Over-expression of survivin could prevent the oxidative stress and toxicity of rotenone in SH-SY5Y cells.

Objectives: It is important to find novel therapeutic molecular targets for curing Parkinson's disease (PD). Accordingly, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of over-expression of the survivin gene, a gene frequently reported as neuroprotective, on the in vitro model of PD. Materials and Methods: Survivin was over-expressed in SH-SY5Y cells. Next, the cells were treated with rotenone (500 nM) for 24 hr. Then, viability and the total antioxidant capacity were assessed. The expression levels of 15 important genes of key cellular processes (oxidative stress, apoptosis, cell cycle, and autophagy) were assessed. The studied genes included survivin, superoxide dismutase, catalase, BAX, bcl2, caspase 3, caspase 8, caspase 9, p53, SMAC, ß-catenin, mTOR, AMPK, ATG7, RPS18. The apoptosis level and the frequency of cell cycle stages were assessed by flow cytometry. For analyzing the data, the ANOVA test followed by Tukey's test was used to evaluate the significant differences between the experimental groups. P<0.05 was considered significant. Results: Survivin could significantly decrease the rotenone-induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells. The rotenone treatment led to down-regulation of catalase and up-regulation of bax, bcl2, caspase 3, caspase 8, P53, ß-catenin, and ATG7. Survivin could significantly neutralize the effect of rotenone in most the genes. It could also increase the total antioxidant capacity of SH-SY5Y cells. Conclusion: Survivin could prevent the toxic effect of rotenone on SH-SY5Y cells during the development of in vitro PD model via regulating the genes of key cellular processes, including anti-oxidation, apoptosis, cell cycle, and autophagy.

The neuroprotective roles of Dietary Micronutrients on Parkinson's disease: a review.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent elderly neurodegenerative disease. The nature of PD is strongly bounded with certain cellular processes, including oxidative stress, neuro-inflammation, apoptosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Therefore, many clinical and pre-clinical studies have reported protective effects of certain dietary micronutrients for PD. Hence, this review tried to introduce a series of important dietary micronutrients, which to our best of knowledge, were among those compounds known as beneficial for PD with a high consensus. The compounds possess neuroprotective properties (e.g. anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis, boosting mitochondrial performance, regulating autophagy process). Thus, the compounds probably may act on several cellular targets to prevent the development of PD or to attenuate the progress of the disease. Investigating these compounds probably can lead to the development of novel supplementary therapeutic approaches, as well as refinement of dietary regimen of PD patients.

Seroepidemiological Study of Toxocariasis in Children Aged 6-14 Year Old in Sanandaj, Western Iran.

BACKGROUND: Toxocariasis is a disease caused by Toxocara nematodes and occurs from consuming their eggs. The main hosts of these worms are dogs and cats. The disease in humans becomes a visceral larva migrans (VLM). This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of toxocariasis in children aged 6-14 years. METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from Jun 1 2016 to Dec 1 2017 in Sanandaj, west of Iran. A total of 182 serum samples were collected from children age 6 to14 yr referred to medical diagnostic laboratories. Demographic data (age, sex, and parents' literacy status), clinical signs (cough, headache, fever, abdominal pain), and the history of contact with dogs and cats was collected by a questionnaire. The presence of anti-Toxocara IgG antibody was detected by T. canis IgG ELISA (IBL, Germany) kit. RESULTS: Of 182 subjects, 97 (53.3%) were male and 85 (46.7%) female. The average age was 9.2 years. Antibodies against T. canis were positive in three cases (1.65%) of all the studied subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed a low prevalence of toxocariasis in children studied.

Zoonotic Transmission of Cryptosporidium and Microsporidia in Individuals of the Kurdistan Province, West of Iran.

Cryptosporidium species and microsporidia, which can cause zoonotic intestinal infections in humans, have become an emerging public health concern. It seems that the identification and genotyping of these parasites are necessary for the prevention, control, and establishment of appropriate treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the distribution and zoonotic transmission routes of Cryptosporidium species and microsporidia to humans referred to medical laboratories of Kurdistan Province, Iran. A total of 1,383 stool samples were collected and investigated. Cryptosporidium spp. and microsporidia were detected using microscopic methods (i.e., formol-ether concentration, Ziehl-Neelsen staining, and modified trichrome staining methods). DNA was extracted from positive samples, and specific fragments of the Cryptosporidium GP60 gene and microsporidia SSU rRNA gene were amplified. Furthermore, positive samples were sequenced for genotype identification and bioinformatics analysis. Based on the microscopic analysis of 1,383 stool samples, 5 (0.36%) and 6 (0.43%) samples were considered positive for Cryptosporidium oocysts and microsporidia spores, respectively. Molecular analysis of positive samples identified the isolates as Cryptosporidium parvum and Enterocytozoon bieneusi. According to comparative phylogenetics, cryptosporidiosis and microsporidiosis may occur via zoonotic transmission in this region. Therefore, proper control and health education are strongly recommended to prevent zoonotic diseases.

Molecular evidence for zoonotic transmission of Blastocystis subtypes in Kurdistan province, West of Iran

Blastocystis sp. is one of the most prevalent human parasites with a vast variety of non-human hosts. The aim of the present study was to determine the subtype distribution of Blastocystis in humans and trace the route of transmission by molecular data and phylogenetic analysis. Stool samples were collected from patients who referred to 14 medical laboratories in Kurdistan, Iran. All the samples were examined using the direct wet mount and formalinether concentration techniques. DNA extraction was carried out for 30 microscopically positive isolates and 33 negative samples. DNA amplification and subtype identification were also performed using the barcoding method and sequencing techniques. Of 1383 stool samples, 239 (17.3%) were infected with Blastocystis sp. Out of the 24 sequenced isolates, two (8.3%), six (25%), and 16 (66.6 %) belonged to the ST1, ST2, and ST3 subtypes, respectively. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that all the isolates were genetically similar to animal isolates. Blastocystis sp. was very common and ST1, ST2, and ST3 subtypes were prevalent in the study population. Bioinformatics analysis suggests that zoonotic transmission plays an important role in Blastocystis sp. distribution in Kurdistan province.

Differential detection of Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar and Entamoeba moshkovskii in faecal samples using nested multiplex PCR in west of Iran.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar and Entamoeba moshkovskii (collectively referred to as Entamoeba complex), using microscopic and molecular methods in Kurdistan Province, northwest of Iran. The relationship between positive Entamoeba species and clinical symptoms was also investigated. Eight positive Entamoeba complex, as well as four Entamoeba complex-like isolates, were detected by microscopic stool examination. DNA was extracted from all positive and from 55 randomly selected negative stool samples. PCR was performed using species-specific 18S rRNA primers for the Entamoeba complex. All positive PCR samples were sequenced. In total, 14 (1.01%) out of 1383 isolates, i.e. 12 microscopy-positive and Entamoeba complex-like isolates and two out of 55 microscopy-negative isolates, were identified via PCR and sequencing. Overall, 0.58% (8/1383) of the isolates were E. dispar, 0.14% (2/1383) E. histolytica, 0.07% (1/1383) E. moshkovskii and 0.22% (3/1383) were mixed of E. histolytica and E. dispar. Based on our findings, the prevalence of E. dispar is greater than that of E. histoltyica. On the other hand, a case of E. moshkovskii was reported for the first time in this region. It seems that some gastrointestinal symptoms may be attributed to Entamoeba species.