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Inhibitory Effect of Carvacrol on the Expression of Candida (albicans Hyphae-Specific Gene (HWP1
Get PDFBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Candida albicans infection is a problem of growing clinical importance, particularly in immunocompromised populations. This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of carvacrol on the hyphae formation and expression of C. albicans HWP1.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was done over a 6-month period in 2016-2017. Vaginal, mouth and skin surface swabs were obtained from immunocompromised patients. Colonizing clinical isolates of C. albicans were identified and drug susceptible isolates detected using WHONET software. The susceptibility test for carvacrol (range 6.25–300 μg/ml) were carried out with a broth microdilution according to the CLSI guidelines against drug susceptible C. albicans. The time kill assay of carvacrol (range 2 × MIC to ¼ × MIC) was determined. Hyphae inhibition was evaluated by light microscopy. We determined the expression levels of HWP1 implicated in hyphae formation of C. albicans ATCC 14053 cells by quantitative RT-PCR.
FINDINGS: Ten colonizing clinical isolates of drug susceptible C. albicans were identified. Carvacrol was inhibited the growth of all drugs susceptible isolates of C. albicans (MIC range, 25-200 µg/ml). Time kill curve assay demonstrated that carvacrol could significantly inhibit the growth of C. albicans (p≤0.05). Carvacrol efficiently prevented hyphae formation in drug susceptible C. albicans. The expression levels of HWP1 gene were down-regulated by 1.82- and 1.62-fold at concentrations of 2 × MIC and 1×MIC of carvacrol, respectively.
CONCLUSION: These results suggest that carvacrol could provide an improved and safe clinical approach in treating Candida infections by prevention of hyphae formatio
Antimicrobial Effects of Lactobacillus Plantarum and Lactobacillus Paracasei Isolated from Honey against Staphylococcus Aureus
Get PDFBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Lactobacilli are gram positive, catalase-negative, and found in a variety of fermented foods such as honey, as well as human normal flora. The aim of this study was to identify lactobacillus Plantarum and lactobacillus Paracasei in Iranian honey samples and to investigate the probiotic and antimicrobial properties of them against Staphylococcus aureus.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study investigated 88 honey samples from different areas in Iran at 6 months, from May to September, 2016. Samples were cultured in MRS broth and after were cultured on MRS agar. Sequencing of 16S rDNA gene was used to detect lactobacillus isolates. Then probiotic capacity (acid and bile resistance) of isolates was measured. Antimicrobial activity of lactobacillus isolates was investigated by diffusion method from wells and antibiotic resistance by disc diffusion method.
FINDINGS: From 88 honey samples, 39 Lactobacillus isolates were isolated, four L. plantarum and two L. paracasei were identified by molecular technique. Every six isolates tolerated acidity but were sensitive to bile salt. Five isolates inhibited the growth of S. aureus. The most antibiotic resistance of Lactobacillus strains was seen to vancomycin(100%), nalidixic acid(100%) and streptomycin(100%).
CONCLUSION: Iranian honey samples can be a source for different Lactobacillus species as L. plantarum and L. Paracasei which some of these species could have wonderful inhibitory effects against pathogen bacteria like S. aureus
The Study of Abnormal Liver Ultrasound Findings in Candidate Patients Undergoing Renal Transplantation from Brain Dead Donors
Get PDFBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Chronic kidney disease in addition to kidney involvement may cause abnormalities in various systems of the body, in which liver disorders are one of the most commonly encountered disorders. Failure to identify some of these disorders can cause a serious problem in transolant patient. This study was performed to determine the frequency and type of abnormal liver ultrasound findings in renal transplant patients.
METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, recorded data of 480 kidney failure patients who had received kidney transplant from brain death donors during the last 6 years in three Mashhad hospitals were investigated. Ultrasonography was considered before the transplant and abnormal liver findings were recorded in a checklist and were assesed.
FINDINGS: The mean age was 39.07±12.67 years of which 52.70% were male and 42.30% were female. Liver disorders were observed in 13.12% of patients. The highest prevalence was related to fatty liver grade I (2.5%), grade II (1.46%), gallstone (1.25%) and liver cysts (1.25%).
CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that liver asymptomatic disorders in renal transplant patients have significant prevalence and because some of these disorders require treatment before transplantation, enough attention to screening before transplantation can help to prevent post-transplant complications
Validity and reliability of the persian version of the chronic oral mucosal diseases questionnaire
Get PDFBackground: Chronic oral mucosal disease questionnaire (COMDQ) is used to evaluate the quality of life in patients with chronic conditions of the oral mucosa. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Persian version of this questionnaire.
Methods: A total of 135 subjects were selected in two groups; group 1 consisted of 95 patients with chronic oral mucosal conditions, including recurrent aphthous stomatitis, oral lichen planus and pemphigus and mucous membrane pemphigoid and group 2 consisted of 40 patients with other oral diseases. The subjects completed the demographic data sheets and COMDQ and then underwent examinations to determine disease severity. After 14 days, the questionnaire was completed again by the group 1subjects only.
Results: Cronbach’s α coefficient for COMDQ was estimated at 0.969 and the interclass correlation coefficient was estimated at 0.997. There was a significant relationship between the mean COMDQ scores and disease and pain severity. There was a clear correlation between the patients’ self-report about their general health and mean COMDQ scores and also between their opinions about their oral health and the mean COMDQ scores.
Conclusions: The Persian version of COMDQ exhibited proper levels of reliability and validity. It is suggested that this questionnaire be used for the evaluation of the effect of treatment on the oral health-related quality of life (OHQoL)
Risk factors of hepatitis B virus infection among blood donors in Duhok city, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Get PDFBackground: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a public health problem. The lack of information about the seroprevalence and risk factors is an obstacle for preventive public health plans to reduce the burden of viral hepatitis. Therefore, this study was conducted in Iraq, where no studies had been performed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of HBV infection.
Methods: Blood samples were collected form 438 blood donors attending blood bank in Duhok city. Serum samples were tested for HBV core-antibodies (HBcAb) and HBV surface-antigen (HBsAg) by ELISA. Various risk factors were recorded and multivariate analysis was performed.
Results: 5/438 (1.14%) of the subjects were HBsAg positive (HBsAg and HBcAb positive) and 36/438 (8.2%) were HBcAb positive. Hence, 41 cases were exposed to HBV and data analysis was based on that. Univariate analysis showed that there were significant associations between history of illegitimate sexual contact, history of alcohol or history of dental surgeries and HBV exposure (p<0.05 for all). Then, multivariate analysis was conducted to find HBV exposure predictive factors. It was found that history of dental surgery was a predictive factor for exposure to the virus (P=0.03, OR: 2.397).
Conclusions: This study suggested that the history of dental surgery was predictive for HBV transmission in Duhok city. Further population-based study is needed to determine HBV risk factors in the society and public health plan based on that should be considered
Persistence of immunity to hepatitis B vaccine as infants, 17 years earlier
Get PDFBackground: In Iran since 1992, hepatitis B vaccination was a part of the national vaccination program. Hepatitis B vaccination is effective in the epidemiology of hepatitis B. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long – term persistence of immunity.
Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on children and adolescents aged between 6-18 years in Birjand, who received a three – dose hepatitis B vaccination in accordance with the national immunization program. No students were infected with hepatitis B. Antibody titer higher than10 IU/L was considered positive.
Results: A total of 530 patients (307 boys and 223 girls) were recruited for the study of which 44% had positive antibody titer (≥10 IU / L). The geometric concentration mean (GMCs) of antibody in subjects was 64.9±34.2, HBS antibody titer was positive in 40.4% of the boys and 59.6% of the girls. A significant difference in antibody titers was observed in terms of gender and according to the time elapsed since the last vaccination. Antibody titer in children older than 13 years had passed since their last vaccination and was significantly less than those children younger than thirteen years old had passed since their vaccination logistic regression analysis showed that the only predictive factor of anti-HBS low titer (<10 IU/L) is elapsed time of vaccination.
Conclusions: Based on results of this study, hepatitis B vaccine has created a good level of protection in 44% of the adolescents after 17 years
Study of Co-authorship Status in Research Articles of Agriculture and Its Relationship with the Rate of their Visibility in Islamic World Science Citation (ISC)
Get PDFBackground and aim: This study aimed to examine co-authorship and collaboration of scientific outputs in the field of agriculture. Moreover, it investigated their visibility in Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC) from 2007 to 2013.
Material and methods: This survey study was done using scientometric method and population included the scientific outputs published in journals of agriculture indexed in ISC from 2007 to 2013. Data were analyzed via descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS, Excel and Pajek softwares.
Findings: The results showed that there was an ascending trend in papers published in the field of agriculture during 2007-2013. In addition, from 15128 papers indexed in ISC, 92.3% had coauthors and 7.7% had no co-authors. The published papers had ascending trend from 2017 in the year of 2007 to 3250 titles in 2013. Yearly rate of growth was %9.27 during 2007-2013.
Conclusion: There was a positive and significant relationship between
co-authorship papers and their visibility in the field of agriculture. The presence of the co-author will influence on the number of citations to the article so that co-authorship will increase the citations
Primary duodenal malignant melanoma: A case report
Get PDFBackground: Melanoma is a neoplasm derived commonly from melanocytic cells of skin. Although coetaneous presentation of malignant melanoma is easily recognizable, the presentation of melanoma in other organs is so confusing. In particular, when it metastasizes to other organs, many bizarre figures and unusual organs may be involved. In this report, we present a case of primary duodenal malignant melanoma.
Case Presentation: A 68-year-old man presented with a history of iron deficiency anemia. The upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a prominent papilla of duodenum along with an ulcerative lesion adjacent to second part of duodenum. Histopathologic evaluation showed a high-grade malignant neoplasm involving the bowel wall which was labeled for S100 protein and markers of melanocytic differentiation; Melan-A indicating the definitive diagnosis of malignant melanoma of the second portion of duodenal mucosa.
Conclusions: In patients with a history of iron deficiency anemia, any GI symptom should be evaluated carefully. However, the diagnosis of primary GI melanomas in patients without any history of melanoma is possible. Full medical investigations are recommended in these patients with primary mucosal lesions
Comparison of thiobarbituric acid reacting substances and total antioxidant capacity in saliva of smokers and nonsmokers
Get PDFIntroduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) as lipid peroxidation marker and total antioxidant capacity(TAC) in saliva of smoker and non-smoker men. Materials & Methods: This case-control study was performed on 104 men including smoker (52) and non-smoker (52) men, referred to&nbsp;the Oral&nbsp;Medicine Department&nbsp;in Babol Faculty of Dentistry. 2 ml of unstimulated saliva was collected and specimens were transferred to the Biochemistry Laboratory using dry ice and freezed. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18 and Mann Whitney test. Results: Findings indicated that the levels of TBARS and TAC in saliva of smokers were significantly higher than control group. Conclusion: Higher level of TBARS in smokers can show the evident and dangerous role of cigarette and its chemical compounds, and increased level of TAC in smokers can prove the hypothesis of compensatory mechanism of antioxidant system
Improvement in Cognitive Status and Depressive Symptoms Three Months after Cataract Surgery
Get PDFBackground: Cataract induced vision impairment can lead to loss of older people’s independence and self-esteem and limit their daily activities. Moreover it has comorbid cognitive impairment and depression. Cataract surgery may be one way to attenuate these comorbidities. The aim of this study was to compare pre-operative and postoperative depressive symptoms and cognitive impairments of patients who underwent cataract surgery.
Methods: This study was a before - after clinical trial. Participants completed the following validated surveys one day before and again three months after surgery. Dependent variables were preoperative to postoperative within-patient difference in Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores. Independent variable was improvement of visual acuity.
Results: Mean age was 71.77±8.08, 54% were females. Mean postoperative visual acuity improvement was 0.7720±0.1758, mean GDS score difference was -1.49±1.72 and mean MMSE score difference was 0.28±0.88. Postoperative improvement of visual acuity, GDS and MMSE scores were statistically significant (p=0.001). The mean visual acuity improvement in the participants with age over 80 years was lower than the younger subjects; while improvement in MMSE scores in this age group was significantly higher than them. There were no significant relationship between visual acuity, GDS and MMSE scores before and after surgery based on BMI and educational level.
Conclusions: It was concluded that cataract surgery is effective for relieving depressive symptoms in the elderly. Improved visual acuity at older ages has far more effects on reducing cognitive impairment