Abstract:The prevalence of Sarcocystis spp. was investigated by gross and histopathological examinations in 250 camels (Camelus dromedarius) slaughtered from 2002 to 2005 in the Mashhad Slaughterhouse, eastern Iran. Samples were taken from the diaphragm, heart, tongue, esophagus and masseter muscles for histopathological studies. No macroscopic sarcocysts were found in the samples at gross inspection. Sarcocysts were detected in 209 of 250 (83.6%) examined camels at histopathological level. The infection rate of the esophagus, heart, masseter muscles, diaphragm, and tongue was 58.8%, 48.0%, 46.8%, 41.6%, and 28.0%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the rate of infection between male (85.8%) and female (81.0%) camels. The tissue response to vital cysts was minimal; however, reaction to the degenerating cysts was severe and caused tissue damages resulting in hyperemia, hemorrhages, mononuclear cell infiltration, necrotic changes, and fibrosis. The wild and domestic carnivores especially dogs may be the final hosts of Sarcocystis spp. in this area.

n Abstract: Malignant adenomyoepithelioma (MAME) of the breast is a rare lesion characterized by dual population of epithelial and myoepithelial cells which one or both components show malignant features. We report a case of MAME of the breast in a 46-year-old woman diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration with extensive review of the literature. Classification, clinical presentation, cyto-pathologic, and immunohistochemical features are described. This lesion showed both malignant components of epithelial and myoepithelial cells in cytology and histology. The malignancy was convincingly supported by high mitotic figures, pleomorphism, and invasion in tissue sections. This review of MAMEs showed that cyto-histologic diagnosis is difficult and should be supported by immunohistochemical study. n

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence, distribution pattern, and the Sarcocystis species involved in slaughtered water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in the Khuzestan, Iran by macroscopic and histological examination. The esophagus, heart, diaphragm, tongue, masseter, and thigh muscles were investigated. Esophagus and thigh muscles of only 3 of the 100 examined water buffaloes (3%) were infected with macroscopic Sarcocystis, whereas at microscopic level Sarcocystis were found in 83 of the 100 examined animals (83%). The highest prevalence rate of microscopic cysts was found in masseter muscle (57.1%) and then followed by tongue, diaphragm, esophagus, heart, and finally, thigh muscles (30.0%). There was no significant difference between males (83.6%) and females (82.0%) or between two investigated age groups (2 years old, 88%). Based on the size of the sarcocysts, thickness of the walls and location of the cysts, Sarcocystis buffalonis as a macroscopic form and Sarcocystis levinei and Sarcocystis dubeyi as the microscopic forms were diagnosed in the examined muscles of the buffaloes of this area. Sarcocystis fusiformis was not seen in the examined organs of these buffaloes. The high prevalence rate of microscopic Sarcocystis in this region indicates that dogs have a more significant role than cats in transmission of these protozoa.

No abstract

This project aimed to examine Stevia rebaudiana aqueous extract protective effects on testicular ischaemia/reperfusion injury of rats. Forty rats were randomly divided into five groups: (1) sham group, (2) torsion/detorsion group, (3 and 4) low and high doses treatment groups received S. rebaudiana extract intraperitoneally 30 min before detorsion by 500 and 1,000 mg/kg respectively, and (5) healthy group received the extract by 1,000 mg/kg. In this study, left testes were rotated 2 hr, reperfusion period took long 5 hr, and then orchiectomy was performed. Histopathological and biochemical evaluations of testicular tissue samples were performed.Histopathologically, sham and healthy groups exhibited normal seminiferous tubules.Germinal cell necrosis, interstitial oedema, haemorrhage and congestion were seen in torsion/detorsion group. Testicular tissues of both treatment groups revealed lower histopathological alterations. Significant higher malondialdehyde level was observed in torsion/detorsion group than sham and healthy groups (p < .05). Compared with torsion/detorsion group, S. rebaudiana extract significantly reduced malondialdehyde level in treatment groups (p < .05). Torsion/detorsion group had significantly lower glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities than sham and healthy groups, and these parameters showed significant increase in treatment groups compared with torsion/detorsion group (p < .05). The results revealed S. rebaudiana has this potential to protect the testes from ischaemia/reperfusion injury. K E Y W O R D Sischaemia/reperfusion injury, Stevia rebaudiana, testis

Background. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic disease and a significant cause of joint pain, tenderness, and limitation of motion. At present, no specific treatment is available, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown promising potentials in this regard. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the repairing potentials of stem cells derived from the synovium and fat pad in the treatment of OA. Methods. Twenty-eight male rats (220±20 g, aged 10-12 weeks), were randomly divided into four groups (n=7): C1: nontreated group, C2: Hyalgan-treated group, E1: adipose tissue-derived stem cell-treated group, and E2: synovial membrane-based stem cell-treated group. Collagenase type II was injected into the left knee; after eight weeks, OA was developed. Then, stem cells were injected, and rats were followed for three months. Afterward, specimens and radiological images were investigated. p value ≤ 0.05 was set as statistically significant. Results. Compared to the C1 group, the E1 and E2 groups showed significantly better results in all six pathological criteria as well as joint space width and osteophytes of medial tibial, medial femoral, and medial fabellar condyles (p≤0.001). Similarly, compared to the C2 group, the E1 and E2 groups had better scores regarding surface, matrix, cell distribution, and cell population viability (p<0.05). E2 showed considerably higher scores compared to C2 regarding subchondral bone and cartilage mineralization (p<0.05). The joint space width was similar between the C2 and E groups. Conclusion. Treatment of OA with MSCs, particularly synovial membrane-derived stem cells, not only prevented but also healed OA of the knee to some extent in comparison to the Hyalgan and nontreatment groups.

No abstract

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic condition of intestine illness accompanied by some unknown etiology with different immune, genetic and environmental factors. Objectives: The current study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the Melilotus officinalis L. in the acetic acid induced UC in rats. Materials and Methods:The plant aqueous extraction and high performance liquid chromatography and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay were performed on aqueous extract to identify its compounds and antioxidant activities. Also, 70 adult male rats were and UC was induced using 3% acetic acid solution. They received different daily doses of M. officinalis L. in two forms (orally, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) and gel extract (10% and 20%). On the 7th day, the colon tissues were examined regarding the macroscopic and histopathology lesions plus oxidative stress and compared to the positive and negative control groups. Results: HPLC analysis revealed that five grams of the flower powder contained 9.7 mg gallic acid, 99 mg catechin, 21.9 mg caffeic acid, 0.86 mg chlorogenic acid, 1.13 mg quercetin, 548.9 mg cinnamic acid, 289 mg coumarin and 126 mg p-coumaric acid. The FRAP value of the extract was 2.91 ± 0.14 μM/g. There were significant differences between the group of rats which received the gel or aqueous extract of the flower compared to the negative control group using normal saline and the base gel and they had no significant differences with the positive control group using the Asacol, regarding the pathologic, malondialdehyde, and weight improvements. Conclusions: It can be concluded that the M. officinalis L. extract can be used as an effective medicine to treat UC in animal model and also in human subjects.