Using Various Approaches of Design of Experiments for High Cell Density Production of the Functionally Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum Strain RPR42 in a Cane Molasses-based Medium.

Considering the economic importance of the probiotics, industrial production of their biomass became important. Cane molasses, as an industrial byproduct, was used in this study to design a medium for biomass overproduction of a functionally probiotic strain, designated as Lactobacillus plantarum strain RPR42. The results showed that strain RPR42 can be best grown anaerobically in 22.

Screening for efficient nitrogen sources for overproduction of the biomass of the functionally probiotic L. plantarum strain RPR42 in a cane molasses-based medium.

Nitrogen source has a vital role for the efficient growth of lactobacilli. The effects of cheese whey, corn steep liquor, and wheat germ extract on the growth of L. plantarum strain RPR42 in cane molasses-based media was evaluated using various approaches of design of experiments.

Assessment of Recombinant A2-Latex Agglutination Test (RA2-LAT) and RA2-ELISA for Detection of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis: A Comparative Field Study with Direct Agglutination Test in Northwestern Iran.

Background: This study aimed to set-up latex agglutination test (LAT) and ELISA based on recombinant A2 from Iranian strain of (rA2-Ag) and evaluated for detection of anti- antibodies in dogs compared to standard direct agglutination test (DAT).

Methods: The rA2-Ag was synthesized under a part of the A2 gene sequences which contain immune dominant sequences and less number of repetitive sequences. Latex beads, 0.

Probiotic characters of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus are a result of the ongoing gene acquisition and genome minimization evolutionary trends.

Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus are the main probiotic genera. Collectively, these two genera harbor over 200 species among which are many strains have been introduced as probiotics. These health-promoting microbes confer health benefits upon the host and so used in food productions and as supplements.

Epidemiological Distribution of Rodents as Potent Reservoirs for Infectious Diseases in the Provinces of Mazandaran, Gilan and Golestan, Northern Iran.

Rodents are mammals that comprise more than 2000 species and approximately 30 families. There are many morphological and ecological differences among them as variations in their shape, size, weight and habitat. In addition to significant economic losses, rodents have a major role in the dissemination of infectious diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites or other micro-organisms.

Application of Recombinant Proteins for Serodiagnosis of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Humans and Dogs.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a zoonotic disease caused by leishmania species. Dogs are considered to be the main reservoir of VL. A number of methods and antigen-based assays are used for the diagnosis of leishmaniasis.

Comparison of recombinant A2-ELISA with rKE16 dipstick and direct agglutination tests for diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in dogs in Northwestern Iran.

Introduction: Various methods are used for the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), such as microscopic examination, culture and inoculation of laboratory animals; however, serological assays are commonly used for the detection of antibodies in serum samples with a wide range of specificity and sensitivity.

Methods: The purpose of this study was to compare three serological methods, including rA2-ELISA, the recombinant KE16 (rKE16) dipstick test and the direct agglutination test (DAT), for the detection of antibodies against VL antigens. The assays utilized 350 statistically based random serum samples from domestic dogs with clinical symptoms as well as samples from asymptomatic and healthy dogs from rural and urban areas of the Meshkinshahr district, northwestern Iran.

Effect of trinitroglycerin therapy on serum zinc and copper levels and liver enzyme activities in BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania major MRHO/IR/75/ER.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of trinitroglycerin (TNG) as nitric oxide donor agent on serum copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) levels and liver enzymes in BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania major (L. major) MRHO/IR/75/ER.

Materials And Methods: Inbred female mice were divided into three groups: healthy group (uninfected naive mice), control group (infected with L.

An epidemiological comparative study on diagnosis of rodent leptospirosis in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran.

Objectives: Leptospirosis is a zoonosis caused by leptospires, in which transmission occurs through contact with contaminated biological fluids from infected animals. Rodents can act as a source of infection for humans and animals. The disease has a global distribution, mainly in humid, tropical and sub-tropical regions.

Genetic diversity and effect of natural selection at apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA-1) among Iranian Plasmodium vivax isolates.

Apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA-1) of Plasmodium vivax Grassi et Feletti, 1890 is a promising malaria vaccine candidate. However, antigenic variation is a major problem to design a universal malaria vaccine. Hence, detailed understanding of the pvama-1 gene polymorphism can provide conductive information on this potential vaccine component.

Protective effect of ghrelin in a rat model of celiac disease.

Ghrelin is a gut hormone shown to have protective effects throughout the gastrointestinal tract. This study aims to investigate its protective effect in celiac disease induced in rats. Twenty-four rat pups were divided into 4 groups as follows: control, disease (1.

Naltrexone attenuates endoplasmic reticulum stress induced hepatic injury in mice.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress provides abnormalities in insulin action, inflammatory responses, lipoprotein B100 degradation and hepatic lipogenesis. Excess accumulation of triglyceride in hepatocytes may also lead to disorders such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Opioid peptides are involved in triglyceride and cholesterol dysregulation, inflammation and cell death.

Comparison of antimalarial activity of Artemisia turanica extract with current drugs in vivo.

Background & Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare antimalarial activity of Artemisia turanica Krasch as Iranian flora with current antimalarial drugs against Plasmodium berghei in vivo in mice.

Methods: Air-dried aerial parts of Iranian flora A. turanica were collected from Khorasan, northeastern Iran, extracted with Et2O/MeOH/Petrol and defatted.

Evaluation of anti-leishmanial effects of killed Leishmania vaccine with BCG adjuvant in BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania major MRHO/IR/75/ER.

There are many strategies to control leishmaniasis, but majority of them are inadequate. Killed Leishmania vaccine (KLV) has been applied for its immunogenicity in human and mouse model. Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) as adjuvant is an immune-modulator inducing humoral and cellular immune responses during zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL).

Comparison of Th1 and Th2 responses in non-healing and healing patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is an endemic disease in many regions of Iran, including the city of Mashhad. In recent years, some cases have not responded to Glucantime, the usual treatment for this disease. The cellular immune response caused by T-helper type 1 (Th1) cells has an important role in protection against leishmaniasis, and activation of the T-helper type 2 (Th2) response causes progression of the disease.

Intra-hippocampal injection of lipopolysaccharide inhibits kindled seizures and retards kindling rate in adult rats.

Neuroinflammation facilitates seizure acquisition and epileptogenesis in developing brain. Yet, the studies on impact of neuroinflammation on mature brain epileptogenesis have led to inconsistent results. Hippocampus is particularly vulnerable to damage caused by ischemia, hypoxia and trauma, and the consequent neuroinflammation, which can lead in turn to epilepsy.

Efficacy of eosin B as a new antimalarial drug in a murine model.

The initial success of any adopted anti-infective strategy to malaria is followed by a descent due to the emergence of resistance to it. The search for new drugs and drug targets is a consistent demand in this disease. Eosin B, a common laboratory dye, is reported to have good antiparasitic properties in vitro.

Inhibition of Murine Systemic Leishmaniasis by Acetyl Salicylic Acid via Nitric Oxide Immunomodulation.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate antileishmanial effects of ASA via NO pathway in Leishmania major infected Balb/c mice. Moreover, toxicity and pathological consequences of ASA administration were investigated.

Methods: Balb/c mice were infected with L.

Antimalarial Effects of Iranian Flora Artemisia sieberi on Plasmodium berghei In Vivo in Mice and Phytochemistry Analysis of Its Herbal Extracts.

The aim of this study is pharmacochemistry of Iranian flora Artemisia sieberi and its antimalarial effects on Plasmodium berghei in vivo. This is the first application of A. sieberi for treatment of murine malaria.

Effect of different doses of GLP-2 (Teduglutide) on acute esophageal lesion due to acid-pepsin perfusion in male rats.

Gastro-esophageal reflux currently is widespread disorders with dangerous complications. GLP-2 is a peptide that has trophic and anti-inflammatory effects on gastrointestinal mucosa. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective role of GLP-2 in esophageal mucosa lesion due to perfusion acid-pepsin.

Molecular Analysis of A2-genes Encoding Stage-specific S Antigen-like Proteins among Isolates from Iranian Cutaneous and Visceral Leishmaniasis.

Objectives: Leishmania can lead to a broad spectrum of diseases, collectively known as leishmaniasis. The A2 gene/ protein family could be one of the most eligible candidate factors of virulence in visceral leishmaniasis (VL). The previous results confirmed that in Leishmania infantum, several A2 proteins are abundantly expressed by the amastigote, but not the promastigote stage.

Lead exposure changes gastric motility in rats: role of nitric oxide (NO).

Background: Abdominal colic, constipation and delay in gastric emptying are symptoms of lead poisoning, but there is scant information about the effect of lead on gastric motility. In the present study, we investigated the effect of lead acetate on gastric motility in rats.

Methods: Animals were divided into nine groups (n=8); four groups were exposed to lead acetate solution (1%) for 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks (Pb1, Pb2, Pb3, and Pb4 groups, respectively).

An overview of a diagnostic and epidemiologic reappraisal of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a widespread tropical infection which has a high incidence rate in Iran. Leishmania tropica, the causative agent of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL), and Leishmania major, which causes zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL), are endemic in various parts of Iran with a high incidence rate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reappraisal of the diagnosis and epidemiology of CL in Iran, by different clinical, parasitological and molecular assays among patients suspected of CL referred to the Department of Parasitology, at the Pasteur Institute of Iran during 2006-2009.

Nitric oxide contributes to learning and memory deficits observed in hypothyroid rats during neonatal and juvenile growth.

Introduction: Severe cognitive impairment follows thyroid hormone deficiency during the neonatal period. The role of nitric oxide (NO) in learning and memory has been widely investigated.

Methods: This study aimed to investigate the effect of hypothyroidism during neonatal and juvenile periods on NO metabolites in the hippocampi of rats and on learning and memory.

Protective effect of ghrelin on acetaminophen-induced liver injury in rat.

Ghrelin is a peptide that has protective effects on many tissues of the body. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. Acetaminophen, a commonly used analgesic-antipyretic drug, has hepatotoxic side effects.