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Background: There is a rising trend in the use of herbal stem cell remedies among the populace due to the belief that such remedies have all-encompassing health benefits, and without side effects. However, there is little or no scientific data reported on their safety profile. This study addressed the toxicological effects of STC-30, one of the popular polyherbal stem cell remedies used in several countries of the world including Nigeria, Ghana, Australia, among others. Methods: The inhibitory activity of thymol and the nano-preparations were evaluated qualitatively versus Metronidazole against T. vaginalis in TYI-S33 culture medium. The live T. vaginalis parasites were counted on a hemocytometer, the inhibition rate was assessed and the data analyzed statistically. Results: Thymol and its two nanopreparations at varying concentrations inhibited T. vaginalis in culture after 24, 48, or 72 hours of incubation. The inhibition of T. vaginalis was also achieved in culture with Metronidazole at 65 μg/ml. Conclusion: The percent inhibition of T. vaginalis by thymol and its nanopreparations depended on the duration of incubation and the concentration. Thymol and its nanoliposome preparation showed a lower inhibitory effect (IC50) on T. vaginalis than that of the thymol nanoparticles after 24 or 48 hours of treatment. However, the efficacy of the three thymol forms did not significantly differ after 72 hours of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Soil contamination with Toxocara spp. eggs is the main source of human toxocariasis. The aim of this study was to determine rate of soil contamination with Toxocara spp. eggs in Yazd, central Iran. Methods: During September 2014 to February 2015, a total of 220 soil samples were collected from public parks, primary schools, green areas, kindergartens, suburban areas, streets, residential complexes, backyards and a bus terminal in the city of Yazd, Yazd Province. Soil samples were investigated for the presences of Toxocara eggs by flotation technique using sucrose solution (1.2 g/cm3) and using light microscopy. Data analysis was carried out by SPSS (version 23) software package. Results: A total of 220 soil samples from nine different places were examined. Of these samples, 51 (23.2%) were contaminated with Toxocara spp. eggs. The contamination rate was 26.3% in public parks, 19.2% in primary schools, 28.6% in green areas, 22.2% in kindergartens, 24% in suburban areas, 8.3% in streets, 18.8% in residential complexes, 19% in backyards and 28.6% in the bus terminal. There was no significant difference in the soil contamination rate with Toxocara spp. eggs between different sampling places (χ2 = 3.096, d.f = 8 and P= 0.92) and sampling areas (χ2= 2.289, d.f = 2 and P= 0.318). Conclusion: The high rate of soil contamination with Toxocara spp. eggs in Yazd emphasize on the need for preventive measures, such as improving sanitation, providing public health education and controlling stray dogs and cats near children play areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parasites may affect the dynamics of bird populations. Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon and Haemoproteus are well-known avian haematozoa that can trigger decreased productivity and high mortality in domesticated birds. In this study, we evaluated the prevalence of avian blood parasites (Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon and Haemoproteus) against 335 birds of 8 species in the Yazd province in central Iran. To detect blood parasites, Giemsa-stained blood smears were prepared. Of the birds, 11.64% (39/335) were infected with at least one parasite genus, particularly Haemoproteus (32.6%; 23/335). The total prevalence values for Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon were 1.7, 6.8 and 2.9%, respectively. Plasmodium had lower prevalence rates of 1.7% (6/335). Among birds, pigeons, hens and ducks have the highest prevalence of Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon and Plasmodium parasites at 1.7%, 6.8% and 2.9%, respectively. Results from this research extend our knowledge on the incidence of avian blood parasites in domesticated birds living in central Iran. The overall low incidence of avian blood parasites in birds was found in the Yazd province, Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Familial combined hyperlipidemia or FCHL is one of the most common genetic causes of hyperlipidemia and is associated with elevation of cholesterol, triglycerides or both, and increased serum apolipoprotein B (apoB). Linkage analysis and next generation sequencing have been successfully used for identifying rare genetic variants that have moderate‐to‐large effects. Methods: We characterized a large pedigree from a proband identified following recruitment into the MASHAD study, in northeast Iran, with FCHL accompanied by early‐onset coronary artery disease. We used linkage analysis for several candidate regions in previous studies such as 1q21‐23, 11q23, and 8p, and then whole‐exome sequencing to identify the disease‐associated gene in this family. Results: We identified a novel variant in the USF1 gene, leading to a substitution of a tryptophan for arginine at position 196. Arg196Trp co‐segregated in all the affected family members in this pedigree with clinical syndrome and was not found in any unaffected family members of this pedigree, or in unrelated controls. Conclusions: We speculate that this mutation [Arg196Trp] in the USF1 gene might be associated with FCHL and early‐onset coronary heart disease in this family. However, the substantial mechanism requires further investigation. These findings indicate that USF1 plays an important role in the biological pathways associated with lipid metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and genotype of Cryptosporidium spp. in different groups of immunocompromised patients admitted to the referral hospitals in center of Iran during 2015-2016. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 346 immunocompromised patients (HIV+/AIDS, Lymphoma, Leukemia and organ transplants) in referred hospitals from central parts of Iran including Isfahan, Markazi, Yazd and Chaharmahale Bakhtiari provinces. Stool samples were analyzed for Cryptosporidium species, modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining techniques followed by the semi-nested PCR and DNA sequencing methods. Results: The total rate of Cryptosporidium spp. was 3.46% (12/346) in the patients, however, the prevalence of the parasite, was 4.6% (4/87) in HIV+/AIDS patients, 3.6% (6/168) in patients with blood malignancy and 2.1% (2/91) in organ transplant recipients. The SSU rRNA gene of Cryptosporidium spp. in all microscopic-positive samples was effectively amplified by the semi-nested PCR and DNA sequences, exposed the existence of two Cryptosporidium species, including C. hominis 91.6% (11/12) and C. parvum 8.3% (1/12). Conclusion: The predominance of C. hominis in the present study may be certifies the importance of anthroponotic transmission of cryptosporidiosis in center of Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We aimed to design a different method of drug delivery for increased transfer of the choice drug (meglumine antimoniate) within the host cells. Therefore, listeriolysin O (LLO), a bacterial product which is a member of pore-forming peptides was used as an enhancer factor with meglumine antimoniate in order to facilitate the transition of the drug across macrophage membrane. Methods: LLO was produced in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2016, by expressing the hlyA gene in Escherichia coli and purified using affinity chromatography. Cytotoxicity of the purified protein was investigated in an in vitro model of macrophage Leishmania infection. Results: LLO was cytotoxic against murine macrophage cells (J774-A1) and amastigote forms of L. major (MRHO/IR/75/ER). It was less toxic to macrophages (CC50=2.56 μg ml-1 ±0.09) than to the parasites (IC50=1.72 μg ml-1 ±0.07). Moreover, noncytotoxic concentration of LLO (0.006 ug ml-1) potentiated the cytotoxicity induced by low dose concentration of meglumine antimoniate. Very little dose of meglumine antimoniate was needed when combined with the LLO (IC50=12.63 μg ml-1 ±0.13) in comparison with the cytotoxicity induced when the drug is used alone (IC50=46.17 μg ml-1 ±0.28). Conclusion: The combination of pore-forming proteins with anti-leishmanial agents could increase the advantage of anti-leishmanial drugs. Since lower concentrations of anti-leishmanial drugs can reduce undesirable side effects of chemotherapy trials carried out in animal models and then in humans with this system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This cross-sectional study aims to assess the prevalence of Cryptosporidium in hemodialysis patients compared with healthy individuals in central Iran from August 2014 to January 2015. Background: Cryptosporidiosis is a major cause of acute and persistent diarrhea with significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients such as those undergoing renal dialysis. Methods: Three stool samples were collected from 330 hemodialysis patients and 150 healthy individuals on 3 consecutive days. The samples were screened for Cryptosporidium infection using formalin-ether sedimentation and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining. Demographic variables as well as risk factors were recorded. Results: Out of 330 dialysis patients and 150 healthy individuals, 10 (3%) and 1 (0.7%) were infected with Cryptosporidium, respectively. We found statistically significant differences between infection and place of residency, hygiene status, education level, diarrhea, and abdominal pain in the two groups (p<0.05). On the other hand, there was no relationship between infection and sex, contact with domestic animals, fever, vomiting, nausea, flatulence, anorexia, duration of dialysis and underlying disorders in the two groups. Also, there was a statistically significant difference between age and infection in hemodialysis patients (p=0.003). A higher infection rate was observed in patients under 20 years of age. Conclusion: Risk factors for Cryptosporidium infection must be controlled. We strongly recommended that stool samples from such patients, especially those with severe or prolonged diarrhea, should be examined with modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining for appropriate and timely treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]