Abstract

Background and Objective:  With regard to high prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and its being significantly affected by nutritional factors, we aimed  to determine the relationship between  zinc serum level and  ADHD.

Material and Methods:  This ex-post- facto (causal comparative research) design study was conducted on 60 children, selected via convenience sampling. Thirty of them were ADHD children diagnosed by a psychiatrist using DSM IV checklist, as a case group, and the rest were healthy ones located in control group. Having their family informed consent, their Zinc level was measured via Colorimetric method.

Results: The results show that Zinc serum level of ADHD children are lower than that of healthy ones.  Using t- test, it was indicated that the difference is not significant. Besides, the result of Pearson correlation coefficient showed that there is no significant relation between Zinc and ADHD.

Conclusion: given that the zinc level was lower in ADHD children, the difference was not significant. Therefore, we recommend conducting further research with a larger sample size.

Key words: Zinc; ADHD; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity.

Abstract

Background and Objective: Influenza is an acute respiratory infection caused by Influenza virus with three kinds of A, B and C . This virus  spreads througout  the world   and produce some epidemics with different intensities . This study aimed to determine the prevalence of influenza B in patients reffering to health centers.

Material and Methods: this study was conducted on 878 samples in 2011-2013.  Using PureLink^TM Viral RNA/DNA Kit,  Influenza-RNA was extracted. Then Influenza B was distinguished by using  SuperScript III Platinum, Quantitive Real Time PCR System from Invitrogen^TM , specific primers and probs.

Results: the rate of Influenza B positive was %5.58 of the patients that %55.10 of them were female and %44.89 male. The highest rate was related to 31-40 and 51-60 year old patients.

Conclusion:

given the prevalence of  influenza B virus and lack of genetic changes , it is recommended that a proper vaccine for improving immunty and effective drugs for treatmet be used.

Keywords: Influenza B Virus; Respiratory Tract Infections; Common Cold; RT-PCR

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common organism, which is separated from the burn infections.  Due to increased antibiotic resistance, there are many problems to deal with the infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This study aimed to determine the resistance to antibiotics against clinical isolates of Pseudomonas using phenotype methods.

Material and Methods: 100 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were collected from the burn patients in Taleghani hospital in Ahwaz, Iran, during a six-month period. After phenotypically initial identification, antibiotic sensitivity of isolated strains  to conventional antibiotics against Pseudomonas aeruginosa was determined using a disk diffusion technique,  and Phenotypic screening for MBLs production was  performed.

Results: the maximum percentage was related to   wound infection and the frequencies of the resistance to  imipenem, meropenem, piperacillin, piperacillin-tazobactam, ceftazidime, gentamicin, amikacin, and ciprofloxacin, doripenem, ertapenem and colistin sulphate, were 70%, 53%, 83%, 67%, 91%, 88%, 84%, 84%, 33%, 90%, and 0%,  respectively. The use of CD Test methods was approved for determining resistance to Carbapenems.

Conclusion: antibiotic resistance to Pseudomonas aeruginosa is increasing and colistin sulphate is the most effective antibiotic.

Keywords: Pseudomonas Aeruginosa; Burn Infection; Antibiotic Resistance.

ABSTRACT

         Background and Objectives: Size of silver nanoparticles synthesized by ethanol and Bacillus lichenioformisis 20 nm and 15 nm, respectively. Nanoparticles can be used in treatment of several diseases. Chemical and biological methods have been used to synthesize silver nanoparticles. The aim of this study was to compare the size, shape and coating of silver nanoparticles synthesized by the chemical and biological methods.

        Methods: Ethanol was used in the chemical reduction method and B. licheniformis was used in the biological method. Physical evaluation (salt test), absorbance measurement at 450 nm and imaging by transmission electron microscopy were performed to compare nanoparticles in terms of size, shape and coating.

         Results: Observed maroon color, maximum absorption at 400-450 nm range and electron microscopy images confirmed the presence of nanoparticles. The shape of nanoparticles synthesized by the two methods was spherical. However, biosynthesized nanoparticles were smaller and had protein coating.

          Conclusion: Given the smaller size of biosynthesized nanoparticles and presence of coating confirmed by the electron microscopy images, biosynthesis is recommended because of enhanced nanoparticles properties and reduced toxicity.

            Keywords: Nanoparticles, Coating, Toxicity.

ABSTRACT
             Background and Objectives: The emergence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Shigella spp. is becoming a health concern worldwide. This study aimed to investigate antibiotic resistance pattern and frequency of bla_CTX-M, bla_SHV, and bla_TEM genes among Shigella isolates from patients in hospitals of Tehran, Iran.
             Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 52 non-repeated Shigella strains were isolated from hospitalized patients in Milad, Emam Khomeini and Shariati hospitals in Tehran (Iran) from November 2015 to December 2016. Bacterial identification, serotyping, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed according to the standard guidelines. The bla_CTX-M, bla_SHV, and bla_TEM resistance genes were identified using multiplex polymerase chain reaction.
             Results: Among 52 Shigella isolates, S. sonnei (44.2%) was the predominant species, followed by S. flexneri and S. dysenteriae (23%). Over 67% of the isolates were multidrug resistant. The highest rates of resistance were observed against cefalotin (67.3%), tetracycline (67.3%), amikacin (63.5%), trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (48.1), and ampi­cillin (42.3%). The lowest resistance rate was against ciprofloxacin (1.9%). We detected the bla_TEM and bla_CTX-M genes in 61.5% and 19.2% of the isolates, respectively. However, the bla_SHV gene was not detected in any of the isolates. In addition, 16.4% of the isolates harbored the bla_TEM and bla_CTX-M genes simultaneously. Ciprofloxacin was the most effective antibiotics according to the ESBL genes distribution.
             Conclusion: Our findings indicate the high prevalence of multidrug resistance and ESBL genes in Shigella isolates, which elucidates the need for appropriate infection control measures for limiting the spread of resistant strains.
             Keywords: Shigella, Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction, Drug Resistance.

ABSTRACT
             Background and Objectives: Efflux-based systems may play a role in resistance to fluoroquinolones in Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria. Extracts of some medicinal plants contain molecules that can act as efflux pumps inhibitors. In this study, we aimed to evaluate antibacterial activities of ethanolic and chloroform extracts of Cinnamomum zeylanicum and their possible synergistic activity with ciprofloxacin against some Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria. We also analyzed the extracts for presence of efflux pump inhibitors against the examined bacteria.
             Methods:  Powdered dried leaves and branches of C. zeylanicum were extracted with ethanol (85%) and chloroform by the maceration method. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of the extracts alone or combined with ciprofloxacin and phenylalanine-arginine β-naphthylamide (an efflux pump inhibitor) were determined against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter bummani, Escherichia coli and Salmonella enteritidis using the double serial microdilution method.
             Results: The extracts of C. zeylanicum inhibited the growth of all studied bacteria. Synergistic effects were noted between the extracts and ciprofloxacin against all tested bacteria other than P. aeruginosa. Ciprofloxacin efflux pumps in E. coli, S. enteritiditis and A. baumannii were inhibited by the extracts of C. zeylanicum.
             Conclusion: The extracts of C. zeylanicum could be used as ciprofloxacin-potentiating agents against some Gram-negative pathogens.
             Keywords: Anti-bacterial agents, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Bacterial pathogens, Efflux pumps.

ABSTRACT
             Background and Objectives: Apolipoprotein O (apoO) is a 198 amino acids protein that exists predominantly in high-density lipoprotein (HDL). It may exert cardioprotective effects via decreasing fat accumulation and increasing removal of cholesterol from macrophages. Although the health benefits of exercise are well documented, no study has yet investigated the effects of various types of training, including resistance training on apoO level. Therefore, we aimed to determine effects of five weeks of circuit resistance training with different intensities on plasma levels of apoO, HDL, total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) in young untrained men.
             Methods: Forty-five age- and weight-matched healthy untrained men were randomly assigned to a control group (n=10) and four training groups: training at 20% intensity (n=9), training at 40% intensity (n=8), training at 60% intensity (n=7) and training at 80% intensity (n=8). The subjects performed circuit resistance training at 10 stations (30 seconds at each station) with three repetitions, without rest between stations and with 3-minute active rest between the repetitions. The training was carried out for 45 minutes per session, three sessions a week, for five weeks. Venous blood samples were taken 48 hours before the first exercise session and 48 hours after the last training session. Plasma levels of apoO, HDL, TC and TG were measured using commercial kits. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test at significance level of 0.05.
             Results: After the training intervention, mean plasma level of TC and TG did not differ significantly between the study groups (P>0.05). Training at 80% of one-repetition maximum (1RM) caused a slight decrease in the apoO concentrations. Moreover, apoO concentration was significantly higher in the 20% 1RM training group compared to other study groups (F=11.599, P<0.002).
             Conclusion: Our results indicate that circuit resistance training at 80% of 1RM can decrease HDL-associated apoO level but does not significantly alter other parameters.
             KEYWORDS: Circuit resistance training, HDL-O, TC, TG, Young men.

ABSTRACT
             Background and Objectives: Emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively-drug resistant (XDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains could complicate antipseudomonal chemotherapy. Dissemination of resistance genes, such as β-lactamases encoding genes by horizontal gene transfer can lead to development of multi-drug resistance in P. aeruginosa. The purpose of this study was to investigate the latest resistance patterns in MDR and XDR strains and evaluate Ambler class A β-lactamase gene distribution in P. aeruginosa clinical isolates.
             Methods: One hundred molecularly and biochemically identified P. aeruginosa strains isolated from different clinical specimens were tested for sensitivity to 17 antibiotics using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. PCR was performed to detect bla _TEM-1, bla _SHV-1, bla _REP-1 and bla _VEB-1 genes. Results were analyzed using SPSS and NTSYSpc softwares. 
             Results: Based on the results of antibiogram, the highest rate of resistance was observed against amikacin (100%), aztreonam (83%), ceftazidime (55%), cefepime (55%) and netilmicin (48%). In addition, the frequency of MDR and XDR isolates was 95% and 5%, respectively. The bla_SHV-1, bla _TEM-1, bla _PER-1 and bla _VEB-1 genes were detected in 31%, 24%, 13% and 10% of the isolates, respectively.
             Conclusion: Antibiotic resistance to β-lactam antibiotics and frequency of β-lactamase genes were relatively high in the study area. We also found that a significant proportion of XDR strains with different antibiotic resistance profile is isolated from tracheal specimens.
             KEYWORDS: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Beta-Lactamase, Multidrug Resistant, Extensively Drug Resistant.

ABSTRACT
            Background and Objectives: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. It is well established that low level of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) is a strong and independent risk factor for CAD. Apolipoprotein M (apoM) is a component of HDL, which is involved in pre-β-HDL formation and cholesterol efflux to HDL. It is believed that resistance and aerobic exercise can significantly reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, especially by increasing serum levels of HDL-C. However, little is known about effects of these activities on HDL-apoM levels. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of circuit resistance training at different intensities on HDL-associated apoM levels in young untrained men.
            Methods: Forty-five age- and weight-matched healthy untrained men were randomly assigned to a control group (n=10) and four training groups: 20% 1-repetition maximum (1RM) (n=9), 40% 1RM (n=8), 60% 1RM (n=7) and 80% 1RM (n=8). The subjects performed circuit resistance training consisting of barbell bench press, underarm flab, seated barbell curl, triceps exercise with chains, lying leg curl, squats, hyperextension, abs workout, sit-ups and quadriceps workouts (30 seconds each) in three bouts without rest between stations and with active rest (3 minutes) between sets or bouts. The training protocol was carried out for 45 minutes per session, three sessions a week, for five weeks. Venous blood samples were taken 48 hours before the first exercise session and 48 hours after the last training session. After separating plasma, HDL-associated apoM was measured using commercial ELISA kits. SPSS 16 was used for analysis of data using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test at significant level of 0.05.
            Results: After the training intervention, the exercise groups had higher apoM levels in total HDL and HDL-2 compared to the control group (P>0.05). However, no significant difference in HDL-associated apoM level was observed between the study groups.
            Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that various intensities of circuit resistance training can alter HDL-associated apoM levels. The decreased HDL-3-associated apoM level could indicate increased rate of apoM transfer to HDL-2, which could potentially prevent development of atherosclerosis and CAD by enhancing the antioxidant effects of HDL.
            Keywords: Circuit Resistance Training, Total HDL-M, HDL3-M, HDL2-M.

Background and objective:  Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant disorder that mainly affects adults. Although mutations in the IT15 gene have been known as the main cause of the disease, patients with HD like (HDL) syndrome have mutations in genes other than the IT15 gene.  In this study, we investigate the frequency of mutations in SCA17/TBP, JPH3 and PRNP genes in patients with HDL syndrome.
 
      Methods: The frequency of mutations in SCA17/TBP, JPH3 and PRNP genes was studied in 56 patients with HDL phenotype but without trinucleotide expansion in the IT15 gene. DNA was extracted from peripheral whole blood by the salting out method. PCR was performed using specific primers for each gene. PCR products were separated on polyacrylamide gel. Sequencing was performed on some samples to confirm the PCR results.
 
      Results: We found neither trinucleotide expansion in the JPH3 and SCA17, nor octapeptide insertion in the PRNP gene.
 
      Conclusion: Based on the results, Iranian patients with HDL syndrome do not have mutation in the TBP, JPH3 and PRNP genes. However, this result may be due to population differences, rarity of the mutations in the studied genes and the small number of study subjects. Therefore, studies with a larger study population that investigate other mutations, such as point mutations in the mentioned genes may help clarify the exact cause of HDL phenotype in Iranian patients.