Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) is an expanding disease and a public health issue in Iran. In the present study, rate of natural infection of rodent populations with Leishmania was investigated in six endemic foci including 28 villages in Golestan, Esfahan, Yazd, Fars, Khuzestan and Ilam provinces. A total of 593 rodents were captured and identified as Rhombomys opimus (n = 325), Meriones libycus (n = 171), Meriones persicus (n = 27), Tatera indica (n = 37), Nesokia indica (n = 12), Rattus rattus (n = 13) and Mus musculus (n = 8). Microscopic examinations of Giemsa-stained smears showed that 108 out of 593 (18.2%) rodents were infected with Leishmania spp., whereas infection of 186 out of 593 (31.4%) rodents with Leishmania was then confirmed by ITS1-PCR. The highest rate of infection was found in R. opimus (prevalence of 35%) and M. libycus (31%).
Objectives Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) patients should be involved in the development of new saliva substitutes at an early stage. The purpose of the current study was to explore the preferences of these patients regarding various product characteristics of potential new saliva substitutes. Material and method A questionnaire was distributed among SS patients. They could anonymously indicate their preferences for saliva substitute characteristics using 5-point Likert scales. Results Fifty-nine SS patients filled in the questionnaire. According to their opinion, the most ideal saliva substitute has a thin-watery consistency with a neutral flavour that should be applied as a spray. Patients demand a prolonged alleviation of dry mouth complaints and neutralization of harmful bacteria. The patients mainly object against the presence of artificial sweeteners and alcohol in saliva substitutes, but have limited objections against the presence of vegetable-based ingredients and natural enzymes. Major objections were against the potential side effects “bitter taste” and “discoloration of teeth”. Age and severity of xerostomia affected desire of flavours. Younger patients preferred menthol flavour, while respondents with severe xerostomia preferred the use of “neutral flavours” significantly more. Conclusion The most ideal saliva substitute has thin-watery consistency in spray form with a neutral flavour and providing long alleviation of dry mouth complaints. Besides, it should not contain artificial sweeteners or alcohol, and should not have a bitter taste or cause discoloration of the teeth. Clinical relevance Investigating the opinion of SS patients provides tailoured insights into their preference, which may contribute to the development of more effective saliva substitutes.
A new flexible cationic Zn(II)metal organic framework, {[Zn2(BDC)1.5(L)(DMF)]NO3·DMF·solvent}n, MOF 1, which is a corrugated two‐dimensional network, was synthesized by self‐assembly of Zn(NO3)2.6H2O with 4,4′‐methylenebis(N‐(pyridin‐2‐ylmethylene)aniline as a neutral ligand and terephthalic acid in dimethyl formamide (DMF) as solvent and characterized by X‐ray diffraction. Because of the presence of uncoordinated nitrate (NO3−) ions in the channels, the compound was employed for ion‐exchange applications. We report a detailed study of the host–guest interaction for a cationic metal–organic framework (MOF) that can reversibly capture nitrate. The recrystallization of the MOF was evaluated by monitoring the anion exchange dynamics using a combination of powder X‐ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectra with various kinds of foreign anions. This MOF showed fast and highly efficient Cr2O72− and CrO42−, N3−, MnO4−, and SCN− exchange. The trapping capacities of Cr2O72−, CrO42−, N3−, MnO4−, and SCN− were 105,138, 44,104, and 25mg/g at 25°C after 3h, respectively, and there was good recyclability for capturing N3− and SCN−. {[Zn2(BDC)1.5(L)(DMF)]NO3}n exhibited anion exchange selectivity of SCN− in a solution containing a mixture of 0.025mmol N3−, SCN−, CrO4−2−, Cr2O72−, and MnO4− for 3h and exhibited anion exchange selectivity for SCN− and Cr2O72− in a solution containing a mixture of 0.001mmol N3−, SCN−, CrO42−, Cr2O72−, and MnO4−.
Background: Strenuous endurance training triggers the antioxidant defenses of the body and attempts to find supplements to heal gastric ulcers induced by strenuous endurance training and increased body oxidant status. Objectives: Therefore, the current study aimed at investigating the effects of curcumin supplementation during nine weeks of endurance training on gastric antioxidant capacity (superoxide dismutase; SOD) and serum lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde; MDA) in male Wistar rats. Methods: The current applied research was conducted on 26 male Wistar rats aged nine weeks and weighed 215.87 ± 20.49 g. After one week of acclimation to training, the rats were randomly assigned to four groups: the control, curcumin, endurance, and endurance + curcumin. During the nine weeks (five sessions per week), the rats performed an incremental endurance training (up to 70 minutes at 35 m/minute), and the curcumin supplement at 30 mg/kg of body weight was injected intraperitoneally three times per week. SOD activity was assayed by the spectrophotometric method, and serum MDA level was measured utilizing the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. For data analysis, ANOVA was employed using SPSS version 24. Results: The results of the study revealed that strenuous endurance training significantly reduced the activity of the gastric SOD enzyme (P < 0.05) and increased serum MDA level (P < 0.05), while curcumin supplementation increased gastric SOD enzyme activity, decreased serum MDA level, and resulted in the restoration of antioxidant defenses. Conclusions: Prolonged strenuous endurance training induces oxidative stress to gastric tissue, and curcumin supplementation restores the antioxidant defense of the gastric tissue and body.
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