This study investigated the prevalence of staphylococcal contamination in camel milk collected from various farms in the M'sila region of Algeria and evaluated the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Staphylococcus spp. isolates. It is the first study involving detailed testing of staphylococci from Algerian raw camel milk. Over a three-month period, 20 camel milk samples were collected and subjected to bacterial isolation using the spread plate technique. Staphylococcus species were identified through conventional methods and the Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight (MALDI-TOF) Biotyper. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion method with various antibiotics from different classes. The results revealed a 100% prevalence of Staphylococcus contamination in the analyzed samples. Among the 30 Staphylococcus isolates, Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) (37%) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (17%) were the predominant species. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed that only 6.66% of the isolates were sensitive to all tested antibiotics, while 93.3% exhibited resistance or intermediate susceptibility to at least one antibiotic. Notably, resistance to penicillin was highly prevalent (87%). Diverse antibiotic resistance profiles were observed, with single, double, triple, and quadruple resistance patterns. This study provides valuable insights into the prevalence of Staphylococcus contamination and antibiotic resistance profiles in camel milk, highlighting the need for effective strategies and measures to control and prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which should be part of livestock management strategies to protect both animal and public health. The identification of S. epidermidis isolate classified as MR-MDR CNS highlights the rise of methicillin-resistant strains of CNS and the challenge they pose in maintaining the efficacy of therapeutic treatments.
This study aimed to investigate the infestation of Ixodidae ticks in herd and stray dogs in Robat Karim region of Tehran province, Iran. Ticks are among the most important external parasites in dogs that can cause various diseases through blood feeding. The growing population of stray dogs in the cities is one of the most important problems, especially in the outskirts of the cities, and the identification of the tick fauna in the area is very important. A total of 83 dogs (17 herd dogs and 66 stray dogs) were randomly sampled from 14 urban and rural points in the Robat Karim between September 1st and September 30th, 2023. After transferring the samples to the entomology laboratory, various species were identified. A total of 434 Ixodidae ticks belonging to 2 genera and 4 different species were identified from 72 infested dogs. The highest frequency was related to Rhipicephalus sanguineus (64.28%), Rhipicephalus bursa (17.28%), and the lowest frequency was related to Rhipicephalus turanicus (11.29%), Hyalomma marginatum (7.14%). Examining the age variables showed that there is a significant difference (p≤0.05) in the frequency of tick infestation in different age groups, with 44.23% of the total isolated ticks belonging to dogs aged 1-3 years. Such research, which deals with the identification and investigation of species diversity and the distribution of different species of ticks in a specific geographical area, will lead to better and more accurate decisions by the medical and veterinary professionals to control and prevent the spread of tick-borne diseases. Similar studies should be conducted in other regions of Iran to determine the level of tick infestation in dogs throughout Iran and the results of these studies can be used in strategic tick control programs.
The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread all over the world and was accepted as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020. Lungs are predominantly affected by tuberculosis and COVID -19. The objective of the study was to assess the clinical features of COVID-19 in active tuberculosis (pulmonary and extra-pulmonary) and to identify the radiological and laboratory picture of COVID -19 in patients with active tuberculosis. A cross -sectional study was conducted by the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, among patients of active tuberculosis (pulmonary and extra-pulmonary) who presented to the General Outpatient Department (OPD) of the Respiratory Medicine Department. The questionnaire included questions on socio -demographic profile, clinical features, comorbidities, clinical history, any substance abuse and laboratory investigations. Data was analyzed by SPSS software version 21.0, while Chi-square test was used for categorical data analysis. The mean age of the study participants was 47.5±5.3 years (Range 18-72). Males constituted the larger group (59.38%) as compared to females (40.63%). The prevalence of COVID-19/tuberculosis co-infection in the present study was 21.8%. Positive history of contact, bacterial culture, PCR, and CBNAAT, use of the drug, presence of cavity and pleural effusion on X -Ray, showed all remarkably higher chances (p< 0.05) of developing co-infection. The prevalence of COVID-19/tuberculosis co-infection in the present study was high. Significantly associated factors can help in identifying COVID -19 infection among tuberculosis patients. Therefore, it is recommended that screening for these factors should be done for all tuberculosis patients coming for treatment and Covid 19 vaccination.
The objective of endodontic treatment is paramount: to completely eradicate bacterial infection within the dental pulp and root canal system. This study aimed to evaluate the Antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and cytotoxicity activity of Astragalus baba-alliar (A. baba-alliar) extract against the main causes of dental root canal infections, which areEnterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans. After preparing the methanolic extract from A. baba-alliar, phytochemical analysis was conducted to determine the content of secondary metabolites, followed by the determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC), against Candida albicans (C. albicans) and Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis).Subsequently, the ability of the methanolic extract to inhibit biofilm formation was investigated using the microtiter plate method. The cytotoxic effects of the methanolic extract on normal human gingival fibroblast cells (HGF-1) and oral cancer cells (KB) were evaluated using the MTT reduction method. Based on the phytochemical results, the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, and polysaccharides in this plant extract was confirmed. The total phenol and flavonoid content were determined to be 4.23 mg GEA/g DW and 2.61 mg QE/g DW, respectively. The methanol extract of the plant, both alone and in combination with nystatin, exhibited a significant anti-candidal effect against C. albicans, while alone and especially in combination with chlorhexidine, it demonstrated a significant antibacterial effect against E. faecalis. Moreover, the extract alone and in combination with nystatin, induced biofilm formation in C. albicans with an MBIC50 of 4.6 μg/ml, 64 μg/ml, and 0.25 μg/ml, respectively. Similarly, the extract alone and combined with chlorhexidine inhibited biofilm formation in E. faecalis with a minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC50) of 42.6 μg/ml and 1.16 μg/ml, respectively. The calculated Selectivity Index (SI) exceeding 2 (SI=2.72) indicates the extract's selective cytotoxicity toward cancer cells while maintaining negligible toxicity toward normal cells. Based on the antimicrobial properties uncovered in this research, the study is anticipated to lay the groundwork for clinical trials and subsequent investigations into the plant's active compounds. Such endeavors hold potential for application across various industrial sectors, including food, pharmaceuticals, and medicine.
The objective of this study was to assess the wound healing traits of Valeriana officinalis and Chelidonium majus hydro-alcoholic (HA) extracts on surgical wounds in Wistar rats. The HA root extracts were separated using percolator and 96 degree alcohol in desiccator device. Additionally, 24 Wistar rats (six months old, 200 g) were divided into three groups: control, V. officinalis, and C. majus. Wound creation (2 cm in diameter) was developed by initial intraperitoneal injection of anesthetic drugs (5% ketamine and 5mg/kg of diazepam) and hair shaving. 24 hours after wound creation, treatment was initiated using ointment containing 5% of each V. officinalis and C. majus HA extract, applied for 21 days. Wound imaging on days 4, 7, 14 and 21 was performed using a digital camera. Histopathologic examination of the wounds was conducted at 4, 7, 14 and 21-day intervals. Microscopic and macroscopic observations revealed significantly higher wound healing rates in treated groups compared to the control. Histopathologic examinations indicated sufficient angiogenesis, existence of collagen and fibroblast cells and reduction in the inflammatory cells. Moreover, wound contraction was observed in the treated groups. Noticeably, the C. majus HA extract treated the wounds more efficiently. The wound healing in Wistar rats using HA extracts from V. officinalis and C. majus was promising though more investigations are required. Additionally, C. majus HA extract demonstrated healing effect compared to that of V. officinalis. It is proposed to evaluate the cytotoxic levels of extracts and formulate them in future studies to achieve more efficient and rapid healing of wounds. In addition, combination of extracts from various herbal medicines and with synthetic drugs can be studied for wound healing applications.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a viral infection affecting 71 million people worldwide. A high prevalence of co-infection has been observed with parasitic infections, such as Schistosoma mansoni, Fasciola sp., and Toxoplasma gondii, all of which can contribute to the progression of liver disease. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of co-parasitic infections with HCV-positive individuals within Egyptian populations and the resulting biochemical changes in liver and kidney biomarkers. A total of three hundred and thirty-seven blood samples were screened molecularly for HCV and immunologically for parasitic infections using PCR and ELISA, respectively. Liver functions were monitored by measuring serum levels of glutamic oxaloacetic aminotransferase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate alanine aminotransferase (GPT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), total protein (TP), albumin (Alb), total bilirubin (T Bil), and alkaline phosphatase (ALK). Kidney functions were evaluated by measuring creatinine, uric acid, urea, sodium (Na), and potassium (K) levels. Patients were categorized by gender and age <21, 21-50, and >50 years. Results indicated that 120 out of 287 HCV-infected cases (41.8%) have Schistosoma infection, of which 57, 31, 24, and 8 cases were mono-infected and co-infected with Fasciola, Toxoplasma, and Fasciola/Toxoplasma, respectively Additionally, 99 patients (34.5%) were infected with Fasciola hepatica infection, of which 51 were mono-infected and 9 were co-infected with Toxoplasma. A total of 87 patients (30.3%) tested positive for T. gondii infection, of which 46 cases were mono-infected. Additionally, the proportion of male patients with monoparasitic infection ranged from 78.2% (Toxoplasma) and 84.3% (S. mansoni or F. hepatica). On the other hand, the highest incidences of single infections among males (Fasciola and Toxoplasma) were over the age of 50 years for Fasciola (43.1%) and Toxoplasma (39.1%), respectively. In contrast, S. mansoni mono-infection was most prevalent (42.1%) among males aged 21-50 years. Liver enzyme levels (GPT, GOT, Alk, and GGT) and kidney parameters (creatinine and urea) were significantly affected by the type (mono or mixed) and species of parasitic infections in HCV patients. Additionally, most serological parameters were significantly in cases of viral/parasitic co-infections, especially, among patients with high viral loads.
Acinetobacter baumannii is a dangerous opportunistic pathogen responsible for a wide range of various infections, particularly in healthcare settings, affecting immunocompromised individuals. It is a significant source of nosocomial infections due to its ability to produce extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and carbapenemase enzymes, making it a major concern for antibiotic resistance. To investigate the significant occurrence of ESBL-producing A. baumannii in hospitalized individuals, a total of 250 clinical specimens were obtained cultured on blood agar and MacConkey agar media. Identification of isolates was conducted using both conventional microbiological techniques and the automated VITEK 2 system. Duplicate isolates and specimens from colonization-prone sites, including throat and perianal areaswere excluded. Antimicrobial susceptibility and ESBL production were evaluated according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) standards. Out of 250 clinical specimens, 60(24%) out of 250 were culture-positive for A. baumannii infection. Thirty out of sixty isolates (50%) showed an A. baumannii infection that produced ESBL. 86.67% of the isolated bacteria exhibited multidrug resistance overall (52/60). Resistance profiling revealed that amikacin had the greatest resistance rate among the 60 isolates (100%), while tigecycline showed the lowest resistance rate among just 10 isolates (16.67%). Notably, colistin demonstrated complete efficacy, with a 0.00% resistance rate, making it the most effective antibiotic against A. baumannii in this study. The presence of ESBL genes were correlated with antibiotic resistance, particularly with cephalosporin medicines. In conclusion, the present study highlights the prevalence of ESBL-producing A. baumannii strains, emphasizing the need for cautious antibiotic use and systematic monitoring of resistance mechanisms. The emergence of new ESBL strains necessitates continuous surveillance and further research on other ESBL-associated genes.
Strongyloides ratti is closely related to the human parasite Strongyloides stercoralis and is commonly used as a laboratory model for studying and diagnosing strongyloidiasis in humans. The enzyme phosphoribosyltransferase (PRTase) type I of S. ratti is an important enzyme involved in the salvage of purine nucleotides. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification of 567 bp cDNA fragment encoding the middle part of a PRTase from S. ratti was carried out using two specific primers. The use of this fragment as a probe allowed the isolation of a larger cDNA sequence through searching the expressed sequence tag (EST) database. The entire size of the assembled fragment was 789 bp. The deduced amino acid sequence exhibits a high degree of homology (98.6%) with the only sequence of S. ratti. The S. ratti phosphoribosyltransferase (SrPRT) sequence had the lowest genetic distance with the only S. ratti partial mRNA sequence XM_024650090.1 (1.6%). Multiple alignment of SrPRT showed that the stretches of amino acid homology correspond to two putative substrate-binding domains for purine and phosphoribosyl diphosphate (PRPP). In the C-terminus part of the protein, there is also a putative binding domain sequence with high homology. A 642 bp fragment of the SrPRT, including the entire coding sequence corresponding to Met-1 to Lys-214 was expressed into an N-terminal 6His-tagPCRT7/NT-TOPO expression vector in Escherichia coli. A band of 30.5 kDa was observed in the IPTG-induced sample compared to the control on SDS-PAGE. Protein expression was confirmed by Western blot analysis using an anti-His HRP-conjugated antibody. The successful cloning and expression of PRTase from S. ratti allow us to compare this enzyme with other related proteins. Such knowledge may be valuable for future structure-based drug design strategies using this enzyme as a model system for S. stercoralis.
The intestinal nematode Strongyloides ratti is an important and optimal model for the human pathogen, Strongyloides stercoralis. To design degenerate primers and amplify a putative NDR domain-containing gene fragment from Strongyloides ratti using touchdown reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A pair of degenerate primers was designed to amplify the target gene associated with nuclear Dbf2-related (NDR) domain-containing proteins, based on two conserved regions identified from related nematode protein sequences. A putative NDR domain-containing gene fragment of 249 bp from the S. ratti was amplified using Touchdown RT-PCR. The results showed that the amplified fragment between these two motifs from S. ratti, aligned with the C-terminus of the reference protein, shares 66.3% similarities. By searching the EST (expressed sequence tags) GenBank database, an overlapping 1082 bp cDNA fragment named SrNDR was compiled and found to contain a 972-nucleotide open reading frame encoding a protein of 324 amino acids, with an expected molecular mass of 23.4 kDa and calculatal pI of 7.64. The phylogram of SrNDR revealed that the gene variants of S. ratti SrNDR were grouped together with a strong bootstrap score of 87. Domain search analysis showed an e-value of 1.05e-100 for the conserved NDR1 domain within the a/b hydrolase superfamily protein (pfam03096), spanning amino acid residues 9 to 287. The core domain of SrNDR is folded into 12 alpha-helices surrounded by eight antiparallel b-strands. The three-dimensional structure model of SrNDR (residues 31-319) showed 100% identity to the human protein NDRG1 across 248 amino acids, with 77% sequence coverage. By using this program, we found a prediction of predominantly a-helical (44.86%), Strand (1.08%) and random coil (54.05%) content for the coding sequence of SrNDR. Based on the alignment of this protein with homologous sequences from related nematodes, it may play a vital role in parasite survival within host cells.
In individuals with compromised immune systems, strongyloidiasis disease can lead to disseminated infections that can be fatal if diagnosis and treatment are delayed. The human gut is composed of numerous bacteria that play essential roles in the development of acquired immunity, and protection against pathogenic factors. This case-control study was conducted on individuals who were referred to the Diagnostic Laboratory of Strongyloidiasis in the School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. After DNA extraction from fecal samples, the 16SrRNA gene was examined using Real-time PCR. The levels of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum were calculated in both groups (one group consisted of individuals suspected of strongyloidiasis, compared with the other group with no underlying disease). Finally, the collected data were analyzed. Out of 28 participants in this study, 16 (57%) were men and 12 (43%) were women, with ages ranging from 43 to 76 years. A statistically significant relationship was observed between underlying diseases, vegetable washing practices, and clinical symptoms of strongyloidiasis. DNA extraction from the fecal samples was performed using a DNA Extraction kit. The average level of L. acidophilus and B. bifidum were (4.07250±3.132533) 1012× and, (6.12857±3.519169) 1012× in the case group, respectively, which were lower compared to the control group. However, no significant association was found between the bacterial levels in the case and control groups and the incidence of strongyloidiasis (p>0.05), the control group had (7.04733± 6.542372) 1012× and (8.36643± 4.754185) 1012×, respectively. The odds ratio for L. acidophilus and B. bifidum were 1.13 and 1.14, respectively. It was observed that for each increase of 1012 in the microliter of L.acidophilus and B. bifidum in the individual's intestines in areas endemic for strongyloidiasis, the chances of contracting this disease decreased by 13% and 14%, respectively. Future studies with a larger sample size, considering age, gender and other physiological factors related to strongyloidiasis, are suggested.
Mumps virus (MuV), a neurotropic member of paramyxoviridae, causes mumps disease. Since the 1960s, when the first live-attenuated vaccine against the MuV was developed, mumps outbreaks have dramatically decreased. A monkey-based neurovirulence test has been developed and has been used to assess the safety of attenuated MuV strains. However, laboratory and clinical findings have suggested that the monkey-based test may not necessarily reflect the neurovirulence behavior of the MuV when administered to the vaccinees. A neonatal rat-based MuV neurovirulence safety test has been developed and recommended by reference institutions in recent years. This test in Lewis rats was first introduced in 1998. This study aimed to evaluate the suitability of neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats for the neurovirulence test of an Iranian MuV vaccine strain, RS-12. One-day-old Sprague-Dawley newborn rats were intracranially injected with MRC-5 cell supernatant (assigned as "C" for the control group), the RS-12 attenuated strain (assigned as "V" for the vaccine group), and the RS-12 wild-type strain (assigned as "W" for the wild-type group), respectively. The animals were observed for 30 days post-injection with regard to weight gain, viral titer in the brain tissue, and appearance of hydrocephalus in the brain sections. The mean weight gain in groups C and W was the highest and lowest respectively. Regression analysis of log-transformed weight values revealed a significant difference between group C and group W. A significant difference between group V and group W was seen. There was no significant difference between the weight gain of group C and group V. No MuVs were detected in the homogenized brain samples of group C, and in groups V and W, the viral titers showed a continuous decrease during the observation period. In the microscopic view of brain sections, the hydrocephalus started to form on day 15 post-injection and reached its highest extent on day 30. On day 30 post-injection, the hydrocephalus area was determined as a maximum of 1%, 5%, and 10% for the C, V, and W groups, respectively. This study has introduced the newborn Sprague-Dawley rat model, capable of demonstrating the neurovirulence potential of MuV in vaccines and distinguishing between wild-type and attenuated RS-12 strains. Further experiments are needed for the optimization and validation of the test procedures.
Shigella species (spp) are the common gram-negative bacilli isolated from patients with diarrhea. Treatment of infections caused by this genus of bacteria remains a global challenge due to increasing resistance to antibiotics. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of ESBLs, plasmid-mediated AmpC-beta-lactamase (pAmpC) genes, and plasmid replicon types among 210 clinical isolates of Shigella spp, collected from different cities across Iran. Antibacterial susceptibility of the isolates to antibiotics, as well as ESBLs production, were assessed in accordance with Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidlines. ESBLs, pAmpC genes, and plasmid replicon types of the isolates were detected using PCR and multiplex PCR methods. The highest rate of antibiotic resistance was observed with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, while the lowest rate of resistance was observed with cefoxitin. Fifty-four percent of the isolates were considered ESBL-producers. Beta-lactamase genes, including blaCTX-M , blaTEM , and blaDHA were detected in 93 (44%), 84 (40%), and 3 (1.4%) of the isolates, respectively. Ten distinct plasmid replicon types, including I1-Iγ, K, W, FIB, Y, P, FIC, FIA, HI1, and B/O were identified among the isolates. The study sheds light on the persistent challenges posed by multidrug-resistant (MDR) shigellosis to public health in different regions of Iran. Despite advancements in hygiene practices, the prevalence and population composition of Shigella species have remained largely unchanged. Also, the spread of beta-lactamase genes and various plasmid replicon types is increasing among the Shigella spp across Iran, which poses challenges for their treatment. More efficient strategies and monitoring efforts should be considered to prevent their further spread.
Respiratory viral infections vary in their clinical presentation, treatment approaches and outcomes. Therefore, accurate, timely and cost-effective detection of key pathogens, particularly SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A/B, which are among the most common causes of respiratory infections, is crucial. This study aimed to identify the presence of COVID-19 and influenza A/B, as well as their co-occurrence, in hospitalized pediatric patients presenting with respiratory viral infections symptoms. Nasopharyngeal specimens were collected from pediatric patients admitted to Mofid Children's Hospital in Tehran, Iran who exhibited symptoms of viral respiratory infections. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A/B was achieved using multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) following total RNA extraction of samples. Data regarding symptoms and other pertinent information about the patients were collected via a questionnaire. A total of 2,353 hospitalized children in this study, ranging from under one year old to 18 years old. Of these 43% were female and 57% male. Fever was the most commonly reported symptom. The results of the multiplex real-time PCR were positive in 8% of cases, including 55% for COVID-19, 8.5% forinfluenza A, 26% for influenza B, and 10.5% for co-infections. The results of this study suggest a decline in seasonal influenza incidence compared to previous years, potentially due to the improved personal protection measures during to the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, the presence of co-infection in this study is important and this co-infection should be considered in treatment and diagnostic systems in respiratory infection by physicians. Importantly, the presence of co-infections highlights the need for clinicians to consider dual pathogen involvement in diagnosis and treatment strategies for respiratory infections.
Acrylamide (AA) is a chemical compound that poses a major public health concern. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of Nigella sativa (NS) oil against AA- induced toxicity on the submandibular salivary glands (SMGs) of Albino rats. Thirty male albino rats weighing 150-200 g were equally and randomly divided into some groups: Control group received normal saline vehicle daily via oral gavage for 30 days, AA group received 15 mg/kg body weight of AA dissolved in 0.2 mL saline solution daily via oral gavage for 30 days. NS group received 15 mg/kg body weight (bw) of AA combined with 1 mL/kg bw of NS oil daily via oral gavage for 30 days. At the end of the experiment, rats were euthanized, and SMGs were dissected for histological evaluation, including hematoxylin and eosin staining (H&E) and immunohistochemistry for inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), as well as analysis for heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression using realtime polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The acinar and ductal cells of SMG of the AA group showed signs of degeneration and toxicity in the form of ill-defined outlines, pyknotic and crescent-shaped nuclei with different-sized cytoplasmic vacuolations. These changes were statistically significant with increased iNOS immunoexpression and HO-1 gene expression (P<0.0001). Administration of NS alleviated the toxic effect, downregulating both iNOS and HO-1 gene expression. The study revealed a significant cytotoxic effect of AA on SMGs of albino rats (P<0.05), presumably by the generation of oxidative stresses and mitochondrial dysfunction. NS effectively mitigated these toxic effects, suggesting its potential as a natural antioxidant.
Urothelial carcinoma is a malignant neoplasm of the urinary tract arising from the transitional epithelium. Its clinical manifestations often overlap with non-neoplastic conditions, such as urinary tract infections, thereby presenting a diagnostic challenge for clinicians. Differentiating from others condition is important, as the treatment and prognoses vary significantly. This case report presented a 4-year-old female local dog, weighing 11.55 kg in BVC Animal Hospital with a primary complaint of hematuria. Clinical, hematological, and serum biochemical evaluations revealed no significant abnormalities. Ultrasonographic (USG) examination identified a hypoechoic mass measuring 0.31×0.85 cm located within the lumen and thickening of urinary bladder wall. Cytological assessment was performed via urine catheterization. The cytological specimen demonstrated a population of cells with anisocytosis, anisokaryosis, and a high nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio, raising suspicion of a malignant tumor. Consequently, biopsy was performed via cystotomy to establish a definitive diagnosis. Prior to release the histopathological results, post-cystotomy the dog was treated with cefadroxil as antibiotics at 20 mg/kg BW b.i.d for 14 days, carprofen as anti-inflammatory at 2 mg/kg BW s.i.d. for 5 days, and tramadol as analgesics at 2 mg/kg BW b.i.d. for 5 days. Histopathological examination showed a non-encapsulated tumor with well-defined demarcation in the mucosa. The tumor consists of a dense population of epithelial tumor cells without evidence of invasion, confirmed the diagnosis of non-invasive, non-papillary urothelial carcinoma (in situ). The patient was managed palliatively with the administration of piroxicam at 0.3 mg/kg BW s.i.d as monotherapy. Until day 190, the dog showing a stable disease. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first documented case of canine urothelial carcinoma in Indonesi.
Radicine snails are of considerable medical and veterinary importance as termatode vectors. These snails are responsible for transmission of the zoonotic trematodes including Schistosoma turkestanicum and Fasciola gigantica in Iran. This study investigates Lymnaedae infestation by termatodes, considering the species and sampling locations. 1,700 snails were collected from the suburbs of Borujerd, Khorram Abad, and Dorud in Lorestan, Iran from April to August 2018. Round snails were separated, and Snail species were identified by measuring length, width, spire, and valve, using the shape of the radula as an identification key. To separate the radula, snails soft tissue was removed from the shell using forceps, then incubated in a 7% potassium solution for 24 hours at room temperature. The isolated radula was placed in a 15% acetic acid solution. It was then placed in Mallory's dye solution for 3 minutes and sunsequently washed with an oxalic acid solution. After dehydration with 96% ethanol, the samples were examined under a light microscope. To investigate trematode larvae in snails, 10% of the snail samples (a total of 170 Lymnaeidae snails) were selected and examined using the crushing method on a slide. The morphological results showed that in Dorud and Borujerd, the highest distribution of Lymnaea gedrosiana was 24.09% and 19.72%, while the lowest distribution of Bulinus truncatus was 4.72% and 4.48%, respectively. Lymnaea species were the most abundant in plain villages, whereas Bithynia and Physa were more commonly observed in mountain villages. In Khorram Abad, the highest distribution was related to Lymnaea truncatula (20.15%), while the lowest distribution was related to Lymnaea stagnalis (5.56%). The genera Bithynia and Physa showed a significant increase in mountainous villages of Khorram Abad compared to those in Borujerd and Dorud. The overall infectionrate of Lymneidae snails with termatodes was 32.94%, including 18.23% in Borujerd, 8.23% in Dorud, and 6.47% in Khorramabad. According to the chi-square test (p<0.05), a significant difference was observed in the rate of trematode infection in Lymneade snails. In this regard, the Borujerd region exhibited the highest rate of infection, whereas Khorram Abad showed the lowest.
The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of estrus induction protocols based on prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), compared with an OvSynch-type variant and the Select Synch protocol, in terms of reproductive performance in dairy cows in Algerian farms. A total of 105 gyneco-clinically intact cows, aged 2 to 5 years, including 39 primiparous and 66 multiparous cows of Montbéliarde (66) and Holstein (39) breeds were divided into three groups. In the first group, cows received two injections of PGF2α at an 11-14-day interval, with a dose of 25 mg per cow of dinoprost®. In the "OvSynch" and "select synch" groups, cows were treated with an injection of 100 μg gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) (cystorelin®) on day 0, followed by an injection of 25 mg PGF2α (dinoprost®) on day 7. Only the "Select Synch" group received a second injection of 100 μg GnRH on day 9. Cows were inseminated based on observed estrus at the end of each protocol. Pregnancy was diagnosed via ultrasound at day 30 post-AI and confirmed by trans-rectal palpation on day 45. Estrus response rates were 74%, 48.6%, and 40%; P>0.05), while average pregnancy rates were 54.4%, 31.4%, 28.6% (P<0.005, corresponding to conception rates of 73.1%, 65%, and 71.4% (P>0.005) for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Given its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency, the prostaglandin-only protocol is recommended for cows inseminated based on observed estrus. Protocols combining GnRH with PGF2α allow estrus synchronization, reducing the need for daily estrus detection (EI) and additional handling.
This study investigates the prevalence of cancer, compares inflammatory factors, and examines how inflammatory markers- C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and plasma viscosity (PV)-can aid in the early diagnosis of cancer in primary care settings. We included newly diagnosed patients of all types of malignancy (children and adults) in this retrospective study from 2018 to 2023. The results of CRP, ESR, PV tests, and demographic data (age, gender, type of malignancy, and survival) were collected. Research data were analyzed using the t-test and chi-square statistical methods. According to the results, the average ESR and PV were higher in patients who died than in those who survived (P<0.05). In addition, it was shown that there was a significant relationship between the age and gender of the patients and their survival (P<0.05). It was also shown that there was a significant relationship between the survival of patients with ESR, CRP, and PV across different cancers (P<0.05). On the other hand, a significant correlation was found between ESR, CRP, and PV among different cancers (P<0.05). Based on the results, it was shown that the average ESR and PV were higher in patients who died than in those who survived (P<0.05). In addition, it was shown that there was a significant relationship between the age and gender of the patients and their survival (P<0.05). It was also shown that there was a significant relationship between the survival of patients and ESR, CRP and PV across different cancers (P<0.05). On the other hand, it was shown that there was a significant correlation between ESR, CRP and PV among different cancers (P<0.05). To halt the progression of acute inflammation to chronic inflammation and mitigate its harmful implications, it is essential to reduce the inflammatory response. Efficient management of inflammation is crucial in preventing patient mortality and is thus essential for the treatment and survival of patients with malignancies.
The emergence of fluconazole-resistant Candida glabrata presents a significant challenge in antifungal therapy, necessitating the development of alternative treatment strategies. C. glabrata, an opportunistic yeast, is increasing resistance to common antifungals like fluconazole, often due to efflux pump overexpression, leading to compromised treatment efficacy, higher mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and increased healthcare costs. This study focused on fabricating and evaluating polyvinyl alcohol-nystatin-thymol (PVA-NYS-THY) nanofibrous scaffolds as a novel antifungal approach against fluconazole-resistant C. glabrata. Clinical isolates were identified and assessed for resistance using culture methods, molecular assays, and antifungal susceptibility testing. PVA-NYS-THY nanofibers, produced via electrospinning, exhibited uniform fibers with an average diameter of ~100 nm as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the successful incorporation of functional groups. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to evaluate the nanofibers' effect on the expression of secreted aspartyl proteinases (SAP) and agglutinin-like sequence (ALS) gene. Scaffold release kinetics were characterized, and antifungal efficacy was assessed using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays. PVA-NYS-THY scaffolds showed favorable release profiles and significantly downregulated ALS and SAP gene expression. MIC values for PVA-NYS-THY, PVA-NYS, and PVA-THY were 7.81, 15.62, and 62.5 µg/mL, respectively, demonstrating superior antifungal activity of the PVA-NYS-THY formulation. These findings suggest PVA-NYS-THY nanofibrous scaffolds offer a promising therapeutic strategy for combating fluconazole-resistant C. glabrata, providing a novel solution to overcome current limitations in antifungal treatment.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of PGF2α treatment administered after parturition on key reproductive parameters, the incidence of postpartum pathologies, and the resumption of ovarian cyclicity in dairy cows. The study involved two groups of dairy cows: a control group (C, n=20) and an experimental group (E, n=20) that received PGF2α treatment. Postpartum pathologies, ovarian cyclicity, and reproductive performance indicators were compared between the two groups. Postpartum pathologies were observed at a higher rate in the control group, with a 30% prevalence of retained placenta, 20% for both delayed uterine involution and clinical endometritis, and 5% for pyometra. In contrast, the experimental group exhibited a lower incidence: 10% for retained placenta, 5% for delayed uterine involution, 5% for clinical endometritis and 0% for pyometra. Although these results suggest a trend toward a lower incidence of postpartum pathologies in treated cows, the differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Regarding the resumption of ovarian cyclicity, the control group showed a resumption rate of only 15%, whereas 65% of the experimental group resumed cyclicity. This yielded an odds ratio of 10.52 and a highly significant p-value (<0.01), indicating that PGF2α treatment effectively hastened the return to normal ovarian function. Reproductive performance was also improved in the experimental group, with first insemination (AI1) success rate of 45% compared to 30% in the control group (OR = 1.93). The waiting period was significantly shorter in the experimental group (73 vs. 98 days, p< 0.001), and both calving-to-fertilization and calving-to-calving intervals were reduced by approximately 31 days (p<0.001). However, the overall reduction in the breeding period remained inconclusive. While PGF2α treatment did not significantly reduce postpartum pathologies, it markedly enhanced the resumption of ovarian cyclicity and improved reproductive intervals in dairy cows, leading to enhanced reproductive efficiency.