Phenotypic and Molecular Characterization of Pasteurella Multocida Obtained From Poultry in Iran

A collection of twenty five Pasteurella multocida isolates obtained from avian pasteurellosis in northern part (endemic area) of Iran were studied for some of their phenotypic and molecular characteristics. This research is the first study on conducting of serotyping and molecular characterization of avian P.multocida in Iran. Based on the biochemical characteristics, all P.multocida isolates tested belonged to subspecies (biotype) multocida. Antimicrobial sensitivity test showed that all the isolates examined were resistant to at least three of the thirteen antimicrobials tested. Among the antimicrobial agents, chloramphenicol, combination of sulfametoxazin and trimetoprim and nitrofurantoin were found to be the most effective (100% sensitivity) followed by tetracycline (96% sensitivity), penicillin (88% sensitivity) and gentamycin (76% sensitivity). The highest percentage of resistance was found against lincomycin, bacitracin and cloxacillin (100% resistant) followed by furazolidone and colistin (84% and 68% respectively). Agar gel diffusion precipitation (AGDP) test was used to determine somatic serotypes of the isolates. According to the results of the AGDP test, Serotype 1 was dominant among avian isolates from endemic area. Serotypes 3, 3 x 4 and 4, found for the first time in the country were also identified among the isolates. Electrophoresis protein patterns of the isolates were studied by using sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacylamide gel (SDS-PAGE). All strains were similar in the majority of protein bands. The main difference between protein patterns of the isolates was revealed in the position of one of the major band (H Protein) presented in the 34-38 KDa region. According to H protein position, three distinguishable groups were identified. In protein type I, the molecular mass of H protein was about 38 KDa but in protein types II and III it was 36.5 and 34 KDa respectively. The minimum lethal dose (MLD) of the strains with protein types I, II and III as a virulence determinant was identified in mice. It was revealed that the strain with protein type III had the least virulence and the strain with protein type I had the greatest virulence in mice. Immunization of mice with strain PMI030 (protein type I) induced a good protection against homologous protein type challenge. Restriction enzyme analysis (REA) of chromosomal DNA and repetitive extragenic palindromic elements peR (REP-peR) were used for determination of genetic diversity among the isolates. DNA fingerprinting by Hpall digestion divided the twenty-five isolates into 7 REA groups, 2 of which contained a single isolate. DNA fingerprinting with REP-peR revealed a great genetic diversity among the isolates. According to amplified DNA patterns, a total of 9 REP-peR groups were determined. REP-peR produced amplified bands ranging in size from approximately 700 bp to 3.6 Kb with two species-specific bands of 0.8 Kb and 2.3 Kb. REP-peR was able to differentiate P.multocida isolates from different source and geographical areas. Results of this study showed that the use of REP element amplification by polymerase chain reaction is highly reproducible and can be suggested as a suitable epidemiologic tool especially for investigation on the origin of outbreaks and similarity between different avian isolates of P. multocida

Antibiotic utilization evaluation of inpatient and outpatient prescriptions in a rural general hospital in Iran

Background: High rate of antibiotic prescription is commonly encountered in hospital settings. Although the problem of the irrational use of antibiotics is particularly acute in rural health centers of developing countries, antibiotic utilization studies in such areas are scarce. In this study, we aimed to compare antibiotic prescription patterns between inpatients and outpatients in a rural general hospital.Methods: Inpatient and outpatient records were evaluated during a 1-month period. Data including patients’ demographics, length of hospital stay, final diagnosis, antibiotic regimen, dosing, rout of administration, microbiological culture/sensitivity tests and other laboratory data were retrieved from the hospital information system.Results: The number of prescriptions with at least one antibiotic was 686/1410 (48.6%) cases and 3812/6126 (62.2%) cases for inpatient and outpatient prescriptions, respectively. The mean number of antibiotic per prescription was 1.7±0.7 and 1.3±0.8 for inpatient and outpatients, respectively (p<0.05). Ceftriaxone had the highest rate of prescription among hospitalized patients with 791 (35.2%) times encounter while penicillin constituted the largest proportion of outpatient administrations with 2505 (29.8%) times. About 79% of inpatient and 62% of outpatient prescriptions containing final diagnosis data had the correct indication.Conclusion: Our study showed that implementation of strict regulations for antibiotic use is extremely needed in this rural hospital. Establishing local guidelines, providing adequate education for healthcare professionals and putting restrictions for broad-spectrum antibiotic use can be beneficial

Comparison between swallowing and chewing of garlic on levels of serum lipids, cyclosporine, creatinine and lipid peroxidation in Renal Transplant Recipients

Abstract Hyperlipidemia and increased degree of oxidative stress are among the important risk factors for Atherosclerosis in renal transplant recipients (RTR). The Medical treatment of hyperlipidemia in RTR because of drugs side effects has been problematic, therefore alternative methods such as using of Garlic as an effective material in cholesterol lowering and inhibition of LDL Oxidation has been noted. For evaluation of garlic effect on RTR, 50 renal transplant patients with stable renal function were selected and divided into 2 groups. They took one clove of garlic (1 gr) by chewing or swallowing for two months, after one month wash-out period, they took garlic by the other route. Results indicated that although lipid profile, BUN, Cr, serum levels of cyclosporine and diastolic blood pressure did not change, Systolic blood pressure decreased from138.2 to 132.8 mmHg (p=0.001) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased from 2.4 to1.7 nmol/ml (p=0.009) by swallowing route, Cholesterol decreased from 205.1 to 195.3 mg/dl (p=0.03), triglyceride decreased from 195.7 to 174.8 mg/dl (p=0.008), MDA decreased from 2.5 to 1.6 nmol/ml (p=0.001), systolic blood pressure decreased from 137.5 to 129.8 mmHg (p=0.001), diastolic blood pressure decreased from 84.6 to 77.6 mmHg (p=0.001) and Cr decreased from 1.51 to 1.44 mg/dl (p=0.03) by chewing route too. However HDL, LDL and cyclosporine serum levels had no significant differences by both of swallowing and chewing routes. We conclude that undamaged garlic (swallowed) had no lowering effect on lipid level of serum. But Crushed garlic (chewed) reduces cholesterol, triglyceride, MDA and blood pressure. Additionally creatinine reduced without notable decrease in cyclosporine serum levels may be due to cyclosporine nephrotoxicity ameliorating effect of garlic

Tuberculosis Status and Coinfection of Pulmonary Fungal Infections in Patients Referred to Reference Laboratory of Health Centers Ghaemshahr City during 2007-2017

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary tuberculosis is one of the most important health concerns. Pulmonary fungal infections have clinical and radiological characteristics similar to tuberculosis which may be easily misdiagnosed as tuberculosis. This study aimed to evaluate tuberculosis (TB) status and coinfection of TB with pulmonary fungal infections in patients referred to reference laboratory of health centers Ghaemshahr city during 2007-2017.METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted during eleven years, between 2007 2017, on 3577 patients with suspected TB referred to health centers of Ghaemshahr City. For isolation, sputum smear preparation and Ziehl-Neelson staining in companying with microscopy direct observation and KOH 10% + white Calcofluor staining was used. The culture of fungi was performed on Sabouraud Dextrose agar, Czapek and chrome agar media. Then, data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 16) through Student's t-test, Fisher test, and Odds Ratio. P values &lt;0.05 were considered statistically significant.RESULTS: Of 3577 patients, 10731 smears were prepared, 3.6% (n=130) of patients were identified as smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis, 86.4% (n=3090) were smear negative and 10% (n=357) drug-resistant TB. The mean age of patients was 48±1.8 years. With increasing age, the prevalence of TB has increased which was statistically significant (P value &lt;0.05). Prevalence of tuberculosis in the age group over than 57 years in males and females had an ascending trend. Amongst the positive tuberculosis patients, 16/130 cases (12.3%) had the coinfection of TB with fungi microorganisms.CONCLUSION: Our findings showed the coinfection of fungi agents in patients with tuberculosis that should be considered.

Utilization of Language Learning Strategies by Iranian Post Graduate Students and Their Attitude and Motivation Toward English Learning

The current study tries to explore language learning strategies (LLSs) of Iranian postgraduate learners and the effect of motivation and attitude on their strategy use. Oxford’s classification of language learning strategies is the framework of the current study. Her strategy taxonomy includes six categories as memory, cognitive, metacognitive, compensation, social and affective strategies. 156 Iranian post graduate students in Kerman province were selected according to two-step cluster sampling. Then, translated version of Oxford’s strategy inventory for language learning (SILL) was administered to the participants to determine their strategy use. Attitude/motivation test battery (AMTB) was also used to identify the participants’ type of attitude and motivation. After collecting and analyzing data, the following results were found: a) Unlike the findings of the majorities of the studies done so far on foreign language learners, Iranian post graduate students of art and science were found to be high strategy users; b) The participants reported the use of compensation, social, metacognitive, and affective strategies in a high level while memory and cognitive strategies were reported to be used at a medium level; c) No significant difference was found between overall strategy use of students with positive and negative attitude; d) No significant difference was found between overall strategy use of students with integrative and instrumental motivation; e) No significant difference was found between overall strategy use of students of art and science.Key words: Language learning strategies; Iranian post graduate students; Learning attitude; Motivation; English learnin

ASSOCIATION MAPPING OF MORPHOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL TRAITS OF FLAG LEAF RELATED TO DROUGHT TOLERANCE IN BARLEY

Association mapping has proven to be a powerful approach for dissecting the genetic basis of complex traits. In this study, QTLs controlling flag leaf characteristics under drought stress were detected in a set of 148 modern spring barley cultivars using AM analysis. Flag leaf length (FLL), flag leaf width (FLW), relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll content, and maximum quantum efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) which are important in photosynthetic rate, were evaluated under normal irrigation and drought stress conditions at grain filling stage. Population structure was estimated using Structure2.3 and linkage disequilibrium (LD) was estimated by the ‘Full Matrix LD’ using Tassel5.0. Significant marker/trait associations were investigated based on K-Q matrix using Tassel3.0. The analysis of population structure divided the cultivars into two sub-groups. Significant LD values (P &lt; 0.01) between polymorphic sites with regions of high and low LD were observed. A total of 84 significant putative genomic regions were identified, which delineated into 37 QTLs under two water treatments. Two stable QTLs on 2H and 3H were detected for FLL in drought stress treatment. A QTL for FLL were detected on 2H in normal treatment, which alone explained around 11% of phenotypic variance of FLL. This QTL was also associated with the expression of FLW and explained around 7.5% of phenotypic variance. The results suggest that major loci are located on chromosomes 2H, 3H, 4H and 5H involved in the development of flag leaf characteristics and could be used as selection criteria in barley breeding for drought tolerance

Food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis due to wheat in a young woman

Food Dependent Exercise-Induced Allergy is a rare condition. However, the occurrence of anaphylaxis is increasing especially in young people. The diagnosis of anaphylaxis is based on clinical criteria and can be supported by laboratory tests such as serum tryptase and positive skin test results for specific IgE to potential triggering allergens. Anaphylaxis prevention needs strict avoidance of confirmed relevant allergen. Food-exercise challenge test may be an acceptable method for diagnosis of Food Dependent Exercise-Induced Allergy and dietary elimination of food is recommended to manage it. In this study, a 32 year-old woman visited the allergy clinic with a history of several episodes of hives since 11 years ago and 3 life-threatening attacks of anaphylaxis during the previous 6 months. The onsets of majority of these attacks were due to physical activity after breakfast. On Blood RAST test, the panel of common food Allergens was used and she had positive test only to wheat flour. On skin prick tests for common food allergens she showed a 6 millimeter wheal with 14 mm flare to Wheat Extract. The rest of allergens were negative. The patient was diagnosed as wheat-dependent exercise-induced, and all foods containing wheat were omitted from her diet. In this report we emphasized on the importance of careful history taking in anaphylaxis diagnosis

The pathogenicity of genetic variants previously associated with left ventricular non-compaction

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular non‐compaction (LVNC) is a rare cardiomyopathy. Many genetic variants have been associated with LVNC. However, the number of the previous LVNC‐associated variants that are common in the background population remains unknown. The aim of this study was to provide an updated list of previously reported LVNC‐associated variants with biologic description and investigate the prevalence of LVNC variants in healthy general population to find false‐positive LVNC‐associated variants. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Human Gene Mutation Database and PubMed were systematically searched to identify all previously reported LVNC‐associated variants. Thereafter, the Exome Sequencing Project (ESP) and the Exome Aggregation Consortium (ExAC), that both represent the background population, was searched for all variants. Four in silico prediction tools were assessed to determine the functional effects of these variants. The prediction results of those identified in the ESP and ExAC and those not identified in the ESP and ExAC were compared. In 12 genes, 60 LVNC‐associated missense/nonsense variants were identified. MYH7 was the predominant gene, encompassing 24 of the 60 LVNC‐associated variants. The ESP only harbored nine and ExAC harbored 18 of the 60 LVNC‐associated variants. In total, eight out of nine ESP‐positive variants overlapped with the 18 variants identified in ExAC database. CONCLUSIONS: In this article, we identified 9 ESP‐positive and 18 ExAC‐positive variants of 60 previously reported LVNC‐associated variants, suggesting that these variants are not necessarily the monogenic cause of LVNC

Endoscopic Surgery for Third Ventricular Colloid Cysts in the Absence of Hydrocephalus- a feasibility study

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of endoscopic neurosurgery for patients with third ventricular colloid cysts without ventriculomegaly.Methods: Seventy-one patients with third ventricular colloid cysts were identified and recruited to this study. Eighteen of these patients did not have concomitant hydrocephalus and underwent primary endoscopic surgery for cyst resection. The surgical technique, the success rate, and patients’ outcome were assessed and compared with 53 hydrocephalic patients who underwent similar procedures.Results: The ventricular compartments were successfully cannulated and gross total resectin of the colloid cysts was achieved in all patients. There were no operative complications related to the endoscopic procedure. Two patients required subsequent intervention for hydrocephalus. The success rate for endoscopic surgery in non-hydrocephalic patients was similar to its value in patients with hydrocephalus.Conclusion: Endoscopic resection of third ventricular colloid cyst in patients without hydrocephalus seems to be feasible, effective and not contraindicated