Prevalence of Hymenolepis spp. in House Mice in Baghdad City, Iraq

The prevalence of house mice (Mus musculus) Hymenolepiasis was determined in Baghdad, Iraq to study the effects of location, sex, and months on the infection rate of Hymenolepis spp. in house mice. Fifty house mice were captured from Abu Ghraib and Al-Ameriya, Baghdad, Iraq and examined for detecting parasites in laboratory in College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Baghdad. The total infection prevalence of intestinal parasites was 11 (22%) out of 50 samples, the higher prevalence was 28.57% and found in Abu Ghraib area, while lower was (13.63%) and recorded in Al-Ameriya area. The study revealed that the house mice were infected with two species of Hymenolepis: Hymenolepis nana 4 (8%) and Hymenolepis diminuta 7(14%). The intestinal parasites revealed a significance prevalence value (P<0.05). There was statistical difference in between males and females in parasites infection, in which the higher rate was 8 (27.58%) and recorded in males and the lower was 3 (14.28%) and observed in females. The monthly distribution of confirmed cases over a 9-month period revealed that reported cases of house mice and Hymenolepiasis increased significantly (P<0.01) in autumn (65.44%), followed by winter (15.38%), and summer (13.33%). The findings showed that house mice play an important role in the spread of zoonotic parasitic illnesses to people, as well as attention must pay to public health.

Multispectral Image under Tissue Classification Algorithm in Screening of Cervical Cancer

The objectives of this study were to improve the efficiency and accuracy of early clinical diagnosis of cervical cancer and to explore the application of tissue classification algorithm combined with multispectral imaging in screening of cervical cancer. 50 patients with suspected cervical cancer were selected. Firstly, the multispectral imaging technology was used to collect the multispectral images of the cervical tissues of 50 patients under the conventional white light waveband, the narrowband green light waveband, and the narrowband blue light waveband. Secondly, the collected multispectral images were fused, and then the tissue classification algorithm was used to segment the diseased area according to the difference between the cervical tissues without lesions and the cervical tissues with lesions. The difference in the contrast and other characteristics of the multiband spectrum fusion image would segment the diseased area, which was compared with the results of the disease examination. The average gradient, standard deviation (SD), and image entropy were adopted to evaluate the image quality, and the sensitivity and specificity were selected to evaluate the clinical application value of discussed method. The fused spectral image was compared with the image without lesions, it was found that there was a clear difference, and the fused multispectral image showed a contrast of 0.7549, which was also higher than that before fusion (0.4716), showing statistical difference ( P < 0.05 ). The average gradient, SD, and image entropy of the multispectral image assisted by the tissue classification algorithm were 2.0765, 65.2579, and 4.974, respectively, showing statistical difference ( P < 0.05 ). Compared with the three reported indicators, the values of the algorithm in this study were higher. The sensitivity and specificity of the multispectral image with the tissue classification algorithm were 85.3% and 70.8%, respectively, which were both greater than those of the image without the algorithm. It showed that the multispectral image assisted by tissue classification algorithm can effectively screen the cervical cancer and can quickly, efficiently, and safely segment the cervical tissue from the lesion area and the nonlesion area. The segmentation result was the same as that of the doctor's disease examination, indicating that it showed high clinical application value. This provided an effective reference for the clinical application of multispectral imaging technology assisted by tissue classification algorithm in the early screening and diagnosis of cervical cancer.

Detection of IgG and IgM Levels in Patients with COVID-19 in Mosul Province, Iraq

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) has become the most dangerous viral infection worldwide. Since its identification in late 2019, the number of medical trials to combat the infection has sharply increased. Here, we investigated the profiles of IgG and IgM in 85 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from day 1 after symptom onset until day 35 with 5-day intervals. Serum samples were collected and stored until use. We observed that IgM levels were detectable on day 5 post symptom onset and increased sharply, with the highest rate detected in moderate cases (32.332 ± 4.32, n=10). Subsequently, a significant reduction in IgM was observed until it was undetectable on day 35 after symptom onset. Meanwhile, IgG levels were detected on day 10 post symptom onset, and the highest rate was observed in moderate cases (8.232 ± 2.3, n=10). A significant increase in IgG rate was observed in all patients, with the highest rate in moderate cases (42.432 ± 4.34, n=67) on day 35 post symptom onset. The statistical difference between the case and control groups was significant (p≤0.001). Two out of 85 patients died during the study.

The Effect of Wellness Programs on Long-Term Contract Employees' Workplace Stress, Absenteeism, and Presenteeism

The quasi-experimental study reported in the present article is aimed at increasing the understanding of the effects of long-term contract employees participating in wellness programs. The reported study examines the effect (if any) that a wellness program has on workplace stress, absenteeism, and presenteeism for long-term contract employees participating in a wellness program. A one group pretest-posttest design was used. Convenience sampling was conducted in a hospital in the New York City Metro area. Data was collected from 19 participants. Paired sample t-test and a Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to determine if there was a significant statistical difference before and after a dance aerobic exercise intervention. The instruments used to gather data were the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the World Health Organization Health Performance Questionnaire (HPQ). The results indicated a statistical difference for workplace stress, but no statistical difference for absenteeism and presenteeism.

Comparison of two doses of eCG for obtaining embryos in llama

The study was developed at the Pampa del Arco Experimental Center of the National University of San Cristóbal de Huamanga, the objective was to evaluate doses of 800 IU (T1) and doses of 1000 IU (T2) of eCG to obtain embryos. Eight adult female llamas were used, distributed four in each treatment (T1 and T2), with a body condition of 2.5, these were evaluated by ultrasound with a 7.5 MHz rectal linear transducer. Hormonal treatments began when the animals had a follicle> 7 mm. The application of eCG was 72 hours after the induction of ovulation of the dominant follicle with GnRH, on day 7 PGF2α was applied, natural mounting was performed plus GnRH (1ml), on day 15 the collection and evaluation of embryos was performed. The results obtained were the pre-ovarian stimulation follicular diameter of 8.3 mm and 9.1 mm for T1 and T2 respectively, the number of pre-ovulatory follicles was 6.33 and 5.50 for T1 and T2 respectively, the diameter of follicles pre-ovulatory was 11.2mm and 10.6 mm for T1 and T2 respectively, average of embryos recovered per donor was 4.66 ± 0.81 and 3.50 ± 0.54 embryos for T1 and T2 respectively, with a significant difference (p <0.05) and the quality of embryos had 35.7% and 38.1% of embryos of excellent quality, 28.6% and 33.3% of good quality, 10.7% and 9 , 5% of regular quality, 10.7% and 0% of poor quality, for T1 and T2 respectively and 14.3% and 19.0% of non-transferable embryos for T1 and T2 respectively, with no statistical difference (p≥0, 05). It is concluded that the number of embryos recovered with a dose of 800 IU of eCG is higher compared to the dose of 1000 IU of eCG (p <0.05) and that there is no association between the applied dose of eCG and the quality of the llama embryos (p≥0.05)

Chronic toxicological effects of ultradiluted solutions of Aveloz (Euphorbia tirucalli Lineu) on healthy mice: a preliminary study

The latex extracted from Euphorbia tirucalli, a plant popularly known as Aveloz, is used in complementary medicine to induce tumor regression. However, as this latex has toxic effects when administered orally in ponderal doses, the present study was designed to assess the effects of high dilutions in healthy mice over a period of 18 weeks. The Aveloz latex-high diluted solutions (latex-HD) were obtained through the interaction of two processes: 1:100 dilution in mass and succussion, using ethanol 70% as a solvent, in the homeopathic dilutions of 5, 15 and 30cH, following Farmacopéia Homeopática Brasileira. Control solutions without latex were compounded (ethanolic-HD) in the same dilutions and were administered simultaneously. The animals which received latex-HD 30cH showed a significant increase in food consumption (p < 0.05) without significant difference in weight gain. In regards to water consumption, no statistical difference was shown when different Aveloz latex-HD groups were compared, apart from the group that received 1 drop of pure latex in water, which presented a significant increase (p < 0.05) in this parameter. Keywords: Euphorbia tirucalli; Aveloz; Toxicology; High Dilutions; Mice.  Efeitos toxicológicos crônicos de altas diluições de Aveloz (Euphorbia tirucalli L.) em camundongos sadios: estudo preliminar. Resumo O látex extraído de Euphorbia tirucalli, planta conhecida popularmente como Aveloz, é utilizado em medicina complementar para induzir regressão tumoral. No entanto, como este látex tem efeitos tóxicos quando administrado por via oral em doses ponderais, este estudo foi desenhado para avaliar os efeitos de altas diluições do mesmo em camundongos sadios por um período de 18 semanas. As altas diluições do látex do Aveloz (látex-HD) foram obtidas através da interação de dois processos: diluição 1:100 em massa e sucussão, utilizando etanol 70% como solvente, nas diluições homeopáticas 5, 15 e 30cH, de acordo com a Famracopéia Homeopática Brasileira. Soluções de controle sem o látex (etanol-HD) foram compostas nas mesmas diluições e ministradas simultaneamente. Os animais que receberam látex-HD 30cH mostraram aumento significativo no consumo de alimento (p < 0,05) sem diferença significativa em ganho de peso. A respeito do consumo de água, não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os diferentes grupos látex-HD, enquanto que o grupo que recebeu 1 gota de látex puro em água apresentou aumento significativo neste parâmetro (p < 0,05). Palavras-chave: Euphorbia tirucalli; Aveloz; Toxicologia; Altas diluições; Camundongos.  Efectos toxicológicos crónicos de altas diluciones de Euphorbia tirucalli en ratones sanos: estudio preliminar. Resumen El látex extraído de Euphorbia tirucalli, planta conocida popularmente como arbusto de goma, es utilizado en medicina complementaria para la inducción de regresiones tumorales. Como este látex produce efectos tóxicos cuando es administrado por vía oral en dosis ponderales, este estudio fue diseñado para evaluar los efectos de altas diluciones de éste en ratones sanos, durante 18 semanas. Las altas diluciones del látex de E. tirucalli (látex-HD) fueron preparadas mediante la interacción de dos procesos: dilución 1:100 en masa y sucusión, utilizando etanol 70% como solvente en las diluciones homeopáticas 5, 15 y 30cH, según la Farmacopea Homeopática Brasileña. Soluciones de control, sin látex (etanol-HD) fueron compuestas en estas mismas diluciones y administradas simultáneamente. Los animales que recibieron látex-HD 30cH mostraron un aumento significativo del consumo de alimento (p < 0,05), sin diferencias significativas de aumento de peso. Respecto al consumo de agua, no fueron observadas diferencias significativas en los varios grupos látex-HD, mientras que el grupo de recibió 1 gota de látex puro en agua presentó aumento significativo en este parámetro (p < 0,05). Palabras-clave: Euphorbia tirucalli; Aveloz; Toxicologií; Altas diluciones; Ratones.  Correspondence author: Carla Holandino Quaresma, [email protected] How to cite this article: Varricchio MCBN, Pereira C, Sales F, Gomes T, Daudt E, Aquino CL, Barbosa GM, Gomes N, Pyrrho AS, Hobaica PEM, Branco MC, Kuster R, Holandino C. Chronic toxicological effects of high diluted solutions of Aveloz (Euphorbia tirucalli L.) on healthy mice: a preliminary study. Int J High Dilution Res [online]. 2008 [cited YYYY Mmm DD]; 7(25): 174-178. Available from: http://journal.giri-society.org/index.php/ijhdr/article/view/308/371. ÂÂÂ

A Survey of the Vitamin and Mineral Content in Milk from Yaks Raised at Different Altitudes

In this study, the content of vitamins and of toxic and beneficial (macro- and micro-) minerals in milk from yaks raised at different altitudes (3,215, 4,340, and 5,410 m) was investigated. For comparison, the components in cow’s milk were also measured. At higher altitudes, a significant ( P < 0.05 ) increase in vitamin A and vitamin E was observed in the yak’s milk, whereas the opposite was observed for vitamin B1 and vitamin B2. No significant statistical difference in vitamin C, Ca, P, Na, K, and Mg concentrations was observed in milk from yaks raised at different altitudes. The concentrations of Zn in milk from yaks raised at different altitudes showed no statistical difference, whereas the Mn and Fe concentrations in milk from yaks raised at 3,215 m were lower than those raised at higher altitudes. The concentrations of Pb and Cd in yak’s milk did not exceed the maximum permissible concentrations (Codex Alimentarius Commission), whereas their concentrations were higher in milk from yaks raised at 3,215 m than at higher altitudes. These findings indicated that the contents of vitamins and minerals in yak milk varied in different altitudes.

Tocilizumab in the Treatment of Chronic Antibody-Mediated Rejection Post Kidney Transplantation: Clinical and Histological Monitoring

Introduction: Chronic antibody-mediated rejection (cAMR) has very few effective therapeutic options. Interleukin-6 is an attractive target because it is involved in inflammation and humoral immunity. Therefore, the use of tocilizumab (anti-IL6 receptor, TCZ) is a potential valuable therapeutic option to treat cABMR in kidney-transplant (KT) recipients.Materials and Methods: This single-center retrospective study included all KT recipients that received monthly TCZ infusions in the setting of cABMR, between August 2018 and July 2021. We assessed 12-month renal function and KT histology during follow-up.Results: Forty patients were included. At 12-months, eGFR was not significantly different, 41.6 ± 17 vs. 43 ± 17 mL/min/1.73 m2 (p = 0.102) in patients with functional graft. Six patients (15%) lost their graft: their condition was clinically more severe at the time of first TCZ infusion. Histological follow-up showed no statistical difference in the scores of glomerulitis, peritubular capillaritis, and interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy (IFTA). Chronic glomerulopathy score however, increased significantly over time; conversely arteritis and inflammation in IFTA ares improved in follow-up biopsies.Conclusion: In our study, the addition of TCZ prevented clinical and histological worsening of cABMR in KT recipients, except for more severely ill patients. Randomized studies are needed to clarify the risk/benefit of TCZ in cABMR.

GnRH-a-Induced Perimenopausal Rat Modeling and Black Cohosh Preparations’ Effect on Rat’s Reproductive Endocrine

BackgroundEndometriosis (EMS) is an estrogen-dependent disease, which easily recurs after operation. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a), an estrogen-inhibiting drug, can effectively inhibit the secretion of gonadotropin by pituitary gland, so as to significantly decrease the ovarian hormone level and facilitate the atrophy of ectopic endometrium, playing a positive role in preventing postoperative recurrence. The application of GnRH-a can lead to the secondary low estrogen symptoms, namely the perimenopausal symptoms, and is a main reason for patients to give up further treatment. The add-back therapy based on sex hormones can well address the perimenopausal symptoms, but long-term use of hormones may cause the recurrence of EMS, as well as liver function damage, venous embolism, breast cancer and other risks, which has long been a heated topic in the industry. Therefore, it is necessary to find effective and safe anti-additive drugs soon. Studies at home and abroad show that, as a plant extract, isopropanolic extract of cimicifuga racemosa (ICR) can well relieve the perimenopausal symptoms caused by natural menopause. Some studies have preliminarily confirmed that black cohosh preparations can antagonize perimenopausal symptoms of EMS patients treated with GnRH-a after operation.ObjectiveTo establish a rat model of perimenopausal symptoms induced by GnRH-a injection, for the purposes of laying a foundation for further research and preliminarily exploring the effect of black cohosh preparations on reproductive endocrine of the rat model.MethodThe rat model of perimenopausal symptoms was established by GnRH-a injection, and normal saline (NS injection) was used as the control. The rats were randomly divided into four groups according to different modeling methods and drug intervention schemes. GnRH-a injection + normal saline intervention group (GnRH-a + NS), normal saline injection control + normal saline intervention group (NS + NS), GnRH-a injection + estradiol intervention group (GnRH-a + E2), and GnRH-a injection + black cohosh preparations intervention group (GnRH-a + ICR). After modelling was assessed to be successful with the vaginal smear method, the corresponding drugs were given for intervention for 28d. In the process of rat modeling and drug intervention, the skin temperature and anus temperature of the rat tails were measured every other day, the body weights of the rats were measured every other day, and the dosage was adjusted according to the body weight. After the intervention was over, the serum sex hormone level, the uterine weight, the uterine index, and the endometrial histomorphology changes, as well as the ovarian weight, the ovarian index, and the morphological changes of ovarian tissues of each group were measured.Results(1) The vaginal cell smears of the control group (NS + NS) showed estrous cycle changes, while other model rats had no estrous cycle of vaginal cells. (2) The body weight gains of the GnRH-a + NS, GnRH-a + E2 and GnRH-a + ICR groups were significantly higher than that of the NS + NS control group. The intervention with E2 and ICR could delay the weight gain trend of rats induced by GnRH-A. (3) After GnRH-a injection, the temperature of the tail and anus of rats showed an overall upward trend, and the intervention with E2 and ICR could effectively improve such temperature change. (4) The E2, FSH, and LH levels in the GnRH-a + NS, GnRH-a + E2, and GnRH-a + ICR groups were significantly lower than those in the NS + NS group (P &lt; 0.01). The E2 level was significantly higher and the LH level was significantly lower in the GnRH-a + E2 group than those in the GnRH-a + NS and GnRH-a + ICR groups (P &lt; 0.05). Compared with those of the GnRH-a + NS and GnRH-a + ICR groups, the FSH level of the GnRH-a + E2 group showed a slight downward trend, but the difference was not statistically significant (P &gt; 0.05). There was no significant difference in the levels of sex hormones between the GnRH-a + NS group and GnRH-a + ICR group (P &gt; 0.05). (5) Compared with those of the NS + NS group, the uterine weight and uterine index of the GnRH-a + NS, GnRH-a + E2 and GnRH-a + ICR groups significantly decreased (P &lt; 0.01). In a comparison between the groups, the uterine weight and uterine index in the GnRH-a + NS and GnRH-a + ICR groups were significantly lower than those in the GnRH-a + E2 group (P &lt; 0.01). There was a statistical difference in the uterine weight and uterine index between the GnRH-a + NS group and GnRH-a + ICR group (P &gt; 0.05). (6) Compared with those of the NS + NS group, the ovarian weight and ovarian index of the GnRH-a + NS, GnRH-a + E2 and GnRH-a + ICR groups significantly decreased (P &lt; 0.01). There was no statistical difference in the ovarian weight and ovarian index among the GnRH-a + E2, GnRH-a + NS and GnRH-a + ICR groups (P &gt; 0.05). (7) Compared with those in the NS + NS group, the number of primordial follicles increased significantly, while the number of growing follicles and mature follicles decreased significantly in the GnRH-a + NS, GnRH-a + E2, and GnRH-a + ICR groups (P &lt; 0.01), but there was a statistical difference in the total number of follicles among the four groups (P &gt; 0.05).ConclusionsThe GnRH-a injection could achieve the desired effect. The animal model successfully achieved a significant decrease in the E2, FSH, and LH levels in rats, and could cause the rats to have rising body surface temperature similar to hot flashes in the perimenopausal period. The intervention with E2 and ICR could effectively relieve such “perimenopausal symptoms”, and ICR had no obvious effect on the serum sex hormone level in rats.

Influence of Sodium Hypochlorite and Chlorhexidine on the Dynamic Cyclic Fatigue Resistance of XP Endo Shaper Instruments

Objective This study evaluated the dynamic cyclic fatigue resistance of the XP-Endo Shaper (XPS), associated with chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) or sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) in two different formulations: gel (G) or liquid (L). Materials and Methods Sixty XPS were used in an artificial stainless-steel canal, and the files were fully immersed in the irrigating solution throughout the experiment until the fracture. The files were divided into six groups (n = 10) based on the irrigation solution used: NaOCl(L), NaOCl(G), CHX(L), CHX(G), natrosol gel (NAT) (control), and lubricating oil (LO) (control). The artificial canal was manufactured 1.5 mm wide, 20 mm long, and, 3.5 mm deep with a straight cervical segment measuring 14.29 mm; an apical segment of 4.71 mm with 3 mm radius; and 90 degrees of curvature apical 1 mm long straight segment. Resistance to cyclic fatigue was determined by recording the number of cycles to fracture (NCF). Results The CHX(G), CHX(L), and OIL (LO) groups showed no significant difference between them and presented longer time to fracture (p > 0.05). NaOCl(L) shows the lowest NCF without significant differences between NaOCl(G) and NAT. The NCF of the NaOCl(G) was statistically similar to the CHX(L) and statistically lower than the CHX(G) and OIL groups. NAT did not present a statistical difference of the NaOCl(L), NaOCl(G), and presented a significantly lower NCF than the CHX(G) (p < 0.01). Conclusion The use of CHX(G) resulted in increased cyclic fatigue resistance of the XPS instruments compared to NaOCl or LO.