Determination of Echinococcus Granulosus Genotypes in Livestock Slaughtered in Shush County, Southwest Iran Using PCR-RFLP.

Echinococosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the larval stages of Echinococcus spp. that occurs in most parts of the world. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the genotypes of isolated hydatid cysts from slaughtered animals in Shush county, southwestern Iran. Totally, 96 hydatid cysts were collected, including 11 buffaloes, 13 cattle, 12 goat and 60 sheep. The PCR was done by a primer pair (BDI and 4s) to amplify ITS1 fragment. Four restriction endonucleases including AluI, HpaII, RsaI, and TaqI were used for RFLP products and enzymatic reactions were electrophoresed. Finally, twenty PCR products were sent for sequencing and phylogenetic tree was drawn with MEGA6. Molecular identification of 96 hydatid cysts demonstrated a distinctive 1000 bp fragment in all samples from four animal hosts. RFLP analysis showed similar digestion patterns in all samples. AluI digestion yielded 800 bp and 200 bp fragments, HpaII digestion made 700 bp and 300 bp fragments and RsaI digestion entailed 655 and 345segments. Moreover, TaqI rendered no digestion pattern on rDNA-ITS1 region. Additionally, E. granulosus sensu stricto (G1-3 complex) was the prevailing genotype in all livestock samples, according to PCR-RFLP and sequencing analyses.

Dataset of plasmid DNA extraction using different magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs).

In this dataset we integrated figures related to bacterial transformation using pBI121 plasmid and complementary analysis for magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) characterizations. The structural map of pBI121 plasmid was drawn by Vector NTI software using the complete sequence of binary vector pBI121. Escherichia coli bacteria transformed using pBI121 plasmid and were grown on the selection media containing kanamycin. MNPs were characterized by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Finally, the overall efficiency of different MNPs (Fe3O4, Fe3O4/SiO2, Fe3O4/SiO2/TiO2) in plasmid DNA isolation was compared using gel electrophoresis analysis. The data supplied in this article supports the accompanying publication "Comparative study of three magnetic nano-particles (FeSO4, FeSO4/SiO2, FeSO4/SiO2/TiO2) in plasmid DNA extraction" (H. Rahnama, A. Sattarzadeh, F. Kazemi, N. Ahmadi, F. Sanjarian, Z. Zand, 2016) [1].

Comparative study of three magnetic nano-particles (FeSO4, FeSO4/SiO2, FeSO4/SiO2/TiO2) in plasmid DNA extraction.

Recent updates on Magnetic Nano-Particles (MNPs) based separation of nucleic acids have received more attention due to their easy manipulation, simplicity, ease of automation and cost-effectiveness. It has been indicated that DNA molecules absorb on solid surfaces via hydrogen-bonding, and hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions. These properties highly depend on the surface condition of the solid support. Therefore, surface modification of MNPs may enhance their functionality and specification. In the present study, we functionalized Fe3O4 nano-particle surface utilizing SiO2 and TiO2 layer as Fe3O4/SiO2 and Fe3O4/SiO2/TiO2 and then compare their functionality in the adsorption of plasmid DNA molecules with the naked Fe3O4 nano-particles. The result obtained showed that the purity and amount of DNA extracted by Fe3O4 coated by SiO2 or SiO2/TiO2 were higher than the naked Fe3O4 nano-particles. Furthermore, we obtained pH 8 and 1.5 M NaCl as an optimal condition for desorption of DNA from MNPs. The result further showed that, 0.2 mg nano-particle and 10 min at 55 °C are the optimal conditions for DNA desorption from nano-particles. In conclusion, we recommended Fe3O4/SiO2/TiO2 as a new MNP for separation of DNA molecules from biological sources.

The correlation of resistance exercise-induced myostatin with insulin resistance and plasma cytokines in healthy young men.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to examine the correlation of resistance exercise (RE)-induced myostatin (MSTN) with insulin resistance and plasma cytokines in healthy young men. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy men were randomly divided into RE (n = 12) and control (n = 12) group. After a session of familiarization, one repetition maximum (1-RM) was calculated. Circuit RE program involved 3 sets of 15 repetitions at 55 % of 1-RM. Blood samples were collected before and 24 h after the exercise. Paired t test, independent t test, and Pearson's correlation were used for analyzing data. RESULTS: A significant decrease in plasma level of MSTN, glucose, insulin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and a significant increase in plasma interleukin-10 (IL-10) were found in RE group 24 h post-exercise versus pre-exercise (p < 0.05). Furthermore, except plasma IL-10, a significant decrease in metabolic variables was found in RE group versus control group (p < 0.05). A significantly positive correlation of plasma MSTN with HOMA-IR and plasma IL-6 and a significantly negative correlation of plasma MSTN with plasma IL-10 were found in RE group versus control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It seems that a circuit RE bout by reducing HOMA-IR and changing plasma cytokines (decreased IL-6 and increased IL-10) can decrease plasma level of MSTN in healthy young men. In other word, the beneficial effect of acute RE may be reflected by changes in MSTN in healthy young individuals.

Simultaneous determination of cysteine, uric acid and tyrosine using Au-nanoparticles/poly(E)-4-(p-tolyldiazenyl)benzene-1,2,3-triol film modified glassy carbon electrode.

A novel Au nanoparticles/poly(E)-4-(p-tolyldiazenyl)benzene-1,2,3-triol (AuNPs/PTAT) film modified glassy carbon electrode (AuNPs/PTAT/GCE) was fabricated for the simultaneous determination of three antioxidants named, cysteine (Cys), uric acid (UA) and tyrosine (Tyr). The bare glassy carbon electrode (GCE) fails to separate the oxidation peak potentials of these molecules, while PTAT film modified electrode can resolve them. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) study indicates that the charge transfer resistance of bare electrode increased as (E)-4-(p-tolyldiazenyl)benzene-1,2,3-triol was electropolymerized at the bare electrode. Furthermore, EIS exhibits enhancement of electron transfer kinetics between analytes and electrode after electrodeposition of Au nanoparticles. Differential pulse voltammetry results show that the electrocatalytic current increases linearly in the ranges of 2-540µmolL(-1) for Cys, 5-820µmolL(-1) for UA and 10-560µmolL(-1) for Tyr with detection limits (S/N=3) of 0.04µmolL(-1), 0.1µmolL(-1) and 2µmolL(-1) for Cys, UA and Tyr, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied for simultaneous determination of Cys, UA and Tyr in human urine samples.

A dose-response meta-analysis of the impact of body mass index on stroke and all-cause mortality in stroke patients: a paradox within a paradox.

The obesity paradox is often attributed to fat acting as a buffer to protect individuals in fragile metabolic states. If this was the case, one would predict that the reverse epidemiology would be apparent across all causes of mortality including that of the particular disease state. We performed a dose-response meta-analysis to assess the impact of body mass index (BMI) on all-cause and stroke-specific mortality among stroke patients. Data from relevant studies were identified by systematically searching PubMed, OVID and Scopus databases and were analysed using a random-effects dose-response model. Eight cohort studies on all-cause mortality (with 20,807 deaths of 95,651 stroke patients) and nine studies of mortality exclusively because of stroke (with 8,087 deaths of 28,6270 patients) were evaluated in the meta-analysis. Non-linear associations of BMI with all-cause mortality (P < 0.0001) and mortality by stroke (P = 0.05) were observed. Among overweight and obese stroke patients, the risk of all-cause mortality increased, while the risk of mortality by stroke declined, with an increase in BMI. Increasing BMI had opposite effects on all-cause mortality and stroke-specific mortality in stroke patients. Further investigations are needed to examine how mortality by stroke is influenced by a more accurate indicator of obesity than BMI.

Effects of aerobic continuous and interval training on rate-pressure product in patients after CABG surgery.

AIM: Rate- pressure product (RPP) is an indirect index of myocardial oxygen consumption of patients with coronary artery disease. Effects of aerobic continuous and interval exercise training on RPP in patients after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery was examined in this study. METHODS: Thirty male patients after CABG surgery were divided into aerobic continuous (AC) training (N.=11), aerobic interval (AI) training (N.=11) and control (C) (N.=8) group. AC training included 30-60 minutes at 70-85% of peak heart rate and AI training lasted 28 to 45 minutes (3 intervals for 9-15 min) at 75-90% of peak heart rate. Exercise training program was performed 3 day/week for 8 weeks. Paired t-test was used for analyzing data. RESULTS: A significant decrease in resting and maximal RPP and RPP at 3th, 6th and 9th minutes of exercise was found in AC and AI training vs. control group (P<0.05). No significant difference was found in RPP at 1th, 2th and 3th minutes of recovery in 2 training groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Both high intensity AC and AI training program are effective on RPP in patients after CABG surgery and enhance efficiency of myocardium and its metabolic demands, but AI training program is more effective.

The growth and survival of plants in urban green roofs in a dry climate.

Green roofs as one of the components of water-sensitive urban design have become widely used in recent years. This paper describes performance monitoring of four prototype-scale experimental green roofs in a northern suburb of Adelaide, South Australia, undertaken over a 1-year period. Four species of indigenous Australian ground cover and grass species comprising Carpobrotus rossii, Lomandra longifolia 'Tanika,' Dianella caerula 'Breeze' and Myoporum parvifolium were planted in extensive and intensive green roof configurations using two different growing media. The first medium consisted of crushed brick, scoria, coir fibre and composted organics while the second comprised scoria, composted pine bark and hydro-cell flakes. Plant growth indices including vertical and horizontal growth rate, leaf succulence, shoot and root biomasses, water use efficiency and irrigation regimes were studied during a 12-month period. The results showed that the succulent species, C. rossii, can best tolerate the hot, dry summer conditions of South Australia, and this species showed a 100% survival rate and had the maximum horizontal growth rate, leaf succulence, shoot biomass and water use efficiency. All of the plants in the intensive green roofs with the crushed brick mix media survived during the term of this study. It was shown that stormwater can be used as a source of irrigation water for green roofs during 8 months of the year in Adelaide. However, supplementary irrigation is required for some of the plants over a full annual cycle.

Impact of green roofs on stormwater quality in a South Australian urban environment.

Green roofs are an increasingly important component of water sensitive urban design systems and can potentially improve the quality of urban runoff. However, there is evidence that they can occasionally act as a source rather than a sink for pollutants. In this study, the water quality of the outflow from both intensive and extensive green roof systems were studied in the city of Adelaide, South Australia over a period of nine months. The aim was to examine the effects of different green roof configurations on stormwater quality and to compare this with runoff from aluminium and asphalt roofs as control surfaces. The contaminant concentrations in runoff from both intensive and extensive green roofs generally decreased during the study period. A comparison between the two types of green roof showed that except for some events for EC, TDS and chloride, the values of the parameters such as pH, turbidity, nitrate, phosphate and potassium in intensive green roof outflows were higher than in the outflows from the extensive green roofs. These concentrations were compared to local, state, national and international water quality guidelines in order to investigate the potential for outflow runoff from green roofs to be reused for potable and non-potable purposes. The study found that green roof outflow can provide an alternative water source for non-potable purposes such as urban landscape irrigation and toilet flushing.

Detection of drug resistance gene in cutaneous leishmaniasis by PCR in some endemic areas of iran.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is still a health problem in many rural and urban regions of Iran and drug resistance has emerged as a major impediment in the treatment of leishmaniasis. This study aims to determine the drug resistance gene in cutaneous leishmaniasis by PCR in some endemic areas of Iran. METHODS: Ninety seven samples were collected from ulcers of leishmaniasis patients from some endemic areas of Iran. The Giemsa stained samples were examined microscopically and cultured in NNN and RPMI 1640 mediums for parasite detection. After DNA extraction, PCR was done by a pair of specific primers. For detection of mutation in DNA, first PCR products were electrophoresed on CSGE gel. The suspected samples were compared by sequencing and RFLP results were demonstrated. Comparison of DNA derived from a wild type cell and mutant cell was undertaken by CSGE and sequencing methods. RESULTS: Among 90 isolates (92.8%) examined for detection of mutation in gene with CSGE and RFLP, 10 (11.1%) revealed a disorder in sequencing selection for unresponsive to drug. CONCLUSION: Drug resistance in cutaneous leishmaniasis to sodium stiboglocanat is probably due to a mutation in a genome. A field study is needed to determine the distribution of drug resistance and other gene mutations involved in unresponsiveness to drugs in leishmaniasis endemic areas of Iran.

Gene Diversity of Trichomonas vaginalis Isolates.

BACKGROUND: Trichomonas vaginalis is protozoan parasite responsible for trichomoniasis and is more common in high-risk behavior group such as prostitute individuals. Interest in trichomoniasis is due to increase one's susceptibility to viruses such as herpes, human papillomavirus and HIV. The aim of this study was to find genotypic differences between the isolates. METHODS: Forty isolates from prisoners' women in Tehran province were used in this study. The random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was used to determine genetic differences among isolates and was correlated with patient's records. By each primer the banding pattern size of each isolates was scored (bp), genetic differences were studied, and the genealogical tree was constructed by using NTSYS software program and UPGMA method. RESULTS: The least number of bands were seen by using primer OPD8 and the most by using OPD3. Results showed no significant difference in isolates from different geographical areas in Iran. By using primer OPD1 specific amplified fragment with length 1300 base pair were found in only 8 isolates. All these isolates were belonged to addicted women; however, six belonged to asymptomatic patients and two to symptomatic ones. CONCLUSION: There was not much genetic diversity in T vaginalis isolates from three different geographical areas.

Study on ITS1 Gene of Iranian Trichomonas vaginalis by Molecular Methods.

BACKGROUND: Trichomoniasis is a worldwide protozoan parasitic disease and metronidazole is a choice drug for its treatment. Because of disease importance in public health and its controversial ideas about the prevalence of drug resistance, this study was carried out. METHODS: Fifty-two suspected vaginal samples were collected from 2006 to 2007 in Gynecology Maryam Hospital, Tehran, Iran. All isolates were examined by microscopic, culture and PCR techniques. The PCR products were analyzed by RFLP and CSGE methods and two suspected samples were sequenced. RESULTS: Trichomonas vaginalis was identified from all 52 samples. Of 52 isolates, 45 samples were successfully cultured and amplified by PCR except one. Seven were positive only by PCR. Finally, ITS1 fragment was successfully amplified in 51 of 52. CSGE analysis and PCR products digestion by MspI followed by sequencing showed nucleotide mutation at position 209 (C209T) of the ITS1 fragment in two (3.9%) of them. CONCLUSION: The results showed mutation in ITS1 fragment of T. vaginalis in two (3.9%) of Iranian isolates which may be related to metronidazole resistance.

Molecular diagnosis of trichomoniasis in negative samples examined by direct smear and culture.

BACKGROUND: Trichomoniasis is an extremely common sexually transmitted infection (STI) worldwide and is associated with important public health problems, including amplification of HIV transmission. This disease is in forms of symptomatic and asymptomatic in women and may depend on host as well as parasite variables. Most of the studies reported from females are based on examination of vaginal secretions and urine samples by direct smear and culture in modified Diamond's media. The aim of this study was checking the samples, which were negative by direct smear and culture, with PCR technique. METHODS: The urine samples and vaginal discharge of patients attending Gynecology Clinics of Mazandaran Province, Iran with different symptoms rechecked for Trichomonas vaginalis by PCR technique using primers targeting a conserved region of the beta-tubulin genes of the parasite. Data were analyzed by Epi Info software program RESULTS: Out of 161 negative samples by direct smear and culture, seven samples (4.3%) were positive by PCR technique. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of trichomoniasis by PCR is a sensitive and specific method that could play important role to help the physicians for properly treatment and control of infection.

Effect of lidocaine gel on pain from copper IUD insertion: a randomized double-blind controlled trial.

CONTEXT: Insertion pain or fear of it may make women hesitate to use the intrauterine device (IUD); a long-term, reversible, highly-effective contraception method. Further study has been recommended on the effects of lidocaine (xylocaine) gel on IUD insertion pain in the recent Cochran review. AIMS: To determine the effect of lidocaine gel on pain from TCu-380AIUD insertion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: At a health center in Tabriz, Iran, 96 women were allocated into 3 groups using block randomization with 6 and 9 block sizes considering allocation concealment. In 1 st group, lidocaine 2% gel and in the 2 nd , lubricant gel was placed in the cervical canal 1 minute before an IUD insertion, and the 3 rd group got no intervention. Immediately after IUD insertion, pain during the insertion was measured using 0-10 cm visual analogue scale. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Kruskal-Wallis and linear regression in SPSS-13 were used to identify effect of lidocaine gel on the pain. RESULTS: Overall, the mean pain score was 3.5 ± 1.8. In univariate analysis, there was no significant difference in pain scores between the 3 groups. Also, results of linear regression model by controlling effect of the possible confounding showed no significant effect of lidocaine gel on the insertion pain. The mean pain score in the lidocaine group was 0.39 less than the no intervention group, but it was not significant (CI 95% of the difference: -1.3, 0.57). CONCLUSIONS: Use of 2% lidocaine gel into the cervical canal has no effect on reducing overall pain during IUD insertion.

Liver stiffness measurement as a predictive tool of clinically significant portal hypertension in patients with compensated hepatitis C virus or alcohol-related cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is the gold standard for assessing the presence and the severity of portal hypertension (PHT). Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) is a non-invasive method for liver fibrosis assessment. AIMS: To assess the relationship between LSM and HVPG in patients with compensated cirrhosis related to hepatitis C virus (HCV) or alcohol and to define the performance and the best cut-off of LSM for the diagnosis of PHT in these patients. METHODS: Between January 2004 and September 2006, we studied all the consecutive patients with compensated HCV or alcohol-related-cirrhosis referred for transjugular liver biopsy with HVPG measurement and LSM performed the same day. RESULTS: Ninety-two patients were eligible, 44 had HCV related-cirrhosis and 48 alcoholic cirrhosis. LSM was positively correlated to HVPG in both groups. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the diagnosis of significant PHT was 0.76 +/- 0.07 in HCV patients (best cut-off at 20.5 kPa) and 0.94 +/- 0.03 (best cut-off at 34.9 kPa) in alcoholic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Liver stiffness measurement and HVPG were significantly correlated in patients with compensated cirrhosis because of HCV infection or alcohol. LSM could predict significant PHT in both these groups of patients with a higher cut-off and a better performance in alcoholic patients.

Severe cognitive dysfunction in a patient with polyendocrinopathy.

BACKGROUND: Polyglandular Autoimmune syndromes (PGAs) or polyendocrinopathies are immune mediated multiple endocrine gland failure sometimes accompanied by nonendocrine autoimmune disorders with varieties of presentations. CASE REPORT: We describe a case of a middle aged man with severe cognitive dysfunction, brain atrophy, adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, renal failure, thrombocytopenia, and positive antiphospholipid antibodies, with significant renal and cognitive improvement after hormone replacement. CONCLUSIONS: PGAs may present with a broad spectrum of manifestations related to different organs like nervous,renal,cardiac and hematopoietic systems, sometimes challenging both to physician and the patient.

An open-label pilot study of the combination therapy of metformin and fluoxetine for weight reduction.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a very important risk factor for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, osteoarthritis, fatty liver, metabolic syndrome and respiratory problems. Many weight-reducing drugs cannot be used in obese patients because of numerous complications. Fluoxetine, an antidepressant, and metformin, an antidiabetic drug, reduce weight as their side effect, but the potency of each drug is not always enough. Here, we studied the effects of combination therapy of them for weight reduction in obese women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was designed as an open, prospective, controlled clinical trial. Obese and overweight patients referred to obesity clinics were first put under a diet and behavior therapy education program before being invited to this study. The patients who accepted drug therapy were put in the case group. Those who did not accept drug therapy were put in the control group. Fluoxetine, 20 mg daily, and metformin, 500 mg three times daily, were prescribed to the participants. Weight and body mass index (BMI) changes within case and control groups were analyzed by paired t-tests and between groups by t-testing. Side effects were evaluated by interview and questionnaire. SUBJECTS: Two hundred and three patients were referred to obesity clinics. Of these, 177 were female with 91 being volunteers for this study. Of this 91, 66 were in the case group and 25 in the control group. RESULTS: In a 6.68-month period, a 7.89 kg decrease in weight (9.32%) and a 3.43 U decrease in BMI (10.14%) were observed in participants of the case group that was statistically significant (P<0.0001). The participants of the control group were followed for a mean period of 8.12 months. In this period, the participants of the control group showed a 0.48 kg decrease in weight (0.52%) and a 0.11 U decrease in BMI (0.42%). This was not significant. No serious side effects of the drugs were observed in the case group. CONCLUSION: This open-label pilot study of combination therapy of metformin and fluoxetine gave encouraging weight reduction, and these results suggest the need for a randomized double-blind clinical trial comparing the two components and the combination to placebo.