comparison of [TIM] gene of Giardia lamblia in laboratory animals and human and the importance of cross transmission probability in Iran

Giardia has the ability to infect many mammals including dogs, cats, deer, mice, ground squirrels, chinchillas, swine, rabbits, pocket mice, oxen, guinea pigs, and humans. Giardia lamblia [also Giardia duodenalis G.intes-tinalis] isolates have been variably divided into two or three genotypes by different investigators, and each group can be divided into subgroups. We have compared the triosephosphate isomerase [tpi] sequences of these genotypes by polymerase chain reaction- restriction fragment length polymorphism [PCR-RFLP] to determine G.lambia genotype in Iran for the first time. In this study, 4 sets of primers were used in which 2 sets were designed by other investigator, and 2 sets were designed by the authors of the present study to confirm the results of the first two primers and also to differentiate the subgroups. Among Giardia isolates, 2/10 and 1/19 of PCR-RFLP of rabbit and mouse respectively amplified with primer PM290. There is evidence that suggests that direct transmission from companion animals to human does occur. Zoonosis is controversial regarding Giardia; however, most researchers believe that its zoonotic potential merits adequate precaution when working with feces of animals that may be infected

Groundwater valuation and quality preservation in Iran: the case of Yazd

Groundwater can be used directly or indirectly and any decline in its quality or quantity may negatively impact the environment. Through groundwater valuation, people are made aware of the fact that groundwater is not free of charge and therefore the significance of groundwater preservation is established. In this study, groundwater quality preservation value has been estimated for the city of Yazd based on the contingent valuation method [CVM]. The methodology used consisted of field study and library research. After determining the sample size using Cochran's formula, the distributed questionnaires were filled by the inhabitants of the city of Yazd. Thereafter, the results were analysed using Excel and E Views. Finally, people's willingness to pay for the preservation of Yazd groundwater quality was estimated to be US$18.5 annually per capita, which is a remarkable value. Hence, it was determined that groundwater quality preservation was of great value to the inhabitants of Yazd

Serum levels of zinc, copper, vitamin B12, folate and immunoglobulins in individuals with giardiasis

Giardia lamblia is one of the most important intestinal parasites. The aim of this study was to measure serum levels of IgA, IgE, zinc, copper, vitamin B12 and folate in individuals with giardiasis in comparison to normal subjects. The study was carried out among 49 Giardia positive and 39 age and sex matched healthy volunteers. Examination of stool samples was done by direct wet smear and formol-ether concentration method. Serum samples were obtained for further laboratory examination. IgA levels were measured by Single Radial Immune Diffusion [SRID]. IgE levels were measured by ELISA kit. Zinc and copper levels was measured by Ziestchem Diagnostics Kit and colorimetric endpoint-method respectively. Vitamin B12 and folate levels were measured by DRG Diagnostics Kit and Enzyme Immunoassay method respectively. All data were analyzed using SPSS version 17. There was a statistically significant difference in IgA, IgE, copper and zinc levels between positive and negative groups [P<0.05]. There was no significant difference between vitamin B12 and folate levels between the two groups. Mean values of Giardia positive and negative groups for IgA were 309.26 and 216.89 mg/dl, IgE 167.34 and 35.49 IU/ml, copper 309.74 and 253.61 micro g/dl and zinc 69.41 and 144.75 micro g/dl respectively. The results showed levels of IgA may correlate more closely with giardiasis than IgE. Regarding trace elements, giardiasis elevated serum copper levels, while it decreased serum zinc. Finally, there was no significant difference in serum levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid between the two groups

[Prooxidant- antioxidant balance in CAD patients]

The balance between ROS generation and antioxidant activity is critical to the pathogenesis of oxidative stress related disorders. In this study the prooxidant - antioxidant balance and its correlation with lipid profile and uric acid was determined to evaluate the PAB as a prognostic factor for CAD. Seventy - two patients and sixty eight healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. The values of PAB were determined by using standard solutions and ELISA method. Triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL- cholesterol, HDL - cholesterol and uric acid were measured by enzymatic method. The PAB values of CAD patients and control group were 70.01 +/- 3.36 [HK unit] and 66.40 +/- 2.84 [HK unit] respectively. There was no significant difference between PAB values among the two groups [P= 0.41]. There was no significant difference between uric acid levels among the two groups [P= 0.46]. There was a significant correlation between the uric acid values among patients and healthy volunteers and PAB values [P <0.01]. There was a significant correlation between the TG, values among patients and healthy volunteers and PAB values [P<0.05]. This study showed oxidative stress could be used as a significant risk predictor in the coronary artery disease patient

Detection of the [Tim] gene of sheep Giardia using [Tim] Gene primers of Giardia with human origin

Giardiasis is an important human parasitic disease. Giardia is a genus composed of binuclear flagellate protozoa. Giardia duodenalis is a parasitic species for a wide range of vertebrates, including humans. Heterogeneity in G. duodenalis has been shown by serological, biochemical, and molecular analysis. In the present study, the possible genetic similarity between Giardia in sheep and humansand their probable zoonosis was investigated. Direct examination and formalin ether concentration technique were performed on the contents and tissues of sheep intestines. The gradient sucrose method was applied to collect and purify cysts, and DNA extraction was performed by the phenol-chloroform method. Only very small amounts of DNA could be extracted after repeated freezing, thawing and suspension with lysis buffer, after which polymerase chain reaction [PCR] was performed for DNA amplification by primers that were designed for Giardia of human origin. The gene, [triose phosphate isomerase] [tim or tpi], was selected as the molecular marker and two sets of primers [PM290, PM924] were used. We examined 308 sheep stool samples in our study, including 21 positive samples. Cultures for Giardia were negative. Three sheep isolates were determined by a 290 base pair [bp] amplicon that were similar to certain human types. The similarity of the sheep and human genomic characters of Giardia implies the possibility that there is transmission of these protozoa between humans and sheep

[Biochemical markers troponin I, leptin and CK-MB in coronary artery diseases]

In recent years, troponin I has been a prognostic factor of myocardial cell injury. Also, regarding the importance of leptin measurement in coronary artery disease investigations are being performed. In addition, CK-MB has been a "gold standard" test for this disease. The aim of this study was to assess the biochemical markers Troponin I, Leptin and CK-MB in coronary artery diseases. This was a study on 100 patients who suffered from coronary artery disease. Following blood collection, the serum sample was tested to determine the concentration of troponin I, Leptin, and CK-MB. Troponin I level was measured by two-site immunoluminometric assay. Leptin and CK-MB levels were detected by ELISA. Statistical t-test was employed to analyze the data. The data obtained in the present study was indicative of a significant correlation between troponin I and Leptin among the patients [p=0.01]. Also, a significant relationship was observed between troponin I and CK-MB in our study population [p=0.01]. In addition, there was a significant relationship between both leptin and troponin 1 and the gender [p<0.001; p<0.016]. Leptin was also found to have a significant association with age [p=0.018]. Finally, a significant correlation between the history of myocardial infarction and gender was demonstrated [p<0.002]. Our results showed that the measurement of troponin I in combination with CK-MB, as gold standard, could be considered as an appropriate diagnostic method for progress of myocardial infarction. Leptin and troponin I are also suitable biomarkers in diagnosis of coronary artery diseases. Due to lack of troponin I in other body tissues except for cardiac tissue, troponin I is proposed as an ideal marker for definite diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction

effect of DETA NONOate, a nitric oxide donor, on the rate of collagen synthesis in rat as an animal model of diabetes

Exogenous nitric oxide donors such as DETA NONOate, spontaneously release nitric oxide. This study aimed to investigate the effect of DETA NONOate as a nitric oxide releasing drug on the rate of collagen synthesis during the impaired wound healing in a rat model of diabetes. Twelve male Sprague-Dawley rats were transferred into separate metabolic cages. Nine days before wounding, the rats were injected intraperitoneally with streptozotocin [STZ; 55 mg/kg body weight in citrate buffer 0.1 mol/L, pH 4.5] to induce diabetes. The dorsal surface of each rat was properly shaved and a full thickness dermal wound was made. The test group [n=6] was treated with 100 microM DETA NONOate in phosphate buffer while the control wounds [n=6] received sterile saline [PBS] only on the same day as wounding and every three days for one week. After the skin incision, polyvinyl alcohol [PVA] sponges were implanted subcutaneously on the dorsal of each animal under sterile conditions for the collection of wound fluid. Electrophoresis [current: 20 mA] was performed on the wound fluid. The gel was stained with Coomassie blue G-250, destained, and photographed. DETA NONOate treatment increased the rate of collagen synthesis in the diabetic test group compared to the control group. The nitric oxide donor, DETA NONOate, may represent a potential treatment for impaired wound healing in diabetes by increasing the collagen synthesis at the wound site

Effect of mercuric chloride on kinetic properties of horseradish peroxidase

Mercury is one of the three major environmental metal poisons, and mercuric chloride is a highly reactive compound which can harm cells by a variety of mechanisms including direct interaction with sulphydryl groups of proteins and enzymes, therefore affecting the enzymatic activity. This study focused on the effect of Hg++ on horseradish peroxidase [donor: hydrogen peroxide oxidoreductase, EC 1.11.1.7] [HRP] [Isoenzyme C] activity. In the presence of 88 mM hydrogen peroxide Km for o-dianisidine oxidation was 0.05 millimolar and Vmax M.s-1. Incubation of the enzyme with 1 to 100 millimolar mercuric was 8.5 chloride for 5-20- and 60 min resulted in progressive inhibition of the enzymatic activity. At low Hg++ concentrations the inhibition was reversible by excess substrate, while at high Hg++ concentration the inhibition was not reversible. Results also indicated that the type of inhibition depended on the duration of incubation of the enzyme with metal ion and on the Hg++ concentration. So we could conclude that the type of inhibition changed from noncompetitive to mix with increased incubation time and increased metal concentration

Nitric oxide donor [DETA NONOate] enhance experimental wound healing in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Diabetes is characterized by a nitric oxide deficiency at the wound site. Diabetes is a factor that influences all stages of wound healing. In animals with acute experimental diabetes induced by streptozotocin [STZ], the early inflammatory responses after wounding is impaired, fibroblast and endothelial cell proliferation is reduced as well as accumulation of reparative collagen and gain in wound breaking strength. In this study we investigated whether exogenous nitric oxide supplimentation with nitric oxide donor DETA NONOate could reverse impaired healing in diabetes. Method: In this study male Sprague Dawley Rats were rendered diabetic by intraperitoneal streptozotocin administration. Nine days after induction of diabetes [blood glucose greater than 250 mg/dl], were given full thickness dermal wounds [1x1 cm]. The test group [n=6] was treated with 100p mole DETA NONOate in phosphate buffer while control wounds in the control subjects [n=6] received sterile phosphate buffer on the same day and subsequently every three days. Urinary nitrate output was quantitated daily prior to wounding, during wound healing [21 days] and following external wound closure. The rate of wound healing was determined by video image analysis on the day of wounding and every 3 days during wound healing [21 days]. Result: The results suggest nitric oxide donor DETA NONOate can reverse impaired healing associated with diabetes [P<0.001] and urinary nitrate [NO-3] output may reflect the extent of repair in this wound model [P<0.001]. Site specific delivery of nitric oxide via NO-donor DETA NONOate could be an effective therepeutic strategy to impaired diabetic wound healing