Effects of FK506 on Hippocampal CA1 Cells Following Transient Global Ischemia/Reperfusion in Wistar Rat

Transient global cerebral ischemia causes loss of pyramidal cells in CA1 region of hippocampus. In this study, we investigated the neurotrophic effect of the immunosuppressant agent FK506 in rat after global cerebral ischemia. Both common carotid arteries were occluded for 20 minutes followed by reperfusion. In experimental group 1, FK506 (6 mg/kg) was given as a single dose exactly at the time of reperfusion. In the second group, FK506 was administered at the beginning of reperfusion, followed by its administration intraperitoneally (IP) 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after reperfusion. FK506 failed to show neurotrophic effects on CA1 region when applied as a single dose of 6 mg/kg. The cell number and size of the CA1 pyramidal cells were increased, also the number of cell death decreased in this region when FK506 was administrated 48 h after reperfusion. This work supports the possible use of FK506 in treatment of ischemic brain damage

Survey of dermatological conditions in a population of domestic dogs in Mashhad, northeast of Iran (2007 - 2011)

In order to assess the prevalence of skin diseases in dogs encountered in a first opinion university small animal clinic, 1299 Iranian domestic dogs presented from September 2007 through March 2011 to the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Veterinary Teaching Hospital, were examined. Dermatological disorders were noted in 17.00% (221/1299) of all the dogs examined. Pruritus was the most common presenting sign, accounting for 25.35% of the dermatological consultations. It was followed by erythema, maculo-papular-pustular eruptions (16.97%), erosive or ulcerative lesions (16.74%), scaling or crusting (13.02%), alopecia (8.84%) and visible ectoparasites (7.44%). The most common primary final diagnoses were superficial pyoderma, cutaneous manifestations of canine leishmaniasis, flea infestation and allergy, tick infestation, atopic dermatitis, scabies, unspecified dermatoses, otitis, furunculosis and food allergy. There were no apparent age or sex predilections for dermatological disease as a whole. Spitz (odds ratio = 3.38; p = 0.001), Terriers (odds ratio = 2.52; p < 0.001) and German Shepherds (odds ratio = 1.90; p = 0.001) appeared to be at increased risk for dermatological disease. In addition, Khorasani large cross breed dogs (odds ratio = 0.36; p = 0.003) and mixed breed dogs (odds ratio = 0.33; p < 0.001) showed decreased risk for dermatological conditions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first survey study on canine dermatological conditions carried out in Iran

Histopathological and molecular study of Neospora caninum infection in bovine aborted fetuses

Objective: To estimate the extent to which abortion in dairy cows was associated with of Neospora caninum (N. caninum) and to determine the risk factors of neosporosis in dairy farms from 9 provinces in Iran. Methods: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was used to detect Neospora infection in the brain of 395 bovine aborted fetuses from 9 provinces of Iran. In addition, the brains of aborted fetuses were taken for histopathological examination. To identify the risk factors associated with neosporosis, data analysis was performed by SAS. Results: N. caninum was detected in 179 (45%) out of 395 fetal brain samples of bovine aborted fetuses using PCR. Among the PCR-positive brain samples, only 56 samples were suited for histopathological examination. The characteristic lesions of Neospora infection including non-suppurative encephalitis were found in 16 (28%) of PCR-positive samples. The risk factors including season, parity of dam, history of bovine virus diarrhea and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis infection in herd, cow’s milk production, herd size and fetal appearance did not show association with the infection. This study showed that Neospora caused abortion was significantly more in the second trimester of pregnancy than other periods. In addition, a significant association was observed between Neospora infection and stillbirth. Conclusions: The results showed N. caninum infection was detected in high percentage of aborted fetuses. In addition, at least one fourth of abortions caused by Neospora infection. These results indicate increasing number of abortions associated with the protozoa more than reported before in Iran

Classic versus Inguinal Approach for Obturator Nerve Block in Transurethral Resection of Bladder Cancer under Spinal Anesthesia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Single spinal anesthesia in transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) has been reported to be unable to prevent obturator nerve stimulation and adductor muscle contraction, which can cause complications like bladder perforation. The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the classic and inguinal approaches for obturator nerve block (ONB). Seventy patients with cancers of the lateral wall of the bladder, scheduled to undergo TURBT at Imam Reza Hospital (Tabriz, Iran) during a 6-month period as of June 2016, were randomly allocated to groups of inguinal and classic methods (n=35). After the infusion of 500 mL of normal saline, spinal anesthesia was commenced using 3 mL (15 mg) of bupivacaine. Then ONB was performed using 10 mL of 1% lidocaine via the inguinal or classic approach in the inguinal group or the classic group, respectively. The success rate, defined as lack of post-block contraction with stimulation or during surgery, number of puncture attempts, time of block onset, and patient and surgeon satisfaction, was compared between the 2 methods using SPSS, version 19. The success rate of ONB was significantly higher in the inguinal group (97.1% vs. 71.4%; P=0.003). The number of puncture attempts in the classic group was more than that in the inguinal group (3.71±1.10 vs. 1.66±0.68, respectively; P<0.001). The block onset time was shorter in the inguinal group (1.5±0.66 min vs. 2.9±1.18 min; P<0.001). Dissatisfaction of the patient (19 cases vs. 2 cases) and the surgeon (10 cases vs. no case) was higher in the classic group (P<0.001). Compared to the classic approach, the inguinal approach for ONB appeared to be an easily performable, effective block with a high success rate, rapid onset, and good patient and surgeon satisfaction. Trial Registration Number: IRCT 201608171772N2

Prevalence and complication of COVID‐19 in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and its relationship with TNF‐a inhibitors

Abstract Introduction Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a condition that is treated with nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs and biological drugs such as anti tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α). This study examined the prevalence of COVID‐19 among individuals with AS and compare it between those receiving and not receiving TNF‐α inhibitors. Methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted at the rheumatology clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran, Iran. The study included patients with AS who sought treatment at the clinic. Demographic information, laboratory and radiographic findings, and disease activity were recorded through interviews and examinations using a questionnaire. Results A total of 40 patients were studied over the course of 1 year. Among them, 31 patients were administered anti‐TNF‐α drugs, with 15 patients (48.3%) receiving subcutaneous Altebrel (Etanercept), 3 patients (9.6%) receiving intravenous Infliximab, and 13 patients (41.9%) receiving subcutaneous Cinnora (Adalimumab). Of the total, 7 patients (17.5%) tested positive for COVID‐19, 1 of whom was confirmed through both CT scan and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, while the remaining 6 patients were confirmed only through PCR testing. All patients tested positive for COVID‐19 were male, and 6 of them had received Altebrel. Among the 9 AS patients who did not receive TNF inhibitors, 1 patient contracted SARS‐CoV‐2. The clinical symptoms experienced by these patients were mild, and hospitalization was not required. However, 1 patient who had insulin‐dependent type 1 diabetes and was receiving Infliximab required hospitalization. This patient exhibited more severe COVID‐19 symptoms, including high fever, pulmonary involvement, dyspnea, and decreased oxygen saturation. No cases of COVID‐19 were reported in the Cinnora treatment group. The use of any of the drugs did not demonstrate a significant relationship with the occurrence of COVID‐19 in patients. Conclusions The use of the TNF‐α inhibitors in patients with AS, may be associated with reduced hospitalization and death rate in COVID‐19 cases