marA efflux pump gene expression in Salmonella enteritidis strains treated with Artemisia tournefortiana hydroalcoholic extract and comparison with commercial efflux pump inhibitor, carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP)

Background: Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis is a food-borne pathogenic bacterium that has recently become resistant to most quinolone antibiotics. The MarA efflux pump plays a significant role in the development of ciprofloxacin resistance in S. Enteritidis strains. The aim of this study was comparative evaluation of anti-efflux activity of Artemisia tournefortiana extract and commercial efflux inhibitor, carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) on marA efflux pump gene expression in S. Enteritidis clinical strains. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, Artemisia tournefortiana extract was prepared using maceration method. Subsequently, MarA efflux pump was detected in 20 clinical strains of S. Enteritidis via cartwheel and PCR methods. Finally, after treatment of strains with subMIC concentration of extract and 20 µg/L and CCCP, their anti-efflux activity against MarA efflux pump was studied using Real Time PCR. Results: The results of cartwheel and PCR methods indicated that all of ciprofloxacin resistant strains had MarA efflux pump. Subsequently, after treatment of strains with subMIC concentration of extract and CCCP, results show that both component have the ability to inhibit the MarA efflux pump, significantly. Conclusion: Considering the results of MarA efflux inhibition by A. tournefortiana and CCCP, it seems that this plant can be used as a potential source of drug use as a suppository pump inhibitor instead of CCCP.

Developing a Mathematical Model for Scheduling and Determining Success Probability of Research Projects Considering Complex-Fuzzy Networks

In project management context, time management is one of the most important factors affecting project success. This paper proposes a new method to solve research project scheduling problems (RPSP) containing Fuzzy Graphical Evaluation and Review Technique (FGERT) networks. Through the deliverables of this method, a proper estimation of project completion time (PCT) and success probability can be achieved. So algorithms were developed to cover all features of the problem based on three main parameters “duration, occurrence probability, and success probability.” These developed algorithms were known as PR-FGERT (Parallel and Reversible-Fuzzy GERT networks). The main provided framework includes simplifying the network of project and taking regular steps to determine PCT and success probability. Simplifications include (1) equivalent making of parallel and series branches in fuzzy network considering the concepts of probabilistic nodes, (2) equivalent making of delay or reversible-to-itself branches and impact of changing the parameters of time and probability based on removing related branches, (3) equivalent making of simple and complex loops, and (4) an algorithm that was provided to resolve no-loop fuzzy network, after equivalent making. Finally, the performance of models was compared with existing methods. The results showed proper and real performance of models in comparison with existing methods

Antimicrobial Effects of SeptiTurbo, Deconex (Solarsept) and 0.525% Sodium Hypochlorite Spray on Alginate Impression Materials

Objectives: Dental impressions are among the potentially infectious items in dentistry. Dental impressions are invariably contaminated with saliva or blood. Such fluids may contain viral or bacterial pathogens including Bacteroides, Fusobacterium, Porphyromonas and Prevotella. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of three different types of disinfectants on alginate impression materials after one, three and five minutes.Methods: In this in vitro experimental study, 126 circular samples of alginate impression materials were contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and were then disinfected with 0.525% sodium hypochlorite, Deconex (Solarsept) and SeptiTurbo spray. Afterwards, the samples were wrapped in moist paper towels and kept in plastic bags for one, three and five minutes. Number of bacterial colonies was counted 24 hours after incubation. Negative and positive controls were included.Results: After five minutes, 0.525% sodium hypochlorite showed the highest disinfection activity against S. aurous as it eradicated over 99.98% of the bacteria. Although the disinfecting agents showed non-significant results in eradicating S. aureus, SeptiTurbo was more effective in elimination of S. aurous . The disinfection activity of different agents increased with time.Conclusion: This study revealed that alginate can be effectively disinfected with SeptiTurbo and sodium hypochlorite by the spraying technique. This study highlighted the efficacy of SeptiTurbo for eradication of S. aurous

Predictors of malnutrition among Zahedan& rsquo s children age ranging from 2-5 years old in 2007-2008

چکیده: زمینه و هدف: ارزیابی دوره‌ای شاخص‌های تن سنجی یکی از مناسب ترین ابزارهای پایش وضعیت تغذیه کودکان در یک منطقه بوده و منبع اطلاعات خوبی به عنوان مرجع برای نظام مدیریت بخش سلامت کشور و شاخصی از عدالت در جامعه می‌باشد. هدف این مطالعه تعیین میزان شیوع هر کدام از شاخص های سوء تغذیه در کودکان 5-2 سال و پیشگویی کننده های آن می باشد. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه توصیفی- تحلیلی تعداد 1245 کودک 5-2 سال از 5 منطقه شهری شهر زاهدان به صورت چند مرحله ای انتخاب و بررسی شدند. اطلاعات با استفاده از پرونده ها و مصاحبه با مادر کودک جمع آوری شد. در این مطالعه سه شاخص وزن برای قد، قد برای سن و وزن برای سن به ترتیب به عنوان نمایه وضع تغذیه زمان حال یا لاغری، زمان گذشته یا کوتاه قدی و زمان حال و گذشته یا کم وزنی بر اساس 5/2-Z= مورد بررسی قرار گرفت. داده ها با استفاده از آزمون های t مستقل و مجذور کای و رگرسیون خطی مورد تجزیه و تحلیل قرار گرفت. یافته‌ها: میزان شیوع لاغری، کوتاه قدی وکم وزنی به ترتیب 2/4، 6/7 و 4/3 برآورد شد. در تحلیل تک متغیره، لاغری با وزن هنگام تولد و فاصله تولد، کوتاه قدی با وزن هنگام تولد، تحصیلات مادر، شغل پدر، نوع تغذیه زیر یکسال، سابقه عفونت، فاصله تولد و سن مادر و کم وزنی نیز با جنس، وزن هنگام تولد، نوع تغذیه زیر یکسال، سابقه عفونت، فاصله تولد و سن مادر رابطه معنی داری نشان دادند (05/0

Sensor Fault Detection and Compensation with Performance Prescription for Robotic Manipulators

This paper focuses on sensor fault detection and compensation for robotic manipulators. The proposed method features a new adaptive observer and a new terminal sliding mode control law established on a second-order integral sliding surface. The method enables sensor fault detection without the need to impose known bounds on fault value and/or its derivative. It also enables fast and fixed-time fault-tolerant control whose performance can be prescribed beforehand by defining funnel bounds on the tracking error. The ultimate boundedness of the estimation errors for the proposed observer and the fixed-time stability of the control system are shown using Lyapunov stability analysis. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified using numerical simulations on two different robotic manipulators, and the results are compared with existing methods. Our results demonstrate performance gains obtained by the proposed method compared to the existing results

The application of ontologies in digital library: a meta-synthesis approach

Objective: , the present study examines the current status of the use of ontologies in the digital library area through the analysis of studies in this field. Methodology: The present research is a qualitative study using the meta-synthesis method. In order to collect data in this study, the library method, and to analyze data the seventh-step process of Sandelowski & Barroso for meta-synthesis was used. The research population of the study includes related studies (articles and dissertations) in the area of ontology applications in digital libraries retrieved from scientific databases. CASP evaluation checklist was used to ensure the quality of the studies. Finally, out of 267 retrieved studies, 43 titles were selected and analyzed. Findings: Analysis of studies in the area of ontology application in the digital library led to the identification of 4 categories, 8 components, and 48 dimensions in this field. The main categories include the application of ontology in digital library services, the application of ontology in digital library structures, the basis of ontology application in digital libraries, and the application of ontologies in covering the subject domain of digital libraries. Originality: In this study, which seems to have never been done before, a comprehensive analysis of the field of ontology application in digital libraries, the current situation and its dimensions were presented. Also, by clarifying the topics that have been less addressed, new research subjects were provided for researchers in this field

Cytotoxic Activity of Rosa Damascene Mill, Allium sativum, Allium Hirtifolium Boiss, and Prosopis Farcta Extracts on Human Cervical Carcinoma Cell Line

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the major reasons of cancer-related mortality. Human papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted viral infection, which can lead to cervical cancer. There is no powerful chemotherapeutic agent for HPV infection and cervical cancer. Some plants have the proper potential to be used for treatment of cervical cancer caused by HPV type 18.Materials and Methods: In this study, cytotoxic effect of extract of four indigenous Iranian plants including Rosa damascene mill, Allium sativum, Allium hirtifolium boiss and Prosopis farcta were investigated on the HeLa cell line. HeLa cells were incubated with different concentrations of extracts and then the cell viability was measured by MTT assay.Results: The viable cell numbers were decreased by increase of the extracts concentration. The Allium sativum showed the higher cytotoxicity in all concentrations than the other ones. Afterwards, Allium hirtifolium Boiss, Rosa damascene mill, and Prosopis farcta showed maximum efficiency to decrease cell viability, respectively.Conclusion: The above four mentioned plants might be used for death of HeLa cell harboring HPV type 18. Therefore, they could be employed as a chemotherapeutic agent in the cervical cancer treatment in future

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in school children in a border area at south- west of Iran

Abstract. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a zoonotic disease, endemic and notifiable in southwestern Iran and children are frequent victims of the disease but studies regarding the disease are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology of the disease in school children in the city of Dehloran, southwestern Iran. In 2009 we studied the epidemiology of CL in the city of Dehloran. A questionnaire was completed, recording demographic and disease characteristics. Microscopic examination was carried out for leishmaniasis detection. The overall prevalence of CL was 10.2%. There was a significant difference between percentage of male and female with cutaneous leishmaniasis (P<0.05). Although all age groups were affected, the highest incidence of disease was observed in the age group of 10-14 years (P<0.05). Most involved organ was face (42%). 76.5% of patients presented with a single lesion. The lesions ranged from approximately 0.1 to 3.5 cm. The prevalence rate of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) was significantly different between native residents and non-natives (P<0.05). Dehloran is one of focuses of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is common in school children of Dehloran and measures should be planned for future control programs. In addition, further investigations are required to clarify the possible reservoirs and vectors in the area