The effects of hydroalcoholic extract of leaves and onion of Allium paradoxum on Giardia lamblia in mice

زمینه و هدف: ژیاردیا یکی از شایعترین انگل های تک یاخته ای روده ای در انسان و پستانداران مختلف می باشد. با توجه به اینکه داروهای شیمیایی جهت درمان این بیماری دارای اثرات جانبی متعددی بوده و تأثیر آن ها قطعی نمی باشد؛ لذا یافتن دارویی با اثرات جانبی کمتر امری ضروری در درمان این بیماری انگلی به نظر می رسد. مطالعه حاضر با هدف بررسی تأثیر عصاره هیدروالکلی برگ و پیاز گیاه الزی (Allium paradoxum) بر روی انگل ژیاردیا لامبلیا در موش Balb/c انجام شد. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه تجربی، 50 سر موش Balb/cبه 10 گروه تقسیم و تعداد 105×2 کیست به همه گروه ها به جز کنترل منفی خورانده شد. پس از تأیید آلودگی، گروه های مورد آزمون به مدت 3 روز با عصاره هیدروالکلی برگ و پیاز گیاه الزی (غلظت های 20،50 و100 میلی گرم بر میلی لیتر) و داروی مترونیدازول به عنوان کنترل دارو مورد درمان قرار گرفتند. یافته ها: عصاره هیدروالکلی پیاز الزی در دوز mg/ml100 قادر به از بین بردن کیست ژیاردیا لامبلیا می باشد که این تأثیر نسبت به گروه کنترل مثبت و کنترل منفی معنی دار بود (05/0>P). همچنین مشخص شد برگ الزی تأثیر زیادی بر روی انگل ژیاردیا لامبلیا ندارد؛ ولی می تواند موجب افزایش تأثیر پیاز الزی شود، به عبارت دیگر اثر هم افزایی دارد. نتیجه گیری: با توجه به تأثیر مناسب گیاه الزی در شرایط In vivo بر روی انگل ژیاردیا لامبلیا و عوارض زیادی که از داروهای شیمیایی گزارش شده است، می توان گیاه الزی را به عنوان یک ترکیب طبیعی ضد ژیاردیایی معرفی کرد

The relationship between the adequacy of hemodialysis and laboratory parameters

BACKGROUND: The present study was conducted in order to evaluate the factors affecting the adequacy of dialysis and determine the relationship of dialysis adequacy with laboratory parameters.METHODS: This descriptive study was performed on 60 hemodialysis patients of Razi Medical Center of Qaemshahr, Iran, with the history of more than 3 months of dialysis. The participants were selected using census method. Data collection was conducted through a researcher-made questionnaire. Blood samples were collected to evaluate laboratory parameters. The adequacy of dialysis was calculated through the Kt/V parameter. The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tests.RESULTS: According to the Kt/V criteria, the mean dialysis adequacy index was 1.6 ± 0.22 and 41.7% of the patients had the optimum dialysis adequacy (Kt/V of greater than 1.2), and 43.3% of patients had a dialysis adequacy which was close to the desirable level. There was a significant reverse relationship between dialysis adequacy and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), blood sugar, and body mass index (BMI). Nevertheless, there was no significant relationship between dialysis adequacy and parathyroid hormone ‎(PTH), cholesterol, triglycerides, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), calcium, phosphorus, and the number of dialysis sessions per week, duration of each dialysis session, and the history of dialysis (P > 0.05).CONCLUSION: In order to increase the adequacy of dialysis, the blood sugar level of patients should be controlled and patients should be advised to modify their weight using a suitable diet

Freshwater snails as the intermediate host of trematodes in Iran: a systematic review

Freshwater snails, as the first intermediate hosts of trematodes, can cause health hazards in animals and humans. Recently, the World Health Organization has included Iran in a list of 6 countries known to have serious problems with fascioliasis. In addition, cercarial dermatitis is a job-related disease that is seen often in paddy workers, agricultural labourers, and fishermen in Iran, particularly in Mazandaran Province. Many studies have been conducted in Iran to survey larval trematodes in freshwater snails. However, to the best of our knowledge, no comprehensive data exist regarding infections in gastropods. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to estimate the types and prevalence of cercarial infections in snails in Iran. Electronic English-language and Persian-language databases were searched to identify 24 published articles reporting the prevalence of trematode infections in snails (9 species from 6 families) in various provinces of Iran. In total, 4.4% of gastropods were infected with the larval stages of trematodes. According to the studies reviewed in this meta-analysis‚ the highest infection prevalence was found in Radix auricularia (9.9%). Twelve larval species of trematodes were identified, and the highest prevalence of cercariae was found for Echinostomatidae cercariae (4.3%). Among the provinces explored, West Azerbaijan had the highest prevalence of infected snails (16.9%). The presence of trematodes in snails could pose a serious health problem in Iran. Thus, further studies are necessary to characterize these infections in other provinces

Molecular Genotyping of the Human Cystic Echinococcosis in Mazandaran Province, North of Iran

Background: The larval stage of the tapeworm (cestode) Echinococcus granulosus is the etiological agent of hydatidosis or cystic echinococcosis, which is the zoonotic parasitic disease causing morbidity and mortality in both humans and livestock. Due to a lack of accurate data on the human isolates of E. granulosus in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran, the current study aimed to survey the population genetic pattern of cystic echinococcosis isolated from humans by sequencing the mitochondrial genes of NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1). Methods: Overall, 47 formalin fixed paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPT) blocks were collected from patients' files in various pathology departments of Mazandaran Province in Iran from 2003 to 2015. PCR was performed to amplify a 398bp DNA fragment of mitochondrial nad1. PCR products were sequenced by Bioneer Corporation (South Korea), and the resulting data were analyzed via relevant software to determine the genotypes. Results: The nad1 gene was successfully amplified on 10 from all of the E. granulosus isolates. Overall, 66.6% and 33.3% of the isolates in the studied area displayed the G1 and G2-G3 genotypes, respectively. Conclusion: This study may provide the foundation for further studies in revealing the regional transmission patterns and also in designing adequate control procedures

Evaluation of H.pylori infection and IL23R gene polymorphism in dyspeptic subjects

CagA strains of H.pylori (Hp) are known to be associated with gastroduodenal diseases. Polymorphisms in inflammation related genes, such as cytokines and their receptors, were thought to partly determine the outcome of Hp infection and the progression of gastritis. It is supposed that interleukin 23 receptor (IL23R), a basic cytokine receptor in the inflammatory IL-17/IL-23 axis, may be related to gastritis. In the present study, we evaluated the association of IL23R +2199 rs10889677 polymorphism and cagA positivity with chronic gastritis. In addition, we studied the infiltration of polymorphonuclear (PMN) and mononuclear (MN) Leukocytes into surrounding tissues of corpus. Biopsies taken from the corpus of the patients were classified as two groups: Hp-infected and Hpuninfected. The severity of gastritis was graded from normal to severe, chronic gastritis and chronic active gastritis. Virulence factor, cagA, was evaluated using PCR and the polymorphism in IL23R was investigated by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). AA and AC carriers of IL23R +2199 polymorphism, but not CC genotype in Hp-uninfected patients, were not associated with cellular infiltration and gastritis in both groups (p > 0.05). CagA positivity was significantly associated with increased risk of PMN (P= 0.013), but not with MN infiltration (P= 0.069). Also gastritis was found to be associated with cagA positivity (P= 0.044). Our results show decreased Hp infection probability in patients with CC genotype of 2199 +IL23R. According to the clinical and pathological features in Hp-infected group, IL23R polymorphism doesn't influence chronic gastritis and chronic active gastritis

Parasitic Helminths in Wild Boars (Sus scrofa) in Mazandaran Province, Northern Iran

Background: Wild boars (Sus scrofa) are distributed worldwide and found in many parts of Iran. Although S. scrofa is reservoirs for many parasites, there is little data on helminthic prevalence in them. We aimed to survey the status of helminthic infections in S. scrofa in the Mazandaran Province of northern Iran. Methods: Twenty-one wild boars were captured and examined for helminth infection during Dec 2012-Mar 2014. Adult worms such as Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus were identified by helminth size and shape, and the arrangement of the proboscis hooks. The sedimentation and flotation techniques were used to detect parasite eggs and larvae in faecal samples. Muscle samples were also surveyed for Trichinella larvae by artificial digestion method. Results: Of the 21 samples, 13 (61.9%) were infected with one or more helminth species. Seven helminth types were identified in the alimentary track, comprising 5 nematodes, 1 trematode, and 1 acanthocephalan, with prevalence rates of Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus (57.14%), Globocephalus spp. (33.33%), Trichuris suis (19.04), Gongylonema pulchrum (14.28%), Fasciola hepatica (14.28%), Dioctophyma renale (4.76%), and Ascaris suum (4.76%). Conclusion: Wild boars might be involved in transmitting zoonotic parasites to humans. The abundance of these animals near human habitation creates favorable conditions for infection. So the risk of parasitic helminth diseases increases in other animals and humans

Carnivores as Important Reservoirs of Intestinal Helminthic Infections in Mazandaran Province, Northern Iran

Background: Intestinal parasites are the most common causes of gastrointestinal disease in canine. Stray dogs and wild candies can represent potential reservoirs of enteropathogens to other hosts. Therefore, present study determined the prevalence of intestinal parasites in canine in Mazandaran Province, northern, Iran. Methods: Overall, 58 small intestinal samples of animals (42 stray dogs and 16 jackals) were collected from Oct 2012 to Dec 2013. The intestine contents were studied to detect and identify helminth infections. Then, the helminths were collected and their morphological traits were identified. Results: Overall among infected stray dogs and jackals, 11 species were found. Three species of nematodes, seven species of cestodes and one trematode were observed. The prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths of stray dogs and jackals were 59.5% and 50%, respectively. Among registered zoonotic helminths A. caninum was the predominant parasite both stray dogs and jackals. Interestingly, Spirometra spp. was reported in these animals. Moreover, A. caninum showed a higher percentage rate in center region of province. Conclusion: There are the clear risks of zoonotic helminths parasites infection in this region. Therefore, understanding the epidemiology of zoonotic parasite infection is useful for health care access both domestic animals and humans health

Drug Resistance versus Spiritual Resistance: A Comparative Analysis from the Perspective of Spiritual Health

Background and Objectives: Taking into account a few principles concerning human being, it becomes plausible that the human spirit would also have a similar reaction to spiritual “medicine” provided to it. In order to better understand how this is possible, we must consider the means by which the human spirit becomes resistant to spiritual remedies and compare them with the resistance developed by the body against physical drugs. As such, this research aimed at creating a comparative analysis between the elements that cause the human spirit to become resistant against spiritual remedies in comparison to the body’s resistance against physical treatments (e.g. drugs and other physical treatment). Methods: The research at hand highlights the conclusions of an overall study of the Holy Quran, books of Islamic narration, and extensive Internet research concerning this subject. With these resources, the various aspects of the spirit’s resistance against spiritual remedies were discussed in detail. Results: According to Holy Quran and Islamic narrations: Based on the expectations which God has of man, his heart (i.e. spirit) has the potential to fall under one of two categories – positive or negative. An afflicted heart may at times, like an afflicted body, become resistant against a remedy designed to cure it. In both cases of physical or metaphysical resistance, the underlying element that causes this resistance as well as the symptoms which accompany it are similar to one another. Having considered the teachings found in religious texts, this research discovered the underlying causes of spiritual resistance, and outlined some solutions which can prevent this issue from arising in the first place. Conclusion: Based on the standards of health and spiritual wellbeing as outlined in Holy Quran, it is said that some hearts are unhealthy and require treatment and healing. In Holy Quran, there is also no doubt in it, guidance to the God wary. Considering the fact that Holy Quran is the Word of God, we establish our full confidence and trust within it. Therefore, the causes and symptoms of spiritual resistance against metaphysical cures, which have been outlined in this article, have been taken from Quranic teachings and should be carefully studied

Application of Ni-doped ZnO rods for the degradation of an azo dye from aqueous solutions

Ni-doped ZnO rods were applied as a photocatalyst for the degradation of an azo dye (Reactive Black 5). Effects of solution pH, catalyst dosage, initial RB5 concentration, H2O2 concentration, different purging gases, and type of organic compounds on the removal efficiency of RB5 were studied. Ni-doped ZnO rods were synthesized by co-precipitation method. Neutral pH was selected as an optimal pH condition due to a photo-corrosion of ZnO in acidic and basic conditions. Photocatalytic degradation efficiency of RB5 was increased as the catalyst dosage increased up to 1 g/L, while it was decreased by increasing initial RB5 concentration. Pseudo-first-order rate constant (kobs) decreased from 0.122 to 0.0051 min-1 and electrical energy per order (EEo) increased from 39.34 to 941.18 (kWh/m3) by increasing RB5 concentration from 5 to 100mg/L, respectively. Photocatalytic degradation efficiency of RB5 increased by increasing H2O2 concentration, but this trend was not observed above 10 mM. Photocatalytic degradation efficiency of RB5 increased in the presence of folic acid and citric acid while interference was observed in the presence of humic acid, EDTA, oxalic acid, and phenol. Photocatalytic activity was maintained even after five successive cycles. © 2016, Korean Institute of Chemical Engineers, Seoul, Korea

Biological effects of hesperetin on Interleukin-6/phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 pathway signaling in prostate cancer PC3 cells

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional glycoprotein that regulates the growth of some tumors, including prostate carcinomas due to signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), and AKT signaling pathways. Hesperetin, as a flavanone, has several biological properties such as antitumor and anti-inflammatory. Objective: This study was carried out to evaluate the biological effects of hesperetin on the IL-6 gene expression and phosphorylated STAT3, AKT, and ERK1/2 signaling pathways in PC3 prostate cancer (PC) cells. Materials and Methods: In this study, we used real-Time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and ELISA to evaluate IL-6 gene expression and IL-6 protein secretion, respectively, in the treated PC3 cells with 0, 400, 450, and 500 μM of hesperetin. Cell survival studies were done by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay after 48 h treatment with hesperetin, and cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. The protein levels of activated signaling molecules (pSTAT3, pAKT, and pERK1/2) analyzed by immunoprecipitation technique. Results: Hesperetin-Treated PC3 cells resulted in reduction of cell viability. Hesperetin led to the elevation of phosphorylated STAT3, ERK1/2, and AKT signaling proteins after 48 h in a dose-dependent manner as compared to the control cells. IL-6 gene expression, as well as protein level, significantly increased (P < 0.05) in a dose-dependent pattern in treated PC3 with hesperetin compared to the control cells. Further, hesperetin exposure resulted in the induction of cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase. Conclusion: Hesperetin in PC3 cells led to elevation IL-6 gene expression, IL-6 protein secretion, pSTAT3, pERK1/2 and pAKT intracellular signaling proteins. Our results indicate that hesperetin treatment leads to the inhibition of cell proliferation and the induction of cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase. Hesperetin can be considered a potent agent which synchronizes and stops cell cycle at G0/G1 phase to apply suitable chemotherapeutic agents and radiotherapy in PC cells