[Effects of Sesamum indicum L. on fibrinogen and factor 7 in hypercholesterolemic rabbits]

Background and aim: Enhancement of blood factor 7 or fibrinogen is considered as cardiovascular risk factors. This study was, therefore, aimed to evaluate the effects of Sesamum indicum seed and oil on fibrinogen and factor 7 in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Methods: In an experimental study, 32 New Zealand rabbits were randomly designated into 4 groups of 8 and were fed for 60 days as following: normal diet, hypercholestrol [1%] diet, hypercholestrol [1%] diet+10% sesame seed, hypercholestrol [1%] diet+5% sesame oil. At the beginning and 60 days after the start of the study, the blood fibrinogen and factor 7 were measured and compared in different groups

Results: There was no difference for fibrinogen and factor 7 in different groups at the start of the study, however, the blood fibrinogen and factor 7 were increased in hypercholesterolemic group compared to normal diet group [P<0.05]. The amounts of blood fibrinogen and factor 7 were decreased in hypercholesterol+sesame seed and in hypercholesterol+sesame oil groups compared to hypercholesterol diet group [P<0.05]

Conclusion: Sesame seed and oil may have beneficial effects on cardiac function by decreasing blood fibrinogen and factor 7 as cardiovascular risk factors

Development of sensitive detection of cryptosporidum and giardia from surface water in Iran

The protozoan parasites Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia are known to occur widely in both raw and drinking waters. They are two of the causative agents of waterborne outbreaks of gastroenteritis throughout the world. In the present study, a PCR assay and FA were developed for detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cyst in environmental samples. We have detected Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts and Giardia cysts in seeded and unseeded environmental water samples by PCR method. Water samples were spiked with oocysts [50, 100, 300, 500] and filtrated with a 1.2- micro m pore size cellulos nitrate and follow by DNA extraction and purification by QIA amp DNA mini kit. Nested -PCR assay amplified an 850 bp fragment of 18s rDNA gene specific for Cryptosporidium and 453 bp fragment of glutamate dehydrogenase [GDH] target genre for Giardia. Also many river water from north of Iran, be checked by these methods. Cryptosporidium and Giardia DNAs were detected in seeded water sample and Giardia was detected in all 5 water samples from river in north of Iran by nested-PCR and FA. Also in one river water sample, Cryptosporidium was detected. This protocol if effective for detection of these waterborne parasites in treated and untreated water samples. This study can also serve as a platform for further investigations and research water source in Iran

Strongyloides stercoralis: the most prevalent parasitic cause of eosinophilia in Gilan province, northern Iran

Eosinophilia occurs in a wide variety of situations such as parasitic infections, allergic disorders, and malignancies. Most cases of eosinophilia of parasitic origin, especially those with a tissue migration life cycles consists of human infections by helminth parasites. The aim of present study was to determine the parasitic causes of eosinophilia in patients in a major endemic area of human fascioliasis in Gilan Province, northern part of Iran. One hundred and fifty patients presenting with an elevated eosinophilia attending infectious disease clinics with or without clinical symptoms, were examined. After clinical history evaluation and physical examination, coprological examinations were performed using the formalin-ether and the Kato-Katz techniques for detection of Fasciola sp. and intestinal parasites. Forty two percent of patients were infected with S. stercoralis, nine [6%] were found to be infected with Fasciola sp. while only a single patient [0.7%] were infected by Ttrichostrongylus sp. Local clinicians in Gilan may consider eosinophilia as a suggestive indication for diagnosis of human fascioliasis, especially when microscopic stool and/or serological tests are negative. Based on the results, local physicians should consider S. stercoralis as the potential causes of eosinophilia in patients with elevated eosinophilia

[Mutation screening of GJB2 and GJB6 and genetic linkage study of three prevalent DFNB loci in Iranian families with autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss]

The incidence of prelingual hearing loss [HL] is about 1 in 1000 neonates of which, more than 60% of cases are inherited. Non-syndromic HL [NSHL] is extremely heterogeneous: more than 100 loci have been identified. The most common form of NSHL is the autosomal recessive form [ARNSHL]. Here, we have investigated CX26 [GJB2] and CX30 [GJB6] gene mutation and linkage analysis of 3 known loci in Iranian families. A cohort of 36 big ARNSHL pedigrees from 7 provinces of Iran was investigated. All of the families were examined for the presence of GJB2 and GJB6 [del D13S1830 and del D13S1854] mutations using direct sequencing and multiplex PCR, respectively. The negative mutations pedigrees for the above-mentioned mutations, were then tested for the linkage to the 3 known loci, including DFNB3[MYO7A], DFNB4[SLC26A4] and DFNB7/11[TMC1], using STR markers and conventional PCR and PAGE. Six families had GJB2 mutations. No GJB6 mutation was found. Totally, 3 families showed linkage to DFNB4 and 1 family was linked to DFNB7/11. DFNB1 [GJB2] and DFNB4 are the main causes of ARNSHL in our study samples and GJB6 mutations are apparently absent in the Iranian population

[Effect of medicinal smokes on some nosocomial infection factors]

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a main problem in the treatment of infectious diseases. Thus, searching for alternative drug is essential in Iran and particularly Chaharmahal va bakhtiari province. People use medicinal smokes such as donkey dung and Peganum harmala seed smokes for treatment of infectious diseases. Therefore, this study was aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial property of donkey dung and Peganum harmala seed smokes on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeroginosa. In this interventional and laboratory study, groups of Peganum harmala seed smoke and donkey dung were considered as case groups and antibiotic disks as positive control group. Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were cultured in suitable medium [Blood Agar, EMB and Mueller-Hinton agar]. Antibiogram blank disks were fumigated separately with Peganum harmala seed and female donkey dung smoke then placed on microbial plate with sterile methods. Following 48 hours incubation at 37°C, the zone of growth inhibition evaluated by measuring the zone around the disks. Fumigation process was done in special chest that designed for this research. We repeated fumigation each 20 minutes for 24 times. Data about measuring the zone of growth inhibition were analyzed by using and mean statistic exam. Staphylococcus aureus was sensitive to Peganum harmala seed, and fdonkey dung smokes and Pseudomonas aeroginosa was sensitive to female donkey dung smoke. Staphylococcus aureus was resistant to cloxacilllin and Pseudomonas aeroginosa was sensitive only to erythromycin and ciprofloxacin. The increasing time of fumigation in sensitive cases enhanced antimicrobial effects and the zone of growth inhibition. Antimicrobial effects of donkey dung smokes on resistance pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Staphylococcus aureus revealed the necessity of performing expanded research about composition and property of this smoke

[ effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Zizipus vulgaris L. on burn healing]

Traditionally, burn wound healing activities have been claimed for Zizipus vulgaris L, but there is not any evidence in literature for this effect of the plant. Therefore, this work was carried out to investigate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Zizipus vulgaris L. on burn healing. In an experimental study burn wounds were made by placing a hot plate with a surface area of 1.5 cm[2] for 10s on the back of animals. 40 mice were designated in 4 groups. Animal were treated with vehicle or test substance two times per day for 21 days. The first group received nothing, second group Vaseline. Third and fourth group 1% and 10% Jujba ointment two times/day, respectively. Percent of burn wounds healing and total time required for complete healing were evaluated. Results showed that 1% dose of Jujuba extracts had significant burn wound healing compared to control group [P<0.01]. Zizipus vulgaris L. has considerable healing effect on burn wounds and its usage might be beneficial in these patients

Nuclear ribosomal DNA ITS-2 sequence characterization of Fasciola Hepatica and Galba truncatula

Human fascioliasis is an important health problem in the province of Gilan, at the Caspian Sea, Iran. There is the overlapping of both fasciolid species, Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica. Recent studies on both domestic animal and lymnaeid infection furnished evidence suggesting that F. gigantica and Radix gedrosiana may be the main fasciolid and lymnaeid involved in the disease in that province, controversy still being there concerning the presence and importance of F. hepatica and other lymnaeid species. The present paper includes the results of studies on Galba truncatula and the first finding of natural infection by F. hepatica in Gilan proved by molecular studies. Snail collections were carried out in summer, when their populations present the highest densities. Surveys on lymnaeids furnished the finding of a lymnaeid snail infected by trematode rediae and cercariae in the mountains of Talesh, in the Asalem district, western Gilan. Nuclear ribosomal DNA ITS-2 sequences proved that they were F. hepatica and G. truncatula. The liver fluke ITS-2 sequence was identical to that of F. hepatica from Spain and the Northern Bolivian Altiplano and that of G. truncatula to the haplotype H-2 known in Portugal, Spain, France and The Netherlands. This genetic characterization suggests that both may be also involved in human fascioliasis infection in Gilan

Potential transmission of human fascioliasis through traditional local foods, in Northern Iran

Ingestion of infective metacercariae, attached to watercress or other various species of water and terrestrial plants, has been implicated as the main source of human contamination by fasciolid flukes. Presence of several species of aromatic wild grown plants, which are eaten fresh on the table or used for preparation of some plant-made foods [Delar, mixture of salt and ground local plants, as a paste and Zeitoon-Parvardeh, olives in walnut sauce, as an appetizer] have been suggested to play a role in human contamination in the endemic zone of fascioliasis, in Gilan province, northern Iran. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of ingredients using for preparation of these local foods on viability and infectivity of liver fluke metacercariae. Metacercariae for this study were obtained by experimental infections of Lymnaea gedrosiana, collected from Bandar Anzali endemic zone. The viability and infectivity of metacercariae kept in Zeitoon-Parvardeh and Delar was checked by microscopical analyses and animal infection assays. The results indicate the possibility of human contamination following consumption of these traditional foods when prepared with fresh vegetables presenting attached metacercariae

Evidence suggesting that fasciola gigantica might be the most prevalent causal agent of fascioliasis in northern Iran

Following the occurrence of two large outbreaks in Gilan province, northern Iran, the public health importance of human fascioliasis has increased significantly. The mixed infections of Fasciola gigantica and F. hepatica within a given domestic animal individual suggest a very complicate picture of possible circulation ways of the parasite and the possibility for humans to be infected with both species. Elucidating these circulation ways is very critical for underst and ing the epidemiology and transmission of the disease and being ascertain how animals and humans enter the different liver fluke circulations in this endemic zone. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the distribution and natural infections of local lymnaeids, environmental characteristics related to the disease transmission and determining the most prevalent fasciolids and definitive hosts in human endemic areas of Gilan province. B and ar-Anzali and Rasht are the most important endemic areas with most of the cases of human disease during the epidemics and inter-epidemic periods. Sheep raising is not normal in these regions, while cattle is the most common definitive host. According to the data obtained from slaughterhouse observations in B and ar-Anzali and Rasht, the main fasciolid in local cattle is F. gigantica. Of 928 adult liver flukes collected from 13 infected livers of cattle, in Rasht and B and ar-Anzali slaughterhouses, 91.1% were diagnosed as F. gigantica and 8.9% as F. hepatica. L. gedrosiana and L. palustris were the most prevalent lymnaeid snails in this endemic zone. It appears that L. truncatula is not prevalent in B and ar-Anzali and Rasht and surroundings of these endemic cities. Of 4830 different snails studied, only seven L. gedrosiana were found to be infected with larval stages [rediae and cercariae] of Fasciola sp. Experimental infections of 15 common laboratory mice by metacercariae, obtained from those naturally infected snails, were carried out and all trematodes recovered at necropsy, 8 weeks post-exposure, appeared to be F. gigantica based on morphology. The high temperature, moisture and rainfall during the year, especially in B and ar-Anzali, support the establishment and transmission of the disease in the zone. Although the species involved in human infections in endemic areas of Gilan has been usually referred to as F. hepatica, the results of this study as well as some interesting epidemiological evidences related to the disease, support that Fasciola gigantica might be the main causal agent of fascioliasis in this important endemic zone