Antidiabetic effects of Eucalyptus globulus on pancreatic islets: a stereological study

The leaves of Eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus) are used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of eucalyptus on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced damage in pancreatic islands by stereological methods. Fifty mature normoglycaemic male Wistar rats, weighing 200-250 g, were selected and randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 10): control; STZ-induced diabetic (D) - by intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg streptozotocin; treated control (TC); and treated diabetic (TD1, 2), respectively, received 20 and 62.5 g/kg of eucalyptus in their diet, and 2.5 g/L aqueous extract of eucalyptus in their drinking water from one week after induction of diabetes. After four weeks of the experiment, stereological estimation of volume density and total volume of islets and beta cells, volume-weighted mean islet volume, mass of the islets and pancreas, and total number of islets were carried out. Administration of eucalyptus significantly decreased the weight loss and increase of water and food intake in the treated diabetic groups in comparison to the STZ-induced diabetic (D) group. Volume density and total volume of islets, volume-weighted mean islet volume, mass of islets, and mass of pancreas of both treated diabetic groups were higher than the D group. In TD2, these stereological parameters increased significantly compared to the D group (p < 0.001). Volume density and total volume of beta cells increased 21% and 65%, respectively, in the TD2 group, but it was not statistically significant compared to the diabetic group (p > 0.05). The results suggested that Eucalyptus globulus with a dose-dependent manner ameliorates diabetic states by partial restoration of pancreatic beta cells and repair of STZ-induced damage in rats. This study suggests a beneficial effect of eucalyptus in the treatment of diabetes. (Folia Morphol 2010; 69, 2: 112-118

Anthropometric measurements of the external nose in 18&#8211;25-year-old Sistani and Baluch aborigine women in the southeast of Iran

The human nose differs in its anatomy and morphology between different racial and ethnic groups. The objective of this survey was to provide data for clinical plastics of the nose, medical aesthetics and cosmetology, anthropology, nationality study, and medical jurisprudence in Sistani (Fars) and Baluch aborigines in the southeast of Iran. The subjects participating in this study were 400 volunteer Baluch and Sistani aborigine women (in both groups the number of subjects was 200) within the age range of 18&#8211;25 years. Anthropometric data were obtained from all subjects using standard anthropometric methods with a sliding calliper. The data were analyzed using SPSS 11.0. Values were expressed as mean &#177; standard deviation (SD). Student t-test was used to compare the results. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. The mean total length and height of the nose in the Sistani group was significantly (p < 0.001) lower than in the Baluch group (46.5 &#177; 1.8 vs. 53.0 &#177; 1.3; 44.0 &#177; 2.2 vs. 49.5 &#177; 2.0). The mean anatomic width of the nose in the Sistani group was higher than in the Baluch group (32.3 &#177; 1.3 vs. 31.4 &#177; 1.5 mm). The nasal index in the Sistani group was significantly (p < 0.001) higher than in the Baluch group (69.7 &#177; 3.5 vs. 59.2 &#177; 3.3). The most common type of nose was leptorrhine (fine nose), accounting for 55.5% in the Sistani group and 98.5% in the Baluch group. The most common type of face in both groups was leptoprosopic. In spite of significant differences in measurements of noses in the Sistani and Baluch groups, the most common types of nose and face were similar in these two groups

Determination of chromosomes that control physiological traits associated with salt tolerance in barley at the seedling stage

Salt stress is one of the most important abiotic stresses, and plays an important role in reducing the yield of crops worldwide. It is now recognized that tolerance to salinity is genetically and physiologically complex and also inherited quantitatively. Barley is a short-season, early maturing, diploid and self pollinating crop, thus it is an ideal model plant for genetic and physiological studies of salinity tolerance. In order to map the genes/QTLs for salinity tolerance in barley, 72 doubled-haploid lines derived from a cross between ‘Steptoe’ and ‘Morex’ were used in an experiment using a randomized complete factorial design with three replications. The phenotypic traits under study included: chlorophyll contents, chlorophyll fluorescence (Fo, Fv, Fv/Fm), proline and carbohydrate rates, relative water content (RWC) and dry and wet weight of plant. Analysis of variance results showed that there were significant differences among the lines and different levels of salinity for all the traits. The strongest correlation was observed between dry and wet weight of plant (r = 0.95**). QTL analysis was performed using the genetic linkage map derived from 327 RFLP molecular markers and QTL cartographer software with the composite interval mapping method. Phenotypic variations that were explained by these QTLs, ranged from 10.64 to 24.20. The highest and lowest phenotypic variances were related to chlorophyll content (Q3cls) and Fv/Fm (Q1fv/fms), respectively. LOD values ranged from 2.77 to 6.33. The highest LOD scores were attained for Fv/Fm on chromosome 2H. Physiological traits associated with salt tolerance in this population were mapped to chromosomes 1H, 2H, 5H and 7H.Key words: Barley, QTL, salinity, stress, tolerance

Comparison of quinolone and β-lactam resistance among Escherichia coli strains isolated from urinary tract infections

The growing frequency of antibiotic resistances is now a universal problem. Increasing resistance to new generations of β-lactam and quinolone antibiotics in multidrug- resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates is considered an emergency health issue worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes in ESBL-producing Escherichia coli isolated from urinary tract infections (UTIs). In our study ESBL- producing isolates were assessed by screening methods. After determination of antimicrobial susceptibility, detection of ESBLs and quinolone resistance genes was performed. A total of 97 ESBL-producing E. coli were determined. The blaTEM, blaSHV and blaCTX-M genes were detected in 90 isolates. The blaTEM was the most frequent- ly detected gene (46.4), followed by blaSHV (31.9) and blaCTX-M (14.4). The most prevalent quinolone resistance gene among ESBL-producing isolates was oqxAB which found in 67 isolates (69.1). The frequencies of the aac(6�)-Ib-cr, qnr and qepA were 65 (67), 8 (8.2) and 6 (6.2), respectively. Our data indicate that the prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes in ESBL-positive isolates is increasing. The co-dissemination of PMQR and ESBL genes among E. coli isolates can be considered a threat to public health. Therefore, prescription of antibiotics against infectious disease should be managed carefully. © 2016, International Society of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions. All rights reserved

Comparison of six simple methods for extracting ribosomal and mitochondrial DNA from Toxocara and Toxascaris nematodes

Six simple methods for extraction of ribosomal and mitochondrial DNA from Toxocara canis, Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonina were compared by evaluating the presence, appearance and intensity of PCR products visualized on agarose gels and amplified from DNA extracted by each of the methods. For each species, two isolates were obtained from the intestines of their respective hosts: T. canis and T. leonina from dogs, and T. cati from cats. For all isolates, total DNA was extracted using six different methods, including grinding, boiling, crushing, beating, freeze-thawing and the use of a commercial kit. To evaluate the efficacy of each method, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene were chosen as representative markers for ribosomal and mitochondrial DNA, respectively. Among the six DNA extraction methods, the beating method was the most cost effective for all three species, followed by the commercial kit. Both methods produced high intensity bands on agarose gels and were characterized by no or minimal smear formation, depending on gene target; however, beating was less expensive. We therefore recommend the beating method for studies where costs need to be kept at low levels. © 2013 Elsevier Inc

Comparison of six simple methods for extracting ribosomal and mitochondrial DNA from Toxocara and Toxascaris nematodes

Six simple methods for extraction of ribosomal and mitochondrial DNA from Toxocara canis, Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonina were compared by evaluating the presence, appearance and intensity of PCR products visualized on agarose gels and amplified from DNA extracted by each of the methods. For each species, two isolates were obtained from the intestines of their respective hosts: T. canis and T. leonina from dogs, and T. cati from cats. For all isolates, total DNA was extracted using six different methods, including grinding, boiling, crushing, beating, freeze-thawing and the use of a commercial kit. To evaluate the efficacy of each method, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene were chosen as representative markers for ribosomal and mitochondrial DNA, respectively. Among the six DNA extraction methods, the beating method was the most cost effective for all three species, followed by the commercial kit. Both methods produced high intensity bands on agarose gels and were characterized by no or minimal smear formation, depending on gene target; however, beating was less expensive. We therefore recommend the beating method for studies where costs need to be kept at low levels. © 2013 Elsevier Inc

Seroepidemiological Study of Human Hydatidosis in Meshkinshahr District, Ardabil Province, Iran

Background: The aim of this study was to conduct a sero-epidemiological survey in Meshkinshahr, Arda­bil Province, northwestern Iran to detect the rate of hydatidosis in the city and nearby villages. Literature shows that no such study has been conducted so far.Methods: Overall, 670 serum samples were collected from 194 males and 476 females from patients re­ferred to different health centers of the region. All patients filled out a questionnaire and an informed con­sent. Sera were analyzed using indirect-ELISA test. Ten μg /ml antigens (Antigen B derived from hydatid cyst fluid), serum dilutions of 1:500 and conjugate anti-human coombs with 1:10000 dilutions were util­ized to perform the test. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software ver. 11.5. Results: The seroprevalence of human hydatidosis was 1.79% by ELISA test in the region. This rate for fe­males was 1.68% and males 2.6%, respectively. There was no significant difference as regards all fac­tors studied and the seropositivity. According to job, farmers and ranchmen had the highest rate of infec­tion as 3.17%. The sero-prevalence of infection was 2.6%% in illiterate people which showed the highest rate. As regards residency, urban life showed no significant difference with rural life (1.1% vs. 2.58%). Age group of 69-90 yr old, with 4.62% as prevalence had the highest rate of positivity.Conclusion: Obtained sero-prevalence of hydatidosis shows more or less a resemblance to other cities of Iran, although due to the specific condition of the city we expected more rate of sero-positivity

Coexistence of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia and idiopathic left ventricular outflow-tract tachycardia

Double tachycardia is a relatively rare condition. We describe a 21 year old woman with history of frequent palpitations. In one of these episodes, she had wide complex tachycardia with right bundle branch and inferior axis morphology. A typical atrioventricular nodal tachycardia was induced during electrophysiologic study, aimed at induction of clinically documented tachycardia. Initially no ventricular tachycardia was inducible. After successful ablation of slow pathway, a wide complex tachycardia was induced by programmed stimulation from right ventricular outflow tract. Mapping localized the focus of tachycardia in left ventricular outflow tract and successfully ablated via retrograde aortic approach. During 7 month's follow-up, she has been symptom free with no recurrence. This work describes successful ablation of rare combination of typical atrioventricular nodal tachycardia and left ventricular outflow tract tachycardia in the same patient during one session

Effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on gene expressions related to insulin, lipid, and inflammation pathways in patients with diabetic nephropathy

Introduction. Data on the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CQ10) on gene expression related to insulin, lipid, and inflammation in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) are scarce. This study aimed to determine the effects of CQ10 supplementation on gene expression related to insulin, lipid, and inflammation pathways in patients with DN. Materials and Methods. Forty patients with DN, aged 40 to 85 years old, were randomly assigned into 2 groups to receive either 100 mg/d of CQ10 supplements (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20), for 12 weeks. Gene expression related to signaling pathway of insulin, lipid, and inflammation were determined in blood samples using a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction method. Results. Quantitative results of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that compared with the placebo, CQ10 administration upregulated gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (P = .02) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the patients with DN. In addition, compared with the placebo, CQ10 supplementation downregulated gene expression of interleukin-1 (P = .003) and tumor necrosis factor-α (P = .02). No significant effects were observed on gene expression of oxidized low-density lipoprotein, lipoprotein(a), glucose transporter-1, transforming growth factor-β in the CQ10 group. Conclusions. Overall, CQ10 supplementation for 12 weeks in DN patients significantly improved gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, interleukin-1, and tumor necrosis factor-α. © 2018, Iranian Society of Nephrology. All rights reserved

Identification of wheat stripe rust resistance genes in Iranian wheat cultivars using molecular markers

Yellow or stripe rust is one of the most important and destructive wheat diseases all over the world. The best strategy to control this disease is genetic resistance through combining several resistance genes which results in achieving long lasting resistance. Marker assisted selection has provided a suitable means towards this strategy. The aim of this study was to identify the race specific seedling genes Yr5 and Yr10 and the race non-specific APR gene Yr29 in a selection of 40 Iranian genotypes using STS and SSR markers. Therefore, genomic DNA was extracted from these genotypes, the susceptible cultivar Avocet ‘S’ as negative control, and the genotypes with corresponding resistance gene (positive controls). PCR was performed using YrSTS7/8, Xpsp3000 and Xwmc44 markers for Yr5, Yr10 and Yr29, respectively. The results indicated the presence of Yr5 in only 6 genotypes. The presence of a 260 bps band also showed that Yr10 was present in 12 genotypes while Yr29 was present in 13 cultivars. As all these three genes are effective against yellow rust pathogen in Iran, it will be an advantage to transfer them to promising lines and develop durable resistance.Zahra Pourkhorshid, Ali Dadkhodaie, Ali Niazi, Bahram Heidari, and Esmaeil Ebrahim