Molecular study of coagulation factor XIII-A among patients with inherited factor XIII-A deficiency

Factor X[1] is the last enzyme in the clotting cascade. The gene of A chain is located on chromosome 6. Deficiency of factor XIII in autosomal recessive conditions occurs at a frequency of 1 in 2 million general population. The aim of this study was to detect the mutations of subunit A in both patients and carriers. In this study we have investigated the molecular basis of inherited FXIII deficiency among patients from 21 unrelated Iranian families. Mutation were detected by amplifying each exon. Those exons exhibiting the presence of hetero duplex formation sensitive gel electrophoresis, were selected for direct sequencing. After sequencing, detected mutation was carried out by restriction fragment length polymorphism [RFLP]. All patients having entered the study had mutations. Twelve patients had homologues substitution of TGG->CGG in exon 4, 1 insertion mutation occurring in exon 7 triple G, 2 patients demonstrated mutation exon 9 ATG-> AAG, 3 patients had substitution of CGG-> CAG in exon 10, and 3 patients showed a homologue subsituation mutation in exon 15 GCC->GTC. Our findings suggest that the activity of enzyme is highly dependent on the core domain. Changes in charge, amino acid tail and conformation lead to decreased enzyme activity. Also tetrameric structure is calcium related. It seems that changes of amino acid sequence convert enzyme stability

Interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor-beta in early and late lesions of patients with leishmania major induced cutaneous leishmaniasis

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a neglected parasitic disease, which imposes massive human distress and financial costs to the endemic countries. Better understanding of host immune response to the parasite leads to helpful strategies for disease control. Interleukin [IL]-10 and transforming growth factor [TGF]-beta are important immune regulatory cytokines, which appear to develop non-healing forms of leishmaniasis. However, there is little information about the function of IL-10 and TGF-beta in old world cutaneous leismaniasis. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of IL-10 and TGF-beta in human cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania major infection. Biopsies were obtained from lesions of twenty proven cases of L. major induced cutaneous leishmaniasis. IL-10 and TGF-beta positive cells were detected by immunofluorescence staining of frozen sections and compared between two groups of patients with early and late lesions. The mean percentage of IL-10 positive cells were significantly [P= 0.035] higher in late lesions [0.51 +/- 0.24] than early ones [0.15 +/- 0.07]. Similar results were obtained for TGF-beta with mean percentages of 0.16 +/- 0.05 and 0.53 +/- 0.28 in early and late lesions respectively [P= 0.008]. IL-10 and TGF-beta are present in lesions of L. major induced cutaneous leishmaniasis and contribute to the pathogenesis of long lasting disease forms

Interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor-beta in early and late lesions of patients with leishmania major induced cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a neglected parasitic disease, which imposes massive human distress and financial costs to the endemic countries. Better understanding of host immune response to the parasite leads to helpful strategies for disease control. Interleukin [IL]-10 and transforming growth factor [TGF]-beta are important immune regulatory cytokines, which appear to develop non-healing forms of leishmaniasis. However, there is little information about the function of IL-10 and TGF-beta in old world cutaneous leismaniasis. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of IL-10 and TGF-beta in human cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania major infection. Biopsies were obtained from lesions of twenty proven cases of L. major induced cutaneous leishmaniasis. IL-10 and TGF-beta positive cells were detected by immunofluorescence staining of frozen sections and compared between two groups of patients with early and late lesions. The mean percentage of IL-10 positive cells were significantly [P= 0.035] higher in late lesions [0.51 +/- 0.24] than early ones [0.15 +/- 0.07]. Similar results were obtained for TGF-beta with mean percentages of 0.16 +/- 0.05 and 0.53 +/- 0.28 in early and late lesions respectively [P= 0.008]. IL-10 and TGF-beta are present in lesions of L. major induced cutaneous leishmaniasis and contribute to the pathogenesis of long lasting disease forms

[Effect of combination of achillea millefolium, artemisia absinthium and juglans regia leaves extracts on leishmania major [MRHO/IR/75/ER], in vitro]

Due to side effects of the drug and also tendency of people in using herbal medicine, this study aimed to evaluate the sinerjhist effects of three herbs Achillea millefolium, Artemisia absinthium and Juglans regia leaf combained extract on Leishmania major, so that in case of effectiveness in further studies possible alternative drugs can be formulated. Access to formulation drug without harmful chemical material and without side effects. In an experimental study four tubes were selected and the mixture of three herbs leaf extracts with concentrations of 25 mg/ml were prepared. After 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours sample were tested for dead or alive and also for their mobility of the parasite. Data were analyzed by ANOVA test. This study showed that combaind extracts of these three herbs caused an increase in immobility of the parasites. The rate of immobility had direct relationship with time and immobility was continuously increased after 24, 48 and 72 hours. The result were suggestive that three herbs leaf hydroalcoholic extracts were significantly more effective in reduction of parasite, in vitro [p<0.05]; however, Glucantime after 24 hours and amphotericin B after 30 minute caused immobility of parasite versus 24 hour for plant extract. Our study showed that the extracts of three mentioned herbs had effect on growth of Leishmania major, however further studies are needed to show effects of these herbs in animal models and voluntary infected people

Evaluation of blood utilization in teaching hospitals affiliated to Qom university

Nowadays the performance of hospital blood banks is assessed by cross-match to transfused unit ratio which it is recommended to be less than 2.0. The aim of this study was to evaluate the most common indications for blood transfusion in Qum University hospitals. In this retrospective study 4370 blood order forms from March 2010 till April 201 1 were assessed. To calculate C/T ratio, the number of cross-matched units was divided by the number of transfused units. Of total 4370 blood order, 57.1% were male. From all blood order forms, 16.42% [C/T: 1.196] were / not transfused. The highest rate of blood orders pertained to surgery emergency and trauma [23.3%], hematology and oncology [14%], gynecology [11.3%], internal ward and nephrology [8%], infectious ward [6.9%], burn ward [5.9%], general surgery [4.4%], orthopedics [3.2%], ICU [2.3%] and pediatrics [8.6%] Packed cell was the product with the highest order rate of 78.7% in Qom teaching hospitals; however, out of this rate 44% remained untransfused. According to the findings of this study the rate of non-transfused ordered blood components in Qom teaching hospitals seems very high. Thus, it is recommended to employ the international and/or national guidelines in order to reach to optimal rate

IL-23 and IL-27 levels in macrophages collected from peripheral blood of patients with healing vs non-healing form of cutaneous leishmaniasis

In this study the level of IL-23 and IL-27 produced by macrophages derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cell culture collected from patients with healing or non-healing form of cutaneous leishmaniasis lesion were compared before and after treatment with live Leishmania to explore whether IL-23 or IL-27 plays any role in healing process of cutaneous lesions induced by L. major. Twenty patients resident in Isfahan Province, with healing or non-healing form of cutaneous leishmaniasis lesion caused by Leishmania major participated in this study. In vitro productions of IL-23 and IL-27 by peripheral blood derived macrophages, before and after stimulation with live L. major [MRHO/IR/75/ER] promastigotes were evaluated using ELISA method. Patient with healing form of lesion received no treatment and patient with non-healing form of lesion received at least 2 courses of glucantime. The mean production of IL-23 and IL-27 from macrophages of patients with healing form of lesion was significantly higher than patients with non-healing form of lesion. The levels of IL-23 and IL-27 in culture supernatants before and after stimulation in healing form of CL was significantly higher than non- healing form of CL [P < 0.001]. IL-23 and IL-27 might play a role in human leishmaniasis and further studies are needed to understand the role of IL-23 and IL-27 in leishmaniasis

Gene cloning of Iranian Leishmania major mannose-1-phosphate guanyltransferase

Leishmania is an obligatory intracellular protozoan parasite, which infects human beings when infected sand fly vector takes a blood meal. Most efforts are towards designing an effective vaccine to prevent leishmaniasis. In this way, development of candidate antigen for vaccine has special important. In this study, we cloned mannose-1-phosphate guanyltransferase gene of Iranian L .major in pET32a expression vector. Primers based on L. major mannose-1-phosphate guanyltransferase sequence gene was designed and synthesized. DNA of Leishmania promastigotes was extracted and PCR reaction was done. PCR product was cloned into pTZ57R and sub cloned into pET32a expression vector. Recombinant plasmid containing 1140 bp as L. major mannose-1-phosphate guanyltransferase gene was extracted and confirmed by restriction analysis. PCR product was sequenced and deposited to GenBank. There were some differences in amino acid sequences between Iranian L. major mannose-1-phosphate guanyltransferase and others previously accepted in GenBank. We amplified and cloned Iranian L. major mannose-1-phosphate guanyltransferase successfully

[Comparision effectivness of extracts of thyme, yarrow, henna and garlic on cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by l. major in animal model [BALB/C]]

Leishmaniasis is not as severe as other diseases, often lesions are selfhealing. For various reason as long lasting duration of lesions and treatment, disfiguring scar reminding, secondary infection in lesions, have comfortable treatment method and accessible with less cost, it is necessary various method of treatment with less side effect. The results of previous studies showed that Indoleanalogues, Terpens, Iridoids, Quinones and Alkaloid hemisynthetic derivatives have promising antileishmanial potential. These derivatives were found in Thyme, Henna Yarrow and Garlic. Access to formulation drug without harmful chemical material and without side effect. After Inoculation of parasite in base tail of mice, during of three weeks caused lesions in inoculation place, then animal divided to 9 groups. In this study we used 4 alchoholic extract solution 2 times a day. we checked lesions weekly for six week and meseaured size of lesion in the base of tail with kulis - vernieh. Data of study analyzed with Anova, Paired t test and schefeh. We observed significant difference between mean of lesion in before and after treatment in control, Yarrow [Bomadaran] and Thyme [Avishan] groups [p<0.05]. Paired t test showed that there were not significant difference between mean of lesion in after treatment between groups of treatment and glucantime groups [p>0.05]. Alchoholic extract to Avishan and Boomadaran have good effect on lesions treatment, we suggest that the study could be repeated with Thyme [Avishan] and Yarrow [Bomadaran] extract in gel or cream base in first stage of lesions appearance

Distribution Frequency of Pathogenic Bacteria Isolated from Cutaneus Leishmaniasis Lesions

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic disease characterized by single or multiple ulcerations. Secondary bacterial infections are one of the complications that can increase the tissue destruction and the resulting scar. To better determine the incidence of real secondary bacterial infections in CL, we designed the current study. This was a cross-sectional study performed in Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Centre, Isfahan, Iran. A total of 1,255 patients with confirmed CL enrolled in the study. Sterile swaps were achieved for ulcer exudates and scraping was used for non-ulcerated lesions. All samples were transferred to tryptic soy broth medium. After 24 hr of incubation at 37degrees C they were transferred to eosin methylene blue agar (EMB) and blood agar. Laboratory tests were used to determine the species of bacteria. Among 1,255 confirmed CL patients, 274 (21.8%) had positive cultures for secondary bacterial infections. The bacteria isolated from the lesions were Staphylococcus aureus in 190 cases (69.3%), coagulase negative Staphylococcus in 63 cases (23.0%), E. coli in 10 cases (3.6%), Proteus sp. in 6 cases (2.2%), and Klebsiella sp. in 5 cases (1.9%). The results show that the overall incidence of secondary bacterial infections in the lesions of CL was 21.8%, considerably high. The incidence of secondary bacterial infections was significantly higher in ulcerated lesions compared with non-ulcerated lesions.

Study of association between lifestyle and hemorrhoids among patients referring to Tehran University of medical sciences hospitals in 2007

Study of association between lifestyle and hemorrhoids among patients referring to Tehran University of medical sciences hospitals in 2007 Hejazi Sh1, Alavi Majd H2, Najafi Abedi Z3 1 Instuctor, MSc of Nursing, Deputy of Education and Research, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Branch, Tehran, Iran. 2 Associate Professor, PhD of Biostatistics, Shaheed Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran. 3 Student of MSc of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Branch, Tehran, Iran. Hemorrhoid is a chronic disease that has been known as a problem since 4 thousand years ago. Healthy lifestyle is an important mean of decreasing incidence and complications of chronic diseases. Considering the vast influence of lifestyle on chronic diseases symptoms, the goal of this study was to determine these influences on hemorrhoid. The present research is a case-control analytical study. The study population included all patients with hemorrhoid referring to Tehran University of medical sciences hospitals. The study group comprised 101 patients suffering from hemorrhoid, and the control group included 101 healthy individuals. Both groups have been matched in age and sex. The data were collected by using a questionnaire. The questionnaire scientific validity and reliability were determined with content validity and test-retest respectively. We used descriptive and inferential [Chi-square test, Fisher exact test and Mann-Whitney test] statistics for analyzing data. The majority of patients in study group didn't have their meals on a fixed schedule [p > 0.001], had less than three meals per day [p = 0.021], had less daily fluid consumption [p = 0.001], always used spicy food [p = 0.001], and had less fiber consumption, had sedentary activities [p > 0.001], never had walkings [p = 0.001], and neither in past nor in present they had exercises, had defecation only one time in 3-5 days [p > 0.001] with severe pressure and difficulty, and the duration between 5-10 minutes [p > 0.001]. This study showed that there was a significant relationship between lifestyle and hemorrhoid

Some ecological aspects of phlebotomine sand flies in an endemic focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran

Following annual report of new cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis from different areas of Kuhpayeh district, Esfahan County, an investigation was carried out on some ecological aspects of Phlebotomine sand flies during 2000-2002. Sand flies were collected biweekly from outdoor and indoor resting places with the aid of 30 sticky traps from the beginning to the end of the active season. Female sand flies from rodent burrows were dissected and examined for the presence of pro-mastigote infection. Blood meals of engorged sand flies were identified by ELISA method. Totally, 4993 sand flies were collected and identified. The following species were found indoors: P. papatasi, P. sergenti, P. caucasicus, P. mongolensis, P. alexandri, P. ansarii, P. major, P. kandelakii, S. sintoni, and the subsequent species were found outdoors: P. papatasi, P sergenti, P. caucasicus, P. mongolensis, P. ansarii, P. major, S. sintoni, S. dentata, S. pawlowskyi. The sand flies active season began from May till October in this region. Natural promastigote infections observed in 1.06% of P. papatasi and also in one out of four of P. caucasicus. The human and rodent blood indices in P. papatasi were 61.9% and 20.69%, respectively. It seems that P. papatasi is the probable vector among rodents and also transmit Leishmania major, the causative agent of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis to man, and P. caucasicus transmit the agent of the disease among rodents