Antibacterial effects of natural compounds on biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans

Abstract Streptococcus mutans is the main cariogenic pathogen in the oral cavity, considered to contribute toward oral diseases. S. mutans is predominantly entrapped in plaque biofilms. Objectives In this study, we surveyed the antibacterial activity of natural compounds in terms of the biofilm production of S. mutans. Material and Methods We extracted the studies related to natural compounds affected on S. mutans biofilm from different databases. Results Disruption of S. mutans viability in biofilms by a potent new pharmacological factor could inhibit and remove cavities. Various antibacterial agents are needed to destroy biofilms that remove both pathogens and commensal bacteria, and also exert inhibitory effects on many bacterial species. Conclusions An effective therapeutic agent for dental caries has to be capable of removing pathogens and their biofilms. Specific virulence attributes of S. mutans exist; hence, natural compounds that have excellent properties to combat such pathogens need to be selected

Comparison of Group B Streptococcal Colonization in the Pregnant Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Women

- To Compare colonization of group B streptococcus (GBS) in diabetic and non-diabetic pregnant women. In this prospective study 50 pregnant women with diabetes mellitus (both pregestational and gestational) and 43 pregnant women without diabetes between 33 and 37 weeks' gestation were evaluated. Three samples for Group B streptococcal culture detection were obtained from each subject in the following order: perinea sample, vaginal sample, and an anorectic sample. All had singleton gestations, negative tests for human immunodeficiency virus, and intact membranes at enrollment. Pearson chi-square and fisher, Exact test were used when appropriate. Most common site of GBS colonization in all women was vagina (11.8%). Colonization of group B streptococcus in control group included vagina (7%) perineum (0.3%) and rectum 0.3%) and in diabetic group included vagina (16%) perineum (16%) and rectum (16%). Although comparison was shown higher vaginal colonization rate in diabetic group (16% versus 7%) but difference was not significant (P=0.154).The prevalence of group B streptococcus colonization in gestational diabetes was 20% and higher than pregestational diabetic women. Among women with pregestational diabetes, the prevalence of group B streptococcus colonization was 15% in non-insulin dependent diabetic women and 10% in insulin dependent diabetic women (P> 0.05). Comparison between two groups showed high rectal colonization in diabetic group and difference was significant (P= 0.027). Pregnant diabetic patients have higher carriage rates of group B streptococcus (GBS) in rectum than non-diabetic pregnant women and diabetes is a risk factor for group B streptococcus colonization during pregnancy

Comparison of the Mindfulness and Imagery Rescripting and Reprocessing Therapy Effectiveness on Self-Efficacy among Mothers of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This study aims to compare the effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and Imagery Rescripting and Reprocessing Therapy on self-caring mothers of children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in 2019. The statistical population of the study is 105 mothers of children with an autism spectrum disorder in two schools of Ahvaz, of which 45 mothers are randomly selected and 15 people are divided into three groups. The type of research is applied based on purpose whereas the data collection method is based on field and quasi-experimental research, along with pre-test-post-test with the control group. Research tools consist of Long-Form Neff Self-Compassion Questionnaire (2003), Measuring Hall and Edwards (1986), Spirituality Training, et al. (2010), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Protocol (2003), and Imagery Rescripting and Reprocessing Protocol with Processing Cognitive by Smucker (1995). The results obtained from analysis of covariance by SPSS software version 24 show that mindfulness-based method with the simultaneous effect of group type and test status of (p = 0.00), F = 58.31, the effect size of 0.510, and also Imagery Rescripting and Reprocessing with cognitive processing with the simultaneous effect of type Experimental group and condition. (p = 0.00) and (F = 40.36) have an effect on self-compassion of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder that the effect size is 0.394 and more than the error level of 0.05. Therefore, it indicates that there is no difference between the two treatments on self-compassion of mothers of children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder

Feasibility study on detecting different types of sugar solutions using a dielectric resonator sensor

One of the most important ingredients of most foods is sugar, so it is important to detect the type of sugar in foods. In this study, a cylindrical dielectric sensor using a function generator and a spectrum analyzer was used to measure dielectric spectra in the range of 0-150 MHz to detect different sugars in water-sugar solutions. Dielectric spectra were investigated by preparing a variety of water-sugar solutions including glucose, sucrose, fructose, invert, high fructose corn syrup and malt extract (dominantly maltose sugar) in four brix levels ranged within 3-12. Moreover, samples were tested with mixing the sugars in a solution. The statistical method of principal component analysis (PCA) was evaluated for detecting and discriminating different types of sugars from dielectric spectral data. PCA with two principal components PC1 and PC2, showed a distinct separation of sugars in three visual groups of sucrose and high fructose corn syrup, fructose and invert and glucose and malt. Irrespective of glucose, the mixed sugar solutions were discriminated from single sugar solutions in two groups. The results of this study showed a promising potential of dielectric method for detecting different sugars, however, the cumulative dielectric effect of the mixed sugars was not discriminable which is expected to be detected with greater range of frequency

Application of Multiplex PCR for Detection and Differentiation of Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar and Entamoeba moshkovskii

Background: Entamoeba moshkovskii and E. dispar are impossible to differentiate microscopically from the pathogenic species E. histolytica. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (Multiplex PCR) is a widespread molecular biology technique for amplification of multiple targets in a single PCR experiment. Methods: For detection and differentiation of the three-microscopy indistinguishable Entamoeba species in human, multiplex PCR assay using different DNA extraction methods was studied. A conserved forward primer was derived from the middle of the small-subunit rRNA gene, and reverse primers were designed from signature sequences specific to each of these three Entamoeba species. Results: A 166-bp PCR product with E. histolytica DNA, a 580-bp product with E. moshkovskii DNA and a 752-bp product with E. dispar DNA were generated in a single-round and multiplex PCR reaction. Conclusion: We recommend this PCR assay as an accurate, rapid, and effective diagnostic method for the detection and discrimination of these three Entamoeba species in both routine diagnosis of amoebiasis and epidemiological surveys