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.     

Post traumatic stress disorder among former child soldiers attending a rehabilitative service and primary school education in northern Uganda

Background

This study was prompted by the psychiatric hospitalization of 12 former child soldiers of the Lord''s Resistance Army (LRA) at a rehabilitation school in northern Uganda with a case of mass psychotic behavior.

Objectives

To report the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder, depressed mood, and associated risk factors.

Methods

Data on post-traumatic stress disorder, depressed mood, physical disabilities, socio-demographic variables, and the children''s war experiences were collected in face-to-face interviews using the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ), a modified Hopkins Symptoms Check-List (HSCL), and a 15-item War Trauma Experience Check-list (WTECL-15). Data was analyzed with SPSS version 11.0.

Results

There were 58 girls and 44 boys. Eighty nine children (87.3%) reported having experienced ten or more war-related traumatic psychological events; 55.9% of the children suffered from symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, 88.2%, symptoms of depressed mood and 21.6% had various forms of physical disability. Nearly half of the children (42.2%) reported a positive family history of severe mental illness; 10.8%, a family history of suicide; 22.5%, a family history of suicide attempt; and 45.1%, a family history of alcohol abuse. Children who experienced 10 or more traumatic war events were more likely than the rest to experience depressed mood. Return through a reception center or through a cleansing ritual did not protect against depression.

Discussion

Post-traumatic stress disorder among former LRA child soldiers at a rehabilitation centre in northern Uganda is presented. The report highlights the huge unmet need for psychological services among former child soldiers of the LRA.     

Necrotizing granulomatosis of the breast

Summary We describe a case of necrotizing granulomatosis of Wegener's type involving the breasts of a 40-year-old man. There were no signs of generalized disease. Involvement of the breast is rare in Wegener's granulomatosis (WG). To date. 17 cases have been reported, and all were women. They predominantly presented with a unilateral breast mass, and mammary malignancy was the principal concern. In the majority of cases, breast lesions of WG have been a presenting sign of, or preceded, disseminated disease. Our patient is unusual in that the necrotizing granulomas developed as an isolated finding in a site remote from those usually affected by WG, and, as far as we are aware, represents the first case of Wegener's type granulomatosis involving the male breast.     

Antegrade catheterization of the superficial femoral artery

A simple method of selective catheterization of the superficial femoral artery (SFA) following antegrade puncture of the common femoral artery is described. The method entails using a Cope-type dilator introducer, which directs the guide wire from its side hole into the SFA while the tip is secured in the deep femoral artery.     

Use of monoclonal antibodies for the histopathological diagnosis of human malignancy

This paper describes the use of a panel of seven monoclonal antibodies (selected so as to include reagents reactive with both epithelial and lymphoid cells) for distinguishing between anaplastic carcinoma and high grade lymphoma. Details are given of the immunohistological reactions of these antibodies against a wide range of both normal and malignant tissues and of a number of practical instances in which use of the antibody panel enabled a diagnosis to be made when routine histological examination had been inconclusive.     

Anin vitro model for studying mechanisms underlying synoviocyte-mediated cartilage invasion in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of joints involving the pathological development of an invasive and destructive pannus tissue which contributes to the loss of cartilage and bone. To further analyze the process of cartilage degradation and invasion, we have developed an in vitro model composed of cartilage matrix and synoviocytes (isolated from RA pannus tissue, as well as normal synovial membrane). The matrix is derived from pig articular cartilage and contains collagen type II and proteoglycans and is similar in composition to human cartilage. Data generated from this model reveal that synoviocytes isolated from RA pannus tissue invaded cartilage matrix in a manner which directly correlated with the severity of the disease. Analysis of mechanisms associated with the invasive process demonstrate that highly invasive RA synoviocytes maintain a round morphology during attachment and spreading on cartilage matrix, compared with their normal counterparts. Furthermore, the level of secretion of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity was shown to correlate with the RA phenotype, which could be modulated with a novel MMP inhibitor. Normal synoviocytes could be "converted" to an RA phenotype by specific inflammatory cytokines, such that invasion of cartilage matrix was augmented by culturing these cells in the presence of 5 U/ml IL-1b or 18 U/ml TGFb. Invasion was inhibited by 150 U/ml TNFa, and unaffected by 100 ng/ml PDGF. In addition, synovial fluid from RA patients induced invasion of normal synoviocytes, in a concentration dependent manner, from 150% to 460%; however, synovial fluid from another inflammatory arthritidy (Crohn's) did not augment invasion to the same degree. Moreover, this "conversion effect" appears to be specific for synoviocytes, since similar effects could not be achieved with human skin fibroblasts. This in vitro model of synoviocyte-mediated cartilage invasion allows for further molecular characterization of the invasive properties of the synoviocyte which contribute to RA.     

An Evaluation of the Changes in Malocclusion Index Scores Over a 25-year Period

BACKGROUND: The measured values of specific traits of occlusion may be subject to significant change due to growth and maturation of the dentofacial structures. Some traits may show improvement while others may show deterioration. Rarely is there an opportunity to examine a sample of occlusions 25 years after the acquisition of the original set of records. This study examines the changes in traits of occlusion in a sample of 46 subjects who were originally examined between 1971-1973 and for whom records were again obtained in 1998. METHODS: The 46 patients were a sub-group of a previously selected randomised school-based sample and study models obtained in 1971-1973 were still available. New models for each patient were obtained in 1998. Of the 46 subjects, only eight had received orthodontic treatment. RESULTS: Assessments of the changes in specific traits were made using the methods proposed in the Harry L Draker, California Modification (HLD Cal Mod) index. This simple index was chosen because the main component traits were well defined and, when analysed separately, reflected changes with time. The total index score gave a broad indication of the global changes in the individual's occlusion. The five basic traits of the HLD index include overjet, overbite, openbite, mandibular protrusion and labio-lingual spread. Three additional traits (ectopic eruption, anterior crowding and posterior crossbite) are used in the HLD Cal Mod index. These traits provided a useful reflection of occlusal changes with time. Measurements were made with reference to specifications and the details outlined in the HLD Cal Mod protocol. The results revealed an increase in total index scores over time with a significant increase in lower labio-lingual spread associated with an increased score in anterior crowding. Overjet and overbite, however, displayed a significant decrease with time. CONCLUSIONS: These findings are in keeping with previous studies and highlight the importance of time as a significant issue in the assessment of occlusion.     

Differential effects of teriparatide on regional bone formation using 18F‐fluoride positron emission tomography

Teriparatide increases skeletal mass, bone turnover markers, and bone strength, but local effects on bone tissue may vary between skeletal sites. We used positron emission tomography (PET) to study ¹⁸F‐fluoride plasma clearance (K_i) at the spine and standardized uptake values (SUVs) at the spine, pelvis, total hip, and femoral shaft in 18 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Subjects underwent a 1‐hour dynamic scan of the lumbar spine and a 10‐minute static scan of the pelvis and femurs at baseline and after 6 months of treatment with 20 µg/day teriparatide. Blood samples were taken to derive the arterial input function and lumbar spine K_i values evaluated using a three‐compartment model. SUVs were calculated for the spine, pelvis, total hip, and femoral shaft. After 6 months treatment with teriparatide, spine K_i values increased by 24% (p = .0003), while other model parameters were unchanged except for the fraction of tracer going to bone mineral (k₃/[k₂ + k₃]), which increased by 23% (p = .0006). In contrast to K_i, spine SUVs increased by only 3% (p = .84). The discrepancy between changes in K_i and SUVs was explained by a 20% decrease in ¹⁸F^? plasma concentration. SUVs increased by 37% at the femoral shaft (p = .0019), 20% at the total hip (p = .032), and 11% at the pelvis (p = .070). Changes in bone turnover markers and BMD were consistent with previous trials. We conclude that the changes in bone formation rate during teriparatide treatment as measured by ¹⁸F^? PET differ at different skeletal sites, with larger increases in cortical bone than at trabecular sites. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.