Detection of Newcastle Disease, H9N2 Avian Influenza, and Infectious Bronchitis Viruses in Respiratory Diseases in Backyard Chickens in Ahvaz, Iran, in 2014-2015

Newcastle disease virus (NDV), avian influenza virus (AIV), and infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) are the most prevalent viral pathogens in the Iranian poultry industry. This study aimed to reveal the presence of these viruses in the backyard chickens in Ahvaz, located in the Southwest of Iran. A total of 100 chickens with respiratory signs and mortality were examined by taking the blood samples as well as tracheal and cloacal swabs. Most of the chickens had not received any vaccine. The blood samples were assessed for the antibodies against NDV and AIV by haemagglutination inhibition test, and against IBV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The swab samples were utilized for molecular detection using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Based on the results of the serologic test, 77%, 45%, and 38.4% of the birds were positive for NDV, AIV, and IBV, respectively. In the RT-PCR, 95% of the birds were positive for one of the three viruses. The detection rates of NDV, AIV, and IBV were 60%, 34%, and 55%, respectively. The coinfections of AIV/NDV, AIV/IBV, NDV/IBV, and AIV/NDV/ IBV were observed in 13%, 4%, 23%, and 7% of the sampled chickens, respectively. The results demonstrated that the Iranian backyard chickens were infected with NDV, AIV, and IBV. This could pose a threat to the commercial poultry; therefore, preventive measures need to be implemented in this regard

Oxaliplatin neurotoxicity – no general ion channel surface-charge effect

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Oxaliplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapeutic drug. Neurotoxicity is the dose-limiting side effect. Previous investigations have reported that acute neurotoxicity could be mediated via voltage-gated ion channels. A possible mechanism for some of the effects is a modification of surface charges around the ion channel, either because of chelation of extracellular Ca²⁺, or because of binding of a charged biotransformation product of oxaliplatin to the channel. To elucidate the molecular mechanism, we investigated the effects of oxaliplatin and its chloride complex [Pt(dach)oxCl]^-on the voltage-gated Shaker K channel expressed in <it>Xenopus </it>oocytes. The recordings were made with the two-electrode and the cut-open oocyte voltage clamp techniques.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>To our surprise, we did not see any effects on the current amplitudes, on the current time courses, or on the voltage dependence of the Shaker wild-type channel. Oxaliplatin is expected to bind to cysteines. Therefore, we explored if there could be a specific effect on single (E418C) and double-cysteine (R362C/F416C) mutated Shaker channels previously shown to be sensitive to cysteine-specific reagents. Neither of these channels were affected by oxaliplatin. The clear lack of effect on the Shaker K channel suggests that oxaliplatin or its monochloro complex has no general surface-charge effect on the channels, as has been suggested before, but rather a specific effect to the channels previously shown to be affected.</p

Transfer of ion binding site from ether-à-go-go to Shaker: Mg2+ binds to resting state to modulate channel opening

In ether-à-go-go (eag) K+ channels, extracellular divalent cations bind to the resting voltage sensor and thereby slow activation. Two eag-specific acidic residues in S2 and S3b coordinate the bound ion. Residues located at analogous positions are ∼4 Å apart in the x-ray structure of a Kv1.2/Kv2.1 chimera crystallized in the absence of a membrane potential. It is unknown whether these residues remain in proximity in Kv1 channels at negative voltages when the voltage sensor domain is in its resting conformation. To address this issue, we mutated Shaker residues I287 and F324, which correspond to the binding site residues in eag, to aspartate and recorded ionic and gating currents in the presence and absence of extracellular Mg2+. In I287D+F324D, Mg2+ significantly increased the delay before ionic current activation and slowed channel opening with no readily detectable effect on closing. Because the delay before Shaker opening reflects the initial phase of voltage-dependent activation, the results indicate that Mg2+ binds to the voltage sensor in the resting conformation. Supporting this conclusion, Mg2+ shifted the voltage dependence and slowed the kinetics of gating charge movement. Both the I287D and F324D mutations were required to modulate channel function. In contrast, E283, a highly conserved residue in S2, was not required for Mg2+ binding. Ion binding affected activation by shielding the negatively charged side chains of I287D and F324D. These results show that the engineered divalent cation binding site in Shaker strongly resembles the naturally occurring site in eag. Our data provide a novel, short-range structural constraint for the resting conformation of the Shaker voltage sensor and are valuable for evaluating existing models for the resting state and voltage-dependent conformational changes that occur during activation. Comparing our data to the chimera x-ray structure, we conclude that residues in S2 and S3b remain in proximity throughout voltage-dependent activation

Detecting acute neurotoxicity during platinum chemotherapy by neurophysiological assessment of motor nerve hyperexcitability

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Platinum-based drugs, such as cisplatin and oxaliplatin, are well-known for inducing chronic sensory neuropathies but their acute and motor neurotoxicities are less well characterised. Use was made of nerve conduction studies and needle electromyography (EMG) to assess motor nerve excitability in cancer patients during their first treatment cycle with platinum-based chemotherapy in this study.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twenty-nine adult cancer patients had a neurophysiological assessment either before oxaliplatin plus capecitabine, on days 2 to 4 or 14 to 20 after oxaliplatin plus capecitabine, or on days 2 to 4 after carboplatin plus paclitaxel or cisplatin, undertaken by a neurophysiologist who was blinded to patient and treatment details. Patients completed a symptom questionnaire at the end of the treatment cycle.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Abnormal spontaneous high frequency motor fibre action potentials were detected in 100% of patients (n = 6) and 72% of muscles (n = 22) on days 2 to 4 post-oxaliplatin, and in 25% of patients (n = 8) and 13% of muscles (n = 32) on days 14 to 20 post-oxaliplatin, but in none of the patients (n = 14) or muscles (n = 56) tested prior to oxaliplatin or on days 2 to 4 after carboplatin plus paclitaxel or cisplatin. Repetitive compound motor action potentials were less sensitive and less specific than spontaneous high frequency motor fibre action potentials for detection of acute oxaliplatin-induced motor nerve hyperexcitability but were present in 71% of patients (n = 7) and 32% of muscles (n = 32) on days 2 to 4 after oxaliplatin treatment. Acute neurotoxicity symptoms, most commonly cold-induced paraesthesiae and jaw or throat tightness, were reported by all patients treated with oxaliplatin (n = 22) and none of those treated with carboplatin plus paclitaxel or cisplatin (n = 6).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Abnormal spontaneous high frequency motor fibre activity is a sensitive and specific endpoint of acute oxaliplatin-induced motor nerve hyperexcitability, detectable on EMG on days 2 to 4 post-treatment. Objective EMG assessment of motor nerve excitability could compliment patient-reported symptomatic endpoints of acute oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity in future studies.</p

Evaluation of Lodging-Related Morphological Characteristics in Improved Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Cultivars

In order to evaluate the morphological characteristics and lodging-related traits and comparison of improved cultivars of rice plant resistance to lodging, a field experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design with three replications in 2012 at the Rice Research Institute of Iran )Rasht(. Rice cultivars were Kadus, Khazar, Gohar, Dorfak, Sepidrood and Deylam and local rice cultivar (Hashemi; susceptible to lodging as a control). Plant height, stem length, internode length for the first, second, third and fourth internodes, diameter, thickness and cross- section area of third and fourth internodes, ratio of fresh weight and dry weight of third and fourth internodes to internode length, breaking resistance, bending moment and lodging resistance of third and fourth internodes and pushing resistance were examined. Khazar cultivar with greater thickness of third and fourth internodes (4.11 and 4.26 mm), diameter of third and fourth internodes (8.33 and 9.46 mm), cross- section area of the third and fourth internodes (40.96 and 52.32 mm2) and ratio of fresh weight of third and fourth internodes to internode length (301.48 and 444.15 mg.cm-1) and ratio of dry weight of third and fourth internodes to internode length (49.46 and 50.38 mg.cm-1), breaking resistance of the third and fourth internodes (14.43 and 20.87 N, respectively) was found to be the most resistant cultivar. Khazar cultivar with a plant height of 121 cm was found to be the tallest among all studied cultivars. Considering the strong correlation found between thickness, stem diameter, cross- section area of third and fourth internodes and ratio of fresh weight and dry weight of third and fourth internodes to internode length with breaking resistance and pushing resistance, it seems that these traits could be considered as indirect indices in selection for higher resistance of rice cultivars to lodging

The Risk of Subsequent Concussion or Reconcussion Among Youth Participating in Sports

Background/Aims: In 2012, an amendment to the California Education Code (CA-AB 25) was enacted requiring school-based athletic programs to remove youth from the sport played when a concussion occurred, and to provide more rigorous evaluation and treatment. Youth were required to obtain written clearance from their health care provider before returning to play. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) members age 10–17 years with sports-related concussions from 2009–2010 and 2012–2013. Our aims were to calculate subsequent concussion (reconcussion) rates and compare risks for reconcussion before and after enactment of CA-AB 25. Data obtained determined type of sport, level of contact (noncontact, limited contact, contact and collision), presenting symptoms, and evidence of prior and reconcussion to the index concussion. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis were performed to assess the association of index concussion demographic (age, gender, race/ethnicity, median family income) and clinical characteristics with reconcussion. Results: Preliminary results (N=1,002) of KPNC youth age 10–17 in 2009–2010 showed concussion diagnoses were highest among boys playing football (31.6% [223/706]) soccer (8.8% [62/706] and baseball (8.64% [61/706]). Concussion diagnoses were highest among girls playing soccer (27.7% [82/296]), softball (10.47% [31/296]) and basketball (10.14% [30/296]). Reconcussions occurred in 7.4% within 18 months. Reconcussions among those with concussions prior to index compared with those without were higher (11.6% [22/189] vs. 6.5% [52/795], P=0.02). Those playing contact/collision sports were more likely to have reconcussions compared with limited/noncontact sports (9.4% [53/561] vs. 5.0% [21/417], P=0.01). Of reconcussed subjects, those who played contact/collision sports were more likely to be reconcussed due to sports participation compared with those who played limited/noncontact sports (81.1% [43/53] vs. 52.74% [11/21], P=0.02). In multivariable analyses, age 14–17 compared to age 10–13 (odds ratio [OR]: 2.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.36–4.97), and blurred vision/light sensitivity (OR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.16–3.78) and dizziness or lightheadedness (OR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.02–2.98) vs. absence of these symptoms were significantly associated with reconcussion. Discussion: Preliminary findings show risk of reconcussion in athletic youth is a serious public health problem. Final results on 2,065 subjects will show comparisons in reconcussion rates and risk factors associated with reconcussions before and after enactment of CA-AB 25

Serum Levels of Angiopoietin-Like Protein 2 and Obestatin in Iranian Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Normal Body Mass Index

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disease in women of reproduction age and a major cause of anovulatory infertility. Insulin resistance plays an important role in the development and durability of this disorder. ANGPTL2 is known as an inflammatory mediator derived from adipose tissue that links obesity to systemic insulin resistance, and obestatin has been identified as a hormone associated with insulin resistance that suppresses food reabsorption, inhibits gastric emptying and decreases weight gain. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum levels of ANGPTL2 and obestatin in PCOS women with normal body mass index (BMI). METHODS: In this case-control study, 26 PCOS women based on the Rotterdam 2003 diagnostic criteria as the case group and 26 women with normal menstrual cycles as the control group were enrolled. Serum levels of ANGPTL2, obestatin, insulin and other hormone factors related with PCOS were measured by ELISA method and biochemical parameters were measured by an autoanalyzer. Data were analyzed by independent samples-T test, Chi Square, Correlation and a single sample Kolmogrov(-)Smirnov test using SPSS software, version 16. RESULTS: There were no significant variations in the amount of ANGPTL2, obestatin, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, cholesterol, creatinine and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate between the two groups. There were significant increases in serum levels of fasting blood sugar (p = 0.01), insulin (p = 0.04), homeostasis model assessments of insulin resistance (p = 0.04), testosterone (p = 0.02), luteinizing hormone (p = 0.004), luteinizing hormone/follicle stimulating hormone (p = 0.006) and prolactin (p = 0.04) in case group compared to the control group. A significant positive correlation was observed between ANGPTL2 and insulin (p = 0.02), HOMA-IR (p = 0.01) and, on the other hand, a significant negative correlation was observed between obestatin and insulin (p = 0.01), HOMA-IR (p = 0.008) in PCOS group. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, no significant variations were observed in serum levels of ANGPTL2 and obestatin in PCOS women with normal BMI