Coenzyme Q10 improves the survival and reduces inflammatory markers in septic patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) administration to patients in the early phase of sepsis to determine its effect on the markers of inflammation and the clinical outcomes of septic patients. BACKGROUND: Previous studies showed that CoQ10 levels were decreased in septic patients and worsening of mitochondrial dysfunction was observed. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial septic patients (n=40) received 100 mg CoQ10 twice a day for seven days added to standard treatment of sepsis. As a primary endpoint levels of Interleukin 6 (IL-6), Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), Glutathione peroxidase and malondialdehyde (MDA) were assessed at baseline, third and 7th day after the intervention. Secondary endpoints included assessment of clinical scores and     in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: There was no difference in baseline inflammatory and oxidative injury markers between the groups. TNF-α and MDA levels decreased significantly in the CoQ10 group on the 7th day of the study (P:0.003 for both). There was a significant difference in the in-hospital mortality in the CoQ10 group compared to the control group (P:0.01). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that CoQ10 has a positive effect on clinical parameters as well as mitochondrial dysfunction when administered in the early phase of sepsis (Tab. 2, Fig. 1, Ref. 38).

A Molecular Study on Hepatozoon canis Infection in Dogs in Tehran (Iran).

Hepatozoonosis is a protozoal disease caused by various species of Hepatozoon. This parasite is transmitted from tick; the main vector of Hepatozoon canis is usually the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus). However, several species of ticks are disposed as the alternative vectors. Dogs are usually infected by eating the tick or a part of the tick organ infected by the mature oocysts containing infectious sporozoite. In the current study, a total of 145 blood samples were collected from the cephalic vein of pet, stray, and shelter dogs in Tehran. To conduct this study, first thin blood smears were prepared from all the samples and stained with the Giemsa method. Then, after extraction of DNA from the blood samples, in order to trace Hepatozoon canis, the 18S rRNA gene segment of the parasite was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). To confirm the PCR-positive results, five randomly selected PCR-positive samples were sequenced. According to the results, through direct observation of microscopic slides, no infection of H. canis parasite was observed, but according to the PCR results, 32 out of the 145 blood samples were found to be infected by H. canis. In this study, infection to H. canis in older dogs was higher than in young dogs, and more male dogs were found to be infected by the parasite compared to female dogs; but no significant difference was observed in this regard (P > 0.05). Moreover, stray dogs showed a significantly higher rate of infection, compared to the pet and shelter ones (P < 0.05).

Antimicrobial resistance pattern of gram-negative bacteria of nosocomial origin at a teaching hospital in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance is a global problem in the community and in hospitals. Antibiotic resistance of Gram-negative bacteria from nosocomial infections were evaluated during a 6-month period at Shariati teaching hospital, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. Susceptibility tests were performed on 570 Gram-negative isolates obtained from clinical samples of patients infected after at least 72 hours stay in the hospital. Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated Gram-negative organism (42.6%). The highest rate of resistance in Gram-negative isolates was seen in the intensive care unit, with Acinetobacter spp. as the most resistant organisms. Gentamicin was the most effective antibiotic against E. coli and all other isolates, while ciprofloxacin was also effective against a wide range of other species. Antibiotic resistant Gram-negative nosocomial infection is prevalent in this teaching hospital in Tehran.

Antimicrobial resistance pattern of Gram-negative bacteria of nosocomial origin at a teaching hospital in the Islamic Republic of Iran

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance is a global problem in the community and in hospitals. Antibiotic resistance of Gram-negative bacteria from nosocomial infections were evaluated during a 6-month period at Shariati teaching hospital, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. Susceptibility tests were performed on 570 Gram-negative isolates obtained from clinical samples of patients infected after at least 72 hours stay in the hospital. Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated Gram-negative organism [42.6%]. The highest rate of resistance in Gram-negative isolates was seen in the intensive care unit, with Acinetobacter spp. as the most resistant organisms. Gentamicin was the most effective antibiotic against E. coli and all other isolates, while ciprofloxacin was also effective against a wide range of other species. Antibiotic resistant Gram-negative nosocomial infection is prevalent in this teaching hospital in Tehran

Optimization of lead (II) biosorption in an aqueous solution using chemically modified aerobic digested sludge.

Biosorption of Pb(II) by using digested sludge obtained from a municipal wastewater treatment plant in Tehran was examined. The aims of this investigation were biosorption of Pb(II) ions onto chemically treated digested sludge with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) solution and determination of kinetic and isotherm of biosorption. Biosorption capacity of two types of sludge (treated and untreated) for biosorption of Pb(II) ions was investigated as function of initial Pb(II) concentration and pH using batch biosorption systems. The equilibrium biosorption capacity increased with increasing of initial metal ion concentrations and pH for both of digested sludge. The pseudo-second order kinetic model was found to be slightly suitable than the pseudo-first order kinetic model to correlate the experimental data for two types of digested sludge (R²>0.9). Regarding the applicability of the isotherm models, the freundlich model was found to be suitable than the other isotherm models. According to obtained q(max) from Langmuir isotherm, biosorption of Pb(II) by H2O2 treated digested sludge was found to perform better than untreated digested sludge. The maximum biosorption capacity was given 185.19 and 144.93 mgg⁻¹ for H2O2 treated and untreated digested sludge, respectively. Also, the constant of energy (B) between the Pb(II) ions and the adsorbent surface, calculated using BET isotherm model, obtained 5401 and 3401 for H2O2 treated and untreated digested sludge, respectively. These results indicate the usefulness of H2O2 treated digested sludge as a biosorbent for Pb(II) biosorption.

Documenting and comparing plant species diversity by using numerical and parametric methods in Khaje Kalat, NE Iran.

The aim was to examine and document several aspects of numerical diversity such as species richness, species diversity and evenness and to compare diversity in different slope aspects of the area by using numerical and parametric methods. About 193 quadrats of 4 m2 were located according to the nature of vegetation. Species composition and their abundance were recorded in a two-year period (2005 to 2006). The result of field investigation was collecting and identifying of the total 225 plant species belonging to 154 genera and 37 families. The abundance data were subjected to analyses by specific diversity packages to characterize and obtain numerical indices (Shannon, Simpson, Brillouin, McIntosh, etc.,) and parametric families of species diversity. Numerical indices were calculated and documented for monitoring purposes. The results of diversity in main slope aspects (N, S, E, W) showed higher species richness and species diversity indices in the north aspect than in the others but it was not true with evenness indices. About 30 species such as Acanthophyllum glandulosum, Acroptilon repens, Alcea tiliacea, Bromus sericeous, Astragalus turbinatus, Centaurea balsamita etc., were detected exclusively in the north aspect. This can be important in reducing the evenness. Diversity comparing by using rank-abundance plot as well as diversity ordering of Hill, Renyi and Patil and Taillie confirmed high species diversity in the north yet the result of ANOVA showed no significant differences in the four aspects. The result of diversity based on the models revealed that the whole area, the south and the west aspects follow lognormal distribution, north aspect follows logarithmic whereas the east follows both lognormal and logarithmic distribution. In other word, a shift from being lognormal to logarithmic model was observed in the east aspect.