Study of factor XI deficiency in Khuzestan cattle population of Iran

The present study investigated the occurrence of autosomal recessive genetic disease, factor XI (FXI), in Khuzestan native cows and Iranian Holstein cattle. Genomic DNA was isolated from the blood of the cows (n = 330). Exon 12 of the Factor XI gene of the cows was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Additionally, all cows were confirmed by DNA sequencing to determine existence of mutant FXI allele. Normal cattle have only one DNA fragment of 244 bp while heterozygous cattle exhibited two DNA fragments of 320 and 244 bp for the FXI gene deficiency. The results of this study showed that none of the animals were carriers of FXI deficiency. Because of the economical significance of the FXI mutation and its recessive mode of inheritance, attention has to be paid to any case of a bull having in his origin any known FXI carrier. Although we did not observe any carrier, widespread screening programs for detection of genetic disorders seems necessary.Key words: Factor XI, deficiency, sequencing, cattle, Iran

Polymorphism of calpastatin gene in Arabic sheep using PCR- RFLP

Calpastatin has been known as candidate gene in muscle growth efficiency and meat quality. This gene has been located to chromosome 5 of sheep. In order to evaluate the calpastatin gene polymorphism, random blood sample were collected from 111 Arabic ram sheep from different regions. The DNA extraction was based on Boom et al. (1989) method. Exon and entron I from L domain of the ovine calpastatin gene was amplified to produce a 622 bp fragment. The PCR products were electrophoresed on 1.2% agarose gel and stained by etidium bromide. Then, they were digested with restriction enzyme MspI and then electrophoresed on 2.5% agarose gel with ethidium bromide and revealed two alleles, allele A and allele B. Data were analysed using PopGene32 package. In this population, AA, AB, BB genotype have been identified with the 70.27, 28.82, 0.9% frequencies. A and B allele’s frequencies were 0.85, 0.15, respectively. The population was found to follow Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium

Relationship between social support with anxiety, depression, and stress in pregnant women attending to health care centers in Zanjan-Iran in 2015-2016

Background: Pregnancy is associated with many emotional, physical, and social changes in women’s lives which may have an effect on the outcomes of pregnancy, so identifying moderating factors such as social support may have a preventing role on unintended outcomes of pregnancy. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between social support with anxiety, depression, and stress in pregnant women. Methods: In this correlational study 249 pregnant women attending to health care centers in Zanjan-Iran, during 2015-2016 were selected using a multi-stage sampling method. Data was collected using three questionnaires including demographic characteristics, Wax social support (social support ftom family, friends, and others) and DASS-21 scale. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with SPSS software version 16. Results: The average age of the participants were 27.57±5.56 years. The average of total perceived social support of pregnant women was 77.42±10.66, among which the most perceived social support was from the family (29.04%). Data analyses revealed weak negative and significant relationship between total social support and depression (r=-0.17) and stress (-0.13), as well as between social support from others and depression (r=-0.14) in pregnant women (P<0.05). Conclusion: Although, in this study pregnant women received the most social support from the family, only a weak relationship was found between the total score of social support and social support by others with depression and stress. Therefore, it is recommended that more research be done on the type of social support of Azari pregnant wome

Investigation of the Relationship between Serum Leptin levels and Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy

Background: Worldwide, half of women suffer from nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy which generally continues to the 20th week of pregnancy. Although pathogeneses of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy as well as hyperemesis gravid arum are still unknown, some believe that nausea and vomiting of pregnancy is likely related to maternal serum leptin level. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the relationship between leptin and pregnancy nausea and vomiting. Methods: In this case-control study, 45 pregnant women at first and second trimesters were selected through convenient sampling. Mothers’ blood samples were taken in the 6th, 12th, 15th, and 20th weeks of pregnancy. The participants were devised into healthy, without nausea, (24) and with nausea and vomiting groups (21). The relationship among the variables was analyzed using independent t-test, Pearson correlation, regression tests, and Lambda statistic (P value <0.05). Results: The mean age of the participants was 27.47±5.55 years, and Body Mass Index (BMI) was found to be 5.458±26.57. There was no significant difference between groups in this regard. Based on results, changes in maternal serum leptin had significant correlation with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (p<0.04), meaning that the mean of leptin changes in patients with nausea and vomiting was significantly lower. Moreover, serum leptin at first and second trimesters of pregnancy did not have significant correlation with nausea and vomiting (p=0.5 and 0.3, respectively). Conclusion: With regard to leptin peak level at second trimester of pregnancy, leptin changes at first and second trimesters can be a good index to predict the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Thus, further domestic studies are required in this respect

Expression of the G1 epitope of bovine ephemeral fever virus G glycoprotein in eukaryotic cells

The envelope glycoprotein (protein G) of bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) has been identified as a plausible vaccine candidate against the BEF disease. In the present study, G1 epitope of the G gly-coprotein gene was cloned in an eukaryotic expression vector, pcDNA3.1(+), under the control of the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. The pcDNA3.1-G1 construct was transfected into human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK 293) cell line and the expression efficiency was verified by immunofluorescence staining of transfected cells and Western blot analysis. The results indicated that G1 protein was expressed by the recombinant pcDNA3.1-G1 construct in the transfected cells. The recombinant plasmid constructed in this study can be used as a DNA vaccine to evaluate its potential for immunogenicity and protection against BEF virus in animal models

Churg-Strauss syndrome following cessation of allergic desensitization vaccination: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Churg-Strauss syndrome is a vasculitis of medium to small sized vessels. Diagnosis is mainly clinical with findings of asthma, eosinophilia, rhinosinusitis and signs of vasculitis in major organs.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We present a case of a 19-year-old Persian male who developed signs and symptoms of this syndrome related to hyposensitization treatments for allergy control.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>No unifying etiology for the disease can be presented as it is found associated with environmental factors, medications, infections and is even considered a variant of asthma with predisposition to vasculitic involvement. Therefore, it is important to recognize this disease and be aware of underdiagnosis because of emphasis on pathologic evidence. Here, we present a case of allergic desensitization causing Churg-Strauss syndrome in the absence of other known factors.</p

Pyogenic spondylitis

Pyogenic spondylitis is a neurological and life threatening condition. It encompasses a broad range of clinical entities, including pyogenic spondylodiscitis, septic discitis, vertebral osteomyelitis, and epidural abscess. The incidence though low appears to be on the rise. The diagnosis is based on clinical, radiological, blood and tissue cultures and histopathological findings. Most of the cases can be treated non-operatively. Surgical treatment is required in 10–20% of patients. Anterior decompression, debridement and fusion are generally recommended and instrumentation is acceptable after good surgical debridement with postoperative antibiotic cover