites affect the health and productivity of birds. Haemoproteus columbae occurs in pigeons widely in tropical and subtropical regions. The present investigation was concentrated on the prevalence of H. columbae and rate of parasitemia in domestic pigeons in southwest of Iran. METHODS: Pigeons regimented in three groups, less than six months old, between six and twenty four months old and more than twenty four months old.Then stained blood smears were studied for presence of H. columbae and finally rate of parasitemia in every group calculated. RESULTS: Mature and immature stages of H. columbae gametocytes were found in 24% of blood smears prepared from 100 healthy domestic pigeons. Mean of parasitemia in infected pigeons was 9.58%. Mean size of macrogametocytes was 4µm×15µm and mean size of microgametocytes was 3µm×12µm. Mean of parasitemia in infected females was more than males and pipers. Mean of parasitemia in infected old pigeons (pigeons with more than twenty four months old) was more than pigeons with less than six months old and pigeons between six and twenty four months old. CONCLUSION: This study show the prevalence and rate of parasitemia in domestic pigeons in southwest of Iran. We should be care about this parasite in pigeons by knowing the prevalence and high risk groups.