Purpose: Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic parasite infecting all warm-blooded animals including humans. The dense granule antigens (GRAs) play an important role in parasite survival and virulence and in forming the parasitophorous vacuole. Identification of protein characteristics increases our knowledge about them and leads to develop the vaccine and diagnostic studies. Materials and Methods: This paper gave a comprehensive definition of the important aspects of GRA12 protein, including physico-chemical features, a transmembrane domain, subcellular position, secondary and tertiary structure, potential epitopes of B-cells and T-cells, and other important features of this protein using different and reliable bioinformatics methods to determine potential epitopes for designing of a high-efficient vaccine. Results: The findings showed that GRA12 protein had 53 potential post-translational modification sites. Also, only one transmembrane domain was recognized for this protein. The secondary structure of GRA12 protein comprises 35.55% alpha-helix, 19.50% extended strand, and 44.95% random coil. Moreover, several potential B- and T-cell epitopes were identified for GRA12. Based on the results of the Ramachandran plot, 79.26% of amino acid residues were located in favored, 11.85% in allowed and 8.89% in outlier regions. Furthermore, the results of the antigenicity and allergenicity assessment noted that GRA12 is immunogenic and nonallergenic. Conclusion This research provided important basic and conceptual data on GRA12 to develop an effective vaccine against acute and chronic toxoplasmosis for further in vivo investigations. More studies are required on vaccine development using the GRA12 alone or combined with other antigens in the future.

Purpose: Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic parasite infecting all warm-blooded animals including humans. The dense granule antigens (GRAs) play an important role in parasite survival and virulence and in forming the parasitophorous vacuole. Identification of protein characteristics increases our knowledge about them and leads to develop the vaccine and diagnostic studies. Materials and Methods: This paper gave a comprehensive definition of the important aspects of GRA12 protein, including physico-chemical features, a transmembrane domain, subcellular position, secondary and tertiary structure, potential epitopes of B-cells and T-cells, and other important features of this protein using different and reliable bioinformatics methods to determine potential epitopes for designing of a high-efficient vaccine. Results: The findings showed that GRA12 protein had 53 potential post-translational modification sites. Also, only one transmembrane domain was recognized for this protein. The secondary structure of GRA12 protein comprises 35.55% alpha-helix, 19.50% extended strand, and 44.95% random coil. Moreover, several potential B- and T-cell epitopes were identified for GRA12. Based on the results of the Ramachandran plot, 79.26% of amino acid residues were located in favored, 11.85% in allowed and 8.89% in outlier regions. Furthermore, the results of the antigenicity and allergenicity assessment noted that GRA12 is immunogenic and nonallergenic. Conclusion This research provided important basic and conceptual data on GRA12 to develop an effective vaccine against acute and chronic toxoplasmosis for further in vivo investigations. More studies are required on vaccine development using the GRA12 alone or combined with other antigens in the future.

OBJECTIVEAn accurate scoring system for intra-abdominal injury (IAI) based on clinical manifestation and examination may decrease unnecessary CT scans, save time, and reduce healthcare cost. This study is designed to provide a new scoring system for a better diagnosis of IAI after blunt trauma.

METHODSThis prospective observational study was performed from April 2011 to October 2012 on patients aged above 18 years and suspected with blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) admitted to the emergency department (ED) of Imam Hussein Hospital and Shohadaye Hafte Tir Hospital. All patients were assessed and treated based on Advanced Trauma Life Support and ED protocol. Diagnosis was done according to CT scan findings, which was considered as the gold standard. Data were gathered based on patient's history, physical exam, ultrasound and CT scan findings by a general practitioner who was not blind to this study. Chi-square test and logistic regression were done. Factors with significant relationship with CT scan were imported in multivariate regression models, where a coefficient (β) was given based on the contribution of each of them. Scoring system was developed based on the obtained total β of each factor.

RESULTSAltogether 261 patients (80.1% male) were enrolled (48 cases of IAI). A 24-point blunt abdominal trauma scoring system (BATSS) was developed. Patients were divided into three groups including low (score<8), moderate (8≤score<12) and high risk (score≥12). In high risk group immediate laparotomy should be done, moderate group needs further assessments, and low risk group should be kept under observation. Low risk patients did not show positive CT-scans (specificity 100%). Conversely, all high risk patients had positive CT-scan findings (sensitivity 100%). The receiver operating characteristic curve indicated a close relationship between the results of CT scan and BATSS (sensitivity=99.3%).

CONCLUSIONThe present scoring system furnishes a high precision and reproducible diagnostic tool for BAT detection and has the potential to reduce unnecessary CT scan and cut unnecessary costs.

Abdominal Injuries ; diagnosis ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Research Design ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Trauma Severity Indices ; Wounds, Nonpenetrating ; diagnosis

Objective: Studies of the effects of estrogens on the male reproductive system have emphasized the role of these hormones in male fertility. Sesame oil has many phytoestrogenic compounds and may improve male fertility. This study investigated the effects of sesame oil and different concentrations of estrogen on sperm parameters and DNA integrity in male mice. Methods: Twenty old NMRI (The Naval Medical Research Institute) male mice (40 weeks; weight, 30–35 g) were treated with sesame oil or different concentrations of estrogen (estradiol, 1 and 10 μL/kg/ day) or received no treatment (controls). After 35 days, sperm parameters and DNA integrity were assessed and analyzed. Results: Sperm count, progressive motility, and morphology were decreased in the group that received 10 μL/kg of estradiol. A remarkably lower percentage of DNA fragmentation and protamine deficiency were detected in the group that received 1 μL/kg of estradiol. In the groups that received sesame oil and 1 μL/kg of estradiol, the numbers of spermatogonia and Leydig cells were higher than in controls. The combination of sesame oil and 1 μL/kg of estradiol led to improved sperm parameters and chromatin and testicular structure. Conclusion Based on this study, consumption of sesame oil and a low concentration of estradiol may improve testicular function in older mice.

Objective: The chief outcome of testicular torsion in clinical and experimental contexts is testicular ischemia. Curcumin, a compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, has fascinated researchers and clinicians for its promise in the treatment of fertility diseases. Methods: Thirty-five fully grown male mice were randomly classified into five groups: control, sham, testicular torsion, treatment group 1 (testicular torsion+short-term curcumin), and treatment group 2 (testicular torsion+long-term curcumin). Thirty-five days later, spermatozoa from the right cauda epididymis were analyzed with regard to count and motility. Toluidine blue (TB), aniline blue (AB), and chromomycin A3 (CMA3) staining assays were used to evaluate the sperm chromatin integrity. In addition, the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling (TUNEL) test was used to assess apoptosis.Result: Treatment group 1 exhibited a remarkably elevated sperm count compared to the testicular torsion group. Additionally, notably lower sperm motility was found in the testicular torsion group compared to the control, treatment 1, and treatment 2 groups. Staining (CMA3, AB, and TB) and the TUNEL test indicated significantly greater testicular torsion in the torsion group compared to the control group (p<0.05). The data also revealed notably lower results of all sperm chromatin assays and lower apoptosis in both treatment groups relative to the testicular torsion group (p<0.05). Significantly elevated (p<0.05) AB and TB results were noted in treatment group 1 compared to treatment group 2. Conclusion Curcumin can compensate for the harmful effects of testicular ischemia and improve sperm chromatin quality in mice.

BACKGROUND: The numerous side effects and chemo-resistance of conventional chemical drugs in the treatment of malignancies have led to consideration of the anti-cancer properties of natural products. In the present study, we aimed to explore the apoptotic effect of two natural components, resveratrol and prednisolone, on the T acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cell line, CCRF-CEM. Our findings suggested the incorporation of these natural agents into drug regimens to treat patients with ALL. METHODS: In this study, we investigated the effect of different doses of resveratrol (15, 50 and 100 µM) and prednisolone (700 µM) on BAX (apoptosis promoter) and BCL2 (apoptosis inhibitor) expressions following 24 and 48 hours of treatment on CCRF-CEM cells, using real-time PCR, and on apoptosis induction using flow cytometry. RESULTS: The results showed a time- and dose-dependent increase in BAX expression and a decrease in BCL2 expression. Apoptosis was induced in CCRF-CEM cells treated with resveratrol and prednisolone for 24 and 48 hours. Combined resveratrol and prednisolone treatment showed synergistic effects on the overexpression of BAX and the downregulation of BCL2. The drug combination had a greater influence on apoptosis induction compared with either drug administered alone after 48 hours of treatment. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggested that resveratrol exhibited a remarkable efficacy to improve the influence of glucocorticoids drugs, especially prednisolone, to induce apoptosis in the CCRF-CEM cell line.
Apoptosis* ; Biological Products ; Cell Line* ; Down-Regulation ; Flow Cytometry ; Glucocorticoids ; Humans* ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma* ; Prednisolone ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Purpose: Toxoplasmosis, transmitted by Toxoplasma gondii, is a worldwide parasitic disease that affects approximately one-third of the world’s inhabitants. Today, there are no appropriate drugs to deter tissue cysts from developing in infected hosts. So, developing an effective vaccine would be valuable to avoid from toxoplasmosis. Considering the role of microneme antigens such as microneme protein 4 (MIC4) in T. gondii pathogenesis, it can be used as potential candidates for vaccine against T. gondii. Materials and Methods: In this study several bioinformatics methods were used to assess the different aspects of MIC4 protein such as secondary and tertiary structure, physicochemical characteristics, the transmembrane domains, subcellular localization, B-cell, helper-T lymphocyte, cytotoxic-T lymphocyte epitopes, and other notable characteristic of this protein design a suitable vaccine against T. gondii. Results: The studies revealed that MIC4 protein includes 59 potential post-translational modification sites without any transmembrane domains. Moreover, several probable epitopes of Band T-cells were detected for MIC4. The secondary structure comprised 55.69% random coil, 5.86% beta-turn, 19.31% extended strand, and 19.14% alpha helix. According to the Ramachandran plot results, 87.42% of the amino acid residues were located in the favored, 9.44% in allowed, and 3.14% in outlier regions. The protein allergenicity and antigenicity revealed that it was non-allergenic and antigenic. Conclusion This study gives vital basic on MIC4 protein for further research and also established an effective vaccine with different techniques against acute and chronic toxoplasmosis.

Food insecurity affects food intake, and it could prevent an individual from consuming enough nutritious food to support and maintain health. The aim of this paper is to determine the prevalence and factors influencing food insecurity among Malaysian households. In 2014, the Malaysian Adult Nutrition Survey (MANS) was carried out, and one of the components measured was food insecurity. Six out of sixteen questions from the food security core-module questionnaire were adopted and answered by 2962 adults. The results showed that about 25.0% adult experienced food quantity insufficiency, 25.5% had food variety insufficiency, 21.9% practised reduced size of the meal, and 15.2% skipped main meal due to lack of money to spend on. For the parents, 23.7% only rely on cheap food to feed children, and 20.8% could not afford to purchase various foods to feed their children. Location, strata, race, level of education, working status and household income shows significant difference while none of the nutritional status components found to be difference in all six parameters of food insecurity measured. Logistic regression with adjusted odds ratios discovered race, education level and household income were related to risk to all six parameters of food insecurity. In conclusion, food insecurity can be a serious problem in Malaysia. An effective and comprehensive effort by the government in terms of policy solution is required to increase education level and ensure an adequate income for every household. Therefore, future research should focus on some of those promising policy solutions and at the same time, study the other possible underlying factors that may lead to food insecurity.
Food Insecurity ; Malaysia ; Adult ; Nutrition Survey