Does osteoporosis increase marginal bone loss around dental implants in the posterior of the maxilla?

Osteoporosis is caused by an imbalance in bone remodelling. The aim of this study was to compare the marginal bone loss (MBL) around dental implants placed in the posterior maxilla between osteoporotic and non-osteoporotic female patients. This was a prospective cohort study. Female patients needing a dental implant restoration in the posterior maxilla were included. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed and the T-score recorded. MBL was measured at 12 months after loading. The patients were assigned to one of two groups: group 1, osteoporotic (T-score ≥2.5); group 2, non-osteoporotic (T-score <2.5). In this study, osteoporosis was the primary predictor variable and MBL was the outcome variable. The mean MBL was compared between the two groups using an independent t-test. Pearson's correlation test was applied to identify any correlation between the T-score and MBL. Ninety female patients were studied, 44 in group 1 and 46 in group 2. The mean MBL was 1.20±0.29mm in group 1 and 0.87±0.15 in group 2; this difference in mean MBL was statistically significant (P=0.001). There was a correlation between T-score and MBL (P=0.001). Despite the correlation between T-score and MBL, this study did not provide enough evidence to prove any causal relationship between MBL and osteoporosis.

Genotyping of avian infectious bronchitis virus in Afghanistan (2016-2017): the first report.

BACKGROUND: Avian infectious bronchitis (IB) is a highly contagious viral disease which affects the poultry industry. The virus exists in a wide variety of genotypes, and phylogenetic analysis has been used to classify infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) strains. AIMS: The object of the study is a molecular characterization of circulating IBV in Afghanistan as a first study. METHODS: The tracheal tissue specimens from 100 different commercial broiler flocks with respiratory distress in Afghanistan were collected during 2016-2017. After real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR), IBV-positive samples were further characterized. A 390 bp hypervariable spike glycoprotein gene segment was amplified using Nested PCR, sequenced, and analyzed. RESULTS: The results of real-time RT-PCR showed that 45/100 of the mentioned flocks were IBV positive. Phylogenetic analysis of all positive samples revealed that IBV strains were clustered into two distinct genotypes: LX4 (GI-19) (9/45) and IS-1494 like (GI-23) (34/45). Also, 2 of the 45 samples remained uncharacterized. CONCLUSION: It is the first study focusing on the molecular epidemiology of IBV in Afghanistan, extending our understanding of IB in the region. These results showed the high rate of IB infection in Afghanistan broiler farms and confirm the continuing monitoring of IBVs to modify the vaccination program.

IgE-mediated allergic responses associated to Ailanthus altissima pollen using an animal model

Background: Murine models have been widely used in the study of allergy as sensitized mice can produce IgE and/or IgG1in response after the injection of an antigen/adjuvant combination. Ailanthus altissima pollen (AAP) has been recently reported as an emerging aeroallergen in Iran. So far, several AAP candidate allergens by the screening of allergen-specific IgE in the sera from AAP sensitized patients in Iran. Objective: The aim of the present study was to detect and compare the allergens eliciting an IgE response in a mouse model, and in human, using pollen extract of A. altissima and an immunoproteomics based approach. Methods: The pollen proteins were extracted in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Thirty male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into two groups of AP extract sensitized and sham that respectively received AAP PBS extract and a PBS control by intraperitoneal injections at regular intervals. The optimized AAP protein extracts were analyzed using 2D-gel electrophoresis and were subsequently confronted to pooled sera of sensitized mice. Results: Two-D gel electrophoresis of AAP extract allowed the separation of 125 protein spots distributed in a wide range of pI and molecular masses. Two-DE immunoblotting using pooled sera of sensitized mice led to the detection of 14 IgE reactive spots with molecular masses ranging from 12 to 40-42kDa. Conclusion: The results do not correlate with our previous analyses using human AAP-sensitized sera. These findings reflect some differences in the sIgE reactivity to allergenic proteins in animal models

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Evaluation of Gold Nanoparticle Size Effect on Dose Enhancement Factor in Megavoltage Beam Radiotherapy Using MAGICA Polymer Gel Dosimeter.

BACKGROUND: Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are among the most promising radiosensitive materials in radiotherapy. Studying the effective sensitizing factors such as nanoparticle size, concentration, surface features, radiation energy and cell type can help to optimize the effect and possible clinical application of GNPs in radiation therapy. In this study, the radiation sensitive polymer gel was used to investigate the dosimetric effect of GNP size in megavoltage (MV) photon beam radiotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: GNPs with the size of 30nm, 50nm and 100nm in diameter were used. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were applied to analyze the size of nanoparticles. The MAGICA polymer gel was synthesized and impregnated with different sizes of GNPs. The samples were irradiated with 6MV photon beam and 24 hours after irradiation, they were read using a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner. Macroscopic Dose Enhancement Factor (DEF) was measured to compare the effect of GNP size. The MAGICA response of the 6MV x-ray beam was verified comparing Percentage Depth Dose (PDD) curve extracted from polymer gel dosimetry and Treatment Planning System (TPS). RESULTS: MAGICA polymer gel dose response curve was linear in the range of 0 to 10 Gy. DEFs by adding 30nm, 50nm and 100nm GNPs were 1.1, 1.17 and 1.12, respectively. PDD curves of polymer gel dosimeter and treatment planning system were in good agreement. CONCLUSION: The results indicated a substantial increase in DEF uses a MV photon beam in combination with GNPs of different sizes and it was inconsistent with previous radiobiological studies. The maximum DEF was achieved for 50nm GNPs in comparison with 30nm and 100nm leading to the assumption of self-absorption effect by larger diameters. According to the outcomes of this work, MAGICA polymer gel can be recommended as a reliable dosimeter to investigate the dosimetric effect of GNP size and also a useful method to validate the current radiobiological and simulation studies.

Molecular Detection of Gamma Coronaviruses in Bird Parks of Iran.

Gamma Coronaviruses (GCoVs) are distributed worldwide, affecting a wide range of bird species, the beluga whale, and bottlenose dolphins. Because of the limited proofreading capability in the viral encoded polymerase, they emerge genetically diverse. There has been no molecular surveillance data to describe the epidemiology of GCOVs in avian species. The present study was conducted to detect GCOVs in Tehran birds&rsquo; parks, 2015. Cloacal swabs (267 samples) from eight different bird species ((Chickens (Gallus gallus), Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), Partridge (Perdix perdix), Quail (Coturnix coturnix), Duck (Anas platyrhynchos), Goose (Anserini),and Guinea fowl (Numididae)) were collected, the viral RNA was extracted, the RT-PCR was performed using QIAGEN one step RT-PCR kit and the primers targeting &ldquo;3&#39;-UTR&rdquo; and &ldquo;Nucleocapsid&rdquo; genes. The detection rate was approximately 8.99%. GCOVs were detected in the chicken, quail, pheasant, turkey, and the partridge with different prevalence rates. Phylogenetic tree based on partial nucleotide sequences of the N gene clustered the samples into two groups. It is the first report of GCOVs in non-commercial birds in Iran. According to our results, GCOVs are circulating in different avian species, and further studies are needed to isolate these viruses and evaluate their pathogenesis.

Effect of chromium supplementation on growth performance, meal pattern, metabolic and antioxidant status and insulin sensitivity of summer-exposed weaned dairy calves.

Stressful situations may result in serum chromium (Cr) depletion with increased urinary excretion of the mineral and increased Cr requirements. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Cr supplementation on growth performance, feeding behavior, blood metabolites and hormones, indicators of oxidative stress and glucose-insulin kinetics of summer-exposed weaned dairy calves. In total, 48 Holstein female calves (63 days of age; 77.0±1.45 kg of BW) were assigned randomly to one of two treatments: (1) a control group with no supplemental Cr (Cr-), and (2) a supplemental Cr group (Cr+) to supply 0.05 mg Cr as Cr-methionine/kg of BW0.75. Chromium was provided in the starter feed and adjusted weekly based on BW over the experimental period. All calves were on experiment for 4 weeks after weaning. The average maximum temperature-humidity index was 76.1 units during the study period, indicating a mild degree of environmental heat load. Results indicated that in summer-exposed dairy calves, increased dietary Cr provision tended to decrease fecal score, tended to change rumination pattern, increased antioxidant capacity by increasing serum concentration of catalase, but had no effects on growth performance, metabolic status or peripheral glucose and insulin metabolism.

IgE-mediated allergic responses associated to Ailanthus altissima pollen using an animal model.

BACKGROUND: Murine models have been widely used in the study of allergy as sensitized mice can produce IgE and/or IgG1in response after the injection of an antigen/adjuvant combination. Ailanthus altissima pollen (AAP) has been recently reported as an emerging aeroallergen in Iran. So far, several AAP candidate allergens by the screening of allergen-specific IgE in the sera from AAP sensitized patients in Iran. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to detect and compare the allergens eliciting an IgE response in a mouse model, and in human, using pollen extract of A. altissima and an immunoproteomics based approach. METHODS: The pollen proteins were extracted in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Thirty male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into two groups of AP extract sensitized and sham that respectively received AAP PBS extract and a PBS control by intraperitoneal injections at regular intervals. The optimized AAP protein extracts were analyzed using 2D-gel electrophoresis and were subsequently confronted to pooled sera of sensitized mice. RESULTS: Two-D gel electrophoresis of AAP extract allowed the separation of 125 protein spots distributed in a wide range of pI and molecular masses. Two-DE immunoblotting using pooled sera of sensitized mice led to the detection of 14 IgE reactive spots with molecular masses ranging from 12 to 40-42kDa. CONCLUSION: The results do not correlate with our previous analyses using human AAP-sensitized sera. These findings reflect some differences in the sIgE reactivity to allergenic proteins in animal models.

Growth performance, feeding behavior, health status, and blood metabolites of environmentally heat-loaded Holstein dairy calves fed diets supplemented with chromium.

We investigated the effect of Cr supplementation on growth performance, feeding behavior, health status, and blood metabolites of summer-exposed dairy calves during the pre- and postweaning periods. A total of 24 newborn Holstein female calves (1 d of age; 42.1 ± 0.89 kg of body weight) were assigned randomly to a control group (no Cr supplement; Cr-) or a Cr group (Cr+) receiving 0.05 mg of Cr/kg of body weight0.75. During the study period, the average maximum temperature-humidity index was 81.3 units, indicating a high environmental heat load. Chromium was provided in colostrum and milk during the preweaning period, and in the starter feed during the postweaning period. Calves had free access to fresh water and starter feed throughout the experiment and were weaned on d 63. Starter feed intake and total dry matter intake were greater in Cr+ calves. Despite decreased meal frequency in Cr+ calves, during the preweaning period the starter feed intake increased due to increases in meal duration and meal size and a tendency for greater meal interval. Increased postweaning starter intake in Cr+ calves was attributed to a tendency for an increase in meal duration. Chromium-supplemented calves had greater overall weight gain, but their feed efficiency and rectal temperature were not affected by Cr treatment. Chromium supplementation tended to increase the heart girth during the preweaning and overall periods and increased the hip width during the postweaning and overall periods. Respiration rates were lower in Cr+ calves than Cr- calves during the preweaning and overall periods. During the preweaning period, the time spent in eating and ruminating per 12-h period was not affected by Cr treatment. During the postweaning period, the rumination time (min per 12-h period) was unaffected but total eating time (min per 12-h period) increased in Cr+ calves. Times spent resting, drinking, standing, lying, and in nonnutritive oral behaviors were not affected by treatments during the pre- and postweaning periods. Chromium supplementation had no effects on serum concentrations of cortisol, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine measured at weaning or the end of the trial. The Cr+ calves tended to have higher serum concentrations of glucose and a higher ratio of insulin to glucose measured at the end of the trial. In conclusion, Cr supplementation of both liquid and solid feeds improved growth performance in summer-exposed calves as a result of reduced respiration rate and increased feed intake; however, no beneficial effects were found on feed efficiency and insulin metabolism.

Prevalence and associated factors of insomnia syndrome in the elderly residing in kahrizak nursing home, tehran, iran.

BACKGROUND: As insomnia is common, especially among the elderly in the nursing homes, we aimed to estimate insomnia prevalence among the elderly residing in nursing homes as well as to determine factors associated with insomnia in the elderly. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out in 2009 on 772 elderly residents at Kahrizak Nursing Home, Tehran Iran. The information was gathered through 5-part questionnaires by interviewing either the individuals or the nurses in charge and also reviewing the subjects' medical files. Eventually, the necessary data were analyzed using oneway ANOVA and Chi-square tests. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 76.8 ± 8.05 years (range, 65 to 107 years). Based on the results, 303 (39.2%) of the elderly, including 86 (34.7%) men and 217 (41.1%) women, had insomnia syndrome. 433 (56.1%) participants complained of difficulty initiating sleep, 357 (46.2%) of disrupted sleep, 362 (46.9%) of early morning awakening, and 313 (40.5%) of non-restorative sleep. Our findings also showed that age (P = .004), number of diseases (P = .019), motility status (P = .017), sleep environment satisfaction (P < .001), cognitive status (P = .023), and functional autonomy (P = .003) were significantly associated with insomnia. CONCLUSION: Insomnia is a prevalent disorder amongst the nursing home elderly population, especially elderly women, and several pharmaceutical and nonpharmaceutical factors may trigger its occurrence. However, to prevent this problem, further studies are required in Iran and Middle Eastern region to establish a reliable understanding about insomnia patterns, causes, and cures.

Expression of antigenic determinants of the haemagglutinin large subunit of novel influenza virus in insect cells.

The global outbreak of novel A/H1N1 spread in human population worldwide has revealed an emergency need for producing a vaccine against this virus. Current influenza vaccines encounter problems with safety issues and weak response in high-risk population. It has been established that haemagglutinin is the most important viral antigen to which antibody responses are directed, and recombinant subunit vaccines, haemagglutinin of influenza A and B viruses, have been considered in order to facilitate vaccine production. In the present study, we have focused on construction of a recombinant baculovirus encoding the large subunit of novel influenza virus A/H1N1 haemagglutinin. The full genome of haemagglutinin was cloned into pGEM-TEasy vector and sequenced. The large subunit of the haemagglutinin gene was amplified by PCR using specific primers and cloned into pFast- BacHTc donor plasmid, which was then confirmed by restriction enzyme analysis and sequencing and transformed into E. coli DH10Bac competent cells. The bacmid DNA was transfected into insect cells to produce recombinant baculovirus. Expression of recombinant haemagglutinin in insect cells was determined by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting. It has been shown that the recombinant haemagglutinin (rHA) obtained from the baculovirus insect cell expression system has suitable immunogenicity in human and can be considered as a candidate flu vac- cine. Here we produced large amounts of the HA1 protein of novel influenza A/H1N1 (Iranian isolate) in insect cells. The immunogenicity and efficacy of the recombinant HA1 will be evaluated as a vaccine candidate and compared to the recombinant HA1 produced in a prokaryotic system.

Knowledge, attitude and practice towards blood donation in Iranian population.

BACKGROUND: The increase in demand for blood products because of new surgical and medical procedures seeks more research to find new ways to recruit people to donate blood. OBJECTIVE/AIM: To determine the level of people's knowledge about donating blood considering its relation with infectious and chronic diseases, drug abuse, unsafe sexual intercourse, menstruation and anaemia. In addition, their attitude towards blood donation regarding their previous behaviour and factors such as altruism, religion, family, fears and availability of blood donation centres has been evaluated. METHODS: This study was conducted in Tehran, Iran in 2009 on 1000 respondents. Data were collected through questionnaires that comprised 37 questions considering demographic and background characteristics, level of knowledge and positive and negative attitudes towards blood donation. Finally, data were analysed using SPSS software. RESULTS: Of 1000 in this study, 26% were donors, of whom 55% had donated blood more than once. The mean knowledge score of the participants was 8·6, which was associated with the subjects' gender and level of education (P = 0·031 and P < 0·001, respectively). Age, gender and level of education were significantly associated with one's attitude towards blood donation (P = 0·021, P < 0·001 and P = 0·003,respectively). Ninety-five percent of people have stated that their main motivation to donate blood was altruism. CONCLUSION: Altruism and being encouraged by others had the leading roles in peoples' positive attitude towards blood donation; whereas hard access to blood donation centres seemed to be the main inhibitory factor.