Ultrastructural changes in rat ovarian cells of fetuses and neonates from diabetic mothers

Maternal diabetes leads to increased blood glucose concentration in the mother and consequently in the fetus, causing various neonatal problems. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of maternal diabetes on fetal ovarian structure. Forty adult female rats were divided into two equal groups. Diabetes was induced in one group by alloxan. Both groups became pregnant by natural mating. At days 14 to 20 of pregnancy and day 30, day 60, and day 90 after birth, the fetuses and neonates were collected from both groups and the female genital system was isolated from them. The numbers of germ cells were measured using routine histological techniques in fetuses. In the neonatal ovarian samples, various cellular parameters were determined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) technique. Results revealed a significant decrease in the number of germ cells in the fetal female gonads in the gonads of fetuses from diabetic mothers compared to those of control. Results of TEM revealed some differences in the luteal cells and oocytes of primordial follicles in ovaries of neonates from diabetic mothers compared to that of control. Mitochondrial abnormalities were seen as mitochondrial cristae were destroyed and vacuolation occurred in the mitochondria and the nuclei of luteal cells were darken and condensed. It is generally concluded that maternal hyperglycemia affects fetal female gonads illustrated by a decrease in the oocytes and alteration in the mitochondria and nuclei of oocytes and luteal cells in neonatal ovaries.     

Molecular epidemiology of human herpesvirus 8 variants in Kaposi's sarcoma from Iranian patients

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a rare cancer in Iran and there is no epidemiological and molecular information about HHV-8 variants circulating among the Iranian population. In this study HHV-8 sequences have been analyzed in 43 cutaneous KS biopsies from Iranian patients mainly affected by classic KS. DNA samples were subjected to PCR amplification of HHV-8 ORF26, T0.7 and K1 followed by direct nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The analysis of ORF26 showed that 30 (69.8%) and 13 (30.2%) samples belonged to subtypes A/C and K, respectively. In general, the clustering of HHV-8 T0.7 variants paralleled that of ORF26. Genotyping of K1 sequences showed that the majority of samples (39 out of 41) fall into the large C clade with only 2 belonging to the A clade. In conclusion, HHV-8 variants identified among classic Iranian KS are largely related to Eurasian genotypes previously identified in KS from Mediterranean, Middle East, and East Asian regions.     

Evaluation of the drug treatment regimens for pulmonary tuberculosis and their cost-effectiveness

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 1995 up to one-third of the total global population were estimated to be infected with the tubercle bacilli with nearly 90% of cases occurring in the developing countries. In addition, the 1999 WHO report on tuberculosis (TB) estimated the total number of new sputum-positive cases to have been just over 3.5 m globally in 1997. The incorrect usage of the available drugs has lead to drug-resistant forms of the bacteria which has further complicated the treatment needs and the costs imposed on healthcare services. Faced with this scenario it is important that a comprehensive policy is adopted to make best use of the existing drugs and to do so in a cost-effective way. This article considers the studies conducted on drug treatment regimens for pulmonary TB and their cost-effectiveness in the developing world.     

Role of iron in cancer development by viruses

Increased levels of iron in body are attributed to higher cancer risk. Given the fact that 16% of all human cancers are caused by viral infections, iron is suggested to play an important role in carcinogenesis particularly those induced by viral infections. The present study provides an updated summary of the literature and the plausible mechanisms of iron involvement in cancer development by viruses. Our understanding about the interplay between viral infections and iron in different settings particularly cancer development is yet to be improved as it may shed a new light in development of new therapeutic strategies.     

Rotavirus VP6 as a potential vaccine candidate

By the age of 5 years, virtually all children have been infected by group A rotavirus (RVA), which is responsible for around half million mortality annually prior to vaccination. Relatively high rate of the morbidity and mortality highlights the necessity of applying preventive procedures particularly in developing countries. Two live attenuated RVA vaccines (Rotarix and RotaTeq) are licensed and now being used in many countries worldwide. Although these vaccines are shown to reduce the mortality up to 50%, several key questions yet remained to answer. Indeed, the licensed RV vaccines were found to be less effective in countries of sub‐Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Therefore, developing next generation RVA vaccines is warranted. VP6 is highly abundant and conserved protein that forms the middle layer of RV particles and was shown to be both antigenic and immunogenic. Although it does not induce neutralizing antibodies, different VP6 preparations were found to induce homologous and cross‐reactive immune responses with partial protection from RVA replication. Although the molecular mechanisms are not fully elucidated, VP6‐based RVA vaccine candidates are worthy of further consideration. This review aims to focus on different aspects of VP6 protein and its potentiality for an alternative RV vaccine against RV disease.     

Molecular Detection and Identification of Zoonotic Microsporidia Spore in Fecal Samples of Some Animals with Close-Contact to Human

Background: Microsporidia species are obligatory intracellular agents that can infect all major animal groups including mammals, birds, fishes and insects. Whereas worldwide human infection reports are increasing, the cognition of sources of infection particularly zoonotic transmission could be helpful. We aimed to detect zoonotic microsporidia spore in fecal samples from some animals with close – contact to human. Methods: Overall, 142 fecal samples were collected from animals with closed-contact to human, during 2012-2013. Trichrome – blue staining were performed and DNA was then extracted from samples, identified positive, microscopically. Nested PCR was also carried out with primers targeting SSU rRNA gene and PCR products were sequenced. Results: From 142 stool samples, microsporidia spores have been observed microscopically in 15 (10.56%) samples. En. cuniculi was found in the faces of 3 (15%) small white mice and 1 (10%) laboratory rabbits(totally 2.81%). Moreover, E. bieneusi was detected in 3 (10%) samples of sheep, 2 (5.12%) cattle, 1 (10%) rabbit, 3 (11.53%) cats and 2 (11.76%) ownership dogs (totally 7.74%). Phylogenetic analysis showed interesting data. This is the first study in Iran, which identified E. bieneusi and En. Cuniculi in fecal samples of laboratory animals with close – contact to human as well as domesticated animal and analyzed them in phylogenetic tree. Conclusion: E. bieneusi is the most prevalent microsporidia species in animals. Our results can also alert us about potentially zoonotic transmission of microsporidiosis.Key Words: Laboratory animals, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, Zoonotic transmission