Phospholipase A2 activity of the Persian Gulf upside-down jellyfish venom (Cassiopea andromeda)

Background: The venomous jellyfish Cassiopea andromeda can produce envenomation and different toxicological and biological effects by their nematocysts. The phospholipase A2 enzymes (PLA2) are toxic and induce various pharmacological effects including neurotoxicity, myotoxicity, and anticoagulant activities. The main aim of the current project was to screen the in vitro PLA2 activity of the C. andromeda crude venom. To better understand the experimental result; a molecular docking study was also performed. Materials and methods: The live specimens were collected from Nayband lagoon, by a trawl net, and separation of their tentacles was done according to Bloom 's et al., method. The PLA2 activity of crude venom was performed according to the acidimetric method of Tan and Tan. The lyophilized venom was subjected to Gas Chromatography/ Mass Spectroscopy, and the obtained structures were used for docking study against PLA2. The indoxam was considered as standard control. Results: The PLA2 activity of the jellyfish crude venom was 413 ±0.08 µmol/min/mg. Analysis of the crude venom detected seven compounds (i-vii) using GC-MS. Docking data was also confirmed the experimental results. According to the docking results, the highest affinity [-6.7 (kcal/mol)] was observed in the compound “Pregn-5-ene-3,11-dione, 17,20:20,21 bis [methylenebis(oxy)]-, cyclic 3-(1,2-ethane diyl acetal”. Conclusions: A high PLA2 level was found in the venom of C. andromeda. There was a good correlation between in vitro and in silico studies

The normoglycemic first-degree relatives of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus have low circulating omentin-1 and adiponectin levels

Objective: It has been suggested that adipose-derived cytokines act as insulin sensitizers/insulin-mimetics and some others may induce insulin resistance. In order to elucidate the potential role of novel adipocytokines in the pre-diabetes states, circulating levels of novel adipocytokines were evaluated in first-degree relatives of subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (FDRs). Method: Serum omentin-1, adiponectin and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) levels were measured in 179 subjects (90 glucose tolerant FDRs and 89 age- and sex-matched healthy controls) using enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding serum RBP4 concentrations. However, serum omentin-1 (median [interquartile range], 6.18 [4.06–11.52] ng/ml versus 10.50 [4.30– 20.60] ng/ml, p = 0.004) and adiponectin (mean ± SD, 10.07 ± 4.0 lg/ml versus 20.66 ± 8.12 lg/ml, p < 0.0001) levels were significantly lower in FDRs when compared with the controls. In multiple logistic regression analysis, FDRs showed a significant association with lower circulating omentin-1 and adiponectin levels, even after adjustments were made for age, sex, body mass index, blood pressure measures, and biochemical parameters including glucose status, lipid profile, insulin levels and HOMA-IR (OR = 0.49, CI [0.30–0.79]; p = 0.004 and OR = 0.74, CI [0.67–0.82]; p < 0.0001, respectively). However, FDRs did not show a significant association with serum RBP4 levels in different models of regression analyses. Conclusions: The FDRs showed significant associations with lower omentin-1 and adiponectin levels. A potential role for these adipokines in the FDRs’ increased risk of diabetes needs to be further elucidated

Reduced serum osteocalcin concentrations are associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus and the metabolic syndrome components in postmenopausal women: the crosstalk between bone and energy metabolism

Although it has been shown that osteocalcin functions as a hormone in the regulation of glucose metabolism and fat mass, no population-based study to date has addressed serum osteocalcin levels in relation to energy metabolism concurrent with bone metabolism in postmenopausal women. In a population-based study, cardiovascular risk factors, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), osteoprotegerin, receptor activator of nuclear factor-jB ligand, osteocalcin, CrossLaps, alkaline phosphatase, and bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine (L2–L4) and the proximal femur were measured in 382 Iranian postmenopausal women. In multiple logistic regression analysis, lower osteocalcin and CrossLaps levels were associated with a higher odds ratio (OR) of having type 2 diabetes mellitus when adjustments were made for age, hs-CRP, cardiovascular risk factors, BMD, and markers of bone metabolism [OR 5.17, CI (2.66–10.04), p\0.0001 and OR 2.51, CI (1.37–4.61), p = 0.003, respectively]. However, lower alkaline phosphatase levels were associated with a lower OR of having type 2 diabetes mellitus [OR 0.28, CI (0.15–0.52), p\0.0001] in regression analysis. No significant difference was found between serum osteocalcin levels of those with and without metabolic syndrome. Among the metabolic syndrome components, low osteocalcin levels had significant associations with elevated blood glucose [OR 1.89, CI (1.16–3.07), p = 0.010] and elevated waist circumference [OR 2.53, CI (1.13–5.67), p = 0.024] in multivariate analyses. In conclusion, serum osteocalcin was independently associated with glucose intolerance and abdominal obesity as the components of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus in postmenopausal women. Since CrossLaps and alkaline phosphatase levels were independently associated with the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, the unique contribution of osteocalcin in glucose metabolism could not be concluded

Sensing of Alzheimer’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis Using Nano-Bio Interfaces

It is well understood that patients with different diseases may have a variety of specific proteins (e.g., type, amount, and configuration) in their plasmas. When nanoparticles (NPs) are exposed to these plasmas, the resulting coronas may incorporate some of the disease-specific proteins. Using gold (Au) NPs with different surface properties and corona composition, we have developed a technology for the discrimination and detection of two neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Applying a variety of techniques, including UV-visible spectra, colorimetric response analyses and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, we found the corona-NP complexes, obtained from different human serums, had distinct protein composition, including some specific proteins that are known as AD and MS biomarkers. The colorimetric responses, analyzed by chemometrics and statistical methods, demonstrate promising capabilities of the technology to unambiguously identify and discriminate AD and MS. The developed colorimetric technology might enable a simple, inexpensive and rapid detection/discrimination of neurodegenerative diseases. KEYWORDS: Alzheimer’s disease; colorimetric technology; disease-specific protein corona; gold nanoparticles; multiple sclerosi

Correlation of Circulating Omentin-1 with Bone Mineral Density in Multiple Sclerosis: The Crosstalk between Bone and Adipose Tissue

BACKGROUND: Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are at increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Adipose tissue-derived adipokines may play important roles in the osteoimmunology of MS. In order to determine whether omentin-1 and vaspin may be related to bone health in MS patients, we compared circulating levels of these recently identified adipokines, between MS patients and healthy controls. METHODS: A total of 35 ambulatory MS patients with relapsing-remitting courses were compared with 38 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Bone mineral density (BMD) was determined for the lumbar spine (L2-L4) and the proximal femur using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Circulating omentin-1, vaspin, osteocalcin, osteopontin, osteoprotegerin, the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand, matrix metalloproteinase 9, C-reactive protein and 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels were evaluated by highly specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding bone-related cytokines, adipocytokines, and the BMD measurements of patients with MS and the healthy controls. However, in multiple regression analysis, serum omentin-1 levels were positively correlated with BMD at the femoral neck (β = 0.49, p = 0.016), total hip (β = 0.42, p = 0.035), osteopontin (β = 0.42, p = 0.030) and osteocalcin (β = 0.53, p = 0.004) in MS patients. No correlations were found between vaspin, biochemical, and BMD measures in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated omentin-1 serum levels are correlated with BMD at the femoral neck and the serum levels of osteocalcin and osteopontin in MS patients. Therefore, there is crosstalk between adipose tissue and bone in MS

The Relationship between Leadership Style and Job Satisfaction: a study on health care networks staff in Kerman University of Medical Sciences in 2011

Background: Selection of an appropriate leadership style coordinated with external motivation can improve job performance, job promotion and job satisfaction and consequently lead to achieving both individual and organizational goals. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between leadership style and job satisfaction of staff working in Health Care Networks in Kerman University of Medical Sciences in 2011. Methods: The study population of this cross-sectional study was 874 managers and staff of Kerman health care networks. The sample included 21 mangers and 853 staff. Data gathering tools were job satisfaction and leadership style standard questionnaires. Data analysis was performed through SPSS16 and using Chi-square and ANOVA tests. Results: According to the obtained results, most managers used the combined relation and task-oriented leadership style and job satisfaction of the majority of staff was moderate. Mean job satisfaction score was higher in people-oriented leadership style compared to integrated and task-oriented styles. There was a significant relationship between leadership style and job satisfaction. Conclusion: According to the results, there is a meaningful relationship between job satisfaction and leadership style in Kerman University of Medical Sciences and people-oriented leadership style leads to higher job satisfaction. Keywords: Management style, Job satisfaction, Health Care Networks, Kerman, Ir

Impacts of Persian Gulf blackfin stonefish crude venom on the haematological factors and serum enzymes levels of laboratory rat

Background: One of the venomous fishes of Persian Gulf is a type of stonefish called blackfin stonefish (Pseudosynanceia melanostigma) that is very poorly-known. This fish lives on the muddy bottoms of marine shallow waters and have venomous spines on its stone like body. The envenomation usually is happened by unwanted contact of human body to its body and the proteinic venom is injected into the skin. Upon the venom entrance to the body various symptoms and signs will occur that their intensity depends on the venom amount.The aim of study is the understanding of some pharmacological impacts of blackfin stonefish for future studies. Material and Methods: A total of 18 male laboratory rats were divided into three groups of control, second and third and envenomed by sub lethal doses (1/3 LD50 and &frac12; LD50) intravenously and the serum enzymes namely Creatine Phosphokinase, Lactate Dehydrogenase, Glutamate-Oxaloacetate Transaminase, Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase , Alkaline Phosphatase and Amylase, serum electrolytes namely Sodium. Potassium and Calcium and also complete blood cells of control and experimental rats were measured. Results: The serum enzymes levels, potassium and calcium levels and withe blood cells count in envenomed rats by blackfin stonefish crude venom in compare with control rats had significant increase while the haemoglobin level, red blood cells count and also serum sodium level had significant decrease (p<0.001). Conclusion: The increase in hepatomascular enzyme levels, and the decrease in haemoglobin level can be a probable marker of the presence of rhabdomyolysis, haemolysis and also hepatotoxicity activities in the blackfin stonefish venom and that needs to the histopathologic studies in these systems

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of a neurosteroidal alkaloid from the upside-down jellyfish Cassiopea andromeda venom

Natural compounds from marine organisms have been rarely studied for their acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities. The aim of this study was to isolate novel compounds with antiAChE activity from the venom of upside-down jellyfish Cassiopea andromeda Forskål, 1775. The compounds of the fractionated venom on gel filtration chromatography were identified by analyzing gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy data. The structure of the isolated compound that showed the most potent antiAChE activity in a docking study was elucidated by different spectral data, including 1H NMR and 13C NMR. Three compounds, including a neurosteroidal alkaloid androtoxin B, were identified from two venom fractions. This neurosteroidal alkaloid showed strong acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity (IC50 2.24 ± 0.1 μM) compared with the reference standard, galantamine. The results obtained by a docking study demonstrated that Androtoxin B had close contact with two of the three amino acid residues of the catalytic triad of acetylcholinesterase gorge and was accommodated within a peripheral hydrophobic pocket composed of numerous aromatic site chains. In conclusion, the isolated neurosteroidal alkaloid from Cassiopea andromeda was a potent antiAChE agent with strong binding to both the catalytic and peripheral sites of acetylcholinesterase that correlated well with the experimental data. Further studies are required to determine whether androtoxin B could be a potential treatment for Alzheimer's diseas

Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis; A Seroepidemiological Survey in Jiroft District, Southern Kerman Province, Southeastern Iran in 2015

Background: Domestic dogs have been implicated as the main reservoir host of Mediterranean type of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) that is endemic in some parts of Iran. This study was performed about role of dogs in canine VL (CVL) epidemiology in Jiroft District, south of Kerman Province, southeastern Iran. Methods: Totally, 165 dogs including 100 stray and 65 sheepdogs were randomly selected. After complete clinical examination blood sample was taken from each dog. All the collected samples were examined following the serum separation by direct agglutination test (DAT) for detection of anti-Leishmania infantum antibodies. The titers of ≥1:320 were defined as positive. Results: Overall, of 165 serum samples, 13 samples (7.9%) were positive by DAT at titers of ≥1:320. The seroprevalence was 11% among the stray dogs and 3% among the sheepdogs. There was no significant difference between stray and sheepdogs in CVL infection. The highest seroprevalence rate (14.3%) was found in seven-year old dogs. Conclusion: The present finding indicates the role of stray and sheepdogs in CVL epidemiology in this area. Further investigations are needed to evaluate the status of VL infection in human subjects in this area