Association between waterpipe smoking and lung cancer: a multicentre case-control study in Iran.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the association between lung cancer and waterpipe smoking, which is an emerging global public health concern. STUDY DESIGN: Multicentre case-control study. METHODS: This study included 627 cases and 3477 controls from the Iranian Study of Opium and Cancer (IROPICAN) study, which was conducted between 2017 and 2020. One frequency-matched control for each lung cancer patient was selected by age, gender and residential place; however, this study used controls of four cancer types in the analyses. The multivariable logistic regression model estimated the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Additional analyses were performed among 181 lung cancer cases and 2141 controls who were not cigarette smokers or opium or nass/pipe users. RESULTS: The odds of lung cancer were higher among waterpipe smokers than never-smokers (OR = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.0-1.7). Results showed a higher OR of lung cancer for those who smoked the waterpipe daily (OR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.4-3.0), smoked more than two heads per day (OR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.8-4.0), had smoked for >20 years (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.3-2.7), smoked more than 20 head-years (OR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.9-4.1) and initiated smoking before the age of 30 years (OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1-2.5). The association was only statistically significant for squamous cell carcinomas (OR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.2-2.7). Furthermore, this study observed a higher OR of lung cancer among exclusive waterpipe smokers (OR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.6, 3.5). CONCLUSIONS: Waterpipe smoking was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. The association was stronger with higher frequency, duration and intensity of exposure to waterpipe smoking. The association increases in exclusive waterpipe smokers, which is likely due to controlling for residual confounding by cigarette smoking and opium consumption, and higher exposure levels in this subpopulation.

Use of an Intramedullary Locking Nail for the Treatment of Patella Fractures.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Treatment of patella fractures has always been difficult; especially in older patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the XS nail in the treatment of patella fractures. MATERIAL AND METHODS 49 fractures could be registered and reevaluated with a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS Mean follow-up time was 38.67 months, mean age 71.48 years. The mean OKS was 16.26 points, the Kujala Score was 81.56 points. No wound healing or revision could be detected. CONCLUSIONS The XS nail is a good treatment option with a low risk of complications also for the age-related trauma patient and for more complex patella fractures. Key words: patella, patella fracture, XS nail, locking nail, intramedullary nail, nail osteosynthesis.

Metformin use and risk of fracture: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

INTRODUCTION: No study is available summarizing earlier publications on the association between metformin use and risk of fracture. This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to summarize earlier findings on the association between metformin use and risk of fracture. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search on all published articles up to October 2018 using online databases including PubMed/Medline, ISI Web of Science, and Scopus. Observational studies that considered metformin use as the exposure variable and bone fracture as the main outcome variable or as one of the outcome variables and participants included were 18 years and older were included in the systematic review. Publications in which hazard ratios (HRs), rate or risk ratios (RRs), or odds ratios (ORs) were reported as effect size were included in the meta-analysis. RESULTS: Totally, three cohort studies, one cross-sectional study, one nested case-control study, and one case-control study were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. When seven effect sizes from six studies were combined, a significant inverse association between metformin use and risk of fracture was observed (RR 0.82; 95% CI 0.72, 0.93). No significant between-study heterogeneity was found (I2 = 22.4%, Pheterogeneity = 0.25). In addition, no evidence of publication bias was seen using Egger's test (P = 0.99). CONCLUSION: We found that metformin use was inversely associated with the risk of fracture.

Comparison of QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) and tuberculin skin test (TST) for diagnosis of latent tuberculosis in haemodialysis (HD) patients: a meta-analysis of κ estimates.

Diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a concern in haemodialysis (HD) patients. Many studies have compared QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) and tuberculin skin test (TST) for detecting LTBI and reported the κ statistic of agreement between QFT-GIT and TST in HD patients. The present study aimed to systematically review this literature and conduct meta-analysis of individual studies that estimated the κ between QFT-GIT with TST among HD patients. All relevant published studies that were available as full-text were obtained by searching Medline (1950), Web of Sciences (1945), Scopus (1973) through May 2016. The κ was re-estimated from the individual studies and pooled using random effect meta-analysis. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were applied to evaluate the effect of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination, TST cut-off points, quality of studies, sample size and age on variation of κ estimate. Eight studies involving 901 HD patients were included in meta-analysis. The pooled κ estimate was 0·28 (I 2 = 18·4%, P = 0·239, 95% confidence intervals 0·22-0·34). The discordance of TST-/QFT-GIT+ was more than TST+/QFT-GIT-. History of BCG vaccination, TST cut-off points and age are related to variation of κ estimates. TST and QFT-GIT are not comparable in detecting LTBI in HD patients. The higher TST-/QFT-GIT+ ratio compared with TST+/QFT-GIT- ratio, may indicate the superiority of QFT-GIT over TST for detection LTBI in HD patients.

Exploratory study to suggest the possibility of MMP-8 and MMP-9 serum levels as early markers for remission after traumatic spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective observational study reporting the correlation between matrix metalloprotein serum levels and remission after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). OBJECTIVES: To investigate serum cytokine levels as predictive markers. SETTING: Germany, Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz). METHODS: Between 2010 and 2015, data sets from 115 patients (33 female, 82 male) after traumatic SCI were recorded at the BG Trauma Centre Ludwigshafen. We examined the serum levels of Matix metallopraoteinases (MMPs) MMP-2, MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-10 and MMP-12 over a 12-week period, that is, at admission and 4, 9, 12 h, 1 and 3 days and 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after trauma. Following the same match-pair procedure as in our previous studies, we selected 10 patients with SCI and neurological remission (Group 1) and 10 patients with an initial American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) A grade and no neurological remission (Group 0). Ten patients with an isolated vertebral fracture without neurological deficits served as a control group (Group C). Our analysis was performed using a Luminex Performance Human High Sensitivity Cytokine Panel. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine the predictive value of MMPs with respect to neurological remission vs no neurological remission. RESULTS: MMP-8 and MMP-9 provided significantly different values. The favoured predictive model allows to differentiate between neurological remission and no neurological remission in 97% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that further studies with an enlarged collective are warranted in order to investigate current monitoring, prognostic and tracking techniques as well as scoring systems.

CCL-2 as a possible early marker for remission after traumatic spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational study. OBJECTIVES: To describe the correlation between CCL-2, CCL-3, CCL-4 and CXCL-5 serum levels and remission after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) in a human protocol compared with animal studies. SETTING: Germany, Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz). METHODS: We examined the serum levels of CCL-2, CCL-3, CCL-4 and CXCL-5 over a 12-week period; in particular, at admission and 4, 9 and 12 h, 1 and 3 days and 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after trauma. According to our study design, we matched 10 patients with TSCI and neurological remission with 10 patients with an initial ASIA A grade and no neurological remission. In all, 10 patients with vertebral fracture without neurological deficits served as control. Our analysis was performed using a Luminex Cytokine Panel. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine the predictive value with respect to neurological remission vs no neurological remission. RESULTS: The results of our study showed differences in the serum expression patterns of CCL-2 in association with the neurological remission (CCL-2 at admission P=0.013). Serum levels of CCL-2 and CCL-4 were significantly different in patients with and without neurological remission. The favored predictive model resulted in an area under the curve (AUC) of 93.1% in the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that peripheral serum analysis is a suitable concept for predicting the patient's potential for neurological remission after TSCI. Furthermore, the initial CCL-2 concentration provides an additional predictive value compared with the NLI (neurological level of injury). Therefore, the present study introduces a promising approach for future monitoring concepts and tracking techniques for current therapies. The results indicate that future investigations with an enlarged sample size are needed in order to develop monitoring, prognostic and scoring systems.

[Tibial defects and infected non-unions : Treatment results after Masquelet technique]. / Tibiadefekt- und Infektpseudarthrosen : Behandlungsergebnisse nach Masquelet-Technik.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of non-unions with large bone defects or osteitis is a major challenge in orthopedic and trauma surgery. A new concept of therapy is a two-step procedure: Masquelet technique according to the diamond concept. METHODS: Between February 2010 and June 2014, 55 patients with tibia non-unions or infections were treated in a two-step Masquelet technique in our center. The patients' average age was 48 (median 50; minimum 15-maximum 72) with an average BMI (body mass index) of 28 (27; 18-52). There were 10 (18 %) female and 45 (82 %) male patients in the group. All study patients went through a follow up. Bone healing and clinical functional data were collected, as well as data according to subjective patient statements about pain and everyday limitations. RESULTS: In 42 cases (76.4 %) the outcome was a sufficient bony consolidation. On average, the time to heal was 10.3 (8, 5; 3-40) months, defect gaps were 4 cm (3 cm; 0,6-26 cm), and on average the patients had had 6 (median 4; range 1-31) previous operations . In all cases patients received osteosynthesis as well as a defect filling with RIA (reamer-irrigator-aspirator), and growth factor BMP-7 (bone morphogenetic protein-7). In 13 cases (23.6 %) there was no therapeutic success. In the evaluation of the SF12 questionnaire the mental health score increased from 47.4 (49.1; 27.6-65.7) to 49.8 (53.0; 28.7-69.4) and the well-being score from 32.7 (32.7;16.9-55.7) to 36.6 (36.5; 24.6-55.9). CONCLUSION: The two-step bone grafting method in the Masquelet technique used for tibia non-unions according to the diamond concept is a promising treatment option. Its application for tibia shaft non-unions with large bone defects or infections means a high degree of safety for the patient.

sCD95L in serum after spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective observational study reporting correlation between sCD95L (serum cluster of differentiation 95 ligand) serum levels and remission after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). OBJECTIVES: To describe the correlation between sCD95L serum levels and remission after traumatic SCI in a human protocol compared with animal studies. SETTING: Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz), Germany. METHODS: We included 45 patients with traumatic SCI. According to their neurological outcome, patients were divided into two groups, patients with (G1, n=26) and without (G2, n=19) remission. Blood was collected on post-admission and according to a fixed scheme, that is, after 4, 9, 12 h, 1, 3 days and 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 weeks. RESULTS: By comparing G1 with G2, we found a correlation between neurological remission and sCD95L serum concentrations. Consistently elevated levels of sCD95L in G1 between 9 h and 1 month after injury show significantly differing values 7 days after injury. This indicates a correlation between patients with clinically documented neurological remission and elevated sCD95L serum concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: In opposite to animal studies, our patients with neurological remission show on average higher levels of sCD95L compared with patients without. Therefore, spinal cord-injured patients would probably not profit from neutralizing CD95L. Our results present that the transfer of findings from animal studies to humans must always be considered critically. We were able to show that peripheral serum cytokine expression is suitable to state processes after SCI in humans.

A fuzzy-logic based decision-making approach for identification of groundwater quality based on groundwater quality indices.

Due to inherent uncertainties in measurement and analysis, groundwater quality assessment is a difficult task. Artificial intelligence techniques, specifically fuzzy inference systems, have proven useful in evaluating groundwater quality in uncertain and complex hydrogeological systems. In the present study, a Mamdani fuzzy-logic-based decision-making approach was developed to assess groundwater quality based on relevant indices. In an effort to develop a set of new hybrid fuzzy indices for groundwater quality assessment, a Mamdani fuzzy inference model was developed with widely-accepted groundwater quality indices: the Groundwater Quality Index (GQI), the Water Quality Index (WQI), and the Ground Water Quality Index (GWQI). In an effort to present generalized hybrid fuzzy indices a significant effort was made to employ well-known groundwater quality index acceptability ranges as fuzzy model output ranges rather than employing expert knowledge in the fuzzification of output parameters. The proposed approach was evaluated for its ability to assess the drinking water quality of 49 samples collected seasonally from groundwater resources in Iran's Sarab Plain during 2013-2014. Input membership functions were defined as "desirable", "acceptable" and "unacceptable" based on expert knowledge and the standard and permissible limits prescribed by the World Health Organization. Output data were categorized into multiple categories based on the GQI (5 categories), WQI (5 categories), and GWQI (3 categories). Given the potential of fuzzy models to minimize uncertainties, hybrid fuzzy-based indices produce significantly more accurate assessments of groundwater quality than traditional indices. The developed models' accuracy was assessed and a comparison of the performance indices demonstrated the Fuzzy Groundwater Quality Index model to be more accurate than both the Fuzzy Water Quality Index and Fuzzy Ground Water Quality Index models. This suggests that the new hybrid fuzzy indices developed in this research are reliable and flexible when used in groundwater quality assessment for drinking purposes.

Pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular failure in broiler chickens reared at high altitude is affected by dietary source of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids.

The present study evaluated the development of pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular failure in broiler chickens reared at high altitude (2100 m) as affected by dietary intake of n-3 and n-6 fatty acid sources. Flax oil and soy oil were used as sources of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids, respectively, either with or without α-tocopheryl acetate. A total of 192 day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were used in a completely randomized design using isoenergetic and isonitrogenous experimental diets. Results showed that dietary flax oil significantly (p < 0.05) improved feed conversion ratio during 21-42 days of age. However, body weight gain did not significantly differ among the experimental groups in entire trial. Birds received flax oil had significantly higher serum concentration of nitric oxide (NO) but they had lower serum concentration of malondialdehyde when compared with their counterparts fed with soy oil. Liver and abdominal fat weights were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by substitution of soy oil for flax oil. The right-to-total ventricle weight ratio (RV/TV) and mortality from pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in birds that received flax oil. In conclusion, n-3 fatty acids could significantly reduce RV:TV and PAH mortality in birds by increasing circulatory level of NO and suppressing hepatic lipogenesis.

The effects of transportation stress on Japanese quail (Coturnix Coturnix japonica) fed corn-based diet in comparison with wheat-based diet supplemented with xylanase and phytase.

Harvesting, handling and transporting quails to the slaughterhouses, other farms and laboratories might covertly reduce their welfare. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two major sources of energy in poultry nutrition on reducing transportation stress in Japanese quail (Coturnix Coturnix japonica). Male quails (n = 60) were divided into two groups. The first group was fed corn-based diet, and the second was fed wheat-based diet supplemented with xylanase and phytase. At the end of the experiment (day 35), quails were subjected to 80 km of transportation. Immediately on arrival and after 24 h, heterophil counts, lymphocyte counts and H:L ratios were measured. On arrival, H counts were lower, L counts were higher, and H:L ratios were lower for corn-fed group. After 24 h, wheat-fed group showed lower increment of H counts, greater increment of L counts and also decrement of H:L ratios rather than corn-fed group which showed increment of H:L ratios. However, these ratios were still lower in corn-fed group. Results indicate that corn-based diets can help Japanese quail to better resist transportation stress, although it seems that feeding wheat-based diets supplemented with xylanase and phytase could have positive effects for coping better with stress after journeys.

Polymorphisms in EGFR and IL28B are associated with spontaneous clearance in an HCV-infected Iranian population.

Although most hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected individuals develop chronic infection, about 25% of them are able to clear the virus spontaneously without any therapeutic intervention. The aim of the present study was to identify genes associated with spontaneous HCV clearance in a population of Iranian patients. We genotyped 110 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 59 selected--candidate--genes in a cohort of 107 HCV-infected participants who spontaneously cleared the infection and 176 participants whose infection persisted. Three out of the 110 SNPs were found to be associated with HCV outcome (P-values<0.03). rs11506105 in EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor gene), and rs11881222 and rs12979860 in IL28B (interferon-λ3 gene). Multivariate logistic regression of the three markers showed that the A/A genotypes in both rs11506105 (EFGR) and rs11881222 (IL28B), and the C/C genotype in rs12979860 (IL28B) are associated with HCV clearance (recessive model: odds ratio (OR)=2.06, 95% confidence interval (95% CI)=1.09-3.88, P=0.025; OR=2.09, 95% CI=1.23-3.60, P=0.007; and OR=1.95, 95% CI=1.15-3.35, P=0.014 for rs11506105, rs12979860 and rs11881222, respectively). In conclusion, EGFR and IL28B SNPs are strong independent predictive markers of spontaneous viral clearance.

Identification of macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma genitalium using real-time PCR.

OBJECTIVES: Mycoplasma genitalium is a common cause of non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) in Western Europe, but is not routinely tested for in all clinics. A high prevalence of macrolide-resistant M. genitalium has been reported. An easy to use test that can predict likely macrolide treatment failure is potentially very valuable. We report the development of a rapid and reliable real-time PCR-assay which detects all relevant resistance loci in the M. genitalium 23S rRNA gene. METHODS: Mycoplasma genitalium-positive clinical samples were collected between December 2012 and May 2013, from samples sent routinely to the laboratory for diagnostic testing for M. genitalium. The real-time PCR assay was designed using forward amplification primers complementary to all relevant commonly identified 23s rRNA gene mutations, a common reverse amplification primer and a common TaqMan Probe. RESULT: We report a Taqman assay for detection of common 23S rRNA genotypes at position 2058 and 2059 (Escherichia coli numbering) associated with macrolide resistance, directly from clinical samples. We validated the assay by comparison with DNA sequence determination. CONCLUSION: Our TaqMan assay detects common genotypes associated with macrolide-resistant M. genitalium, namely, A2058G, A2059G and A2058C. We show association between the presence of resistant M. genitalium and treatment failure, thereby confirming the validity of testing for these mutants to prevent further spread of antimicrobial resistance and to allow informed choice of antibiotics for treatment.

A pilot study on temporal changes in IL-1ß and TNF-α serum levels after spinal cord injury: the serum level of TNF-α in acute SCI patients as a possible marker for neurological remission.

STUDY DESIGN: Serum levels of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured over a 12-week period in 23 patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) with and without neurological improvement. OBJECTIVES: To determine the course of IL-1ß and TNF-α in patients with SCI and observe a possible relationship between improvements in neurological functioning and cytokine levels. SETTING: All patients were treated at the BG Trauma Centre, Ludwigshafen, Germany. All lab work was done at the University Hospital, Heidelberg. METHODS: Spinal cord injury was classified according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale (AIS) in 23 patients. TNF-α and IL-1ß levels were measured upon arrival at the hospital, after 4 h, 9 h and 12 h, on days 1 and 3 and at the end of weeks 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12. RESULTS: Temporal changes in TNF-α and IL-1ß in SCI patients were seen. Patients with AIS improvement (Group 1) had significantly lower TNF-α levels at 9 h compared with patients without AIS improvement (Group 2; P<0.01). The course of IL-1ß fluctuated greatly between 4 h and week 1 in the groups; however, between 2 and 12 weeks post trauma, there was an overall decline in both groups. CONCLUSION: Measuring serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1ß over time could be useful in tracking the course of SCI. Our data show differences in measured cytokines over a 12-week period for SCI patients with and without neurological improvement.

A retrospective study on flap complications after pressure ulcer surgery in spinal cord-injured patients.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study reporting specific complications of certain skin flaps for treating pressure ulcers. OBJECTIVES: To describe the rate and type of complications after pressure ulcer surgery in patients with spinal cord injury. SETTING: Germany, Rheinland Pfalz. METHODS: We collected data from 352 patients treated with 421 skin flaps to determine the rate and type of complications of each skin flap used. RESULTS: In this study, we analyzed the results of 421 skin flaps in 352 patients with a total of 657 pressure ulcers from January 2006 to December 2010. Our patients had ischial, pelvic, sacral, trochanteric and lower extremity ulcers. Ischial ulcers were most common, followed by sacral and trochanteric ulcers. There were 87 complications in 421 flaps, which was an overall rate of 21%. Suture line dehiscence was the most common complication with 27 cases (31%), followed by 22 cases of infection (25.2%), 17 cases of hematoma (19.5%), 12 cases of partial necrosis (13.7%) and 9 cases of total flap necrosis (10.3%). CONCLUSION: Pressure ulcers in spinal cord-injured patients are very common and difficult and expensive to treat. The high rate of complications and the associated costs suggest the importance of evaluating the efficacy of treatment options. Conservative procedures have been standardized, but there still has been limited success in establishing guidelines on how to manage complications arising from flap surgery. Our extensive documentation of flap plastics will be useful managing complications after the surgical treatment of pressure ulcers in spinal cord-injured patients.

Long-term survival rate of teeth receiving multidisciplinary endodontic, periodontal and prosthodontic treatments.

Deciding whether to replace or preserve a compromised tooth, even with emerging trends in implant dentistry, is still a common dilemma for practitioners. This study sought to determine the 3- to more than 10-year survival rate of teeth that had undergone endodontic, periodontal and prosthodontic treatments. A total of 245 teeth in 87 patients were clinically and radiographically evaluated. All the teeth had received crown lengthening surgery by a single periodontist. Root canal therapy and prosthodontic procedures were rendered either by specialists or by experienced general dentists. Numbers of lost teeth were recorded and the criteria for hopeless teeth were defined. Survival rate was determined using the Kaplan-Meier estimator. Clinical indices including pocket depth (PD), bleeding index (BI), C/R ratio, position of the restoration margin relative to the gingival margin (RM-GM) and the presence of intra-canal post were compared between different survival groups (<3, 3-5, 5-10 and >10 years) using one-way analysis of variance (anova). Potential predictors of failure were determined using the Cox regression model. The mean ± s.d. of 3-, 5-, 10- and 13-year survival rates was 98 ± 1%, 96 ± 1·6%, 83·1 ± 4·5% and 51·9 ± 14·5%, respectively. The mean PD (P < 0·013), as well as C/R ratio in the mesial (P = 0·003) and distal (P = 0·007) surfaces, was significantly higher in the >10-year-survived teeth. Bleeding index and RM-GM showed no significant differences between the groups. C/R ratio and RM-GM position appeared to be the major determinants of tooth loss. The long-term survival rate of multidisciplinary-treated teeth was 83-98% in this specific sample.

Hatchability rate and embryonic growth of broiler chicks following in ovo injection royal jelly.

1. The objectives of this study were to compare the hatchability, chick body and internal organs weights and plasma testosterone concentration of hatchlings after in ovo administration of royal jelly (RJ) on d 7 of incubation. 2. Fertile eggs (n = 150) were injected into the air sac or yolk sac with 0.5 ml normal saline solution or normal saline and pure RJ. The eggs were randomly divided into 5 groups of 30 eggs each: NC, control eggs receiving no injection; ASA, air sac-injected eggs given normal saline solution; ARJ, air sac-injected eggs injected with pure RJ; YSA, yolk sac-injected eggs receiving normal saline solution and YRJ, yolk sac-injected eggs given pure RJ. 3. Injection of RJ significantly decreased hatchability (46.7%) compared with injection of saline solution (68.3%). Hatchability was lower in ARJ (33.3 %) and YRJ (60.0%) groups than in the NC group (90.0%). Hatchability in ASA (70.0%) and YSA (66.66%) groups were comparable to the NC group. 4. In ovo injection of RJ into both sacs increased chicks' absolute and relative body, heart, liver and testes weights compared to the control group whereas plasma testosterone concentration was similar among the different groups. 5. It was concluded that in ovo injection of RJ may be an effective method to increase the body weight of hatched chicks as an absolute value (CWT) and chicks' internal organ weights.

Trichinella britovi in the jackal Canis aureus from south-west Iran.

Trichinellosis is an important helminthic food-borne zoonosis, which is caused by nematodes of the genus Trichinella. Although, Trichinella spp. has been detected frequently in Iranian wildlife, this parasitic infection is not considered a major public health problem. This is largely because Islamic codes forbid consumption of pork meat in this country. However, knowledge about this zoonotic pathogen is important because human trichinellosis has been documented in countries where most of the population is Muslim. The aims of the present work were to investigate whether Trichinella spp. was still circulating in wildlife of the Khuzestan Province (south-west Iran) about 30 years after the first investigation, to identify the aetiological agent at the species level by molecular analyses, and to review the literature on Trichinella spp. in animals of Iran. During the winter 2009-2010, muscle samples from 32 road-killed animals (14 dogs and 18 jackals, Canis aureus) were collected. Muscle samples were digested and Trichinella sp. larvae were isolated from two jackals. The Trichinella sp. larvae have been identified as Trichinella britovi by molecular analyses. These results confirm that T. britovi is the prevalent species circulating in wild animals of Iran.

Respiratory tract infections during the 2011 Mycoplasma pneumoniae epidemic.

In 2011, Norway experienced a surge in community acquired Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections. Norway also has one of the highest rates of reported Bordetella pertussis infections, despite high vaccine coverage. We aimed to determine the prevalence of upper respiratory tract pathogens in patients attending primary care physicians for respiratory illness during the 2011 M. pneumoniae epidemic period. A retrospective analysis of data from 26,039 patients that have had nasopharyngeal swabs analysed by nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) for M. pneumoniae, C. pneumoniae and B. pertussis was performed. Subsets of samples were tested for additional pathogenic bacteria, including B. parapertussis and B. holmesii, as well as influenza virus. M. pneumoniae, C. pneumoniae and B. pertussis were detected in 2,484 (9.5 %), 261 (1.0 %) and 821 (3.2 %) patients, respectively. Co-infection of M. pneumoniae and B. pertussis was found in 50 (0.19 %) patients, C. pneumoniae and B. pertussis in 4 (0.02 %). Influenza virus was found in 899 (24.5 %) of 3,661 nasopharyngeal swabs. Co-infection of influenza virus and bacterial pathogens was common, although influenza virus co-infection with B. pertussis occurred significantly more often than with C. pneumoniae and M. pneumoniae (20.4 % versus 2.9 % and 9.1 %, respectively; p<0.005). Testing for Bordetella species genes IS1001, IS1002 and recA showed that B. holmesii was most likely misdiagnosed as B. pertussis in 5.8 % of cases. The most prevalent respiratory tract pathogen in the general population in 2011 was M. pneumoniae. B. pertussis was also found frequently as was B. pertussis and influenza virus co-infections.