[Anti-viral effect of methanolic extract of Sea cucumber on HIV-1 virus]

Background and Objective: Sea cucumber [Holothuria leucospilota] is used for food purposes and traditional medicine in the South East and East Asia. This study was done to determine the antiviral effect of methanolic extract, of Holothuria leucospilota species against HIV-1 virus

Methods: In this laboratory study, sea cucumbers were collected from Larak Island, Persian Gulf, Iran at depths of 10-30 m. Methanol solvent was used for extraction process. Extract was concentrated by rotary evaporator at 40-45[degree sign]C, and subsequently was prepared in the form of dry powder using vacuum freeze dryer lyophilization

Results: The extract in 100 and 1000 micro g/ml of concentrations inhibited by 94% and 92.5% the replication of HIV-1, respectively. 10 micro g/ml of extract had not specific antiviral effect. Approximately the half of concentration of extract [35.89 micro g/ml] prevents 50% of proliferation of HIV-1, which was 50% toxic of on host cells [P<0.05]

Conclusion: Sea cucumber methanolic body wall extract of Holothuria leucospilota species had no antiviral effect against HIV-1 virus. It can be due to cytotoxic effect of extract on the host cells

Mitochondrial DNA sequence-based phylogenetic relationship of trichiurus lepturus [perciformes: trichiuridae] from the Persian Gulf

In this study, mitochondrial DNA analysis using 16S ribosomal DNA [rDNA] was performed to investigate the phylogeny relationship of Trichiurus lepturus in the Persian Gulf compared to the other investigated area. The amplification of 16S rDNA resulted in a product of 600 bp in all samples. The results showed that the isolated strain belongs to T. lepturus showing 42 divergence sites among the same reported partial sequences of 16S rRNA gene from the other area [West Atlantic and Indo-Pacific area]. Phylogeny results showed that all 18 haplotypes of the species clustered into five clades with reasonably high bootstrap support of values [>64%]. Overall, the tree topology for both phylogenetic and phenetic trees for 16S rDNA was similar. Both trees exposed two major clusters, one wholly containing the haplotypes of the T. lepturus species belonging to Indo-Pacific area with two major sister groups including Persian Gulf specimen and the other cleared the Western Atlantic and Japan individuals clustered in another distinct clade supporting the differentiation between the two areas. Phylogenic relationship observed between the Persian Gulf and the other Indo-Pacific Individuals suggested homogeneity between two mentioned areas

Human extensive head skin myiasis

Chrysomya bezziana Villeneuve is the most important fly, which produces myiasis, exists as an obligate ectoparasite in the animals, and afflicts human. Poor hygiene and working in contaminated areas particularly during warm seasons provide a situation to infest by this parasite. Infestation in human and livestock are often observed in wounds, normal body orifices such as eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. The manifestations include pruritus, pain, inflammation, redness, eosinophilia, and secondary bacterial infections and rarely death. A 5-year-old boy with severe headache and agitation symptoms was followed up. After physical examination and endoscopy, larvae of third instar fly were obtained from his scalp. Our precise identification indicated that the flies were the C. bezziana. This is the second report of the human scalp myiasis caused by C. bezziana in Iran. This study confirmed that the old world screwworm fly was distributed in the southern of Iran and probably could be one of the most important agents of myiasis in this area

Comparative study of using folly catheter balloon and syntocinon for cervical ripening

Cervical ripening is one of the methods used for cervical preinduction with the aim of facilitating labor and ending pregnancy. There are various recommendations on using labor inducing methods, but no preferred method has been known. The aim of this study was to compare the results of using folly catheter balloon and oxytocin for cervical induction. It was a randomized clinical trial. Two hundred and seventy pregnant women attending Shahid Akbarabadi center were recruited and randomly assigned to one of the 3 groups. The women in the first and second group were catheterized and their catheters were fixed using 30 cc and 80cc of normal saline respectively. The third group just received 5 units of syntocinon in 1000 ml IV solution. There were statistically significant difference between 3 groups in bishop score after cervical preparation [P=0.000]. Moreover, there were statistically significant difference between folly catheter groups and syntocinon group regarding type of labour [P=0.000], the time intervals between induction and the active phase of labour [P=0.000], and induction and labour [P=0.000]. The duration of the third stage and time interval between the third stage and labour were much shorter in catheter groups than syntocinon group. Using folly catheter balloon for ending pregnancy is effective and has no risk. Moreover, it has lees complications and more desirable delivery outcomes than oxytocin. Cervical ripening is also effective in the mode of delivery and reduces the need for surgical interventions and also the costs of hospitalization