Evaluating Dose-response of Cataract Induction in Radiotherapy of Head and Neck Cancers Patients.

BACKGROUND: Head and neck cancers are currently the most common types of cancers. 3D-conformal radiation therapy is the most common dose delivery technique for head and neck cancers. Eye Lens is a radio sensitive structure and cataract formation as a visual disorder associated with exposure to ionizing radiation which is documented. OBJECTIVE: Determining the radiation dose to eye lens during head and neck radiography and estimating the probability of cataract induction are essential. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This experimental study was performed on 14 patients with head and neck cancers through experimental study analysis. The maximum opacity of the eyes lens were measured by pentacamTM before radiation therapy. CT data of patients were transmitted to Isogray treatment planning Software, and dose calculations for each patient was performed. At the end of radiation treatment, 3 and 6 months after radiotherapy, the eye lens opacity of the patients was assessed. RESULTS: Overall, 28 lenses were studied. Statistical one sample K- S test proved normality of obtained data. Using repeated measures test, the relation before and 3 months after radiotherapy, as well as the relationship before and 6 months after radiotherapy proved a significant relationship. CONCLUSION: The opacity caused by radiation in eyes is a non-statistical and linear-quadratic response curve with no threshold. This opacity can also appear within 3 months after completion of radiation therapy.

Gender difference in all-cause mortality of people living with HIV in Iran: findings from a 20-year cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Gender differences in the efficacy of treatment and the mortality of HIV-infected patients have not yet been fully elucidated. For the first time, we used data from a 20-year cohort of people living with HIV (PLWH) in four provinces (Fars, Bushehr, Bandar Abbas, and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad) in the southern part of Iran to assess the gender difference in all-cause mortality in PLWH in Iran. METHODS: We analysed data for 1216 patients aged ≥ 15 years who were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS between 1997 and 2017. Three hundred and fourteen (25.8%) were women. RESULTS: The death rate from all causes among women was 13.7% vs. 43.8% among men (P < 0.001). All-cause mortality was significantly associated with gender [the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for men compared with women was 3.20], not being on antiretroviral therapy (ART) compared with being on ART at the last visit (aHR 5.42), older age (aHR 1.03), delayed HIV diagnosis compared with early diagnosis (aHR 1.72), history of incarceration (aHR 1.57), higher log CD4 count at diagnosis (aHR 0.54), and prophylaxis for Pneumocystis pneumonia (aHR 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this 20-year cohort study suggest that gender is an important predictor of survival among HIV-infected patients. Improving early HIV diagnosis and early ART initiation in men, as well as increased access to hepatitis C virus treatment are needed to increase the survival rate of HIV-infected patients in Iran.

An Investigation to Determine an Optimum Protective Garment Material in Nuclear Medicine.

AIM: The aim of this study is to find an optimum material to protect garment for protection against 99Tcm radionuclide. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Monte Carlo simulation code was applied to investigate radiation attenuation of 13 shielding materials including: Ba, gray Sn, white Sn, Sb, Bi, Bi2O3, BaSO4, Sn/W, Sb/W, Pb and W with thicknesses of 0.5 and 1 mm to determine an optimum protective garment material in nuclear medicine against 99Tcm. Furthermore, the dose enhancement on the staff body was investigated for shielding materials such as tungsten and lead. RESULTS: The findings of the simulations show that the maximum and minimum attenuation obtained with thicknesses of 1 mm W and 1 mm BaSO4 were 96.46% and 14.2%, respectively. The results also demonstrate that tungsten does not cause any dose enhancement on staff body but this is not true for lead. Tungsten provides the highest radiation attenuation without dose enhancement on the body of staff. CONCLUSION: Among materials evaluated, tungsten is the optimum material and it can be applied for the design of protective garment for nuclear medicine staff against 99Tcm.

Effect of adjuvants on in ovo vaccination against Newcastle disease on hatchability, performance and antibody titres in commercial pullets.

This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of in ovo administration of aluminium hydroxide (AH) and/or mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) adjuvants along with lentogenic VG/GA strain-Avinew to alleviate the embryonic pathogenicity of Newcastle disease virus. Six hundred and thirty fertilized Bovans eggs were divided into nine groups of 70 each incubated in a commercial hatchery and administered with eight types of in ovo injections in a factorial design of 2 × 2 × 2 including with/without AH, MOS and Newcastle disease vaccine (NDV), and one uninjected group on day 18 of incubation. Hatchability was higher in the eggs received MOS and/or AH adjuvants plus NDV compared those injected with NDV alone which confirmed the attenuation of NDV. However, the average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio of pullets hatched from NDV-injected eggs were significantly reduced, but did not affect growth performance during 0-42 days of age. The performance of pullets hatched from eggs injected with AH, MOS or their mixture with NDV was not significantly different during all growth periods. Pullets from MOS + vaccine injected eggs had significantly higher antibody titres against NDV compared to those hatched from either injected with saline or uninjected on d 28 (p < .05). In addition, AH plus vaccine and MOS significantly improved total anti-SRBC and IgG respectively. Histological observation revealed that injection of MOS adjuvant into eggs led to increase crypt depth, whereas AH injection caused a reduction in villus surface area of jejunum in chicks on d 14 post-hatch. It is concluded that in ovo MOS injection as compared to AH may be more effective to attenuate the embryonic pathogenicity of in ovo NDV injection.

Nucleus accumbens dopamine receptors mediate hypothalamus-induced antinociception in the rat formalin test.

BACKGROUND: Lateral hypothalamus (LH) involves in modulation of tonic pain. Regarding the direct and indirect neural connections between the LH and nucleus accumbens (NAc), we aimed to examine the pain modulatory role of NAc dopamine receptors in modulation of LH-induced analgesia in the formalin test. METHODS: Vehicle-control groups received saline or DMSO into the NAc and saline into the LH. Carbachol-control groups received carbachol (250 nmol/L) into the LH, 5 min after saline or DMSO injection into the NAc. In treatment groups, intra-NAc administration of SCH-23390 or sulpiride (D1-and D2-like dopamine receptor antagonists, respectively) was performed 5 min before carbachol injection. Formalin test was done in all rats 5 min after the second injection. RESULTS: The blockade of NAc dopamine receptors reduced carbachol-induced antinociception during both phases of formalin test and reduction in LH-induced analgesia during the late phase was more than that during the early phase. Furthermore, contribution of D2-like dopamine receptors to mediation of anti-hyperalgesic effect of carbachol was greater than that of D1-like dopamine receptors during the late phase. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that LH-VTA-NAc circuit is contributed to the modulation of formalin-induced pain. These findings demonstrate that transmission at D1- and D2-like dopamine receptors mediates the LH-induced analgesia. SIGNIFICANCE: Blockade of accumbal dopamine receptors attenuated analgesia induced by carbachol injection into the lateral hypothalamus during both phases of formalin test. Effect of blockade of D1- and D2-like dopamine receptors on reduction in antinociception was more during the late phase. Contribution of D2-like dopamine receptors to mediation of antinociception during the late phase was greater than the early phase.

Production and characterization of egg yolk antibody (IgY) against recombinant VP8-S2 antigen.

Bovine Rotavirus and Bovine Coronavirus are the most important causes of diarrhea in newborn calves and in some other species such as pigs and sheep. VP8 subunit of rotavirus is the major determinant of the viral infectivity and neutralization. Spike glycoprotein of coronavirus is responsible for induction of neutralizing antibody response. Studies showed that immunoglobulin of egg yolk (IgY) from immunized hens has been identified to be a convenient source for specific antibodies for using in immunotherapy and immunodiagnostic to limit the infections. In this study, chimeric VP8-S2 gene was designed using by computational techniques. The chimeric VP8-S2 gene was cloned and sub-cloned into pGH and pET32a (+) vectors. Then, recombinant pET32a-VP8-S2 vector was transferred into E. coli BL21 CodonPlus (DE3). The expressed protein was purified by Ni-NTA chromatography column. Hens were immunized with the purified VP8-S2 protein three times. IgY was purified from egg yolks using polyethylene glycol precipitation method. Activity and specificity of anti-VP8-S2 IgY were detected by dot-blotting, Western-blotting and indirect ELISA. We obtained anti-VP8-S2 IgY by immunizing hens with the recombinant VP8-S2 protein. The anti-VP8-S2 IgY was showed to bind specifically to the chimeric VP8-S2 protein by dot-blotting, Western-blotting analyses and indirect ELISA. The result of this study indicated that such construction can be useful to investigate as candidates for development of detection methods for simultaneous diagnosis of both infections. Specific IgY against the recombinant VP8-S2 could be recommended as a candidate for passive immunization against bovine rotavirus and bovine coronavirus.

Functional interaction between orexin-1 and CB1 receptors in the periaqueductal gray matter during antinociception induced by chemical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus in rats.

BACKGROUND: Chemical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus (LH) with carbachol induces antinociception which is antagonized by blockade of orexin receptors in some pain modulatory sites in the tail-flick test. In this study, we evaluated the role of orexin-1 and CB1 receptors in the periaqueductal gray matter (PAG), a critical pain modulatory site, in mediation of antinociceptive responses induced by LH stimulation in rats. METHODS: One hundred thirty-two adult male albino Wistar rats weighing 180-250 g were unilaterally implanted with two separate cannulae into the LH and ventrolateral PAG (vlPAG). Intra-vlPAG administration of SB334867, as a selective orexin-1 receptor antagonist (0.5, 1.5, 5, 15 and 50 nM), or AM251, as a selective CB1 receptor antagonist (1, 3, 10, 30 and 100 nM), was performed just 5 min before carbachol (125 nM) microinjection into the LH. RESULTS: Our findings showed that SB334867 or AM251 administration dose dependently prevented the development of LH-induced antinociception in rats. Treatment with two antagonists at the same time could not intensify their effects in comparison with separate administration of antagonists. CONCLUSION: It seems that antinociceptive effect of intra-LH administration of carbachol is mediated, at least partially, through the activation of orexin-1 and CB1 receptors in the vlPAG. SIGNIFICANCE: This work demonstrates a pain modulatory role of the orexinergic system via the PAG in hypothalamic-mediated analgesia suggesting that orexins can be advantageously targeted to achieve analgesia. WHAT DOES THIS STUDY ADD?: OX1 receptor antagonist (SB334867) administration into the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray matter (vlPAG) dose dependently blocked the carbachol-induced antinociception. CB1 receptor antagonist (AM251) microinjection in the vlPAG prevented carbachol-induced antinociception in a dose-dependent manner. Concurrent administration of SB334867 and AM251 into the vlPAG did not reinforce the antinociceptive responses.

D1- and D2-like dopamine receptors within the nucleus accumbens contribute to stress-induced analgesia in formalin-related pain behaviours in rats.

BACKGROUND: Stressful experiences can produce analgesia, termed stress-induced analgesia (SIA). Meanwhile, it has been widely established that the mesolimbic dopamine pathway and nucleus accumbens (NAc) have a profound role in pain modulation. In this study, we examined the role of accumbal dopamine receptors in antinociception caused by forced swim stress (FSS) in order to understand more about the function of these receptors within the NAc in FSS-induced analgesia. METHOD: Stereotaxic surgery was unilaterally performed on adult male Wistar rats weighing 230-250 g (some on the left and some on the right side of the midline). Two supergroups were microinjected into the NAc with a D1-like dopamine receptor antagonist, SCH-23390, at doses of 0.25, 1 and 4 µg/0.5 µl saline per rat or Sulpiride as a D2-like dopamine receptor antagonist at the same doses [0.25, 1 and 4 µg/0.5 µl dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) per rat]; while their controls just received intra-accumbal saline or DMSO at 0.5 µl, respectively. The formalin test was performed after rats were subjected to FSS (6 min, 25 ± 1 °C) to assess pain-related behaviours. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that intra-accumbal infusions of SCH-23390 and Sulpiride dose-dependently reduced FSS-induced antinociception in both phases of the formalin test. However, the percentage decrease in area under the curve (AUC) values calculated for treatment groups compared to formalin-control group was more significant in the late phase than the early phase. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that D1- and D2-like dopamine receptors in the NAc are involved in stress-induced antinociceptive behaviours in the formalin test as an animal model of persistent inflammatory pain. WHAT DOES THIS STUDY ADD: Forced swim stress (FSS) induces the antinociception in both phases of formalin test. Blockade of accumbal dopamine receptors attenuate the antinociception induced by FSS. Stress-induced analgesia is dose-dependently reduced by dopamine receptor antagonists in both phases, although it is more prominent during the late phase.

A Novel Biological Dosimetry Method for Monitoring Occupational Radiation Exposure in Diagnostic and Therapeutic Wards: From Radiation Dosimetry to Biological Effects.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Professional radiation workers are occupationally exposed to long-term low levels of ionizing radiation. Occupational health hazards from radiation exposure, in a large occupational segment of the population, are of special concern. Biological dosimetry can be performed in addition to physical dosimetry with the aim of individual dose assessment and biological effects. METHODS: In this biodosimetry study, some hematological parameters have been examined in 40 exposed and 40 control subjects who were matched by gender, age and occupational records (±3 years) in Kermanshah hospitals in Iran (2013-2014). The occupational radiation dose was measured by personal dosimetry device (film badges). The data was analyzed using SPSS V.20 and statistical tests such as two-sided Student's t-test. RESULTS: Exposed subjects had a median exposure of 0.68±1.58 mSv/year by film badge dosimetry. Radiation workers with at least a 10-year record showed lower values of Mean Hemoglobin (Hb) and Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) compared to the control group (p<0.05). The mean value of Red Blood Cells (RBCs) in personnel working in Radiology departments seemed to show decrease in comparison with other radiation workers. CONCLUSION: Although the radiation absorbed doses were below the permissible limits based on the ICRP, this study showed the role of low-level chronic exposure in decreasing Hb and MCV in the blood of radiation workers with at least 10 years records. Therefore, the findings from the present study suggest that monitoring of hematological parameters of radiation workers can be useful as biological dosimeter, and also the exposed medical personnel should carefully follow the radiation protection instructions and radiation exposure should be minimized as possible.

Differential contribution of orexin receptors within the ventral tegmental area to modulation of persistent inflammatory pain.

BACKGROUND: Orexinergic neurons in the lateral hypothalamus (LH) play an important role in pain modulation. In addition, ventral tegmental area (VTA) is known as a part of descending pain modulatory circuitry. Little is known about the interaction between the LH and neural substrates involving in modulation of formalin-induced nociception. Accordingly, we aimed to examine the pain modulatory role of VTA orexin receptors in the formalin test. METHODS: Seventy-eight male Wistar rats were unilaterally implanted with two cannulae above the LH and VTA. Intra-VTA administration of SB-334867 (orexin-1 receptor antagonist) or TCS OX2 29 (orexin-2 receptor antagonist) was performed 5 min before intra-LH microinjection of carbachol (a cholinergic receptor agonist). The procedure was followed by subcutaneous injection of formalin after 5-min interval time. RESULTS: Carbachol attenuated formalin-induced biphasic pain responses and SB-334867 or TCS OX2 29 administration dose-dependently antagonized the LH-induced analgesia during both phases. Blockade of orexin-1 and -2 receptors had more profound effects on the reduction of antinociception during the late phase compared to the early phase. Also, contribution of orexin-1 receptors in mediation of LH-induced analgesia was greater than orexin-2 receptors during the late phase. CONCLUSION: Formalin test, a model of persistent inflammatory pain, mimics the conditions encountered in clinical situations. Pain modulatory role of orexinergic system in the formalin test through a neural pathway from the LH to the VTA provides the evidence that orexins can be useful therapeutic targets for chronic pain treatment. WHAT DOES THIS STUDY ADD?: There is a pathway from the lateral hypothalamus (LH) to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) which modulates biphasic formalin-induced pain. Blockade of VTA orexin receptors dose-dependently reduces LH-induced analgesia during both phases. Anti-analgesic effect of orexin receptor antagonists is more considerable during the late phase. Contribution of orexin-1 receptors to mediation of LH-induced analgesia is more than orexin-2 receptors during the late phase.

A bioinformatic approach to check the spatial epitope structure of an immunogenic protein coded by DNA vaccine plasmids.

In this study, we used an approach to check the Hemagglutinin antigen-antibodies interactions after fusion of one or two gene segments to Hemagglutinin gene in some influenza DNA vaccines. We designed different DNA vaccine constructs containing Hemagglutinin 9 (H9) gene fused to four or eight 29 amino acids of C3d (4/8P29C3d) and/or 3, 4 domains of the Fc part of IgY (FcIgY) coding sequences. As there are receptors for P29C3d and FcIgY on the immune cells, fused H9 are targeted to these cells. Three dimensional (3D) structures of the DNA vaccine coded proteins were modeled and docked with two antibodies (1KEN, 1QFU) to evaluate the effect of the H9 gene fusion to the other gene segments (4, 8 P29C3d and FcIgY) on the interaction of two H9 spatial epitopes. Also, we docked DNA vaccine proteins containing Fc IgY to its receptor (CHIR AB1) and compare interaction affinity of Fc IgY alone with affinity of DNA vaccines containing Fc IgY. The average of 1KEN and 1QFU interface scores were 94.89 and 93.09% of H9 DNA vaccine-antibodies interface scores, respectively. These percentages showed a little change in the H9 immunogenic parts. Also, because of spatial freedom of H9 part in all DNA vaccine proteins, added parts may not interfere with antibody-antigen interactions. Once, H9+FcIgY and CHIR AB1 affinity decreased in comparison with affinity of Fc IgY alone and CHIR AB1, affinity of H9+8P29C3d+FcIgY and CHIR AB1 increased to 132%. So, this would be expectable that despite of loss of affinity in H9 and its antibodies in the H9+8P29C3d+FcIgY, dramatic increase of Fc IgY and CHIR AB1 affinity in this group, could repair the loss of H9 affinity and may lead to a better immunogenicity.

Effect of culture and maturation on human monocyte-derived dendritic cell surface markers, necrosis and antigen binding.

Dendritic cells (DC) are antigen-presenting cells (APC) that are important for innate and acquired immune responses. Owing to their involvement in autoinflammation, autoimmunity and cancer, DC are useful cellular models for biomedical research. Appropriate DC production in vitro could aid the study of DC in many human diseases. We used fluorochrome-based flow cytometry assays to analyze the effects of culture period and maturation of monocyte-derived DC (MoDC) on their viability and necrosis, purity, CD11c expression and phagocytic capacity. The morphological changes that occur as purified monocytes become DC were assessed at 24 and 72 h, and 6 and 9 days in culture. The dynamics of certain cell surface markers of monocytes and mature MoDC (mMoDC) also were assessed using fluorescence-based assays. We found that day 6 of culture yielded the most functional immature MoDC (iMoDC) with maximal viability, purity, CD11c expression and appropriate phagocytic capacity. Mass production of viable MoDC could be useful for immunotherapy.

Morphine-induced conditioned place preference and the alterations of p-ERK, p-CREB and c-fos levels in hypothalamus and hippocampus: the effects of physical stress.

The hypothalamus and hippocampus are important areas involved in stress responses and reward processing. In addition, ERK/CREB pathway plays a critical role in the control of cellular responses to stress and reward. In the current study, effects of acute and subchronic stress on the alteration of p-ERK, p-CREB and c-fos levels in the hypothalamus and hippocampus of saline- or morphine-treated animals during morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) procedure were investigated. Male Wistar rats were divided into two saline- and morphine-treated supergroups. Each supergroup includes of control, acute stress and subchronic stress groups. In all of groups, the CPP procedure was done, afterward the alternation of p-ERK/ERK ratio, p-CREB/CREB ratio and c-fos level in the hypothalamus and hippocampus were estimated by Western blot analysis. The results indicated that in saline- or morphine-treated animals, p-ERK/ERK ratio, p-CREB/CREB ratio and c-fos level increased after application of acute and subchronic stress (except for p-ERK/ERK ratio in morphine-control group). Our findings revealed that in saline- or morphine-treated animals, acute and subcronic stress increased the p-ERK/ERK ratio, p-CREB/CREB ratio and c-fos level in the hypothalamus and hippocampus and this enhancement in morphine-treated animals, was more considerable than that in saline-treated animals.

Effects of orexin and glucose microinjected into the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus on gastric acid secretion in conscious rats.

BACKGROUND: Orexin-A is a novel peptide that appears to play a role in regulation of gastric acid secretion. However, little is known about sites of its action. In addition, evidences suggest that some of orexin-A neurons respond to glucose. In this study, we address the hypothesis which demonstrates that orexin-A and glucose act in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) to increase gastric acid secretion and juice volume in pyloric-ligated conscious rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were implanted with guide canula directed to the PVN. Orexin-A (3-10 µg), glucose (350-750 ng) SB334867 (6-20 µg) were microinjected. The effect of pretreatment with an orexin-1 receptor antagonist, SB334867, on orexin-A and D-glucose induced acid secretion was assessed. Gastric acid secretion was measured using the pylorus-ligation method, and the amount of gastric acid was determined by titration with 0.01 N NaOH to a pH of 7.0. KEY RESULTS: Intraparaventricular injection of orexin-A or D-glucose stimulated gastric acid secretion in a dose-dependent manner. The PVN injections of orexin-A receptor antagonist, SB334867, were associated with gastric acid secretion decrease and inhibited effects of PVN-injected orexin-A. Orexin-stimulated gastric acid secretion was decreased (~40%) after PVN lesions. Glucose-stimulated gastric acid secretion was also suppressed by intraperitoneal (IP) injection of SB334867. In addition, it was observed that co-injection of orexin-A and glucose at ineffective doses increased gastric secretion significantly. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: We suggest that orexin-A and glucose effects on the PVN stimulate gastric acid secretion. This stimulatory effect is probably mediated by orexin-1 receptors.

An investigation of the neuroprotective effects of Curcumin in a model of Homocysteine - induced oxidative stress in the rat's brain.

BACKGROUND AND THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Aging is the major risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases and oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiology of them. Oxidative stress can induce neuronal damages and modulate intracellular signaling, ultimately leading to neuronal death by apoptosis or necrosis. In this study, the possible antioxidant and neuroprotective properties of the natural polyphenolic antioxidant compound, curcumin against homocysteine (Hcy) neurotoxicity was investigated. METHODS: Curcumin (5, 15, 45 mg/kg) was injected intraperitonealy (i.p.) once daily for a period of 10 days beginning 5 days prior to Hcy (0.2 µmol/µl) intracerebroventricular (i.c.v) injection in rats. Biochemical and behavioral studies, including passive avoidance learning and locomotor activity tests were studied 24 hrs after the last curcumin or its vehicle injection. The cell density of hippocampus layers and apoptosis in rats' hippocampi by immunohistochical methods were also studied. RESULTS AND MAJOR CONCLUSION: Results indicated that Hcy could induce lipid peroxidation and increase Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Super Oxide Anion (SOA) levels in rat's brain. Additionally, Hcy impaired memory retention in passive avoidance learning test. However, curcumin decreased MDA and SOA levels significantly and improved learning and memory in rats. On the other hand Hcy could induce cell death and apoptosis in rats' hippocampi which was inhibited by curcumin. These results suggest that Hcy may induce lipid peroxidation in rat's brain. and polyphenol treatment (curcumin) improves learning and memory deficits by protecting the nervous system against Oxidative stress.

Prevalence of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus antibodies among the industrial dairy cattle herds in suburb of Mashhad-Iran.

Mashhad is a major dairy production in Iran. The subject of this study was to survey the seroprevalence of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) infection using an indirect Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test in industrial dairy cattle herds in suburb of Mashhad-Iran. Totally, 141 serum samples were tested. None of the herds had been vaccinated against BVDV. Commercial indirect ELISA kit was used. The herds divided to 3 sizes as cow population. They were included: small, medium and large herds. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test. Ninety-seven (68.79%) cows were ELISA seropositive. However, the true BVDV seroprevalence was 72.25%. All of the herds were antibody positive against BVDV. The prevalence ranged from 66 to 100% within the herds. There were no significant differences between the presence of antibodies to BVDV and the herd size (P > 0.05). The prevalence in animals lower than 2 years old differed significantly with cows higher than 2 years old (P < 0.05). According to the results, it is concluded that it is likely the presence of persistently infection (PI) animal(s) within the herds in suburb of Mashhad-Iran, which is responsible for the presence antibody.

Prevalence of bovine viral diarrhoea virus antibodies in bulk tank milk of industrial dairy cattle herds in suburb of Mashhad-Iran.

Bulk milk for the presence of antibodies against bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) from 38 industrial dairy cattle herds complexes with 250-3000 Holstein dairy cows in suburb of Mashhad-Iran was tested. None of the herds were vaccinated against BVDV. Commercial indirect ELISA-kit for the detection of specific antibodies was used. The result could be read visually where the optical density (OD) was measured at 450 nm. The percent positivity (PP) values >or=7 and <7 interpreted positive and negative, respectively. According to this study the apparent and the true prevalence of BVDV antibody-positive herds was 89.47 and 93.98%, respectively. The range of PP was 1.59-107.66 among the herds. The OD in 52.63% bulk milk of the herds was very high. It is concluded that exposure to BVD virus was widely distributed in the dairy cattle herds in suburb of Mashhad-Iran.

Selection of T-cell epitopes from foot-and-mouth disease virus reflects the binding affinity to different cattle MHC class II molecules.

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted selection of T-cell epitopes of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) by individual cattle MHC class II DR (BoLA-DR) molecules was studied in a direct MHC-peptide binding assay. By in vitro priming of T lymphocytes derived from animals homozygous for both MHC class I and II, five T-cell epitopes were analyzed in the context of three MHC class II haplotypes. We found that the presentation of these T-cell epitopes was mediated by DR molecules, since blocking this pathway of antigen presentation using monoclonal antibody TH14B completely abolished the proliferative responses against the peptides. To study the DR-restricted presentation of these T-cell epitopes, a direct MHC-peptide binding assay on isolated cattle DR molecules was developed. Purified cattle MHC class II DR molecules of the BoLA-DRB3*0201, BoLA-DRB3*1101, and BoLA-DRB3*1201 alleles were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. For each allele, one of the identified T-cell epitopes was biotinylated, and used as a marker peptide for the development of a competitive MHC-peptide binding assay. Subsequently, the T-cell epitopes of FMDV with functionally defined MHC class II specificity were analyzed in this binding assay. The affinity of the epitopes to bind to certain DR molecules was significantly correlated to the capacity to induce T-cell proliferation. This demonstrated at the molecular level that the selection of individual T-cell epitopes found at the functional level was indeed the result of MHC restriction.

Morphine tolerance and dependence in the nucleus paragigantocellularis: single unit recording study in vivo.

In this study, a single unit activity was recorded in the nucleus paragigantocellularis (PGi), located in the rostral ventrolateral medulla of anesthetized, morphine-dependent rats. The spontaneous activity of PGi neurons was significantly decreased by administration of morphine (10 mg/kg; i.p.) in sham-operated, control and morphine-dependent rats. However, in PGi neurons of morphine-dependent rats, the firing rate decreased significantly less than those of sham-operated and control ones. There was also significant enhancement of spontaneous activity of PGi neurons for 30 min following administration of naloxone (2 mg/kg; s.c.) in morphine-dependent rats as an opiate withdrawal-induced activation of PGi neurons. The results indicated the occurrence of morphine tolerance and dependence in the PGi and/or elsewhere which appeared in PGi unit activity. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that during morphine withdrawal, there is an increase in unit activity of the PGi afferents to the nucleus locus coeruleus (LC) or an increased release of excitatory transmitter from their nerve terminals in the LC.