Clinicopathological findings of a natural outbreak of Theileria annulata in cattle: an emerging disease in southern Iran

Theileriosis is an economically important hemoprotozoal disease with high morbidity and mortality in cattle. The present study reported the pathological features of a natural outbreak of tropical bovine theileriosis due to Theileria annulata in Fars Province, southern Iran. T. annulata was confirmed by the presence of T. annulata piroplasms in the blood smears and also by polymerase chain reaction test. On necropsy, pale mucous membranes and petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhages in the mucosal and serosal surfaces together with lymphadenopathy were observed. The liver was friable, yellowish, and larger than normal. Hemorrhages and punched-out ulcers were observed in the abomasal mucous membrane. Severe petechial hemorrhages were seen in the skin particularly in the hairless areas. Pulmonary edema and emphysema with petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhagic foci in the lungs were evident. The main histological changes were proliferation of lymphocytes in the lymph nodes and proliferation of macrophages, lymphocytes, and plasma cells in the spleen, Peyer's patches, portal tracts of the liver, and interstitial tissue of the kidneys. The mucous membrane of the abomasum showed numerous multifocal areas of necrosis and ulceration, and the submucosal area and lamina propria adjacent to these lesions showed hyperemia and hemorrhages, with mononuclear cell infiltration. The skin showed multifocal necrotic changes, petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhages, and chronic dermatitis. The schizonts of Theileria were evident in the cytoplasm of the lymphocytes and macrophages of the lymph nodes, spleen, and skin. Molecular examination revealed that these animals were infected with T. annulata. The present study describes the clinicopathological findings of bovine tropical theileriosis in an unpredictable weather condition.     

Primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD) as an underlying cause of symptoms in a patient presenting with hirsutism and secondary amenorrhea: case report and literature review

Abstract

Hypercortisolemia in females may lead to menstrual cycle disturbances, infertility, hirsutism and acne. Herewith, we present a 18-year-old patient, who was diagnosed due to weight gain, secondary amenorrhea, slowly progressing hirsutism, acne and hot flashes. Thorough diagnostics lead to a conclusion, that the symptoms was the first manifestation of primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD). All symptoms of Cushing syndrome including hirsutism and menstrual disturbances resolved after bilateral adrenalectomy. Our report indicates that oligo- or amenorrhea, hirsutism, acne in combination with weight gain, growth failure, hypertension and slightly expressed cushingoid features in a young woman requires diagnostics towards hypercortisolemia. Despite PPNAD is a very rare cause of ACTH-independent Cushing syndrome, it has to be taken into consideration, especially when adrenal glands appear to be normal on imaging and paradoxical rise in cortisol level in high-dose dexamethasone test is observed. Unlike in our patient, in vast majority of patients, PPNAD is associated with Carney complex (CC). Therefore, these patients and their first-degree relatives should be always carefully screened for symptoms of PPNAD, CC and genetic mutations of PRKAR1A, PDE11A, and PDE8B genes.     

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection and related risk factors among Iranian haemodialysis patients

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is common among patients undergoing haemodialysis, and liver disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in this population. Management of HCV-related liver disease is a major health concern in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing haemodialysis. To investigate the prevalence of HCV infection in patients on haemodialysis and its associated risk factors, we conducted a prospective case series study of 838 patients on haemodialysis in Tehran, Iran. Patients were selected randomly (cluster sampling) and all were screened for anti-HCV antibodies, using ELISA 3rd generation and confirmed by using RIBA 2nd generation. We found that 111 patients (13.2%) were infected. By applying univariate analysis, longer duration on haemodialysis (P = 0.000), more weekly dialysis sessions (P = 0.03), history of blood transfusion (P = 0.03) and history of previous renal transplantation (P = 0.01) were found to be associated with a higher rate of HCV infection. Multivariate analysis revealed that only length of time on dialysis (P = 0.000) and history of blood transfusion (P = 0.02) were significantly associated with HCV infection. The more the units transfused, the higher the rate of HCV infection. Our results suggest that early transplantation and avoidance of blood transfusion, as much as possible, are the two most important practical interventions to reduce the HCV exposure rate in our patients on haemodialysis.     

Osteochondral autograft transfer (mosaicplasty) for treatment of patients with osteochondral lesions of talus

Purpose:Osteochondral lesion of talus(OLT)is one of the common causes of ankle pain.This disorder is common in young athletes after ankle injury.There are various therapeutic options.One of the options is mosaic plasticizer.The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of mosaicplasty on improvement of symptoms of patients with osteochondral lesions of talus.Methods:Nineteen patients with osteochondral lesions of talus participated in this study,who were treated with mosaicplasty.Before and after treatment,pain(visual analogue scale),function(American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society),range of motion and radiographic signs were evaluated.Results:The results of this study showed that mosaicplasty could significantly reduce pain,increase function and improve radiographic symptoms.The range of motion increased after treatment,which was not significant.Conclusion:We can confirm the effect of mosaicplasty on the improvement of patients with osteochondral lesions of the ankle,suggesting it as a treatment option.     

Dissected Aorta Repair Through Stent Implantation trial: Canadian results

Objectives

We describe the Canadian results of the Ascyrus Medical Dissection Stent (AMDS), a novel partially uncovered aortic arch hybrid graft implanted antegrade during hypothermic circulatory arrest to promote true lumen expansion and enhance aortic remodeling.

Interaction of opioid with insulin/IGFs signaling in Alzheimer's disease

Journal of Molecular Neuroscience - Alzheimer's disease is associated with biochemical and histopathological changes characterized by molecular abnormalities. Due to the lack of effective...     

Relationship between stuttering severity in children and their mothers speaking rate.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Stuttering is a complex disease that influences occupational, social, academic and emotional achievements. The aim of this study was to correlate the stuttering severity index with speaking rates of mothers and children. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study, at the child rehabilitation clinics of Tehran city. METHODS: 35 pairs of mothers and their children who stuttered were studied. There were 29 boys and six girls, of mean age 8.5 years (range: 5.1-12.0). Speech samples from the mother-child pairs were audiotaped for approximately 15 minutes, until a reciprocal verbal interaction had been obtained. This sample was then analyzed in accordance with a stuttering severity index test and speaking rate parameters. RESULTS: The research results outlined a significant relationship between the mothers speaking rate and their childrens stuttering severity. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the mothers speaking rate should be incorporated in the assessment and treatment of stuttering.     

Cervical and thoracic components of multiorgan lymphangiomatosis managed surgically

We report a patient who presented for management of suspected metastatic carcinoma of unknown origin. The lesions proved to be lymphangiomatosis involving multiple organ systems. Surgical management of the thoracic and cervical components of this rare condition is described.     

Carvacrol and human health: A comprehensive review

Carvacrol (CV) is a phenolic monoterpenoid found in essential oils of oregano (Origanum vulgare), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), pepperwort (Lepidium flavum), wild bergamot (Citrus aurantium bergamia), and other plants. Carvacrol possesses a wide range of bioactivities putatively useful for clinical applications such antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. Carvacrol antimicrobial activity is higher than that of other volatile compounds present in essential oils due to the presence of the free hydroxyl group, hydrophobicity, and the phenol moiety. The present review illustrates the state‐of‐the‐art studies on the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties of CV. It is particularly effective against food‐borne pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Bacillus cereus. Carvacrol has high antioxidant activity and has been successfully used, mainly associated with thymol, as dietary phytoadditive to improve animal antioxidant status. The anticancer properties of CV have been reported in preclinical models of breast, liver, and lung carcinomas, acting on proapoptotic processes. Besides the interesting properties of CV and the toxicological profile becoming definite, to date, human trials on CV are still lacking, and this largely impedes any conclusions of clinical relevance.