Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
Year:2006 | Volume:9 | Issue:1 (29)|Papers Count:11

Objective: Phlebotomine sand flies are the vectors of different forms of leishmaniasis in Iran. Study on their ecology is essential for suggestion of leishmaniasis control programs. Following annually new case reports of cutaneous leishmaniasis, at Hemat Abad an investigation on the fauna and monthly activating phlebotomines was carried out during Mar 2003. Nov. 2003 in this region. Materials and Methods: Phlebotomine sand-flies were collected every 10 days from outdoors and indoors with sticky traps, during Mar. 2003-Nov. 2003. Results: In this study 521 sand-flies were collected from outdoors and indoors (2 species of phlebotomus genus and 2 species of sergentomyia genus), as follows, P. sergenti (74.7%), P. papatasi (1Ll %), S. sintoni (13.3%), S. sombarica (0.9%). The sand flies active season begins from April till October in this region. P. sergenti was the predominant phlebotomines species in our investigation. Conclusion: Based on the results, P. sergenti is the probable vector of Cutaneous leishmaniasis in this region and P. Papatasi can transmit disease from rodents to humans.      

Objective: Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease which is caused by different species of Leishmania. Protozoa of the Leishmania species cause leishmaniasis. The protective immunity against leishmaniasis is the cell-mediated immunity (CMI). Autoclaved Leishmania major (ALM) has been used as vaccine in clinical trial; however, its efficacy has been low. Liposomes are microscopic vesicles consisting of phospholipid bilayers which enclose aqueous compartments and are used as an immunoadjuvant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immune response of ALM entrapped in liposome with different phase transition temperature (Tm) in BALB/c mice. Materials and Methods: Liposomes containing ALM were prepared as dehydration-rehydration vesicles (DRV) and composed of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC, Tm 41°C) and cholesterol or phosphatidylcholine (PC, Tm -10°C) and cholesterol in a molar ratio of 7:2 DRV-DPPC-Chol- ALM (180 µg), DRV-PC-Chol-ALM (180 µg), ALM alone (180 µg), PBS, and a control empty liposome were injected separately subcutaneously (SC) in female BALB/c mice (10 per group), 3 times in three weeks interval. The mice were tested for DTH with freeze-thawed L. major promastigotes (1.5 × 107) SC to the left footpad and PBS to the right footpad for control at 3 weeks after the last booster. The footpad swellings were measured after 24, 48 and 72 hours. Blood samples were collected before second and third vaccination and also before DTH test to titrate the anti-Leishmania antibodies (IgG total, IgG1 and IgG2a) by ELISA method. Results: The sizes of liposome were between 0.5-3 µm. Percent encapsulation of ALM in DRV-DPPC- Chol-ALM and DRV-PC-Chol-ALM was 46 and 43 respectively. The results of DTH showed that footpad swelling in DRV-DPPC-Chol-ALM and DRV-PC-Chol-ALM is significantly more than control groups. The results of ELISA showed that the titer of IgG total in PBS, control empty liposomes and ALM alone is low and it is significantly less than DRV-DPPC- Chol-ALM and DRV-PC-Chol-ALM. There were no differences in the titer of IgG1 in the different groups; however, the titer of IgG2a was significantly higher in DRV-DPPC-Chol- ALM compared to DRV-PC-Chol-ALM and control groups. Conclusion: The results indicated that liposome prepared by higher Tm phospholipid seems to be a suitable immunoadjuvant for ALM in to improve the CMI.      

Objective: Differential diagnosis of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar, which are two morphologically identical species of amoebae is essential both for the treatment decision and public health aspects. The electrophoretic patterns of hexokinase and phosphoglucomutase have been widely used to distinguish E. histolytica from E. dispar and isoenzyme analysis is still a gold standard method. This study was done to determin the isoenzyme patterns of E. histolytica and E. dispar in Iran. Materials and Methods: In this study electrophoretic patterns of two Iranian Entamoeba isolates and four standard E. histolytica and E. dispar were analyzed by using four enzymes: Glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI), phosphoglucomutase (PGM), L-malate : NADP+ oxido-reductase (ME) and hexokinase (HK). Results: Both Iranian isolates gave zymodeme I pattern of E. dispar. After axenization of the isolates in YIGADHA-S medium, the electerophoretic patterns of zymodeme I remained stable without any changes. Conclusion: Our study confirmed the existence of zymodeme I of E. dispar in Iran. The result of this research and another experiment on 8 isolates led us to declare that zymodeme I might be the dominant pattern of E. dispar zymodemes in Iran.      

Objective: The basalis magnocellularis nucleus (NBM) cholinergic projections to amygdala and forntal cortex have a crucial role in spatial learning and memory. There are relations between septum, hippocampus, amygdala and cerebral cortex. The role of NBM cholinergic projections to medial septum and then to hippocampus on spatial learning and memory, hippocamal EEG in animal model of Alzheimer's disease was assessed after unilateral lesion of NBM with phtalic acid (300 ng/kg). Physostigmine was infused into the medial septum. Materials and Methods: Forty wistar male rats were divided in 4 groups: control, lesioned, lesioned received saline and lesioned treated with physostigmine (5µg/µl). Animals were operated stereotaxicaly for NBM lesioning, intramedial septum cannulation and hippocamal electrode implantation. Rats were trained one session daily into T-maze and alterations of hippocampal EEG amplitude were evaluated. Results: The results showed intramedial septum infusion of physostigmine improves spatial learning and memory in lesioned animals significantly (p<0.01). Conclusion: NBM cholinergic projections to medial septum and then the hippocampus as well as its projections to amygdala and cortex have a role in spatial learning and memory. Administration of physostigmine improves decrease of hippocampal EEG amplitiude, spatial learning and memory impairment that was induced by NMB lesioning in male rats.      

Objective: Diabetes mellitus is the most common disease of the endocrinal glands. Since it is one of the ailments of nephropathic diabetes, so this research aims at the surveying of unbiased stereology (Cavalieri principle) of the extract of Aloe vera leaf on the diabetic rat kidney. Materials and Methods: At first, 32 male Wistar rats, 140/13 ±25/74 gr, were divided into: control, control + extract, diabetic control, diabetic + extract groups. Each group n=8 were divided randomly. IDDM was established by the Intra-Pertoneal injection of 60 mg/kg streptozotocin in two times, control groups. Control + extract and diabetic + extract groups were treated by Aloe vera extract with doses of 70 mg/rat/day. After 30 days, rats left kidneys were excised and fixed by bouin solution. After tissue processing, staining by H & E was carry out, and at the end, with the stereology technique, quantitative information about the cortex, medulla, total kidney and glomeruli volumes was deducted. Results:  Statistical results of Anova/Tukey test and T-Test by using of SPSS 11 software showed that the mean of final body weight is increased in control, control + extract and diabetic + extract groups in comparison with diabetic control (p<0/001). Cortical and total kidney volumes are significantly increased in control + extract, diabetic + extract groups in comparison with diabetic control (p<0/001). Total glomeruli volume also is increased in control + extract and diabetic + extract groups, in comparison with control and diabetic control. Conclusion: This research shows that Aloe vera extract dose not have an effect on diabetic kidney manifestation during the course of the above treatment.      

Objective: The grape leaf (Vitis vinifera) has been used traditionally to treat diarrhea. We have recently showed that the grape leaf extract induces relaxation in rat aorta, vas deferens, and uterus. The vasorelaxatory effect on aorta was mostly dependent on endothelium, and the NO was involved; but in uterus and vas deferens, the relaxatory effect was dependent on voltage dependent calcium channels. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of grape leaf hydroalcoholic extract on rat colon contractions induced by some spasmogens and its mechanism(s). Materials and methods: Extract was prepared by the macerated method using 70% alcohol for 72 h, and the solvent was then evaporated. In a male adult Sprague Dawley rat anaesthetized by ether and after laparatomy, two pieces (1 cm) of distal colon was removed. In an organ bath containing Tyrode solution, colon was mounted and an isotonic transducer under 1 g resting tension recorded the contractions. In the separate protocols, KCl (60 mM), BaCl2 (4 mM), acetylcholine (1 µM) induced contraction and extract was added to organ bath (0.5, 1,2 and 4 mg/ml) cumulatively. Results: The results showed that Vitis vinifera leaf hydroalcoholic extract (VLHE) reduces contractions induced by these spasmogens (n=7, p<0.0001) and in a dose dependent manner. The spasmolytic effect of VLHE on ACh-induced contraction was unaffected by propranolol as the β-adrenoceptor antagonist (1 µM, for 30 min), L-NAME as a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (300 µM, for 30 min). Neither phentolamine as the non-selective α-adrenoceptor antagonist (1 µM, for 30 min) nor naloxone (opioid antagonist, 1 µM, for 30 min) was ineffective on VLHE spasmolytic activity. Blocking the ATP-dependent potassium channels by glibenclamide (3 µM, for 30 min) had no effect on the extract spasmolytic activity. But adding tetraethylammonium (TEA, 5 mM) to the extract-induced relaxation, caused colon contraction. Conclusion: These results suggest that the VLHE spasmolytic effect is due, at least in part, to blockade of the voltage dependent calcium channels. The calcium dependent potassium channels are also involved. Furthermore, α and β-adrenergic, NO and opioid receptors were not involved.      

Objective: Addiction to opium is a factor that leaves an important impression on embryo. In this research we are going to examine the effect of father's addiction on the first generation of offspring. The general goal of this research is determining some of the probable complications obtained from male mice's addiction to morphine in their first generation. Materials and Methods: In this research 3 groups of mice have been chosen. The first group was injected with morphine for 20 days with crescent doses in quantity of 10, 15, 20 mg/Kg and at an interval of 5 days, the second group with a single dose of morphine in quantities of 25 mg/Kg, and the third group, as the first one, was injected with normal saline in quantities of 10 mg/Kg for 20 days. All injections were carried out intraperitoneally. Twenty-four hours after the last injection in each group, every male mouse was mated with a non-addicted adult female mouse and was compared from quantity of producing the vaginal plug of experimental groups and observer's point of view. After observing vaginal plug, female mice were separated and kept in detached cages. The time of labor, and the offspring were compared about the embryonic duration, the offspring numbers of each mother, the death rate after birth in the first and the second months, the average of weight at the time of birth, the numbers of male gender compared to females with control group. Results: Results showed that the rate of producing vaginal plug in mice which had mated with addicted male mice is more than control group. Embryonic duration in experimental groups is shorter and the offspring number is more than control group. The death rate of offspring after being born was more and average of weight is less than control group. Also the number of male gender was more than female in experimental groups. Conclusion: Male addiction to morphine, cause of death birthing, decreased weight in the first offspring generation, and also increase in the number of offspring, decreases the embryonic duration, increases the number of male offspring and vaginal plug in mothers.      

Objective: Colon cancer is a prevalent human malignancy. HER2/neu is an important oncogene in breast cancer, but its prevalence and significance in colon cancer have been poorly documented. The aim of this study is to determine the rate and pattern of HER2/neu expression in colon carcinoma by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Materials and Methods: Sixty-nine archival, paraffin wax embedded colon carcinoma specimens were chosen. IHC for HER2/neu was performed. Clinicopathologic data and IHC results were analysed. Results: Most of the carcinoma cases were well differentiated and located in the left side. There was positive HER2/neu staining in a high percent of cases (41 Cases, 59.4 %) with both cytoplasmic (27 cases, 65.9%) and membranous-cytoplasmic (14 cases, 34.1%) staining. There was positive HER2 staining in 66.7% of stage B, in 58.6% of stage C and 28.6% of stage D cases, In higher stages, the rate of positive staining was decreased but there was higher rate of strong membranous staining. There was positive HER2 staining in 28 (66.7%) of well differentiated and in five (35.7%) of moderately differentiated cases. In addition, in higher grades, the rate of HER2/neu staining was decreased (p=0.04)and there was more membranous staining. There was no correlation between HER2/neu expression and age, sex, site and type of tumor. Conclusion: The rate of HER2/neu expression in colon carcinoma is high. Because of more prominent membranous staining in higher stages and grades, Herceptin therapy could be helpful in patients with lymph node or distant metastases.      

Objective: Wilms tumor, as the most common renal tumor of children, has been associated with chromosomal abnormalities. Although a correlation between anaplasia and mutations of P53 tumor suppresser gene has been found in Wilms tumor, significance of these mutations in different clinical stages of favorable- Wilms tumor, remains largely unresolved. The goal of this study was to determine the frequency of P53 expression in histologically favorable Wilms tumors and its correlation to tumor-stage at presentation. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 48 cases of confirmed Wilms tumor with favorable-histology were retrieved from the files of departments of pathology in three hospitals in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences between 1990 and 2004. Histological characteristics and clinicopathological staging were in accordance with National Wilms Tumor Study guidelines. P53 expression was determined by the immunohistochemical method. For each section, the proportion of neoplastic cells exhibiting nuclear positivity was broadly quantified and their intensity of staining was charted, based on visual impression by two pathologists. Results: A total of 48 cases of histologically favorable Wilms tumor were assessed. Eleven cases (23%) showed positivity for P53 which were 3 (27.3%) with stage II, 3 (27.3%) with stage IV, 2 (18.2%) with stage I, 2 (18.2%) with stage III and 1 case (9.1%) with stage V. The P53 immunopositivity was seen in 1-25% of tumor cells in 9 cases (18.8%), in 26 to 50% of tumor cells in 1 case (2.1%) and in >75% of tumor cells in the other one case (2.1%). The intensity of staining was moderate in 6 cases (12.5%), weak in 4 (6.3%) and strong only in one case  4.2%). The most common component with P53 immunoreactivity was blastemal in 11 cases (100%). In 4 cases (36.4%) there was also positivity in epithelial and in 2 cases (18.2%) in mesenchymal components. Conclusion: We found no correlation of P53 immunoreactivity and its intensity to tumor stage at presentation in individuals with histologyically favorable Wilms tumors (p=0.66, p=0.52 respectively).