BACKGROUND: Ischemia/reperfusion of tetsis is a male infertility condition which occurs because of oxidation demage. Echinacea purpurea extract (EPE) has antioxidant and protective effect. OBJECTIVES: So, the main purpose of this research was to determine effects of EP extract on testicular ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rat. METHODS: 50 adult Wistar rats were randomly allocated into five groups: group one as control, group two, 2 hour I/24 hours R period, group three, 1 hour I which after 1 hour of ischemia, rat was injected 25 mg/kg EPE and ischemia continued for an hour, then was followed by 24 hours R period. Groups 4 and    5 were similar to experiment 3, except rats were injected with 50 and 100 mg/kg of EPE, respectively.  Then 24 hours later, the left testis was removed for histological and antioxidant enzyme activity including malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and total antioxidant status (TAS). RESUTLS: Based on the findings, MDA concentration was significantly elevated in I/R rat (P<0.05)  while EPE diminished MDA concentration in I/R rat (P<0.05). SOD and GPx activity decreased in I/R  rat (P<0.05). Injection of the of the EPE (25, 50 and 100mg/kg) increased SOD and GPx concentrations (P<0.05). There was significant fluctuation on TAS in EPE treated groups in comparision to the control group (P>0.05). Seminiferous tubules degenerated and few spermatocytes were observed in testis tubules of the I/R rat. EPE (50 and 100mg/kg) improved testis characteristics in experimental I/R-induced rat in which normal spermatocyte in seminiferous tubules was observed. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested EPE has protective effect against against testicular I/R.

BACKGROUND:  Canine low-dose sepsis model provides a reliable setting to study innovative drugs. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS), a major constituent of bacterial outer membrane, have been demonstrated to play a critical role in the initiation of pathogenesis. Lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis has been extensively studied in laboratory animals; but its importance has mainly remained unknown in dogs. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present survey was to examine the effectiveness of quercetin, along with hydrocortisone on clinical and hematological alterations, and organ failure (liver and heart) in low-dose lipopolysaccharide-induced canine sepsis model. METHODS: For this purpose, fifteen clinically healthy mixed dogs were randomly divided into three equal groups. Lipopolysaccharide (0.1 μg/kg, IV) was injected to dogs in group A (control). Group B was similar to group A, but quercetin bolus (2 mg/kg, IV, once) was injected 40 minutes after LPS injection. Group C was similar to group B; however, hydrocortisone bolus (2 mg/kg, IV, once) was administered instead of quercetin. Serum levels of glucose, total protein, albumin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine kinase isoenzyme muscle/brain (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and cardiac troponin I (cTn-I) concentration were measured by commercial kits. RESULTS: In control group, red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (HCT) significantly decreased and serum activities of AST, ALP, LDH, CK-MB, and plasma cTn-I significantly increased (p <0.05). RBCs, Hb, and HCT significantly increased in quercetin group, compared with hydrocortisone and control groups (p <0.05). Quercetin group significantly decreased LDH, CK-MB, and cTn-I compared with hydrocortisone and control groups (p <0.05). Quercetin significantly decreased AST in comparison to control group and ALP in comparison to hydrocortisone group, also (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that quercetin protects RBCs in the early stages of sepsis and decreases organs dysfunction (heart and liver), therefore it has a positive influence on sepsis and may be more effective than routine corticosteroid (hydrocortisone) therapy.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory reactions in pathophysiologic conditions of lung are a critical problem in the treatment process, which in some cases lead to death, particularly in neonate. Exogenous lung surfactant has been considered as a candidate to treatment of inflammation in the lungs. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to examine the efficacy of this substance in vivo and in vitro. METHODS: Calf lung surfactant extract (CLSE) was obtained from freshly slaughtered calves’ minced isolates. For in vivo study: the New Zealand white rabbits as appropriate animal model were treated with formulated CLSE, then peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were collected and the level and gene expression of IL-10, IL-6, IL-1β, IFN-γ and TGF-β were assessed before and after surfactant treatment for 30 days. In vitro study: four different formulated drug concentrations were added to rabbit PBMC and cytokines level and gene expression were evaluated. RESULTS: Our results indicate that IFN-γ and TGF-β increased at 24, 48 and 72 h which were statistically significant compared to baseline. While, IL-6 and IL-1β also started to decrease, IFN-γ and TGF-β increased due to surfactant therapy which reached its maximum expression after 7 days. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that CLSE could contribute in reducing pathology effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines by inducing regulatory response in lung which can be used as auxiliary and protective drug in respiratory diseases.

Background: Intraosseous injection is a way to administration of drugs. Objective: The clinical comparison of intraosseous and intravenous injection of Thiopental-Na. Methods: First all birds (Twenty six healthy pigeons) were split out into two groups randomly. Group A received 20 mg kg-1 Thiopental-Na by intraosseous route and group B intravenous route. After one week that needs for washing out of drug, group A received 20 mg kg-1 Thiopental-Na by intravenous route and group B intraosseous route. The respiratory rate (fR), heart rate (HR) and cloacal temperature (T) were measured before (0 minute) and 1, 5, 10, 20 and 30 minutes after anesthetic drug administration. Reaction to injection, number of efforts for injection, duration to onset the anesthesia and different scores of anesthesia were checked. Returning from anesthesia in two groups was written out and compared. Results: Statistical assessment showed anesthesia onset in the method of intravenous injection was significantly less than the method of intraosseous injection (p=0.003), and the fR in two groups was different in 1 minute after drug administration (P=0.036). There was not statistically difference in other minutes for fR, HR and T in two groups (P >0.05). Statistical analysis showed that there were no significant differences in terms of number of efforts for anaesthetizing as well as anesthesia stage in both methods in different minutes (p>0.05). Also no significant alterations were recorded for recovery time for both groups. There was not any visible lameness or pain for intraosseous route after recovery. Conclusions: Intraosseous anesthesia injection in birds is a practicable and fast procedure and comparable with intravenous route.

BACKGROUND: Recently, the researches about herbal medicines as substitutes for chemical drugs have risen in number. OBJECTIVES: To add more aspects to this research area, this study evaluated the changes in biochemical factors of the blood serum due to the consumption of Thymus daenensis extract and the effect of the period of its consumption into the diet of herd dogs. METHODS: Eight adult male dogs were chosen and fed with a fixed diet for 1 month. Then they were ran- domly assigned to two groups of four. The members of first (control) group were fed only with the fixed diet and the second group received 200mg/ml, administered as 1ml/kg of Thymus daenensis extract into their fixed diet. Finally, the dogs were bloodlet at 3 different times, namely before intervention, 7 and 14 days after the in- tervention to measure the factors of glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and HDL, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferases. RESULTS: Comparing to the control group and the starting point of this experiment, levels of FBS, LDL, TGL, CHOL, AST factors significantly decreased 14 days after intervention, but the HDL factor increased after 7 and 14 days of intervention (P<0.05). The level of ALT factor did not change during period of the study (P> 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Consequently, oral consumption of Thymus daenensis extract led to decrease in the amounts of glucose and lipids of blood and this herb can be recommended for treating diabetics and persons suffering from high cholesterol.

Background: Dicrocoeliasis is caused by digenean trematode of Dicrocoelium dendriticum, small liver fluke, a hepatic parasitic disease in ruminants and human, throughout the world. D. dendriticum infection has been considered to be correlated with the economic and veterinary aspects. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and intensity of infection with D. dendriticum in sheep and cattle in Guilan, Mazandaran and Golestan provinces from Caspian Sea Littoral, Northern part of Iran. Methods: For this purpose, 4 cities in every province, 4 villages in each city, and 4 districts in each village were chosen for sampling. Totally, 1344 faecal samples of sheep and cattle were examined. It should be taken in to consideration that the number of eggs per gram of feces (E.P.G) was determined by flotation technique. Results: The results suggested that sheep was infected 4-5 times more than cattle in all three provinces. The average of prevalence of D. dendriticum infection in sheep and cattle were 38.43% and 9.37%, respectively in Guilan province. The average of prevalence in Mazandaran province was determined to be 21.35% and 4.16% in sheep and cattle, respectively. It is worth noting that the highest infection rates were occurred in Chalus and Noor from Mazandaran province. The average of D. dendriticum infection was determined to be 6.87% in sheep and 1.87% in cattle from Golestan province. Conclusions: Our results indicated that not only the prevalence but also the intensity of infection were higher in sheep compared to cattle Furthermore, the rate of infection was about two fold higher in both hosts from Guilan province. Therefore, according to the higher prevalence of infection in two provinces of Guilan and Mazandaran and the importance of sheep in distribution of infection, sever control program are required by providing comprehensive plans.

BACKGROUND: Members of the genus Gyrodactylus species are one of the extensive groups of monogenean ectoparasites which parasitize marine, brackish and freshwater fishes. OBJECTIVES: The main objective of the present study is the identification and diagnosis of the Gyrodactylus specsies on the fishes in certain rivers in the southwest of the Caspian Sea basin. METHODS: The field investigations were carried out from March 2015 to June 2016 and approximately, 1240 fish specimens belonging to two families, nine genera and nine species from Babolrud, Tajan, Shirud, Tonekabon, Nekarud, Siahrud, Telar and Haraz rivers were examined. RESULTS: At least eleven Gyrodactylus species were isolated from skin and gills of the examined fishes. Among them, Gyrodactylus mutabilitas, G. sprostonae and G. prostae have been previously reported to be found in Iran. The rest, including Gyrodactylus ctenopharyngodonis, G. gobioninum, G. katharineri, G. nemachili, G. proterorhini, G. ophiocephali, G. varicorhini and G. vimbi are reported for the first time from Iranian Fishes. A tissue-specific microenvironment is seen in infection with Grodactylus proterorhini which was isolated from the gills, but mostly from the surface of the skin of Neogobius pallasi which is mainly specific to the brackish water of estuaries and coastal area. CONCLUSIONS: The host spectrum of Gyrodactylus species in Iran is actually wider and the further research may demonstrate that classification of individual species in terms of their host specificity will have to be changed and additional species of Gyrodactylus species would be found.

BACKGROUND: Dental disease, trauma and maxillofacial surgeries can cause alveolar bone defects. Among different kinds of treatment, autogenous bone grafts is accepted as a golden standard. On the other hand, because of limitation of treatment with autogenous bone grafts, osteogenic cells derived from stem cells are suggested. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the mean density of the repaired bone in maxillary alveolar cleft of dog by tissue engineering and autogenous bone grafting techniques using digital radiography. METHODS: two, 15*15mm, defects were made in the maxillary alveoli of 4 dogs. A stent was placed in the defect to prevent the effects of soft tissue. After 60 days, the defects were filled with tibial auto graft in one side and mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from the neck adipose tissue in the other side. The density of the regenerated bone was evaluated 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 days after graft implantation by direct digital radiography, Digora windows software (70 KVP, 10 mA and 0.40 seconds). RESULTS: The findings of one-way ANOVA test showed no significant difference between tissue engineering and autogenous bone grafting methods (P-value = 0.94). Visually, the repaired bone pattern was homogenized in autogenous bone graft method but it was cotton-wool in tissue engineering bone graft method. CONCLUSIONS: digital radiography soft ware provides the possibility of quantification of bone repair by densitometry. When autogenous bone graft is not available, tissue engineering bone graft can be considered an acceptable alternative to repair the bone defects.

Background: Blastocystis is the most common anaerobic protozoa living in the large intestine of a broad spectrum of vertebrates. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the Blastocystis infection rate in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Methods: A total of 80 stool samples were collected from IBD-proved patients. All stool samples were cultivated in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium and checked by light microscopy for detection of Blastocystis. The Correlation between demographic data of IBD patients and Blastocystis was calculated using SPSS 23. Results: The enrolled patients comprised of 52 (65%) men and 28 (35%) women. The study showed Blastocystis in 16/80 (20%) of the samples by microscopic examination and culture method. The parasite was seen among 12 (23.08%) and 4 (14.29%) men and women, respectively. No statistically significant correlation was found between infection with the parasite and animal contact.  Fisher’s exact test represented that there was no correlation between gender and the presence of Blastocystis (p value= 0.397). Fisher’s exact test denoted that there was no statistical correlation between age and the presence of the parasite (p value= 0.130). Conclusions: In this study, Blastocystis was found in 20% of enrolled patients who suffered from IBD. This infection rate was significantly higher than the studies have previously described Blastocystis in this group of patients.

Abstract  Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been recognized as a matter of antibiotic resistance that is largely developed amongst common foodborne pathogens. MRSA is being considered as an important worldwide health threat and causes considerable concern to clinicians, food products manufacturers, governments and also consumers. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to detect MRSA isolated from 360 samples of pastry cream products sold in the local markets in Amol, June 2016- May 2017, by plate count method and molecular technique. METHODS: The conventional plate counting method was conducted through inoculating appropriate dilutions of samples onto the Baired Parker Agar plates. MRSA isolates were detected by PCR method using mecA primers set. The resistance of isolated MRSA strains against some antibiotics was determined. RESULTS: Out of 360  pastry cream samples tested, 41.6% (150 samples) were contaminated by S. aureus with an average count of 4.94 log CFU/g in summer; 4.72 log CFU/g in autumn, 2.74 log CFU/g in winter and 3.62 log CFU/g in spring. Eleven samples out of 360 tested (3.05%) showed positive results for the mecA gene. No MRSA isolate was identified amongst winter samples. 56% of isolated strains showed sensitivity to oxacillin, 7% of isolates were sensitive to penicillin, 23 to ampicillin, 82% to gentamicin and 33% to tetracycline. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, monitoring and improving the hygienic conditions of food production chain and educating food handlers and staff involved in food preparation is recommended in order to prevent MRSA prevalence.