Seroprevalence of strongyloides stercoralis among cancer patients in an endemic region in Iran

Introduction: Strongyloides stercoralis a globally widespread human intestinal nematode. Hyperinfection mainly appears in patients with defective immune systems . This study intended to investigate the prevalence of serum positive Strongyloides stercoralis in cancer patients who have never undergone chemotherapy and those who received at least one cycle of chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: This study targeted cancer patients, referred to Rasht hospital, and assigned them to two groups of cancer patients with no history of chemotherapy and cancer patients with at least one cycle of chemotherapy. Patient’s demographic information, underlying diseases and chemotherapy regimen were recorded, and their serum sample was examined. Results: 410 patients were included in this study. the majority were female ( 51/7% ). About 40 patients tested positive for serology, out of which 14 were in the chemotherapy-treated group and 26 in chemotherapy-untreated group, indicating that the prevalence of serum positive Strongyloides stercoralis was significantly higher in patients with no history of chemotherapy. Moreover, eosinophilia significantly correlated with the prevalence of seropositivity. The chemotherapy protocol containing high doses of corticosteroids could multiply the risk of positive serology by 12.7 times. Conclusion: Before chemotherapy, in areas with a higher prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis, especially in high corticosteroids protocols, it may make sense to study Strongyloides stercoralis . It becomes more vital in men and eosinophilic patients. Since serologic testing may display false negative rates in patients with defective immune systems, subsequently, alternative complementary methods such as fecal larval examination and fecal PCR test are highly suggested to be carried out along with serology

Compromised Mitochondrial Fatty Acid Synthesis in Transgenic Mice Results in Defective Protein Lipoylation and Energy Disequilibrium

A mouse model with compromised mitochondrial fatty acid synthesis has been engineered in order to assess the role of this pathway in mitochondrial function and overall health. Reduction in the expression of mitochondrial malonyl CoA-acyl carrier protein transacylase, a key enzyme in the pathway encoded by the nuclear Mcat gene, was achieved to varying extents in all examined tissues employing tamoxifen-inducible Cre-lox technology. Although affected mice consumed more food than control animals, they failed to gain weight, were less physically active, suffered from loss of white adipose tissue, reduced muscle strength, kyphosis, alopecia, hypothermia and shortened lifespan. The Mcat-deficient phenotype is attributed primarily to reduced synthesis, in several tissues, of the octanoyl precursors required for the posttranslational lipoylation of pyruvate and a-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complexes, resulting in diminished capacity of the citric acid cycle and disruption of energy metabolism. The presence of an alternative lipoylation pathway that utilizes exogenous free lipoate appears restricted to liver and alone is insufficient for preservation of normal energy metabolism. Thus, de novo synthesis of precursors for the protein lipoylation pathway plays a vital role in maintenance of mitochondrial function and overall vigo

Internationalizing Psychology Courses

Many academic departments have engaged in diversity transformation projects over the last decade. These endeavors generally focused on increasing faculty and student awareness of underrepresented groups and multicultural issues within the United States (Goldstein, 1995; 2005). Similarly, textbook authors have been broadening the scope of research included in standard psychology textbooks to include diversity perspectives. Our university has been involved in an effort to increase diversity-focused student learning outcome (SLO) goals across the curriculum. This diversity transformation process has provided us with an opportunity to look at various cultural groups within the United States and to incorporate cross-cultural information into our classes. After concluding this examination, faculty in our department were concerned that students continued to receive a very Amerocentric view of psychology as a discipline. For example, the majority of research incorporated into textbooks and readings is carried out at American institutions. Many of us had taught and conducted research abroad and were interested in how psychology was studied and understood globally (Sexton & Hogan, 1992)

Getting Culture: Incorporating Diversity Across the Curriculum

This volume\u27s editors have compiled a set of wide-ranging tools for teaching about diversity among diverse student populations. Articles cover an array of topics, including general approaches to diversity education, specific exercises within and across disciplines, and strategies for coping with the stresses of teaching controversial topics. The collection offers guidance that is particularly valuable for those just beginning to incorporate diversity in the classroom?and is pertinent to veteran teachers as well. ? Diversity & Democracy (AAC&U)https://scholar.dominican.edu/books/1060/thumbnail.jp

Internationalizing Psychology Courses

Many academic departments have engaged in diversity transformation projects over the last decade. These endeavors generally focused on increasing faculty and student awareness of underrepresented groups and multicultural issues within the United States (Goldstein, 1995; 2005). Similarly, textbook authors have been broadening the scope of research included in standard psychology textbooks to include diversity perspectives. Our university has been involved in an effort to increase diversity-focused student learning outcome (SLO) goals across the curriculum. This diversity transformation process has provided us with an opportunity to look at various cultural groups within the United States and to incorporate cross-cultural information into our classes. After concluding this examination, faculty in our department were concerned that students continued to receive a very Amerocentric view of psychology as a discipline. For example, the majority of research incorporated into textbooks and readings is carried out at American institutions. Many of us had taught and conducted research abroad and were interested in how psychology was studied and understood globally (Sexton & Hogan, 1992)

Compromised mitochondrial fatty acid synthesis in transgenic mice results in defective protein lipoylation and energy disequilibrium.

A mouse model with compromised mitochondrial fatty acid synthesis has been engineered in order to assess the role of this pathway in mitochondrial function and overall health. Reduction in the expression of mitochondrial malonyl CoA-acyl carrier protein transacylase, a key enzyme in the pathway encoded by the nuclear Mcat gene, was achieved to varying extents in all examined tissues employing tamoxifen-inducible Cre-lox technology. Although affected mice consumed more food than control animals, they failed to gain weight, were less physically active, suffered from loss of white adipose tissue, reduced muscle strength, kyphosis, alopecia, hypothermia and shortened lifespan. The Mcat-deficient phenotype is attributed primarily to reduced synthesis, in several tissues, of the octanoyl precursors required for the posttranslational lipoylation of pyruvate and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complexes, resulting in diminished capacity of the citric acid cycle and disruption of energy metabolism. The presence of an alternative lipoylation pathway that utilizes exogenous free lipoate appears restricted to liver and alone is insufficient for preservation of normal energy metabolism. Thus, de novo synthesis of precursors for the protein lipoylation pathway plays a vital role in maintenance of mitochondrial function and overall vigor

Characterization of anemic KO mice.

<p>Approximately 20% of the KO mice were found to be anemic. A–E: blood cell analysis. A: Red blood cell distribution width. Anemic KO mice (5 males and 5 females) were distinguished from non-anemic KO (20 males and 11 females) and HF control (10 males, 9 females) on the basis of lower hematocrit (panel B), lower hemoglobin level (panel C), enlarged red cells (panel D) and elevated reticulocyte levels (panel E). **Significantly different (p<0.05) from non-anemic KO and HF control mice; *significantly different from HF controls. None of the parameters were significantly different between male and female KOs. No major differences were seen in other blood cell components. The complete blood count analysis is presented as <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0047196#pone.0047196.s005" target="_blank">Table S1</a>. F: Wright's-stained blood smears from anemic KO and HF control male mice. Green arrows indicate enlarged erythrocytes, black arrows codocytes. G: Rectal prolapse in KO female, 9 months post-induction; 9 of the 10 anemic mice exhibited rectal prolapse. H. Blood spots on cage floor blot (∼9″×6″) obtained by 5 min exposure to 3 anemic mice with rectal prolapse; no blood spots were observed on blots from cages housing non-anemic KO or HF mice. I: Red cell turnover study performed on 2 anemic KOs and 4 HF control female mice. The two anemic mice had reticulocyte levels of 13.4 and 20.2%. J: Plasma bilirubin levels in HF (n = 6), non-anemic KO (n = 5) and anemic KO (n = 2) mice; differences between groups were not statistically significant.</p