Evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Spergularia marina (L.) Griseb extract

Spergularia marina (L.) Griseb is a species from spergularia genus (Caryophyllaceae). This genus has some medicinal effects such as antidiabetic, antioxidant and diuretic effect. For many centuries people have been trying to alleviate and treat diseases with natural resources. Free radicals and oxidative agents cause disorders such as cardiovascular diseases, pulmonary diseases and rheumatoid arthritis. Synthetic antioxidants have toxic effects, so scientists are trying to find new antioxidants from natural resources such as plants. Nowadays plants are known as an important resource for treating different diseases such as: common cold, cough, diarrhea, bronchiolitis, respiratory infections, UTI, and skin lesions, because of this reasons, a lot of plants have been studied to make new drugs. Due to increasing drug resistant in microorganisms, it is necessary to find new compounds with antimicrobial properties. In this work, firstly the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of Methanolic extract and Chloroform, Ethyl acetate and Water fractions from Spergularia marina (L.) Griseb were calculated, and then the antioxidant activites of all samples were determined using three methods, DPPH radical scavenging, Reducing power and Ferrous Chelating activity assay. In this assays VitC, VitE, BHA, EDTA, rutin and gallic acid were used as reference compounds. The antimicrobial activities of Methanolic extract from all part of plant determined against standard strains include: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherchia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Salmonella enterica, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia Marssns and Candida albicans by disc diffusion method. In all antioxidant methods, Methanolic extract was showed the highest antioxidant activity and chloroform extract was the lowest antioxidant activity (aerial parts, seeds and all parts of plant). The results show methanolic extract of all parts of plant have any effect against above microorganisms. KeyWords: Spergularia marina; caryophyllaceae; antioxidant; antimicrobial; DPPH;reducing power; ferrous chelating activit

Pulmonary Nocardiosis in Suspected Tuberculosis Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cross-Sectional Studies

Background: nocardiosis is an opportunistic infectious disease in immunocompromised patients. The most common form of nocardiosis infection in humans is pulmonary nocrdiosis caused by inhaling Nocardia species from the environment. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the pulmonary nocardiosis in patients with suspected tuberculosis using systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: We conducted a systematic search for cross-sectional studies focused on the pulmonary nocardiosis among patients with pulmonary tuberculosis based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) published from January 2001 to October 2019. The search was conducted in MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Science Direct databases, and Iranian databases. Medical subject headings (MeSH) and text words were searched: "pulmonary nocardiosis", "nocardiosis", OR "nocardial infection", "pulmonary nocardial infections/agents", AND "pulmonary tuberculosis", OR "pulmonary TB", AND "Iran". Two of the reviewers enrolled independently articles published in English and Persian languages according to the inclusion and the exclusion criteria. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software (Version 3.3.070) was used for meta-analysis. Results: Only 4 studies met the eligibility criteria. The pulmonary nocardiosis prevalence varied from 1.7 to 6.7. The combined prevalence of nocardiosis among patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis in Iran was 4.8 (95 CI: 3-7.3, Q=5.8, Z=12.7). No heterogeneity was observed between studies because I2 was 48.3. N. cyriacigeorgica and N. asteroides were reported as the prevalent isolates, respectively. Conclusions: This review showed in patients suspected TB when they were negative in all diagnosis laboratory tests, nocardiosis cases which be considered. © 2020 Susan MM., et al

Molecular diversity of hpd gene in clinical isolates of Haemophilus influenzae

Infections due to Haemophilus influenzae result in tremendous global morbidity. The conjugated vaccines against H. influenzae type b (Hib) have dramatically reduced the incidence of invasive Hib disease in the routine immunization of infants. The several proteins used as vaccine candidates for this pathogen, but they don't produce efficient immune in animal models against all strains of H. influenzae. This study aimed to determine the diversity of hpd gene nucleotide sequences of Iranian native clinical isolates of H. influenzae as a native vaccine candidate compared to standard strains. Twenty isolates of H. influenzae recovered from different clinical specimens of patients admitted to Milad and Imam Khomeini hospitals, Tehran, Iran. Then, isolates detected and identified as H. influenzae using biochemical tests, and further confirmation through omp6 gene PCR. The hpd gene was amplified by PCR using gene-specific primers, and the amplicons digested with EcoR1. For four isolates, the Amplicon of hpd gene sequenced, and the sequences aligned with sequences harbored in GenBank. Subsequently, sequences were submitted to the EMBL site (http://www.ebi.ac.uk/embl/). EcoR1 restriction enzyme pattern was the same among the 19 clinical isolates, and only one isolate was different. That different one with 3 out of 19 isolates were sequenced. The results showed that the nucleotide sequences and the deduced amino acid sequences for protein D in clinical isolates were highly conserved with similarities >95. In conclusion, regarding high similarity up to 99 in clinical isolates, protein D can be a novel vaccine candidate against all types of H. influenza from Iran. This finding should be proved with more isolates, and also, evaluate the immunological features of protein D in animal models. © 201

Effects of host plants on the susceptibility of Cowpea Aphid, Aphis craccivora (Hemiptera: Aphididae) to the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota, Hypocreales)

In this study, susceptibility of the cowpea aphids, Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae) to entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana strain DEBI008 (Ascomycota, Hypocreales) originated from Chorthippus brunneus Tunberg (Orthoptera: Acrididae), fed on the three different bean varieties (pinto bean, kidney bean and cowpea), was investigated under laboratory conditions (at 25 ± 1 °C, 85% RH and a photoperiod of 16L: 8D). One-day-old adult aphids were treated by sublethal concentrations (LC10) of the fungus including 7.4 × 104, 4.3 × 104, and 8 × 104 calculated on pinto bean, kidney bean, and cowpea, respectively. The biological properties of their progeny were analysed using a two-sex fertility life table and TWOSEX-MSChart software. The results showed that the rm, T and ë values of their progeny were significantly different between pinto bean (0.17 ± 0.02, 10.72 ± 0.56 and 1.19 ± 0.02, respectively) and cowpea (0.26 ± 0.01, 9.26 ± 0.25 and 1.30 ± 0.02, respectively). There were no significant differences in the R0 values among the different plant varieties. We found that the fungal treatment significantly decreases fecundity, longevity and life span of the progeny fed on each plant variety. The results indicated that the most favourable effects of B. Bassiana was achieved when the aphids fed on pinto bean, implying the suitability of this variety for integrated management of A. craccivora. But the aphids that were fed on cowpea, suffered less fitness costs from fungul infection ,which reflected the function of host plant in defence of A. craccivora against the pathogen

A Synoptic- and Remote Sensing-based Analysis of a Severe Dust Storm Event over Central Asia

Published by [Verlag nicht ermittelbar], Taina

Bisbibenzyls, a New Type of Antifungal Agent, Inhibit Morphogenesis Switch and Biofilm Formation through Upregulation of DPP3 in Candida albicans

The yeast-to-hypha transition plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of C. albicans. Farnesol, a quorum sensing molecule (QSM) secreted by the fungal itself, could prevent the formation of hyphae and subsequently lead to the defect of biofilm formation. The DPP3, encoding phosphatase, is a key gene in regulating farnesol synthesis. In this study, we screened 24 bisbibenzyls and 2 bibenzyls that were isolated from bryophytes or chemically synthesized by using CLSI method for antifungal effect. Seven bisbibenzyls were found to have antifungal effects with IC80 less than 32 µg/ml, and among them, plagiochin F, isoriccardin C and BS-34 were found to inhibit the hyphae and biofilm formation of C. albicans in a dose-dependent manner. To uncover the underlying relationship between morphogenesis switch and QSM formation, we measured the farnesol production by HPLC-MS and quantified Dpp3 expression by detecting the fluorescent intensity of green fluorescent protein tagged strain using Confocal Laser Scanning microscopy and Multifunction Microplate Reader. The DPP3 transcripts were determined by real-time PCR. The data indicated that the bisbibenzyls exerted antifungal effects through stimulating the synthesis of farnesol via upregulation of Dpp3, suggesting a potential antifungal application of bisbibenzyls. In addition, our assay provides a novel, visual and convenient method to measure active compounds against morphogenesis switch

Epidemiological study on some environmental and management parameters affecting on WSD occurrence in Fenneropenaeus indicus and Penaeus vannamei

For the first time white spot disease (WSD) was reported in shrimp farms of khoozestan province, in southwest of IRAN in 2002. Then in 2005 the neighbor province, boushehr, was contaminated. In 2008 WSD outbreak reported in sistan-bloochestan province in southeast of Iran. In 2015 all of southern shrimp farms of country except Hormozgan, the middle southern province, which has remained free of WSD, are being contaminated. White Spot disease suspended shrimp culture in thousands hectares of shrimp farms. Considering that white spot disease has not been observed in Hormozgan province yet, the question is; to what extent environmental and management factors participated in preventing WSD outbreak or cause WSD outbreak. In this study (20102012), the effects of environmental factors and management, stressors that decrease immune system function of shrimp are discussed. In addition, the role of pathogen as the main factor of outbreak is discussed. The goal of this study is to define environmental parameters and management practices associates with outbreak of white spot disease in affected provinces and discover reasons of being Hormozgan province free of this disease. In this study the role of the local environmental factors and management practice stressors in susceptibility to WSD was determine. Both the effects of environmental factors in water of ponds including total ammonia, nitrogen, dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity, transparency, and temperature and management issues related to biosecurity are studied. There were overlaps on physical and chemical parameter values obtained in clear areas with contaminated areas .Results of the data analysis suggest that lack of association with WSD incidence was 7 times greater than WSD incidence despite of disease outbreak in sistan-bloochestan province, so other sources of white spot disease virus incidence was suspected in affected areas. Histopathological examinations and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests during project performance did not reveal white spot disease virus evidences in post larvae examined from khoozestan province stocked in farms but disease outbreak was happened in that farms , so we suspected to management practice include feed , pond preparation and carrier of disease. Recorded values of temperature and salinity in some months during inspection in Hormozgan province specified stressful condition that may lead to WSD outbreak, however the disease did not appear. Therefore the hypothesis that the water physical and chemical conditions are reasons to prevent disease outbreak in Hormozgan province is being rejected. The policy of Hormozgan’s fishery authorities, to replaced Fenneropenaeus indicus with specific pathogen free Litopenaeus vannamei, that is more resistant to some of diseases, before incidence of WSD in farms and to before being endemic in the Hormozgan province, made an advantage compare to affected southern provinces that introduced Litopenaeus vannamei after WSD prevalence to their farms. However it does not guarantee to maintain current trend of being Hormozgan province farms free of white spot disease. Therefore establishing the principals of biosecurity are strongly emphasized. Strategies taken by the proficient authorities in preparation of SPF shrimp broodstock can be the most important factor in preventing WSD. Regarding biosecurity principals purchased feed must be free of shrimp head powder. Construction the new shrimp farms should be as far as it could be away from contaminated areas

Relationship between phylogenetic group and distribution of virulence genes of Escherichia coli isolated from patients with urinary tract infection

Background and Objective: Uropathogenic strains of Escherichia coli (UPEC) are the most common cause of urinary tract infections. UPEC strains possess an arsenal of virulence factors including fimH, iucD, iroN and hlyA which increase their ability to cause urinary tract infections. This study was done to determine the relationship between phylogenetic group and distribution of virulence genes of Escherichia coli isolated from patients with urinary tract infection. Methods: This descriptive - analytic study was performed on 100 isolates Escherichia coli which collected from patients with UTIs. DNA was extracted from all isolates by the boiling method and subsequently DNA was used to determine the presence of genes encoding virulence factors by Multiplex-PCR. In addition, determination of phylogenetic group, A, B1, B2 and D, was performed by determination of present or absent of of yjaA and chuA genes and DNA fragment TSPE4.C2 using Triple-PCR. Results: The frequency of virulence factors, fimH, iucD, iroN and hlyA were 95%, 69%, 29% and 32%, respectively. In all isolates, the frequency of phylogeny of groups A, B1, B2 and D were 17%, 6%, 55% and 22%, respectively. A significant correlation was found between the presence of virulence encoding genes and the B2 phylogenetic group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Virulence genes were common in phylogenetic group B2 isolates among all phylogenetic groups

Studying VSX1 Gene Mutations in Patients with Keratoconus of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Iran

Abstract: Background & Aims: Keratoconus (KC) is an eye disorder in which the cornea is swollen, thinned and deformed. Despite extensive studies, the pathophysiological processes and genetic etiology of KC is unknown. The disease incidence is approximately 1 in 2000 and is the most common cause of corneal transplantation in the US. Many genes are involved in the disease, but evidence suggests a major role for VSX1 in the etiology of KC. This study aimed to determine the frequency of mutations in exons 2, 4 of the VSX1 gene in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, Iran. Methods: In this experimental study, mutations in two exons including exons 2 and 4 of VSX1 were investigated in 50 patients with KC. DNA was extracted using a standard phenol-chloroform method. PCR-SSCP/HA was performed, followed by DNA sequencing to confirm the identified motility shift. Results: H244R mutation was identified in exon 4 of only one patient. Conclusion: Our investigation showed that the KC-related VSX1 mutations are found in very small samples in the study subjects from Iran. Further investigations on other genes are needed to clarify their roles in KC pathogenesis. Keywords: Keratoconus, Gene VSX1, Mutatio