Cystic echinococcosis (CE), which is caused by the metacestode of Echinococcus granulosus, is one of the most important zoonoses affecting humans. Benzimidazoles (in particular albendazole) and praziquantel (PZQ) are effective against CE, but poor water solubility of these agents often leads to inadequate results. Here, we evaluate the effects of chitosan-albendazole (ChABZ) and chitosan-praziquantel (ChPZQ) nanoparticles as a new formulation on hydatid cysts both in vitro and in vivo. Developed microcysts in culture were treated with different concentrations of ChABZ and ChPZQ nanoparticles (either alone or in combination), and ABZ + PZQ suspension. The viability rate of microcysts was used to evaluate the drug efficacies. In addition, the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of the drugs were studied on infected DBA/2 mice. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultra-structural changes. The viability rate of microcysts and differences in cyst weights were compared by ANOVA, and the cyst numbers were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test. The combination of ChABZ + ChPZQ nanoparticles was more effective than the ABZ + PZQ suspension in vitro (p < 0.05). In prophylaxy, a significant reduction was observed both in size and in number of the cysts in ChABZ + ChPZQ nanoparticle groups compared with the control group (p < 0.05). In the therapeutic stage, however, this treatment only reduced the cyst numbers. Degeneration of the microcysts treated with the drugs was evident in the ultra-structural imaging. Overall, the nanoparticulate drugs were more effective than their suspension counterparts, but further studies are recommended to evaluate the full potential of these nanoparticles in the treatment of human CE.

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Aims: One of the major factors in sudden cardiac arrest is the initiation and continuation of deadly arrhythmias during ischemia. It is known that betahydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) has useful effects such as antiinflammatory and anti-apoptosis effects in the skeletal muscles. The aim of this study was to investigate the preventive effects of HMB on the ventricular arrhythmias due to the ischemia. Materials & Methods: In the experimental study, 30 Wistar male rats were randomly divided into three groups including control, HMB320, and HMB700. As control group received normal saline, HMB320 and HMB700 groups orally received 320 and 700 mg/Kg HMB as gavage for 2 weeks, respectively. The rats, having been anesthetized, underwent 30-minute ischemia. Then, the numbers of premature ventricular contractions (PVC), the appearance duration of ventricular tachycardia (VT), and the ventricular fibrillation (VF) were assessed. Data was analyzed by SPSS 16 software using Kruskal-Walis, one-way ANOVA, Tukey's post-hoc, and Chi-square tests. Findings: There was a significant reduction in the mean PVC number in HMB320 and HMB700 groups than control group (p=0.001). In addition, there was such a significant difference between the groups received the doses (p=0.008). There was a reduction in the mean appearance duration of VT in HMB320 and HMB700 groups than control group (p=0.001). There was a significant reduction in the mean appearance duration of VF in HMB700 group compared to control group, only (p=0.003). Conclusion: Through arrhythmias reduction, 2-week preventive consumption of HMB might considerably reduce the severe side effects of ischemia.

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Journal homepage: www.zums.ac.ir/jhehp Background: Complex surface of vegetables facilitate attachment and transmission of several pathogens. No previous study has been conducted in survey of parasitic contamination of vegetables in Zanjan. This study aimed to detect the parasitic contamination in common raw vegetables in Zanjan markets. Methods: A total of 352 raw vegetable samples, including leek, parsley, basil, mint, radish, cress and dill were collected from grocery stores using cluster sampling in different regions of the city during 2014. The edible parts of vegetables were separated and immersed in normal saline solution. Floating vegetables were removed and the solution was allowed to sediment at room temperature for 24 hours. The pellet was examined following sedimentation and floatation methods. Results:Various Organisms were detected in 54% (190) of the 352 samples, but only 2.8% of samples had pathogenic parasites including; Trichostrongylus eggs (3), Hookworm eggs (2), Eimeria oocysts (2), Sarcocystis oocyst (1), Strongyloides larvae (1), and Fasciola eggs (1). The contamination rate of vegetables was highest (90.4%) in the fall (p˂0.05). Conclusion: Vegetable contamination with parasitic organisms in this area was low, maybe due to irrigation of vegetables with sources other than sewage water, but it is still necessary to improve sanitary conditions of vegetables.