BACKGROUND: The H9N2 subtype of avian influenzaviruses (AIVs) have spread in Asia and Middle East countriesand have become a serious threat to poultry industry in Iran.OBJECTIVES:Characterization of genes of H9N2 subtype involvingin pathogenicity and diagnosis are crucial in control of avianinfluenza outbreaks. The Nonstructural (NS) gene and its proteinproducts (NS1 & NS2) are important as diagnostic marker, lifecycle and pathogenicity of AIVs. METHODS:The NS gene of fivestrains, isolated from 1998 to 2010, were completely sequencedand analyzed. RESULTS:All of the examined strains were composedof 890 nucleotides with 230 amino acids. In this regard, onlytwo Iranian strains from GeneBank had 217 amino acids in NS1protein. All Iranian H9N2 strains subdivided into two distinctsublineages including I and II. Comparative analysis of NS genesof Iranian strains showed that since 2003, they might haveoriginated from Pakistan H7N3 strains; whereas from 2008 theycould be originated from Pakistan H9N2 strains. CONCLUSIONS:Although the low pathogenic H9N2 subtype has been permanentlycirculating from 1998 to the present in Iran, phylogeneticanalysis of NS genes revealed that sublineage II has circulatedmore in poultry industry of Iran. These epidemio-logicallyvariations could be related to vaccination pressure due tomassive vaccination or NS gene reassortment in rural andbackyard chickens.

BACKGROUND:Several investigations showed cartilaginouscells in fibrous tissue of the free part of the penis in one humpedcamel. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was accurate assessmentof existence of cartilaginous cells in penis shaft of onehumpedcamel. METHODS: Six camel penises from maturedcamels more than 3 years-old were collected from an abattoir.Different specimens were prepared from each penis and kept in10% formalin container for fixation. After passing differentstages of histotechnique methods, several slides were preparedfrom each specimen, stained with Haematoxylin Eosin andstudied. RESULTS: Results showed that the majority of cartilaginouscells were inside the collagen fibers of tunica albuginea andaround corpus cavernosum and corpus spongiosum of penis andtheir distributions were dissimilar in different parts of the penisshaft. This survey further showed that in penis shaft length, themajority of cartilaginous cells were inside tunica albuginea,which is surrounded by corpus spongiosum and particularly, theventral surface of urethra. CONCLUSIONS: The number ofcartilaginous cells decreased gradually from distal extremitytowards the proximal extremity of the body of the penis andincreased gradually from external layer of tunica albugineatowards the internal layer of tunica albuginea and centre ofcorpus cavernosum penis. Existence of cartilaginous cells insidethe leaf tissue of the penis was seen with aging and puberty.

BACKGROUND: Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are infrequentself-renewing cells among the type A spermatogoniawithin the seminiferous tubules and are the basis of spermatogenesisin mammalian testis. An adequate number of SSCs is aprimary requirement for the study of their behavior, regulation, andfurther biomanipulation. OBJECTIVES: In this paper, we studiedthe development of the primary co-cultures of type A spermatogoniaand prepubertal bovine sertoli cells in the presence of ColonyStimulating Factor 1 (CSF1), a potential contributor in the SSCniche. METHODS: The effect of different concentrations of CSF1(0, 10, 50 and 100 ng/mL) on the colonization activity of spermatogonialcells was assessed 4, 7 and 11 days after the beginning of theculture by counting the total number of colonies and measuring theirarea in each group of the present experiment. Immunofluorescentstaining against OCT4 and vimentin led to the confirmation of thenature of both the SSCs and sertoli cells. RESULTS: Results showedthat the total number of colonies from day 4 to 11 increasedsignificantly in all groups, independent of CSF1 concentration. Inaddition, the total number and total area of colonies were higher (notsignificant) in 10 and 50 ng/mL CSF1 treatments than the controland 100 ng/mL CSF1 groups in all the three evaluations during theexperiment. However, this difference was only significant (p<0.05)between the total area of colonies in the control and 10 ng/mLCSF1groups at day 4 of co-culture. CONCLUSIONS:It was concluded thatCSF1 can be a suitable growth factor for improving SSCs colonizationin vitro, particularly during the first days of culture whereaccompanying sertoli cells still have not proliferated sufficiently tosupport the propagating spermatogonial cells.

BACKGROUND: The plerocercoid stage of Pseudophyllideancestoda infected a wide range of fresh water fish,particularly the members of the Cyprinidae family. The parasitespecies are the most common pathogens that have severe effectson fish. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study is todetermine the occurrence and distribution of the plerocercoid ofDiphyllobothriidae in two freshwater fish from north andnorthwest of Iran. Finally, we discuss the role and dynamics ofthese species of fish in the transmission of infection. METHODS:This study was carried out from September 2011 to September2012on a total of 883 A. bipunctatus and 418 A. brama from northand northwest of Iran. The samples were analyzed to find theplerocercoid infection. RESULTS: From a total number of 883 A.bipunctatus and 418 A. brama fish samples, 558 fish (63.19%)of the former and 67 fish (16.02%) of the latter were infected. Therate of infection was significantly lower in winter (p<0.01). Also,the weight of infected fish was significantly lower than noninfectedones (p<0.01). Moreover, the infection in northwest ofIran was significantly higher than north of Iran (p<0.01).CONCLUSIONS: The family of Diphyllobothriidae is an importantcestode and the prevention programs to break the cycleof infection are essential. More suitable solutions to tackle theproblem, further epidemiological studies on other fresh watersources of Iran are needed.

BACKGROUND: Influenza outbreak has become a great lifethreateningdisease in the world. Nasal vaccines can inducesystemic IgG and mucosal IgA antibody responses, whichestablish two layers of immune defense against the infectiouspathogens like influenza. Mucosal vaccines must overcomeseveral limitations, including the mucociliary clearance andinefficient uptake of soluble antigens. Therefore, nasal vaccinesrequire potent adjuvants and delivery systems. OBJECTIVES: Inthis study we evaluated the effect of N-trimethyl chitosan (TMC)as a potent vehicle for DNA encoding M2e/HSP70c in order forintranasal administration in mice. METHODS:Ectodomain of theconserved influenza matrix protein 2 (M2e), which has beenfound to induce heterosubtypic immunity, was fused toHSP70359-610 or C-terminus of Mycobacterium tuberculosisHSP70 (HSP70c) in pcDNA3.1 vector (pcDNA/M2e-HSP70c)and then encapsulated into a derivative of chitosan, N-trimethylchitosan (TMC). After encapsulation of the plasmid, physicalproperties of the particles were investigated using Zetasizer®3000 the particles were then administered through the intranasaldelivery in BALB/c mice. RESULTS: It was found that theparticles had a size ranging between 90-120nm and positivesurface charge. The intranasal immunization with M2e-HSP70c+TMC in BALB/c mice significantly induced higherM2e specific IgG than those induced in control groups(pcDNA/M2e-HSP70c without TMC, pcDNA/M2e, bearingM2e alone, and PBS).CONCLUSIONS: The present study showedthat the encapsulation of M2e/ HSP70c into N-trimethylchitosan (TMC) could strongly induce the humoral immuneresponse against the M2e-HSP70c plasmid without lowering theadjuvant efficacy of HSP70c.

BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis causedby Leptospira interrogans. Leptospirosis results in decreasedmilk production, abortion, stillbirth, infertility and mortality,which causes financial loss in the cattle industry. OBJECTIVES:The aim of this research was to perform a serological andbacteriological study of leptospirosis in 6 industrial dairy herdsand 3 feedlots with previous records of leptospirosis in Tehransuburbs in 2011-2012. METHODS: For the purpose of this study,408 blood samples from dairy cattle and 154 blood samples fromfeedlots were collected using sterile 10ml venoject vacutainersfrom tail vein. Two months later, 118 urine samples werecollected from 20% of the two groups of serological negative andpositive animals. All serum samples were serologically tested bymicroscopic agglutination test (MAT), a standard method forserological diagnosis of leptospirosis. The serum samples weretested for antibodies against five live antigens of Leptospirainterrogans serovars: Pomona, Grippotyphosa, Hardjo, Icterohaemorrhagiaeand Canicola. Urine samples were used forbacteriological isolation of Leptospira spp. RESULTS: Serologicalresults showed that 228 (40.6%) of animals had a positivereaction against one or more serovars. The most prevalentLeptospira serovars was Pomona 118 (40.3%) and the leastprevalent was Canicola 4 (1.4%). The most prevalent titer was1:100, and the highest titer was 1:1600. Also the mostseropositive cases were observed in 3 to 4-year-old cows.Bacteriological results revealed that in 11 (9.3%) urine samplesLeptospira spp. were isolated, all taken from one feedlot farm.According to the history taken from each farm, the main riskfactors were the presence of rodents and low hygienic conditionsof the farms. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study revealedthat cows could have a major role in maintaining Pomona,Grippotyphosa and Hardjo serovars; indeed, they are a potentialzoonotic risk to slaughter house workers, meat inspectors,milkers and farmers.

BACKGROUND: Stem cell therapy in small animal medicineis still in its infancy and few in vitro and in vivo research projectsregarding animal Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) have beencarried out. On the other hand, Cell tracking is the first step of thecell-based therapies and is essential to recognize cell fate posttransplantation. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was toisolate, characterize, and transduce cBM-MSCs. METHODS:Canine Bone Marrow-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (cBMMSCs)were isolated from bone marrow of dogs andcharacterized based on morphology, differentiation capacities,and surface marker expressions. For the first time, we labeledcBM-MSCs by GFP-encoding lentiviral vector to track them.RESULTS: cBM-MSCs were successfully isolated and proliferated.Morphologically, these cells were similar to otherMSCs from other sources and species and were able todifferentiate into osteocytes and adipocytes. cBM-MSCsexpressed surface marker CD44 but were not able to expressCD34. Approximately, 70% of cells efficaciously expressedGFPafter labeling; CONCLUSIONS:We found that GFP labelingis an easy and effective technique to track transplanted cBMMSCs.Our results also provide fundamental information aboutcanine BM-MSCs in order to use in veterinary medicine.

BACKGROUND: Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused byCoxiella burnetii, a species of bacteria that is distributedworldwide. In cattle, Coxiella burnetii infections are generallyasymptomatic but can also be associated with reproductivedisorders. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to achievemolecular detection of Coxiella burnetii in dairy bovine milkfarms using Nested PCR in Qom province, Iran. METHODS:From January to February 2011 (winter) and July to September2011(summer) a total of 100 bovine bulk milk samples wereequally collected from five areas of Qom. The nested PCR assayused to screen for C. burnetii was designed from the nucleotidesequence of the com1 gene encodin a 27-kD outer membraneprotein (OMP). RESULTS: In this study, 14% (14 of 100) of bulkmilk were positive. CONCLUSIONS: These results support thehypothesis of high prevalence and endemic pattern of Q fever inQom province of Iran.

BACKGROUND: The presence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) andantibiotic residues in milk and milk products is a public healthconcern. Milk and milk powder have the potential forintroducing AFM1 and antibiotic into human diet. In recentyears, milk powder has been used on a large scale in dairyfactories. Consequently, antibiotic residues and aflatoxincontamination control in these products has gained importance.OBJECTIVES: The aim of this survey was to determine the levelof β-lactam and tetracycline antibiotic residues and also AFM1contamination of milk powder used in Tehran dairy factories.METHODS: During 12 months (September 2011 to September2012), 240 samples of milk powder were collected from tenTehran dairy factories. All samples were analyzed for thepresence of AFM1 using ELISA technique. In addition,antibiotic residues were determined by BetaStar Combo test, arapid assay for both β-lactam and tetracycline antibiotics.RESULTS: The samples depicted positive results i.e. 30% and17.5% for β-lactam and tetracycline antibiotics, respectively.Also, AFM1 was found in 155 cases (64.6%) with an averageconcentration of 29.85 ± 18.99 ng/ L. CONCLUSIONS:The resultsshowed the milk powder used by dairy factories is safe in respectof AFM1 contamination and antibiotic residues in Tehran.

BACKGROUND: Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal cellscan transdifferentiate into Cardiomyocyte cells and improveheart function after transplantation. Since biomaterials canimprove the cell retention in the site, cell survival and differentiation,heart tissue engineering is now being explored as anapplied solution to support cell-based therapies and increasetheir efficacy for myocardial diseases. Chitosan in combinationwith Glycerol Phosphate (GP) can produce a thermo sensitivematerial that in body temperature can form a jellylike material.OBJECTIVES:The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects ofa combination of autologous undifferentiated bone marrowmesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and injectable scaffold on cardiacfunction improvement in rabbits after inducing myocardialinfarction. METHODS: The Left Anterior Descending (LAD)coronary artery was ligated by No. 6-0 polyamide suturematerial, and autologous MSCs with injectable scaffold wereinjected into the margins of the infarcted zone at the time ofsurgery. At 4 weeks after transplantation, the cardiac functionand structure was detected using echocardiography. RESULTS:There was no significant difference among the three groups (MIonly, MI Scaffold, and MI+Scaffold+MSCs) in the Echocardiographicparameters including, heart rate (HR), Ejection Fraction(EF), Fractional Shortening (FS), Left Ventricular Diameter(LVD) and Left Ventricular Parietal Wall Diameter (LVPW).CONCLUSIONS: A combination of autologous undifferentiatedbone marrow MSCs and injectable scaffold made of Chitosan+Glycerol Phosphate in echocardiographic evaluation did nothave a positive influence on achieving functional improvement.