Relations among Memories of Parental Acceptance-Rejection, Psychological (Mal)Adjustment, Forgiveness, and Vengeance among Iranian Adults.

The study investigated relations among adults' memories of parental acceptance-rejection in childhood and adults' current dispositions toward forgiveness and vengeance, as mediated by psychological (mal)adjustment. Data were collected from 258 adults (female = 183, Age range = 17-47 years; Mage = 39; SD = 11.4). Measures used were the short forms of the maternal and paternal Adult Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaires (PARQ), the short form of the Adult Personality Assessment Questionnaire (PAQ), the Heartland Forgiveness Scale (HFS), the Vengeance Scale (VS-10), and a Personal Information Form (PIF). Results showed that maternal and paternal rejection was positively associated with psychological maladjustment and negatively correlated with forgiveness for both men and women. Moreover, psychological maladjustment showed a negative relation with forgiveness and a positive relation with vengeance. Findings revealed that parental (maternal and paternal) rejection was not significantly associated with vengeance for men. However, maternal (not paternal) rejection was significantly associated with a vengeance for women. Path analysis revealed a significant indirect effect of maternal and paternal rejection on forgiveness and vengeance through psychological maladjustment. Results found no significant gender differences in the path analyses. Findings are discussed considering the Iranian culture and religious beliefs. Implications of the results and future research directions are discussed.

Anti-leishmanial effects of Eryngium planum and Ecbilliun elaterum methanolic extract against Leishmania major.

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease, one of the most important neglected tropical diseases. Existing anti-leishmanial treatments are not effective for a long time and associated with toxic side effects so searching for a new, effective and safe alternative treatments against infectious diseases is greatly needed. This study is aimed to assess the leishmaniacidal effects of methanolic extracts of Eryngium planum (E. planum) and Ecbilliun elaterum (E. elaterum) on Leishmania major (L. major), In vitro. The selected plants were collected from northern areas of Iran. The methanolic extract from the aerial parts of plants were prepared using maceration methods. GC- Mass analysis was used to determine the compounds of the plants. Promastigotes of L. major was cultured in RPMI-1640 medium and the anti-leishmanial and cytotoxicity effects of extracts at concentrations of 100, 200, 400 and 800 µg/ml were assessed using MTT assay. The data obtained from gas chromatography revealed that α-Pinene, Caryophyllene oxide, ß-Caryophyllene, Bicyclogermacrene and α-Bisabolol are the main compounds extracted from E. planum and α-Pinene, Germacrene D, Caryophyllene oxide, γ-Eudesmol and α-Bisabolol are the main components of E. elaterum. The results of MTT Assay revealed that E. planum at concentrations of 800 µg/ml after 24 h at 400 µg/ml after 48 h and the E. elaterium at concentrations of 800 µg/ml after 48 h at 400 µg/ml after 72 h had similar anti-leishmanial effects to the positive control. These results indicated that E. planum and E. elaterum are the potential sources for the discovery of novel anti-leishmanial treatments.

Mentalization Scale (MentS): Validity and reliability of the Iranian version in a sample of nonclinical adults.

INTRODUCTION: Mentalizing incapacity is increasingly identified as a common factor in psychopathology. The Mentalization Scale (MentS) is a cost-effective measure built upon the dimensional model of mentalizing. We aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Iranian version of MentS. METHODS: Two samples of community-based adults (N1  = 450, N2  = 445) completed different batteries of self-report measures. In addition to MentS, participants completed measures of reflective functioning and attachment insecurities in the first sample and a measure of emotion dysregulation in the second sample. RESULTS: Due to the conflicting results of confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses, an item-parceling approach was applied, which replicated the original three-factor structure of MentS, yielding Self-Related Mentalization, Other-Related Mentalization, and Motivation to Mentalize. The reliability and convergent validity of MentS were supported in both samples. CONCLUSION: Our findings provided preliminary evidence for using the Iranian version of MentS in nonclinical populations as a reliable and valid measure.

Toxoplasmosis and symptoms severity in patients with COVID-19 in referral centers in Northern Iran.

Toxoplasmosis has been categorized as one of the long-lasting protozoan parasitic infections. It affects almost one-third of the world's population. In recent years, several documented studies have elucidated that infected individuals have a remarkably higher incidence of distinct health problems and show various adverse effects. In the PCR-positive COVID-19 patients in Gonbad-e-Kavus, Kalaleh, and Minoodasht counties in the northern part of Iran from June 2021 to December 2021, we sought to investigate any potential relationships between the severity of COVID-19 symptoms and acute and latent toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). Whole blood samples of 161 COVID-19 patients with positive PCR. The samples were centrifuged to separate serum and screened for two important antibodies against T. gondii (IgM and IgG) by using ELISA kits for human anti-T. gondii IgM and IgG. Anti-T. gondii IgM and IgG antibodies were detected in 8/161 (5.0%) and 42/161 (26.1%) COVID-19 patients, respectively. No significant relationships were found between Toxoplasma IgM and IgG results with clinical signs, age, sex, contact with animals, comorbidities, and also the mortality rate of people with COVID-19. These findings showed that acute and latent toxoplasmosis infections are common among patients with COVID-19; however, no significant associations were found between toxoplasma infections and the symptoms of COVID-19. Therefore, toxoplasmosis is not considered a risk factor for COVID-19.

Psychometric properties of the parental reflective functioning questionnaire in Iranian mothers.

This study aims to examine the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (PRFQ) in mothers, a brief self-report measure that assesses parental mentalization capacity. To examine the factor structure and construct validity of the PRFQ, 430 mothers of 3-6-year-old children completed the Persian version of the PRFQ (Persian-PRFQ) along with the Emotion Regulation Checklist (ERC) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported the three-factor structure of the PRFQ. Convergent validity was confirmed for the three subscales of the PRFQ, while divergent validity was only confirmed for the PM and IC. Furthermore, the mean score of the certainty of mental states (CMS) in this sample was higher than in other studies, and contrary to the theoretical foundations, the CMS was positively related to interest and curiosity in mental states (IC). In conclusion, our results provided initial evidence for the use of the Persian-PRFQ in the Iranian population.

Anti-leishmanial effects of resveratrol and resveratrol nanoemulsion on Leishmania major.

BACKGROUND: Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease that is endemic in the tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world. Low efficacy and high cytotoxicity of the current treatment regimens for leishmaniasis is one of the most important health problems. In this experimental study, anti-leishmanial effects of different concentrations of resveratrol and resveratrol nano-emulsion (RNE) were assessed. METHODS: RNE was prepared using the probe ultra-sonication method. The cytotoxicity was evaluated using the MTT technique on the L929 cell line. The anti-leishmanial activities on promastigotes of leishmania were assessed using vital staining and infected BALB/c mice were used to assess the in vivo anti-leishmanial effects. RESULTS: In vitro and in vivo assays revealed that all concentrations of resveratrol and RNE had valuable inhibitory effects against Leishmania major in comparison to the control group (P < 0.05). The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values were calculated as 16.23 and 35.71 µg/mL for resveratrol and RNE, respectively. Resveratrol and RNE showed no cytotoxicity against the L929 cell line. CONCLUSIONS: According to the potent in vitro and in vivo anti-leishmanial activity of RNE at low concentration against L. major, we suggest that it could be a promising anti-leishmanial therapeutic against L. major in the future.

Utility of blood as the clinical specimen for the diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis using uracil DNA glycosylase-supplemented loop-mediated isothermal amplification and real-time polymerase chain reaction assays based on REP-529 sequence and B1 gene.

BACKGROUND: Ocular infection with Toxoplasma gondii is a major preventable cause of blindness, especially in young people. The aim of the present study was to assess detection rate of T. gondii DNA in blood samples of clinically diagnosed of ocular toxoplasmosis using uracil DNA glycosylase-supplemented loop-mediated isothermal amplification (UDG-LAMP) and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) based on REP-529 and B1. METHODS: One hundred and seventeen patients with clinically diagnosed ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) were participated in the study as well as 200 control patients. Peripheral blood samples were assessed using UDG-LAMP and qPCR techniques targeting REP-529 and B1. RESULTS: Detection limits of qPCR using REP-529 and B1 were estimated as 0.1 and 1 fg of T. gondii genomic DNA, respectively. The limits of detection for UDG-LAMP using REP-529 and B1 were 1 and 100 fg, respectively. In this study, 18 and 16 patients were positive in qPCR using REP-529 and B1, respectively. Based on the results of UDG-LAMP, 15 and 14 patients were positive using REP-529 and B1, respectively. Results of the study on patients with active ocular lesion showed that sensitivity of REP-529 and BI targets included 64 and 63%, respectively using qPCR. Sensitivity of 62 and 61%, were concluded from UDG-LAMP using REP-529 and B1 in the blood cases of active ocular lesion. qPCR was more sensitive than UDG-LAMP for the detection of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in peripheral blood samples of patients with clinically diagnosed toxoplasmic chorioretinitis. Furthermore, the REP-529 included a better detection rate for the diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis in blood samples, compared to that the B1 gene did. Moreover, the qPCR and UDG-LAMP specificity assessments have demonstrated no amplifications of DNAs extracted from other microorganisms based on REP-529 and B1. CONCLUSIONS: Data from the current study suggest that qPCR and UDG-LAMP based on the REP-529 are promising diagnostic methods for the diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis in blood samples of patients with active chorioretinal lesions.

Parental Reflective Functioning as a Moderator for the Relationship Between Maternal Depression and Child Internalizing and Externalizing Problems.

Parental Reflective Functioning (PRF) refers to parents' capacity to view their child's and their own behavior considering inner mental states, like thoughts, desires, and intentions. This study's objective was to examine whether PRF acted as a moderator for the relationships between maternal depression and child internalizing and externalizing problems. The sample was comprised of 685 Iranian mothers with preschoolers (3 to 5 years old) and school-aged (6-10 years old) children. To assess PRF, the PRF questionnaire was used. Child internalizing and externalizing difficulties were assessed with the Child Behavior Checklist, and maternal depression was assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory- second version. Results indicated significant relationships between maternal depression and PRF (specifically pre-mentalizing and certainty in mental states). Also, mothers of school-aged children showed significantly higher levels of pre-mentalizing than mothers of preschoolers. Furthermore, certainty about mental states moderated the relationship between maternal depression and child externalizing behaviors in school-aged children. However, no moderating effect was found for pre-mentalizing or interest and curiosity in mental states in any age group.

The Comparison of the IFN-ɤ, TNF-α and IL-10 Cytokines in Healing and Non-healing Cutaneous Leishmaniasis.

BACKGROUND: Leishmaniasis is one of the main vectors borne and neglected tropical parasitic diseases. T cell cytokine responses are highly important in the presentations of disease such as control or progression, and understanding of the host immunological response is valuable in diagnosis, follow-up, and vaccine designs. In the current study, the profile of IFN-ɤ, TNF-α, and IL-10 cytokines was investigated through the ELISA technique in PBMCs isolated from antimony resistance and susceptible patients. METHODS: In this experimental study, 54 patients with healing (n=27) or non-healing (n=27) CL were recruited. Lesion samples were collected to determine the genotype of Leishmania spp. and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained to evaluate the cytokines profiles using soluble Leishmania antigen (SLA) and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) mitogen. Cytokines were assessed by the ELISA technique. RESULTS: The IFN-ɤ and TNF-α cytokines were significantly increased in the healing group treated with both SLA antigen and PHA mitogen (P<0.001). The level of IL-10 was significantly increased in non-healing and significantly declined in healing groups (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The profile of IFN-ɤ, TNF-α, and IL-10 cytokines are crucially associated with the response of treatment.

Development of High Resolution Melting Analysis as a Diagnostic Tool for Molecular Detection of Toxoplasma Infection in Pregnant Women and HIV Positive Cases.

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan with worldwide distribution. Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is a very critical issue, especially in pregnant women and immunocompromised patients. The aim of this study was rapid detection of T. gondii DNA in peripheral blood samples (PBS) employing HRM technique and using RE gene. METHODS: Totally, 242 samples from pregnant women and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients were collected from different hospitals and medical centers of Tehran during Oct 2017 to Dec 2018. High resolution melting analysis (HRM) using partial sequences of repetitive element (RE) gene was done and compared with ELISA test. RESULTS: Overall, 51 were positive for acute toxoplasmosis that among them, 12 and 20 reported as positive in pregnant women and HIV+ patients, respectively using HRM technique. Among 70 patients in chronic phase of disease, 10 and 3 samples were reported as positive for pregnant women and HIV+ patients respectively. From 121 negative control, 3 (4.62%) samples associated with HIV+ patients, showed positive real-time PCR and HRM analysis results. CONCLUSION: For the first time, HRM technique via employing RE gene was used for detection of T. gondii infection in PBS. This method is suitable, helpful and in parallel with serological methods for early diagnosis of acute as well as active form of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women and HIV+ patients. The use of techniques based on melt curve and through employing next-generation dyes for diagnosis of T. gondii would be accessible for patients in developing countries.

Comparison of the RE-529 sequence and B1 gene for Toxoplasma gondii detection in blood samples of the at-risk seropositive cases using uracil DNA glycosylase supplemented loop-mediated isothermal amplification (UDG-LAMP) assay.

Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is an important issue, especially in at-risk patients. The molecular methods showed a promising future for such diagnosis; however, the method itself and the target sequence to be detected is an important part of accurate detection of the infection. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the RE-529 sequence and B1 gene for Toxoplasma gondii detection in blood samples of the at-risk seropositive cases using uracil DNA glycosylase supplemented loop-mediated isothermal amplification (UDG-LAMP) assay. In this study, 110 T. gondii seropositive at-risk individuals (pregnant women and immunocompromised patients) and 110 seronegative controls were enrolled. The two most studied sequences (RE-529 and B1) were used and compared for accurate and reliable detection of T. gondii in blood samples using UDG-LAMP assay and compared with real-time PCR method. The detection limit, accuracy, and reliability of UDG-LAMP for the parasite's DNA were also studied. Among 110 studied cases, 39 (35.45%) and 36 (32.7%) were positive for T. gondii DNA with the RE-LAMP and B1-LAMP, respectively. The seronegative cases remained negative for T. gondii DNA with the studied genes, however, there were few false negatives compared with real-time PCR method. The detection limit of the UDG-LAMP for both DNA targets was 0.16 tachyzoite's DNA per reaction tube. Based on the results of this study, the RE-529 sequence has a better detection rate compared to the B1 gene for toxoplasmosis among at-risk people. UDG-LAMP is a highly sensitive, accurate, and reliable method with no false-positive results for the diagnosis of T. gondii infection in blood specimens, however few cases may be missed.

Evaluation of RE and B1 Genes as Targets for Detection of Toxoplasma gondii by Nested PCR in Blood Samples of Patients with Ocular Toxoplasmosis.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate B1 and RE genes as targets to detect Toxoplasma gondii, nested PCR is used in blood samples of patients with ocular toxoplasmosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following the measurement of IgG and IgM antibodies using indirect ELISA, IgG avidity and assessment of blood samples by nested PCR, the agreement between various test results was studied. RESULTS: From 117 patients, 77 (65.81%) were found to be positive for IgG anti-Toxoplasma antibody, 12 cases were positive for both IgG and IgM, and 1 patient was positive for IgM only. The detection limit for the RE-nested PCR assay was one T. gondii tachyzoite, whereas the limit for B1-nested PCR was five tachyzoites. Nested PCR results showed higher agreement with IgM test results than IgG test results. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that nested PCR of peripheral blood is a useful and non-invasive method for detection of T. gondii in patients with OT, especially in case of recently acquired infections, and RE targeted assay is more sensitive than B1 targeted assay for this purpose.

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in Acute and Chronic Phases of Infection in Immunocompromised Patients and Pregnant Women with Real-time PCR Assay Using TaqMan Fluorescent Probe.

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii, cause severe medical complications in infants and immune-compromised individuals. As using early, sensitive and rapid technique has major in diagnosis of toxoplasmosis, the present study was aimed to detect parasite by using from repetitive element (RE) and B1genes, in blood samples of seropositive immuno-compromised patients and pregnant women. METHODS: A total of 110 peripheral blood samples were collected from seropositive cases with anti-T. gondii antibodies, including immunocompromised patients and pregnant women. DNA was extracted by a commercial kit and subjected to TaqMan probe-based real-time PCR assay by using primers and probes specific for RE and B1 genes, separately. The data were analyzed by Kappa test and SPSS-22 software. RESULTS: In the pregnant women, 17 (68%) and 14 (56%) samples from 25 IgM+/ IgG+ cases and, 7 (25%) and 6 (21.4%) samples from 28 IgG+/IgM- cases were positive by RE and B1 real time PCR, respectively. Likewise, in immunocompromised group, 20 (66.6%) and 17 (56.6%) samples from 30 IgM+/ IgG+ cases and 2 (7.4%) and 2 (7.4%) samples from 27 IgG+/ IgM- cases were positive by RE and B1 real time PCR, respectively. CONCLUSION: Probe-based real time PCR assay is a quantitative approach for early diagnosis of T. gondii infection in clinical samples. Moreover, this method can be more appropriate in diagnosis of acute and reactivated toxoplasmosis. In addition our results indicated that RE gene is more sensitive than B1 gene.

Potent antileishmanial activity of chitosan against Iranian strain of Leishmania major (MRHO/IR/75/ER): In vitro and in vivo assay.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Leishmaniasis is one of the major neglected zoonotic parasitic diseases whose treatment and control is very complex. Pentavalent antimonials remain the primary drugs against different forms of leishmaniasis, however, resistance to antimony and its toxic effects has necessitated the development of alternative medications such as use of medicinal plants and natural compounds. The aim of the current study was to assess the in vitro and in vivo activities of chitosan as a natural resource against Leishmania major. METHODS: Low molecular weight chitosan, with 95% degree of deacetylation was melted in normal saline to a final concentration of 50, 100, 200 and 400 µg/ml. Then, the promastigotes of L. major (Iranian strain) were added to the wells of 96-well plate and 20 µl of each concentration was added to the RPMI 1640 medium. Live and dead promastigotes were counted after adding 0.1% eosin stain. The efficacy of the chitosan was also examined in BALB/c mice infected with Iranian strain of L. major. All in vitro experiments were performed in triplicate and the results of in vitro and in vivo tests were compared to the acetic acid and NaOH as negative control and glucantime as positive control. RESULTS: The low molecular weight chitosan was completely effective at concentrations of 100, 200 and 400 µg/ml on promastigotes of L. major after 180 min of application. Moreover, in the in vivo study, the mean size of dermal lesions significantly decreased in the groups treated with the chitosan compared to the control group. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: According to the results of the study, it can be concluded that chitosan is a potent active compound against L. major and could be evaluated as a new antileishmanial drug in the future.

Survey on efficacy of chloroformic extract of Artemisia annua against Giardia lamblia trophozoite and cyst in vitro.

Giardiasis is a parasitic cosmopolitan disease that the rate of infection in developing countries is considerable. This infection directly is associated with poor hygienic conditions, poor water quality control, and overcrowding. Reinfection and drug resistance are two major problems in endemic areas. Recently, researchers are concentrating on herbal drugs as a proper solution. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to survey on efficacy of chloroformic extract of Artemisia annua against Giardia lamblia trophozoite and cyst in vitro. G. lamblia cysts were prepared from faces of giardiasis patients from different hospitals of Mazandaran Medical University. Four concentrations (1, 10, 50 and 100 mg/ml) of chloroformic extract of A. annua were utilized for 1, 5, 30, 60 and 180 min. Viability of G. lamblia cysts was confirmed by 0.1 % Eosin staining. Cyst and trophozoite contact (intermix) of G. lamblia with extract of A. annua with variant concentrations (1, 10, 50 and 100 mg/ml) after 1 and 180 min caused following cyst and trophozoite elimination rates: (67, 69, 71 and 73 %), (65, 67, 67 and 72 %), (94, 96, 97 and 99 %) and (100, 100, 100 and 100 %), respectively. Authors from the current investigation draw a conclusion that chloroformic extract of A. annua has the ability to eliminate G. lamblia cysts and trophozoites in vitro.

Comparative Proteomic Profiling of Leishmania tropica: Investigation of a Case Infected with Simultaneous Cutaneous and Viscerotropic Leishmaniasis by 2-Dimentional Electrophoresis and Mass Spectrometry.

BACKGROUND: Viscerotropic leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania tropica poses a significant problem in the diagnosis and treatment management. Since differential gene expression is more important in outcome of the infection, we employed proteomic approach to identify potential proteins involved in visceralization of L. tropica. METHODS: The proteomes profiling of L. tropica isolated from cutaneous and visceral tissues of one host were compared by 2-DE/MS proteomics study. Moreover, the transcript level of some identified proteins was confirmed using real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS: Of the 700 protein spots that were detected reproducibly on each gel, 135 were found to be differentially expressed (P≤ 0.05). Most of responsive proteins in visceral isolate changed in less abundant compared to cutaneous isolate. Among differentially expressed proteins, 56 proteins were confidently identified and classified according to the biological process. The largest groups consist of proteins involved in carbohydrate metabolism and protein synthesis. Most of the identified proteins, which implicated in energy metabolism, cell signaling and virulence were down-regulated, whereas some proteins that have a role in protein folding, antioxidant defense and proteolysis were up-regulated in visceral form. Moreover, the transcript level of some identified proteins such as co-chaperon was confirmed using real-time RT-PCR. CONCLUSION: L. tropica probably uses different mechanisms for survival and multiplication in viscera to establish viscerotropic leishmaniasis. The current study provides some clues into the mechanisms underlying the dissemination of L. tropica .