Study of flagellin profiling in multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDRPA) isolated from burn wound infections, Tehran, Iran

     Nosocomial infections of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDRPA) are a growing concern in hospitalized patients in burn centers. The aim of this study was to investigate the flagellin profiling and antibiotic susceptibility of P. aeruginosa isolated from burn wound infections. During 8 month study, 73 clinically P. aeruginosa isolates collected from patients hospitalized in burn ward. P. aeruginosa isolates were identified using standard laboratory procedures. In vitro susceptibility of clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa to 6 antimicrobial agents were investigated by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI 2012) Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion assay. The frequency of different type of flagellin was investigated by using specific primers and by PCR method. The resistance rates of our isolates to 6 tested antimicrobial agents were relatively high. Imipenem has good activity while tobramycin and ciprofloxacin do not have any effect on P. aeruginosa isolates. Of 73 isolates 59 (80.8%) were multidrug resistant. Twenty eight of 73 isolates were resistant to all antibiotics. Agarose gel electrophoresis of chromosomal DNA exhibited that 59 isolates (80.8%) of P. aeruginosa had type A flagellin while only 14 isolates (19.2%) had type b flagellin. Given the antibiotic failure treatment, it appears that alternative ways such as immunity to prevent of these infections could be informative. Our survey of flagellin profiling of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates exhibited high frequency of type a flagellin as a major virulence factor has important role of immunity against infections caused by MDRPA. Functional surveillance of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa in order to prevention of resistance dissemination is necessary.

Spatial analysis of air quality in Tehran with emphasis on particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10)

Nowadays, the air of most of Iran's cities especially high population metropolises hasn’t an optimal quality. This adverse quality is due to various pollutant resources such as automobiles, industries, heating devices, construction, and commercial activities during recent decades and there are more concerns about it. Therefore, monitoring air pollutants and studying their seasonal and spatial variations are specifically important. The present study aimed to evaluate air quality and seasonal and spatial variations of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) in Tehran city. In this research, the AQI index has been used to determine the air quality of Tehran and to introduce the responsible pollutant. To investigate the variations of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) in seasonal and spatial scales, the data of air pollution monitoring stations (18 stations) of Air Quality Control Company was used in 2018 and 2019. Data were analyzed using Excel and SPSS software and results of statistical analysis of pollutants distribution in Temporal – spatial scales are provided and they are drawn using Arc GIS software and analytical function of inverse Distance Weighting interpolation (IDW) as maps, tables, and graphs. Based on the results, favorable and unfavorable air quality were respectively observed in 83.8 and 16.2% of days in 2018, as well as 76.4 and 23.6% of days in 2019, which can be related to the changes in rainfall rate and wind speed in the years. The maximum seasonal concentration of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) relates to summer and winter respectively and the minimum seasonal concentration of both pollutants relates to spring. Results of inverse Distance Weighting interpolation (IDW) also showed that the west, south, and central regions of Tehran got involved with particulate matter more than other regions

A Design Support System Using Analogy Based Reasoning

Abstract: This paper represents a procedure to support the designer in his/her process of mechanical system design, by inspiring the knowledge acquired from previous projects. To this end, the proposed method represents an appropriate means to capitalize the know-how of the professional experts. Based on this approach, an interactive programme is implemented, which assist designers in the specification of new products. The data structure of the implemented tool is based on the object oriented modelling. This structure allows several classifications of a same design, using different levels of abstraction. This approach enables designer to begin with a more general description of the product, and to refine the description by referring to similar data in the pattern bases

The effect of red lentil hydroalcoholic extract on retention and retrieval of memory in young and aged mice

Background: Since ancient times, people have believed that certain foods or plants can affect learning and memory potency in humans. The consumption of food and beverages rich in flavonoid compounds has been proposed as a way to restrict the neurodegeneration associated with many neurological complications and to reverse or prevent deterioration in cognitive performance. Objectives: In the present study, we have attempted to show the effect of red lentil extract (RLE), an edible legume with a high quantity of flavonoid, on retrieval and retention of memory in young and aged animals with the use of a passive avoidance apparatus. Materials and Methods: For the experiments, after coding, the animals (128 total) were weighted and classified into different groups as follows: Group 1 as a control received only electric shock, while group 2 as a blank received electric shock plus normal saline (1 mL/100 g). The test groups (groups 3 and 4) received electric shock plus 400 and 800 mg/kg ip. RLE, respectively. The delay in leaving the platform of avoidance apparatus was measured for both retrieval and retention tests of memory in all groups, whereas experiments were conducted on two age levels - young and aged mice. In the test of retention after getting electric shock, RLE immediately, whereas in the test of retrieval 23.5 hours after the shock was administered. Results: Our findings demonstrated where applying both400mg/kg and 800 mg/kg of RLE significantly increased (the latency time increased about 2- and 3-fold respectively in comparison with the control group) retention and retrieval (at least 7-fold compared to the control group) of the memory of young (P < 0.05) and aged (P < 0.01) mice. Conclusions: It can be concluded that the devisable memory-enhancing effects of red lentil (lens culinaris) are due to the antioxidant activity of its flavonoid, tannins, and terpenoids. © 2016, School of Pharmacy, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences

The relationship between air pollution exposure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Ahvaz, Iran

BACKGROUND: Air pollutants can have harmful effects on human health. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is represented by a spectrum of obstructive airway diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between air pollution exposure and COPD in Ahvaz, Iran. METHODS: The present epidemiological study was performed in Ahvaz city. Data were obtained from the Ahvaz Department of Environment (ADoE). Sampling was performed for 24 hours in 4 stations. Raw data processing was performed using Microsoft Excel software, and after the impact of meteorological parameters, data were converted as input file into the model. Data analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that the annual average PM10 concentration during 2012 was 727 μg/m3. According to the research findings, the two stations of Bureau of Meteorology and the city center had the highest and the lowest PM10 concentrations during 2012, respectively. The results showed a strong correlation between visits to a hospital due to COPD and PM10 emission in Ahvaz city. Approximately, 6.2% of hospital admissions for COPD occurred when the PM10 concentration was higher than 30 μg/m3. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study showed that the total mean of particle matter was higher than the standard concentration. The higher percentage of hospital admission could be the result of the dust storm, higher average PM10, and sustained high concentration days in Ahva

Interaction of viral oncogenic proteins with the Wnt signaling pathway

It is estimated that up to 20% of all types of human cancers worldwide are attributed to viruses. The genome of oncogenic viruses carries genes that have protein products that act as oncoproteins in cell proliferation and transformation. The modulation of cell cycle control mechanisms, cellular regulatory and signaling pathways by oncogenic viruses, plays an important role in viral carcinogenesis. Different signaling pathways play a part in the carcinogenesis that occurs in a cell. Among these pathways, the Wnt signaling pathway plays a predominant role in carcinogenesis and is known as a central cellular pathway in the development of tumors. There are three Wnt signaling pathways that are well identified, including the canonical or Wnt/β-catenin dependent pathway, the noncanonical or β-catenin-independent planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway, and the noncanonical Wnt/Ca2+ pathway. Most of the oncogenic viruses modulate the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. This review discusses the interaction between proteins of several human oncogenic viruses with the Wnt signaling pathway

The cardioprotective effect of vanillic acid on hemodynamic parameters, malondialdehyde, and infarct size in ischemia-reperfusion isolated rat heart exposed to PM10

Objective(s): Particulate matter (PM) exposure can promote cardiac ischemia and myocardial damage. The effects of PM10 on hemodynamic parameters, lipid peroxidation, and infarct size induced by ischemia-reperfusion injury and the protective effects of vanillic acid (VA) in isolated rat heart were investigated. Materials and Methods: Eighty male Wistar rats (250–300 g) were divided into 8 groups (n=10): Control, Sham, VAc, VA, PMa (0.5 mg/kg PM, intratracheal instillation), PMb (2.5 mg/kg PM, intratracheal instillation), PMc (5 mg/kg PM, intratracheal instillation), and PMc + VA (5 mg/kg PM, intratracheal instillation; and 10 mg/kg vanillic acid, gavage for 10 days). PM10 was instilled into the trachea in two stages, within 48 hr. After isolating the hearts and transfer to a Langendorff apparatus, hearts were subjected to 30 min ischemia and 60 min reperfusion. Hemodynamic parameters (±dp/dt, LVSP, LVDP, and RPP), production of lipid peroxidation (MDA), and infarct size were assessed. Results: A significant decrease in ±dp/dt, LVSP, LVDP and RPP occurred in PM groups. A significant increase in MDA and myocardial infarct size occurred in PM groups. A significant increase in LVDP, LVSP, ±dp/dt, RPP and decrease in infarct size, MDA, and myocardial dysfunction was observed in groups that received vanillic acid after ischemia–reperfusion. Conclusion: It was demonstrated that PM10 increases MDA, as well as the percentage of cardiac infarct size, and has negative effects on hemodynamic parameters. This study suggests that vanillic acid may serve as an adjunctive treatment in delaying the progression of ischemic heart disease

Health endpoints caused by PM10 Exposure in Ahvaz, Iran

PM10 emissions are defined as PM emissions that are less than ten microns in diameter. Long exposure of suspended particles as showed in his personal life. PM10 can cause harmful health effects such as the prevalence of bronchitis and reduced lung function in children and adults. Major sources of emissions are causing by human intervention particulate road traffic, stationary combustion and industrial processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate health- effects of carbon monoxide exposure in Ahvaz city (located in south-western Iran), during 2012. PM10 data were collected through Ahvaz Meteorological Organization and the Department of Environment. Raw data processing by Excel software includes (instruction set correction of averaging, coding and filtering) and after the impact of meteorological parameters was converted as input file to the Air Q model. Finally, respiratory mortality, cardiovascular death and hospital admissions respiratory disease of PM10 exposure was calculated. The results showed that the approximately 17% of total respiratory mortality, cardiovascular death and hospital admissions respiratory disease happened when the PM10 concentrations were more than 30μg/m3. The results showed that the concentration of PM10 was related to Ahvaz with an annual average 321 μg/m3. Sum of cardiovascular and respiratory death attributed to PM10 were 1055 and 189 cases in 2012. The higher percentage of these deaths perhaps could be the result of higher average PM10 or because of sustained high concentration days in Ahvaz. Therefore, the higher relative risk value can depict mismanagement in urban air quality