An Update on the Application of CRISPR Technology in Clinical Practice

The CRISPR/Cas system, an innovative gene-editing tool, is emerging as a promising technique for genome modifications. This straightforward technique was created based on the prokaryotic adaptive immune defense mechanism and employed in the studies on human diseases that proved enormous therapeutic potential. A genetically unique patient mutation in the process of gene therapy can be corrected by the CRISPR method to treat diseases that traditional methods were unable to cure. However, introduction of CRISPR/Cas9 into the clinic will be challenging because we still need to improve the technology's effectiveness, precision, and applications. In this review, we first describe the function and applications of the CRISPR-Cas9 system. We next delineate how this technology could be utilized for gene therapy of various human disorders, including cancer and infectious diseases and highlight the promising examples in the field. Finally, we document current challenges and the potential solutions to overcome these obstacles for the effective use of CRISPR-Cas9 in clinical practice.

Multistage entanglement swapping using superconducting qubits in the absence and presence of dissipative environment without Bell state measurement

In recent decades the entangled state generation is of great importance in the quantum information processing and technologies. In this paper, producing the distributed entangled state of superconducting (SC) qubits is considered using an entanglement swapping protocol in three successive stages. The SC qubit pairs [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text], where each pair of the qubits has been placed on a separate chip, are initially prepared in maximally entangled states. The external magnetic fields on capacitively coupled pairs [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are implemented for modulating the frequency of qubits. Then, the SC qubits [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are converted into entangled states via operating proper measurements instead of Bell state measurement (which is generally a hard task). Finally, the distributed entangled state of target SC qubits [Formula: see text] can be obtained by applying external magnetic fields on qubits [Formula: see text] and via operating suitable measurements. This process is studied in the absence and presence of thermal decoherence effects. The concurrence, as a measure of entanglement between two target qubits, success probability of the distributed entangled states and the corresponding fidelities are evaluated, by which we find that the state of target SC qubits [Formula: see text] is converted to Bell state with maximum entanglement at some moments of time. Under appropriate conditions the maximum of success probability of the obtained states in each stage approaches 1. However, the maxima of concurrence and success probability gradually decrease due to the thermal noise as time goes on. Moreover, compelling amounts of fidelity, success probability and entanglement can be obtained for the achieved entangled states.

Spinal segment ranges of motion, movement coordination, and three-dimensional kinematics during occupational activities in normal-weight and obese individuals

Measurements of spinal segment ranges of motion (RoMs), movement coordination, and three-dimensional kinematics during occupational activities have implications in occupational/clinical biomechanics. Due to the large amount of adipose tissues, obese individuals may have different RoMs, lumbopelvic coordination, and kinematics than normal-weight ones. We aimed to measure/compare trunk, lumbar, and pelvis primary RoMs in all anatomical planes/directions, lumbopelvic ratios (lumbar to pelvis rotations at different trunk angles) in all anatomical planes/directions and three-dimensional spine kinematics during twelve symmetric/asymmetric statics load-handling activities in healthy normal-weight and obese individuals. Kinematics/motion data were collected from nine healthy young male normal-weight and nine age/height/sex matched obese individuals via a ten-camera Vicon motion capture system. Obese individuals had significantly smaller (p < 0.05) lumbar flexion (~9° in average) and larger pelvis right lateral bending (~5°) RoMs as well as smaller lumbopelvic ratios (~37%) in lateral bending and axial rotation movements as compared to normal-weight individuals. Moreover, the two groups had generally non-significant different segmental orientations (<20° and in most cases < 10°) in load-handling tasks that depended on the magnitude of load asymmetry angle (p < 0.05). Differences were larger for tasks performed near the floor, away from body, and at larger load asymmetry angles. Biomechanical models simulating pure lateral bending, axial rotation, or tasks involving large load asymmetry may therefore need subject-specific, rather than population-based, motion analysis due to the effects from body weight. In clinical applications, it should be noted that healthy obese individuals may have different RoMs and lumbopelvic rhythms than healthy normal-weight individuals in some anatomical planes/directions.

Diagnostic accuracy of two-dimensional coronary angiographic derived fractional flow reserve

Background

Non-invasive fractional flow reserve (NiFFR) is an emerging method for evaluating the functional significance of a coronary lesion during diagnostic coronary angiography (CAG). The method relies on the computational flow dynamics and the 3D reconstruction of the vessel extracted from CAG. In the present study, we sought to evaluate the diagnostic performance and applicability of 2D-based NiFFR.

Methods

In this prospective observational study, we evaluated 2D-based NiFFR in 279 candidates for invasive CAG and invasive FFR. NiFFR was calculated via 2 methods: variable NiFFR, in which the contrast transport time was extracted from the angiographic view, and fixed NiFFR, in which a prespecified frame count was applied.

Results

The final analysis was performed on 245 patients (250 lesions). Variable NiFFR had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 81.5%, an accuracy of 80.0%, a sensitivity of 82.2%, a specificity of 82.2%, a negative predictive value of 91.4%, and a positive predictive value of 63.6%. The mean difference between FFR and NiFFR was −0.0244 ±0.0616 (P≤0.0001). A pressure wire-free hybrid strategy was possible in 68.8% of our population with variable NiFFR.

Conclusions

Our 2D-based NiFFR yielded results comparable to those derived from 3D-based software. Our findings should, however, be confirmed in larger trials.

Pressure wire-free hybrid strategy

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Atorvastatin enhances apoptotic effects of tamoxifen on melanoma cancer cells

AIM

Tamoxifen engages mitochondrial estrogen receptor beta as an antagonist, increases mitochondrial cytotoxicity and induces tumor cell death. Tamoxifen also engages plasma membrane estrogen receptor alpha as an agonist, while it is suggested that in some users its activation is put into action by mechanism of resistance to tamoxifen. Apoptotic inducers have been shown to promote tamoxifen-induced cell death, which might be of great importance in overcoming tamoxifen resistance. Considering the pleiotropic effects of statins, in the present study, we investigated the effects of atorvastatin on tamoxifen-induced intrinsic apoptotic pathway activity in melanoma cells.

METHODS

Melanoma B16F10 cells were treated for 24 and 48 h with various concentrations of tamoxifen, atorvastatin and combination of tamoxifen + atorvastatin. Cells with no treatment were considered a control group, and the study was then followed by quantitative RT- PCR assay. Bax and cytochrome c gene expressions were calculated by ΔΔct method.

RESULTS

Co-treatment of atorvastatin + tamoxifen could strongly enhance the expression of pro/apoptotic factors of Bax and cytochrome c in melanoma cells compared to the tamoxifen and atorvastatin groups.

CONCLUSION

In general, we conclude that the atorvastatin-induced increase in Bax and cytochrome c gene expression might be a permissive response to tamoxifen-induced cell death (Fig. 2, Ref. 37).

Mandibular Trabecular Bone Analysis Using Local Binary Pattern for Osteoporosis Diagnosis

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD) and micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and increased fracture risk. Since Panoramic image is a feasible and relatively routine imaging technique in dentistry; it could provide an opportunistic chance for screening osteoporosis. In this regard, numerous panoramic derived indices have been developed and suggested for osteoporosis screening. Jaw trabecular pattern is one of the main bone strength factors and trabecular bone pattern assessment is important factor in bone quality analysis. Texture analysis applied to trabecular bone images offers an ability to exploit the information present on conventional radiographs.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between Jaw trabecular pattern in panoramic image and osteoporosis based on image texture analyzing using local binary pattern.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

An experiment is evaluated in this paper based on a real hand-captured database of panoramic radiograph images from osteoporosis and non-osteoporosis person in Namazi Hospital, Shiraz, Iran .An approach is proposed for osteoporosis diagnosis consisting of two steps. First, modified version of local binary patterns is used to extract discriminative features from jaw panoramic radiograph images. Then, classification is done using different classifiers.

RESULTS

Comparative results show that the proposed approach provides classification accuracy about 99.6%, which is higher than many state-of-the-art methods.

CONCLUSION

High classification accuracy, low computational complexity, multi-resolution and rotation invariant are among advantages of our proposed approach.

Clinical features, diagnosis, and outcomes of rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis- A retrospective analysis

Background and Purpose:

Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) is a rare disease with acute and fulminant manifestation. This infection is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Herein, we reviewed the manifestations, underlying conditions, medical treatments, and surgical interventions in ROCM patients admitted to a tertiary referral center in northern Iran over a seven-year period.

Materials and Methods:

In a retrospective analysis, 15 cases of ROCM were identified from 2007 to 2013 in Bu Ali Sina Hospital, Sari, Iran. All the ROCM cases were clinically diagnosed and confirmed by histopathological and/or mycological examination. The relevant demographic data, clinical, ophthalmic, and neurologic manifestations, underlying conditions, medical treatments, and surgical interventions were recorded and analyzed.

Results:

The mean age of the patients was 54±11 years (age range: 28–70 years); 26.7% of the patients were male and 73.3% female (male: female ratio of 1: 2.7). Uncontrolled diabetes was noted in at least 86.7% (13/15) of the cases. The maxillary sinuses were the most frequently involved sites (66.7% of the cases) followed by the ethmoid sinus. Amphotericin B in combination with surgical debridement was used in the treatment of 80% of the cases. Furthermore, 73.3% of the patients who were diagnosed early and underwent medical and extensive surgical debridement of the infected tissues survived.

Conclusion:

Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus is considered to be the main predisposing factor for ROCM. To prevent and reduce mortality rate of this acute disease, early diagnosis based on clinical findings and biopsy is recommended.

Nephroprotective effect of estrogen and progesterone combination on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in ovariectomized female rats

Recently, we reported that estrogen (Es) has no beneficial effect on cisplatin (CP)-induced nephrotoxicity, but the role of progesterone (Pr) and the combination of Es and Pr are not yet well-defined. In this study, we investigated the protective role of Pr, and co-administration of Es/Pr on CP-induced nephrotoxicity. Eighty-six ovariectomized female Wistar rats were divided into 13 groups, and the experiments were performed in two phases. In Phase I, Groups 1-4 received 2, 5, 10, and 25 mg/kg, IM Pr dissolved in sesame oil every 5 days for four doses. Groups 5-8 had the same treatment regimen as Groups 1-4, but after the third injection the animals also received continuous dose of CP (2.5 mg/kg/day, i.p.) for 8 days. Group 9, as the positive control group, received sesame oil instead of Pr plus CP. Group 10, as the negative control group, received sesame oil instead of Pr. After the most effective dose of Pr was determined in Phase I, Groups 11-13 in Phase II received 10 mg/kg Pr plus either 0.25, 0.5, or 1 mg/kg, IM estradiol valerate every 5 days for four doses. After the third injection, they also received a continuous dose of CP for 8 days. The levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr), kidney tissue damage score (KTDS), and kidney weight (KW) increased and body weight (BW) decreased in the positive control group (P < 0.05). Administration of Pr (10 mg/kg) plus CP decreased KTDS and BW loss and KW. Co-administration of ES/Pr at specific doses improved Cr, BUN, and KTDS; and resulted in reduced CP-induced nephrotoxicity. The results obtained suggest that the beneficial effect of Pr on CP-induced nephrotoxicity is dose-dependent. In addition, combination of Es/Pr with a specific dose decreased CP-induced nephrotoxicity.

Effects of cyclic static stretch on fatigue recovery of triceps surae in female basketball players

Static stretch is a safe and feasible method which usually is used before exercise to avoid muscle injury and to improve muscle performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of cyclic static stretch (CSS) on fatigue recovery of triceps surae (TS) in female basketball players. Nine athlete volunteers between 20 and 30 years participated in this study containing two sessions. After warm-up a pressure cuff was fastened above the knee joint and its pressure was increased to 140 mmHg. The subjects were asked to perform one maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) followed by a fatigue test including maximum isometric fatiguing contraction of TS. These steps were similar in both sessions. Then, a two-minute rest was included in the first session while 4 static stretches were performed to TS in the second session. After interventions, one MVC was done and the pressure cuff was released. During these steps, peak torque (PT) and electromyography (EMG) were recorded. The amount of lower leg pain was determined by the visual analogue scale (VAS). The value of PT increased significantly after CSS but its increase was not significant after rest. It seems that the effects of rest and CSS on the EMG parameters, PT and pain are similar.

The cycle characteristics of clomiphene with clomiphene and menotropins in polycystic ovary syndrome and non polycystic ovary syndrome infertile patients

AIM

This study compares the cycle characteristics of clomiphene (CC) with CC+HMG (Human Menopausal Gonadotropin or Menotropins) in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and non-PCOS infertile patients.

METHODS

Patients were treated by CC + minimal HMg protocol. The cancellation rate, the mean number of different follicle sizes and endometrial thickness and pattern were compared.

RESULTS

The cancelled cycles due to non-responsiveness were significantly higher in CC compared to CC+ minimal HMg protocol. PCOS patients are significantly nonresponsive in CC cycle and hyperresponsive in CC+ minimal HMg cycles. The mean number of different sizes of follicles and the endometrial thickness were significantly higher in CC+ minimal HMg. PCOS patients were significantly different from non-PCOS regarding the number of mature follicle and endometrial thickness. The pregnancy rate was 11% (10.2% in non-PCOS and 12.2% in PCOS).

CONCLUSION

CC+ minimal HMg is a viable alternative to HMg /FSH only protocol in CC failure or resistant patients, and its efficacy can be mostly attributed to improvement of endometrial quality and increase in follicle number. Moreover, due to high cancellation of PCOS patients treated by this protocol, seemingly other alternatives should be found; perhaps sequential letrozole+HMg/FSH that have been shown to improve the ovarian response in this group of patients.

Assessment of environmental public exposure from a hypothetical nuclear accident for Unit-1 Bushehr nuclear power plant

Unit-1 of the Bushehr nuclear power plant (BNPP-1) is a VVER-type reactor with 1,000-MWe power constructed near Bushehr city at the coast of the Persian Gulf, Iran. The reactor has been recently operational to near its full power. The radiological impact of nuclear power plant (NPP) accidents is of public concern, and the assessment of radiological consequences of any hypothetical nuclear accident on public exposure is vital. The hypothetical accident scenario considered in this paper is a design-basis accident, that is, a primary coolant leakage to the secondary circuit. This scenario was selected in order to compare and verify the results obtained in the present paper with those reported in the Final Safety Analysis Report (FSAR 2007) of the BNPP-1 and to develop a well-proven methodology that can be used to study other and more severe hypothetical accident scenarios for this reactor. In the present study, the version 2.01 of the PC COSYMA code was applied. In the early phase of the accidental releases, effective doses (from external and internal exposures) as well as individual and collective doses (due to the late phase of accidental releases) were evaluated. The surrounding area of the BNPP-1 within a radius of 80 km was subdivided into seven concentric rings and 16 sectors, and distribution of population and agricultural products was calculated for this grid. The results show that during the first year following the modeled hypothetical accident, the effective doses do not exceed the limit of 5 mSv, for the considered distances from the BNPP-1. The results obtained in this study are in good agreement with those in the FSAR-2007 report. The agreement obtained is in light of many inherent uncertainties and variables existing in the two modeling procedures applied and proves that the methodology applied here can also be used to model other severe hypothetical accident scenarios of the BNPP-1 such as a small and large break in the reactor coolant system as well as beyond design-basis accidents. Such scenarios are planned to be studied in the near future, for this reactor.

Transient threshold shift after gunshot noise exposure

BACKGROUND

Many people, such as soldiers, are routinely exposed to gunshot noise during target practice. It is suspected that this high-intensity noise may affect audition through repeated Transient Threshold Shifts (TTS); it can also mechanically alter auditory components such as waves. This study investigates the scope of gunshot noise from the AK-47 rifle (Kalashnikov) and the impact on the shooters' audition.

METHODS

Forty soldiers (80 ears) were recruited in this study. They were all young and being exposed to gunshot noise for the first time. Gunshot characteristics were measured before exposure. The soldiers underwent auditory evaluation with Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) and Oto-Acoustic Emission (OAE) once before exposure and immediately (less than one hour) after exposure.

RESULTS

The AK-47 gunshot noise pressure level varied between L(AIm) = 73.7 dBA to L(AIm) = 111.4 dBA. Fourteen participants had subclinical hearing impairment in their pre-exposure evaluation; this number increased to 16 after the exposure. Six months post-exposure and later, the number of cases with impairment had fallen to eight (improvement in 50%). Both pre- and post-exposure OAE results were within normal values, while PTA results indicated a significant threshold alteration only at 6 kHz.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study confirm that exposure to gunshot noise with no ear protection can represent a significant hazard for auditory function, especially at higher frequencies.

Tehran dentists' self-reported knowledge and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS and observed willingness to treat simulated HIV-positive patients

Dentists' self-reported attitudes towards patients with HIV/AIDS might not reflect their actual behaviour. In this study 2 observers posed as HIV-positive patients and directly evaluated the behaviour of 300 dentists in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. Two months later another observer interviewed the same dentists at their offices regarding AIDS-related knowledge and self-reported attitudes. Only 14.9% of dentists agreed to treat the simulated HIV-positive patients, 78.5% referred and 6.6% rejected them. Older age, longer work experience, graduation from a non-Iranian university and not having additional degrees were significantly related to adverse behaviours. Mean scores were 8.3 (SD 9.7) (out of 18) for knowledge and 17.5 (SD 7.1) (out of 39) for attitude. There were no significant correlations between dentists' knowledge and attitude or between knowledge and behaviour, but there was a weak positive correlation between self-reported attitude and observed behaviour.

Treatment of Mandibular Molar Class II Furcation Defects in Humans With Bovine Porous Bone Mineral in Combination With Plasma Rich in Growth Factors

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the present randomized clinical trial study was to compare the effectiveness of Bovine Porous Bone Mineral (BPBM) with and without Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (PRGF) in the treatment of mandibular Class II furcation defects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In seven patients, nine pairs of symmetric buccal or lingual mandibular class II furcation defects were treated. In each patient, one defect received BPBM (control) and the other received BPBM/PRGF (test) by random assignment. Clinical measurements were made both at baseline and 6-month evaluation.

RESULTS

Similar improvements were observed with both treatment modalities. Significant reductions were gained in the gingival index, probing depth and relative vertical clinical attachment level. Plaque index and gingival recession changes were not significant in both groups. The mean probing depth reductions were 2.67±0.87 mm for the control group and 3.22±1.56 mm for the test group (p<0.001). The mean relative vertical clinical attachment level gains were 1.57±0.96 mm (p<0.001) and 1.65±1.24 mm (p<0.004) in the control and test groups, respectively. In the test group, the relative horizontal clinical attachment level reduced from 5.87±0.96 mm to 4.58±1.02 mm (p<0.02). No significant differences were observed in all clinical parameters 6 months postoperatively between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

The application of a combined technique using BPBM/PRGF, compared to the BPBM alone, resulted in greater healing, although not significant, in the treatment of mandibular class II furcation defects.

Biosorption of uranium(VI) from aqueous solutions by Ca-pretreated Cystoseira indica alga: breakthrough curves studies and modeling

Uranium(VI) biosorption from aqueous solutions containing 60 mg l(-1) metal concentration by Ca-pretreated Cystoseira indica alga was studied in a packed bed column with 1.5 cm internal diameter. The effect of bed height and flow rate on biosorption process was investigated and the experimental breakthrough curves were obtained. Results showed that by increasing the bed height, the breakthrough and exhaustion times increased and the slope of breakthrough curves decreased. Also, it was observed that the controlled-rate step shifted from external to internal mass transfer limitations, as the flow rate increased. The maximum uptake capacity, 318.15 mg g(-1), and total metal removal, 59.32%, were obtained at flow rate of 2.3 ml min(-1) and bed height of 6 cm. The column was regenerated using 0.1M HCl solution and sorption-desorption studies were carried out for three cycles. The obtained results confirmed that reusability of this biosorbent is possible. The results obtained agreed well with the bed depth service time model. In addition, for estimations of the parameters necessary for the design of a large-scale packed bed column, the experimental data were also fitted to the Thomas, Yan and Belter models and were found to agree with the experimental data fairly well.

The Effect of Fig Tree Latex (Ficus carica) on Stomach Cancer Line

BACKGROUND

The therapeutic effect of herbal materials in inhibition of cancer cell growth was shown. This study investigates the effect of fig tree latex (Ficus carica) on stomach cancer line.

METHODS

The in vitro effect of different doses of fig tree latex on stomach cancer cell line and the peripheral blood mononuclear cells was evaluated after 72 hours.

RESULTS

Fig tree latex could inhibit the proliferation of cancer cell line without any cytotoxic effect on human normal cells. Five mg/ml was the optimum concentration in inhibition of cell line growth.

CONCLUSION

Cancer cell line was more sensitive to Ficus carica latex than normal cells. This anticancer activity might be due to presence of its proteolytic enzymes.

Comparison of depression and anxiety disorders in patients with psoriasis and control group

Objective

Psoriasis is a common, genetically determined inflammatory and proliferative disease of the skin. Psychological stress can also exacerbate the disease. The goal of the present study was to compare depression and anxiety symptom in patients with psoriasis and control group.

Methods

One-hundred patients with psoriasis (case) referred to the dermatology department and 100 patients with Otolaryngology problems and dermatological healthy volunteers (control) who referred to the Otolaryngology department of Bouali Sina hospital in Sari/Iran in 2007 were studied. Demographic characteristics were recorded. Then the Beck Depression Inventory and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale I-II were administered to the patients in both groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software and descriptive statistical tests.

Results

From 100 patients in each studied group, 44 (45%) were men. Patients with psoriasis and controls had depression scores of 67% and 12%, respectively. The Beck depression scores of patients with psoriasis were significantly higher than scores of the control group (P < 0.05). Based on Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale, anxiety was found in 45% of patients in case group and 18% of controls.

Conclusion

The results revealed that Psoriasis patients reported significantly higher degrees of depression and anxiety than controls. In addition, psoriatic women were more depressed than psoriatic men.

Addiction obsession

Obsessions include intrusive thoughts, phobias, images and impulses. In this presentation we are going to present an obsessive patient who was obsessed regarding using addictive substances.

Represented case is a 27 year's old married man with no previous history of cigarette and any substance abuse or dependence. He referred to our OPD clinic in Kerman psychiatric hospital / Iran. He had recurrent and intrusive thoughts which made him anxious and reported social function problems due to his thoughts. His obsessive thoughts began when he was eighteen at that time he continuously obsessed about smoking cigarette, but when was offered one by one of his friends, he scared and destroyed it. A few years later he had recurrent obsessive thoughts a bout using and marijuana and opium and the pleasure which could be occurred then after. Since a year before his referral he had the same thought about heroin. Other than this obsessive thought, he believed in magic and referred to faith healers several times. He also thought, he should sell his properties and spend the income for buying opium and heroin. This thought decreased obviously after taking 200 mg fluvoxamine during four weeks. He never used any substance even for one time. He was not smoking at all. We concluded that addiction obsession could bea separate type of obsession. It could be a variant of obsessive impulses. Availability of substances may play a role in forming his symptom.

Exophiala oligosperma involved in a refractory chronic rhinosinusitis

Fungal rhinosinusitis refers to a wide variety of conditions caused by fungal infections of the paranasal sinuses. Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis and sinus fungus balls are mostly noted in healthy individuals. Aspergillus species are supposed to be the most common etiologic agents of the disorder, but melanized fungi also occur, and these potentially are able to lead to fatal dissemination into brain parenchyma. We report on a case of fungus ball in a 20-year-old female with refractory chronic rhinosinusitis (RCRS) and bronchial asthma due to the black yeast Exophiala oligosperma which was confirmed by mycological and molecular (sequences of ITS rDNA) investigations. Exophiala oligosperma has previously not been reported to cause fungus balls or invasive fungal rhinosinusitis. Patient underwent functional endoscopic sinusitis surgery and the hypertrophic mucosa was removed completely. Without antifungal therapy, successful cure was achieved after spray therapy with corticosteroids for 1 month, without any relapse after a 6 month-follow up.

Molecular epidemiology of zoonotic streptococcosis/lactococcosis in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) aquaculture in Iran

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Streptococcosis/lactococcosis is a hyperacute systemic disease that can occur in marine and fresh waters of many species of fish. The aim of this work was to study the disease outbreak in the major rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) production of Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

108 Gram positive cocci isolates were obtained from diseased trout in seven provinces with major trout production during 2008 till 2009. These bacterial isolates were characterized using phenotypic and molecular studies. The isolates were also analysed phylogeneticaly and compared with the available data.

RESULTS

49 samples (45.37%) were identified as Streptococcus iniae, 37 samples (35.2%) matched with Lactococcus garvieae; and 22 samples (19.43%) were identified as members of Streptooccus genus by culture-based and biochemical tests of API 50 CH, API 20 STREP and rapid 32 STREP systems. Using universal primers for differentiation of Streptococcus sp. and Enterococcus sp, all 108 samples were identified as Streptococcus sp. with a target region of 500 bp. Single specific PCR resulted in identification of 64 (59.2%) isolates as S. iniae and 44 (40.8%) isolates as L. garvieae. The phylogenetic analysis of the S. iniae isolates resulted in maximal similarity to some strains reported from Taiwan and to all Brazilian strains. Also, one strain showed less sequence similarity values with other tested strains although this strain has high similarity with ATCC 29178 strain, all reported Chinese, and some Taiwanian strains. Also, analysis of S. iniae LctO gene sequence showed that this isolate clustered within the S. iniae group. The sequence analysis of L. garvieae strains also showed that they have maximum similarity to all Japanese and Chinese strains, but one strain has lower sequence similarity values with all other recorded strains.

CONCLUSION

[corrected] The results of this study clearly show that trout farming in Iran is severely affected by both species of S. Iniae and L. garvieae and requires serious preventive criteria.

NMDA receptor antagonists augment antidepressant-like effects of lithium in the mouse forced swimming test

Although there is evidence of the involvement of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) in the action of lithium, its role in the antidepressant effects of lithium in a behavioural model remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the effects of NMDAR antagonists on the antidepressant-like effects of lithium in the mouse forced swimming test. Lithium (30 and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly (P < 0.01) reduced the immobility times of mice, whereas at lower doses (5 and 10 mg/kg) had no effect. NMDA antagonists ketamine (2 and 5 mg/kg, i.p.), MK-801 (0.1 and 0.25 mg/kg, i.p.) and ifenprodil (1 and 3 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the immobility time. Lower doses of ketamine (0.5 and 1 mg/kg), MK-801 (0.01 and 0.05 mg/kg) and ifenprodil (0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg) had no effect. Combined treatment of subeffective doses of lithium (10 mg/kg) and ketamine (1 mg/kg), MK-801 (0.05 mg/kg) or ifenprodil (0.5 mg/kg) robustly (P < 0.001) exerted an antidepressant-like effect. The noneffective dose of a NMDA agonist (NMDA, 75 mg/kg, i.p.) prevented the antidepressant-like effect of lithium (30 mg/kg). None of the drugs at subactive doses or in combination with lithium had significant effect on the locomotor activity in the open field test. We for the first time suggested a role for NMDAR signalling in the antidepressant-like effects of lithium, providing a new approach for treatment of depression.