Biochemical, Toxicological, and Histopathological outcome in rat brain following treatment with NiO and NiO nanoparticles.

Nickel oxide nanoparticle (NiO NPs) has been widely used in various fields such as catalysts, radiotherapy, and nanomedicine. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of nickel oxide (NiO) and NiO NPs on oxidative stress biomarkers and histopathological changes in brain tissue of rats. In this study, 49 male rats were randomly divided into one control group and 6 experimental groups (n = 7). The control group received normal saline and the treatment groups received NiO and NiO NPs at doses of 10, 25, and 50 mg/kg intraperitoneally for 8 days. After 8 days, animal was sacrificed, brain excised, homogenized, centrifuged, and then supernatant was collected for antioxidant assays. The results showed that activity of GST in NiO NPs groups with doses of 10, 25, and 50 mg/kg (79.42 ± 4.24, p = 0.035; 78.77 ± 8.49, p = 0.041; 81.38 ± 12.39, p = 0.042 to 47.26 ± 7.17) and catalase in NiO NPs groups with concentrations of 25 and 50 mg/kg (69.95 ± 8.65 to 39.75 ± 5.11, p = 0.02) and (68.80 ± 4.18 to 39.75 ± 5.11 p = 0.027) were significantly increased compared with the control, respectively. Total antioxidant capacity in NiONPs group with doses of 50 mg/kg was significantly decreased (345.00 ± 23.62, p = 0.015 to 496.66 ± 25.77) compared with control. The GSH level in all doses NiO and NiONPs was significantly decreased compared with the control (p = 0.002). MDA level in NiONPs and NiO groups with doses of 50 mg/kg was significantly increased (13.03 ± 1.29, p = < 0.01; 15.61 ± 1.08, p = < 0.001 to 7.32 ± 0.51) compared with the control, respectively. Our results revealed a range of histopathological changes, including necrosis, hyperemia, gliosis, and spongy changes in brain tissue. Thus, increasing level of MDA, GST, and CAT enzymes and decreasing GSH and TAC and also histopathological changes confirmed NiONPs and NiO toxicity.

Esophageal Infection of Spirocerca lupi with Vulpes rueppellii in Yazd Province, Iran: Case Report.

Spirocerca lupi is an international nematode of Canine and wild carnivores. The generic clinical symptoms are regurgitation, vomiting, and pursiness. The parasite usually procreates nodular masses in the esophagus and pectoral aorta. On July 2014, a four-month male sandy fox was found accidentally killed on the road in Bafgh City, Southeast of Yazd, Yazd Province, Iran during necropsy, referring to esophagus, parasites were collected from esophagus and transmissive up to 70% of alcohol. Parasites were recognized as S. lupi. After clarification of lactophenol and staining, the nematodes were recognized as S. lupi according to key guidelines of Taylor. Besides, the tissue samples were isolated from esophagus wall - the appendix site of nematode for histopathological investigation - so they were transmissive up to 10% of buffered formalin and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Microscopic diagnoses in esophagus were included epithelial destruction, wall thickening, inflammatory cells infiltration, necrosis and vascular thrombosis. With the author's knowledge, this is the first report and histopathological investigation of S. lupi in sandy fox.

Quality of EEG recordings in neurology clinics in Iran.

The aim of this study was to investigate the pitfalls in performing EEG in neurology centres in Iran, in order to identify any mistakes and provide appropriate advice for the neurology community. In this cross-sectional study, all patients who referred to the outpatient epilepsy clinic at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, from April through to June 2018, were asked to provide any EEGs they had from other neurology centres. We reviewed the following information from their EEGs: number of channels, the design of the montages, and the setting of the filters. Eighty EEGs from different neurology centres were studied. With respect to the number of channels, 27 centres (34%) recorded 16 or more channels. With regards to the montage design, 34 centres (43%) had an appropriate design(s). With respect to high-frequency filter, three centres (4%) recorded their EEGs with 70-Hz high filter. With regards to the low-frequency filter, 43 centres (54%) recorded their EEGs with 1-Hz or lower filter. Just one centre performed EEGs in a standard fashion considering all variables. In this study, we observed that most neurology centres in Iran did not record EEGs in a standard and acceptable fashion. Provision of a well-designed educational programme that ensures neurology residents are competent in the fundamentals of EEG recording and interpretation is of paramount significance.

Histopathological Study of Esophageal Infection with Gasterophilus pecorum (Diptera: Oestridae) in Persian Onager (Equus hemionus onager).

BACKGROUND: The larval stages of Gasterophilus are obligate parasites in the gastrointestinal tract of equine accountable for pathologic ulcers in the Persian onager gastrointestinal. The aim of the current report was to study the histopathological change with G. pecorum larvae in the esophagus of a Persian onager. METHODS: This study was performed in Iranian Zebra propagation and breeding site in Khartouran National Park, southeast of Shahrud City, Semnan Province, Iran in 2014. Following a necropsy with specific refer to esophagus of one adult female Persian onager were transmitted to the laboratory. After autopsy, parasites collected from the esophagus were transmitted into 70% alcohol. For histopathological investigation, tissue samples were collected from the esophagus. The tissues were fixed in 10% buffered formalin, and conformity routine processing, there were stained with Hematoxylin and eosin. RESULTS: After clarity by lactophenol parasites were identified as G. pecorum. Microscopic recognition contained hyperemia, inflammatory cell infiltration, epithelial destruction, esophageal gland hyperplasia. CONCLUSION: This is the first survey of G. pecorum and histopathological study in the Persian onager esophagus in the world.

Dosimetric Characteristics of 6 MV Modified Beams by Physical Wedges of a Siemens Linear Accelerator.

Physical wedges still can be used as missing tissue compensators or filters to alter the shape of isodose curves in a target volume to reach an optimal radiotherapy plan without creating a hotspot. The aim of this study was to investigate the dosimetric properties of physical wedges filters such as off-axis photon fluence, photon spectrum, output factor and half value layer. The photon beam quality of a 6 MV Primus Siemens modified by 150 and 450 physical wedges was studied with BEAMnrc Monte Carlo (MC) code. The calculated present depth dose and dose profile curves for open and wedged photon beam were in good agreement with the measurements. Increase of wedge angle increased the beam hardening and this effect was more pronounced at the heal region. Using such an accurate MC model to determine of wedge factors and implementation of it as a calculation algorithm in the future treatment planning systems is recommended.

Intermittent Diazepam versus Continuous Phenobarbital to Prevent Recurrence of Febrile Seizures: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Febrile seizure is the most common neurologic problem in children between 3 months to 5 years old. Two to five percent of children aged less than five yr old will experience it at least one time. This type of seizure is age dependent and its recurrence rate is about 33% overalls and 50% in children less than one yr old. The prophylactic treatment is still controversial, so we conducted a randomized controlled clinical trial to find out the effectiveness of continuous phenobarbital versus intermittent diazepam for febrile seizure. MATERIALS & METHODS: This clinical trial was conducted in the Department of Pediatric Neurology, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran between March 2008 and October 2010. All children from 6 month to 5 yr old referred to Amirkola Children's Hospital, Babol, Iran were enrolled in the study. Children with febrile seizure that had indication for prophylaxis but did not receive any prophylaxis previously were enrolled in the study. For prophylactic anti convulsion therapy, patients were divided randomly in two groups. One group received continuous phenobarbital and another treated with intermittent diazepam whenever the children experienced an episode of febrile illness for up to one year after their last convulsion. RESULTS: Of all 145 studied cases, the recurrent rate in children under prophylaxis with diazepam was 11/71 and in phenobarbital group was 17/74. There was no significant difference in the recurrence rate in both groups. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in the effectiveness of phenobarbital and diazepam in prevention of recurrent in febrile seizure and we think that in respect of lower complication rate in diazepam administration, it cloud be better choice than phenobarbital.

Pathological study of lesion caused by Serpinema microcephalus (Nematoda: Camallanidae) in Mauremys caspica caspica from north of Iran.

Serpinema microcephalus is nematoda from family Camallanidae, which have a lot of pathogenesis species that harbored via many animals like fishes, reptiles and amphibians. Epidemiological study in different regions and histopathological examination of intestinal parasitic infections caused by S. microcephalus are prerequisite to develop appropriate control strategies. This study aimed to describe the lesions caused by S. microcephalus from Caspian turtles of north of Iran. Thirty-four adult turtles were collected from road accidents in Behshahr, northeastern city of Mazandaran province. The turtles were examined in the laboratory and parasite samples were collected from the small intestine. After clarification by lactophenol and staining, the parasites were identified as S. microcephalus (Nematoda: Camallanidae). For histopathological examination, tissue samples were fixed and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Microscopic diagnoses in small intestine included hyperaemia, eosinophilic enteritis, mucosal glands hyperplasia, mucosal ulceration, intestinal exudation and fibroma in some cases. In pancreas tissue the lesions consisted of mild inflammation, fibrosis and edema. Considering the occurrence of intestinal parasitic infections (29.41 %) among Caspian turtles in this study, identification and control of the disease of the turtles are recommended.

Histopathologic study of eosinophilic bronchointerstitial pneumonia caused by Crenosoma striatum in the hedgehog.

Crenosoma striatum is a species of parasitic nematodes from the family Crenosomatidae responsible for pathologic lung lesions in the hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus). Infection with C. striatum can cause weight loss, dry cough, and bronchitis. In the present study, hedgehogs killed by road accidents, or trapped and found dead on farms in different parts of Mazandaran province (Iran), were transferred to the laboratory. After dissection, parasite samples collected from the lung were placed into 70% alcohol. After clarification with lactophenol and subsequent staining, the nematodes were identified as C. striatum according to previously published guidelines. For histopathologic examination, lung samples were collected. The tissues were fixed and following routine processing, sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Microscopic diagnoses included hyperemia, eosinophilic bronchointerstitial pneumonia, thickening of the interstitium, and eosinophilic microabscesses in bronchial airways. Eosinophilic pneumonia was characterized by eosinophil and other mononuclear leukocyte infiltration within the lung interstitium. Crenosoma striatum can lead to mortality in hedgehogs.

Effects of carbonated soft drink consumption on orthodontic tooth movements in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this animal study was to evaluate the possible effects of Carbonated Soft Drink consumption on the rate of orthodontic tooth movement in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two experimental groups and one control group. In the experimental groups (A&B), the water in the dietary regimen was replaced with soft drinks (Fanta® in group A and Cola® in group B) two weeks before placement of orthodontic appliances. Then 5-mm nickel-titanium closed-coil springs were placed between the maxillary right first molars and first incisors under general anesthesia. This regimen continued for two weeks more and animals drank soft drink ad libitum. At the end of the experimental period, the rats were sacrificed, and interproximal tooth movements were measured. RESULTS: The mean amounts of tooth movement were 0.19mm in group A, 0.22mm in group B and 0.37mm in group C. Statistical analysis with analysis of variance (ANOVA) test showed significant differences between all groups. The least movement occurred in group A that had received Fanta® drink. CONCLUSION: CSDs consumption decreases the rate of orthodontic tooth movement. The role of soft drinks in decreasing tooth movement might be related to its effects on bone metabolism.

Neuropathological changes in brain cortex and hippocampus in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with progressive loss of cognitive abilities and memory loss. The aim of this study was to compare neuropathological changes in hippocampus and brain cortex in a rat model of AD. METHODS: Adult male Albino Wistar rats (weighing 250-300 g) were used for behavioral and histopathological studies. The rats were randomly assigned to three groups: control, sham and Beta amyloid (ABeta) injection. For behavioral analysis, Y-maze and shuttle box were used, respectively at 14 and 16 days post-lesion. For histological studies, Nissl, modified Bielschowsky and modified Congo red staining were performed. The lesion was induced by injection of 4 muL of ABeta (1-40) into the hippocampal fissure. RESULTS: In the present study, ABeta (1-40) injection into hippocampus could decrease the behavioral indexes and the number of CA1 neurons in hippocampus. ABeta injection CA1 caused ABeta deposition in the hippocampus and less than in cortex. We observed the loss of neurons in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex and certain subcortical regions. Y-maze test and single-trial passive avoidance test showed reduced memory retention in AD group. CONCLUSION: We found a significant decreased acquisition of passive avoidance and alternation behavior responses in AD group compared to control and sham group (P<0.0001). Compacted amyloid cores were present in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and white matter, whereas, scattered amyloid cores were seen in cortex and hippocampus of AD group. Also, reduced neuronal density was indicated in AD group.

Mucormycosis after kidney transplantations: report of seven cases.

This is a report of 7 cases of mucormycosis infections in patients who had undergone transplantation and been admitted in the kidney transplant centre of Baqiyatallah Hospital in Tehran, Iran, from 2002 to 2005. We retrospectively reviewed the hospital records for demographic data, symptoms, diagnostic techniques and outcomes. Five patients were male and 2 female. The mean age of patients was 49.5 y. The time interval between transplantation and disease onset varied greatly (range: 1 month to 4 y). Patients' symptoms were fever (7 cases), respiratory distress (4 cases) and severe headache (3 cases). Suspected patients were evaluated by CT scan, BAL and biopsy and diagnosis confirmed by culture. The final diagnosis was pulmonary mucormycosis in 4 cases, rhino-cerebral mucormycosis in 2 cases and disseminated mucormycosis in 1 case. Despite early and intensive treatment with amphotericin B in all patients and extensive debridement in 3 cases, only 2 patients survived the disease. Mucormycosis is a potentially lethal complication after kidney transplantation. It could occur very early on or very late into the post-transplant period. Despite the results of other studies, the most frequent site of infection in our patients was the lungs.