Effects of melatonin supplementation on disease activity, oxidative stress, inflammatory, and metabolic parameters in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Objective: Considering the pathologic significance of inflammation and oxidative stress in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as well as the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hypolipidemic effects of melatonin, the current research is designed to investigate the effect of melatonin supplementation on disease activity, oxidative stress, inflammatory, and metabolic parameters in RA patients.

Methods: In this randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 64 RA cases were selected and randomly assigned into 2 groups to take 6 mg/day melatonin or placebo for 12 weeks. Before and after trial, serum malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), lipid profile, fasting blood sugar (FBS), and insulin levels were measured and disease activity was determined by disease activity score-28 (DAS-28).

Intestinal parasitic infections in different groups of immunocompromised patients in Kashan and Qom cities, central Iran.

Introduction: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are important causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with immunocompromising conditions.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of IPIs in different groups of immunocompromised patients, including hemodialysis patients (HD), renal transplant recipients (RTR), cancer and HIV/AIDS patients in comparison with healthy individuals in two central cities of Iran (Kashan and Qom).

Methods: In this case-control study, the stool samples of 135 HD, 50 RTR, 60 cancer patients, 20 HIV/AIDS patients and 120 healthy subjects were tested using direct-smear, formol-ether concentration, Ziehl-Neelsen staining and Agar plate method.

Serological and molecular survey of toxoplasmosis in renal transplant recipients and hemodialysis patients in Kashan and Qom regions, central Iran.

Toxoplasma gondii is one of the important opportunistic pathogen among solid-organ transplant recipients and hemodialysis patients (HD). This study was aimed to detect toxoplasmosis among 50 renal transplant recipients (RTR), 135 HD and 120 healthy individuals in two cities (Kashan and Qom) that located in the center of Iran, from 2014 to 2015. Serological detection (IgG and IgM antibodies) was performed among all individuals in case and control groups.

ToRCH "co-infections" are associated with increased risk of abortion in pregnant women.

ToRCH infections (toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus and Herpes simplex virus) have long been known to be associated with bad obstetric outcomes. However, little information is available about the impact of ToRCH co-infections on the outcome of pregnancy. Hence, we tested the IgG and IgM antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus and Herpes Simplex Virus among 81 pregnant women with abortion (case group) and 98 pregnant women with normal delivery (control group).

Molecular Characteristics of Nasal Carriage Methicillin-Resistant Coagulase Negative Staphylococci in School Students.

Background: Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are opportunistic pathogens. Methicillin resistance is common in CoNS and may play an important role as reservoir of staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) for Staphylococcus aureus.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine molecular characteristics of nasal carriage of methicillin-resistant coagulase negative staphylococci among students.

Toxoplasmosis-associated abortion and stillbirth in Tehran, Iran.

Objectives: This study was aimed to evaluate the role of toxoplasmosis in etiology of abortion and stillbirth based on molecular and serological techniques.

Material And Methods: A total of 110 pregnant women with abortion and stillbirth were enrolled as the case group, and 110 pregnant women with normal delivery were enrolled as the control group. Serological and molecular detections of Toxoplasma gondii were assessed by ELISA and PCR methods.

The Helicobacter pylori resistance rate to clarithromycin in Iran.

Background: Clarithromycin is the most commonly suggested antibiotic in Helicobacter pylori eradication regimens. Increasing antibiotic resistance rate to clarithromycin is the main reason for therapeutic failure. The resistance is associated with mutations in the 23S rRNA gene.