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Showing 167 results for No
Masoomeh Saboorifar, Ali Shamsazar, Asadollah Asadi, Mostafa Shourian,
Volume 23, Issue 3 (10-2023)
Abstract
Background: Determining the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in liquids and biological samples is very important because of its effects on human health. This study aimed to design a new electrochemical biosensor based on hemoglobin to detect hydrogen peroxide in serum samples.
Methods: In this study, a basic science, a biosensor based on modifying the glassy carbon electrode surface with a nanocomposite consisting of cobalt oxide nanoparticles and multi-walled carbon nanotube functionalized with a carboxyl group (MWCNT/Co3O4) and hemoglobin stabilized on this nanocomposite was made as a biological recognition element.
Results: In optimal conditions, the biosensor was used to measure different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. The designed biosensor showed a wide linear response range from 10 μM to 500 μM, a detection limit of 0.512 μM, and high reproducibility and stability.
Conclusion: In this innovative research work, MWCNTs/Co3O4 nanocomposite was used to make a diagnostic biosensor. The presented biosensor showed an acceptable performance in the measurement of hydrogen peroxide in serum samples and laboratory solutions.
Ramin Abiri, Samira Ghasemi, Nastaran Sharei, Masumeh Shahbazi, Seyed Ahmad Emami, Mahdi Mojarrab,
Volume 24, Issue 1 (4-2024)
Abstract
Background: Nosocomial infections are considered as the important parts of the treatment challenges in hospitals. The genus Artemisia is widely distributed in Iran. Their species produce antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal compounds belonging to different groups including phenols, terpenoids, sterols and polyacetylenes. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the in vitro effects of different hydroethanolic extracts of Artemisia species against bacterial strains in nosocomial infection.
Methods: 12 different extracts, including 50% and 70% hydroethanolic extracts were prepared from the aerial parts of Artemisia ciniformis, A. turanica, A. kopetdaghensis, A. khorasanica, A. vulgaris, and A. sieberi. The winterization of the extracts produced corresponding defatted extracts. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the extracts against the bacterial strains Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Acinetobacter sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococus epidermidis, Micrococcus luteus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli were measured using the microdilution broth method. Total phenolic contents were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method.
Results: Among the extracts analyzed in this experiment, the lowest MIC value was observed for the 50% hydroethanolic extract of A. turanica (0.25 mg/ml) against S. epidermidis. The largest range of bacterial sensitivity (6 strains) was related to the 50% hydroethanolic extracts of A. turanica (defatted and non-defatted) and A. kopetdaghensis (defatted). The growth of S. epidermidis was inhibited by all of the extracts. The highest total phenolic content and yield of extraction were recorded for 70% hydroethanolic extract of A. sieberi and 50% hydroethanolic extract of A. ciniformis, respectively.
Conclusion: The 50% hydroethanolic extract of A. turanica was superior to the other extracts in terms of the in vitro antibacterial spectrum and selective potency. A. turanica and A. kopetdaghensis are probably suitable choices for further phytochemical and antibacterial investigations.
Maryam Nazari, Nilofar Saeli, Mohsen Arzanlou, Saghar Jafari-Ramedani, Hafez Mirzanejad-Asl, Farzad Khademi, Aida Alinezhad,
Volume 24, Issue 1 (4-2024)
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.
Taher Sadeghian, Saeideh Allahyari,
Volume 24, Issue 1 (4-2024)
Abstract
Background: Oral mucositis as a complication of chemotherapy has posed significant challenges to the quality of life in cancer patients. Tricyclic antidepressants, including nortriptyline can control the pain caused by mucositis by inhibiting sodium channels. Since patient compliance and rapid drug effect are the goals of the proposed formulation, it was decided to prepare and evaluate a nortriptyline mouthwash according to the United States Pharmacopeia.
Methods: Based on the pharmacopeia, the necessary excipients in the nortriptyline mouthwash were determined, and the amount of each was specified. After validating the UV spectrophotometric technique, drug interaction with the mouthwash container was investigated. In addition to measuring the aqueous activity, necessary microbiological tests were also performed.
Results: The UV spectroscopy method validation for nortriptyline was performed at the obtained maximum absorption wavelength (238.5 nm). The findings of the investigation of the interaction of polyethylene terephthalate container with nortriptyline indicate almost no drug adsorption into the internal part of the mouthwash container over 28 days. The results of antibacterial and antifungal/antimycotic tests were within the standard range of the United States Pharmacopeia. The mouthwash's aqueous activity was also found to be 0.81, indicating an unfavorable environment for microbial growth.
Conclusion: This study has shown that the prepared nortriptyline mouthwash meets microbiological resistance standards and there is no interaction between the active drug ingredient and the proposed container. Therefore, this formulation can be suggested as a promising candidate for clinical exploration.
Kamaloddin Hamidi Nokhostin,
Volume 24, Issue 1 (4-2024)
Abstract
Enzymes have been used experimentally in the preparation of fermented, food, and medicinal products since mankind started a regular life in the form of early civilizations, without any information about their nature being available. It has been more than a century since scientists have obtained information about the enzymatic reactions and the enzyme structure, and a newer and more practical attitude towards them is obtained day by day. Today, these proteins play roles as biomarkers in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of diseases. Enzymes roles as receptor for some hormones and their qualitative and quantitative changes interfering in the onset of some diseases such as diabetes have been known. In addition, they are used as accurate and specific tools in the assay of some biochemical analytes, phenotypic identification of bacteria and biosensor design. The basis of the mechanism of some drugs is enzyme inhibition. Meanwhile, some enzymes are directly used as drugs. The enzymes are applied in some immunoassay techniques, genetics and proteomics laboratory methods. In modern biotechnology, enzymes are used to produce plenty of products. This review article aimed to take a new, updated and comprehensive approach to several roles that enzymes play in various fields from diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of diseases to their application in medical, genetics and proteomics laboratory methods.
Morad Beiranvand, Hossein Hamidinejat, Somayeh Bahrami, Mohammad Reza Tabandeh, Meysam Makki,
Volume 24, Issue 2 (7-2024)
Abstract
Background: A zoonotic obligate intracellular protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, infects all warm-blooded animals as well as humans worldwide. Identification of the level of infection in intermediate hosts gives us an important data about understanding the role of this parasite in human health as well as estimating the economic loss in livestock. Therefore, the main aim of this study was the isolation and identification of T. gondii from aborted goat fetuses by PCR in Lorestan province.
Methods: From autumn 2023 to summer 2024, the brain and liver of 100 goat fetuses were examined for T. gondii by PCR based on the amplification of 529 base pair fragments from repetitive regions of the parasite genome. The study was performed in three aborted fetus groups, less than 2 months, 2 to 4 months and more than 4 months.
Results: From a total of 100 examined samples, conventional PCR detected the T. gondii infection in 6 (6%) and 2 of the brain and liver fetuses respectively.
Conclusion: This study shows a notable level of infection in goat fetuses, and as a result, T. gondii should be considered an important agent involved in the abortion of goats in the Lorestan province of Iran. On the other side, it is necessary to pay more attention to the risk of transmission of this parasite from farmed animals to humans, especially pregnant women and people with suppressed immune system.
Saghar Jafari-Ramedani, Fereshteh Hasanpour, Alireza Mohammadnia, Farzad Khademi, Aida Alinezhad,
Volume 24, Issue 3 (10-2024)
Abstract
Background: The Gram-negative pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is a common cause of hospital-acquired infections. This bacterium is continuously increasing its resistance to commonly used antimicrobial drugs, posing significant challenges for clinical treatment. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the trend of antibiotic resistance in P. aeruginosa from 2019 to 2023 in hospitals in Ardabil city.
Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study utilized 200 clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa obtained from urine, respiratory, wound, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid samples of patients who visited Ardabil hospitals between June 2019 and May 2023. The sensitivity and resistance of P. aeruginosa isolates to antibiotics-including piperacillin, piperacillin / tazobactam, ceftazidime, cefepime, aztreonam, imipenem, meropenem, amikacin, tobramycin, netilmicin, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin, levofloxacin, and colistin-were assessed using the disk diffusion and agar dilution methods.
Results: Over a period of 4 years, the resistance of P. aeruginosa to various antibiotics was observed as follows: piperacillin 45.5%, piperacillin/tazobactam 31%, ceftazidime 44%, cefepime 46%, aztreonam 12%, imipenem 67.5%, meropenem 52%, amikacin 43%, tobramycin 45.5%, netilmicin 39.2%, ciprofloxacin 55.5%, ofloxacin 62%, norfloxacin 53.5%, levofloxacin 55.5%, and colistin 9%. It is worth mentioning that the trend of antibiotic resistance in P. aeruginosa to all tested antibiotics increased during the first and second years, decreased in the third year, and then experienced a significant increase again in the fourth year. Throughout this period, the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains of P. aeruginosa has also been on the rise.
Conclusion: The present study confirmed that the overall trend of resistance to various antibiotics among P. aeruginosa strains isolated from patients in Ardabil is on the rise.
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