Demographics, laboratory parameters and outcomes of 1061 patients with coronavirus disease 2019: a report from Tehran, Iran.

We aimed to determine the characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) among the Iranian population. In this study, we collected and analysed the demographics, laboratory findings and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to Masih Daneshvari Hospital in Tehran, Iran between 20 February 2020 and 2 April 2020. Among 1061 patients, 692 (65.2%) were male and the median age was 55 years (interquartile range (IQR), 44-66 years). Totally, 129 (12.2%) patients died during hospitalization in the ward or intensive care unit. From the remaining 932 individuals, 46 (5.0%) were admitted to the intensive care unit and 886 (95.0%) were hospitalized in the ward. Those patients who died were significantly older than those hospitalized in the ward (p < 0.001). The median absolute number of lymphocytes was 1.2 × 103/µL (IQR 0.9 × 103 to 1.6 × 103/µL) and 708 (66.7%) patients had lymphopenia (absolute lymphocyte count <1500/µL). Among the laboratory tests, D-dimer, serum ferritin and albumin had the strongest correlations with mortality (r = 0.455, r = 0.412, r = -0.406, respectively; p < 0.001 for each one). In conclusion, laboratory findings could provide useful information with regard to the management of individuals with COVID-19.

Molecular identification, phylogenetic analysis and antifungal susceptibility patterns of Aspergillusnidulans complex and Aspergillusterreus complex isolated from clinical specimens.

OBJECTIVE: Aspergillus sections Terrei and Nidulantes are the less common causes of invasive aspergillosis and pulmonary aspergillosis (PA) in immunocompromised patients when compared to A. fumigatus and A. flavus. Identifying these fungi as the infectious agent is crucial because of the resistance to amphotericin B (AMB) and increased lethality. The aim of this study was to identify the molecular status, evaluate the genetic diversity and examine the antifungal susceptibility profile of the uncommon Aspergillus species. Forty-five uncommon Aspergillus species were identified based on the microscopic and macroscopic criteria. Then, the molecular identification was performed using the sequencing beta tubulin (benA) gene. In vitro antifungal susceptibility to amphotericin B (AMB), itraconazole (ITC), ravuconazole (RAV), voriconazole (VRC), caspofungin (CFG) isavuconazole (ISA) and posaconazole (POS) test was performed according to the CLSI M38-A2 guidelines. RESULTS: A. terreus was the most species detected, followed by A. nidulans, A. latus, A.ochraceus, and A. citrinoterreus, respectively. The analysis of the benA gene showed the presence of 12 distinct genotypes among the A. terreus isolates. The other species did not show any intraspecies variation. CFG exhibited the lowest MEC50/MIC50 (0.007µg/mL), followed by POS (0.125µg/mL), VRC, ITC, ISA (0.25µg/mL), RAV (0.5µg/mL), and AMB (8µg/mL). Among all the isolates, only 15.5% (7/45) were susceptible to AMB. CONCLUSION: Antifungal susceptibility pattern of the uncommon Aspergillus species is useful to improve patient management and increase knowledge concerning the local epidemiology. Moreover, this information is necessary when an outbreak dealing with drug-resistant infections occurs.

Clinical evaluation of repeated propofol total intravenous anesthesia in dog.

This current study designed to evaluate any possible changes in required doses and other cardiopulmonary findings after repeated propofol total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) in dog. The study was conducted in 6 healthy sheepdogs, weight between 16.5 and 28 kg. Anaesthesia induced by 8 mg kg(-1) of propofol and maintained by continuous propofol (0.3 mg/kg/min) infusion in saline solution. All dogs received three times of propofol anaesthesia with the same protocol in a cross over design. As the animals in first, second and third time of anaesthesia allocated into groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Heart Rate (HR), rectal temperature (Temp), blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) by pulse oximetry and non invasive arterial blood pressures were measured. Times to the first swallowing attempt, ability to lift the head and standing were measured during recovery. The apnea was recorded in all animals but no significant difference was recorded between groups under study. Calculated doses of induction were sufficient for intubation of the animals. The average doses foe maintenance of anesthesia did not show any significant difference between groups under study. There were no significant differences found between groups in any comparable parameter. Despite of longer recovery time in group three, there were no significant differences between the Groups in different recovery times. Repeated propofol anesthesia did not improve resistance and respiratory changes in this species. However, some effects on blood pressure may happen without any effect on heart rate.

Study on the prevalence of dairy cattle lameness and its effects of production indices in Iran. A locomotion scoring base study.

In this current study, prevalence of lameness was detected and its changes during different parities, Days in Milk (DIM) and milk production were studies. In addition, effects of lameness on Open Days (OD) and Service per Conception (S/C) were studied. Three dairy farms on three scales (1: Large, approximately 900 milking cows, 2: Medium, approximately 100 milking cows and 3: Small, approximately 20 milking cows) were watched for lameness in 2005-2006. Locomotion Scoring (LS) by Sprecher method (1-5 point scale) has been done by videoing of the animals at the exit of the milking parlor. Videos were reviewed by two expert and mean of the each score used as score of the animal, cows with scores 1 and 2 recorded as non-lame and 3, 4 and 5 as lame cows. The average score of the lameness in autumn and spring recorded as 2.47 and 2.73, respectively that was higher significantly in spring. LS has been increased significantly by increasing parity and DIM, as highest scores were recorded in parity 4 and DIM 240-300. No significant differences between lame and non-lame cows were recorded in according to their milk production. The highest (percent in lame cows) scores were recorded in high producing cows. No significant difference in milk production has been recorded in different LS. However the average production of milk in lame cows were 1.08 L day(-1) less that non-lame cows. The average OD of the lame cows was significantly longer (52 days) than non-lame cows. Lame cows needed significantly higher service/conception (one) than non-lame cows. Median of OD and S/C has been increased by LS.

Maintenance of anaesthesia in sheep with isoflurane, desflurane or sevoflurane.

Rapid recovery from anaesthesia is advantageous in small ruminants, to reduce the risk of regurgitation. Theoretically, the least soluble inhalation agents should result in the fastest recoveries, but using additional injectable agents may negate this advantage. This study compared three inhalation agents for the maintenance of anaesthesia in sheep. Eighteen ewes that were to undergo orthopaedic surgery were allocated to one of three groups. Each group was premedicated with xylazine (0.1 mg/kg intramuscularly), anaesthesia was induced using ketamine (2 mg/kg) and midazolam (0.03 mg/kg) intravenously and analgesia provided by buprenorphine (0.008 mg/kg intramuscularly). Anaesthesia was then maintained with either isoflurane, sevoflurane or desflurane. Cardiopulmonary parameters were monitored throughout. All three inhalation agents provided adequate stable anaesthesia and there was no significant difference between the groups in their cardiopulmonary parameters or their recovery times. The mead (sd) postanaesthetic times to first swallow, first chewing attempts and ability to maintain their head lifted for five minutes were, respectively, 3.95 (2.53), 6.37 (3.68) and 32.8 (18.1) minutes for isoflurane, 3.62 (0.98), 7.66 (0.78) and 38.8 (16.6) minutes for sevoflurane, and 4.37 (1.65), 6.95 (1.52) and 29.8 (11.5) minutes for desflurane. Two sheep had poor quality recoveries after the use of sevoflurane, but all the other sheep recovered uneventfully. All three inhalation agents were suitable for the maintenance of anaesthesia in sheep but, as used in this study, there were no differences between them in speed of recovery.