Titration of the Iranian white spot virus isolate, on crayfish Astacus leptodactylus and Penaeus semisulcatus

White Spot Virus (WSV) is currently the most serious viral pathogen of shrimp worldwide; it causes mortality up to 100% within 7-10 days in commercial shrimp farms. Infected Indian white shrimp Fenneropenaeus indicus samples were collected from Guatr shrimp site in Sistan and Baluchestan province in south of Iran and WSV infection was confirmed by Nested PCR. WSV was isolated from infected shrimp samples by centrifugation and filtration and multiplied in crayfish by intramuscular inoculation, the isolated virus was called WSV/IRN/1/2010. In order to determine the dilution resulting in 90-100% mortality in Penaeus semiculcatus, diluted virus stock in steps from 10^0 till 10^5 times in sterile PBS was injected intramuscularly to 14 shrimps in each group. Also the virus stock was diluted in steps from 1/2 till 1/32 times in sterile PBS and injected intramuscularly in Astacus leptodactylus crayfish. Therefore the LD50 of live virus stock in Astacus leptodactylus and Penaeus semiculcatus crayfish were calculated by the Karber method 10^3.29 /ml and 10^5.35 /ml, respectively

Detection of Echinococcus granulosus infection in dogs

Cystic Echinococcosis is an important zoonosis in the sheep rising areas of Iran. To develop a simple andreliable diagnostic method for Echinococcus infection in definitive hosts, E. granulosus polyoclonalantibodies (PolyAbs) were prepared from adult worm in rabbit. A selected PoAb was used for coproantigendetection in faecal samples obtained from animals naturally infected with Echinococcus and compared withnecropsy method. Finally, the sensitivity and specificity of the test were evaluated. The results indicated E.granulosus worms was detected in 36 (43%) of small intestine contents of dogs. The results obtained by CpAg- ELISA test showed 30 (36.14%) positive and 53 (63.86%) negative cases. The sensitivity andspecificity of CpAg-ELISA test were evaluated 83.33% and 100% respectively. In conclusion, the present result suggests that, CpAg-ELISA is a valid test for detection of E. granulosus infection in living dogs. Thus it is appropriate to apply for epidemiological study

Effectiveness of buccal fat in closing residual midpalatal and posterior palatal fistulas in patients previously treated for clefts

Purpose: The present retrospective study assessed the outcome and effectiveness of the buccal fat pad flap for closure of postoperative midpalatal fistulas and fistulas of the posterior palate in patients previously treated for cleft palate. Patients and Methods: The charts of 29 patients with residual midpalatal and posterior palatal fistulas treated using buccal fat pad flaps were assessed. Of the 29 patients, 18 were males and 11 were females, aged 2.5 to 19 years. The fistula size was 10 to 20 mm. Results: Full epithelialization of the flap had occurred within 4 weeks in all 29 patients. The fistulas had completely closed in 28 patients. In 1 patient, a 2-mm defect was noted in the anterior part of the fistula repair that had healed after 2 months without intervention. Conclusion: The buccal fat pad flap can be used to repair any remaining postoperative palatal fistulas that are 10 to 20 mm in size. © 2011 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Image-guided Cryotherapy for Musculoskeletal Tumors

Background: This article represents a review about the use of image-guided cryotherapy in the treatment of musculoskeletal tumor lesions. Cryotherapy is able to induce a lethal effect on cancer cells through direct and indirect mechanisms. In this manuscript, we combined our experience with that of other authors who have published on this topic in order to provide indications on when to use cryotherapy in musculoskeletal oncology. Discussion: Image-Guided percutaneous cryotherapy is a therapeutic method now widely accepted in the treatment of patients with musculoskeletal tumors. It can be used both for palliative treatments of metastatic bone lesions and for the curative treatment of benign bone tumors such as osteoid osteoma or osteoblastoma. In the treatment of bone metastases, cryotherapy plays a major role in alleviating or resolving disease-related pain but it has also been demonstrated that it can have a role in local disease control. In recent years, the use of cryotherapy have also expanded for the treatment of both benign and malignant soft tissue tumors. Conclusion: Percutaneous cryotherapy can be considered a safe and effective technique in the treatment of benign and malignant musculoskeletal tumors. Cryotherapy can be considered the first option in benign tumor lesions such as osteoid osteoma and a valid alternative to radiofrequency ablation. In the treatment of painful bone metastases, it must be considered secondarily to other standard treatments (radiotherapy, bisphosphonate therapy and chemotherapy) where they are no longer effective in controlling the disease or when they cannot be repeated (for example radiotherapy)