Showing 66 results for Pt
Sharabeh Hezarkhani , Khosro Ghojoghi , Sara Hosseinzadeh , Naser Behnampour , Farshid Fathabadi , Zahra Hesari , Hamid Reza Joshaghani ,
Volume 18, Issue 6 (11-2024)
Abstract
Background: Leptin and adiponectin, two members of the adipokine family, play roles in increasing lipid metabolism and inhibiting lipogenesis. Reduced levels of these cytokines are associated with obesity and insulin resistance. This study aimed to determine the serum levels of leptin and adiponectin in type-2 diabetic patients with and without metabolic syndrome compared to a control group.
Methods: Three groups of individuals participated in this study: 47 type-2 diabetic patients with metabolic syndrome (DM+MetS), 25 type-2 diabetic patients without metabolic syndrome (DM-MetS), and 40 individuals with no history of diabetes or metabolic syndrome (Control group). Fasting blood samples were collected, and serum levels of fasting blood sugar, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol were measured using the enzymatic method. Blood pressure, height, and weight were recorded using stadiometers, while leptin and adiponectin levels were determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results: A significant difference was observed between the DM+MetS group and the DM-MetS group in serum leptin (p = 0.004) and adiponectin (p < 0.001) levels. In patients with type-2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, serum leptin (p = 0.530) and adiponectin (p < 0.001) levels were lower compared to the control group.
Conclusion: A decrease in the serum levels of key adipokines, such as leptin and adiponectin, in type-2 diabetic patients may serve as a predictor of metabolic syndrome.
Zahra Askari, Zeynab Mirzapour, Tooba Shafighi, Reyhaneh Ghorbanpour,
Volume 19, Issue 1 (1-2025)
Abstract
Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) represent a significant global health concern. Virulence factors (VFs) expressed by UPEC strains play a crucial role in promoting bacterial pathogenicity within the urinary tract. Effective treatment of these infections is frequently complicated by the high prevalence of antimicrobial resistance exhibited by Escherichia coli. The objective of this study was to investigate the VFs and antibiotic susceptibility profiles of UPEC strains isolated in the northern region of Iran.
Methods: One hundred and five urine specimens were collected from female patients diagnosed with UTIs in Rasht, located in the north of Iran. These samples underwent culturing on both Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar and MacConkey agar. Following a 24-hour incubation period at 37°C, pure bacterial isolates were identified through Gram staining and a battery of standard biochemical assays. The prevalence of six VF genes - papC, sfa/foc, fimH, afa, ibeA, and neuC - within UPEC strains was determined utilizing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subsequently confirmed via direct sequencing. Antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) was conducted using the disk diffusion method, adhering to the guidelines established by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI M02).
Results: The study identified 65.71% of the isolates as Escherichia coli. Among the virulence genes examined, fimH exhibited the highest prevalence (100%), while afa was the least frequent (1.44%). Antibiotic resistance analysis revealed the highest rate against Cefazolin (66.66%) and the lowest against Gentamicin (24.63%). Notably, the prevalence of multi-drug resistance (MDR) was determined to be 73.91%.
Conclusion: This study underscored the significance of localized surveillance of UPEC isolates. This emphasis stems from the pathogen's considerable capacity for genetic mutation, coupled with the influence of environmental variables and individual patient characteristics. Understanding these dynamic factors at a local level is crucial for formulating the most effective strategies to combat UTIs.
Pius Omoruyi Omosigho, Guobadia Precious Oghogho, Ugiagbe Victory Osayekewmen, Olalekan John Okesanya, Janet Mosunmola Oladejo , Uyigue Paulinus Osarodion,
Volume 19, Issue 3 (5-2025)
Abstract
Background: Candida species are known to be the most frequently encountered fungal pathogens in humans. There has been a noticeable rise in the occurrence of human infections caused by Candida over the past few decades. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify different species of Candida and determine the antifungal susceptibility patterns of Candida species isolated from clinical specimens in a tertiary hospital in Benin, Edo State, Nigeria.
Methods: A total of 104 Candida isolates were obtained from various clinical specimens using a simple random sampling technique. The isolates were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar and were later sub-cultured on CHROMagar Candida after morphological characteristics observation and identification of Candida species were confirmed based on characteristic color production on CHROMagar. Antifungal susceptibility testing for Candida isolates was conducted following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute M44-A recommendations for Amphotericin B, Ketoconazole, Fluconazole, and Nystatin. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 20.0.
Results: Candida albicans was the most prevalent species, accounting for 72.1% of isolates, followed by Candida krusei (17.3%), Candida tropicalis (7.7%), and Candida glabrata (2.9%). High vaginal swabs showed the highest frequency of Candida isolates (46.2%). Females exhibited a higher preponderance of candidiasis (81.3%) compared to males. With p-values of 0.007* and 0.028*, respectively, Candida albicans and Candida glabrata exhibited significant differences in susceptibility to Amphotericin B and Fluconazole antifungal drugs. The antifungal susceptibility testing indicated variations in resistance patterns among different Candida species.
Conclusion: The study revealed a predominance of Candida albicans in clinical specimens, with emerging cases of non-albicans species. Antifungal resistance to clinically available agents raised concerns, necessitating continuous surveillance and monitoring of susceptibility patterns. The results underscore the importance of developing targeted strategies to combat the challenges posed by antifungal resistance.
Mojtaba Raeisi , Fatemeh Hooshmand , Marziyeh Gheraati, Masood Aman Mohammadi , Negin Mehdinejad ,
Volume 19, Issue 4 (7-2025)
Abstract
Background: Due to the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and rising consumer preference for natural food preservatives, there is an increased interest in plant-based antimicrobial agents. While Salix aegyptiaca (S. aegyptiaca), also known as Musk Willow, is a promising source of bioactive compounds, its antibacterial properties have not been extensively studied. Therefore, this research investigates the chemical composition and antibacterial effectiveness of essential oils extracted from the leaves and male inflorescences of S. aegyptiaca against important foodborne pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Escherichia coli (E. coli), Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes), and Salmonella enteritidis (S. enteritidis).
Methods: Essential oils were extracted from the leaves and male inflorescences of S. aegyptiaca through hydrodistillation. The chemical composition of these oils was then determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify their bioactive constituents. The antibacterial efficacy of the extracted oils was assessed using several methods, including the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), as well as diffusion assays (Agar disk and agar well diffusion).
Results: GC-MS analysis revealed that the leaf oil was predominantly composed of 1,4-dimethoxybenzene, citronellol, and eugenol, whereas carvone was the main constituent of the male inflorescence oil. The leaf oil demonstrated superior antimicrobial activity, particularly against S. aureus, for which the MIC was determined to be 1250 µg/mL. Both oils indicated limited efficacy against Gram-negative bacteria. Of the strains tested, S. aureus proved to be the most susceptible, while E. coli exhibited the highest resistance.
Conclusion: The essential oils extracted from S. aegyptiaca, especially from its leaves, have shown significant antibacterial effects against common foodborne pathogens. This suggests they could be used as natural food preservatives, offering a viable alternative to synthetic additives. Additional research is necessary to investigate their use in food products and to establish their toxicological safety.
Apurba Sankar Sastry , Shuruthi Kirubakaran , Sarumathi Dhandapani , Ketan Priyadarshi,
Volume 19, Issue 5 (9-2025)
Abstract
Background: The emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms has limited the choice of therapeutic options to treat infections. The lack of development of new antimicrobials paved the way for considering the reassessment of older antibiotics like fosfomycin. In this context, we assessed the in-vitro effect of fosfomycin against carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream isolates by agar dilution, disk diffusion, and screen agar.
Methods: In this study, 141 consecutive blood isolates resistant to carbapenem and 62 MRSA blood culture isolates were collected over a period of 8 months. The methods used were fosfomycin agar dilution (0.25 µg/ml to 512 µg/ml), Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion (150 µg of fosfomycin + 50 µg of glucose-6-phosphate), and fosfomycin screen agar (32 µg/ml, 48 µg/ml, and 64 µg/ml). All three methods were interpreted using the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing guidelines. The agreement between the new method and the reference method was calculated.
Results: Among the tested isolates, 100% of MRSA, followed by Escherichia coli (E. coli) (86.4%), Klebsiella pneumonia (K. pneumonia) (65.2%), and E. cloacae (50%) were susceptible to fosfomycin. The MIC50 and MIC90 of fosfomycin were 0.5 µg/ml and 2 µg/ml for MRSA, 16 µg/ml and 32 µg/ml for K. pneumoniae, 4 µg/ml and 16 µg/ml for E. coli, and 8 µg/ml and 32 µg/ml for E. cloacae, respectively.
Conclusion: Fosfomycin demonstrated a good in-vitro effect on most of the carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales and MRSA isolates tested.
Leila Pirdel, Maryam Safajoo, Masoud Maleki,
Volume 19, Issue 5 (9-2025)
Abstract
Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are well-known for their immune-modulatory properties. A subgroup of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors (NLRs) has been recently identified to play a regulatory role in immune and inflammatory responses. This study aims to analyze and compare the gene expression levels of the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing proteins (NLRPs), such as NLRP6 and NLRP12, in Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) treated with interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), the pro-inflammatory cytokine, and untreated cells.
Methods: The immunophenotypic characterization of the isolated Wharton’s Jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) was conducted using flow cytometry. Next, they were cultured with or without IFN-γ, followed by a comparison of the expression levels of the NLRP6 and NLRP12 genes using quantitative PCR (qPCR).
Results: Treatment of cells with IFN-γ resulted in a statistically significant increase in NLRP12 gene expression compared to untreated cells. In contrast, the expression of NLRP6 did not differ significantly between cells with or without IFN-γ treatment.
Conclusion: The altered expression level of NLRP12 suggests its potential role in the inflammatory regulation mediated by WJ-MSCs in response to IFN exposure; however, further studies are needed to validate its role in experimental models of inflammatory-related diseases.
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