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Newcastle disease (ND) is an economically significant and extremely spreadable viral illness affecting a wide variety of avian species. ND can rapidly spread within poultry farms and result in considerable economic losses for the global poultry industry. This disease is endemic in Iran, and despite intensive vaccination efforts in the poultry industry, outbreaks of ND occur unexpectedly. This study aimed to isolate the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) from poultry farms with breathing problems in Markazi province, Iran, and investigate the evolutionary relationship and molecular characteristics of the isolates during 2017- 2019. To this end, tissue samples (lung, brain, and trachea) were taken from 42 broiler farms exhibiting respiratory symptoms. The samples were inoculated into 9-11-day-old embryonated eggs, and the virus was isolated from 20 (47.6%) of the 42 farms. Subsequently, RT-PCR was used to amplify partial fusion gene sequences from the new isolates. The amplified products were sequenced and compared phylogenetically to the standard pilot dataset (125 selected sequences) generated by the NDV consortium. As determined by phylogenetic analysis, all nine isolates belonged to subgenotype VII.1.1 of genotype VII and were highly similar to isolates from other parts of Iran and China. Moreover, all isolates possessed a polybasic cleavage site motif (112RRQKRF117), characteristic of virulent strains. Furthermore, the present isolates shared a high nucleotide identity (96%) with viruses previously isolated from other provinces of Iran, as determined by BLAST searches and multiple alignments. In addition, they shared a high degree of sequence similarity but were distinct from the existing NDV vaccines. Therefore, the genetic dissimilarity between current vaccine strains and circulating NDVs must be considered in vaccination programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is a serious threat to the international poultry industry. Therefore, to determine the role of pet birds (Psittaciformes and Passeriformes) in its spread and epidemiology, the presence of this virus in these birds was investigated. In this study, fecal and cloaca swabs from 63 Psittaciformes and 37 Passeriformes, along with tissue samples of dead birds, including proventriculus, trachea, lungs, and intestine, were collected from breeding and sales markets as well as the birds referred to Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran. Isolation of the virus was performed by injecting the suspension of the samples into the allantoic fluid of fertilized eggs, and NDV was detected in the achieved allantoic fluids by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The NDV was detected in 13 allantoic samples. The partial F gene sequences of 10 positive samples were investigated, and their genetic relationship with each other as well as with other isolates in the gene bank was marked. Consequently, subgenotype VII.1.1 (VIId) was in the locus of all 10 viruses. By the amino acid cleavage site sequences of F protein, 10 isolates were determined as velogenic NDV. Moreover, all sequences were similar to each other and other Iranian isolates. Furthermore, the 112RRQKR/F117 pattern was the main amino acid (aa) sequence in the F-protein Cleavage site for VIId genotype isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different genotypes of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) in poultry are circulating worldwide. The most efficient classification system for IBV genotypes is based on the complete sequencing of S1 gene, and the target organ can be trachea, kidney, oviduct, lung, esophagus, proventriculus, intestine, liver, spleen, bursa, cecal tonsils, cloaca, and testis. In Iran, IBV genotyping is usually performed by partial sequencing of S1 gene, and the trachea is often selected for sampling. This study applies a different genotyping method, and compares the results with the routine method of genotyping. Samples were collected from the trachea and kidneys of 50 broiler flocks with respiratory symptoms. The presence of IBV was confirmed by a real-time RT-PCR analysis targeting the 5’UTR region of the genome. Genotype of positive samples was determined by two methods of partial S1 gene sequencing and genotype-specific primers. In the real-time RT-PCR test, 88% and 90% of tracheal and kidney samples showed positive results, respectively. When the S gene was sequenced, Variant 2 (GI-23) (68.18%), 793/B (GI-13) (22.73%), Massachusetts (GI-1) (6.82%), and QX (GI-19) (2.27%) were detected in the tracheal samples, whereas QX (GI-19) and Massachusetts (GI-1) were not diagnosed in the kidney samples. In the genotypespecific method, IBV genotypes Variant 2, 793/B, Massachusetts, and QX were detected in both tracheal and kidney samples. The results of genotype-specific method also demonstrated that 70% of tracheal samples and 62% of kidney samples were infected with a single IBV genotype, while 30% of tracheal samples and 38% of kidney samples were coinfected with different IBV types. When comparing two genotyping methods, the use of genotype-specific primers was superior to partial S1 gene sequencing, not only in detecting different IBV types, but also in efficiently applying them in both trachea and kidney. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Avian respiratory disease complex (RDC) is one of the most detrimental economic diseases that affected different parts of the world. Various pathogens cause the disease, but the most significant viral pathogens include avian influenza virus (AIV), infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) are the most prevalent. To detect these pathogens, various methods have been discovered in the last decades. Detection and characterization of viruses by metagenomics methods have improved our knowledge about the role of virome in the avian complex respiratory disease. Materials and Methods: This research investigates the viral pathogen populations that mostly participate in emerging these diseases using the NGS method RNA-sequencing. In surveillance of ten broiler farms from different cities with respiratory symptoms, trachea samples were collected to determine the pathogenic virome causing the disease. Results: In this metagenomics analysis, nine viral families were identified, comprising 72.82% of RNA viruses, 24.32% of RT viruses, and 2.86% of DNA viruses. RNA viruses had the highest contribution to the respiratory disease complex instead of disease, including paramyxoviridae, orthomyxoviridae, coronaviridae, and picornaviridae viruses. Other viruses from the RNA viruses and DNA virus families were also identified in addition to these results. Conclusion: This research suggests that studies of pathogenic viromes in different diseases can help monitor different dis- eases and predict their future occurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the performance of tracheal ultrasound by novice emergency medicine residents after participating in a short training course. Methods: This was an observational prospective study conducted between July 2016 and September 2017 at three university-affiliated emergency departments in Tehran, Iran. Adult patients (over 18 years of age) who needed emergency intubation were included. Investigators were emergency medicine residents who did not have prior experience in tracheal ultrasound. Training course consisted of 40 minutes of theoretical education and three days of hands-on training. Immediately after intubation by treating physicians, two investigators evaluated the placement of the tracheal tube simultaneously. One investigator used tracheal ultrasound and the second investigator used quantitative wave form capnography. The registrant was a nurse who was asked to record the results of each investigator in the following format: 1. Correct tracheal intubation, 2. Esophageal intubation, and 3. Time spent to complete the evaluation. Finally, the ultrasound results were compared with those of capnography. Results: Ninety patients were included in the study. Based on the capnography results, there were three (3.3%) esophageal intubations and 87 (96.6%) tracheal intubations. Investigators reported the same results by tracheal ultrasound. The mean±SD time spent to complete the evaluation was 32±10 seconds for capnography and 48±15 seconds for tracheal ultrasound (p value of 0.0001). Conclusion: Emergency medicine residents with basic knowledge of ultrasound can learn tracheal ultrasound techniques through a short training course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Beta-hemolytic streptococci involving the upper respiratory tract cause strangles and strangles-like diseases in horses and cause severe economic damage to the equestrian club each year. Therefore, careful epidemiological study of these bacteria, evaluation of phylogenetic connections and SeM-typing can be useful to determine the source and epidemiological characteristics of the disease outbreak. Isolates were analyzed using molecular and phylogenetic methods and to determine antibiotic resistance pattern in Iranian isolates. Molecular and phylogenetic methods were used to evaluate Iranian streptococcal isolates, and the similarity of the Iranian SeM-97 sequence with other alleles was assessed using the Neighbor-joining method with the Kimura 2 Parameter statistical model. The amino acid sequence of this gene was compared with the predicted SeM-3 reference amino acid sequence (FM204883) using MEGA 7 software., Results: One type of SeM was found among streptococcal isolates. This type (SeM-97) was reported for the first time and was a new SeM. The relationship between streptococcal isolates and age, sex, race, clinical signs and geographical area was investigated. A significant relationship was observed between streptococcal isolates with age variables and clinical symptoms., Conclusions: In our study, a Streptococcus equi subsp. equi genotype was identified. The 97 allele of this gene has not been officially reported anywhere and is only registered in the Public databases for molecular typing and microbial genome diversity (PubMLST)-SeM database by Katy Webb. This was the first isolate reported and registered in the mentioned database. The isolate (Tabriz61) had the SeM-97 allele with clinical signs including mucopurulent discharge, abnormal sounds in lung hearing, warmth and enlargement or discharge and abscess of retropharyngeal lymph node and fever. This isolate was sensitive to penicillin, meropenem, ampicillin, cefotaxime, tetracycline, erythromycin, azithromycin, chloramphenicol, enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin antibiotics and resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and gentamicin antibiotics., (© 2023. BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)

Ethnopharmacological relevance The therapeutic effects of the medicinal plants described in the current review on obstructive pulmonary diseases have found mention in ancient Iranian medical texts and in traditional folk medicine. These effects are attributed to their bronchodilatory activity, which relaxes the smooth muscles of the airway. Therefore, in the present review, the relaxant effects of various extracts, fractions and constituents of medicinal plants on tracheal smooth muscle are reviewed in light of their therapeutic effects on obstructive pulmonary diseases. Materials and methods The online literature was searched using Medline, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science and SID (for articles written in Persian). Moreover, local books on ethnopharmacology from 1918 to 2014 were searched with keywords such as tracheal smooth muscle, airway smooth muscle, relaxant effect, bronchodilatory effect and related mechanisms to identify studies on the relaxant effects of medicinal plants on tracheal smooth muscle and the possible mechanism(s) of these effects. Results All studied plants showed significant relaxant effects on tracheal smooth muscle, which were similar or superior to the effect of theophylline at the used concentrations. According to the results, most of these plants also showed an inhibitory effect on muscarinic and histamine (H 1 ) receptors, whereas some plants showed more pronounced stimulatory effects on the beta-adrenergic receptor. Some of the studied plants also showed inhibitory effects on calcium and potassium channels. Conclusion The present article reviewed the relaxant effects of several medicinal plants on tracheal smooth muscle, which were comparable or superior to the effect of theophylline at the studied concentration. The possible mechanisms of the relaxant effects of the studied medicinal plants and a comparison of these effects were also reviewed. This review presents the fractions and constituents of plants with potent relaxant effects on tracheal smooth muscle, which can be used to treat obstructive pulmonary disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Different therapeutic effects for Zataria multiflora have been described in Iranian traditional medicine. In addition anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of this plant were previously described. The effect of the extract of Zataria multiflora on tracheal responsiveness (TR) and inflammatory mediators of sensitized guinea pigs was examined. Materials and methods Five groups of sensitized guinea pigs to ovalbumin (OA) were given drinking water alone, drinking water containing three concentrations of the extract and dexamethasone. TR to methacholine and OA, serum levels of NO, nitrite, PLA2, TP and histamine were measured ( n =6, for each groups). Results TR to methacholine and OA, serum levels of NO, nitrite, PLA2, TP and histamine were increased in sensitized animals compared to control group ( p <0.05 to p <0.001). Treatment of sensitized animals with dexamethasone and most concentration of the extract lead to significantly decrease in all measured parameters compared to sensitized group ( p <0.05 to p <0.001) except TP and histamine levels in treated group with dexamethasone. Conclusion These results showed a preventive effect of the extract of Zataria multiflora on tracheal responsiveness, serum level of NO, nitrite, total protein, PLA2 and histamine in sensitized guinea pigs which was equal or even more potent than dexamethasone at used concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Aim and objectives To investigate the effects of expiratory ribcage compression (ERCC) before endotracheal suctioning on the arterial blood gases (ABG) in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Background Endotracheal suctioning is one of the most frequently used methods for airway clearance in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Chest physiotherapy techniques such as ERCC before endotracheal suctioning can be used as a means to facilitate mobilizing and removing airway secretions and improving alveolar ventilation. Design A prospective, randomized, controlled cross-over design. Methods A randomized controlled cross-over trial with a convenience sample of 70 mechanically ventilated patients was conducted from 2006 to 2007. The patients received endotracheal suctioning with (experiment-period) or without (control-period) an antecedent 5-min expiratory ribcage. All the patients experienced both periods with at least a 3-h washed-out interval between the two periods. ABG were measured 5 min before and 25 min after endotracheal suctioning. Results The statistical tests showed that the levels of partial pressure of oxygen ( PaO2)/fraction of inspired oxygen ( FiO2), partial pressure of carbon dioxide ( PaCO2) and arterial oxygen saturation ( SaO2) in the experimental period at 25 min after the intervention were significantly different from the control period. The tests also revealed that the levels of these variables at 25 min after suctioning were also significantly different from baseline values. However, these differences were clinically significant only for PaO2/ FiO2. Conclusion By improving the levels of PaO2/ FiO2, ERCC can reduce the patients' need for oxygen and hence it can at least reduce the side effects of oxygen therapy. Relevance to clinical practice Improving PaO2/ FiO2 levels means less need for oxygen therapy. Hence, by applying ERCC we can at least minimize the side effects of oxygen therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chest computed tomography (CT) has been the preferred imaging modality during the pandemic owing to its sensitivity in detecting COVID-19 infections. Recently, a large number of COVID-19 imaging datasets have been deposited in public databases, leading to rapid advances in COVID-19 research. However, the application of these datasets beyond COVID-19-related research has been little explored. The authors believe that they could be used in anatomical research to elucidate the link between anatomy and disease and to study disease-related alterations to normal anatomy. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the prevalence of six well-known anatomical variants in the thorax using open-access CT images obtained from over 1000 Iranian COVID-19 patients aged between 6 and 89 years (60.9% male and 39.1% female). In brief, we found that the azygos lobe, tracheal bronchus, and cardiac bronchus were present in 0.8%, 0.2%, and 0% of the patients, respectively. Variations of the sternum, including sternal foramen, episternal ossicles, and sternalis muscle, were observed in 9.6%, 2.9%, and 1.5%, respectively. We believe anatomists could benefit from using open-access datasets as raw materials for research because these datasets are freely accessible and are abundant, though further research is needed to evaluate the uses of other datasets from different body regions and imaging modalities. Radiologists should also be aware of these common anatomical variants when examining lung CTs, especially since the use of this imaging modality has increased during the pandemic., (© 2022 American Association for Clinical Anatomists and the British Association for Clinical Anatomists.)

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of lidocaine solution in the cuff of the endotracheal tube in reducing mucosal damage following tracheal intubation. Materials and Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial study undertaken in the intensive care unit patients. Participants, who met all eligibility criteria, were randomly assigned to one of two groups of patients, according to whether lidocaine or air was used to fill the tracheal tube cuff. The tracheal mucosa at the site of cuff inflation was inspected by fiberoptic bronchoscopy and scored at the 24 h and 48 h after intubation. Results: In all, 51 patients (26 patients in the lidocaine group and 25 patients in the control group) completed the study. After 24 h, erythema and/or edema of tracheal mucosa were seen in 2 patients (7.7%) of lidocaine group and 6 patients (24%) of air group (P = 0.109). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that lidocaine has a significant protective effect against mucosal damage (odds ratio = 0.72, confidence interval = 0.60-0.87). Conclusion: The inflation of the tracheal tube cuff with lidocaine was superior to air in decreasing the incidence of mucosal damage in the 24 h and 48 h post intubation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnomedical relevance: Anti-inflammatory, anti oxidant and effect of Crocus sativus (C. sativus) on Th1/Th2 balance were described previously. Aim of the study: The preventive effects of the extract of Crocus sativus on tracheal responsiveness and plasma levels of IL-4, IFN-γ, total NO and nitrite were examined on sensitized guinea pigs. Materials and methods: Five groups of sensitized guinea pigs to ovalbumin (OVA), were given drinking water containing three concentrations of the extract of Crocus sativus, dexamethasone (S+D) or alone (group S). Tracheal responses (TR) of control animals (group C) and sensitized guinea pigs (n=6, for each group) to methacholine, OVA and the levels of IL-4, IFN-γ, total NO and nitrite in serum were examined. Results: The TR to both methacholine and OVA, the levels of serum IL-4, total NO and nitrite in S guinea pigs were significantly increased but that of IFN-γ and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio (Th1/Th2 balance) were decreased compared to the controls (p<0.05 to p<0.001). In the treated animals with dexamethasone and all concentrations of the extract, TR to both methacholine and OVA, IL-4, total NO and nitrite were significantly decreased but IFN-γ and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio increased compared to S group (p<0.05 to p<0.001). The effects of the highest concentration of the extract was greater than those of other concentrations and the effect of dexamethasone (p<0.05 to p<0.01). Conclusions: These results not only showed a preventive effect of C. sativus extract on tracheal responses and serum levels of inflammatory mediators in sensitized guinea pigs but also showed increased Th1/Th2 balance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background & Aims : Suction is considered as an essential process to keep the trache tube open for patients under mecanical ventilation.Howevereit has detrimental side effects such as Hypoxy,Bradycardy, etc. The ideal suction is the one which is secure and brings about little pain. In order to reduce its side effects, nurses are to be well-trained since they are mostly responsible to take care of patients. Materials & Methods : Purpose: The purpose of this study is to show whether safe suction criteria are taken into consideration by nurses in intensive care unit or not. Method: In this study, nursing care regarding trachealsuction which were conducted by 31 nurses were gone under direct observation and were recorded in a checklist.The data were based on central tendancy and Chi square Test and were analyzed by SPSS 16. Result : This study yield the following findings; out of total participants related to hand washing befor tracheal suction, 80% got the minimum score and 16% got the maximum score. With respect to trache tube suction, 83/9% score the lowest score and 3/2% score the highest one. Regarding the nasal suction, 83/2 % score the lowest score on the other hand only 16/2% score the highest score. There was no important correlation between safe suction and job experince, and between job experience in intensive care unit and age. Conclusion: This study shows that nursing care related to tracheal suction in intensive care unit are not safe and there is an essential need to carefully identify the causes and to eliminate them to prevent the side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and avian influenza virus (AIV) are two major respiratory infections in chickens. The coinfection of these viruses can cause significant financial losses and severe complications in the poultry industry across the world. To examine transcriptome profile changes during the early stages of infection, differential transcriptional profiles in tracheal tissue of three infected groups (i.e., IBV, AIV, and coinfected) were compared with the control group. Specific-pathogen-free chickens were challenged with Iranian variant-2-like IBV (IS/1494), UT-Barin isolates of H9N2 (A/chicken/Mashhad/UT-Barin/2017), and IBV-AIV coinfection; then, RNA was extracted from tracheal tissue. The Illumina RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) technique was employed to investigate changes in the Transcriptome. Up- and downregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected in the trachea transcriptome of all groups. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway and Gene Ontology databases were examined to identify possible relationships between DEGs. In the experimental groups, upregulated genes were higher compared to downregulated genes. A more severe immune response was observed in the coinfected group; further, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, RIG-I-like receptor signaling, Toll-like receptor signaling, NOD-like receptor signaling, Janus kinase/signal transducer, and activator of transcription, and apoptotic pathways were important upregulated genes in this group. The findings of this paper may give a better understanding of transcriptome changes in the trachea during the early stages of infection with these viruses., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Backgrand: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common cause of nosocomial infections. It exhibits innate resistance to a wide range of antibiotics. This study was performed to determine clonal characteristic of P. aeruginosa isolated from clinical specimens, hospital means, and hospital personnel by PCR- ribotyping patterns. Methods: a total of 104 P. aeruginosa were isolated from clinical and environmental samples (59 clinical, 45 hospital means and hospital personnel). P. aeruginosa was identified by standard bacteriological methods, mucoid colony morphotypes, and antibiotic resistance rate. The genomes of isolates were extracted and all considered species were confirmed by 16S rDNA- based PCR assay. Then all isolates were genotyped by the 16S - 23SrDNA and Hinf1 restriction enzyme technique. Results: antibacterial sensitivity pattern of isolates showed clinical and environmental specimens were approximately identical (high antibiotic resistance to Ceftazidime and low antibiotic resistance to Amikacin). Colony morphotypes of specimens revealed that mucoid type of clinical isolates were more than that of environmental isolates. Among clinical and environmental strains P1; (570 bp) was the most prevalence pattern. Conclusions: antibiotic resistance, phenotypic characterization, and PCR- ribotyping pattern showed there is clonal relatedness between clinical and environmental isolates and environment could be a main reservoir for P. aeruginosa infections in hospital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The effect of three concentrations of safranal on histamine (H1) receptors was tested on two groups of tracheal chains incubated with: 1) indomethacin, and 2) indomethacin, propranolol and atropine (n =6). The EC50 (effective concentration of histamine causing 50% of maximum response) obtained in the presence of chlorpheniramine and all concentrations of safranal in both groups were significantly greater than those of saline (p <0.05 to p <0.001). The EC50 obtained in the presence of all concentrations of safranal and maximum response of its two higher concentrations (1.25 and 2.5μg/mL) in group 2 were greater than in group 1 (p <0.05 to p <0.001). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: In Iranian ancient medical books, the therapeutic effects of Satureja hortensis on respiratory diseases have been reported. In order to verify these reports, the relaxant effect of aqueous-ethanolic extract of Satureja hortensis on guinea pig trachea was examined. Methods: The relaxant effects of 6 cumulative concentrations of extract (0.15, 0.3, 0.45, 0.6, 0.75 and 0.9 g %) in comparison with saline and 4 cumulative concentrations of theophylline (0.15, 0.3, 0.45, and 0.6 mM) by their effects on precontracted tracheal chains of guinea pig by 10 µM methacholine (group 1) or 60 mM KCl in two different conditions including: non-incubated tissues (group 2) and incubated tissues with 1 µM propranolol, 1 µM chlorpheniramine and 1 µM atropine (group 3, for each group n=6) were examined. Results: In group 1, the extract and theophylline showed concentration dependent relaxant effects compared to that of saline (p<0.05 to p<0.001). In group 2, three last concentrations of theophylline and four higher concentrations of extract showed significant relaxant effects compared to that of saline (p<0.05 to p<0.001). The effects of four lower concentrations of extracts in groups 1 and 2 were significantly lower than those of theophylline (p<0.05 p<0.001). In group 3, the extract did not show any significant relaxant effect. There were significant correlations between the relaxant effects and concentrations of extract and theophylline in groups 1 and 2 (p<0.001 for all cases). Conclusion: These results showed a potent relaxant effect of Satureja hortensis on guinea pigs trachea which was comparable to that of theophylline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]