Determination of lead, mercury and cadmium concentrations in different organs of Barbus grypus and Liza abu of Karoon River in 2011

Accumulation of heavy metals in fish body causes the destruction of soft tissues and suppression of immune system. Moreover, consumption of contaminated fish causes several consequences in humans. This survey was conducted to determine the concentration of lead, mercury and cadmium in muscle tissue, gill as well as liver of Barbus grypus and Liza abu. These two species are native fishes of Karoon River in Ahvaz area. A total number of 80 sample was obtained during the winter of 2010. After preparation and chemical digestion of fish samples, the amounts of heavy metals were determined by spectrophotometer method. According to the results, the overall lead concentration in different organs of the two species was more than mercury and cadmium concentrations. Furthermore, the accumulation of heavy elements in gills was estimated higher than the other organs. Although a significant difference (

Frequency of Toxocara Egg in Public Parks Shiraz/Iran

Abstract: Background & Aims: Toxocariasis or visceral larva migrans syndrome is a disease that appears by attack of extra intestinal animal nematode larvae of Toxocara canis to the human tissues. The present study was performed to evaluate the frequency of Toxocara eggs in public parks of Shiraz /Iran. Methods: A total of 20 parks from different regions of shiraz city were selected, and from different parts of each park (children's play area, living area and four sides of the park) 10 surface soil samples were collected. In the laboratory, after washing and filtration with flotation method, microscopic study was done for parasitic elements. Results: From total of 20 parks, 3 ones (15%) were infected with Toxocara eggs. Microscopic identification of eggs in each field ranged from 1 to 8 eggs. Furthermore, 2 polluted parks were in the south and one was in the North East of the city. Conclusion: Since the soils of some public parks are infected with Toxocara eggs, to reduce the risk of human contamination, preventative programs and more studies are recommended. Keywords: Toxocara, zoonoses, Public park

Identification of the Prevalence of Resistance to Clarithromycin in Helicobacter Pylori Isolated from Gastric Biopsy via PCR Method

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Helicobacter pylori infection is the most common worldwide human infection, affecting approximately half of the world’s population. One of the most important causes of failure in the treatment of helicobacter pylori infection is its resistance to antibiotics. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antibiotic resistance of helicobacter pylori, isolated from patients, referring to Shahid Beheshti Hospital of Shiraz, Iran. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, biopsy samples were obtained from 80 patients, referring to the endoscopy department of Shahid Beheshti Hospital of Shiraz. Biopsy samples were transferred to the laboratory in thioglycollate broth. After conducting biochemical tests for final confirmation, PCR tests were performed. In order to perform an antibiotic resistance test, Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) method was applied. FINDINGS: Out of 80 cases, 59 samples (73.75%) were infected with helicobacter pylori. Among these cases, 36 samples (61%) were resistant to metronidazole, 19 samples (32.2%) were resistant to amoxicillin, and 14 samples (23.72%) were resistant to tetracycline. As the results indicated, resistance to clarithromycin was the lowest, reported in two cases (3.35%). CONCLUSION: Considering the high resistance of samples to metronidazole, it is necessary to replace this antibiotic with clarithromycin or other antibiotics in therapeutic regimens

The Study of Milk Containing Lactobacillus Acidophilus on Histological and Serum Markers of Liver Tissue Injury in Streptozotoc-3

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Diabetes is known as one the leading causes of hepatic disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the liver damage in diabetes mellitus and the protective effect of milk containing Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) in rats with diabetes induced by streptozotocin. METHODS: In this experimental study, 60 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups including: control diabetic, normal treated with 10 and 20% milk containing LA, and diabetic rats treated with 10 and 20 percent of milk containing LA. After 60 days fasting, blood samples were obtained directly from cardiac puncture and serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, and albumin were tested. Histopathology of liver sections stained with H & E histological sectioning was prepared according to conventional methods. FINDINGS: In diabetic rats, increase in serum liver enzymes, showed significant damage compared to the control group (p ≤ 0/05). While in the diabetic group treated with milk containing LA, these indicators when compared to diabetic group was significantly lower (p≤0.05). The lowest level of ALT, AST and ALT in diabetic rats treated with 20% milk containing LA was 78±6.5, 205±3.4 and 168±1.9, respectively. Histopathologic findings were in agreement with the results of serum biochemical markers confirmed the repair of hepatic damage in the diabetic rats after intervention. CONCLUSION: This study showed that milk containing LA has a protective effect on the liver of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes