Prevalence of Clinically Isolated Metallo-beta-lactamase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Coding Genes, and Possible Risk Factors in Iran

Background & Objective: The spread of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a global concern. Metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) enzymes cause extensive drug resistance among Gram-negative bacteria. The current study aimed at determining the prevalence of MBL-producing P. aeruginosa in Iran. Data extraction: A total of 43 studies were found out of which 36 were adopted. Data were collected from Google, Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Sciverse. The terms “Pseudomonas aeruginosa”, “metallo-beta-lactamase”, “prevalence”, “carbapenems”, and “Iran” were searched. Data from the isolates not producing MBLs were excluded from the study. Data were analyzed with Graph Pad Prism 6, meta-analysis section. Results: According to the results of the current study, 36 surveys indicated that 55% of the clinically isolated P. aeruginosa in Iran were resistant to imipenem and meropenem, among which 37.72% were the MBL producers. Among genes encoding MBLs, blaVIM and blaIMP were predominant with the prevalence of 12.91%±11.01% and 12.50%±23.56%, respectively. No report of harboring blaNDM1 and blaSPM1 by P. aeruginosa was found, similar to most of the other countries in Asia. The prevalence of blaVIM and blaIMP from burn settings were 11.50%±3.5% and 24.65%±23%, respectively. Furthermore, the prevalence of these genes was not significantly different among burn and non-burn isolates (P=0.942 and P=0.597, respectively). Moreover, no relationship was observed between the MBL production and patients’ age range. Conclusion: Approximately half of P. aeruginosa isolates were carbapenem-resistant in Iran, and approximately half were the MBL producers. The blaVIM and blaIMP were the predominant MBLs among P. aeruginosa strains, while other genes were not found in P. aeruginosa. Moreover, there was no significant difference between blaVIM and blaIMP among burn and non-burn isolates. Due to the multiple drug resistance conferred by MBLs, detection and control of their spread alongside proper therapeutic regimens in hospitals and community settings are essential to prevent infection acquisition. © 2017, IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY

Effect of 12-week Aerobic Exercise on the Tumor Size and Expression of HIF-1α, BCL-2, Mir-15a, and VEGF Genes in BALB/C Female Mice with Breast Cancer

Angiogenesis and mortality are associated with breast cancer, one of the most common tumors in women. Tumor angiogenesis is affected by exercise. This study examined the effects of 12 weeks of exercise on HIF-1α, mir-15a, BCL-2, and VEGF gene expression in BALB/c female mice. Forty BALB/c (two week’s age) female mice with a mean weight of 17±0.21g were separated into control and treadmill aerobic training groups. Mice developed malignant after receiving 200μL of MC4-L2 cells subcutaneously. Running at 15-20m min-1 for 10 weeks was the aerobic activity. Afterward, mice were killed and tumor tissue RNA was extracted. HIF-1α, mir-15a, and VEGF gene expression in BALB/c female mice were measured using quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). After 12 weeks of exercise, miR-15a expression rose 2.6 fold, whereas HIF-1α, Bcl-2, and VEGF gene expression dropped 3.1, 2.6, and 2.4 fold, respectively (p<0.05). Exercise can activate pathways that slow breast cancer progression. More research is needed to confirm these findings and other molecular pathways

Sero-prevalence of helicobacter pylori infection in Neyshabur, Iran, during 2010-2015

Backgrounds & Objective: The Helicobacter pylori prevalence has continuously decreased during recent years in Iran. The current study aimed at determining H. pylori prevalence in Neyshabur city, Northeast Iran, during 2010-2015. Methods: The current epidemiologic survey was conducted in Neyshabur from 2010 to 2015 to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection. A total of 11596 participants (3681 male with the mean age of 31.7±6.2 years and 7915 female with mean age of 68.3±4.7 years) were included. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits for the detection of H. pylori and Stat Fax 3200® Microplate Reader (USA) with a sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 98% were used. Titers above 12 units were considered positive for IgG, IgA, and IgM (negative 12 U). The Chi-square t test and F test were used to analyze data. Results: The overall IgA, IgG, and IgM seropositive samples among the study participants were 852 (7.2%), 9000 (72.8%), and 1256 (5.2%), respectively. The IgA seropositivity was significantly high among the age group above 51 years, compared with the other age groups. Moreover, the IgG and IgM seropositivity were significantly high among the age groups 41 to 50 and 31 to 40 years respectively, compared with the other age groups. There was no significant difference between male and female cases regarding IgA and IgG seropositive samples, but IgM level was significantly higher among females, compared with that of the male cases. Furthermore, there was no significant alteration in IgA, IgG, and IgM seropositivity during 2010-2014 in Neyshabur. Conclusion: The prevalence of H. pylori in Neyshabur was high in the healthy population. Furthermore, the H. pylori prevalence did not change from 2010 to 2014 in the studied city. Effective approaches to improve health, educational, and socioeconomic status should be implemented to minimize and control H. pylori infection

Antimicrobial Features of Cerastoderma and Didacna Double Basins Peptides

Background: In recent years, high attention has been given to the biological activities of natural compounds and their potential antimicrobial properties. Objective: In this study, the antibacterial properties of the extracts from tissue and peptides of Cerastoderma and Didacna were studied. Materials and Methods: samples of Cerastoderma and Didacna were collected and washed. Then, the soft tissues were cut and powdered, and concentrations of 16, 8, 4, 2, 1 and 0.5 of chloroform, ethanol and methanol, and in addition extract of enzymatic hydrolysis were prepared, and their antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella paratyphi were investigated. The disc diffusion method was used for the evaluation of strains susceptibility. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were investigated for bacterial growth inhibition. Results: Methanolic and ethanolic extracts from Cerastoderma demonstrated higher growth inhibitory effects compared to those from Didacna on E. coli and S. paratyphi and exhibited similar activities against S. aureus at concentrations 16 and 8 ug/mL. In addition, chloroform extracts of Cerastoderma and Didacna displayed similar inhibitory effects on S. paratyphi and S. aureus at concentrations 16 and 8 ug/mL which was a suitable effect, and the extract from Cerastoderma was more effective. MIC and MBC of methanolic extracts were at the lowest level, especially against S. aureus. Conclusion: It was revealed that Cerastoderma and Didacna extracts were effective as antibacterial compounds on S. aureus, E. coli and S. paratyphi species as natural agents

Long non-coding RNAs and JAK/STAT signaling pathway regulation in colorectal cancer development

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the main fatal cancers. Cell signaling such as Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling substantially influences the process of gene expression and cell growth. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play regulatory roles in cell signaling, cell proliferation, and cancer fate. Hence, lncRNAs can be considered biomarkers in cancers. The inhibitory or activating effects of different lncRNAs on the JAK/STAT pathway regulate cancer cell proliferation or tumor suppression. Additionally, lncRNAs regulate immune responses which play a role in immunotherapy. Mechanisms of lncRNAs in CRC via JAK/STAT regulation mainly include cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, apoptosis, adhesion, and control of inflammation. More profound findings are warranted to specifically target the lncRNAs in terms of activation or suppression in hindering CRC cell proliferation. Here, to understand the lncRNA cross-talk in CRC through the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, we collected the related in vitro and in vivo data. Future insights may pave the way for the development of novel diagnostic tools, therapeutic interventions, and personalized treatment strategies for CRC patients

The Anthrax Disease in Iran From 2000 to 2016: The Predominance of Cutaneous and Gastrointestinal Form

Context: Anthrax is a zoonotic and occupational disease caused by bacterium Bacillus anthracis. The agent produces spores which persist in the environment for years. This review assessed previous reports on anthrax disease in Iran from 2000 to 2016. Evidence acquisition: The reports of anthrax from 2000 to 2016 were reviewed. The keywords "Bacillus anthracis", "Anthrax", "clinical signs", "Iran" and "zoonosis" were investigated in the searching databases such as "Google Scholar", "Google", "PubMed" and other sites. The reports of soil isolation and spores from environments were excluded. However, the clinical outcome of the cases, history of animal exposure, wool contaminations and meat in slaughterhouses were included. Results of Persian reports were also included in this review. Data were analyzed using Excel and GraphPad Prism version 6.1. The standardized mean difference (SMD) was used for data analysis.. Overall, 768 cases of anthrax were found in human, sheep, goats and cattle. Six hundred of the human cases aged between 2.5 and 71 years old were included. Four-hundred ten (68.33%) patients were male (mean age=28.1 ± 1.5) and 190 (31.66%) patients were female (mean age = 17±1.5). Clinical manifestations in patients were mostly in 2 cutaneous (56.6%) and gastrointestinal (42.83%) forms. Sporadic anthrax outbreaks occurred in the country in 2007, 2008 and 2011. No molecular typing has been performed for B. anthracis strains countrywide. The virulence factors encoded by the genes located on plasmids pXO1 and pXO2 were detected in various areas with high prevalence. Conclusion: Cutaneous and gastrointestinal anthrax are 2 main manifestations of the disease in Iran. Male patients were significantly more infected. Although rare, anthrax continues to be a dreadful consequence of herds or soil exposure and consumption of undercooked meat of infected animals. Education plans and proper animal vaccination plans with the consideration of virulence factors are helpful for the prevention of the disease

The Antibacterial Effects of Cocktail and Single Forms of Lytic Phages Belonging to Podoviridae and Myoviridae Families from Sewage against Shigella sonnei and Shigella flexneri

Background. Diarrhea caused by bacterial pathogens such as Shigella spp. is one of the prominent public health concerns. The evolution of vast antibiotic resistance by these pathogens, leading to failure in the infections eradication, has made an impetus to seek and develop novel approaches. Recently, some alternative therapies such as phage therapy have been investigated. Bacteriophages are viruses that target specific bacterial species. The objective of this study was to assess the therapeutic effect of phages obtained from hospital sewage against Shigella sonnei (S. sonnei) ATCC® 9290 and S. flexneri ATCC 12022 standard and clinical strains. Methods. Four various lytic bacteriophages were isolated from animal fecal and sewage samples and propagated using S. sonnei and S. flexneri as host organisms. The phages’ morphology was determined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The lytic potential and host specificity of isolated phages were evaluated using double layer plaque assay and spot test. Moreover, bacterial turbidity values were evaluated in coculture with phages in the Luria Bertani (LB) medium for 24 hours at time intervals of 30 min. Results. Phage cocktails (Shs1, Shs2, Shf1, and Shf2) exhibited higher antimicrobial activity than single phage application against S. sonnei and S. flexneri standard strains. The phages belonged to Podoviridae and Myoviridae families according to TEM-assisted morphological features analysis. In addition, the phages exhibited host specificity using the spot test against 18 Shigella clinical isolates. Conclusion. In this study, phage cocktail of Podoviridae and Myoviridae families from sewage conferred substantial antibacterial effects against S. sonnei and S. flexneri. However, single phage effects were unstable in the LB coculture. Moreover, the phages had host specificity using the spot test performed against Shigella spp. clinical isolates

Role of Enterotoxin-Producing Staphylococci in Zoonotic Infections in Iran

Context: Staphylococci spp, are enterotoxin-producing zoonotic agents causing a variety of infections such as mastitis in animals and wound bite infections in humans. This review was conducted to determine the prevalence of Staphylococci infections especially to uncover enterotoxin-producing species in Iran. Evidence acquisition: for this review, words of "Staphylococcus", "zoonotic", "prevalence", "animals", "human" and "Iran" were searched in the internet engines such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Google, Science Direct and so on. Patients with no history of contact with animals were also included in the study for comparison aims. Both veterinary and human coagulase positive isolates were included. Data was analyzed with Graph Pad Prism 6, meta-analysis section. A total of 20 previous studies (450 clinical samples) were found. S. intermedius was the predominant isolate identified in veterinary sources. Other coagulase positive spp such as S. hycus and S. simulans were isolated with lower prevalence, but S. delphini has not been detected. Conclusion: S. intermedius was the most isolate identified in veterinary sources with potential of causing infections in humans. Other coagulase positive spp such as S. hycus and S. simulans were isolated with lower prevalence, but S. delphini was not detected