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Abstract Background and objectives: Diabetes is a chronic and progressive disease resulting in disability and premature death. The Etiology of diabetes mellitus is complex, but factors such as genetic, immunological and environmental are involved .The aim of this study was to investigate the association between diabetes and blood type. Material and Methods: In this cross - sectional study blood group of 500 patients with diabetes type 2 was determined and compared with the distribution of blood groups in 11,461 healthy people in Ahwaz. Statistical analysis was performed by independent T test, using SPSS Software (version 17) Results: the Patients’ age is between 35 and 80 years. Their Blood groups are A (106 20.3 %) B (144 27.5%) AB (97 18.5%) and O (176 32.7%). One hundred seventy-nine (34.2%) cases are Rh+ and the rest (344 65.8 %) Rh- . Conclusion: Regarding to the distribution of blood group AB and Rh- ,which respectively are 7.3% and 8.4%, the chance of developing diabetes in theses people is higher than that in other people (P<0.05). Hence, they should follow a healthy lifestyle from early years of life to reduce the risk of diabetes. Key words: Diabetes type 2, blood group, risk factors

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Abstract Background and Objective: The excessive use of broad-spectrum antibiotics will lead to drug resistance of microorganism and specially nosocomial organisms. Because of high incidence of antibiotic resistance in hospitals, we aimed to study antibiotic resistance to gram negative bacteria. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on the data of biological samples (2006-2008), with positive culture result. Using antibiogram, microbial resistance to isolated microorganism was determined, and after culturing the samples, bacteria were identified by using differential media and antiserum. Then, antibiotic resistance was performed by disk diffusion. Results: The most common gram-negative microorganism obtained from all cultures was Ecoli with the lowest drug resistance to Nitrofurantoin. Conclusion: Based on the results, antimicrobial resistance pattern is not the same in different places and furthermore it is ever changing. Therefore, further research is needed to be done to have an accurate pattern of antibiotic resistance to provide effective treatment regimens. Key words: Antibiotic Resistance Disk Diffusion Gram Negative Bacteria Gorgan

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Abstract Background and Objective: Culture, microscopic method is a gold standard method for identification of Lishmania parasite. The use of Molecular methods such as RT- PCR compared to microscopic methods has a higher sensitivity and specificity however, it is not widely used due to its expensive equipment and the time requested. The use of nucleic acid sequence based amplification (NASBA) method is highly valuable for diagnosis of live parasite because there is no need for to use Thermo cycler. We aimed to assess sensitivity and specificity of NASBA for molecular detection of cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Material and Methods: First, the RNA was extracted from 28 skin biopsies suspected cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Then, by means of specific primers designed for 18srRNA region, this region was amplified using NASBA isothemal amplification. To increase the sensitivity, the product was electroforesed in TBE (IX) buffer, using Syber Gold Flourecent probes. Using specific primers, RT- PCR was conducted on the samples too. Result: For diagnosis of Leishmania parasites, NASBA and RT-PCR had the sensitivity of 81% and 51%, respectively, and specificity of 100%. Conclusion: NASBA isothermal method with high sensitivity and specificity can be applied for identification of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Keywords: Cutaneous Leishmanisis, NASBA, 18S rRNA

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Abstract Background and Objective: Cryptosporidium is a common protozoan causing diarrhea in human, specifically in children. Hence, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of this protozoan among diarrheic children hospitalized in Gonbad Kavus in 2011. Material and Methods: Three stool samples were collected from diarrheic children in two hospitals of Gonbad city and a relevant questionnaire was filled out for each child. The stool samples were concentrated by formalin ether method, and the infection was assessed by modified acid-fast staining method. Results: Of 547 children, 27 (4.9%) were infected with cryptosporidiosis. There was no significant relationship between the amount of infection and gender and habitation area (urban/ rural). The infection rate was significantly prevalent in 2-4-year-old children (P=0.013). The most and the least infection rate were observed in spring and winter, respectively (P< 0.0001). There was a significant association between the disease and keeping animal (P= 0.041) Conclusion: The prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in diarrheic children in Gonbad is almost equal to other regions of the country and keeping animal and spring season may be considered as the risk factors for the disease. Keywords: Cryptosporidium, Cryptosporidiosis, Diarrhea, Children, Golestan, Iran

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Abstract Background and Objective: Snake venom is a complex of several toxic elements and enzymes. It has the agents with the ability to destroy cellular and subcellular membrane and to bring about hemolysis of red blood cells (RBC). Two types of direct and indirect hemolytic activity are known in snake venom in that phospholipase A2 is responsible for the indirect lysis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of α-lipoic acid on hemolytic activity of Iranian Vipera Lebetina venom. Material and Methods: Protein concentration of the crude venom of Vipera Lebetina was determined using bovine serum albumin as a standard. Direct hemolytic activity of venom was determined by using the Human RBC and Indirect hemolytic activity was assayed on RBC in the presence of egg yolk. Then, α-lipoic acid with different concentrations in 100 mM Tris-HCL buffer was applied and its effect on hemolysis of RBC was studied. Results: direct hemolytic activity on RBC was not observed while its indirect activity was detected to be increased proportional to different concentration of α-lipoic acid. The range of indirect hemolysis was increased up to 60% by 60µm α-lipoic acid. Conclusion: Not only has α-lipoic acid no inhibitory effects on the hemolytic activity of Iranian Vipera Lebetina venom but also has the positive effects on it. Keywords: Iranian Vipera Lebetina Venom, Direct Hemolytic, Indirect Hemolytic, α-Lipoic Acid, Phospholipase A2

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Background and objectives:  Safety is a key criterion for assessment of probiotics. The objective of this study was to evaluate safety of a new Iranian Lactobacillus paracasei IBRC-M 11110 strain as a candidate probiotic. 
Methods: Eighteen male and 18 female Wistar rats were divided into two experimental and a control group. The experimental groups received the bacterium at two doses of 6 × 10⁸ CFU/day and 6× 10⁹ CFU/day for 28 days through oral gavage. The control groups received normal saline. On day 29, blood, serum and tissue samples were taken for analysis.
Results: Administration of the bacterium did not affect the general health and body weight of the rats during the study period. No significant change was observed in the blood parameters of rats in the experimental groups except for a significant decrease in mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin of male rats. Serum analysis showed a significant increase in the alanine transaminase and a significant decrease in aspartate transaminase in the experimental groups of male and female rats, respectively. In both male and female rats, a significant decrease in urea and a significant increase in creatinine were observed in the experimental groups. However, the above parameters were all within the normal range. Histopathological analysis of liver and kidney tissues also showed no abnormality.
Conclusion: The results confirm that L. paracasei IBRC-M 11110 was safe in the subacute toxicity test in Wistar rats.

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Background and objectives: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in most areas of Iran, and the diagnosis of its species is essential for controlling the disease. Leishmania major is the causative agent for cutaneous leishmaniasis in humans. Molecular methods are generally more sensitive than microscopic methods. The present study aimed to use a polymerase chain reaction-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (PCR-ELISA) technique for detecting live L. major from wounds of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Methods: In the present study, a standard strain of L. major promastigotes was used as the positive control for purification of DNA. The Novy–MacNeal–Nicolle and RPMI-1640 media were used for reproduction of parasites. DNA was isolated from specimens taken from 35 patients with suspected cutaneous leishmaniasis whose disease was confirmed by direct smear method. The PCR-ELISA technique was later applied by using the standard strain, patient specimens, and primers specific for the 18s rRNA.
Results: Out of 35 patients, 17 (48.6%) were male and 18 (51.4%) were female. In addition, 8.6% of the patients lived in the Gonbad-e Kavus County, while all patients had been infected in villages around Gonbad-e Kavus. Of 35 patients with confirmed cutaneous leishmaniasis according to the direct smear method, 31 patients (86.31%) had leishmaniasis based on the PCR method and the PCR-ELISA methods.
Conclusion: Based on the results, the PCR-ELISA method is more sensitive and accurate for detecting L. major.

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Background and objectives: Bacteriocins are generally active antimicrobial peptides effective against bacteria closely related to the producer. Escherichia coli produce two bacteriocins: colicins and microcins. Microcin J25 (Mcc J25) is an antibacterial peptide that inhibits bacterial transcription by disrupting the nucleotide-uptake channel of bacterial RNA polymerase. The objective of this study was to evaluate antimicrobial activity of MccJ25 produced by the bacteriocinogenic E. coli.
Methods: In this experimental study, 120 clinical specimens were selected from private diagnostic laboratories in Isfahan (Iran) in 2020. Antagonistic activity of isolates was tested by adopting agar plug method. Total DNA was extracted from clinical specimens and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using specific primers for amplification of the complete sequence of MccJ25 gene. Accuracy of the PCR products was confirmed by direct sequencing. Homology analysis was performed by using BLAST. Data were analyzed with Chromasv2.1.1 software.
Results: Overall, 120 E. coli strains were isolated from the clinical specimens. The antibiotic activity of Mcc J25 was mainly directed at Enterobacteriaceae, including several pathogenic E. coli strains of which 25 had positive well test samples, and about 5 (20%) of the collected clinical samples that were infected with E. coli had the MccJ25 gene.
Conclusions: Based on the results, Mcc J25 has favorable antibacterial potential, which can be further exploited as an alternative to chemical antibiotics.

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Background: Certain trace elements, like cerium, have the potential to disrupt iron metabolism. This study explored the impact of cerium on intestinal iron absorption, focusing on the initial stage of iron metabolism. We employed the rat everted gut sac (EGS) segments to assess the interference caused by cerium. The primary objectives of this study were to examine the absorption of cerium in the intestines and to compare iron absorption in the presence and absence of cerium.
Methods: For the EGS experiment, segments of the rat's duodenum, ileum, or jejunum were promptly excised, cut into 5-6 cm segments, and rinsed with a physiological solution. These freshly prepared rat EGS segments were then incubated in Earle's medium containing iron (III) and/or cerium (III). We examined the impact of ascorbic acid, glucose, and different time intervals on the intestinal absorption of cerium and iron. Specifically, we investigated how glucose (5 mM) and ascorbic acid (2.8 mM) affected the absorption of cerium and iron at various concentrations (ranging from 0 to 200 mg/L). Additionally, we assessed the interfering effect of cerium on iron absorption.
Results: The results indicated that the maximum intestinal absorption of Fe (III) and Ce (III) occurred at a concentration of 200 mg/L. Furthermore, it was observed that their uptake increased following the reduction by ascorbic acid. The absorption of these elements also rose in the presence of glucose, suggesting energy-dependent transport. Additionally, a consistent cerium concentration was found to decrease iron absorption by 24.3% (P ≤ 0.05).
Conclusion: Based on the results, cerium likely reduces iron uptake by competing with iron. Cerium can also disrupt iron metabolism and lead to iron-related metabolic disorders. However, further studies at the molecular and intracellular levels are needed to gain a better understanding of this mechanism.
 

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Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a long-term inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) caused by abnormal immune responses, leading to inflammation and scarring in the large intestine. The bacteria Prevotella melaninogenica, found in the intestine and mouth, may contribute to UC. This study focuses on the detection of P. melaninogenica in the saliva of UC patients and compares them with the healthy control (HC) group.
Methods: The present study was a case-control study including 40 UC patients and 40 healthy controls (HCs) with an average age of 43.0 3± 10.3. This study used a real-time PCR test to investigate the frequency and average number of P. melaninogenica from the 16S rRNA gene sequence of P. melaninogenica in both groups.
Results: P. melaninogenica was more frequent in UC patients (77.5%) than HCs (45%) (p = 0.003). The patient group had more bacteria (339.31 ± 1082.29) than HCs (61.29 ± 154.03) (p = 0.005). Women in the UC group had more P. melaninogenica (492.35 ± 1427.61) than the control group (56.98 ± 123.50) (p = 0.0342). Similarly, men in the UC group (262.85 ± 664.97) had more bacteria than the control group (72.62 ± 222.76) (p = 0.015).
Conclusion: The current study showed that dysbiosis in P. melaninogenica, a bacterium in human saliva, could be important in the development of UC. Further investigation is needed to evaluate its use as a potential biomarker in the UC.