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Jamshidi S, Rostami A, Shojaei S, Taherkhani A, Taherkhani H. Exploring natural anthraquinones as potential MMP2 inhibitors: A computational study. Biosystems 2024; 235:105103. [PMID: 38123060 DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2023.105103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) plays a significant role in cleaving extracellular matrix components, leading to many cancer cells' progression and invasion behavior. Therefore, MMP2 inhibition may hold promise for cancer treatment. Anthraquinones have shown antineoplastic effects, some of which have been used in clinical practice as anticancer drugs. This study used a computational drug discovery approach to assess the possible inhibitory effects of selected anthraquinones on MMP2. The results were then compared with that of Captopril, which was considered a standard drug. METHODS This study used the AutoDock 4.0 tool to evaluate the binding affinity of 21 anthraquinones to the MMP2 catalytic domain. The most favorable scores based on the Gibbs free binding energy scores were given to the highest-ranked ligands. The Discovery Studio Visualizer tool illustrated interactions between MMP2 residues and top-ranked anthraquinones. RESULTS A total of 12 anthraquinones were identified with ΔGbinding scores less than - 10 kcal/mol. Pulmatin (Chrysophanol-8-glucoside) was the most potent MMP2 inhibitor, with a ΔGbinding score of - 12.91 kcal/mol. This anthraquinone was able to restrict MMP2 activity within a picomolar range. CONCLUSION MMP2 inhibition by anthraquinones, notably Pulmatin, may be a useful therapeutic approach for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shokoofeh Jamshidi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Dentistry, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
| | - Ali Rostami
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Dentistry, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
| | - Setareh Shojaei
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Dentistry, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
| | - Amir Taherkhani
- Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
| | - Heshmatollah Taherkhani
- Department of Paramedical Sciences, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
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Parsaei M, Spotin A, Matini M, Mahjub H, Aghazadeh M, Ghahremani G, Taherkhani H. Prevalence of toxoplasmosis in patients infected with tuberculosis; a sero-molecular case-control study in northwest Iran. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2021; 81:101720. [PMID: 34990934 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2021.101720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the possible association between TB and Toxoplasma gondii infection. One hundred confirmed TB individuals living in northwest Iran were classified into three subgroups; newly diagnosed patients (NTB), old diagnosed patients (OTB) and multidrug resistance patients (MDR-TB). One hundred healthy subjects in the same age and sex distribution were ethnically matched. Sera samples were screened for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies. Nested-PCR was performed by targeting the B1 and GRA6 genes. The frequency of Toxoplasma infection based on IgG titer was 71.1% in the OTB subgroup and 33% in the control group, indicating significant association between Toxoplasma seropositivity and OTB (P = 0.001). According to phylogenetic network, the type I strain of Toxoplasma was identified in the OTB subgroup (10.1%). We concluded that patients with OTB subgroup are at high risk for acquisition of Toxoplasma infection which could reactivate the latent toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Parsaei
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Adel Spotin
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Matini
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Hossein Mahjub
- Research Center for Health Sciences, Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Aghazadeh
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Ghahremani
- Member of Iranian association of infection diseases specialties, Tehran, Iran; Vice chancellor for health, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Heshmatollah Taherkhani
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
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Yarizadeh M, Taherkhani H, Amir-Zargar MA, Matini M. Molecular Epidemiologic Study of Male Trichomoniasis in Hamadan, Western Iran. Iran J Parasitol 2021; 16:245-252. [PMID: 34557239 PMCID: PMC8418660 DOI: 10.18502/ijpa.v16i2.6282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Background: Trichomoniasis, caused by Trichomonas vaginalis protozoan, may lead to clinical or subclinical urethritis or prostatitis in men. Despite the importance of men in the epidemiology of trichomoniasis, there is little information about this topic. This epidemiological study was performed on men in Hamedan, western Iran. Methods: During Oct 2018 to Mar 2019, 214 male individuals, presenting to the Urology Clinic of Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Hamadan, were enrolled and evaluated for trichomoniasis. First-voided urine specimen was used for detection of T. vaginalis infection using molecular and parasitological methods. Results: Trichomoniasis was detected in 10 of 214 male participants (4.7%, 95% CI: 7.5–1.8%) using PCR assay. Culture and wet mount preparation of urine sediment were unable to isolates any T. vaginalis parasite. Nine of the 10 infected men were married, and six of them were ≥49 yr of age. Urinary frequency and dysuria were the most complaints (80%) among infected individuals. Conclusion: Given the notable prevalence of the infection, the prevalence of male trichomoniasis will be underestimated if only conventional diagnostic methods are used. Therefore, the risk of infection as well as the molecular survey of T. vaginalis infection should be considered in men with or without clinical symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manizheh Yarizadeh
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Heshmatollah Taherkhani
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | | | - Mohammad Matini
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
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Khorshidvand Z, Khazaei S, Amiri M, Taherkhani H, Mirzaei A. Worldwide prevalence of emerging parasite Blastocystis in immunocompromised patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Microb Pathog 2020; 152:104615. [PMID: 33246090 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2020.104615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blastocystis is one of the most common pathogens of the human intestine, caused by an emerging parasite, which can lead to severe symptoms and even death in immunocompromised patients. We aimed to determine the global prevalence of Blastocystosis infection in people with immunodeficiency. A systematic literature search was conducted on Web of Science, Scopus, Google scholar, Science Direct and MEDLINE databases to select all observational studies reporting the prevalence of Blastocystosis infection in Worldwide, based on different diagnostic methods in immunocompromised patients of any age and published from inception to February 2019. Pooled estimates and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated using random effects models and in addition, the I2 statistic was calculated. The geographic distribution of studies was evaluated and the diagnosis of Blastocystis was compared by various techniques. Electronic databases were reviewed for Blastocystosis infection in HIV/AIDS, cancer and other immunocompromised patients, and meta-analyses were conducted to calculate the overall estimated prevalence. Total68 eligible studies were included. The estimated pooled prevalence rate of Blastocystosis infection in immunocompromised patients was overall 10% (95% CI, 7-13%; I2 96.04%) (P < 0.001), of whom 21% [18-25] were in Australia, 12% [4-24] in America, 11% [6-17] in Europe and 10% [5-15], 7% [3-13] in Asia and Africa, respectively. It was calculated that the estimated pooled prevalence rate of Blastocystosis infection in immunocompromised patients was overall 10% and the prevalence estimates ranged from 0.44 to 72.39. Also, overall the prevalence of parasites co-infection in immunocompromised patients was detected as 0.024%. Our finding showed that immunocompromised people show a high prevalence of Blastocystosis infection compared to the control population. Adequate information on the prevalence rate is still missing from many countries. However, current information underscore that Blastocystis should not be neglected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Khorshidvand
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Salman Khazaei
- Research Center for Health Sciences, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - MohamadReza Amiri
- Department of medical Library and Information Science, Faculty of Paramedicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Heshmatollah Taherkhani
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Asad Mirzaei
- Department of Parasitology, School of Allied Medical Science, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran; Zoonotic Diseases ResearchCenter, Ilam University of Medical sciences, Ilam, Iran.
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Sharbatkhori M, Spotin A, Taherkhani H, Roshanghalb M, Parvizi P. Molecular variation in Leishmania parasites from sandflies species of a zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in northeast of Iran. J Vector Borne Dis 2014; 51:16-21. [PMID: 24717197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES In the well-known zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) focus in Turkmen Sahara, border of Iran and Turkmenistan, ZCL has increased among humans in the past five years. The present study was undertaken to incriminate vectors of ZCL in the region, and to find molecular variation in Leishmania parasites. METHODS The sandflies were sampled using CDC light-traps and sticky papers. All the sandflies were identified using morphological characters of the head and abdominal terminalia. DNA was extracted from the dissected thorax and attached anterior abdomen of individual female sandfly. Leishmania detection and identification of sandflies were performed using PCR, digestion of BsuRI restriction enzyme and sequencing of ITS-rDNA gene and also by semi-nested PCR to amplify minicircle kinetoplast (k) DNA of Leishmania. RESULTS Leishmania infections were detected in 26 out of 206 female sandflies. Of the infected sandflies, 18 were Phlebotomus papatasi while eight were P. caucasicus/P. mongolensis. Two infections of L. turnica were detected, one in P. papatasi and other in P. caucasicus/P. mongolensis and the rest of the sandflies were found infected with L. major. CONCLUSION Our finding showed that L. major had low diversity with only one common haplotype (GenBank Access No. EF413075). The novel haplotypes were discovered in L. major (GenBank Access No. KF152937) and in L. turanica (GenBank Access No. EF413079) in low frequency. These Leishmania parasites are circulating to maintain infections in the P. papatasi and P. caucasicus/P. mongolensis in Turkmen Sahara.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Parviz Parvizi
- Molecular Systematics Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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Mirzaei A, Rouhani S, Taherkhani H, Farahmand M, Kazemi B, Hedayati M, Baghaei A, Davari B, Parvizi P. Isolation and detection of Leishmania species among naturally infected Rhombomis opimus, a reservoir host of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Turkemen Sahara, North East of Iran. Exp Parasitol 2011; 129:375-80. [PMID: 21945269 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2011.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2011] [Revised: 08/28/2011] [Accepted: 08/31/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In Iran, three species of Leishmania have been incriminated as the causative agents of human leishmaniasis, Leishmania (L.) major, Leishmania tropica, and Leishmania infantum.Rhombomis opimus have been incriminated as a principal reservoirs of the parasitic protozoan Leishmania major, the causative agent of rural zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) in Iran. Rodents captured and examined to find Leishmania species using conventional methods including direct impression smear and microscopic observation inoculation samples to Balb/c and culture in NNN medium. Also molecular method was employed to detect Leishmania in rodents by amplifying a region of the ribosomal RNA amplicon of Leishmania (ITS1-5.8S rRNA-ITS2) using Nested PCR. Leshmania species were specified by DNA sequences. 36 (38.3%) of R. opimus were Leishmania positive using at least one conventional methods. Many more ITS-rDNA fragments were amplified from R. opimus but only 65 out of 74 PCR products contained enough DNA for direct sequencing or readable sequences. The PCR assays detected in Iranian R. opimus not only Leishmania major in 59 (79.7%) rodents but also Leishmania turanica in 6 (8.1%) rodents, another parasite of the great gerbil. These parasites were found in Turkemen Sahara, North East of Iran, in a focus of rural (ZCL). L. major and L. turanica in R. opimus firmly identified from Turkemen Sahara. Nine rodents with Leishmania infections unidentified which some were unreadable sequences, these could be mixed infections of L. major, L. turanica, Leishmania gerbillisensu lato and Leishmania close to L. gerbilli or a related species reported in sandflies previously from this location. The haplotypes of L. major and L. turanica were found to be identical to that of isolates of L. major and L. turanica from Iran and in GenBank elsewhere. R. opimus is probably the key reservoir in this ZCL focus because of its abundance and its infection rates with both L. major and L. turanica.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Mirzaei
- Molecular Systematics Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, 69 Pasteur Ave., Tehran, Iran
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Parvizi P, Taherkhani H, Ready PD. Phlebotomus caucasicus and Phlebotomus mongolensis (Diptera: Psychodidae): indistinguishable by the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene in Iran. Bull Entomol Res 2010; 100:415-420. [PMID: 19939318 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485309990423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Diagnostic molecular markers for the females of Phlebotomus (Paraphlebotomus) caucasicus and P. mongolensis were sought by characterizing from individual Iranian specimens a gene fragment, namely mitochondrial cytochrome b, that had previously proven useful for the taxonomy of phlebotomine sandflies. Males of both species were used as reference material because their external genitalia provide the only diagnostic morphological characters. A phylogenetic analysis of the new sequences, and those previously reported for P. grimmi, found no support for recognizing more than one species (P. caucasicus s.l.) in Iran. Most of the genetic variation was geographical. An absence of lineage sorting was demonstrated, and it is proposed that any search for species-specific molecular markers for these three taxonomic species should be continued by applied biologists only if there is better evidence for associating any one of them with phenotypes important for understanding the transmission of Leishmania species in foci of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Parvizi
- Molecular Systematics Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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Hedayati M, AlaeeNovin E, Parvizi P, Mirzaei A, Taherkhani H, Rouhani S. PP-200 First detection of Leishmania parasite in Meriones lybicus reservoir of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Turkemen Sahara (Golastan province). Int J Infect Dis 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/s1201-9712(10)60268-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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Parvizi P, Mirzaei A, Rouhani S, Hedayati M, Taherkhani H. PP-190 Evaluation of Leishmania infection in Rhombomis opimus as a main reservoir host of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Turkemen Sahara, Iran. Int J Infect Dis 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/s1201-9712(10)60258-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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Tappeh KH, Mohammadzadeh H, Rahim RN, Barazesh A, Khashaveh S, Taherkhani H. Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections among Mentally Disabled Children and Adults of Urmia, Iran. Iran J Parasitol 2010; 5:60-4. [PMID: 22347245 PMCID: PMC3279829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2009] [Accepted: 06/05/2010] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of intestinal parasites infection in institutions for mental retardation of Urmia City, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran was investigated. METHODS This descriptive - cross sectional study was carried out in institutions of mentally retarded patients of Urmia city in 2007-2008. Fecal samples of 225 less than 29 year old mentally disabled individuals were examined using direct smear, formalin - ether concentration. Beside their scotch tape samples were observed for Enterobius eggs. Statistical evaluation was performed by SPSS 10. RESULTS Of 225 mentally retarded persons, 118(52.4%) and 107(47.6%) were female and male. The overall prevalence of infection was 20.4% and that of male, and female were 20.5% and 20.3%, respectively. 17.3% of examined individuals had protozoa infection and 3.1% showed Enterobius vermicularis eggs. The infection rates of detected intestinal protozoa were Entamoeba coli 9.7%, Giardia lamblia 6.2%, Iodoamoeba butschlii 5.7%, Blastocystis hominis 4%, and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar 0.4%. Forty percent of 1-5 year, 22.8% of 6-14 year, 22.2% of 15-18 year, and 16.8% of more than 18-year age groups, had positive results in their tests. According to IQ test results, 23.8% of less than 25 score group, 19.6% of 25-50, 17.2% of 50-75, and 40% of 75-90 groups were infected. CONCLUSION More efforts for increasing sanitation level and prompt diagnosis and treatment of infected persons in these institutions are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kh Hazrati Tappeh
- Dept. Of Parasitology & Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran,Corresponding author:, Mobile: 09143433134
| | - H Mohammadzadeh
- Dept. Of Parasitology & Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - R Nejad Rahim
- Infectious disease specialist, Dept. Of Infectious Disease, Taleghani Hospital, Urmia Medical University, Urmia, Iran
| | - A Barazesh
- Dept. Of Parasitology & Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Sh Khashaveh
- Dept. Of Parasitology & Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - H Taherkhani
- Dept. Of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan Medical University, Gorgan
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Taherkhani H, Hajilooi M, Fallah M, Khyabanchi O, Haidari M. Gene polymorphism in transforming growth factor-beta codon 10 is associated with susceptibility to Giardiasis. Int J Immunogenet 2009; 36:345-9. [PMID: 19703231 DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-313x.2009.00873.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Secretory immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) antibodies have a central role in anti-Giardial defence. It has been demonstrated that transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) stimulates B lymphocytes to produce and secrete S-IgA. We sought to determine the association between TGF-beta1 polymorphism (T+869C) with susceptibility to Giardiasis. The TGF-beta1 genotypes and levels of salivary (S-IgA) were analysed in individuals with Giardiasis (97 symptomatic and 57 asymptomatic) and controls (n = 92). Individuals with symptomatic Giardiasis had the lowest levels of S-IgA compared to individuals in asymptomatic Giardiasis and control groups (97%, 73% and 43%, <1 g L(-1), respectively, P = 0.002). The frequency of allele C and CC genotypes of TGF-beta1 polymorphism was significantly higher among symptomatic patients than asymptomatic and control groups. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the individuals homozygous for allele C of TGF-beta1 had a significantly higher risk for symptomatic Giardiasis with odds ratio of 2.76 (95% CI: 3.88, 1.71, P = 0.007). Among the participants with TT genotype per cent of individuals with S-IgA level of more than 1 g L(-1) was almost twice the percentage in CC genotype individuals (14% versus 7% respectively P = 0.01). Our data suggest that CC genotype of TGF-beta1 polymorphism at codon 10 is associated with occurrence of Giardiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Taherkhani
- Medical Parasitology Department, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
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Shahbaz Mohammadi H, Omidinia E, Taherkhani H. Rapid one-step separation and purification of recombinant phenylalanine dehydrogenase in aqueous two-phase systems. Iran Biomed J 2008; 12:115-122. [PMID: 18506218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phenylalanine dehydrogenase (PheDH; EC 1.4.1.20) is a NAD+-dependent enzyme that performs the reversible oxidative deamination of L-phenylalanine to phenylpyruvate. It plays an important role in detection and screening of phenylketonuria (PKU) diseases and production of chiral intermediates as well. The main goal of this study was to find a simple and rapid alternative method for purifying PheDH. METHODS The purification of recombinant Bacillus sphaericus PheDH was investigated in polyethylene glycol (PEG) and ammonium sulfate aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS). The influences of system parameters including PEG molecular weight and concentration, pH and (NH4)2SO4 concentration on enzyme partitioning were also studied. The purity of enzyme was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. RESULTS A single extraction process was developed for separation and purification of recombinant PheDH from E. coli BL21 (DE3). The optimized conditions for partitioning and purification of PheDH were 9% (w/w) PEG-6,000 and 16% (w/w) (NH4)2SO4 at pH 8.0. The partition coefficient, recovery, yield, purification factor and specific activity values were achieved 58.7, 135%, 94.42%, 491.93 and 9828.88 U/mg, respectively. Also, the Km values for L-phenylalanine and NAD+ in oxidative deamination were 0.21 and 0.13 mM, respectively. CONCLUSION The data presented in this paper demonstrated the potential of ATPS as a versatile and scaleable process for downstream processing of recombinant PheDH.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eskandar Omidinia
- Dept. of Biochemistry, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran 13164, Iran
| | - Heshmatollah Taherkhani
- Dept. of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Gorgan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
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Fallah M, Rabiee S, Matini M, Taherkhani H. Seroepidemiology of toxoplasmosis in primigravida women in Hamadan, Islamic Republic of Iran, 2004. East Mediterr Health J 2008; 14:163-171. [PMID: 18557464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
We determined the prevalence of Toxoplasma antibodies in 576 primigravid women randomly selected from health houses in Hamadan. The relationship between positivity and some risk factors was assessed. Data were collected by questionnaire and blood samples examined for Toxoplasma antibodies by indirect fluorescent antibody test. Of the 576 women, 193 (33.5%) were positive for Toxoplasma antibodies (titre > or = 1:20). Age, consumption of fresh undercooked meat and frequent consumption of raw vegetables were statistically significantly associated with higher infection rates. Educational level, touching cats, handling raw meat, farming, method of washing vegetables and consumption of raw milk and eggs were not associated with infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Fallah
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Islamic Republic of Iran.
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Taherkhani H, Fallah M, Jadidian K, Vaziri S. A Study on the Prevalence of Cryptosporidium in HIV Positive Patients. J Res Health Sci 2007; 7:20-24. [PMID: 23343920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2007] [Accepted: 11/26/2007] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIDS is acquired by infection with HIV (human immuno-deficiency virus). It leaves the host susceptible to malignant and unusual infections especially opportunistic ones. Most of AIDS patients infected with opportunistic parasitic infections die because of chronic diarrhea and deaths due to Cryptosporidium diarrhea in AIDS patients are considerable in the recent two decades. The aim of this study is to find Cryptosporidium parasite in AIDS patients referring to the center of Diseases consultation in Kermanshah province and to determine the frequency of infection in those patients. METHODS In this study stool and blood samples were collected from 75 AIDS patients referring regularly to the Center of Diseases Consultation in Kermanshah and the gathered information were filled in the questionnaires together with their personal information regarding their names, sex and etc. Stool samples were tested using direct and formalin ether methods and then the smears that were dyed using modified acid fast staining were examined. Peripheral blood samples were used to determine the CD4 counts. RESULTS The results showed that the frequency of infection with Cryptosporidium in AIDS patients was 26.7% (20 cases). CONCLUSION According to the study, as the number of CD4 decreased in the patients, the probability of infection with opportunistic parasites increased and increase in the number CD4 that is normally accompanied with strengthening the body immune system resulted in the decrease in the frequency of infection with Cryptosporidium.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Taherkhani
- Dept. of Medical Parasitology, School of Medicine, University of Medical Sciences, Golestan, Iran
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Fallah M, Azimi A, Taherkhani H. Seroprevalence of toxocariasis in children aged 1-9 years in western Islamic Republic of Iran, 2003. East Mediterr Health J 2007; 13:1073-7. [DOI: 10.26719/2007.13.5.1073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Taherkhani H, Zeyhle E, Rogan MT. Antibody responses in human cystic hydatid disease to the laminated layer of Echinococcus granulosus. Parasitol Res 2007; 101:647-52. [PMID: 17429692 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-007-0534-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2006] [Accepted: 03/14/2007] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The laminated layer of hydatid cysts of Echinococcus granulosus represents a considerable amount of parasite material. Its antigenic role, however, is unclear. Extracts of laminated layer taken from sheep cysts were analysed in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS/PAGE) and were found to contain bands at 55 and 25-29 kDa, which reacted with an anti-sheep IgG antibody probe, indicating that these were likely to be host-contaminating components within the layer. However, the same bands were also recognised by a significant proportion of human hydatid patients, particularly by IgG4 antibodies, and not by negative control individuals. These individuals did not recognise immunoglobulin heavy and light chains in a sheep serum extract in the same manner. It seems likely that there are either host or parasite antigenic components at similar molecular weights or that certain parasite antigens may share epitopes with sheep immunoglobulins. The antigens at 25-29 kDa were found to be glycoproteins by lectin blot analysis and may be important markers of disease status.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Taherkhani
- Medical Parasitology Department, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
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