Medical Laboratory Journal
Volume:9 Issue: 4, Sep-oct 2015

Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein-1 (PfMSP-1) is a promising vaccine against malaria during its blood stages which play an important role in immunity to this disease. Polymorphic nature of this gene is a major obstacle in making an effective vaccine against malaria. In this study, the genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum isolates was investigated in Sistan-Baluchestan Province using allelic families of the MSP-1. From March/April 2011 to August/September 2012, 94 blood samples were collected from patients with falciparum malaria who were living in four districts of Sistan-Baluchestan Province. The extracted genomic DNA and genetic diversity of MSP-1 block 2 were evaluated by nested polymerase chain reaction. From a total of 94 patients, 89 patients (94.7%) had positive PCR results and the remaining five patients were excluded. Seven different alleles of MSP-1 were identified through size difference on agarose gel. Comprising 46.1% of the samples, MAD20 was identified as the predominant MSP-1 allelic family, while the RO33 family had the lowest frequency (with 7.9%). In 10% of samples infection with two alleles was observed. The results of this study suggest that genetic diversity of PfMSP-1 in Southeastern Iran is relatively low and most infections originate from a clone that is consistent with an area of low malaria transmission. This information is useful for the prevention and control of malaria in Iran.

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria has actuated researchers toward evaluating many new antibacterial compounds of which are the thiazoles. In this research the inhibitory effects of novel thiazole derivatives were unraveled on Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae and oxothiazole liver toxicity effects were assessed on mice. The antibacterial effect of thiazole derivatives was evaluated by measuring the halo zone with disk diffusion method and dilution procedure in microplate in order to discriminate the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the liver toxicity of oxothiazole, also, was discerned by injecting 160 mg/kg, 265 mg/ kg and 350 mg/kg doses to mice as well as scrutinizing the liver histopathology. Derivatives utilized in experiment had no inhibitory effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae, though their inhibitory effect was observed on Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae. For Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae the diameters of growth inhibition zone were 8.9-22.3 mm and 16.1-25.6 mm, respectively and MIC of 50-200 and 25-100 µg/ml by order. Additionally, by increasing the injection dose of oxothiazole with 160 mg/ml, 265 mg/ml and 350 mg/ml doses, the hepatitis lesions and liver necrosis were observed in experimental mice. The thiazole derivatives possessed more inhibitory trace on gram positive bacteria than gram negative ones. Furthermore, the likely presence of oxygen link to thiazole ring in tested compounds results in the enhancement of inhibitory potency of these substances. Besides, our results suggest that high doses of oxothiazole cause severe liver damage and rapid death less than 24 hours.

Paratuberculosis is a chronic granulomatous enteritis of ruminants caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). this study aimed to characterize the genome of the MAP 316F strain. The MAP 316F strain was subjected to the PCR-F57 and PCR-IS900 experiments in order to ensure its identity as MAP. This was followed by application of the Thibault genotyping system consisting of eight loci including 292, x3, 25, 47, 3, 7, 10 and 32. Required genomic material for all experiments was prepared using the simple method of boiling. Gel electrophoresis findings related to the typing PCRs were backed by sequencing of amplification products. In PCR amplification, eight products with the size of 300, 298, 350, 217, 208, 203, 803 and 649 bp were detected at 292, X3, 25, 47, 3, 7, 10 and 32 loci, holding 3, 2, 3, 3, 2, 2, 2 and 8 copies of TRs at these loci, respectively. This genomic pattern is matched with that of the MAP 316F vaccine strain from the French Merial company and also the MAP K10 fully-sequenced strain.

According to Iranian, Asian, Indian, and Chinese traditional medicine, basil is used in the treatment of different diseases. In this study, the effect of basil on lowering the blood glucose was examined in healthy and diabetic rats. Sixty Wistar rats were divided into a control group(n=10), a basil receiving group (n=20) and a diabetic group (n=30)(60 mg/kg Streptozotocin- Intraperitoneal injection) and the rats in each group received basil orally in pairs. Forty-eight hours after injection of streptozotocin, 2 and 4 mg/kg doses of basil were prescribed orally for the diabetic group daily for 45 days. in end of study for record serum testosterone, 5 cc blood was sampled from each rat. There was a significant correlation between the oral administration of 2 and 4 mg/kg doses of basil and reduced blood glucose level and testosterone changes in the diabetic groups (P<0.05). Twenty-four hours after the first administration, basil caused a significant decrease in the blood glucose level and this effects continued for 24, 48, and 72 hours, respectively. In contrast, basil had no hypoglycemic effect in the healthy rats. The results indicated that 2 and 4 mg/kg doses of basil had significant hypoglycemic effects on the diabetic groups and compensated for the testosterone level in diabetic rats, but had no effect on the healthy rats.

Heavy metals have raised one of the most important problems in ecology and organisms life especially human being and animals. A variety of indicators including tissues of fish, birds and sediment have been used recently to measure the aquatic pollution with heavy metals. The aim of this study was to search the published articles in Iran and the world on the role of helminthic parasites as a bioindicator (biological indicators) in assessing the concentration of heavy metals. This study was a non-systematic review and data were collected from available databases such as, Google Scholar, Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus and Scientific Information Database (SID).Most studies showed that helminthic parasites(particularly acanthocephalan and cestoda) could be used as bioindicators in assessing the concentration of heavy metals. However, limited investigations were conducted on nematoda and trematoda parasites and limited information was available regarding heavy metal bioindicatorsin Iran.

More Candida albicans strains are reported resistant to fluconazole in patients with AIDS, cancer and organ recipients. Fluconazole resistance can be attributed to changes in pathways of sterol biosynthesis, mutation in or overexpression of ERG11 and the expression of CDR1, CDR2, and MDR1. This study aimed to compare the expression of CDR1, CDR2, and MDR1 in C. albicans resistant and susceptible to fluconazole. MIC testing for fluconazole was performed on C. albicans isolates isolated from patients with oral and vaginal candidiasis to determine resistant and susceptible strains. Then real time PCR was performed on the resistant and susceptible isolates and the expression of CDR1, CDR2, and MDR1 was compared in C. albicans. Of 46 Candida albicans isolates, 20 susceptible isolates, 12 semi-susceptible isolates and 14 resistant isolates were identified by MIC. After real time PCR was performed, Candida albicans isolates susceptible to fluconazole showed moderate expression of CDR1, CDR2, and MDR1 genes, while resistant isolates showed slight or no expression. Increased expression of CDR1, CDR2, and MDR1 had less and insignificant role in resistance to fluconazole.

Methamphetamine has strong stimulating effects on various systems of the human body. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hematological and biochemical parameters in methamphetamine addicts and to compare them with healthyindividuals. This is a retrospective case-control study that was conducted in 1390-91 in Ibn Sina Hospital in Shiraz, Iran. Measurement of lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides), liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase), albumin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and blood parameters such as platelets and white blood cells(WBCs) count, hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit of 60 individuals addicted to methamphetamine and 60 healthy subjects as a control group was carried out. Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, WBCs and platelet count and serum creatinine levels in methamphetamine addicts were significantly higher than the control group(p-value <0.001), while hemoglobin, hematocrit and albumin levels were lower in these patients (p-value <0.001). The use of methamphetamine increases lipid peroxidation, changes levels of inflammatory markers and increases liver enzymes, which may increase the risk of liver diseases. It also increases WBCs and platelets count as an early sign of inflammatory disease progression, associated with methamphetamine abuse. Decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit can also increase the risk of anemia in these patients. These observations may give us a better understanding about the biological mechanisms associated with the pathology of methamphetamine consumption in Iran and help us prevent and solve the problems arising from this drug.

Aluminum Phosphide (ALP) is a solid non-organic phosphide with dark gray or dark yellow crystals. It reacts with stomach acid after ingestion and causes phosphine gas to be released. It is thought that phosphine causes toxicity from enzymatic interference and may even lead to cell death. This study aimed to investigate the effects of poisoning with rice tablet on levels of platelets, hemoglobin, white blood cells. The clinical records of 67 cases of acute oral toxicity with aluminum phosphide admitted to Baharloo hospital and 28 forensic autopsy cases in Kahrizak forensic research center were studied. Recorded information included vital signs, demographic characteristics, numerous laboratory and clinical findings, complications and all pathologic findings. All patients had received standard symptomatic and supportive treatments. Among the tested subjects, 30 of 67 patients (44.8%) were male. The mean hemoglobin level of recovered and deceased individuals was 12.26 and 11.72 g/dl, respectively. There was a significant relationship between patients’ WBC counts and mortality where the mean level of WBC in the deceased was more than that of the recovered (P=0.001). Mean SBP in the deceased and the recovered individuals was 79.67 ± 12.89 and 102.46 ± 22.57 mmHg, respectively. Consumption of rice tablets results in blood pressure alteration, hemoglobin levels, platelets and leukocyte count. Tracking these alterations can reduce the side effects and mortality rate in the cases of rice tablet poisoning.

Diabetes induced oxidative stress plays an important role in pathological damage to the heart and liver by increased production of extracellular matrix. It is thought that the use of medicinal plants, particularly Portulaca oleracea. L and regular exercise are effective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Portulaca oleracea. L consumption along with resistance training on cathepsin S, cystatin C and Creactive protein (CRP) levels on type 2 diabetes patients. In this semi-experimental study, 28 female type 2 diabetes patients with a mean age of 52 were randomly devided into 4 groups of control, exercise, supplement and supplement-exercise. Portulaca oleracea. L supplement was cosumed 7.5 g per day. Resistance training program was performed with a rubber band for 8 weeks, 3 days a week for 60 minutes with40-50% intensity, up to a maximum repetition. Blood samples were taken before and 48 hours after the last intervention. After eight weeks, cathepsin S, cystatin C and CRP levels in the supplementation and supplementaion-exercise group were significantly reduced (P<0.05). There were also significant differences between the groups. Portulaca oleracea. L consumption and resistance training have each separate positive impacts on the cathepsin S, cystatin C and CRP levels, but the simultanous effect of Portulaca oleracea. L seed consumption and physical activity can lead to a better efficiency.

Concentration low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is one of the strongest indicators of atherosclerosis and predicts the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. LDL measurement accuracy is very important. LDL can be measured directly, such as enzymatic and nephelometry methods or can be calculated using Friedewald's formula. Despite the development of enzymatic methods and LDL nephelometry still in most laboratories is calculated using Friedewald's formula. The aim of this study was an investigation of correlation coefficient between two methods of measuring LDL- cholesterol levels. This descriptive cross-sectional study, performed on the 1141 patients. Cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL all patients assayed by enzymatic method. For patients with triglyceride levels of less than 400 mg/dl had LDL levels were calculated by Friedewald's formula. Normal levels of LDL/HDL ratio of less than 3.5 were considered. Of the 1141 patients participating in this study, 38.3 % men and 61.7 % women. The mean patient age was 46.3 ± 16.1 years. Mean serum cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL were 177.9 ± 41.1, 132.9 ± 73.2 and 45.8 ± 13.2 mg/dl, respectively. Average direct and calculated LDL concentration was 82.1 ± 23.1 and 105.5 ± 35.8, respectively. The direct measurement of LDL, LDL/HDL levels in 97.1% of cases was normal, while 85.1 % of the calculation of LDL were normal. Pearson correlation coefficients were obtained by two 0.869 (p <0.001). Despite the favorable correlation between two methods of measurements of LDL, the results of a calculation method is more than direct method. This can have a negative impact on the judgment of the treating physician.