Medical Laboratory Journal
Volume:15 Issue: 3, May-Jun 2021

Hydatidosis is an important zoonotic disease with widespread distribution. For unknown reasons, some cysts are unable to produce protoscoleces, and little is known about the mechanisms involved in infertile cyst production. Therefore, characterization of hydatid cyst fluid (HCF) components could help clarify the host-parasite relationship and the fertility process of cyst. The aim of this study was to identify and quantify biochemical components of HCF of fertile and infertile cysts from different hosts.

A total of 35 HCF samples were obtained from the liver and lung of 16 cattle, 16 sheep and three humans. Fertility of cysts was determined by examination of cysts’ content. Then, total fluid was aspirated aseptically from each cyst. The samples were centrifuged at 10000×g for 15 min at 4°C, and then concentrated and dialyzed against phosphate buffer saline using an Amicon Ultra-15 5000 MWCO centrifugal filter device (Millipore, USA). All biochemical components were quantified by an automatic analyzer.

The value of lactate dehydrogenase, potassium, calcium, cholesterol, glucose, urea and uric acid differed significantly in cysts collected from different hosts (P<0.001). There was also a significant difference in the amount of lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase and cholesterol between fertile and infertile cysts (P<0.039).

Due to the differences in biochemical composition of HCF of different host origin, it is possible that the host plays a crucial role in determining the type of biochemistry in hydatid cyst as well as in hydatid cyst fertility.

Blood flow restriction training (BFRT) has gained substantial interest due to the lower required intensity, which may be beneficial for individuals who are not able to lift heavy weights. Therefore, we aimed at evaluating effects of 12 weeks of resistance training with and without blood flow restriction on follistatin (FST) concentrations and physical performance in elderly females.

Thirty elderly female were randomly assigned into the following groups: resistance training with blood flow restriction (BFRT; n=10), resistance training without blood flow restriction (WBFRT; n=10) and control ( n=10). The resistance training was carried out three session a week for 12 weeks. Serum concentrations of FST, muscular endurance and dynamic balance were assessed at baseline and after the 12week intervention.

Significant main effects of time were observed for FST (p =0.03, η2 = 0.15), muscular endurance (p = 0.00, η2 = 0.59) and dynamic balance (p=0.00, η2 = 0.57). FST [BFRT= 1.4 ng/ml (effect size Cohen’s {d} = -0.8) significantly increased only in BFRT group. However, muscular endurance [BFRT= 95 (d= -4.1) and WBFRT = 32 (d= -0.9)] significantly increased in both intervention groups (P<0.05). In addition, dynamic balance [BFRT= -0.5 seconds (d= 2.2)] significantly increased only in the BFRT group (P<0.05).

BFRT was able to increase FST concentrations. Due to its mechanistic role in muscle mass alterations, elderly females can incorporate our BFRT protocol to improve anabolic conditions for muscular adaptations.

Chitosan is a preservative that is commonly used in food packaging due to forming a film with antimicrobial activity. Many antimicrobial agents have been used to control the growth of different bacteria, fungi and yeasts in food products using chitosan coating. The present research was conducted to examine inhibitory effects of a coating incorporated with the essential oils of Zataria multiflora (ZEO) and Bunium persicum (BEO) on the growth of Pseudomonas artificially inoculated onto salmon fillets over a period of 12 days at 4 °C.

The antibacterial activity of BEO against P. aeruginosa was evaluated using the microdilution method via determining minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration. For the food model investigation, three P. aeruginosa strains were inoculated onto trout fillets as culture cocktail to assess their survival over 12 days of storage.

The results indicated that ZEO and BEO had stronger inhibitory effect on P. aeruginosa in trout fillets when applied along with gel type nano-emulsion of chitosan solution. The separate use of each of these substances also significantly inhibited the growth of these pathogenic bacteria compared with the control. In addition, the use of chitosan coating without any antimicrobial agent affected the growth of P. aeruginosa.

The gel type nano-emulsion of chitosan coating containing ZEO and BEO can be applied on foodstuff, particularly fish and its products, as an antimicrobial agent.

The prevalence of obesity and overweight in women is increasing. Secretion of adipokines such as vaspin may affect insulin sensitivity. It has been suggested that physical activity can alter circulating vaspin levels. The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of six weeks of aerobic interval training on serum vaspin and blood glucose levels in obese inactive girls.

In this quasi-experimental study, 22 inactive overweight girls were selected from the Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Iran. The mean age, weight and body mass index of the subjects were 24.22±1.35 years, 83.77±12.66 kg and 32.56±3.36 kg/m2, respectively.  The subjects were randomly divided into an experimental group )n=11) and a control group )n=11). The experimental group performed aerobic training on stationary bicycle at 65-80% of maximal strength, three sessions a week for six weeks. Serum levels of vaspin and glucose were measured using commercial kits. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 23) and at significance of 0.05.

The training intervention had no significant impact on the serum vaspin and glucose concentrations (P>0.05). In addition, the covariance analysis showed that serum vaspin and glucose levels did not differ significantly between the study groups (P>0.05).  

Based on the results, the six-week aerobic interval training had no significant effect on vaspin and blood glucose levels of inactive obese girls. It is recommended to further examine the effect of this type of exercise at higher intensities and for longer durations.

Obesity, particularly abdominal obesity, is the most common cause of metabolic abnormalities, such as metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to compare effects of eight weeks of endurance and strength trainings on serum levels of cellular and vascular adhesion molecules in obese men.

Twenty-four obese men were randomly assigned to control, endurance training and strength training groups. The endurance training group performed a modified treadmill running protocol with an intensity of 50-70% of maximum heart rate. The resistance training included chest press, armpit stretch and leg and crus presses at intensity of 50-80% of one-repetition maximum. Serum levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion protein 1 (VCAM--1) were measured using commercial ELISA kits. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey test at significance of 0.05.

Serum VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 levels decreased significantly in both training groups compared to the control group (P=0.0001). The reduction of serum VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 levels was more significant in the endurance training group than in the resistance training group.

Given the favorable effects of endurance and resistance trainings on serum levels of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, the eight-week training could be performed as a protective intervention in obese people.

Given the growing prevalence of obesity in children, the present study aimed to investigate effects of continuous and interval aerobic training on insulin resistance index and serum cortisol levels of obese girls.

The study was performed on 36 healthy girls aged 9-11 years with a body mass index (BMI) of higher than 85th percentile. The subjects were randomly divided into three groups of interval training, continuous training and control. The training groups performed exercises three days a week for eight weeks. The exercises were performed at 70% of VO2max in the first four weeks and at 80% of VO2max in the following weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken 72 hours before the first session and 72 hours after the last training session in order to measure levels of cortisol, glucose, insulin and Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR).Weight, BMI and body fat percentage were also measured by conventional methods. Data analysis was performed in SPSS 21 using paired t-test and one-way analysis of variance.

The mean level of BMI and body fat percentage decreased significantly after the interval and continuous training, respectively (P<0.05). The HOMA-IR index did not change significantly in the study groups (P>0.05). The cortisol level increased slightly in the continuous training and control groups (P=0.075) and decreased insignificantly (P=0.131) in the interval training group. There was no difference between the training groups and the control group in terms of HOMA-IR and cortisol levels.

Insulin levels, HOMA-IR showed a decrease trend while a reasonable increase in cortisol level we showed in the continuous training group. BMI level and fat percentage decreased in two both training groups.

 Oxidative stress is the most important pathophysiological cause of diseases. Studies have shown that exercise and supplementation with medicinal plants have limited side effects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate effects of aerobic exercise and ethanolic extract of purslane seed on ATP, O-6-Methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), malondialdehyde (MDA) and prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) levels in the heart tissue of rats poisoned with hydrogen peroxide.

In this experimental trial, 72 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into nine groups: (1) control + H2O2 , (2) aerobic exercise, (3) aerobic exercise and 50 mg/kg purslane seed extract, (4) aerobic exercise and 200 mg/kg purslane seed extract, (5) aerobic exercise and 400 mg/kg purslane seed extract, (6) 50 mg/kg purslane seed extract, (7) 200 mg/kg purslane seed extract, (8) 400 mg/kg purslane seed extract, and (9) healthy control. Oxidative stress was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 1 mmol/kg hydrogen peroxide three times a week for eight weeks. Aerobic exercise was performed three sessions a week for eight weeks, and the purslane seed extract was intraperitoneally injected daily at the mentioned doses.

Aerobic exercise and purslane seed extract alone or combined significantly increased ATP, MGMT and significantly reduced MDA and PAB levels in cardiac tissue of rats exposed to hydrogen peroxide (P<0.05). Moreover, the effect of purslane seed extract was dose dependent.

It seems that aerobic exercise and purslane seed extract supplementation have synergistic cardioprotective effects under oxidative stress.

Soil contamination with Toxocara spp. eggs is the main source of human toxocariasis. The aim of this study was to determine rate of soil contamination with Toxocara spp. eggs in Yazd, central Iran.

During September 2014 to February 2015, a total of 220 soil samples were collected from public parks, primary schools, green areas, kindergartens, suburban areas, streets, residential complexes, backyards and a bus terminal in the city of Yazd, Yazd Province. Soil samples were investigated for the presences of Toxocara eggs by flotation technique using sucrose solution (1.2 g/cm3) and using light microscopy. Data analysis was carried out by SPSS (version 23) software package.

A total of 220 soil samples from nine different places were examined. Of these samples, 51 (23.2%) were contaminated with Toxocara spp. eggs. The contamination rate was 26.3% in public parks, 19.2% in primary schools, 28.6% in green areas, 22.2% in kindergartens, 24% in suburban areas, 8.3% in streets, 18.8% in residential complexes, 19% in backyards and 28.6% in the bus terminal. There was no significant difference in the soil contamination rate with Toxocara spp. eggs between different sampling places (χ2 = 3.096, d.f = 8 and P= 0.92) and sampling areas (χ2= 2.289, d.f = 2 and P= 0.318).

The high rate of soil contamination with Toxocara spp. eggs in Yazd emphasize on the need for preventive measures, such as improving sanitation, providing public health education and controlling stray dogs and cats near children play areas.