Effect of temperature and propylene glycol as a cosolvent on dissolution of clotrimazole.

Herein, the solubility study of clotrimazole was performed in a propylene glycol+water system. The solubility values were fitted to various cosolvency equations. The model accuracies were studied with the computation of the mean relative deviations. The thermodynamic behavior was investigated according to the van't Hoff and Gibbs equations for clotrimazole in the propylene glycol+water system. Furthermore, the density data for clotrimazole were determined in mixtures of propylene glycol+water and fitted to the Jouyban-Acree equation.

Clonal relatedness and antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonella serovars isolated from humans and domestic animals in Iran: a one health perspective.

Background: Salmonellosis is one of the most important zoonotic diseases in humans and animals worldwide. Aims: The main objective of this study was to report serovars, clonal relatedness, and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella strains isolated from human, different animal hosts including pigeons, broilers, cattle, camel, parrots, and hamsters in different regions of Iran. Methods: Twenty-four Salmonella isolates were confirmed at the genus level by biochemical tests and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by showing the presence of invA gene. Serovars were determined and their clonal relatedness was assessed by RAPD-PCR and antibiotic resistance profiles. Results: Overall, Salmonella Typhimurium was the most prevalent serovar (45.8%, 11/24), which was recovered from humans, pigeons, and camels. Salmonella Enteritidis (29.2%, 7/24) was the second common serovar that was recovered from cattle, broilers, humans, and hamsters. Salmonella Infantis (12.5%, 3/24) belonged only to broiler sources, and Salmonella Seftenberg (12.5%, 3/24) was isolated from eggs and a parrot. The major RAPD pattern was VI (33.3%) in which the two S. Typhimurium isolates (belonged to humans and pigeons) exhibited similarity in both RAPD pattern and resistance profile. Antimicrobial susceptibility test showed full resistance to tylosin and erythromycin (100%, 24/24). All isolates (100%, 24/24) were susceptible to ceftriaxone, cefixime, and gentamicin. In total, 75% of the isolates were multi-drug resistant (MDR) and revealed 15 different antimicrobial resistance profiles (R-type). Conclusion: This study supports the potential transmission of Salmonella serovars via animal contacts. Thus, it is necessary to establish a national systematic monitoring program with one health approach for controlling Salmonella infections.

Andrographolide, a novel inducer of apelin gene expression.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Andrographis paniculata (A. paniculata) has been used as a traditional medicine in Asia and Scandinavia for centuries to remedy several illnesses. It has since been shown to possess antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-neoplasm, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic, and energetic effects. AIMS OF THE STUDY: This study sought to investigate the effect of Andrographolide on apelin gene expression and serum levels of glucose. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 18 male rats were used. They were divided into three groups of six, including i) negative control group, ii) 3.5 mg/kg Andrographolide group, and iii) 7 mg/kg Andrographolide group. Apelin gene expression was investigated by real-time PCR method. Serum levels of glucose were measured by the photometric method. RESULTS: The results of this study revealed that 3.5 and 7 mg doses per kg of body weight of andrographolide, for six days, significantly increased hepatic expression of apelin gene in male Wistar rats, as compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Serum levels of glucose at doses of 3.5 and 7 mg/kg of andrographolide, and in the control group, were 71.5 ± 8.96, 51.5 ± 2.64, and 93.87 ± 14.27 mg/dl, respectively. Andrographolide induced a decrease in serum levels of HDL-c and an increase in LDL-c/HDL-c ratio. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that Andrographolide can elicit an increase of hepatic apelin gene expression and a decrease in serum levels of blood glucose.

Effect of Giardia infection on nutritional status in primary schoolchildren, in northwest Iran.

In order to determine the association between Giardia infection and nutritional status, a cross-sectional study was performed on twenty randomly selected primary schools from two regions of Ardabil province in 2005. Anthropometric factors including height, weight and midarm muscle circumference (MAC) were measured for 813 children (413 males, 400 females). The food intake was estimated for energy and other nutrients by 24 h recall method for three days in week. Determination of Giardia infection was done by using direct wet mount and formalin-ether sedimentation concentration. 10.9% of boys and 17.2% of girls were infected with Giardia infection. Weight and MAC in none infected girls and boys (only 7 and 11 years old) were higher than in infected groups. The average values for weight, height and MAC for both genders were lower than those of NCHS values. Vitamin E and phosphorous intake in non infected boys (in 7-10 years old) were less than infected boys. Calorie, protein, vitamins (B3, B5, B6, E and folacin) and minerals (copper, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium and selenium) intake of infected girls were less than non infected girls in 11-12 years old category. Based on the results found in this study, we conclude that Giardia infection may affect on some of anthropometric factors as well as the calorie and other nutrients intake in some of age groups.

Epidemiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Isfahan, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Few studies are carried out on the epidemiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in Middle East with no reports from Iran. OBJECTIVE: To determine the epidemiological and clinical features of ALS amongst the Iranian population living in Isfahan, Iran. METHODS: Medical records of all hospitals with a neurology department and outpatient neurology clinics in Isfahan province from 2002 to 2006 were reviewed, and all patients with the diagnosis of ALS according to El Escorial diagnostic criteria were extracted and related demographic and clinical data were gathered and analyzed. RESULTS: We found 98 new patients (66 men and 32 women) with definite, probable, or possible ALS. The average annual incidence was 0.42/100,000, with the highest incidence rate amongst those aged 70-74. On 21 March 2006, the crude prevalence was 1.57/100,000. Median survival from onset was 48 months (95% confidence interval 34-61) and survival rates for 1, 3,and 5 years after the onset were 94%, 66%, and 32%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence and prevalence of ALS in the Iranian population seems to be lower compared to other populations and the survival of patients was longer than previously reported.

Radioprotective effects of hesperidin against gamma irradiation in mouse bone marrow cells.

The radioprotective effects of hesperidin (HES), a flavonone glucoside, were investigated by using the micronucleus test for anticlastogenic and cell proliferation activity. A single intraperitoneal (ip) administration of hesperidin at doses of 10 mg kg(-1), 20 mg kg(-1), 40 mg kg(-1), 80 mg kg(-1) and 160 mg kg(-1) 45 min prior to gamma irradiation (2 Gy) reduced the frequencies of micronuleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MnPCEs). All five doses of HES significantly reduced the frequencies of MnPCEs and increased PCE/PCE+NCE ratio in mice bone marrow compared with non-drug-treated irradiated control (p<0.0001). There was a drug dose-response effect of HES in reducing MnPCE and increasing the PCE/PCE+NCE ratio in bone marrow cells. The maximum reduction in MnPCE was observed in mice treated with HES at a dose of 80 mg kg(-1). The total MnPCE values were 2.85 fold less in the 80 mg kg(-1) HES group after being exposed to 2 Gy of gamma-rays than those in the respective irradiated control. Our study demonstrates that hesperidin has powerful protective effects on the radiation-induced DNA damage and on the decline in cell proliferation in mouse bone marrow.