A Case of Distal Vaginal Agenesis Presenting with Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection and Pyuria in a Prepubertal Girl

Background

Isolated distal vaginal agenesis is a rare anomaly and mostly becomes symptomatic after menarche. We describe an unusual presentation of this anomaly in a prepubertal girl.

Protective effect of aqueous garlic extract against naphthalene-induced oxidative stress in mice

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective effects of aqueous garlic extract (AGE) against naphthalene-induced oxidative changes in liver, kidney, lung and brain of mice. Balb/c mice (25-30 g) of either sex were divided into five groups each comprising 10 animals. Mice received for 30 days: 0.9% NaCl, i.p. (control); corn oil, i.p; AGE in a dose of 125 mg kg-1, i.p.; naphthalene in a dose of 100 mg kg-1, i.p. (dissolved in corn oil); and AGE (in a dose of 125 mg kg-1, i.p.) plus naphthalene (in a dose of 100 mg kg-1, i.p.). After decapitation, liver, kidney, lung and brain tissues were excised. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels and myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) were determined in the tissues, while oxidant-induced tissue fibrosis was determined by collagen content. Tissues were also examined microscopically. Serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase levels and blood urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations were measured for the evaluation of hepatic and renal function, respectively. MDA and GSH levels were also assayed in serum samples. In the naphthalene-treated group, GSH levels decreased significantly, while MDA levels, MPO activity and collagen content increased in the tissues (P<0.01-0.001), suggesting oxidative organ damage, which was also verified histologically. In the AGE-treated naphthalene group, all of these oxidant responses were reversed significantly (P<0.05-0.01). Hepatic and renal function test parameters, which increased significantly (P<0.001) following naphthalene administration, decreased (P<0.05-0.001) after AGE treatment. The results demonstrate the role of oxidative mechanisms in naphthalene-induced tissue damage. The antioxidant properties of AGE ameliorated oxidative organ injury due to naphthalene toxicity.     

Three new and two rare furanoeremophilanes from Senecio asirensis

Three new furanoeremophilanes have been obtained from the aerial parts of Senecio asirensis (N. O. Asteraceae), and characterized as 6-hydroxylmethyl-9-methoxyl-4,11-dimethylnaphtho[2,3-b]furan, designated asirensane-a (1), 6-hydroxyl-1,2-dimethoxyl-4,6,11-trimethyl-6-hydronaphtho[2,3-a]furan-7-one, named asirensane-b (2), and (6,12-dihydroxyl-9-methoxyl-4-methyl-11-acetyl-3,4-dihydronaphtho[2,3-b]furan-3-yl)methyl (2'Z)-2'-methylbut-2'-enoate, designated asirensane-c (3). In addition, two rare furanoeremophilanes have also been isolated and characterized from this source, namely 9-methoxyl-4,11-dimethylnaphtho[2,3-b]furan, named 14-nordehydrocalohastine (4), and 4,11-dimethylnaphtho[2,3-b]furan-6,9-dione, designated as maturinone (5). Their structures have been elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis. The alcoholic extract was also tested for anti-inflammatory activity, which decreased edema by 22% at a dose of 500 mg kg^-1 after 3 h with respect to the control group treated only with carrageenan, while the standard drug phenylbutazone showed a 50% decrease at a dose of 100 mg kg^-1, indicating that the extract has moderate anti-inflammatory activity.     

Anti-hepatotoxic activity of cichotyboside, a sesquiterpene glycoside from the seeds of Cichorium intybus

The seeds of Cichorium intybus L. (Asteraceae) afforded a new guaianolide sesquiterpene glycoside, cichotyboside, which was characterized as 2alpha, 6beta, 7beta, 15-tetrahydroxy-1 (10), 4 (5)-diene-guaian-9alpha, 12-olide-7-O-beta-caffoyl-15-O-beta-D-glucoside (1) by means of spectral methods. Cichotyboside (1) exhibited a significant anti-hepatotoxic activity against CCl4 induced toxicity in Wistar rats, wherein it reduced the elevated levels of liver enzymes such as serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) by 52 units/ml; SGPT 38 units/ml; ALKP 24.97 units/ml and 7.54 g/dl, 5.48 g/dl increase in total protein and albumin, respectively. It was observed that cichotyboside (1) decreased the level of ALKP comparable with that of standard drug silymarin, exhibiting an 88% decrease in comparison to silymarin (92%) and increased the level of total albumin 85% in comparison to silymarin (89%) against intoxicated control. Whereas, the levels of SGOT and SGPT were also decreased considerably in comparison to standard and intoxicated control.     

Evaluating the Resistance of Eimeria Spp. Field Isolates to Anticoccidial Drugs Using Three Different Indices

Background

In this study, the presence of resistance to diclazuril, amprolium+ethopabate and salinomycin, representing some of the commonest anticoccidials in Iran''s poultry industry, against three mixed Eimeria field isolates were investigated.

Methods

Three Eimeria field isolates, collected from typical broiler farms in Iran, were propagated once, inoculated to 480 broilers, comprising 30 chicks in each treatment. The non-medicated or medicated diets containing one of the above mentioned anticoccidials were provided ad-lib. Drug efficacy was determined using the Global index (GI), Anticoccidial Sensitivity Test (AST) and Optimum Anticoccidial Activity (OAA).

Results

None of the field isolates were fully sensitive to the selected anticoccidials. All isolates showed reduced sensitivity/partial resistance to salinomycin. Resistance to amprolium+ethopabate was evident and partial to complete resistance was recorded for diclazuril.

Conclusion

Limited efficacy of the selected anticoccidials is obvious. Considering the cost of continuous use of anticoccidials in the field, altering the prevention strategy and rotation of the anticoccidials with better efficacy, would prevent further economic losses induced by coccidiosis.     

The effect of ultrasound on the expression of CNTF gene, a possible cause of ultrasound influence on the rate of injured peripheral nerve regeneration

In this article we evaluate the effects of ultrasound radiation and its causes on the rate of injured peripheral nerve regeneration by crushing the sciatic nerve of rats with hemostatic forceps. The rats were divided into three test and one control groups. The test groups were radiated using three different types of ultrasound parameters while the control group just received sham expose. The amount of nerve regeneration was measured via functional test by extracting sciatic functional index from rats paw prints. The results showed that one of the test group parameters had the best functional results compared to other groups. Obtaining this outcome, the investigations continued by 50 rats with crushed sciatic nerve. These rats again divided into two test and control groups while for the test group the best parameters were assigned. In different time intervals compound muscle action potential wave was recorded from five rats of each group. Then their sciatic nerves were extracted to measure the amount of ciliary neurotropic factor gene expression by real time polymerase chain reaction. Crush injury sets the sciatic functional index to about ?90 and compound muscle action potential to 6.8 mV in both control and test groups. After the period of treatment with ultrasound, the sciatic functional index reached the value of ?25 in control group and ?10 in test group and compound muscle action potential value reached 11 in control and 18 in test group. The results of electrophysiological tests confirmed the results of functional tests. At the end of the second, third and fourth weeks, the outcomes of real time polymerase chain reaction showed that the expression of ciliary neurotropic factor gene in test group was higher than control group as well as the amount in test group was approximately 11, 2 and 6 times higher than test group in corresponding weeks. Hence we can conclude that increase in the expression of ciliary neurotropic factor gene, as a nerve growth factor, following ultrasound radiation, can be considered as the reason of the effect of ultrasound on the rate of injured nerve regeneration.     

Incidence, possible risk factors, and potential effects of an opaque bubble layer created by a femtosecond laser

PURPOSE: To describe the incidence, characteristics, risk factors, and sequelae of an opaque bubble layer created by the IntraLase (15 Khz) femtosecond laser (IntraLase, Corp.). SETTING: Private laser center and the Department of Ophthalmology, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. METHODS: This study comprised 79 consecutive patients (149 eyes) who had laser in situ keratomileusis for myopic astigmatism. The preoperative visual acuity, refraction, keratometry, pachymetry, and intraoperative data including flap size and thickness were documented. A computerized system was used to calculate the total area of the opaque bubble layer. RESULTS: Eighty-four eyes (56.4%) developed an opaque bubble layer. The layer pattern was diffuse in 32.2% of eyes and hard in 24.2%. The diffuse opaque bubble layer covered a mean of 13.4%+/-10% of the corneal flap and the hard opaque bubble layer, a mean of 21.6%+/-10% (P= .0004). A significant correlation was noted between the corneal steep curvature and central corneal thickness (CCT) and the area of opaque bubble layer. Multivariate logistic regression found that flap diameter (P= .04) and CCT (P = .045) affected the occurrence and area of the opaque bubble layer (P= .04 and P= .05, respectively). Postoperative diffuse lamellar keratitis was not associated with an opaque bubble layer. Three months postoperatively, visual acuity and refraction were not affected by the bubble layer. There was an increase in trefoil aberrations in eyes with a hard opaque bubble layer (P= .01). CONCLUSIONS: Thicker corneas and smaller flaps were associated with a more opaque bubble layer. The presence of an opaque bubble layer did not seem to have detrimental long-term sequelae, although a small harmful effect could not be ruled out.