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The study investigated the wound healing potential of Piascledine (an avocado/soybean mixture) alone and in combination with bacterial nanocellulose on rat cutaneous wounds. Full‐thickness excisional wounds (2 cm in diameter) were induced on the backs of 60 Sprague–Dawley rats, divided into four groups, treated with daily topical application of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC), Piascledine 10% (PSD 10%) and Piascledine+bacterial nanocellulose (PSD + BNC) (10 mg/disk) and normal saline (control) for 20 days. Wounds were monitored daily, and at 10, 20 and 30 days post‐injury (DPI), tissue samples were collected for biochemical, histopathological and molecular analyses. Treated rats with PSD and PSD + BNC showed a significant decrease in the wound area compared with other groups. PSD and particularly PSD + BNC modulated inflammation, improved fibroplasia and angiogenesis and scar tissue formation at short term. At the long term, they reduced the scar tissue size and improved collagen fibres alignment, tissue organization and remodelling as well as re‐epithelialization. PSD enhanced matrix metalloproteinase‐3 (MMP‐3) gene expression, collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) synthesis and decreased tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐1 (TIMP‐1) gene expression at various stages of wound healing. The study concluded that topical application of Piascledine, particularly in combination with bacterial nanocellulose, promotes wound healing activity by modulating inflammation, regulating MMP‐3 expression and enhancing collagen and GAGs synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parasitic infections of rodents can compromise scientific research as well as the health of the animals and humans. Based on previous studies, infection rate of parasitic helminths is different in various regions of Iran. The current survey was aimed to determine endoparasitic helminths infection in 138 trapped rodents of Kermanshah county, Iran. Mice and rats were trapped using metal snares from January to October 2011 and euthanized. Rodents included 110 Mus musculus (79.00%), 23 Rattus norvegicus (17.00%), and five Rattus rattus (4.00%). The gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts were removed and examined to identify parasitic helminths. The results indicated that 42.02% of examined rodents were infected with eight helminths species, i.e. Trichuris muris (14.49%), Syphacia obvelata (13.76%), Syphacia muris (2.89%), Aspicularis tetrapetra (5.07%), Heterakis spumosa (5.07%), Capillaria hepatica eggs (3.62%), Hyminolepis diminuta (12.30%), and Cystisercus fasciolaris, the larva of Taenia teanieformis (4.34%). Given the results of this study, we concluded that examined rodents were more infected with nematodes than other helminths. As rodents are usually infected with a number of zoonotic parasites, hence control of these animals has an important role in safeguarding public health.

Linguatula serrata, well known as tongue worm; is an aberrant cosmopolitan parasite, which inhabits the canine respiratory system (final host). The discharged eggs infect many plant feeder animals including human causing visceral and nasopharyngeal linguatulosis which is known as "Marrara syndrome". In current study, the prevalence of infection with L. serrata nymphs in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) of slaughtered camels was investigated in Isfahan Province, Iran. The MLNs of 232 slaughtered camels, including 115 females and 117 males, were examined for L. serrata nymphs. Camels were categorized into four age groups, namely under six months, six months to two years, two to four years and greater than four years. Also, the morphometrics of the nymphs were measured using the classic parasitology methods. Results showed that 21.12% of examined camels were infected with L. serrata. Age and sex had no significant effect on the prevalence of this parasite in camels. The size of the different parts of nymphs' body were recorded and evaluated. The infection rate to the nymphs of parasite in hemorrhagic and black-colored lymph nodes were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher than the infection rate in normal-colored nodes. Also, results showed that in soft lymph nodes, the infection rate was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) more than those of normal and hard nodes. A high prevalence of infection in camels suggests possibility of similar high rate of infection in other animals, and people in the investigated area. This, in turn, emphasizes the need for more preventive measures to reduce the risk of zoonotic outbreaks.