Testicular weight and DNA content were markedly reduced (63 and 69%) in weanling Long-Evans rat pups rendered hypothyroid from birth by administration of propylthiouracil (PTU), a reversible goitrogen. These growth deficits worsened to > 80% by continuing hypothyroidism beyond weaning, to days 50 and 90. Recovery of thyroid function, brought about by discontinuing PTU at weaning, resulted in a paradoxical stimulation of testis growth, amounting to increased weight (40%), DNA content (60%) and size by 90 days, compared to age-matched controls. In the 25-day or older hypothyroid rats, testicular structure was immature and spermatogenesis markedly delayed, as evident by closed lumen and significantly reduced diameter of seminiferous tubules (38%), thickness of germinal layer (70%), and number of primary spermatocytes (86%), compared to control. Hypothyroidism did not alter the number of tubules per testis cross section. In the 90-day recovery rats, numbers of seminiferous tubules were unchanged but tubular diameter was significantly (20%) larger than in controls and spermatogenesis appeared very active as indicated by significantly increased germinal layer thickness (22%) and total number and density of primary spermatocytes (55% and 40%). The results show that although postnatal hypothyroidism is deleterious for testicular growth and spermatogenesis, recovery from this condition leads to enhanced seminiferous tubular growth and spermatogenesis.

Naegleria genus belongs to the flagellate free-living amoebae, which is ubiquitous in the environment (De Jonckheere, 2011). They have been found in various water resources (rivers, lakes and hot springs) and soil environments all around the world (De Jonckheere, 2011). Naegleria genus is classified in the Vahlkampfiidae family consisting of 47 species. There are three morphological forms to its life cycle: feeding trophozoite stage, transitional flagellate stage and dormant cyst stage (Siddiqui, Ali, Cope, & Khan, 2016). Naegleria fowleri is the only pathogen species of the genus Naegleria that is commonly known as brain-eating amoebae. It can cause a rare and devastating

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Tuberculosis (TB) is accounted for as one of the most important destructive infectious diseases for humans, which is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Studies have shown the severe effects of tuberculosis in patients, especially sensitive groups. Emergence and distribution of both multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains have caused failure in the infection eradication. At present, BCG vaccine is the only most effective vaccine for the prevention of TB in childhood but its protection level in pulmonary TB in adult is very variable. Therefore, the need for an appropriate alternative vaccine instead of BCG is urgent. On the basis of the studies, cell-mediated immune (CMI) is known as the best immune response against TB infection. For this purpose, a desirable CMI response should be along with a balance between Th1, Th17, and T-reg cells. Several vaccine candidates have been evaluated in vitro and in vivo examinations, such as recombinant BCG (rBCG), DNA vaccines, and subunit vaccines. Factors, such as applicability of vaccine candidates in all individuals, cost-effectiveness, long-term immunity and stimulation of a wide range of responses are important factors. Now, most of these vaccines have entered in the phases of clinical trial (even IIB and III); however, these trials are complex, need a large number of individuals and need a long time. Funding for TB vaccine trials is an important issue, especially in poor countries. With preclinical safety precision studies, it is likely that at least one of these vaccines will develop into early clinical trials in the next few years.

Objective: There exist various diagnostic tests to detect visceral leishmaniasis, but the most efficient ones have not been demonstrated yet. Herein, we evaluated the accuracy of these diagnostic tests in Iran. Methodology: English and Persian database searching was done from 1993 to 2016. According to heterogeneity of the studies, estimations of the study were pooled by random-effects model. Totally, twenty investigations were eligible for current review with 2115 patients as pooled sample size. Results: The overall pooled estimate of sensitivity and specificity for all diagnostic tests were 0.92 ([95% CI = 0.90-0.95]) and 0.92 ([95% CI = 0.89-0.94]), respectively. Also, the separate sensitivity and specificity of each test were as follow: PCR: 1.00 ([95% CI = 0.99-1.01]) and 0.37 ([95% CI = 0.25-0.49]); DAT: 0.93 ([95% CI = 0.89-0.96]) and 0.92 ([95% CI = 0.89-0.94]); ELISA: 0.78 ([95% CI = 0.47-1.09]) and 1.00 ([95% CI = 0.99-1.01]) as well as IFA: 0.50 ([95% CI = 0.29-0.72]) and 0.96 ([95% CI = 0.95-0.97]). Conclusions: The specificity and sensitivity of PCR and DAT as molecular and serological tests, respectively, are remarkable to detect visceral leishmaniasis; hence, it is highly recommended to simultaneously employ these diagnostic tests for this widespread infection.

In recent years, increasing dust phenomenon in the west of Iran has led to social, economic, and health concerns. This study aimed to represent the existence and genotyping of Acanthamoeba spp. in dust phenomenon in Ilam Province, Iran. In this study, 55 dust samples were collected and by targeting the diagnostic fragment 3 region of the 18S rRNA gene, the genotypes were determined. Utilizing the tolerance ability test, the pathogenic potential of all positive isolates was also recognized. Eighteen samples of Acanthamoeba (32.7%) were detected in the sampling areas. According to sequencing analysis, the isolates related to T4 (77.7%) and T2 (22.3%) genotypes were reported. It was revealed by thermo-and osmotolerance tests in which six strains are extremely pathogenic. To our knowledge, the pathogenic Acanthamoeba was potentially isolated initially from dust phenomenon in Ilam Province. Thus, these strains are probably highly virulent, and dusts are possible sources of Acanthamoeba infection in humans.

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