Detection of classical enterotoxins of Staphylococcus aureus in raw sheep, goat, camel, and water buffalo milk by ELISA method

Milk is considered a nutritious food because it contains several important nutrients including proteins and vitamins. Conversely, it can be a vehicle for several pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus. The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of classical enterotoxins of S. aureus in raw milk in Iran. For this purpose, from January 2011 to October 2011, a total of 88 raw milk samples from sheep (n?=?28), goat (n?=?27), camel (n?=?14), and water buffalo (n?=?19) were collected from 64 randomly selected herds in Isfahan, Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari, and Khuzestan provinces, Iran, and tested for staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) presence by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Out of 88 samples studied, 11 samples (12.5%) were positive for at least one SE. The prevalence rate of SEs contamination in raw sheep, goat, and water buffalo milk samples were 10.7%, 18.5%, and 15.8%. No classical SEs was founded from raw camel milk samples. Of these, four were positive for staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA), four for SEC, two SEA and SEC, and one for SEA and SED. None of the samples was positive for SEB and SEE. Statistical evaluation showed that there were no significant differences (P?>?0.05) between the presence of SEs raw sheep, goat, and water buffalo milk samples tested. The quality of Iranian milk is still low, and efforts from the government and the entire productive chain are required to attain consumer safety.     

Percutaneous vertebroplasty in symptomatic hemangioma versus osteoporotic compression fracture

Background:

Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) is more commonly used for osteoporotic compression fractures (OCFs) and osteolytic vertebral body tumors. This study aimed to study the differences between OCFs and vertebral hemangiomas (VHs) treated with PVP.

Materials and Methods:

Between September 2007 and January 2010, we prospectively treated 28 consecutive patients of OCFs (43 recently symptomatic OCFs) and 24 cases of VHs (26 VHs). We used visual analogue scale (VAS) pain and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) to evaluate the patients. The followup period in group 1 and 2 were 25.1 months (range 12 - 31 months) and 21.3 months (range 14 - 28 months), respectively. Comparison of means was carried out with the Chi Square Tests, t-test, and N Par-Test for multiple comparisons, whenever appropriate. The level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results:

Following PVP the VAS score decreased to 4.57 and 4.17 in group 1 and 2, respectively. The ODI scores were 32.5% and 30%, respectively. This decrease in ODI scores lasted throughout the followup period.

Conclusions:

Although the preoperative scores were significantly different between group 1 and 2, there was no significant difference between two groups following the PVP.     

Molecular epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis and heterogeneity of Leishmania major strains in Iran

Objective To determine the geographical distribution of Leishmania species causing cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and to study the genetic heterogeneity of Leishmania major isolates from different endemic areas of Iran. Methods A total of 341 isolates from lesions of patients living in 11 provinces of Iran were grown in culture medium and inoculated to BALB/c mice to detect possible visceralisation. The species were identified by isoenzyme analysis using a battery of six enzymes and kinetoplast (k) DNA‐PCR technique. Genetic variation among L. major isolates was analysed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. Results Of the total 341 isolates, 283 isolates were L. major and 58 isolates were Leishmania tropica. In rural areas, the causative agent of CL was mainly L. major (95%L. major vs. 5%L. tropica), in urban areas it was L. tropica (65%L. tropica vs. 35%L. major). All isolates of L. major and 8.6% of L. tropica isolates showed visceralisation in BALB/c mice. There is considerable genetic diversity between L. major strains from different endemic areas and even between some isolates of the same endemic area. Conclusion Leishmania major is the most frequent species in the endemic areas of CL in eleven provinces of Iran, and genetic diversity is a common feature of L. major in the country.     

Proposing an ensemble learning model based on neural network and fuzzy system for keratoconus diagnosis based on Pentacam measurements

International Ophthalmology - The present study was done to evaluate efficiency of an ensemble learning structure for automatic keratoconus diagnosis and to categorize eyes into four different...     

The effectiveness of splint therapy in patients with temporomandibular disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE: The authors conducted a systematic review of all published randomized controlled trials in which investigators compared the effectiveness of splint therapy with that of minimal or no treatment in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED: The authors searched MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for studies published from inception of each database through August 2011. In eligible studies, investigators enrolled adult patients with TMDs and assigned them randomly to splint therapy or a control group receiving minimal or no treatment. RESULTS: Of 1,567 potentially eligible studies, 11 proved eligible and were included. Moderate-quality evidence suggests that splint therapy reduced pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) area (standardized response mean = -0.93, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], -1.33 to -0.53; risk difference for having continued pain = -0.35, 95 percent CI, -0.21 to -0.46; mean change on the 100-millimeter visual analog scale = -11.5 mm, 95 percent CI, -16.5 mm to -6.6 mm). Low to very low quality of evidence showed no significant differences between the splint therapy and control groups in terms of quality of life or depression. None of the trial reports described effect on function. CONCLUSIONS: Although overall results are promising for the reduction of pain, establishing the role of splints for patients with TMDs will require large trials with stronger safeguards against bias.     

Acute vestibular neuritis: A rare complication after the adenoviral vector-based COVID-19 vaccine

Journal of NeuroVirology - Vestibular neuritis was first reported in 1952 by Dix and Hallpike, and 30% of patients reporting a flu-like symptom before acquiring the disorder. The most common causes...     

Needle Pulmonary Embolism in an Intravenous Drug User: a Case Report

International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction - Pulmonary needle embolization in intravenous drug users is rarely reported in the literature. The management of these patients is...