|
|
|
 |
Search published articles |
 |
|
Showing 17 results for Azari
Manoochehr Barak , Leila Azari-Namin , Ali Nemati , Nategh Abbasgholizadeh , Mehrdad Mirzarahimi , Anooshirvan Sedigh ,
Volume 3, Issue 4 (Winter 2003)
Abstract
Background & Objective : Failure To Thrive (FTT) refers to the insufficient physical growth or inability in keeping the desired growth rate in a period to time. It is a problem in Iran as far as hygienic nutrition is concerned. FTT is a multifactor problem which is caused by various organic and nonorganic agents. This study was conducted to pinpoint the major risk factors involved in the growth of children under 2 years of age who are the most vulnerable age-group in terms of growth disorders. Methods: This case-control study was conducted in 2002-2003 on 120 infants (60 cases with FTT and 60 controls) in Namin health centers. The case group was under the third percentage of their growth chart or they had -2SD in growth chart at least in three months. The control group was composed of infants with normal growth chart. The demographic characteristics of parents, and the nutritional and antropometric (height/weight, head circumference) characteristics of the subjects were measured. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software, using chi-square and ANOVA. Results: The findings indicated higher frequency of respiratory infections, diarrhea and vomiting in case group (p<0.05). The control group, on the other hand, outnumbered the case group in terms of the number of infants under 6 months who were exclusively breast-fed (p<0.05). Most of the infants with FTT had a lower birth weight than control group (p<0.05). The number of mothers with lower level of education and those who were housewives and also the number of family members were significantly higher in case group than control group (p< 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed between two groups in terms of frequency of breast feeding and birth rank. Conclusions : The results indicated that some risk factors such as respiratory infections, birth weight, education, mother ُ s knowledge, exclusive breast feeding and the frequency of diarrhea and vomiting have far more important role in growth disturbances in children compared to factors such as frequency of breasr feeding and birth rank.
Mohammadghasem Golmohammadi , Hasan Azari , Mohammad Mardani , Ebrahim Esfandiari , Radnili Rietze ,
Volume 8, Issue 2 (Summer 2008)
Abstract
Background & Objective: It is now clear that the adult mammalian subventricular zone (SVZ) contains a population of neural stem cells (NSCs) that give rise to neurons and glia. Owing to their rarity, and a paucity of NSC-specific markers, the neurospher assay (NSA) is a common and selective method for isolating and understanding the biology of embryonic and adult neural stem cells. There are different methods for neurosphere growing from different regions of the CNS including Lateral ventricles. The objective of this study is introducing a new and effective strategy for more neurosphere firming from the SVZ of the adult mouse brain lateral ventricle using NSA. Methods: Two different methods were used in order to isolate and culture the SVZ of the lateral ventricles using NSA. In the first method (Ritze and Reynolds method) the rostral part of the SVZ of the lateral ventricles was dissected into single cell suspension and cultured using NSA. In the second method (vibratome resecting of the brain) after cutting the brain into 400 µm serial sections using a vibratom, the SVZ was microdissected from all sections of rostral part of lateral ventricle and cultured separately, using NSA. Primary neurospheres were counted seven days after plating. Then the mean numbers of neurospheres generated in two different methods were compared. Results: The mean number of neurospheres generated by sectioning method was much higher than the one generated using first method (P<0.0001). The distribution and frequency of neurosphere forming cells (or NSCs) is not the same along the antero-posterior axis of the rostral part of the lateral ventricle. The greatest frequency of neurosphere forming cells was detected in 0.74mm rostral to the bregma. Conclusion: Second section method, due to more neurosphere generation, in comparison with the first method is more appropriate and efficient for neurosphere forming from the SVZ of the lateral ventricle.
Mehrdokht Mazdeh , Mansoor Nazari ,
Volume 8, Issue 2 (Summer 2008)
Abstract
Background & Objective: Migraine is one of the chronic and Common Kinds of headache. Among important treatments which are advised for improvement of acute migraine attack, there are tryp tans and Ergot Alkaloids Because of side effects of Ergot Alkaloids Like nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, Peripheral vessel contractions and induced headache and its limited consumption and patients age limitation, the patients face some difficulties using Ergot Alkaloid. On the other hand Tryp tans are Consumed as a monotherapeutic regimen but Ergot Alkaloids must be used with metoclopramide in order to prevent nausea and also they should be used in the acute phase of migraine so we decided to Compare the two groups of drugs so that if they have positive effectiveness in favor of Tryp tans, using them would be advised. Methods: The range of age for patients was 20- 40 years who suffered from classic and common migraine according to IHS criteria, were randomly placed in two groups. One group (36) was treated in the acute phase of disease by sumatryptan and the other (39) by a combination of 3 dihydroergotamine and naproxen and metoclopramide, and therapeutic effectiveness was studied by three Criteria of intensity, attack and frequency of attack. After the treatment, they were analyzed through chi square. Results: In terms of intensity, duration and frequency of the headache after the treatment, there was no significant difference between two groups and the results in both group were the same. Conclusion: As there were no significant statistical difference between the effect of two drugs on attack intensity, headache duration and frequency in patients of classic and common migraine, and because of the complications of Ergot Alkaloids like vomiting it should be consumed with metoclopramide and because of vessels contractions which may result in the organs gangrene and induced headache, and its maximum dose is 6 mg per week, sumatryptan is advised as the monotherapeutic.
Sadegh Hazrati , Mansoor Rezazadeh Azari , Hadi Sadeghi , Soheila Rahimzadeh, Naser Mostaed,
Volume 9, Issue 4 (winter 2009)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Long term exposure to high levels of cement dust is one of the most important environmental risk factors in cement industries that adversely affect employee's respiratory system. Provided that achieving sustainable development mainly relies on healthy workers, this study aimed at assessing cement dust concentration and its free SiO2 content in an Iranian Portland Cement Industry. Methods: In a cross - sectional study, airborne dust levels was investigated by collecting 64 personal and 35 environmental samples at both inhalable and respirable dust sizes. Dust concentrations were determined by deploying personal samplers in the breathing zone of workers. SiO2 fractions were also measured in 4 samples collected from different part of the factory. Results: Arithmetic average concentrations of inhalable and respirable dust in personal sampling campaign were 58 and 13 mg m-3, respectively. Respective values for inhalable and respirable dust in environmental sampling campaign were 154 and 27 mg m-3. Dust concentrations in 90% of environmental samples and 80% of personal samples exceeded those occupational exposure limit values set for inert dusts i.e. Portland Cement. The average free SiO2 fraction in analyzed samples was 2.86% varying from 2.33% in "packing and loading" area to 3.67 % in "raw mill" section. Conclusion: Free SiO2 fraction as well as the concentrations of cement dust in this study is much higher than those of occupational exposure limit proposed by Iranian Technical Committee of Occupational Health.
Shahram Habibzadeh , Mohsen Arzanlou , Elham Jannati , Mahdi Asmar, Mahnaz Azari , Zahra Fardiazar,
Volume 10, Issue 1 (spring 2010)
Abstract
Background & Objectives : The early-onset form of GBS (Group B Streptococci) disease typically occurs in the first 24 hours of life, with fulminant sepsis or pneumonia and has associated to high mortality (5-20 %) and morbidity. In prenatal infections GBS is transmitted vertically to the newborn during labor and delivery from the vagina of a typically asymptomatic colonized woman. Preventive strategies can be done with screening program and this study has been done for determination of carriage prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of GBS in pregnant women of Ardabil. Methods :For determination of carriageprevalence 420 pregnant women selected stratified proportionally from 11 clusters of obstetric clinics of Ardabil. Sampling was done in pregnant women at 35-37 weeks' gestation with a vaginal and rectal swab for culture. Swabs were inoculated into a selective broth medium (Todd-Hewitt broth with colistin, 10mg/L and nalidixic acid 15 mg/L = LIM broth), incubated overnight at 35-37°C, and subcultured onto sheep blood agar. Isolated bacteria identified by standard microbiological tests. Results: Out of 420 subjects 62 positive cultures were established (14.8%), 19 of them (4.5%) from anus, 19 of them (4.5%) from vagina and 24 of them (5.8%) from both. All of isolates were sensitive to Ampicillin and Vancomycin. There were 1 case of resistance 15 case of semi sensitivity and 46 cases of sensitive versus Erythromycin, these pattern also checked for Clindamycin, and results were respectively 11, 5, 46. All isolated GBS were sensitive to penicillin among them 3 (4.83%) isolates showed reduced susceptibility. Conclusion: Because of high prevalence rate we recommend screening of all pregnant women for Group B Streptococcus at 35-37 weeks' gestation with a vaginal and rectal swab. Based on antibiogram drug of choice for treatment is Ampicillin, and in cases of drug hypersensitivity Vancomycin may be choice.
Mohammad Ghasem Golmohammadi , Mohsen Sagha , Hasan Azari , Norouz Najafzadeh,
Volume 11, Issue 3 (autumn 2011)
Abstract
Background &Objectives: Stem cells are a class of undifferentiated cells that are able to differentiate into specialized cell types. The discovery of such cells in the adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS), an organ traditionally thought to have little or no regenerative capacity, opened the door to treatment of degenerative diseases of CNS like Stroke, Parkinson, Alzheimer and Spinal Cord Injury. Thus, here we described the isolation of neural stem cells from the adult mouse brain using the neurosphere assay (NSA) and differentiation of these cells to neural adult cells in details. Methods: The rostral part of the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricles in the adult mice was dissociated into single cell suspension and cultured using NSA. Primary neurospheres were counted seven days after plating and then the mean number of neurospheres was recorded. The differentiation of neural stem cells into adult neural cells was accomplished by plating the neurosphere-derived cells in differentiating media. Immunocytochemistry and specific markers were used for the identification of the adult neural stem cells. Results : The cell suspension obtained from the rostral part of the SVZ of the lateral ventricles generated multipotential colonies, called neurospheres, 7 to 10 days post- incubation. The mean number of neurospheres generated from SVZ was 505±62. The multipotentiality of the neurospheres was shown by palting them in differentiating media and generating adult neural cells including neuron, astrocyte and oligodendrocyte . Conclusion: Owing to their rarity and paucity of neural stem cell specific markers, the NSA is a common and selective method for isolating and understanding the biology of embryonic and adult neural stem cells.
Gholamreza Zarrini , Eiraj Rasooli, Mohsen Abazari, Younes Ghasemi,
Volume 11, Issue 4 (winter 2011)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Expansion of microbial drug resistance, have indicated to introduce new source of drugs with antimicrobial properties such as antimicrobial secondary metabolites which produced of Cyanobacteria spp. Antimicrobial activity of Cyanobacteria spp. of Urmia Lake catchment area was not already reported, therefore in this research, antibacterial and antifungal properties of cyanobacteria varieties isolated from this ecosystem and identification of the potent strains were investigated. Method: Different environmental samples screened for isolation of cyanobacterial strains. Cyanobacterial extracts were prepared by using different solvents. The effect of these extracts was evaluated by disc diffusion method and by measuring minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against some gram positive and gram negative bacteria and fungi. Cyanobacteria spp. with the high antimicrobial activity was identified according to Microscopic and macroscopic characters and 16SrRNA sequences. Results: In this research, 54 cyanobacterial strains were isolated that six strains with significant antimicrobial activity identified as Gloeocapsa sp., Anabaena sp., Nodularia sp., Synechococcus sp., Leptolyngbya sp. and Chroococcus disperses. the highest antimicrobial activity achieved by the chloroform extract on gram positive bacteria and fungi. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) levels for the cyanobacterial strains were ranged 20 to 80 µg/ml and Leptolyngbya sp. showed the highest effects on Candida krusei with MIC level 20 µg/ml. Conclusion: According to the results, cyanobacteria can be a source of production new antimicrobial compounds.the results showed that the filamentous cyanobacteria Anabaena sp., Nodularia sp., and Leptolyngbya sp. produce active compounds against gram positive bacteria and yeasts.
Afrouz Mardi, Mahnaz Azari , Manoochehr Barak , Mehrnaz Mashoufi , Parvaneh Naftchi , Nasrin Foladi ,
Volume 11, Issue 4 (winter 2011)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Diarrhea is one the important causes of mortality among children in developing countries. The effect of zinc supplementation in reduction the rate of diarrhea is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of zinc supplementation on the severity and duration of diarrhea in children less than 5 years old hospitalized in Ali-Asghar hospital in Ardabil, 2005. Methods: This study was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial including 228 children with acute diarrhea. The subjects randomly assigned into two placebo and experimental groups (114 patients in each group). The placebo group received glucose (5%), while the experimental group received 20 mg/day Zn sulfate. The severity and duration of diarrhea were assessed during the study. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, Pearson correlation coefficient tests and Students t-test by SPSS software. Results: Our findings showed that most of the patients in both groups were male (age range 1-12 months, weight range 3-11 kg, weight percentile 3-50). These children had breast feeding and complete vaccination. They were the first baby in their family and the majority of them were from urban area (Ardabil city). The severity of diarrhea in zinc supplemented children (74.6%) was less than placebo group (89.5 % ) (p=0.037). There was no significant difference between two groups in the duration of diarrhea (p=0.737). There also was no relationship between the severity of diarrhea and weight percentile (p= 0.085). Conclusion: Our data indicate that zinc supplementation reduces the severity of acute diarrhea and could be advised in children with acute diarrhea.
Mehrnaz Mashoufi, Robab Nazari, Roghayieh Shirinkam Chouri, Afshan Sharghi, Afrouz Mardi, Maryam Azari ,
Volume 12, Issue 3 (autumn 2012)
Abstract
Background & Objectives : Bacterial vaginosis is a condition which is determined by changes in microbial ecosystem of vagina and is considered as a preventable risk factor for preterm delivery. This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of bacterial vaginosis screening program in routine prenatal care and its effect on decreasing preterm labor. Methods: This clinical trial study was conducted on 474 pregnant women at gestational stage between 2007 and 2008. The participants were randomly divided into 2 groups: intervention group and control group. Screening was performed in intervention group with Amsel's criteria (3 of 4 needed for diagnosis). Positive cases were given clindamycin cream (2%) for one week. The outcome of the delivery was assessed in both groups afterward. Data were analyzed by SPSS11 software using descriptive statistics. Results: There was no significant difference between two groups regarding pregnancy rank, wanted and unwanted pregnancy, insufficient weight gain, mother vaccination and complication of pregnancy. Bacterial vaginosis was observed in 17 out of 216 (8%) in the intervention group and then treated. Prevalence of preterm delivery in the intervention and control groups were 3 (1.4%) and 12 (4.7%), respectively. The relative risk was protective (RR: 0.3, DR: 0.033, NNT: 30). Conclusion: Screening and treatment of bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women could significantly decrease the rate of preterm delivery.
B Zamani, M Azari, A Hosseinian , A Shokrdargahy, A Mardi , Sh Azari,
Volume 15, Issue 2 (summer 2015)
Abstract
Background & objectives: Myocardial infarction (MI) isone of the most commonly heart diseases in all countries with the mortality rate of about 30%. Reperfusion of blocked coronary arteries plays an important role in reducing mortality and enhancing the quality of life of patients after acute MI.
Methods: This clinical trial is to compare the efficacy of streptokinase administered intravenously in a two slow and accelerated groups: control group (slow intravenous infusion during 1 hour) and case group (half-hour accelerated intravenous infusion of streptokinase) with the sample size of 100 patients (divided randomly to 50 patients in each group). The data tool was a questionnaire, included the collected ECG changes before and after echocardiography and laboratory tests of patients. Data analyzed with SPSS software using chi-square test.
Results:After reperfusion of the coronary artery, in the both case and control groups, elevation of ST segment has decreased statistically in two groups (60% and 84%, respectively). The complications rate following injection of SK in both case and control groups were 46% and 56%, respectively. The fraction in which 30% and 38% belong to cardiac complications, 32% and 22% to allergic symptoms and hematologic effects were 32% and 22%, in two groups, respectively and there was no statistically significant difference between two groups.
Conclusion:According to the results of this study the accelerated (30 minutes) SK infusion can be fruitful for improving coronary reperfusion in patients with MI.
Faiba Kahnamooi, Firooz Amani, Mahsa Vallaei , Mahnaz Azari,
Volume 17, Issue 4 (winter 2017)
Abstract
Background & objectives: Therapeutic abortion in the second trimester of pregnancy can be done by a number of medical or mechanical methods. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of vaginal misoprostol with and without letrozole and combination of misoprostol and laminaria in preoperative cervical ripening among women with under second-trimester abortion.
Methods: In this interventional study, 120 pregnant women with the gestational age of 20 weeks, who were candidates for therapeutic abortion, were selected and randomly divided into three groups (n=40). Proper counseling was done and a written informed consent was obtained before starting the treatment regimen. The first group received vaginal misoprostol alone and the second group received misoprostol in combination with laminaria and oral placebo. In the third group, in addition to cervical placebo on the first and second days, letrozole was prescribed, and on the third day, the patients were hospitalized and received vaginal misoprostol and third dose of letrozole. The patients were regularly examined every 4 hours, and in the absence of abortion, vaginal misoprostol was repeated after 4 hours.
Results: The results showed that termination of pregnancy was caused by embryo anomaly in 23 cases and fetal death in 97 cases. In this study, response to treatment was 90% in the group receiving laminaria and misoprostol 85% in the group receiving letrozole and misoprostol and 67% in the group receiving misoprostol. Regarding the duration and amount of bleeding, the groups receiving laminaria and misoprostol had the lowest duration and severity of bleeding, but this difference was not statistically significant. Combination of misoprostol and laminaria caused a significantly shorter time interval from the initiation of intervention to abortion, and pain relief was also higher than the other two groups.
Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, a combination of misoprostol and laminaria is recommended for induction of second-trimester therapeutic abortion.
Rasoul Sharifi , Akbar Nazari ,
Volume 18, Issue 3 (autumn 2018)
Abstract
Background & objectives: Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are one of the most important agents in cartilage damage in rheumatoid arthritis. Increase of these enzymes can change sensitivity to insulin. Therefore, in this study, the MMPs level, insulin sensitivity index and effective factor related to rheumatoid arthritis were evaluated in obese female with rheumatoid arthritis.
Methods: In the present study, 50 obese women with rheumatoid arthritis who were referred to the Sheikh Al-Reis clinic and Sina hospital in Tabriz and 50 healthy obese individuals were considered as case group and control group respectively. After determining the body weight, the levels of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, insulin, leptin, visfatin, resistin and glucose were measured using ELISA and Pars -Azmoon kits. One-way ANOVA method was used for statistical analysis of data. Pearson correlation test was used to evaluate the correlation between variables (p<0.05).
Results: in the present study, the mean level of MMP-1 (p=0.008), MMP-3 (p=0.015) and MMP-13 (p=0.001) in the case group was significantly higher than the control group. Also, Insulin- sensitivity index analysis didn’t show significant difference between the case group and the control group (p=0.21). In the case group, the level of leptin (p=0.000), resistin (p=0.000) and visfatin (p=0.024) was significantly increased compared to control group while insulin (p=0.231) and glucose (p=0.430) levels didn’t show significant increase.
Correlation results showed that there was a negative correlation between insulin and MMPs and a positive correlation with other parameters affecting insulin sensitivity.
Conclusion: our results showed, the matrix metalloproteinase level and the level of some factors affecting insulin sensitivity have increased in rheumatoid arthritis disease. Also, there was a significant positive correlation between the matrix metalloproteinase and some parameters affecting insulin sensitivity, including resistin and visfatin.
Ali Niapour, Keyvan Amirshahrokhi, Mohammad Azari Rad , Behnam Mohammadi-Ghalehbin B,
Volume 19, Issue 1 (spring 2019)
Abstract
Background & objectives: Pentavalent antimonials are the first-line drugs for treatment of leishmaniasis, which have multiple side effects such as drug toxicity. Moreover, parasite resistance to these drugs is rising around the world. Second-line drugs, including Amphotericin B and pantamidine have also side effects and expensive for patients. According to the cytotoxic effects of paraquat, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of paraquat on Leishmania major promastigotes and HUVECs viability.
Methods: A number of 2.5×106 of Leishmania major promastigotes were treated in each well of 96 well plates with different concentrations of paraquat. Cells were incubated for 48 hours in 24 °C. MTT test was performed for evaluating paraquat impact on promastigotes. The absorbance was measured using a microplate reader at 570 nm. The trypan blue staining assay was performed to evaluate the number of viable Leishmania major promastigotes following paraquat treatment. Furthermore, the effect of paraquat concentrations on HUVECs viability was evaluated under the cell culture condition.
Results: The results of the MTT test showed that increasing concentrations of paraquat could significantly reduce the viability and the number of Leishmania major promastigotes in comparison to control group (p<0.05). In this study, the IC50 for Leishmania major promastigotes was calculated as 272.46 µg/ml. Trypan blue results were in line with the finding of MTT assay. Moreover, we found that HUVECs were susceptible to paraquat (IC50=188.99 µg/ml).
Conclusion: Paraquat has a strong inhibitory effect on Leishmania major promastigotes and human endothelial cells. Although more comprehensive studies on the effects of the topical use of paraquat on Leishmania major lesions in animal model and its side effects are necessary.
Maryam Nazari, Hadi Ahmadi, Hamid Vaez, Farzad Khademi,
Volume 21, Issue 2 (summer 2021)
Abstract
Background & objectives: Carbapenems are the main antibiotics for the treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of gene encoding outer membrane porin protein (OprD) in carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa strains as well as to assess the role of insertion sequence (IS) elements in the inactivation of OprD porin and the emergence of carbapenem resistance.
Methods: In this study, 103 clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa including 58, 42 and 23 strains resistant to imipenem, meropenem, and doripenem were used, respectively. The isolates were collected from patients referred to Ardabil hospitals. The presence of oprD gene and IS elements were investigated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing methods. P. aeruginosa PAO1 standard isolate was used as the positive control strain for oprD gene.
Results: The frequency of oprD gene among carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa strains isolated from Ardabil hospitals was 96.5%. Furthermore, IS elements were not observed in the investigated isolates.
Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the presence of IS elements did not involve in the inactivation of outer membrane porin OprD and resistance to carbapenems among P. aeruginosa clinical strains in Ardabil. Therefore, an investigation of the role of other mutations in reducing the expression of oprD gene and increasing P. aeruginosa resistance to carbapenems is recommended.
Behrouz Shademan, Amir Ajoolabady, Alireza Nourazarian,
Volume 21, Issue 3 (Autumn 2021)
Abstract
Background & objectives: Stroke is one of the most common causes of death worldwide and has distinctive features. Moreover, the different types of strokes are characterized by different physiopathological mechanisms. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the serum levels of ATG5 and apo B-48 and their diagnostic value in patients with ischemic stroke.
Methods: We selected 100 participants, including 50 ischemic stroke patients (22 women and 28 men) as the case group and 50 healthy individuals (23 women and 27 men) as the control group. Then, we conducted a case-control study in Imam Reza Hospital (Tabriz, Iran) from March 2016 to April 2016. Serum levels of ATG 5 and Apo B-48 were measured in both groups. We also evaluated the additional diagnostic value of these factors in both groups using receptor-related power analysis (ROC).
Results: The mean serum levels of ATG 5 and apo B-48 were significantly higher in the case group than in the control group (p<0.0001). The values under the ROC curve (AUC) for ATG5 and apo B-48 were 0.96 and 0.91, respectively. The area under the ROC curve indicates that ATG 5 and apo B 48 are appropriate biomarkers for diagnosing ischemic stroke.
Conclusion: Serum levels of ATG 5 and apo B -48 are significantly higher in patients with ischemic stroke than in healthy individuals and may be considered diagnostic biomarkers in patients with ischemic stroke.
Behrouz Shademan, Masoud Nikanfar, Jafar Rezaei, Mehdi Hassanpour, Mohammad Nouri, Alireza Nourazarian,
Volume 22, Issue 2 (Summer 2022)
Abstract
Background & objectives: Evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) are essential for immune cell differentiation and function. In addition, miRNAs play an essential role in regulating the expression of pro-inflammatory genes in neurons. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between miRNA expression and inflammatory markers in the CSF of patients with multiple sclerosis.
Methods: RT-PCR analysis was performed on CSF samples from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and a control group to measure the expression level of miRNA-21, miRNA-155, miRNA-182, and miRNA-437. In addition, the levels of the inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in CSF were measured using ELISA. A quantitative turbidimetric method was also used to measure high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP).
Results: A significant difference was found in the expression level of miRNAs and inflammatory factors in the CSF of patients with MS compared with the control group (p<0.05). The results of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed the area under the curve for miRNA-21 (AUC=0.97, p<0.0001), miRNA-182 (AUC=0.97, p<0.0001), and miRNA-155 (AUC=0.96, p<0.0001). The miRNA-155 level in CSF played a very important role in the accurate diagnosis of MS. Significant correlations were found between inflammatory cytokines and miRNA-21, miRNA-155, and miRNA-182, as well as an indirect and moderate correlation between miRNA-437 and hs-CRP.
Conclusion: In MS patients, CSF levels of IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, hs-CRP, and selected miRNAs can be used as biomarkers of CNS inflammation and neurodegenerative processes.
Maryam Nazari, Nilofar Saeli, Mohsen Arzanlou, Saghar Jafari-Ramedani, Hafez Mirzanejad-Asl, Farzad Khademi, Aida Alinezhad,
Volume 24, Issue 1 (Spring 2024)
Abstract
Background: Antibiotic resistance represents a critical global concern within the medical community, posing significant challenges in the treatment of infections caused by drug-resistant pathogens. Over the years, broad-spectrum fluoroquinolones have been extensively used to treat infections caused by both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In this study, we decided to assess the prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance mechanisms among clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa in Ardabil hospitals.
Methods: We analyzed a total of 200 clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa, collected between June 2019 and May 2023. The antibiotic resistance profiles of these strains against various fluoroquinolone antibiotics were determined using the disk diffusion method. Additionally, we investigated the presence of qnrA, qnrB, qnrC, qnrD, and qnrS genes through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. Furthermore, we assessed the expression levels of efflux pump genes and outer membrane porin genes using the quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) in fluoroquinolone-resistant P. aeruginosa strains.
Results: Our findings revealed that 69% of P. aeruginosa strains were resistant to fluoroquinolones. The resistance rates for different fluoroquinolones were as follows: ciprofloxacin 55.5%, ofloxacin 62%, norfloxacin 53.5%, lomefloxacin 55.3%, and levofloxacin 55.5%. Notably, 78.9% of these strains exhibited multidrug resistance (MDR). Among the qnr genes, qnrB was the most prevalent (2.9%). No other qnr genes were identified. Interestingly, 75% of P. aeruginosa strains carrying the qnrB gene showed overexpression of efflux pump genes, while 100% exhibited down-regulation of the oprD gene.
Conclusion: Given the high prevalence of fluoroquinolone-resistant P. aeruginosa clinical isolates in Ardabil hospitals and the multifactorial nature of resistance, continuous monitoring of antibiotic resistance trends and understanding the underlying resistance mechanisms are crucial for selecting appropriate treatment strategies.
|
|
.png)
.png)
