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Abstract Background and objectives: Air ionization (AI) may reduce the microbial content of the air 'and has bactericidal effects on some bacterial Strains, which is controversial. We conducted this study to evaluate the efficacy of Air ionizer in reducing the microbial content of air. Material and Methods: This experimental Study was carried out in Sadi Hospital of Isfahan. Two air ionizer were placed in two boxes. and the third box (Control) was empty. At the beginning of experiment and every 30 minutes up to three hours, we did air sampling in all groups. After taking the samples of every box, we incubated the samples and then performed colony counts and bacteriologic studies. Results: In all thirty-minute intervals, Colony Counts in all groups were lower than control group (P<0.05). 'Coagulase negative staphylococcus (CNS) was the most common bacteria isolated followed by Bacillus spp, Acinetobacter and Escherichia Coli, in control group, no colonization of Acinetobacter and E.coli is found in Air ionizer groups. Conclusion:Our findings qualitatively indicate that air ionization can reduce the microbial content of the air. Regarding the type of microbial air pollution and the amount of air cleaning needed, this method can be used solely or in combination with other air cleaning methods. Key words: air ionization, air cleaning air bacteria.

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Abstract Background and objectives: Colonization of nasopharynx by Streptococcus Pneumoniae can lead to pneumococcal disease. This study was performed to determine the carriage rate of nasopharyngeal S.pneumoniae in adolescents and their antibiotic susceptibility and serotype prevalence in Zahedan, Iran Material and Methods: Nasopharyngeal specimens were obtained from 865 adolescents aged 10-19 years old of eight schools in Zahedan and then assessed by standard procedures to isolate S. Pneumoniae. The serotyping was carried out by latex agglutination test, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of penicillin, as well as other commonly used antibiotics, was determined by a broth-dilution method. Results: Pneumococci were Isolated from 15.7% [136/865, 95% confidence interval (CI) 12.3-18.9] of total samples. Of 136 samples, 119 isolates are typified by the available antisera which the most frequent ones are 1, 19A, 15C, 9V, 11A and 19F. Ninthythree pneumococcal isolates are sensitive to penicillin. The MIC values of antibiotics tested are (μg/ml): penicillin 0.01-4, cefotaxime 0.01-4, ceftriaxone 0.02-128, chloramphenicol 0.08-32, ciprofloxacin 0.06-16, erythromycin 0.01-128, tetracycline 0.08- 128 and vancomycin 0.02-1. Conclusion: A clear diversity is seen in the serotype distribution of the S. Pneumoniae isolates and most of the antibiotic resistant strains belonge to a few serotypes. Healthy adolescents in Zahedan commonly show pneumococcal carriage and antibiotic resistance. Keywords: Streptococcus Pneumoniae, nasopharyngeal carriage, penicillin resistance, serotype

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Abstract Background and objectives: Pathogens can be transferred via the hands of the personnel not only to themselves but also to their families or to the patient causing infection especially nosocomial infections. Microbial contamination of hand is caused by contact with patients and their environments or usual devices in the workplace. It seems that contamination of computer devices and handsets are more in hospital than official buildings. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the microbial contamination of computer keyboards, mouse and telephone receivers in a hospital department and an official building. Material and Methods: the sterile swab samples obtained from 32 keyboards, 31 computer mouse and 30 telephone receivers in the official building of Mashhad medical university and central laboratory of Imam Reza hospital were cultured on Blood agar and MacConkey agar plates. Results: Out of 64 samples from the official building, we identify 83 microbial germs. The most common ones are gram-positive Bacilli (n =34, 40.95%) and coagulase-negative Staphylococci (n = 32, 32.53%). Of 29 samples of central laboratory, there are 33 microbial germs .The most common of them are grampositive Bacilli (n = 19, 57.57%) and coagulase-negative Staphylococci (n = 7, 21.21%). Overall, microbial contamination of the computer equipment and handsets is not statistically meaningful (P< 0.05). Some germs like diphtheroid are not existed in laboratory, but two cases of Aspergillus are found. Conclusion: The presence of most of the germs on these devices is due to dusting or normal flora transferred via staffs’ hands. Only two of them, coagulase-positive Staphylococci and Aspergillus, should be considered carefully because they may cause serious infections in staff, their families or patients. Key words: contamination , workers’ desk, microorganism, computer keyboard and mouse

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Introduction: DNA Glycation damages DNA by inducing breaks of strands, mutations, and finally changes in gene expression, which is assumed as a main factor in pathogenesis of diabetes and its complications. Therefore, antiglycation agents have been focused recently for preventing and alleviating diabetes complications. According to the reported antidiabetic effects of Tamarix aphylla (T. aphylla) leaves extract, this study was aimed to determine the effect of T. aphylla on glucose-mediated DNA glycation for the first time.
Methods: DNA incubated with glucose for 4 weeks and the inhibitory or fascilitatory effects of T. aphylla on DNA structural changes were studied by various techniques. These techniques were included UV–Vis, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) and agarose gel electrophoresis.
Results: The findings of UV–Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy showed that T. aphylla decreased the DNA-AGE (advanced glycation end products) formation. Based on the CD and agarose gel electrophoresis results, the structural changes of glycated DNA was decreased in the presence of T. aphylla.
Conclusion: Thus T. aphylla has beneficial effects against DNA glycation and could be a promising agent for ameliorate the adverse effects of glycation in the presence of glucose and conditions of raised blood glucose after confirming in further studies.