Medical Laboratory Journal
Volume:7 Issue: 2, 2013

Hepcidin is a cystein-rich antimicrobial peptide، which is secreted by the liver. It fights against wide spectrum of bacteria، viruses and fungi and it is a major regulator of iron homeostasis. Today، scientists have made many efforts on the production of hepcidin. Baculovirus expression system is one of the best eukaryotic expression systems for production of recombinant hepcidin and production of the recombinant vector is one of the most important steps in this expression system.

First، the total RNA was separated from HepG2 cell line as a source of hepcidin expression. Then، after synthesis of total cDNA، human hepcidin sequence was amplified، using specific primers by PCR method. Next، hepcidin sequence was cloned into pTZ57R/T vector. After digestion of recombinant vector using ECoRI and BamHI restriction enzymes، recombinant pFastBac HT B vector containing human hepcidin cDNA was produced.

Coding sequence of human hepcidin is correctly cloned into pTZ57R/T vector and sub cloning into pFastBac HT B vector is performed successfully. The presence of a clear band near 274 bp resulted from PCR amplification and restriction enzyme are the confirmation of the cloning of human hepcidin.

According to our knowledge، the present study is the first work that focuses on recombinant vector containing coding sequence of human prohepcidin. This recombinant vector can be used for human hepcidin production.

In recent years، the resistance of opportunistic fungal strains to commercially available antifungal agents has been increased. The serious side effects of these compounds on mammalian cells forced the researchers to search for new antifungal substances. Thus we decided to investigate the antifungal properties of silver nanoparticles against Aspergillusfumigatus.

To investigate the antifungal effect of the round silver nanoparticles with 10nm diameter against Aspergillusfumigatus، the diameter of colonies after 8 days as well as the number of colonies in different days was determined، using direct drop test. After that، to measure the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicide Concentration (MFC) values of silver nanoparticles and fluconazole، Micro Dilution Broth method was performed. At the end، the MIC and MFC values of silver nanoparticles were compared to MIC and MFC of fluconazole.

The results obtained from direct drop test confirm that the silver nanoparticles can decrease the diameter of fungal colonies in dose dependent manner. The data of silver nanoparticles on the number of colonies in different days shows that the number of colonies increases up to sixth day and then becomes fixed. Based on the results of Micro Dilution Broth method، the MIC and the MFC values of this component are 31. 25 and 62. 5ppm، respectively.

The present study confirms that silver nanoparticles with 10nm diameter have antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigates.

Cercarial dermatitis (CD) or swimmer’s itch is a severe inflammatory reaction caused by penetration of the skin by avian and herbivorous schistosomes، esp genus Trichobilharzia. Since both intermediate and final host of this parasite exist in North of Iran، we aimed at determining the prevalence of cercarial dermatitis among paddy-field workers in Central areas of Mazandaran Province.

To perform this descriptive-cross sectional study، we refer to bird refuges of migrating water and Paddy-field around man-made ponds of Babol، Sari، Ghaemshahr and Savadkoh districts. The Hand and foot of the farmers were examined clinically for detection of infected people and their signs and symptoms were recorded on a sheet of paper.

Based on the results، 77. 5 % of the workers suffer from CD. All of them are males and the majority of them are indigenous.

High prevalence of Cercarial dermatitis among paddy-field workers led to a health dilemma. Thus، by increasing awareness of farmers، implementing suitable approaches، controlling the disease and sanitizing the contaminated areas can promote health situation.