Sequence Analysis of the Second Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS2) Region of rDNA for Species Identification of Trichostrongylus Nematodes Isolated From Domestic Livestock in Iran

Background

Infectivity of herbivores with Trichostrongylus nematodes is widespread in many countries, having a major economic impact on breeding, survivability, and productivity of domestic livestock. This study was carried out on Trichostrongylus species isolated from domestic livestock in order to develop an easy-to-perform method for species identification.

Methods

Trichostrongylus isolates were collected from sheep, goat, cattle, and buffaloes in Khuzestan Province, southwest Iran. Primary species identification was carried out based on morphological characterization of male worms. PCR amplification of ITS2-rDNA region was performed on genomic DNA and the products were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequence data was conducted employing Bayesian Inference approach. Consequently, a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) profile was designed to differentiate Trichostrongylus species.

Results

A consensus sequence of 238 nucleotides was deposited in the GenBank for Iranian isolates of Trichostrongylus species including T. colubriformis, T. capricola, T. probolurus and T. vitrinus. The designated RFLP using restriction enzyme TasI could readily differentiate among species having different ITS2 sequence. The molecular analysis was in concordance with morphological findings.

Conclusion

Phylogenetic analysis indicated a close relationship among the sequences obtained in this study and reference sequence of relevant species. ITS2-RFLP with TasI is recommended for molecular differentiation of common Trichostrongylus species.     

Beneficial effects of N-acetylcysteine on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic recurrent inflammatory bowel disease in which oxidative stress has been implicated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate possible protective effects of N-acetylcysteine against acetic acid-induced colitis in a rat model. Rats were administered intrarectal saline (control group) or acetic acid (colitis model group). Rats with acetic acid-induced colitis were treated by intraperitoneal or intrarectal administration of N-acetylcysteine (500 mg/kg) (treated group). Another series of rats were pre-treated by intraperitoneal or intrarectal administration of N-acetylcysteine, then administered intrarectal acetic acid (pre-treated group). The degree of tissue injuries was assessed by macroscopical and histopathological scores of the colonic mucosa. Malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels were measured in tissue extracts of the dissected colon. Administration of N-acetylcysteine intraperitoneally or intrarectally ameliorated macroscopic score alterations produced by acetic acid in treated groups. In addition, microscopical improvement was observed in all N-acetylcysteine-treated rats compared to untreated animals with colitis. In the colonic tissues of the acetic acid-induced colitis, myeloperoxidase activity and malondialdehyde levels were elevated, while the reduced glutathione levels and superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were decreased. However, intraperitoneal or intrarectal treatment with N-acetylcysteine reversed these parameters, compared to the untreated colitis group. Notably, intrarectal administration of N-acetylcysteine elevated the reduced glutathione levels more markedly compared to the other treatment groups. Superoxide dismutase levels were increased in intraperitoneally or intrarectally N-acetylcysteine-treated groups significantly compared to the control, colitis and pre-treated groups. But there was no significant increase in catalase activity. In conclusion, N-acetylcysteine could be beneficial as a complementary agent in treatment of ulcerative colitis.     

Red cell tolerance of admixture with heated saline

Red cell stability in the face of thermal stress has been evaluated only in the setting of prolonged incubation. This study was conducted to determine red cell tolerance of rapid mixture with heated saline, which exposes red cells to heat only until thermal equilibration, which is a matter of seconds. Half-units of 35-day-old red cells stored in CPDA-1 were mixed at 6 to 10 degrees C in the blood container with an equal weight of 60, 70, or 80 degrees C saline. This resulted in mean mixture temperatures of 30.9, 37.5, and 42.6 degrees C, respectively. Controls consisted of the same mixture, but with 6 to 10 degrees C saline. The red cells in the mixtures were assessed for osmotic fragility, and the supernatant was examined for plasma hemoglobin and potassium. Neither osmotic fragility curves nor supernatant hemoglobin or potassium changed significantly with saline temperatures of 60 or 70 degrees C. When 80 degrees C saline was used, osmotic fragility, supernatant hemoglobin, and potassium all increased significantly (p less than 0.01) over control values. Red cells tolerate rapid mixture with 70 degrees C saline without hemolysis or change in osmotic fragility.     

Oral Assessment and Nursing Interventions Among Nigerian Nurses-Knowledge,Practices and Educational Needs

Background

Assessment of oral condition, oral care, and informing the attending doctor of unusual oral findings for possible consultation or referral to a dentist are the advocated roles of hospital nurses. The objective of the study was thus to assess the roles of Nigerian nurses in the assessment of oral conditions of hospitalized patients.

Methods

This questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey of all nurses caring for hospitalized patients in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital was conducted in the first half of 2010.

Results

Of the 384 studied participants, 94.3% considered oral care as an important aspect of nursing care and 73.4% had oral health component in their nursing school curriculum. A total of 80.7% reported suspicious and abnormal findings in hospitalized patients to the attending doctor. Amongst the respondents, 38.0% reported ability to conduct good oral tissue examination. Only 28.1% demonstrated good knowledge of common oral diseases. Three-quarters (73.4%) thought that it is compulsory for nurses to assess the oral condition of hospitalized patients. The 67.7% and 21.9% of the respondents did the assessment on admission and discharge respectively. The majority (90.1%) desired training on oral care of hospitalized patients.

Conclusion

There is a need to improve the skill and competence of nurses in the assessment of oral condition to make them a substantive partner in the oral care of hospitalized patients.     

Effects of L-Carnitine on Oxidant/Antioxidant Status in Acetic Acid-Induced Colitis

Recently, the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis has been investigated. This study was designed to evaluate the possible beneficial effects of L-carnitine on tissue injury and oxidative stress in acetic acid-induced colitis in rats. Acetic acid administration induced severe damage macroscopically and histopathologically in colon and significantly increased the levels of malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase in colonic tissue. Supplementation of L-carnitine to acetic acid-treated rats did not prove to induce any improvements in macroscopic scores, while L-carnitine administration improved histopathologic scores and significantly decreased malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase levels in treatment groups. Acetic acid administration significantly decreased reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels in colonic homogenate. Supplementation of L-carnitine prevented the depletion of reduced glutathione levels but significantly increased superoxide dismutase levels. On the other hand, no significant change in catalase activity was observed. In conclusion, these results may reflect that L-carnitine could be beneficial as a complementary agent in treatment of ulcerative colitis.     

Endoparasites of Rodents and Their Zoonotic Importance in Germi,Dashte–Mogan,Ardabil Province,Iran

Background

In order to verify the infectivity of rodents with endoparasites in Germi (Dashte-Mogan, Ardabil Province) the current study was undertaken.

Methods

Using live traps, 177 rodents were trapped during 2005–2007. In field laboratory, all rodents were bled prior to autopsy, frozen at −20°C, and shipped to the School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. In parasitological laboratory, every rodent was dissected and its different organs were examined for the presence of any parasite. Blood thick and thin smears as well as impression smears of liver and spleen were stained with Geimsa and examined microscopically.

Results

Two species of rodents were trapped; Meriones persicus (90.4%) and Microtus socialis (9.6%). The species of parasites found in M. persicus and their prevalences were as follows: Hymenolepis diminuta (38.8%), Hymenolepis nana (2.5%), Trichuris sp.(40.6), Mesocestoides larva (=tetrathyridium) (3.1%), Capillaria hepatica (6.9%), Moniliformis moniliformis (11.3%), Syphacia obvelata (2.5%), Taenia endothoracicus larva (0.6%), Physaloptera sp. (0.6%), Dentostomella translucida (0.6%), Heligmosomum mixtum (0.6%), Strobilocercus fasciolaris (0.6%),and Aspiculuris tetraptera (0.6%). The species of parasites found in M. socialis and their prevalences were as follows: H. diminuta (17.6%), Trichuris sp. (5.9%), Mesocestoides larva (5.9%), S. obvelata (11.8%), S. syphacia (11.8%), H. mixtum (17.6%), and Aspiculuris tetraptera (11.8%). There were no statistical differences between male and female for infectivity with parasites in either M. persicus or M. socialis. No blood or tissue protozoan parasite was found in any of the rodents examined.

Conclusion

Among different species identified, some had zoonotic importance. Therefore, the potential health hazard of these species needs to be considered to prevent infectivity of humans.