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Background Intestinal parasitic infections are of one most important problems in developing countries and job is one of the most important factors determining the rate of intestinal parasitic infections. Persons who deal with waste elimination and recycling, due to close contact with infectious sources are more likely to be infected than others. Because of industrialization, population density and immigrants residing in Assaluyeh region, and due to the lack of history of a study for intestinal parasitic infection, the prevalence rate of intestinal parasitic infections among workers in the collection, transportation and recycling of wastes in the Pars Special Economic Energy Zone was evaluated. Material and methods: In a descriptive cross-sectional study, demographic questionaire was completed for each person, Stool samples were taken and sample containers were transferred to parasitology research laboratory of university. Samples were examined for intestinal parasites by preparing direct smear (wet mount) and formalin-ether sedimentation technique. Data were collected by questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS 15.0 software and Chi square test. Results: The results showed that 37.3% of samples were infected at least with one intestinal parasite, 10.7% of samples were infected with more than one parasite. Giardia lamblia (6%) and Entamoeba coli (13/4%), showed the highest infection rate among all parasite species. Prevalence rate of intestinal parasites in worker from Nakhl-e- Taghi municipality was higher than other region of the study area. Conclusion : Job type and duration of contact with infectious source play important roles in determining rate of intestinal parasitic infection. Workers involved in collection, transportation and recycling of wastes are more at risk of intestinal parasitic infections than others. Therfore, providing personal protective equipments and health education in this group can play an important role in community health promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of obesity in recent decades gets more and is considered as common nutritional health problem in developing and developed countries. Obesity is known as risk factor for a lot of chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, CVA, cardiovascular diseases and cancers. Childhood and adolescent obesity is important indicator and determinant of adulthood obesity. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of obesity and overweight in high school girls in Bushehr city. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 500 high school girls (14-17 years old) by using layer sampling method. Data collection included interview with the girls about demographic, social, economic, medical history, physical activity and anthropometric measurements (weight, height) for BMI calculation based on CDC Standard BMI. Percentile under 5 percent considered as underweight, BMI percentile between the 85-95 considered as overweight and percentile above 95 was considered obese. Results: The prevalence of obesity, overweight and underweight in this study were 7.1, 14.5 and 2.9 percent respectively. Obesity and overweight were significantly correlated with educationTjobs of parents and physical activity of girls. In the obese girls 58.3 had activity rate less than 30 minutes daily, 25 percent of samples had TV watching more than 4 hours, 50 percent consumed snacks twice per day and 38.9 percent reported obesity in first-degree relatives respectively. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that the prevalence of obesity and overweight in high school girls were less than similar global studies but more than domestically research studies. Giving information to high school girls and their families, especially mothers about risk factors of obesity, to improve physical activity and nutritional behaviors is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Leishmaniasis is a protozoan parasitic disease which is transmitted by the female Phlebotomus sand fly and is prevalent in four continents. The first-choice treatment for the leishmaniasis is pentavalent antimonials, which are potentially toxic and often ineffective and use of them exhibit therapeutic failure. These pharmaceutical problems point towards the need to develop novel chemotherapeutic agents. Seaweeds are considered as source of bioactive metabolites characterized by a broad spectrum of biological activities. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, cold and hot water crude extracts of four species of green, brown and red marine algae "Caulerpa sertularioides, Gracilaria corticata, Gracillaria salicornia and Sargassum oligocystum" collected along the Bushehr coast of the Persian Gulf (southwest of Iran), prepared and their in vitro activities against Leishmania major promastigote were evaluated by using the MTT assay test. Results: The cold and hot water crude extracts of four algae species exhibited different anti-Leishmanial activities. The minimum inhibitory concentration of hot water extracts calculated as IC50 was as follows: Caulerpa sertularioides (IC50 ≤ 85 µg/ml), Gracilaria corticata (IC50 ≤ 38 µg/ml), Gracillaria salicornia (IC50 ≤ 46 µg/ml) and Sargassum oligocystum (IC509 ≤ 78 µg/ml, while these values for cold water extracts were (IC50 >125 µg/ml) for Caulerpa Sertularioides (IC50 >65 µg/ml) for Gracilaria corticata (IC50 >74 µg/ml) for Gracilaria salicornia and (IC50 >105 µg/ml) for Sargassum oligocystum, IC50 values for reference drug (Amphotericin B) was (0.16-0.2 µg/ml). Discussion: According to the results, inhibitory effects of the crude extracts from these four species algae specially hot water crude extracts from "Gracilaria corticata, Gracillaria salicornia and Sargassum oligocystum" are significant and in accordance with other studies that has been done on different algae species. So these results are sufficiently promising to be followed with further studies on isolation and characterization of pure compounds from these algae species as well as in vivo experiments, a work that is already under way in our laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: With due attention to the development of drug-resistant bacteria, discovering of new antibacterial compounds is needed. Algae produce numerous bioactive substances which may have pharmacological properties such as antibacterial activity. The objective of this investigation was to in vitro study of antibacterial activity of brown alga Sargassum oligocystum collected along the Bushehr coast of Persian Gulf (south west of Iran). Materials and Methods: Hot water extract, cold water extract, and hot glycerin extract were prepared. The effect of the extracts were investigated on Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 14990), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922). Results: Hot water extract exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Cold water extract and hot glycerin extract did not show antibacterial activity on any of the four test bacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of hot water extract for both Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis was 3.175 mg/ml. However, the MIC of this extract for Pseudomonas aeruginosa was 9.556 mg/ml. Discussion: In this study gram-positive bacteria were more susceptible to hot water extract than gram-negative bacteria. Extract of Sargassum oligocystum could be a candidate for purification and further in vivo studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a Potts-like model of Q ethnic groups, we follow Schelling1 and Meyer-Ortmanns2 and simulate the formation of ethnic ghettos as well as their prevention by an increasing social temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Leishmania parasites are intracellular haemoflagellates that infect macrophages of the skin and viscera to produce diseases in their vertebrates hosts. Antileishmania therapy is based on pentavalent antimony compounds which toxicity of these agents and the persistence of side effects are severe. Curcumin was identified to be responsible for most of the biological effects of turmeric. Turmeric plant extracts (curcumin and other derivatives) have anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, antioxidant, anti-microbial, antileishmanial, hepato protective, anti-cancer, anti-ulcer and anti diabetic activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stock solutions of curcumin, indium curcumin, diacetylcurcumin and Gallium curcumin were made up in DMSO. From the each stock solution serial dilutions were made with phosphate buffered saline and 100 µl of each prepared concentration was added to each well of 96-well micro plate. All tests were performed in triplicate. Negative control only received RPMI-1640 medium with a parasite density of 106 parasites /ml and the positive control contained varying concentrations of standard antileishmania compound, Amphotericine B. MTT solution was prepared as 5 mg/ml in RPMI-1640 and 20 µl of this concentration was added to each well. Antileishmania effects of test agents and control were evaluated by using the MTT assay. RESULTS: Mean growth inhibition of triplicate for each concentration of test agents and control were measured. The IC50 values for curcumin, gallium curcumin [ga (CUR) 3], indium curcumin [in (CUR)3], Diacethyle Curcumin (DAC ) and Amphotericine B were 38 µg/ml, 32 µg/ml, 26 µg/ml, 52 µg/ml and 20 µg/ml respectively. Indium curcumin [in (CUR) 3] with IC50 values of 26 µg/ml was more effective than other three test agents against Leishmania. Mean growth inhibition of triplicate for Amphotericine B as control drug, was 20 µg/ml. CONCLUSIONS: Indium curcumin and Gallium curcumin complex showed more antileishmanial activity than curcumin and diacetylcurcumin and could be suitable candidates for further investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Recent studies determined that the amoeboid form of Blastocystis acts as a factor in stimulating the host's immune responses and ultimately results in urticaria and other skin disorders. The present study was conducted in order to determine the prevalence of Blastocystis in people referred to Bushehr city health centers and the relationship of this parasite with urticaria., Methods: Fecal samples were collected from 180 males and females referred to Bushehr health centers and a questionnaire containing demographic information was completed for each person. Samples were examined by preparing direct smear (wet mount) and then formalin-detergent sedimentation techniques. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 software and chi-square test., Results: The results showed that 11.1% of cases infected with Blastocystis and 55% of patients with Blastocystis had various gastrointestinal symptoms. Statistical analysis showed that there was no significant relationship between infection with some demographic factors such as sex, age, literacy level and residence, but this was significant with some clinical symptoms such as itching and urticaria., Conclusion: Despite the existence of conflicting information and many ambiguities about the Blastocystis , this emerging pathogen is very important in terms of causing allergic and skin disorders in sufferers, therefore, it is necessary that patients with urticaria be evaluated for Blastocystis along with other diagnostic procedures and physicians should request a test before any medical intervention. Thus, diagnosis and treatment of these people can play an important role in improving the health of society.

Objective: The aim of the current research is to evaluate the antiparasite effects of compounds isolated from marine ascidian tunicates on Trichomonas vaginalis ., Methods: Ascidian tunicates after collection were cut into small pieces, freeze-dried, and powdered. The resulting material was subjected to extraction in double-distilled water, ethanol, n-hexane, and dichloromethane. To fractionate the extracts and identify the most bioactive compound, silica gel column chromatography and GC-M/S analysis were used., Results: Fraction 18 of silica gel column chromatography of ethanol extract was the most effective against T. vaginalis . The respective IC 50 , CC 50 , and SI values for fraction 18 were 28.62 μg/mL, ˃800 μg/mL, and ˃27.95. GC-M/S analysis of this fraction identified a major phenolic compound (2, 4-bis (1, 1-dimethyl ethyl), whose toxicity against vero cells was only 10.15%., Conclusion: The ethanolic fraction containing phenol-2,4-bis (1,1-dimethylethyl), which has a potent lethality effect on T. vaginalis , may be considered as an antiparasite drug candidate.