Background: Proteins necessary for DNA replication and normal regulation for the cell cycle include minichromosome maintenance-2 (Mcm-2). Overexpression of this protein in several premalignant and malignant lesions has been observed. In this study, the diagnostic value of Mcm-2 expression in distinguishing histologically-proven normal oral mucosa (NOM), oral benign keratosis (OBK), oral epithelial dysplasia (OED), and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) was investigated. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive analytical study, 73 archived specimens of oral tissues, including 20 OBK, 20 OED, 20 OSCC, and 13 NOM cases were selected. The means of labeling indices (LIs) of Mcm-2 expression by immunohistochemistry in each category of lesions were calculated. The data was analyzed by one–way ANOVA, discriminant analysis, and Fisher’s exact tests. Results: The means of labeling indices (LIs) of Mcm-2 expression show statistically significant difference between the four studied groups (P<0.001). Mcm-2 had overexpression and higher positivity in OSCCs. A cut-off point of 67% was determined in order to distinguish OSCC from precancerous lesions. Conclusion: The findings indicated that Mcm-2 could be a useful marker for early detection of oral SCC and dysplasia. Also, due to the overexpression of this marker in OSCC, there exists the possibility of application of Mcm-2 for molecular target therapy in these patients.

Keratocysticodontogenic tumor (KCOT) is one of the most common odontogenic cysts and has a high recurrence rate after various treatment methods. Some studies have been conducted to identify the predictive factors of recurrence. In this study, the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of primary and recurrent KCOTs are analyzed, including immunohistochemically expression of p53 protein in cyst-lining epithelial cells in order to find more markers to predict the specific behaviour and greater tendency for recurrence.

This experiment was conducted to assess the changing patterns and relative values of acute phase proteins and inflammatory cytokines in experimental caprine coccidiosis. Eighteen newborn kids were allocated to 3 equal groups. Two groups, A and B, were inoculated with a single dose of 1x10(3) and 1x10(5) sporulated oocysts of Eimeria arloingi, respectively. The third group, C, received distilled water as the control. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of each kid in both groups before inoculation and at days 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 post-inoculation (PI), and the levels of haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid A (SAA), TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma were measured. For histopathological examinations, 2 kids were selected from each group, euthanized, and necropsied on day 42 PI. Mean Hp concentrations in groups A and B (0.34 and 0.68 g/L) at day 7 PI were 3.2 and 6.3 times higher than the levels before inoculation. The mean SAA concentrations in groups A and B (25.6 and 83.5 microg/ml) at day 7 PI were 4.2 and 13.7 times higher than the levels before inoculation. The magnitude and duration of the Hp and SAA responses correlated well with the inoculation doses and the severity of the clinical signs and diarrhea in kids. These results were consistent with the histopathological features, which showed advanced widespread lesions in group B. In both groups, significant correlations were observed for TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma with SAA and Hp, respectively. In conclusion, Hp and SAA can be useful non-specific diagnostic indicators in caprine coccidiosis.
Acute-Phase Proteins/*analysis ; Animals ; Blood Chemical Analysis ; Coccidiosis/*immunology/*pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Eimeria/*pathogenicity ; Goats ; Histocytochemistry ; Inflammation Mediators/*analysis

OBJECTIVETo survey the prevalence of cattle ticks in Nur County and prepare a list of tick fauna in this district.

METHODSThis investigation was carried out on 150 head of cattle ticks of rural areas of Nur city which is located in Mazandaran province during spring and summer seasons of 2011. The collected ticks were identified using light microscope and available systematic keys.

RESULTSA total number of 1 563 ticks were isolated from examined cattle and their genus and numbers including: Ixodes ricinus 51% (111 male and 691 female) and Boophilus annulatus 49% (83 male and 678 female), respectively.

CONCLUSIONSResults of the current investigation indicate the presence of two species of acarine ectoparasites which have potential health risk Ixodes ricinus and Boophilus annulatus. More studies are required to increase our data concerning ticks and other ectopreasites of ruminants in other areas of Mazandaran province and should be noted to their ability in transmission of infectious agents.