Evaluation of the occurrence of venous thromboembolic events in COVID-19 outpatients

Introduction

Thrombotic events are present at higher rates among COVID-19 patients. Prophylactic use of parenteral anticoagulants during hospitalisation is recommended to reduce the risk of complications. In this context, the Tunisian Anticoagulation Survey in COVID-19 patient General Practice experience (TASC-GP) was conducted.

Objective

The evaluation of the incidence of venous thromboembolic events (VTE) and bleedings in COVID-19 patients treated in ambulatory.

Method

The TASC-GP is an observational, multicenter study included 3,383 patients from July to October 2021. The following up of patients was done 35 days after inclusion date with investigation of VTE and bleeding events. The four main enrolment criteria were: 1) age ≥ 18 years; 2) confirmed COVID-19 infection; 3) treated as an outpatient; 4) initiation of Rivaroxaban 10 mg/d. Patients were excluded if any of the following criteria applied: 1) the use of anticoagulant or thrombolytic drugs other than Rivaroxaban on admission or within days of admission; 2) the use of any dosage other than that specified in the study protocol.

Results

The mean age of the population was 51.6 ± 15.5 years with a sex ratio of 0.67, 30.7% of the population had hypertension, 23.4% were diabetic and 34.9% were obese. At least one cardiovascular comorbidity was observed in 40% of cases and 9.5% had chronic respiratory disease. The mean IMPROVE and IMPROVE DDimer scores were 0.65 ± 0.9 and 1.4 ± 1.4, respectively. The mean Improve bleeding score was 1.4 ± 1.5. A VTE was reported during follow-up in 39 patients (1.15%). Diabetes and chronic respiratory disease were independent factors for the occurrence of VTE with an odd ratio of 2.2 [95% CI 1.1–4.2] (P = 0.017) and 3.2 [95% CI 1.5–6.4] (P = 0.002) respectively. IMPROVE and IMPROVE DDimer scores were comparable in patients with and without VTE. There was no statistically significant increase in the rate of major bleeding (0.001%). The IMPROVE Bleeding score was comparable in the bleeding and non-bleeding groups at follow-up. There were no predictive factors for bleeding.

Conclusion

Our study is in agreement with the literature concerning a decrease in the rate of thrombembolic complications when using prophylactic anticoagulation versus placebo. Other VTE estimation scores including chronic respiratory disease and diabetes can be proposed. The use of Rivaroxaban in this population was not associated with increased bleeding.

Measuring Staff Satisfaction in Transportation System using AHP Method under Uncertainty

One of the most important challenges in today world is the transportation and satisfaction of this system. Measuring satisfaction in transportation has been done quantitatively so far and, more importantly, the measurement process has not usually been scientific. This study aimed at an accurate scientific measurement. Because of ambiguity, this paper discusses how to use the intuitionistic fuzzy method, in which both membership and non-membership functions were expressed. Therefore, initially, considering the results of previous researches, as well as studying the references and standards, the characteristics and basic criteria, a researcher-made questionnaire with a reliability of 0.95 was first performed and then the weights were determined using the AHP intuitionistic fuzzy method. After performing the above steps, the intuitionistic fuzzy satisfaction value was calculated at different levels and using the method, the final number of satisfaction was defuzzified.

Preparation of an Inactivated Peste des Petits Ruminants Vaccine and Its Comparative Immunogenicity Evaluation in an Animal Model

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious disease that is considered a major threat to the small livestock industry. Although vaccination via live-attenuated PPR vaccine is a main controlling strategy in the endemic area, during PPR eradication process, the inactivated PPR vaccine (iPPRV) is recommended. This study aimed to compare the inactivation kinetics of the PPR virus via different inactivants and immunogenicity evaluations of the iPPRV formulated vaccine in mice. The vaccinal live PPR virus was inactivated by either H2O2 or binary ethylenimine (BEI (at two concentrations of 1 or 4 mM. Thereafter, the inactivated virus was formulated with different adjuvants, including aluminum hydroxide (AH), aluminum phosphate (AP), and a mixture of AH and AP that were intraperitoneally (IP) administrated (0.1 mL) to 90 BALB/c mice in a completely randomized design and 3×3 factorial arrangement (9 animals per group). The booster vaccination was carried out in all animals 21 days after the primary vaccination. Results showed that the PPR virus was successfully inactivated by all the inactivation agents; however, the time of complete virus inactivation was estimated to be 482, 295, and 495 min post-treatment initiation for 1 mM BEI, 4 mM BEI, and H2O2, respectively. The main effect of inactivant on antibody titers against PPR virus that was measured after 42days post-immunization in mice was significant (P<0.05); however, the adjuvant and interaction effect of inactivator×adjuvant were not effective(P>0.05). Inactivation by 1 mM BEI was associated with a higher antibody titer against PPR virus (P<0.05) in comparison with both 4 mM BEI and H2O2 (2.51 vs. 2.25 and 2.22, respectively). Meanwhile, there were no significant differences among the used adjuvants in terms of eliciting antibody response against PPR virus. In conclusion, the use of 1 mM BEI in combination of AH, AP, or a mixture of AH and AP was associated with a higher immune response against PPR virus in mice. However, the appropriate inactivation kinetic of the virus and immunogenicity associated with the use of H2O2, as well as its biocompatibility property and better cost-benefit, nominated H2O2 to be used in iPPR preparation; however, more investigations are required in target animals.

Development and Evaluation of an Indirect Capripoxvirus ELISA Based on Truncated P32 Protein Expressed in E. coli

As notifiable diseases, lumpy skin disease (LSD), sheep pox (SPP), and goat pox (GTP) are associated with a profound effect on cattle, sheep, and goat farming industries. Development of the ELISA method could effectively facilitate serodiagnosis of the infected animals. This study aimed to develop an ELISA system based on the recombinant full-length and truncated P32 protein (Tr.P32) of goat pox virus. The P32 protein was expressed in Rosetta strain of E. coli using pET24a⁺ vector and evaluated by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. Then, Tr.P32 was purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography under denaturing conditions and used to develop a capripoxvirus-specific ELISA. Checkerboard titration and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were used to optimize the ELISA system and determine diagnostic specificity and sensitivity, respectively. The diagnostic potential of the developed ELISA was evaluated using positive and negative control sera collected from goat, sheep, and cattle. Results showed that the expression level of full-length P32 recombinant protein was negligible, while Tr.P32, a ~ 31 kDa recombinant protein, was expressed up to 0.270-0.300 mg/200 mL of culture media. The results of checkerboard titration revealed that 675 ng/well of Tr.P32 antigen and 1:10 dilution of control sera (anti GTPV HIS and healthy goat sera) caused maximum difference in absorbance between positive and negative goat sera. The recombinant Tr.P32 showed good reactions with antibodies against GTP virus (GTPV), SPP virus (SPPV), and LSD virus (LSDV), whereas no cross-reactions with anti-Orf virus antibodies were detected. By comparing with the neutralization index (NI), cut off, diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the developed indirect-ELISA were estimated, 0.397, 94% and 96.6%, respectively. These findings indicate that the ELISA system based on Tr.P32 protein could potentially be used in sero-surveillance of all capripoxviruses; however, further investigations are required.

Identification of Iranian BHK-21-C5 Cell Line by Two Steps Polymerase Chain Reaction

Authentication of animal cell lines in cell banks is one of the most important programs regulated during cell culture and storage. This operation provides a thorough and beneficial document which can be advantageous for the functional use of animal cell lines. Therefore, various procedures are used to prevent misidentified cells, cross-contamination to other cell lines, and mislabeling errors leading to incorrect assessment. These contaminants can result in major financial disadvantages. One of the practical methods in this field is a molecular procedure which can demonstrate more accurate results. In the present study, the BHK-21 (C5) was characterized, and it was tried to determine the identity of BHK-21 (C5) as a continuous cell line by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) molecular procedure in Iran. The cytochrome c oxidase I (CO1) gene was selected as a prevalent DNA fragment for the authentication of the BHK-21 (C5) cell line, along with six cell lines, including Chinese hamster ovary, Lamb kidney, Razi Bovine Kidney, Medical Research Council cell strain 5, Monkey Green Kidney, and Goat Lymphocyte. After amplification, PCR products were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis to ensure their accuracy. The results of characterization were indicated, cell viability was estimated to be about 92%, and a uniform cell culture was obtained. The doubling time and &amp;micro; ratio equivalent were obtained at 20.5 h and 0.03, respectively. Sterility tests revealed that the cell seed was free of bacterial, mycoplasma, and mycobacterial infections. The results of molecular identification revealed that the identification of this cell line was approved and can be used in studies, diagnosis, production, and quality control of biological products.

Phylogenetic analysis of canine parvovirus 2 subtypes from diarrheic dogs in Iran

BACKGROUND

Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) causes gastroenteritis and leukopenia in dogs worldwide. They are three subtypes of CPV-2 including CPV-2a, CPV-2b, and CPV-2c. The distribution status of CPV-2 subtypes has been shown differences in many countries.

AIMS

The aim of the present study was detection and phylogenetic analysis of different subtypes of CPV-2 circulating in two provinces of Iran, Tehran and Alborz.

METHODS

CPV-2 was detected using 555 primer pairs in collected samples. Phylogenetic analysis of CPV-2 subtypes was done using sequencing of the partial length of VP2 gene.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight CPV-2 were detected using 555 primer pair. The sequences of isolates were deposited in the GenBank database. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all CPV-2c subtype isolates had very high sequence identity to China and Zambia that form a distinct cluster.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this study revealed the emergence of all CPV-2 variants in dogs in Iran. Thus, the continual monitoring of CPV-2 in domestic dogs should be further conducted on a large scale to determine the predominant variants and their distributions in the country and to follow the dynamics of CPV-2 in the Middle East region of Asia.

Genetic and Antigenic Evaluation of Foot-and-mouth Disease Virus Type A in the Endemic Area of Iran within 2014-2015

The foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) with a wide variety of genomes and complicated biology is one of the infectious agents that put the lives of animals at risk. Therefore, to introduce suitable strains for vaccine production, it is essential to constantly evaluate genetic changes of circulating viruses in field. Within 2014-2015, a total of 126 clinical specimens consisting of epithelial tissue and vesicular fluid from tongue, dental pad, and hoofs suspected of FMD virus were submitted to the Reference Laboratory for FMD in Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, and 86 of them were identified as FMD virus type A using sandwich Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). This virus was isolated from 42 samples from 16 provinces using cell culture. Firstly, the coding region that produces the main part of viral capsid was amplified by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This part of the genome by 800 bp length was related to the 1D gene that synthesizes the VP1 protein. The phylogenetic analysis of VP1 coding region determined two distinct genotypes with more than 15% nucleotide differences. The first cluster consisted of closely related viruses registered in the GeneBank of neighboring countries, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Turkey. All samples in Cluster1 were determined as relative viruses with genotype Iran-05. In-vitro serological examination indicated an antigenic relationship between Cluster 1 viruses and routine vaccine strain (A-IRN-2013). The second cluster with only two members was genetically far from earlier ones and could be considered a separate genotype. Furthermore, it was revealed that cluster 2 has not been previously reported in Iran. Genetic tracing indicated that these viruses might have been originated from circulating viruses from India. Antigenic evaluation exhibited that this group could not be cross-protected by the routine vaccinal strain (A-IRN-2013) used during the research period.

MRS Shimming: An Important Point Which Should not be Ignored

BACKGROUND

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a well-known device for analyzing the biological fluids metabolically. Obtaining accurate and reliable information via MRS needs a homogeneous magnetic field in order to provide well-defined peaks and uniform water suppression. There are lots of reasons which can disturb the magnetic field homogeneity which can be corrected by a process known as shimming. This study is intended to recall the importance of shimming and also the significant role of quality control (QC) in achieving an accurate quantification.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

An acrylic cylindrical quality control phantom was designed as an analog of brain MRS test phantoms in order to control the accuracy of the obtained signal of a 1.5 T Siemens MRI system which belonged to one of Shiraz hospitals. The signal of NAA, Cho, Cr, the combination of these metabolites and also the distilled water, which was used in this study, was evaluated using separate phantoms. A QC test was performed using Siemens QC phantom and a standard test phantom.

RESULTS

The spectrum of our home- made phantom had a significant difference with the expected spectrum. The results of checking the spectrum of metabolites separately also confirmed that there was a systemic problem that affects all the signals originated from all metabolites and even the pure distilled water. The MRS system could not pass QC tests, and peak broadening was common in all spectra. The complex spectrum of standard test phantom was not produced successfully by the MRS system.

DISCUSSION

By a simple check of the water peak characteristics, lots of information can be obtained, one of which is the status of shimming that has a considerable effect on the accuracy of the spectrum. Thus, performing an automatic or manual shimming is not a criterion of the spectrum accuracy, and performing a periodic quality control using a test phantom by a specialist is necessary.

CONCLUSION

Briefly, the quality control of MRS and all the other clinical device must be taken seriously. Sometimes QC can be the boundary of a right or a wrong decision for the patient.

[Management of high thrombus burden in primary PCI]

A large thrombus burden is not uncommon in primary percutaneous coronary intervention, and is associated with more frequent complications. The role of intracoronary thrombolysis and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors in the management of a large thrombus burden is discussed. The use of thromboaspiration must follow a particular logic and used with rigorous manipulations; the capacities of the protective filters are often exceeded. Stents dedicated to thrombus management can be used. Interest and limits of these stents are developed. Direct stenting should be encouraged, and delayed stenting probably considered for the most important thrombotic burden despite "negative" results in studies.

Hydroethanolic extract of Psidium guajava leaf for induced osteoarthritis using a guinea pig model

We investigated the therapeutic effects of an extract of Psidium guajava (guava) leaf on experimentally induced osteoarthritis in guinea pig. The left knee of 30 male guinea pigs was anesthetized and the cranial cruciate ligament was severed. The animals were followed for 8 weeks until osteoarthritis was confirmed by radiography and histopathology. Animals were divided randomly into five groups; group 1, the ligament was severed and untreated; group 2, the ligament was severed and treated with piascledine, an extract of soybean and avocado; group 3, the ligament was severed and treated with 200 mg/kg hydroethanolic extract of guava; group 4, the ligament was severed and treated with 400 mg/kg hydroethanolic extract of guava; and group 5, control animals without surgery or extracts. Radiological and histopathological evaluations after 8 weeks showed reduced severity of osteoarthritis in the piascledine treatment group compared to group 1. The guava extract also reduce the severity of osteoarthritis compared to controls. Histopathological examination of treatment and control groups showed that treatment the guava extract improved lesions significantly. Hydroethanolic extracts of guava leaf appears to prevent osteoarthritis by inhibition of free radical formation in the knee joint.

The Characteristics of an Ovine Lymphoid Cell-Line sensitive to Vaccinal Infectious Bursal Disease Virus Strain

Infectious bursal disease (IBD), also known as Gumboro disease, is a globally well-known disease with a significant socio-economic effect. For control of IBD, several commercial egg- and cell-based vaccines are prepared. The cell-based IBD vaccines are significantly cost-effective; however, it is essential to confirm their safety and efficacy. The main cell line used to product the cell-based IBD vaccines, is a primary chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF). Nevertheless, manipulation of CEF is extremely challenging and time-consuming. This study aimed to characterize a sensitive suspension cell culture from ovine lymphoid, according to WHO technical report series; No. 978, Annex III. This authentication covered the growth curves, sensitivity, stability, karyotyping and identifying the adventitious agents. This cell line passed all defined tests and was considered as a suitable one for IBD vaccine preparation in a large scale.

Dynamics of Rear Stagnant Cap formation at the surface of spherical bubbles rising in surfactant solutions at large Reynolds numbers under conditions of small Marangoni number and slow sorption kinetics

On the surface of bubbles rising in a surfactant solution the adsorption process proceeds and leads to the formation of a so called Rear Stagnant Cap (RSC). The larger this RSC is the stronger is the retardation of the rising velocity. The theory of a steady RSC and steady retarded rising velocity, which sets in after a transient stage, has been generally accepted. However, a non-steady process of bubble rising starting from the initial zero velocity represents an important portion of the trajectory of rising, characterized by a local velocity profile (LVP). As there is no theory of RSC growth for large Reynolds numbers Re » 1 so far, the interpretation of LVPs measured in this regime was impossible. It turned out, that an analytical theory for a quasi-steady growth of RSC is possible for small Marangoni numbers Ma « 1, i.e. when the RSC is almost completely compressed, which means a uniform surface concentration Γ(θ)=Γ(∞) within the RSC. Hence, the RSC angle ψ(t) is obtained as a function of the adsorption isotherm parameters and time t. From the steady velocity v(st)(ψ), the dependence of non-steady velocity on time is obtained by employing v(st)[ψ(t)] via a quasi-steady approximation. The measurement of LVP creates a promising new opportunity for investigation of the RSC dynamics and adsorption kinetics. While adsorption and desorption happen at the same localization in the classical methods, in rising bubble experiments desorption occurs mainly within RSC while adsorption on the mobile part of the bubble surface. The desorption flux from RSC is proportional to αΓ(∞), while it is usually αΓ. The adsorption flux at the mobile surface above RSC can be assumed proportional to βC0, while it is usually βC0(1-Γ/Γ(∞)). These simplifications may become favorable in investigations of the adsorption kinetics for larger molecules, in particular for globular proteins, which essentially stay at an interface once adsorbed.

Dextrin-coated zinc substituted cobalt-ferrite nanoparticles as an MRI contrast agent: In vitro and in vivo imaging studies

Application of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) as a negative contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been of widespread interest. These particles can enhance contrast of images by altering the relaxation times of the water protons. In this study, dextrin-coated zinc substituted cobalt-ferrite (Zn0.5Co0.5Fe2O4) NPs were synthesized by a co-precipitation method, and the morphology, size, structure and magnetic properties of the NPs were investigated. These NPs had superparamagnetic behavior with an average size of 3.9 (±0.9, n=200)nm measured by transmission electron microscopy. Measurements on the relaxivities (r2 and r2(*)) of the NPs were performed in vitro by agarose phantom. In addition, after subcutaneous injection of the NPs into C540 cell line in C-57 inbred mice, the relaxivities were measured in vivo by a 1.5T MRI system. These NPs could effectively increase the image contrast in both T2-and T2(*)-weighted samples.

Adsorption of proteins at the solution/air interface influenced by added nonionic surfactants at very low concentrations for both components. 2. Effect of different surfactants and theoretical model

The influence of the addition of the nonionic surfactants dodecyl dimethyl phosphine oxide (C12DMPO), tetradecyl dimethyl phosphine oxide (C14DMPO), decyl alcohol (C10OH), and C10EO5 at concentrations between 10(-5) and 10(-1) mmol/L to solutions of β-casein (BCS) and β-lactoglobulin (BLG) at a fixed concentration of 10(-5) mmol/L on the surface tension is studied. It is shown that a significant decrease of the water/air surface tension occurs for all the surfactants studied at very low concentrations (10(-5)-10(-3) mmol/L). All measurements were performed with the buoyant bubble profile method. The dynamics of the surface tension was simulated using the Fick and Ward-Tordai equations. The calculation results agree well with the experimental data, indicating that the equilibration times in the system studied do not exceed 30 000 s, while the time required to attain the equilibrium on a plane surface is by one order of magnitude higher. To achieve agreement between theory and experiment for the mixtures, a supposition was made about the influence of the concentration of nonionic surfactant on the adsorption activity of the protein. The adsorption isotherm equation of the protein was modified accordingly, and this corrected model agrees well with all experimental data.

Quality Assessment of Longissimus and Semitendinosus Muscles from Beef Cattle Subjected to Non-penetrative and Penetrative Percussive Stunning Methods

This study provides a comparative analysis of the effects of pre-slaughter penetrative and non-penetrative stunning and post-slaughter stunning on meat quality attributes in longissimus lumborum (LL) and semitendinosus (ST) muscles in heifers. Ten animals were assigned to each of four treatment groups: i) animals were subjected to conventional Halal slaughter (a clean incision through the structures at the front of the upper neck - the trachea, oesophagus, carotid arteries and jugular veins) and post-cut penetrating mechanical stun within 10 to 20 s of the neck cut (Unstunned; US); ii) high power non-penetrating mechanical stunning followed by the neck cut (HPNP); iii) low power non-penetrating mechanical stunning followed by the neck cut (LPNP); and iv) penetrative stunning using a captive bolt pistol followed by the neck cut (P). For each carcass, muscle samples were removed within 45 min of slaughter, portioned and analysed for pH, cooking loss, water holding capacity (WHC), tenderness (WBS), lipid oxidation (TBARS) and color, over a two week storage period. Stunning did not affect pH and cooking loss. Significant differences in water holding capacity, tenderness, lipid oxidation and color were present at different storage time points. HPNP stunning resulted in lower WHC and color values, particularly lightness (L*), higher TBARS values and peak force values compared with those stunned using LPNP, P and US. These adverse effects on quality were mostly encountered in the ST muscle. In conclusion, the meat quality achieved using P, LPNP and US treatments was comparable, and no treatment stood out as considerably better than another.

Changes in blood parameters and electroencephalogram of cattle as affected by different stunning and slaughter methods in cattle

The present study aimed to provide a comparative analysis of the effects of penetrative stunning, non-penetrative stunning and post-slaughter stunning on biochemical parameters and electroencephalogram (EEG) associated with stress in heifers and steers. Ten animals were assigned to each of the following four treatment groups: (1) animals were subjected to conventional halal slaughter (a clean incision through the structures on the ventral neck at the approximate level of vertebrae C2–C3 – the trachea, oesophagus, carotid arteries and jugular veins) and post-cut penetrating mechanical stun within 10–20 s of the halal cut (U); (2) high-power non-penetrating mechanical stunning using a mushroom-headed humane killer, followed by conventional halal slaughter (HPNP); (3) low-power non-penetrating mechanical percussive stunning using a mushroom-headed humane killer, followed by conventional halal slaughter (LPNP); and (4) penetrative stunning using a captive-bolt pistol humane killer, followed by conventional halal slaughter (P). For each animal, blood samples and electroencephalogram recordings were taken before stunning, post-stunning (if applicable) and post-slaughter, and plasma concentrations of cortisol, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), adrenaline, noradrenaline and β-endorphin were determined. Irrespective of the stunning method, except for percentage change in plasma concentrations of noradrenaline, the values of blood parameters attained before and after stunning were not significantly different. The plasma noradrenaline concentration of the HPNP animals was significantly elevated following stunning. Following slaughter, the percentage change of plasma ACTH concentration in the P animals was significantly elevated. Neither stunning method nor sampling time had a significant effect on plasma β-endorphin concentration. On the basis of the EEG results, penetrative stunning seemed to be better in maximising the possibility of post-stunning insensibility, whereas U animals appeared to demonstrate an evident increase in EEG activity which is consistent with the presence of post-slaughter noxious stimuli associated with tissue cut and injury. The U animals had consistently higher, if not the highest, RMS values than did other stunned animals. This indicates a degree of EEG changes associated with stress and pain. On the basis of EEG data, our results suggested that penetrative stunning would be the most reliable method of ensuring insensibility and minimising pain. However, at slaughter, the P animals showed a dramatic elevation in the percentage change of circulating ACTH, suggesting physiological stress response. On a cautionary note, the results are not unequivocal, and it may be that the range of analyses available to researchers at this point of time are not sufficiently specific to allow definitive conclusions to be drawn.

Primary cytomegalovirus infection in pregnant Egyptian women confirmed by cytomegalovirus IgG avidity testing

OBJECTIVE

To determine the frequency of primary cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in pregnant Egyptian women using CMV IgG avidity testing.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted at Suez Canal University Hospital, Ismailia, Egypt. A total of 546 pregnant women, presenting for routine antenatal screening, were tested for CMV IgG and IgM using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Sera from CMV IgM-positive women were tested by CMV IgG avidity assay.

RESULTS

All the 546 pregnant women were seropositive for anti-CMV IgG. Of the 546 women, 40 (7.3%) were positive or equivocal for IgM antibodies. All sera from the 40 women (IgG+/IgM+) showed a high or intermediate CMV IgG avidity index. Of the 40 women, 23 (57.5%) were in the second or third trimesters of pregnancy and had their first-trimester blood retrieved, and the tested CMV IgG avidity assay showed a high avidity index.

CONCLUSION

Women who were IgM positive had no primary CMV infection in the index pregnancy as evidenced by the high CMV IgG avidity testing.

Detection and Identification of Toxoplasma gondii Type One Infection in Sheep Aborted Fetuses in Qazvin Province of Iran

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to apply the nested-PCR and bioassay methods in detection and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii infection in provided sheep aborted fetus samples from Qazvin Province of Iran.

METHODS

Eighteen sheep aborted fetal samples were studied by nested-PCR-RFLP, histopathological observation and microbiological assay. Bioassay in mice was carried out by inoculating the brain samples intraperitoneally.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated the frequency of 66% infected sheep aborted fetal samples with T. gondii type one. Although we could not isolate any parasite from inoculated mice even after three passages, but it was confirmed histopathologically formation of cyst like bodies in prepared mice brain sections.

CONCLUSION

The results of the performed nested-PCR and formation of brain cyst in inoculated mice exhibited that T. gondii type one infection might be considered as one of the major causative agents for abortion in ewes.

A new approach for locating the minor apical foramen using an artificial neural network

AIM

To develop a new approach for locating the minor apical foramen (AF) using feature-extracting procedures from radiographs and then processing data using an artificial neural network (ANN) as a decision-making system.

METHODOLOGY

Fifty straight single-rooted teeth were selected and placed in a socket within the alveolar bone of a dried skull. Access cavities were prepared and a file was place in the canals to determine the working length. A radiograph was taken to evaluate the location of the file in relation to the minor foramen and further checked after retrieving the tooth from the alveolar socket. The location of the file tip was categorized into: beyond the AF (long), within the root canal (short) and just at the minor AF (exact). Each radiograph was used to extract relevant features using K-means, Otsu method and Wavelet protocol. Thirty-six extracted features were used for training and the rest were used for evaluating the multi-layer Perceptron ANN model.

RESULTS

Analysis of the images from radiographs (test samples) by ANN showed that in 93% of the samples, the location of the AF had been determined correctly by false rejection and acceptation error methods.

CONCLUSION

Artificial neural networks can act as a second opinion to locate the AF on radiographs to enhance the accuracy of working length determination by radiography. In addition, ANN can function as a decision-making system in various similar clinical situations.

Molecular diagnosis of trichomoniasis in negative samples examined by direct smear and culture

BACKGROUND

Trichomoniasis is an extremely common sexually transmitted infection (STI) worldwide and is associated with important public health problems, including amplification of HIV transmission. This disease is in forms of symptomatic and asymptomatic in women and may depend on host as well as parasite variables. Most of the studies reported from females are based on examination of vaginal secretions and urine samples by direct smear and culture in modified Diamond's media. The aim of this study was checking the samples, which were negative by direct smear and culture, with PCR technique.

METHODS

The urine samples and vaginal discharge of patients attending Gynecology Clinics of Mazandaran Province, Iran with different symptoms rechecked for Trichomonas vaginalis by PCR technique using primers targeting a conserved region of the beta-tubulin genes of the parasite. Data were analyzed by Epi Info software program

RESULTS

Out of 161 negative samples by direct smear and culture, seven samples (4.3%) were positive by PCR technique.

CONCLUSION

Diagnosis of trichomoniasis by PCR is a sensitive and specific method that could play important role to help the physicians for properly treatment and control of infection.

The protective effect of diabetes mellitus against prostate cancer: role of sex hormones

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been associated with decreased risk of prostate cancer (PC) in several reports. Hormonal environment of diabetic patients is believed to be an important contributing factor in this regard.

METHODS

Using data from a multi-center case-control study in Iran, base line testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), estradiol, and albumin levels as well as thorough demographic and medical characteristics of 194 newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients were determined. There were 317 ethnicity-matched men with no cancer as controls as well. Data was analyzed for hormones of interest in DM patients regarding their cancer status.

RESULTS

Of 511 enrolled patients, twenty-one cases and 63 controls were diagnosed as DM. Patients with DM were significantly less likely to have PC (OR: 0.44, P = 0.003). Time since DM diagnosis was also inversely correlated with the risk of cancer (P trend < 0.0001). Control patients had significantly higher testosterone, estradiol, and testosterone/SHBG ratio (P < 0.05). As time since DM diagnosis increased by quartiles, testosterone significantly increased (P trend < 0.05). The risk of PC also significantly declined (P trend < 0.0001) following an initial remarkable increase early after DM diagnosis. After including the hormones in the logistic regression model, there was a weak, yet significant inverse association of testosterone/SHBG and DM duration with the risk of PC.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our results DM duration is inversely correlated with the risk of prostate cancer. Our results do not support the hypothesis that sex hormones, including testosterone, play a major role in the protective effect of DM against PC.

Production of haploid and doubled haploid plants of melon ( Cucumis melo L) for use in breeding for multiple virus resistance

We have developed improved procedures for recovery of haploid and doubled haploid (DH) melon plants, using hybrids derived from crosses of lines with multiple virus resistance. Seeds formed after pollination with irradiated pollen were cultured in liquid medium for 10 days before excision of the embryos for further culture. This made it easier to identify the seeds containing parthenogenetic embryos, thereby reducing the effort required and increasing the percentage of plants recovered. The plants obtained (approximately 175) were transferred to a greenhouse for evaluation. Three fertile lines were identified, and selfed seeds were obtained for evaluating virus resistance. Flow cytometry of leaf tissues showed that two of these lines were spontaneous DH and the third was a mixoploid containing haploid and diploid cells. The other plants remained sterile through the flowering stage. Flow cytometry of 20 sterile plants showed that all were haploid. Attempts to induce chromosome doubling by applying colchicine to greenhouse-grown plants were unsuccessful. Shoot tips from the haploid plants were used to establish new in vitro cultures. In vitro treatment of 167 micropropagated haploid shoots with colchicine produced 10 diploid plants as well as 100 mixoploid plants. Pollen from male flowers that formed in vitro on the colchicine-treated plants was examined. High percentages of viable pollen that stained with acetocarmine were found not only in the diploids but also in >60% of the plants scored as mixoploid or haploid by flow cytometry. Efficient recovery of DH from hybrid melon lines carrying combinations of important horticultural traits will be a valuable tool for melon breeders.

Spontaneous acute tumor lysis syndrome in acute myeloid leukemia? A single case report with discussion of the literature

Acute tumor lysis syndrome (ATLS), a condition which results from a rapid destruction of tumor cells with massive release of cellular breakdown products, has been well described following the treatment of various malignancies. However, only a handful of cases of spontaneous ATLS have been reported in the literature. We describe the first reported case of spontaneous ATLS in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A previously healthy 63 year old woman presented with a two month history of fatigue and a one week history of easy bruising. On admission she had oliguric acute renal failure, with marked elevation in serum uric acid and phosphate. A bone marrow biopsy showed AML M7 with fibrosis. The renal failure resolved with supportive care and institution of allopurinol therapy. Following this, AML induction chemotherapy resulted in complete remission. Her biochemical and clinical course were very similar to the classical ATLS seen in patients after chemotherapy. Therefore, this case represents a rare instance of acute renal failure from spontaneous ATLS, and in our opinion the first reported occurrence of spontaneous ATLS associated with AML.

HLA-DQ and TAP2 genes in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

We examined the prevalence of HLA-DRB1, DQB1, DQA1 and TAP2 genes in children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 1 diabetes). These HLA and TAP2 alleles were identified by dot-blot analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified genomic DNA with sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes. The results show that those DQB1 alleles, which carry non-aspartic acid at position 57, in conjunction with DQA1 alleles carrying arginine at position 52, are strongly associated with susceptibility to type 1 diabetes. The prevalence of the TAP2* 0201 allele in diabetic patients was significantly lower than that in normal controls. Analysis of the data suggests that DQ alleles have the primary association with type 1 diabetes and that the association of TAP2 alleles with the disease is secondary.