Seroepidemiology of Varicella and value of self-reported history of Varicella infection in Iranian medical students

Objectives: We conducted this study to assess the seroprevalence of Varicella zoster virus (VZV) antibodies in a group of Iranian medical sciences students that were at risk of Varicella and the value of self-reported history as a predictor of immunity. Material and Methods: 255 medical, nursing and obstetrics students who had not entered as a student or worked in a hospital from 3 different schools were enrolled in the study in 2012 (Qazvin province, Iran). Demographics and other information as well as the history of Varicella were obtained through a self-administered questionnaire. Blood samples were collected to determine the Varicella IgG levels via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A statistical analysis was performed by calculating prevalences and their 95% confidence intervals. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, Cohen's kappa and positive and negative likelihood ratios of recalled history were determined. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of participants was 21.3±4.3 years. Seropositivity rate was 74.5%. The relationships between marital status, number of family members, and acquired VZV history with immunity against the virus were statistically significant. The overall rate of reported history was 57%. The positive and negative predictive values of self-reported history of Varicella were 91% and 47.3%, respectively. Conclusions: Immunization of students of Iranian medical sciences seems logical in the near future. Also, they should be tested for Varicella immunity regardless of the history of previous infection

Mitochondrial dysfunction in autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis

A comprehensive literature search was performed to collate evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) with two primary objectives. First, features of mitochondrial dysfunction in the general population of children with ASD were identified. Second, characteristics of mitochondrial dysfunction in children with ASD and concomitant mitochondrial disease (MD) were compared with published literature of two general populations: ASD children without MD, and non-ASD children with MD. The prevalence of MD in the general population of ASD was 5.0% (95% confidence interval 3.2, 6.9%), much higher than found in the general population (∼0.01%). The prevalence of abnormal biomarker values of mitochondrial dysfunction was high in ASD, much higher than the prevalence of MD. Variances and mean values of many mitochondrial biomarkers (lactate, pyruvate, carnitine and ubiquinone) were significantly different between ASD and controls. Some markers correlated with ASD severity. Neuroimaging, in vitro and post-mortem brain studies were consistent with an elevated prevalence of mitochondrial dysfunction in ASD. Taken together, these findings suggest children with ASD have a spectrum of mitochondrial dysfunction of differing severity. Eighteen publications representing a total of 112 children with ASD and MD (ASD/MD) were identified. The prevalence of developmental regression (52%), seizures (41%), motor delay (51%), gastrointestinal abnormalities (74%), female gender (39%), and elevated lactate (78%) and pyruvate (45%) was significantly higher in ASD/MD compared with the general ASD population. The prevalence of many of these abnormalities was similar to the general population of children with MD, suggesting that ASD/MD represents a distinct subgroup of children with MD. Most ASD/MD cases (79%) were not associated with genetic abnormalities, raising the possibility of secondary mitochondrial dysfunction. Treatment studies for ASD/MD were limited, although improvements were noted in some studies with carnitine, co-enzyme Q10 and B-vitamins. Many studies suffered from limitations, including small sample sizes, referral or publication biases, and variability in protocols for selecting children for MD workup, collecting mitochondrial biomarkers and defining MD. Overall, this evidence supports the notion that mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with ASD. Additional studies are needed to further define the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in ASD

Molecular characterization of nontuberculous mycobacteria in hospital waters: A two-year surveillance study in Tehran, Iran

Microbiological control of hospital waters as one of the main sources of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is important for the prevention of NTM-associated illness. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of NTM in the hospital water systems of Tehran, Iran. A total of 218 samples from different hospital waters (i.e., tap water and medical devices such as humidifying cup of oxygen manometer, dialysis devices, nebulizers, and dental units) were included in this study. Phenotypic and molecular tests were used to identify the isolated organisms to species level. Of 218, 85 (39.0) samples at 37 C and 87 (40.0) samples at 25 C were identified as NTM. Using hsp65-sequencing method, Mycobacterium lentiflavum was the most frequently encountered, followed by M. gordonae and M. paragordonae. No significant difference was seen in frequency and species in mycobacteria isolated at 37 C and 25 C temperatures. Humidifying cup of oxygen manometer had the most contaminated water among the investigated water distribution systems in hospitals. Isolation of NTM from hospital water sources is a serious public health problem in Iran and merits further attention by health authorities. Establishment of microbiological monitoring systems for hospital waters and expanding the number of facilitated laboratories are strongly recommended. © IWA Publishing 201

Emergence of SCCmec type III with variable antimicrobial resistance profiles and spa types among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from healthcare- and community-acquired infections in the west of Iran

Introduction: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a pathogen of public health importance. The prevalence of MRSA and its antimicrobial resistance pattern, as well as SCCmec and spa types, remain unclear both in the community and in the hospitals of the western region of Iran. Methods: One hundred MRSA isolates were collected from different hospitals in the west of Iran during 2010-2011. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing to 15 antimicrobial agents was carried out by disk agar diffusion (DAD) method in accordance with the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were evaluated by a broth microdilution method. The Etest was used for the detection of highly gentamicin-resistant MRSA. A combination of single and multiplex PCR was used for the detection of different resistance genes, including beta-lactamase, aminoglycoside modifying enzymes (AMEs), and macrolide-lincosamine, and for SCCmec typing of MRSA isolates. Genotyping of MRSA isolates was performed via spa typing. Results: All tested isolates were susceptible to quinupristin-dalfopristin, linezolid, and vancomycin, but were resistant to penicillin (100), erythromycin (50), clindamycin (27), and gentamicin (18). MIC50 and MIC90 was 256 mg/ml among gentamicin-resistant MRSA. The most prevalent AME genes among aminoglycoside-resistant isolates were aac(6')-1e-aph(2'')-1a (77.8), aph(3')-IIIa (38.9), and ant(40)-1a (27.8). Nearly all tetracycline-and erythromycin-resistant MRSA had ermA and/or ermC but not ermB. Five SCCmec types and subtypes, 13 spa types, and four BURP groups (A-D) were identified. SCCmec types III (45) and IVc (24), spa type t701 (30), and new spa type t12311 (15) were the most prevalent among MRSA isolates. Conclusions: This study showed the emergence of MRSA with SCCmec type III and with spa types t12311, t10740, t1234, t1991, and t2651 with different phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistance in the west of Iran. We found different SCCmec and spa types distributed among nosocomial and non-nosocomial MRSA in the west of Iran. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of International Society for Infectious Diseases

Selective toxicity of ag/tio2 nanoparticles of water industrial factories on muscle mitochondria isolated from solendactylus scallop

Industrial wastewater is of global concern due to its severe effects on the environment. Compared with municipal wastewater, industrial wastewater generally contains the high concentration of toxic or no biodegradable pollutants. In recently year, scientific showed that scallop could filtration wastewater. Therefore, it was decided to determine the mechanistic toxicity of wastewater contained NPs (Ag and TiO2) towards isolated mitochondria via reliable methods. Isolated muscle scallop mitochondria were obtained by differential ultracentrifugation on before and after exposure to wastewater. Our results showed that two NPs (Ag and TiO2) induced mitochondrial dysfunction via an increase in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) collapse. Finally, Ag-NPs and TiO2NPs have reduced the level of glutathione (GSH) and also induced apoptosis. Our results suggest that wastewater contained NPs-induced toxicity is the result of a disruptive effect on the mitochondrial respiratory chain, increasing the chance of cell death signaling. © 2020, Iranian Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists. All rights reserved

Single-walled carbon nanotube, multi-walled carbon nanotube and Fe2O3 nanoparticles induced mitochondria mediated apoptosis in melanoma cells

Purpose: Nanomaterials (NM) exhibit novel anticancer properties. Materials and methods: The toxicity of three nanoparticles that are currently being produced in high tonnage including single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT), multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and Fe2O3 nanoparticles, were compared with normal and melanoma cells. Results: All tested nanoparticles induced selective toxicity and caspase 3 activation through mitochondria pathway in melanoma cells and mitochondria cause the generating of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential decline (MMP collapse), mitochondria swelling, and cytochrome c release. The pretreatment of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), a cell-permeable antioxidant and cyclosporine A (Cs. A), a mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT), pore sealing agent decreased cytotoxicity, caspase 3 activation, ROS generation, and mitochondrial damages induced by SWCNT, MWCNT, and IONPs. Conclusions: Our promising results provide a potential approach for the future therapeutic use of SWCNT, MWCNT, and IONPs in melanoma through mitochondrial targeting. © 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group