An in vitro study was conducted to determine the apoptosis induced by tamoxifen (TAM) and TAM-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) in breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 cells. The effect of free drug and drug-loaded SLN on the cell lines was characterised by cell morphology and cell cycle distribution using phase contrast microscopy, nuclear morphology and flow cytometry, respectively. The results showed that TAM-loaded SLNs have an equally efficient cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 cells, compared to free TAM, and the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of TAM-loaded SLNs was generally lower than that of free TAM. In the presence of TAM and TAM-loaded SLN, the viability of the both cells diminishes and the cancer cells lose their normal morphological characteristics, detaches, aggregates and later develops apoptotic bodies. Flow cytometry analysis showed that TAM-loaded SLN like the free TAM caused a dose- and time-dependent apoptosis without cell cycle arrest of human breast cancer cells. Therefore, TAM-loaded SLN has great potential in human medicine for the treatment of breast cancers.

Two hundred and seventy chicken muscle, liver and kidney samples from 90 broiler farm in Tehran province of Iran were collected over a period of one year starting from August 2001. All chicken had been slaughtered in Tehran slaughterhouse. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was used for separating, detecting and analyzing of Enrofloxacin residues in samples. All samples showed Enrofloxacin residues and samples from 22 (24% of farms showed residues of Enrofloxacin above MRLs (Maximum Residue Limits). 8 (8.88%),12 (13.33%) and 22 (24.44%) of muscle, liver and kidney samples showed residues of Enrofloxacin above MRLs respectively. The mean concentrations of Enrofloxacin in muscle, liver and kidney samples were 18.32±32.29SD, 18.34±12.36 SD and 26.06±19.52 SD ng/g respectively. This study confirmed widespread misuses of Enrofloxacin in farms and lack of implementation of recommended withdrawal times. Also the results of this study emphasized on harder regulations for the use of antimicrobial drugs in poultry industry as well as the inspection of chickens for drug residues prior to marketing.

INTRODUCTION: Ticks are non-permanent obligate parasites that have considerable medical-veterinary and zoonosis importance. In this regard a study designed to investigate the distribution and fauna of ticks in the Alashtar county in Iran from April and March 2014.

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is one of the most important infectious diseases in eastern Mediterranean countries. The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiological pattern of cutaneous leishmaniasis across a 10-year period in the Hamadan province. This study was considered necessary due to the lack of new information in recent years on the epidemiology of the disease. Methods: This is a descriptive study. The data of patients who were diagnosed with cutaneous leishmaniasis in Hamadan health centers were collected during 10 years (2007–2016) and were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Of the 908 registered patients, 94% were male and 6% were female. The mean age was 32.7 ± 11.8. About 87.1% of patients had a history of travel to endemic areas. The highest incidence rate was observed in the year 2015 with a rate of 12.6, and the lowest was in 2008 at 1.5 per 100,000 people. Conclusion: Due to an increasing trend in the number of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Hamadan and the effect of occupation, high-risk groups such as lorry drivers should be informed of preventive measures such as using insect repellents. Also, considering the possibility of shaping a new hotspot in the province, thorough reviews and more comprehensive entomological studies are recommended.