Cloning and expression of leishmania infantum LPG3 gene by the lizard leishmania expression system

Various prokaryotic and eukaryotic expression systems have been developed for the production of recombinant proteins. In the present study, we used a new protein expression system based on the Iranian Lizard Leishmania, a trypanosomatid protozoan as a host, for the expression of LPG3 gene from Leishmania infantum [L.infantum]. The LPG3 gene was cloned in the expression cassette for integration into the small subunit of the ribosomal RNA locus of Lizard Leishmania genome by electroporation. Expression of the recombinant LPG3 protein was confirmed by western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. Western blotting confirmed the expression and production of rLPG3 protein. Immunofluoresence analysis also revealed the staining throughout the cytoplasm of transfected parasites, indicating that the protein has been expressed. These results demonstrate that Leishmania cells can be suggested an expression system for the production of recombinant LPG3 [rLPG3] to further research in vaccine designing against leishmaniasis

Perceived environmental stressors and pain perception during labor among primiparous and multiparous women

Pain experienced during labor is probably the most painful event in the lives of women. Environment itself influences a mother and is experience of pain. Tension and stress resulting from pregnancy crisis and labor increase when the mother is hospitalized, which is concomitant with stressful situations and factors that affect pain perception during labor. The purpose of this study was to explore selected aspects of labor stress and specifically study the relationship between environmental factors and pain perception among parturient women. This descriptive-comparative study was carried out in Tabriz Alzahra Hospital during 2005-2006. In this study, 300 primiparous and 300 multiparous women who were candidates for vaginal delivery, were randomly selected and interviewed. The data were collected by a questionnaire and the intensity of pain was determined by Visual Analogue Scale [VAS]. Significant positive correlations were found between pain and tension from environmental factors in primiparous [r=0.16, p<0.01] and in multiparous [r=0.22, p<0.05] women. Furthermore, primiparous women believed that a crowded delivery room [70%] and restriction of movement and mobility [67%] contributed to their environmental stresses. Multiparas women believed that noise in the delivery ward [84%] and restrict of fluid intake [78%] increased their stresses. Performance of routine diagnostic tests in hospitalized pregnant woman, provision of invasive medical care during labor process and a noisy and crowded environment all influence the mother's experience and perception of pain. Therefore, the medical staffs seem to play a great role in alleviating labor pain by reducing stressors, especially the objective ones that are more stressful

Synergistic effect of LPS, IFN-gamma and iron on apoptosis of Balb/c mice macrophages following nitric oxide production

Previous studies have demonstrated that the nitric oxide [NO] dependent death of murine peritoneal macrophages activated in vitro with IFN- gamma and LPS is mediated through apoptosis. In the present study, we investigated the synergistic effect of LPS, IFN- gamma and iron on NO production and apoptosis. After determination of iron cytotoxicity, the peritoneal macrophages of Balb/c mice were cultured with iron, LPS, and IFN- gamma separately, or a mixture of these for 18 hr at 37 C, Then after 18 hr incubation, the level of NO in supernatant was measured by the Griess method. At the same time, after incubation with ethidium bromide and acridine orange dye, the apoptotic macrophages were detected by fluorescence microscopy. NO production was significantly greater than the control group in macrophages exposed to iron, LPS, or IFN- gamma alone [P=0.02], while no significant difference was detected in apoptosis rate in the presence of LPS [.P=0.08]. However, the differences were remarkable between NO production and apoptosis rate in the presence of iron, LPS and IFN- gamma [P