Degradation of dibutyl phthalate by Paenarthrobacter sp. Shss isolated from Saravan landfill, Hyrcanian Forests, Iran.

Phthalic acid esters are predominantly used as plasticizers and are industrially produced on the million ton scale per year. They exhibit endocrine-disrupting, carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic effects on wildlife and humans. For this reason, biodegradation, the major process of phthalic acid ester elimination from the environment, is of global importance. Here, we studied bacterial phthalic acid ester degradation at Saravan landfill in Hyrcanian Forests, Iran, an active disposal site with 800 tons of solid waste input per day. A di-n-butyl phthalate degrading enrichment culture was established from which Paenarthrobacter sp. strain Shss was isolated. This strain efficiently degraded 1 g L-1 di-n-butyl phthalate within 15 h with a doubling time of 5 h. In addition, dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, mono butyl phthalate, and phthalic acid where degraded to CO2, whereas diethyl hexyl phthalate did not serve as a substrate. During the biodegradation of di-n-butyl phthalate, mono-n-butyl phthalate was identified in culture supernatants by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. In vitro assays identified two cellular esterase activities that converted di-n-butyl phthalate to mono-n-butyl phthalate, and the latter to phthalic acid, respectively. Our findings identified Paenarthrobacter sp. Shss amongst the most efficient phthalic acid esters degrading bacteria known, that possibly plays an important role in di-n-butyl phthalate elimination at a highly phthalic acid esters contaminated landfill.

Evaluation of the role of angiogenic factors in the pathogenesis of schistosomiasis.

Schistosomiasis is one disease produced by helminths, which affect many people in tropical areas. Granuloma formation is the main mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of this disease. Experimental studies have demonstrated angiogenesis (blood vessels formation from pre-existing vessels) in the initial phase of granuloma formation. In the present work, VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) levels were analyzed in sera from people diagnosed with different helminthic infections. Patients with schistosomiasis and filariasis had significantly high VEGF levels in compared with healthy people and patients diagnosed with hookworms. In addition, the effects of angiogenesis inhibition using anti-angiogenic factors (endostatin) were evaluated in a schistosomiasis murine model. A lesion decrease was observed in mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni and treated with endostatin. Finally, mechanisms of angiogenesis induction were studied and observed that cercariae antigens stimulated the angiogenic factors by host alveolar macrophages.

Role of angiogenic factors in acute experimental Strongyloides venezuelensis infection.

This study aims to investigate the role of angiogenic factors in the pathogenesis of experimental strongyloidiasis. Two complementary approaches were used: Firstly, CD1 mice were treated with endostatin, an angiogenesis inhibitor, and infected with Strongyloides venezuelensis. Also, the mechanisms involved in this process were studied. Parasitological examination revealed a significant decrease in egg per gram of faeces, number of collected larvae from lung tissue and number of collected adult females in mice treated with endostatin. Direct mechanisms with diminution of angiogenesis factors and an indirect mechanism with increase of eosinophil perhaps produced their effect. Secondly, the effect of the antigens responsible for stimulation of angiogenic factors [vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2)] from alveolar macrophages and the mechanisms involved in their production were investigated. Alveolar macrophage cells obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage were incubated at different concentrations of somatic and excretory/secretory antigens of S. venezuelensis. Also, mRNA levels of VEGF and FGF2 in macrophage cells were detected by RT-PCR. L3-PBS larvae antigens induced angiogenic factors. The relationship between angiogenesis factors and nitric oxide has been observed using nitric oxide synthase inhibitors.

Intralesional triamcinolone alone or in combination with 5-fluorouracil for the treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scars.

BACKGROUND: Keloids and hypertrophic scars are benign growths of dermal collagen that can cause physical and psychological (cosmetic) problems for patients. METHODS: In this 12-week, double-blind, clinical trial, 40 patients were randomized into two study groups. Patients in group 1 were given intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (TAC), and patients in group 2 were given a combination of TAC and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU); both groups received injections at weekly intervals for 8 weeks. Lesions were assessed for erythema, pruritus, pliability, height, length and width. RESULTS: Four patients in group 1 and three patients in group 2 failed to complete the study. At the 8-week and 12-week follow-up visits, both groups showed an acceptable improvement in nearly all parameters, but these were more significant in the TAC + 5-FU group (P < 0.05 for all except pruritus and percentage of itch reduction). Good to excellent (> 50%) improvement were reported by 20% of the patients in group 1 and 55% of the patients in group 2, which was significantly different (P = 0.02). Good to excellent responses was reported by trained observers as 15% in group 1 and 40% in group 2. Their difference was not significant (P = 0.08). CONCLUSION: The overall efficacy of TAC + 5-FU was comparable with TAC, but the TAC + 5-FU combination was more acceptable to patients and produced better results.

Trichinella: differential expression of angiogenic factors in macrophages stimulated with antigens from encapsulated and non-encapsulated species.

The newborn larval stage of Trichinella spiralis enters the host striated skeletal muscle cell resulting in the formation of the nurse cell. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) was detected in cells in the area immediately surrounding the nurse cells. However, no data are available on the antigens involved, the role of other angiogenic factors or the relationship of angiogenesis with Nitric Oxide (NO) production. Using macrophage cell culture we study the effect of different Trichinella L1 antigens from one encapsulated (T. spiralis) and one non-encapsulated (Trichinellapseudospiralis) on the expression of VEGF and basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF2). Also, we investigate the relationship between the production of NO and angiogenic mediators. The results show that encapsulated and non-encapsulated Trichinella species are different in their capacity to stimulate the expression of VEGF and FGF2 from host macrophages. Finally, there is no relationship between angiogenic factors and NO production by T. spiralis antigen.

QTL mapping of seed-quality traits in sunflower recombinant inbred lines under different water regimes.

The objectives of the present research were to determine the effects of water stress on seed-quality traits and to map QTLs controlling the studied traits under two different water treatments in a population of sunflower recombinant inbred lines (RILs). Two experiments were conducted in greenhouse and field conditions, each with well-watered and water-stressed treatments. The experiments consisted of a split-plot design (water treatment and RIL) with three blocks. Analyses of variance showed significant variation among genotypes, and a water treatment x genotype interaction was also observed for most of the traits. Two to 15 QTLs were found, depending on trait and growth conditions, and the percentage of phenotypic variance explained by the QTLs ranged from 5% to 31%. Several QTLs for oil content overlapped with QTLs for palmitic and stearic acid contents in all four conditions. An overlapping region on linkage group 3 (QTLs 2.OC.3.1 and 4.SA.3.1) was linked to an SSR marker (ORS657). A principal component analysis was performed on four fatty acid traits. Two principal components, P1 and P2, were used for QTL analysis. This method improved the ability to identify chromosomal regions affecting the fatty acids. We also detected the principal-component QTLs that did not overlap with the fatty acid QTLs. The results highlight genomic regions of interest in marker-based breeding programmes for increasing oil content in sunflower.

Leprosy profile in Isfahan (A province of Iran).

In Iran, there have been a few cases of leprosy in several provinces, however, native physicians believe that leprosy is not present primarily in an Isfahan endemic area. We performed an investigation either to approve or rule out this idea. We found 25 lepra patients who were registered and followed in Isfahan Leprosy Health Registeration Center, all of whom were infected in other regions and migrated to Isfahan city at a later time. Final analysis proved that there are not any cases of leprosy by itself in Isfahan as an endemic region at the time of this study (1975 to 2002).

Evaluation of CO laser efficacy in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a common disease in Iran, especially in the north-east, central and southern parts of the country. Many treatments have been suggested for this disease but none is completely effective and without side-effects such as pain, arthralgia and renal or cardiac complications. Lasers have been used for treatment of several skin diseases since 1970, and CO(2) lasers are now being used for treatment of leishmaniasis. In this study, a CO(2) laser (Sonic 500 machine) was used as a source of a continuous CO(2) laser wave. METHODS: A total of 123 patients (68 female and 55 male) with 183 lesions were treated with the CO(2) laser. The maximum power was 100 W and the pulse width was 0.5-5 s. For the control group, 110 patients (with 250 lesions) were treated with glucantime 50 mg/kg/day for 15 days and, after 15 days of rest, this treatment was repeated (Glucantime Amps, 1.5 g in a 50-mL solution, was used). For follow-up, the patients were visited 1, 3, 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks after treatment and any complications, recurrences or other wound characteristics were recorded. In the second group, Finally, all collected data were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Statistical analysis with the chi(2) test showed that treatment with the CO(2) laser was more effective than treatment with glucantime (P = 0.0007). Complications were also seen less often with the laser treatment than with glucantime and were limited to the ulcer site. The CO(2) laser was more effective in treating cutaneous leishmaniasis than glucantime (1.12 times), had fewer side-effects (4.5% vs. 24%) and resulted in a shorter healing time (1 month vs. 3 months), and treatment could be applied in a single session. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this and previous studies suggest that cutaneous leishmaniasis can be treated effectively with CO(2) laser if those providing the treatment are sufficiently experienced. Laser treatment is more cost-effective than other treatments and can be used as first-line therapy for cutaneous leishmaniasis (wet and dry types).

Efficacy of permethrin-impregnated uniforms in the prevention of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iranian soldiers.

BACKGROUND: One approach for prevention of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is the creation of a barrier between the insect vector (phlebotoms) and the host. Many but not all researchers claim that permethrin-impregnated uniforms are effective for prevention of CL. We determined the efficacy of permethrin-impregnated uniforms for prevention of CL in Iranian soldiers. METHODS: A total of 324 soldiers were randomized to two equal groups, of which 272 soldiers completed the study. In group A, 134 soldiers were issued permethrin-impregnated uniforms. In group B, 138 soldiers were issued uniforms washed in water. The soldiers wore uniforms day and night for 3 months, and were observed for an additional period of 6 months. All the soldiers remained in the leishmania-endemic area of Isfahan during the 3 months. RESULTS: Nine (6.5%) of 138 soldiers wearing control uniforms and six (4.4%) of 134 soldiers wearing permathrin-impregnated uniforms acquired CL. The difference between two groups was not statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Permethrin-impregnated uniforms are not effective for the prevention of CL.