Meta-Analysis of Biofilm Formation, Antibiotic Resistance Pattern, and Biofilm-Related Genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from Clinical Samples

Resistant microorganisms such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa grow by developing biofilms in hospitals. We aimed to investigate the biofilm formation and the frequencies of biofilm-related genes and their associations with antibiotic resistance pattern in P. aeruginosa isolated from Iranians' clinical samples. This review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We conducted a systematic literature search in scientific databases using medical subject heading terms, including "Pseudomonas aeruginosa,""biofilm formation,""biofilm-related genes,""antibiotic resistance,"and "prevalence,"to obtain related articles published from 1st January, 2000, to 30th March, 2019. The studies reporting the prevalence of biofilm formation, the frequencies of biofilm-related genes, and the antibiotic resistance pattern in P. aeruginosa retrieved from Iranian patients were included. Meta-analysis was performed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software. The pooled rate of biofilm formation was calculated as 86.5 (95 confidence interval CI: 79-91.6). The combined frequencies of strong, moderate, and weak biofilms were 51% (95% CI: 37.4-64.4), 29.2% (95% CI: 20.9-39.1), and 25.4% (95% CI: 11.5-47.2), respectively. The pooled prevalence of laslR, algD, algU, ppyR, and pelF genes were 93.6% (95% CI: 88.1-96.6), 91.4% (95% CI: 80.8-96.4), 89.3% (95% CI: 85.2-92.3), 98.7% (95% CI: 96.5-99.6), and 93% (95% CI: 82.7-97.3), respectively. The highest combined antibiotic resistance rates of P. aeruginosa isolates were against piperacillin/tazobactam (90%). This study showed that biofilm formation was higher in multidrug-resistant (MDR) P. aeruginosa than non-MDRs. A significant correlation was observed between biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance in 50% of studies included in this review. © Copyright 2020, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers 2020

The biological basis and clinical significance of hormonal imprinting, an epigenetic process

The biological phenomenon, hormonal imprinting, was named and defined by us (Biol Rev, 1980, 55, 47-63) 30 years ago, after many experimental works and observations. Later, similar phenomena were also named to epigenetic imprinting or metabolic imprinting. In the case of hormonal imprinting, the first encounter between a hormone and its developing target cell receptor—usually at the perinatal period—determines the normal receptor-hormone connection for life. However, in this period, molecules similar to the target hormone (members of the same hormone family, synthetic drugs, environmental pollutants, etc), which are also able to bind to the receptor, provoke faulty imprinting also with lifelong—receptorial, behavioral, etc.,—consequences. Faulty hormonal imprinting could also be provoked later in life in continuously dividing cells and in the brain. Faulty hormonal imprinting is a disturbance of gene methylation pattern, which is epigenenetically inherited to the further generations (transgenerational imprinting). The absence of the normal or the presence of false hormonal imprinting predispose to or manifested in different diseases (e.g., malignant tumors, metabolic syndrome) long after the time of imprinting or in the progenies

Anticancer and cytotoxic effects of troxerutin on HeLa cell line: an in-vitro model of cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is one of the grave uterine tumors which leads to death in women worldwide. Troxerutin (TRX) as a bioflavonoid compound has many pharmacological effects such as anti-neoplastic, radioprotective, and anti-cancer. The present study was designed to examine the cytotoxic effect of TRX on human HeLa tumor cells. Human HeLa cells were cultured and treated with different doses of TRX (20�640 mg/ml) to evaluate the effective half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) after 24 h. MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) test was used for cell proliferation assay. Also, the Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) protein expression levels were detected with immunoblotting analysis. The malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity levels were measured via their commercial kits. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. The result showed that TRX at 320 mg/ml concentration (IC50) has a growth inhibitory effect against HeLa cells at 24 h treatment (P � 0.01). Moreover, it increased the MDA concentration and also decreased the GPx and SOD activity levels at 320 mg/ml concentration versus control (P < 0.001). Also, TRX significantly up-regulated the Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and TNF-α proteins expression levels (P < 0.01) and down-regulated the Bcl-2 protein expression in HeLa tumor cells at 320 mg/ml concentration compared to control (P < 0.05). Our study showed that 24 h of treatment with TRX (320 mg/ml) has apoptotic and growth inhibitory effects against HeLa cells. It can induce inflammation (at least via up-regulating the TNF-α protein expression) and oxidative stress in human HeLa cells. © 2020, Springer Nature B.V

Assessment of variations in benzene concentration produced from vehicles and gas stations in Tehran using GIS

This study investigates the variations of benzene concentration levels in district 1, situated in the north part of Tehran, capital of Iran. Thirty-three stations in five categories, namely roadsides, busy roads, residential areas, traffic intersections, and the vicinity of gas stations, were monitored during the rush hours in the afternoon once a week over a period of 1 year. Accordingly, benzene concentration levels were measured and predicted by inverse distance weight model. The recorded benzene concentration levels were then compared with those reported in other parts of the world. According to the results, the annual concentration levels of benzene was 13.85 ppb for roads with heavy traffic flow, 14.98 ppb for traffic intersections, 29.01 ppb for the vicinity of the gas stations, 3.26 ppb for residential areas, and 9.97 ppb for roadsides. The concentration of benzene in the vicinity of the gas station sampling point was higher than in the other stations, and at all locations was found to be so much more than the standard concentration levels (1.56 ppb) prescribed by Environmental Protection Agency for the ambient air quality. The results of the study revealed that the benzene concentration levels in Tehran are distinctly more than its standard level. This is mainly attributed to the poor quality of fuel and lack of a standard system for controlling petrol vapors in the gas stations

The evaluation and determination of heavy metals pollution in edible vegetables, water and soil in the south of Tehran province by GIS

In this study, heavy metals pollutions in waters, soils and vegetables were investigated from farms, near oil refinery in south of Tehran city, Iran (Shahre Ray). The most important heavy metals in Iranian oil are vanadium, cobalt, nickel, arsenic and mercury (V, Co, Ni, As, Hg). In this region, the concentration of heavy metals in soils, well waters and leafy edible vegetables were evaluated in ten different points of farms. Geographic information systems (GIS) were used to estimate the levels of heavy metals concentration at unmeasured locations. After sample preparation, concentrations of heavy metals in vegetables, soils and waters were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Five different leafy edible vegetables from farms, i.e., Persian leek, dill, parsley, spinach and radish were sampled in spring, summer and autumn 2012. In vegetables and well water samples, the concentrations of V, Ni and Co were above the permissible limit of heavy metals as compared to WHO guidelines and the concentrations of these metals in agricultural soils were found to be lower in accordance to soil references. The industrial waste waters had high concentration of heavy metals in this area. In consequence, the results of this study indicate that industrial waste water can cause pollution in well waters and edible vegetables. So, this region is not suitable for cultivation and growing vegetables

The evaluation and determination of heavy metals pollution in edible vegetables, water and soil in the south of Tehran province by GIS

In this study, heavy metals pollutions in waters, soils and vegetables were investigated from farms, near oil refinery in south of Tehran city, Iran (Shahre Ray). The most important heavy metals in Iranian oil are vanadium, cobalt, nickel, arsenic and mercury (V, Co, Ni, As, Hg). In this region, the concentration of heavy metals in soils, well waters and leafy edible vegetables were evaluated in ten different points of farms. Geographic information systems (GIS) were used to estimate the levels of heavy metals concentration at unmeasured locations. After sample preparation, concentrations of heavy metals in vegetables, soils and waters were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Five different leafy edible vegetables from farms, i.e., Persian leek, dill, parsley, spinach and radish were sampled in spring, summer and autumn 2012. In vegetables and well water samples, the concentrations of V, Ni and Co were above the permissible limit of heavy metals as compared to WHO guidelines and the concentrations of these metals in agricultural soils were found to be lower in accordance to soil references. The industrial waste waters had high concentration of heavy metals in this area. In consequence, the results of this study indicate that industrial waste water can cause pollution in well waters and edible vegetables. So, this region is not suitable for cultivation and growing vegetables