Global Dilemma and Needs Assessment Toward Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in Controlling Leishmaniasis.

Leishmaniasis is a disease of poverty that imposes a devastating medical, social, and economic burden on over 1 billion people nationwide. To date, no in-depth study to analyze the major global challenges and needs assessment has been carried out. This investigation aimed to explore a comprehensive narrative review of leishmaniasis's main challenges and initially highlight obstacles that might impede the implementation of control measures. Also, we propose a specific list of priorities for needs assessment. The presence of socioeconomic factors, multiple clinical and epidemiological forms, various Leishmania species, the complexity of the life cycle, the absence of effective drugs and vaccines, and the lack of efficient vector and reservoir control make this organism unique and sophisticated in playing a tangled role to react tricky with its surrounding environments, despite extensive efforts and implementation of all-inclusive former control measures. These facts indicate that the previous strategic plans, financial support, and basic infrastructures connected to leishmaniasis surveillance are still insufficient. Strengthening the leishmaniasis framework in a context of accelerated programmatic action and intensification of cross-cutting activities along with other neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) is confidently expected to result in greater effectiveness, cost-benefit, and fruitful management. Sensitive diagnostics, effective therapeutics, and efficacious vaccines are vital to accelerating advancement toward elimination, and reducing morbidity/mortality and program costs. Collective actions devoted by all sectors and policy-makers can hopefully overcome technical and operational barriers to guarantee that effective and coordinated implementation plans are sustained to meet the road map for NTDs 2021- 2030 goals.

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Hampers COVID-19: A Controlled Cross-Sectional Study in High-Burden Endemic Areas of Iran.

INTRODUCTION: Emerging infectious diseases such as SARS-CoV-2 can cause pandemics and create a critical risk for humans. In a previous pilot study, we reported that the immunological responses induced by cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) could decrease the incidence and severity of COVID-19. In this large-scale case-control study, we assessed the possible relationship between mortality and morbidity of COVID-19 in healed CL persons suffering scars compared to cases without CL history. METHODS: This controlled cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2020 and December 2022 in the endemic and high-burden areas of CL in southeastern Iran. In the study, 1400 previous CL cases with scars and 1,521,329 subjects who had no previous CL were analyzed. We used R 4.0.2 to analyze the data. Firth's bias reduction approach corresponding to the penalization of likelihood logistic regression by Jeffreys was also employed to influence the variables in the dataset. Also, a Bayesian ordinal logistic regression model was performed to explore the COVID-19 severity in both case and referent groups. RESULTS: The occurrence and severity rate of COVID-19 in CL scar cases are significantly less than in the non-CL control group, while in the CL scar subjects, patients with critical conditions and mortality were not observed. The morbidity (OR = 0.11, CI 0.06-0.20 and P < 0.001) and severity of COVID-19 in previous cases with CL scars were significantly diminished than that in the control group (credible interval - 2.57, - 1.62). CONCLUSIONS: The results represented a durable negative relationship between cured CL and COVID-19 incidence and severity. Additional studies seem necessary and should be designed to further validate the true impact and underlying mechanistic action of CL on COVID-19.

A prospective longitudinal study on the elimination trend of rural cutaneous leishmaniasis in southeastern Iran: Climate change, population displacement, and agricultural transition from 1991 to 2021.

Leishmaniasis is a complex disease. Any change in weather conditions affects the humans' social and agricultural expansion and, consequently, the parasite's life cycle in terms of ecology, biodiversity, social stigma, and exclusion. This population-based prospective longitudinal investigation was conducted between 1991 and 2021 in a well-defined CL (cutaneous leishmaniasis) focus in Bam County, southeastern Iran. A robust health clinic and health surveillance system were responsible for the ongoing systematic documentation, detection, identification, and management of CL cases. The exponential smoothing method via the state space model was used in the univariate time series. The TTR, smooth, and forecast packages were used in R software. Landsat satellite images from 1991, 2001, 2011, and 2021 were employed in the physical development. During this period, the temperature increased while the rainfall and humidity decreased. The findings showed a downward trend in the standardized drought index. Also, the results showed that climate warming and ecological changes profoundly affected the area's agricultural patterns and topographical features. Furthermore, the last three decades witnessed an elimination trend for zoonotic CL (ZCL) and the predominance of anthroponotic CL (ACL). The present findings showed that the critical factors in the predominance of ACL and elimination of ZCL were rising temperature, drought, migration, unplanned urbanization, earthquake, and agrarian reform. The wall-enclosed palm tree gardens excluded the primary ZCL reservoir host. They controlled the disease while providing suitable conditions for the emergence/re-emergence of ACL in the newly established settlements and the unplanned ecozone. Therefore, robust health infrastructures, sustained financial support, and evidence-based research studies are crucial to facilitating the necessary surveillance, monitoring, and evaluation to control and eliminate the disease.

Electrochemical detection of carmoisine in the presence of tartrazine on the surface of screen printed graphite electrode modified with nickel-cobalt layered double hydroxide ultrathin nanosheets.

Toxic effluents containing azo dyes are discharged from various industries and they adversely affect water resoures, soil and aquatic ecosystems. Also, excessive use of food azo dyes can be carcinogenic, toxic, and adversely affect human health. Therefore, the determination of food azo dyes is significant from the perspective of human health and aquatic organisms. In the present work, nickel-cobalt layered double hydroxide nanosheets were prepared and analyzed by various techniques (field emission-scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier Transform-Infrared spectroscopy). Then, the screen printed graphite electrode modified with nickel-cobalt layered double hydroxide nanosheets was used for the detection of carmoisine. The nickel-cobalt layered double hydroxide nanosheets/screen printed graphite electrode significantly improved the oxidation of carmoisine by increasing the response current and lowering potentials compared to unmodified screen printed graphite electrode. Based on the findings from differential pulse voltammetry, the nickel-cobalt layered double hydroxide nanosheets/screen printed graphite electrode sensor response towards carmoisine was linear (0.3-125.0 µM) with a detection limit of 0.09 µM. A sensitivity of 0.3088 µA µM-1 was achieved. Also, the nickel-cobalt layered double hydroxide nanosheets/screen printed graphite electrode was used for voltammetric detection of carmoisine in the presence of tartrazine. Due to the catalytic activity of prepared layered double hydroxide, the prepared sensor exhibited remarkable separation of the peaks when carmoisine and tartrazine coexist. In addition, the prepared sensor showed good stability. Finally, the proposed sensor had promising applicability for analysis of study analytes in powdered juice and lemon juice, with commendable recoveries between 96.9%-104.8%.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis situation analysis in the Islamic Republic of Iran in preparation for an elimination plan.

Iran has invariably been under the growing public health threat of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), a significant barrier to local development that hinders the prevention and control efforts toward eliminating the disease. So far, no comprehensive and in-depth epidemiological analysis of the CL situation has been carried out nationwide. This study aimed to employ advanced statistical models to analyze the data collected through the Center for Diseases Control and Prevention of Communicable Diseases during 1989-2020. However, we emphasized the current trends, 2013-2020, to study temporal and spatial CL patterns. In the country, the epidemiology of CL is incredibly intricate due to various factors. This fact indicates that the basic infrastructure, the preceding supports, and the implementation plan related to preventive and therapeutic measures need crucial support. The leishmaniasis situation analysis is consistent with desperate requirements for efficient information on the control program in the area. This review provides evidence of temporally regressive and spatially expanding incidence of CL with characteristic geographical patterns and disease hotspots, signifying an urgent need for comprehensive control strategies. This information could be a suitable model and practical experience in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, where over 80% of CL is reported.

Graphite carbon nitride-modified screen-printed electrode as a highly sensitive and selective sensor for detection of amaranth.

This work presented a particular electrochemical sensor for analysis of amaranth, an azo toxic dye. A graphite nitride carbon (g-C3N4) was used to modify an electro-treated screen-printed electrode (g-C3N4/SPE) for electroanalysis of amaranth. Physicochemical characteristics and analytical performance of g-C3N4/SPE were investigated by relevant equipment. The g-C3N4/SPE when comparing with bare SPE, possessed an impressive electrocatalytic performance towards the amaranth oxidation. As-developed sensor under the optimal circumstances exhibited an extended linear response range for different amaranth concentrations of 0.08 µM-340.0 µM, with a narrow practical limit of detection (LOD) of 0.02 µM, a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.08 µM, and an unparalleled sensitivity of 0.0702 µA/µM using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The applicability of as-fabricated sensor was verified by determining the amaranth in real samples, with acceptable recoveries.

Prophylactic effect of cutaneous leishmaniasis against COVID-19: a case-control field assessment.

INTRODUCTION: We assessed the potential relationship between COVID-19 and laboratory-confirmed cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL)-registered cases with a history of scarring, compared with volunteer participants without history of CL. METHODS: This case-control retrospective study was conducted in southeastern Iran with a high anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) burden. RESULTS: Overall, n=1010 CL cases (n=479 male, n=531 female) were evaluated for infection with SARS-CoV-2. In the CL case group, 2 men and 1 woman (0.3% in total) had a mild form of COVID-19 disease; none were hospitalized or died. In contrast, of n=2020 participants without history of CL, n=57 (2.9%) contracted laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, including mild (66.7%), hospitalized (26.3%), critical (3.5%) and fatal (3.5%). There was a strong negative association between CL infection and COVID-19. The burden of COVID-19 in CL-cured participants significantly reduced the morbidity (odds ratio: 0.12; CI: 0.03-0.30; P <0.001) and mortality (percentile: -4.10, -0.02). CONCLUSION: Participants with a history of CL scar had significantly reduced incidence of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. The cross-protection mediated by CL may retard COVID-19 in endemic countries. However, further longitudinal studies are needed to explore the potential profile and duration of this protection offered by CL against COVID-19.

The impact of diabetes on cutaneous leishmaniasis: a case-control field assessment.

This study aimed to assess the associated-risk determinants for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) compared to patients without DM. This case-control study was performed between 2017 and 2019 in southeastern Iran. Overall, 206 participants were selected from patients with DM without CL (11.2%), patients with CL without DM (6.2%), and DM patients concomitance with CL (27.6%) as case groups and healthy individuals as a control group 64 (76%). These cases were compared for parasitological, immunological, biochemical, and hematological parameters. The findings demonstrated that parasitological factors regarding the number, duration, and size of the lesion in CL patients showed a significant difference among patients with and without DM (p < 0.05). Data analysis showed that six major risk factors, including female (odds ratio (OR) = 3.47, confidence interval (CI) = 1.84-6.53, p < 0.001), total protein in CL group (OR = 4.9, CI = 2.3-10.44, p < 0.001), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentration in CL group (OR = 0.87, CI = 0.81-0.93, p < 0.001) and DM co-infected with CL group (OR = 0.8, CI = 0.72-0.88, p < 0.001) than healthy group, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) concentration in DM group (OR = 0.86, CI = 0.76-0.98, p = 0.02), transforming growth factor beta)TGF-ß( level in the CL group (OR = 1.03, CI = 1.003-1.05, p = 0.02), and presence of diabetes disease (OR = 2.07, CI = 1.16-3.7, p < 0.05), were significantly linked with the induction of CL lesion. The findings demonstrated a significant relationship between DM and CL in distinct risk determinants. Also, the study revealed that DM enhanced the severity of active CL.

Dirofilariosis caused by Dirofilaria immitis in the south of Kerman province, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Dirofilariosis due to Dirofilaria immitis is endemic in various areas of Iran. Domestic dogs are the main reservoirs and represent a major potential infection source for the vector and humans. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the prevalence of dirofilariosis due to D.immitis and its public health importance in domestic dogs in the Jiroft district, south of Kerman province, Iran, by serological and parasitological methods. METHODS: This descriptive study was carried out as a cross-sectional investigation. A questionnaire was completed for 100 domestic dogs from May 2017 to February 2018 and recorded their age, sex, and clinical features. Also, we used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to identify antigens of heartworms in the bloodstream, with 98% sensitivity and 100% specificity, and parasitological techniques (Knott's test) to detect microfilariae in canine blood in Jiroft district, south of Kerman province, Iran. RESULTS: Overall, 10 (10%) and 4 (4%) domestic dogs were infected as confirmed by ELISA and modified Knott's tests, respectively. The rate of occult infections in the ELISA test than Knott's test was 60%. No significant difference was found between dirofilariosis and gender. In contrast, there was a significant difference between dirofilariosis infection and age (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present findings could help understand the epidemiological aspects of D. immitis for future control programs and take appropriate preventive and therapeutic strategies against the disease.

A long-lasting emerging epidemic of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in southeastern Iran: population movement and peri-urban settlements as a major risk factor.

BACKGROUND: Epidemics of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) are occurring more frequently and spreading faster and farther than before in many areas of the world. The present study aimed to assess a long-lasting emerging epidemic (2005-2019) of 5532 cases with anthroponotic CL (ACL) in peri-urban areas of Kerman city in southeastern Iran. METHODS: This descriptive-analytical study was carried out for 15 years in Kerman province, southeastern Iran. The data were passively obtained through the health surveillance system and the Kerman Leishmaniasis Research Center. Every subject was diagnosed using direct smear microscopy. The representative causative agent was further examined by ITS1-PCR, PCR-RFLP, 7SL RNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. For each subject, a case report form designating demographic and clinical data was recorded. RESULTS: A different pattern of ACL incidence was found in peri-urban areas compared to that in the city of Kerman. The incidence rate of ACL cases has significantly increased (P < 0.001) from 2005 to 2016 in new settlements with a gradual decline after that. The overall average risk of contracting the disease was 7.6 times higher in peri-urban areas compared to Kerman city, an old endemic focus. All isolates consisting of six variants were confirmed to be Leishmania tropica. The overall pattern of the ACL infection indicates that the etiological agent of ACL is propagated and transmitted by the bite of female Phlebotomus sergenti sandflies from person to person from dissimilar clones as reflected by the complexity of the migrants' backgrounds in the province. CONCLUSIONS: The movement of populations and establishment of new settlements in peri-urban areas close to endemic areas are major risk factors for and are directly linked to CL. The underlying factors of this emerging ACL epidemic caused by L. tropica were disasters and droughts, among others. A robust commitment to a multilateral approach is crucial to make improvements in this area. This will require decisive coordinated actions through all governmental factions and non-governmental organizations. Furthermore, active and passive case detection strategies, early diagnosis, and effective treatment could help control the disease.

The Hepatoprotective mechanisms of 17ß-estradiol after traumatic brain injury in male rats: Classical and non-classical estrogen receptors.

Protective effects of estrogen (E2) on traumatic brain injury (TBI) have been determined. In this study, the hepatoprotective effects of E2 after TBI through its receptors and oxidative stress regulation have been evaluated. Diffuse TBI induced by the Marmarou method in male rats. G15, PHTPP, MPP, and ICI182-780 as selective antagonists of E2 were injected before TBI. The results indicated that TBI induces a significant increase in liver enzymes [Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Glutamyl transferase (GGT)], and oxidants levels [Malondialdehyde (MDA), Nitric oxide (NO)] and decreases in antioxidant biomarkers [Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD)] in the brain and liver, and plasma. We also found that E2 significantly preserved levels of these biomarkers and enzymatic activity. All antagonists inhibited the effects of E2 on increasing SOD and GPx. Also, the effects of E2 on brain MDA levels were inhibited by all antagonists, but in the liver, only ICI + G15 + E2 + TBI group was affected. The impacts of E2 on brain and liver and plasma NO levels were inhibited by all antagonists. The current findings demonstrated that E2 probably improved liver injury after TBI by modulating oxidative stress. Also, both classic (ERß, ERα) and non-classic [G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER)] receptors are affected in the protective effects of E2.

Major risk factors and histopathological profile of treatment failure, relapse and chronic patients with anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis: A prospective case-control study on treatment outcome and their medical importance.

Over the last years, there has been a remarkable increase in the number of unresponsive patients with anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) reported worldwide. The primary objective of this study was to explore the role of demographic, clinical and environmental risk related-factors in the development of treatment failure, relapse and chronic cases compared to responsive patients with ACL. Moreover, molecular, histopathological and immunohistochemical (IHC) findings between these forms were explored. This work was undertaken as a prospective and case-control study in southeastern Iran. Culture media and nested PCR were used to identify the causative agent. Univariate multinomial and multiple multinomial logistic regression models and the backward elimination stepwise method were applied to analyze the data. A P<0.05 was defined as significant. Also, for different groups, skin punch biopsies were used to study the histopathological and immunohistochemical (IHC) profile. All samples showed that L. tropica was the only etiological agent in all unresponsive and responsive patients with ACL. Data analysis represented that 8 major risk factors including nationality, age groups, occupation, marital status, history of chronic diseases, duration of the lesion, the lesion on face and presence of domestic animals in the house were significantly associated with the induction of unresponsive forms. The histopathological and immunohistochemical findings were different from one form to another. The present findings clearly demonstrated a positive relation between ACL and distinct demographic, clinical and environmental risk determinants. Knowledge of the main risk factors for ACL infection is crucial in improving clinical and public health strategies and monitor such perplexing factors.

A Screen-Printed Electrode Modified With Graphene/Co3O4 Nanocomposite for Electrochemical Detection of Tramadol.

In this paper, graphene (Gr)/Co3O4 nanocomposite was synthesized and utilized for the development of a novel electrochemical sensor to detect tramadol. Tramadol determination was examined by linear sweep voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, and chronoamperometry on Gr/Co3O4 nanocomposite-modified screen-printed electrode (Gr/Co3O4/SPE) in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Under the optimized condition, the detection limit of tramadol is 0.03 µM (S/N = 3) in the linear ranges of 0.1-500.0 µM. Furthermore, Gr/Co3O4/SPE was satisfactorily utilized to detect tramadol in tramadol tablet and urine specimens.

Evaluation of Different Attractive Traps for Capturing Sand Flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in an Endemic Area of Leishmaniasis, Southeast of Iran.

BACKGROUND: The attraction of phlebotomine sand flies to plant and animal hosts is due to the produced chemical compounds, affecting the olfactory receptors of the insects. Therefore, novel and effective methods, such as Attractive Toxic Sugar Baits (ATSB) and Attractive Toxic Baits (ATB), are based on the effective materials that attract sand flies toward the host. The present study was designed to identify the attractive materials in plants and animals for using in ATSB and ATB. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out in July 2018 on endemic areas of leishmaniasis in Iran. Different baits, including mango, nectarine, grape, banana, melon and watermelon, defibrinated blood of cattle, sheep, goat and chicken, urine of cattle, sheep, goat and ultimately, simple and complex chemicals, such as CO2, 1-octanol, lactic acid and human sweat were placed inside the traps, and the rate of the sand flies attraction to these materials was studied. Furthermore, data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann Whitney U test. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the sand flies attraction between the traps containing watermelon, urine of cattle, and sheep, and chemicals such as CO2 and human sweat and the control trap (p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study showed that watermelon and CO2 are the potential candidates for using in ATSB and ATB, respectively.

Ceftriaxone improves senile neurocognition damages induced by D-galactose in mice.

OBJECTIVES: Ceftriaxone (Cef), a beta-lactam antibiotic, is accompanied by antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It has been shown that Cef has beneficial effects on Alzheimer's disease. In the current investigation, the effect of Cef in a mice model of aging was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty male mice were equally aliquoted into four groups as follows: Control (as healthy normal animals), D-galactose (DG) group (treated with 500 mg/kg/day DG for 6 weeks), DG + Cef group (treated with DG plus Cef 200 mg/kg/day for 6 weeks), and Cef group (treated with Cef 200 mg/kg/day for 6 weeks). A battery of behavioral tests was done to evaluate age-related neurocognitive changes. The activities of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the brain, were measured by biochemical methods. Also, to determine the brain damage, histopathological alterations in the hippocampus were measured using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. RESULTS: Our results indicate that neurobehavioral dysfunctions of DG can be prevented by co-administration of Cef. We also found that Cef increases the activity of SOD, GPx, and CAT as well as decreasing the level of MDA in the brain of aged mice. CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, Cef declines neurocognitive dysfunctions in the DG-induced model of aging, possibly through its antioxidative properties.

Domestic and game pigeons as reservoirs for Escherichia coli harbouring antimicrobial resistance genes.

OBJECTIVES: In Iran, pigeons are kept and bred on the roofs of houses, which indicates the potential significance of pigeons in the dispersal of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli strains. Here we characterized antimicrobial resistance genotypes in relation to phenotypic presentations and phylogenetic backgrounds of the E. coli isolates from household pigeons in Kerman in southeast Iran. METHODS: Totally, 152 faecal E. coli isolates from domestic and household pigeons were screened for 13 antimicrobial resistance genes, blaTEM, blaSHV, blaCTX-M, sulI, sulII, dhfrI, dhfrV, aadA, aac(3)-I, tetA, tetB, floR and qnrA, by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Clermont phylogenetic background of E. coli strains was studied and antibiotic resistance of all strains was assessed for seven antibiotics. RESULTS: The antimicrobial resistance genes blaTEM, tetA, tetB and aadA were detected in 52.6%, 6.5%, 6.5% and 5.9% of the isolates, respectively. PCR phylotyping revealed that a significant number of isolates within A0 (54%), A1 (70%), B1 (57.6%), B22 (75%) and D1 (87.5%) phylogroups were positive for the studied resistance genes. One phenotypic resistance pattern (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) was associated with the presence of the corresponding gene sul2. CONCLUSIONS: An alarming rate of phenotypic resistance was observed in this study. Many isolates were positive for the screened resistance genes. According to the phylogenetic background, most resistant isolates belonged to the commensal phylotypes, representing significant role of commensal strains as a source of resistance genes. These findings highlight the role of the pigeon as disseminator of resistant E. coli strains.

Detection of zoonotic diarrheagenic pathotypes of Escherichia coli in healthy household dogs.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Intestinal pathotypes of Escherichia coli belong to the companion animals may poses potential risk to public health following zoonotic transmission. Therefore, this study was proposed to determine the virulence genes associated to diarrheagenic E. coli strains isolated from healthy pet dogs and their owners in the southeast of Iran, Kerman province. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Totally 168 E. coli isolates were collected from 49 healthy household dogs and their owners. Seventy isolates were obtained from non-pet owners as control group. Presence or absence of the virulence genes including eae, stx1, stx2, st1, lt1, ipaH, cnf1 and cnf2 were screened by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and dissemination pattern of the genes were studied among the various hosts. RESULTS: PCR examinations showed that the most frequent virulence gene was ipaH (6.1%) in dogs followed by eae in dog owners (6.1%) and in controls (8.6%). The most frequent pathotypes in dogs, their owners and controls were EIEC (6.1%), EHEC (4.08%) and EPEC (8.5%), respectively. In one of studied houses, both of dog and its owner harbored E. coli strains with same virulence profile (stx1/eae) and pathotype (EHEC). CONCLUSION: These results collectively indicate that healthy household dogs probably are the mild reservoir of potential virulent E. coli strains with possible active transmission to their contact owner. However, even non-pet owners seemed to be a notable source of intestinal pathotypes, especially EPEC, for their environment. Transmission of E. coli pathotypes may occurs by direct contact with the reservoirs or ingestion of contaminated food. These pathotypes are potentially virulent and creates public health hazards. Further studies are needed for better understanding of dissemination mechanisms of E. coli pathotypes among humans and their pets.

Direct electrochemical detection of clozapine by RuO2 nanoparticles-modified screen-printed electrode.

This study introduces the sensitive electrochemical detection of clozapine with the use of a ruthenium(iv) oxide nanoparticle (RuO2 NP)-modified screen-printed electrode (RuO2 NPs/SPE). The electrochemical behaviors of clozapine at RuO2 NP/SPE have been examined via cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and chronoamperometry (CHA). According to the results, the modified electrode has been accompanied by a decreasing over-potential (ca. 170 mV) and enhancement in the peak current (3 times) in comparison with the bare SPE. The results indicated that RuO2 NP/SPE markedly augmented electro-catalytic activities toward clozapine oxidation. In addition, linear responses have been observed in the range between 0.2 and 500.0 µM with a sensitivity of 0.076 µA µM-1 and a limitation of detection of 0.07 µM (3σ). Moreover, the successful application of RuO2 NP/SPE has been seen in detecting clozapine in real samples, which showed satisfied recoveries. Therefore, outputs suggest that RuO2 NP/SPE will be promising for functional utilization.

Fabrication of magnetic iron oxide-supported copper oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4/CuO): modified screen-printed electrode for electrochemical studies and detection of desipramine.

The present investigation examines a sensitive electrochemical technique to detect desipramine through Fe3O4/CuO nanoparticles (NPs). Fe3O4/CuO NPs were synthesized via a coprecipitation procedure, and the products were characterized via energy disperse spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer. The voltage-current curve and differential pulse voltammetry examinations of Fe3O4/CuO-modified screen-printed electrode (Fe3O4/CuO/SPE) were followed by the determination of electro-catalytic activities toward desipramine oxidation in a phosphate buffer solution (pH = 7.0). In addition, the value of diffusion coefficient (D = 3.0 × 10-6 cm2 s-1) for desipramine was calculated. Then, based on the optimum conditions, it was observed that the currents of the oxidation peak were linearly proportionate to the concentration of desipramine in the broad range between 0.08 and 400.0 µM and LOD of 0.03 µM (S/N = 3). Finally, our new sensor was successfully utilized to detect desipramine in the real samples, with reasonable recovery in the range of 97.2% to 102.7%.

Efficacy and safety of Curcuma longa essential oil to inactivate hydatid cyst protoscoleces.

BACKGROUND: One of the most important ways to cure hydatid cysts is surgery. Today, available chemical drugs have shown severe complications during hydatid cyst surgery. Here we investigated theefficacy and safety of Curcuma longa (C. longa) essential oil (CLEO) against hydatid cysts protoscoleces. METHODS: Here, the collected protoscoleces from fertile hydatid cysts were exposed to different concentrations of the CLEO (50-200 µl/mL) for 5-30 min in vitro and ex vivo. In addition, male NIH mice (48 mice) were applied to examine the safety of CLEO. RESULTS: All protoscoleces were completely killed in 5th min of treatment to the doses of 200 µl /mL of CLEO. On the other hand, in the 10th min of treatment, CLEO entirely killed 100% of protoscoleces at the dose of 100 µL/mL. Other doses of CLEO, but, revealed a postponed activity. Although CLEO at the doses of 50, and 100 µL/mL exhibited no similar effect in the ex vivo analysis; but, at the dose of 200 µL/mL and an exposure time of 5 min, approximately 100% of protoscoleces were destroyed into the cyst. We found that after intra-peritoneal injection of the CLEO for 14 days, although blood and biochemical parameters were changed; but there was no significant difference in comparison with the control group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This research demonstrated that C. longa revealed the promising scolicidal effects against protoscoleces in vitro and in vivo, of course, after additional tests; it might be considered as an herbal scolicidal drug in order to decrease the threat of discharge of protoscoleces through hydatid cyst surgery. Nevertheless, supplementary studies will be desired to prove the current findings by examination the essential oil in a clinical setting.