Evaluation of recombinant P23 protein as a vaccine for passive immunization of newborn calves against Cryptosporidium parvum.

Cryptosporidiosis is a zoonotic protozoan disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract of animals and humans. Diarrhoea as the most important indication of the infection leads to high economic losses in livestock industries and is a life threatening infection in immunocompromised individuals. In the absence of the effective drugs, vaccine has an effective role in the prevention of infection. For this purpose we developed a vaccine utilizing recombinant P23 protein and immunized pregnant cows four times from 70 days to parturition every 2 weeks. After parturition, each calf received his dam colostrum and challenged with 1 × 10(7) Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts at 12 h of age. Results showed that in contrast with the control group, the antibody titre in the sera and first milking colostra of the immunized cows significantly increased and calves fed hyperimmune colostrum did not show cryptosporidiosis signs. Moreover, enriched colostrum not only reduced significantly the amount of oocyst excretion but also delayed its onset. Our study showed that recombinant P23 protein could be used for passive immunization of newborn calves against Cryptosporidium parvum.

Celecoxib as an Adjuvant to Fluvoxamine in Moderate to Severe Obsessive-compulsive Disorder: A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Randomized Trial.

INTRODUCTION: A growing body of evidence implicates inflammatory cascades in the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), making this pathway a target for development of novel treatments. METHODS: 50 outpatients with moderate to severe OCD participated in the trial, and underwent 10 weeks of treatment with either celecoxib (200 mg twice daily) or placebo as an adjuvant to fluvoxamine. Participants were investigated using Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). The main outcome measure was to assess the efficacy of celecoxib in improving the OCD symptoms. RESULTS: General linear model repeated measures demonstrated significant effect for time × treatment interaction on the Y-BOCS total scores [F (1.38, 66.34)=6.91, p=0.005]. Kaplan-Meier estimation with log-rank test demonstrated significantly more rapid response in the celecoxib group than the placebo group (p<0.001). There was no significant difference in adverse event frequencies between the groups. DISCUSSION: The results of the current study suggest that celecoxib could be a tolerable and effective adjunctive treatment for more rapid and more satisfying improvements in OCD symptoms.

Zinc therapy improves deleterious effects of chronic copper administration on mice testes: histopathological evaluation.

This study was set to investigate whether the adverse effects of long-term copper (Cu) consumption on testicular tissue could be prevented by zinc (Zn) administration. Forty-five mature male mice were randomly divided into one control and two treatment groups. The first treatment group received copper sulphate (Cu experimental group). The second treatment group was given combined treatment of copper sulphate and zinc sulphate (ZC experimental group). Control animals received normal saline using the same volume. Five mice from each group were sacrificed on day 14, 28 and 56 from the beginning of treatments. Left testes were removed for histopathological and histomorphometrical evaluations. Morphometrically, the diameter of seminiferous tubules and Sertoli cell nuclei, epithelial height, meiotic index and the percentage of spermatogenesis in Cu groups showed significant decrease compared to those of the control groups (P < 0.05). A partial improvement was seen in the percentage of spermatogenesis and meiotic index (P < 0.05) in ZC groups, whereas a complete recovery was observed in the rest of parameters in ZC group after 56 days compared to the control group (P > 0.05). Results showed that long-term administration of Cu leads to histological impairments of testis and zinc supplementation might offset these damaging effects.

Effect of low fluency dentin conditioning on tensile bond strength of composite bonded to Er:YAG laser-prepared dentin: a preliminary study.

Several studies in the literature have previously shown that the bond strength of a composite bonded to dentin is almost equivalent as when dentin is prepared by either bur or Er:YAG laser. The aim of this preliminary study is to assess the hypothesis that dentin conditioning at low fluency by means of Er:YAG laser can improve the value of adhesion of composites resin to dentin. Sixty surfaces of caries-free human third molars extracted for orthodontic purposes were randomly divided into five groups of 12 teeth. The bur group was the control, prepared using bur, group L was prepared using Er:YAG 200 mJ, SSP (50 µs), 20 Hz, 15 seconds of sweeping, for groups L80, L100, L120, they were prepared first, with the same parameters of the group L 200, and then they received a conditioning, which is, respectively, 15 s of irradiations at: 80 mJ (SSP, 10 Hz), 100 mJ (SSP, 10 Hz), and 120 mJ (SSP, 10 Hz). All samples were restored in a single-component adhesive system: Xenon (DENTSPLY), and ceramX (DENTSPLY) as the resin composite. The specimens were submitted to tensile bond strength test using a universal testing machine. Data were submitted to statistical analysis using ANOVA coupled to a Tukey-Kramer test at the 95% level. The mean values in MPa were 33.3 for group B, 36.73 for group L 200, 41.7 for group L80, 37.9 for group L100, and 39.1 for group L120. Our results showed that dentin conditioning at a low fluency of 12.58 J/cm(2) per pulse, with 80 mJ output energy and 50-µs pulse duration can significantly improve tensile bond strength of a composite bonded to Er:YAG laser-prepared dentine.

A case control study of Salmonella SPP. infection in stray dogs in Tehran shelters and the correlation between paraclinical tests results and clinical findings.

Salmonellosis as a zoonotic disease in dogs is not fully understood, and various reports have pointed to the transmission of antibiotic-resistant salmonella from dogs to humans. The current study aimed to evaluate the serologic and bacteriologic prevalence of Salmonella spp. in stray dogs placed in animal shelters around Tehran, compare the results to those of asymptomatic dogs, and determine the serotype of isolated species, as well as their antibiotic susceptibility pattern. A total of 100 fecal swab and blood samples were obtained from symptomatic and apparently healthy dogs (clinically) placed in four animal shelters around Tehran, Iran. Fecal and blood culture, as well as dog food culture, tube agglutination test, serotyping, and antibiotic susceptibility testing were performed on the samples. Fever, lethargy, diarrhea, and abdominal pain were observed in all the dogs in the case group, and bloody diarrhea was the least commonly detected symptom in clinical examination. A number of 11 and 4 collected fecal swabs from the case and control groups were positive for Salmonella spp., respectively. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) also confirmed the laboratory tests results. Blood culture on the selective medium was negative for all the cases. Moreover, 60% and 100% of dogs in the case and control groups showed inflammatory markers in their blood test. The tube agglutination test was positive for 12% of the samples from the case group, while it was positive only for 5% of cases in the control group. The highest and lowest antibiotic resistance was observed against gentamicin and ciprofloxacin from the case group, respectively. Salmonella spp. infection in stray dogs placed in animal shelters is a great public health concern. In this regard, it is recommended that these animals be regularly monitored since they serve as Salmonella carriers.

Effects of single administration of morphine on G-protein mRNA level in the presence and absence of inflammation in the rat spinal cord.

Antinociceptive potency of opioids is greater against various noxious stimuli in animals with peripheral inflammation. Opioid agonists stimulate activation of G-protein-coupled receptor. Changes in the resting levels of G-protein subtypes could have an effect on intracellular signalling pathways. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of analgesic morphine treatment on the level G-protein subunits mRNA in the presence and absence of inflammation. Our results showed that the carrageenan administration increased G-protein subunits. Administration of analgesic dose of morphine alone and in the presence of inflammation induced different alterations in the levels of G-protein mRNA. Taken together, the results obtained using real time RT-PCR suggested that G-protein genes expression levels following the acute administration of morphine between animals with and without inflammation could influence, at least in part, analgesic responsiveness.

Protective effect of flavonoids against red blood cell hemolysis by free radicals.

BACKGROUND: Flavonoids are polyphenolic substances with antioxidant properties, and they are found in different vegetables and fruits. Epidemiological studies have shown that the consumption of flavonoids reduces the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. The use of synthetic antioxidants, however, has been limited because of their toxicity. Therefore, medical researchers have intensified their quest to find natural antioxidants. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of several pure flavonoids, such as kaempferol, quercetin, morin and rutin, on red blood cell hemolysis and evaluate their -SH capacity as an indicator of membrane protection. METHODS: The rate of hemolysis and cell membrane -SH capacity were determined by spectrophotometry. Red blood cell peroxidation was induced using 2,2'-azo-bis-(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride. The effect of each flavonoid on hemolysis was examined at three concentrations (0.5 mug/mL, 5 mug/mL and 10 mug/mL), however, only the greatest concentration (10 mug/mL) of each flavonoid was used to study the effect on -SH groups. RESULTS: In all cases, the antioxidant activity was dose-dependent. Rutin showed the highest inhibitory effect on hemolysis among flavonoids (42.5%). The protective effect of kaempferol, rutin and morin against -SH group oxidation measured 7.7%, 23.3% and 26.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Results showed that flavonoids and flavonoid-containing plants can be used as natural antioxidants for the treatment and prevention of disease conditions, the pathogenesis of which is mediated by lipid peroxidation.

Tetracycline-regulated expression of OLIG2 gene in human dental pulp stem cells lead to mouse sciatic nerve regeneration upon transplantation.

Numerous studies have indicated dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) potency to differentiate into several types of cell lineages. Oligodendrocyte lineage transcription factor 2 (OLIG2) plays an important role in the oligodendrogenic pathway. In this study, a tetracycline (Tet)-inducible system expressing OLIG2 gene was transfected into human DPSCs to direct their differentiation toward oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs). Following induction, the expression of stage-specific markers was studied by Reverse Transcription quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR), immunocytochemistry and western blotting. In the following, the cells were transplanted into the mouse model of local sciatic demyelination damage by lysolecithin. Recovery of lysolecithin-induced lesions in sciatic nerve was studied by treadmill exercise, von Frey filament test and hind paw withdrawal in response to a thermal stimulus. Improvement of behavioral symptoms was efficiently observed from the second week to the sixth week post-transplantation. Our findings showed that exogenous expression of the OLIG2 gene by a Tet-regulated system could be used as an efficient way to induce the differentiation of DPSCs into functional oligodendrocytes. Meanwhile, the DPSC-derived OPCs have relevant therapeutic potential in the animal model of sciatic nerve injury and therefore might represent a valuable tool for stem cell-based therapy in inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the peripheral and central nervous systems (CNSs).

Font-specific priming following global amnesia and occipital lobe damage.

Font-specificity in visual word-stem completion priming was examined in patients with global amnesia and Patient M.S., who had a right-occipital lobectomy. Word-stems appeared in the same or different font as study words. Amnesic patients showed normal font-specific priming (greater priming for words studied in the same than different font as test), despite impaired word-stem cued recall. Patient M.S. failed to exhibit font-specific priming, despite preserved declarative memory. Therefore, perceptual specificity in visual priming depends on visual processes mediated by the right-occipital lobe rather than medial temporal and diencephalic regions involved in declarative memory.

Event-related brain potential evidence of spared knowledge in Alzheimer's disease.

The authors recorded event-related brain potentials (ERPs) to picture primes and word targets (picture-name verification task) in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and in elderly and young participants. N400 was more negative to words that did not match pictures than to words that did match pictures in all groups: In the young, this effect was significant at all scalp sites; in the elderly, it was only at central-parietal sites; and in AD patients, it was limited to right central-parietal sites. Among AD patients pretested with a confrontation-naming task to identify pictures they could not name, neither the N400 priming effect nor its scalp distribution was affected by ability to name pictures correctly. This ERP evidence of spared knowledge of these items was complemented by 80% performance accuracy. Thus, although the name of an item may be inaccessible in confrontation naming, N400 shows that knowledge is intact enough to prime cortical responses.