Abstract

         Background and Objectives: Concentration low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is one of the strongest indicators of atherosclerosis and predicts the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. LDL measurement accuracy is very important. LDL can be measured directly, such as enzymatic and nephelometry methods or can be calculated using Friedewald's formula. Despite the development of enzymatic methods and LDL nephelometry still in most laboratories is calculated using Friedewald's formula. The aim of this study was an investigation of correlation coefficient between two methods of measuring LDL- cholesterol levels.

         Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study, performed on the 1141 patients. Cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL all patients assayed by enzymatic method. For patients with triglyceride levels of less than 400 mg/dl had LDL levels were calculated by Friedewald's formula. Normal levels of LDL/HDL ratio of less than 3.5 were considered.

          Results: Of the 1141 patients participating in this study, 38.3 % men and 61.7 % women. The mean patient age was 46.3 ± 16.1 years. Mean serum cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL were 177.9 ± 41.1, 132.9 ± 73.2 and 45.8 ± 13.2 mg/dl, respectively. Average direct and calculated LDL concentration was 82.1 ± 23.1 and 105.5 ± 35.8, respectively. The direct measurement of LDL, LDL/HDL levels in 97.1% of cases was normal, while 85.1 % of the calculation of LDL were normal. Pearson correlation coefficients were obtained by two methods: 0.869 (p <0.001).

         Conclusion: Despite the favorable correlation between two methods of measurements of LDL, the results of a calculation method is more than direct method. This can have a negative impact on the judgment of the treating physician.

           Key words: LDL, Enzymatic Method, Friedewald's Formula.

Abstract

      Background and Objective: Probiotics are living microorganisms that have beneficial effects on the health of digestive system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial ability of acidic and neutral supernatants (culture supernatant) of lactic acid bacteria against common bacterial pathogens.

       Methods: Four species of lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum PTCC1745, Lactobacillus PTCC1608, Lactobacillus Saki PTCC1712 and Lactobacillus Lactis PTCC1336) were obtained from the microbial collection of Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology in Lyophilized form. The antimicrobial activity of neutral and acidic supernatants against bacterial pathogens was investigated using the Disk and Well Diffusion Agar methods.

      Results: Lactic acid bacteria showed good antimicrobial ability against six pathogenic bacteria with the highest inhibitory effect observed in Lactococcus lactis against E. coli PTCC1399 through well method with an average diameter of 14 mm inhibition zone. In this study, the well diffusion method was far more sensitive compared to the disk method and acidic supernatants showed higher antimicrobial efficiency compared to neutral types.

      Conclusion:  the Metabolites produced by lactic acid bacteria are able to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria that can be an important and practical solution for the prevention and treatment of infections and ultimately improve human health.

Abstract

      Background and Objective: BabA2 and Hpa genes are involved in adherence of Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) to gastric mucosal tissue. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of these genes in isolates of H. pylori from gastric biopsies and their relationship with gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric cancer.

      Methods: Gastric biopsy samples were obtained from patients with gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. A sample was sent to the laboratory for urease test and histopathology study, and another sample for DNA extraction. The frequency of BabA2 and Hpa genes was investigated using their specific primers by PCR.

      Results: Among the 80 analyzed biopsy samples, 51 (63%) were BabA2 positive, and the frequency of this gene in the samples of gastric cancer, gastritis and peptic ulcer was 61.1, 58.3 and 73.3%, respectively. In addition, 57 samples (71%) were Hpa positive, and the frequency of this gene in the samples of gastric cancer, gastritis and peptic ulcer was 55.5, 69.4 and 84.6%, respectively. There was no significant correlation between the presence of these genes and the type of H.pylori-related diseases.

       Conclusion: Frequency of BabA2 and Hpa genes is higher in the samples of peptic ulcer but there was no significant relationship between these genes and H.pylori-related diseases.

      Keywords: BabA2, Hpa, Gastric Cancer, Gastritis, Peptic Ulcer.

Abstract

        Background and Objective: Hirudin is an anticoagulant polypeptide secreted from the salivary glands of leeches. Recombinant hirudin is a strong anticoagulant agent in arterial and venous thrombosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of inserting protein A signal peptide sequence of pEZZ18 plasmid on expression and secretion of the recombinant hirudin in E.coli.

       Methods: the synthetic hirudin gene was amplified by PCR using specific primers. First, the gene was purified and cloned into PTG19-T cloning vector, and then it was subcloned into pEZZ18 expression vector by SalI / SacI enzymatic digestion and finally transformed into E.coli JM107. After the expression of recombinant hirudin protein, different cellular fractions were isolated and analyzed on SDS-PAGE and further confirmed by Western blotting.

         Results: PCR product (522 bp) was first subcloned into the T-Vector (replicating vector) and then successfully subcloned into the pEZZ18 (expression vector). Cloning and subclonig were confirmed by enzymatic digestion and Colony PCR. After the expression and isolation of fractions, the presence of hirudin (about 29 kDa) in different cell fractions due to the effects of signal peptide was observed in SDS-PAGE and finally confirmed by Western blotting.

       Conclusion: The gene of anticoagulant hirudin protein (desirudin) was cloned into the pEZZ18 vector containing Protein A signal peptide sequence and later transformed into E.coli JM107. The recombinant hirudin protein expression in the extracellular space was approved.

        Keywords: Hirudin; Desirudin; Protein Sorting Signals.

Abstract

       Background and Objective: Aluminum salts are among the most common useful additive compounds in preparation of human and animal vaccines. Aluminum phosphate and aluminum hydroxide are two additives that show good immunoadjuvant effects with many antigens. Aluminum-containing vaccines lead to a better and longer immune response compared to adjuvant-lacking vaccines. The Chromogenic methods used for determination of aluminum amounts in manufacturing centers are  time-consuming and requires some experienced technicians to obtain accurate results. This study aimed to design and validate a simple polarographic method to measure aluminum in recombinant hepatitis B vaccine.

       Methods: In this study, the effects of temperature, pH, potential range and potential scan rate on the polarographic method of measuring aluminum in hepatitis B vaccine was evaluated and  the optimal values for each of these factors were achieved.

       Results: In order to measure aluminum, temperature of 60 °C and pH of 4.5 were found as the optimal values. Implementation of polarographic method in the potential range of -0.25 to 0.1 volts had a better signal.

       Conclusion: Since the polarography method is more simple, accurate and faster than the chromogenic methods, it is suitable to be used for the measurement of aluminum in hepatitis B vaccine and it is recommended to be used in quality control laboratories for biological products.

         Keywords: Adjuvant, Hepatitis B Vaccine, Polarography, Aluminum.

Abstract

       Background and Objective: Various cellular factors affect the process of HIV activity. One of these cellular factors are structures known as microRN that are expected to be involved in controlling HIV replication and infectivity. The expression of one or a set of them may represent the patient's clinical conditions. In this study,  the expression of miR-29a and miR-29b involved in regulating viral genes’ expression was evaluated in three HIV-positive groups and a healthy control group. Later,  the expression level of these microRNAs  was compared between the cases and controls.

      Methods: Total RNA extraction was performed on the collected samples using RNx-plus kit and then the microRNA expression levels were evaluated using Relative Real-time PCR. The obtained data was entered into SPSS 22 and Graphpad softwares and analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Man-Whitney tests. P-value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistical significance level.

     Results: The expression level of miR-29a  was reduced in patients under treatment and drug-resistant patients ( P ≤ 0.05)  . All three HIV-positive groups including people without drug treatment, patients under treatment and drug-resistant patients showed reduced miR-29b expression level compared to  control group (P ≤ 0.05).

     Conclusion: the decreased expression of miR-29a and miR-29b in patients under treatment and drug-resistant patients indicates an  increased viral replication and reduced CD4 cell count. It may be possible to predict the progression of the disease by miRNA measurement or control viral replication using these mir-RNAs that requires further studies.

        Keywords: HIV, expression, mir-29a, mir-29b.

Abstract

        Background and Objective: Normal hemoglobin (Hb) is formed of a heme group and a protein group known as globin. Globin is made of four polypeptide chains and in hemoglobinopathies, the structure of one of these four polypeptide chain becomes abnormal. Cellulose acetate method is a common way to differentiate haemoglobinopathies. Inability to identify the components of Hb low concentrations and incapability to isolate all Hb types are among the disadvantages of this method. The aim of this study was to report the prevalence of hemoglobinopathies in the North of Iran by capillary electrophoresis method.

      Methods: All patients with suspected hemoglobinopathies, referred by physicians for electrophoresis, have been studied in a private center in the city of Gorgan, Iran. The level of HbA2, HbA, HbF and other Hb was recorded.

       Results: Overall, 725 blood samples were analyzed using the capillary method. HbE was reported in 2 patients, HbH was observed in 2 patients and Hb Barts was reported in 3 patients. Using the capillary method, among patients with the SDG area, only 4 of 38 (10.52%) had HbS and the majority of them (89.48%) had HbD.

      Conclusion: HbD is the most common hemoglobinopathy in the North of Iran.

        Keywords: Hemoglobinopathy; hemoglobin D; Capillary Electrophoresis; Iran

Abstract

       Background and Objective: the Formation of urinary infection by uropathogenic E.coli needs   numerous virulence factors and biofilm formation is among these factors. Bacteria that form biofilms express phenotype traits that appear according to the bacteria type. Cellulose is an important compound on the outside of E.coli causing bacterial cell-cell reactions and connection to nonliving surfaces. Curli pili cause the reaction between cell-cell and surface-cell in biofilms and lead to bacteria aggregation. Microorganisms’ ability to form biofilm on a surface depends on the surface nature and its conditions. This study aimed at determining the production ability of cellulose polysaccharide and curli pili in UPEC strains, and its correlation with formation and intensity of biofilm.

       Methods: In this study carried out to compare the ability of cellulose and pili curli production ability in  40 uropathogenic E.coli isolates ,by morphotype  method in Congo Red medium (CR), each isolate was incubated at 37 ^oC, for 24 hours. After 24 hours, all colonies’ morphology characteristics were studied

     Results: It was shown that 67.5% of strains produced cellulose and 72.5% produced curli pili. In addition, 92.6% and 89% of isolates that produce cellulose and curli, respectively, had a moderate to strong biofilm. Moreover, it was shown that there is a significant correlation between cellulose and / or curli pili production with biofilm intensity.

       Conclusion: About 70% of E.coli isolates from patients' urine are able to produce cellulose or curli pili; therefore, it can be concluded that the production of these two combinations is effective in amount and intensity of biofilm formation.

       Keywords: Escherichia coli; Cellulose Polysaccharide; Curli Pili; Biofilm.

Abstract

        Background and Objective: Paratuberculosis has been repeatedly reported from Iranian ruminant herds. The extrem fastidious nature of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculsos hinders genomic diversity studies of the pathogen. Short Sequence Repeat analysis is one of the genome-based approches recently developed to overcome this difficulty. In this study we describe the application of SSR genotyping on three Iranian MAP type strains plus the III & V vaccinal strain.

        Methods: All the bacteria were examined by PCR-F57 and PCR-IS900 experiments in order to authenticate their identity as MAP. SSR genotyping using SSR1 & SSR2 loci was conducted according to the Amonsin method. PCR amplicons were sequenced to guarantee the accuracy of findings.

        Results: At SSR1 locus two allels were identified, a larger allel of 770 bp and a smaller allel of 763 bp long. At SSR2 only a single allele, 800 bp long, was detected. Two Iranian bovine and ovine MAP isolates along with the vaccinal III & V strain shared a single SSR1/SSR2 pattern while a different SSR1/SSR2 was represented by the third (caprine) Iranian MAP isolate.

        Conclusion: While finding a shared SSR type between the two Iranian MAP isolates and the III & V strain might represent a mutual ancestral background but this has to be assessed through further studies. Detection of two SSR genotypes between three Iranian type strains is likely a reflection of more MAP clones in Iran.

       Keywords: Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), SSR genotyping, Genetic marker, Genetic locus

Abstract

       Background and Objectives: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common chronic liver disorder and is also currently considered as the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. Regular exercise training may decrease fatty liver disease complications, although its impact is not yet clear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of six weeks of aerobic training on liver enzymes and other factors contributing to metabolic syndrome in young inactive women.

       Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 37 inactive overweight women were randomly divided into an experimental and a control group. The experimental one participated in a controlled aerobic training program (5-minute interval walking) at 65-90% maximum heart rate for 6 weeks, 45-90 minutes per session and 4 sessions per week. Blood samples were taken following 12 hours of fasting, both before and after the training program.

       Results: The levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase decreased in both groups. Alanine aminotransferase level, weight and waist circumference were significantly decreased in the experimental group following the 6-week exercise training (P<0.05). High-density lipoprotein concentration was significantly increased in both groups. Gamma-glutamyl transferase level was decreased in the experimental group, but increased in the control group. The results showed no significant difference in the basic profile of participants, liver enzymes concentration and lipid profile between the experimental and control group.

        Conclusion: Six weeks of aerobic training may help prevent hepatic damage through decreasing serum levels of liver enzymes, anthropometric factors and some metabolic syndrome factors associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

        Keywords: Fatty liver, Aerobic training, Metabolic syndrome, Liver enzyme.

Abstract

     Background and Objective: Diabetes mellitus is the most common risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) TaqIB polymorphism is associated with changes in lipid profile and may be a risk factor for CAD in patients with diabetes. This study aimed to evaluate the association of CETP TaqIB polymorphism with CAD in patients with type 2 diabetes.

     Methods: In this case-control study, 292 diabetic patients were divided into two groups based on angiography reports (150 participants with normal angiogram as the control group and 142 participants with more than 50% stenosis of at least one coronary artery as the case group). The CETP TaqIB genotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP analysis. Fasting blood glucose was measured using glucose oxidase and lipid profile (triglycerides, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol) by an enzymatic method.

       Results: There was no significant difference in the frequency of genotypes and alleles between the case group and controls (the control group: B1B1, 17.3%; B1B2, 63.3%; and B2B2, 19.3%; the case group: B1B1, 18.3%; B1B2, 64.1%; and B2B2, 17.6%) (P=0.92). In the control group, heterozygous participants (genotype B1B2) had higher levels of cholesterol compared with other genotypes (B1B1 and B2B2). Also, the patients with genotype B1B2 had significantly higher weight (P=0.013).

       Conclusion: There is no significant correlation between CETP TaqIB polymorphism and the increased risk of coronary artery disease in patients with type 2 diabetes.

      Keywords: Cholesterol Ester Transfer Protein, Polymorphism, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Coronary Artery Disease

Abstract

      Background and Objective: Agr is the most important regulatory system for the expression of Staphylococcus aureus virulence factors in different conditions. Agr acts as a quorum sensing system in this bacterium which is activated by increased cell concentration during the transition from logarithmic growth phase to stationary phase. Its role is to upregulate the secretory virulence factors such as alpha-hemolysin and inhibit the transcription of surface proteins including protein A-encoding gene. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the agr system expression and some virulence factors of Staphylococcus aureus in Brain-heart infusion (BHI) culture medium.

     Methods: The expression level of agrA and RNAIII genes from the agr locus along with the expression of hla, spa and mecA genes in BHI broth were assessed in different growth phases using Real time-PCR. Also, gyrB was used as an internal control in this study.

     Results: The growth curve of the five tested isolates in BHI broth at 24 hours showed that all the isolates had relatively similar growth patterns. AgrA gene expression in the stationary phase was decreased by 0.89-fold compared with the logarithmic phase. Although the expression of RNAIII gene increased by 3-fold, hla expression decreased by 0.47-fold.

     Conclusion: An inactive agr system is observed in the BHI broth medium. BHI broth medium contains high amounts of suitable nutrients for the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, thus the bacteria do not require the activity of the agr system for the regulation of the virulence genes in these conditions.

Abstract

      Background and Objective: Enterococci are relatively nonvirulent bacteria that rarely cause disease. Antimicrobial treatment of Enterococci is often challenging due to their antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial activity of aqueous extract of garlic against Enterococcal isolates.

    Methods: In this descriptive study, 120 Enterococcus isolates including 70 multidrug-resistant isolates were collected from hospitals of Babol, Iran. Isolates’ susceptibility to different antibiotics and the antibacterial activity of garlic extract were assessed using methods of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) measurement. The experiments were performed according to the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines, using Tryptic soy broth medium and disc diffusion method.

      Results: Among the 120 Enterococcal isolates, 95 (79.2%) and 25 isolates (20.8%) were E. faecalis and E. faecium, respectively. Of the all Enterococcal isolates, the highest resistance was to erythromycin (95.8%), tetracycline (88.3%) and ampicillin (65.8%). While, the minimal level of resistance was to chloramphenicol (6.8%), vancomycin (20%) and ciprofloxacin (25%). Also, 53.3% of Enterococcal isolates showed simultaneous resistance to at least three antibiotics (tetracycline, erythromycin and ampicillin). Such resistance in E. faecium isolates was higher compared to E.faecalis (68% vs. 55.7%). The range of antibacterial activity of garlic extract against isolated Enterococci was determined by growth inhibition zone of 16.8 ± 1.8 mm and MIC of between 4 to 32 mg/ml.

      Conclusion: This study indicates the clear anti-enterococcal effect of aqueous extract of garlic and confirms the use of garlic in treatments by medicinal plants.

ABSTRACT

      Background and Objective: Ochratoxin is a fungal toxin produced by Penicillium verrucosum and some Aspergillus species. Ochratoxin is usually found in grains, cereal products and also animal feed of livestock. The aim of this study was to measure the level of Ochratoxin in pasteurized milk samples of Golestan Province, Iran.

      Methods: Overall, 38 milk samples were collected from East and West of the Golestan province in accordance with standards 326 and 419 of the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran. The level of Ochratoxin was measured by ELISA method.

      Results: The mean level of Ochratoxin A in 20 raw milk samples collected from the West of the Province was 3.32 ± 3.76 ng/ml. The mean level of Ochratoxin A in 18 raw milk samples collected from the East was 6.02 ± 4.42 ng/ml. Ochratoxin A levels in most samples were higher than the limits established by the European standards.

      Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, Ochratoxin level of 84.2% and 52.6% of the samples from the West and East of the province are higher than the allowed limits (2 ng/ml), respectively.

Abstract

       Background and objective: Peroxidases catalyze protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation. The activity of these enzymes in nerve cells is involved in causing disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. This study investigated the effect of Citrus aurantium, Foeniculum vulgare and Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils on activity of peroxidase enzyme.

      Methods: All three medicinal plants were dried at room temperature. Their essential oil was extracted by steam distillation using a Clevenger apparatus. Optimal reaction conditions were determined in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and guaiacol as substrate and hydrogen donor, respectively. Enzyme kinetics of zucchini peroxidase were evaluated by increasing the amount of essential oils in optimal reaction conditions. Enzyme reaction rate for each of the essential oils and the K_m and V_max values were determined.

      Results: The results indicated concentration-dependent effect of the extracted essential oils on enzyme kinetics at optimum temperature of 50 °C and optimal pH of 6.5. The essential oil of Citrus aurantium had non-competitive inhibitory effects on the enzyme with K_m of 6.25 mM, while the enzyme’s V_max significantly reduced by increasing the concentration. Foeniculum vulgare showed mixed inhibition effect with K_m of 7.14 mmol per 20 μl of the essential oil, but had a decreasing effect on the V_max in smaller amounts. Finally, Rosmarinus officinalis showed activating effects by reducing the K_m to 4-5.88 mM.

        Conclusion: The essential oils of Citrus aurantium and Foeniculum vulgare are inhibitors of the peroxidase enzyme and can be further studied as natural herbal medicines.

Abstract

      Background and Objective: The spread of drug resistance in bacteria have prompted researchers to seek suitable alternative for antimicrobial drugs among various medicinal plants and nanoparticles. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of silver nanoparticles alone and in combination with methanol extract of Zataria multiflora on five Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

     Methods: Different concentrations of the nanoparticles and extract alone or in combination with each other were tested against the bacteria, using well diffusion method. Three concentration levels (lowest, average and highest) were prepared form the nanoparticles and the extract for the combination, and finally nine different combinations were prepared.

      Results: The extract and nanoparticles showed inhibitory effects against all the tested bacteria. The maximum diameter of growth inhibition zone in the presence of the extract and nanoparticles were observed in Streptococcus pyogenes (35.6mm) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (20.6mm), respectively. The maximum diameter of growth inhibition zone for the combination was measured in S. pyogenes (31mm).

      Conclusion: The combination of low concentrations of the plant extract and nanoparticles are more effective against bacteria, but the combination of their high concentrations reduce the antibacterial effects in some cases.

Abstract

      Background and objective: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a DNA virus with high tendency toward hepatic tissue. There are currently about 3 million HBV-infected people and 350 to 400 million chronic carriers of this virus in the world. X protein plays a role in the over-expression of oncogenes, carcinogenicity of liver cells and overlaps with the basal core promoter of the virus. Mutations at specific nucleotides of this region increase viral replication and liver disease progression. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of mutations at nucleotides 1762, 1764 and 1766 of HBV X gene in patients with chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis B-related cirrhosis.

      Methods: In this study, 102 patients including 68 chronic hepatitis patients and 34 patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis were enrolled. After DNA extraction, HBV X gene was amplified and sequenced using Semi Nested-PCR. Obtained gene sequences were compared with the standard sequence of HBV virus X gene available in the gene bank (Okamoto AB033559). Then, the mutations in the gene X of HBV were identified.

      Results: Comparison of the standard sequence with sequences obtained from patients showed the presence of A1762T / G1764A mutation in 12 chronic (17.64%) and 13 cirrhotic (38.23%) patients. Also, C1766G / G1764T mutations were found in 8.23% of chronic patients and 17.64% of cirrhotic patients.

      Conclusion: A1762T / G1764A mutations in the overlapping region of the basal core promoter with gene X C-terminal may lead to liver disease progression from chronic hepatitis to cirrhosis, by changing the amino acid sequence of the X protein.

Abstract

      Background and Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the chemical composition, antibacterial and antifungal effects of Thymus vulgaris and Cuminum Cyminum essential oils against foodborne pathogens and Candida species in vitro.

      Methods: The essential oils were extracted from the aerial parts of Thymus vulgaris and dried Cuminum Cyminum seeds using a Clevenger apparatus for 3 hours. Analysis of the essential oils’ constituents was performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry. The antibacterial activity of Cuminum Cyminum essential oil and essential oil of Thymus vulgaris against Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium were evaluated in agar culture medium. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of these essential oils against fungal strains of Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis and C. dubliniensis was measured.

      Results: Thymol (64.45%) and cuminaldehyde (29.02%) were the main components of the essential oil of Thymus vulgaris and Cuminum Cyminum, respectively. The largest inhibition zone diameter in the essential oils of Thymus vulgaris and Cuminum Cyminum in the agar disk diffusion method was related to B. cereus with 30 and 21 mm diameter, respectively. The largest growth inhibition zone diameter by the essential oil of Thymus vulgaris in the well diffusion method was 21 mm and against B. cereus. The MIC of essential oil of Thymus vulgaris in the microdilution method was 0.09% against all the four Candida strains. The MIC of Cuminum Cyminum essential oil against strains of C. albicans and C. tropicalis was 0.39%, while it was found as 0.19% against C. parapsilosis and C. dubliniensis.

      Conclusion: In this study, Cuminum Cyminum essential oil and essential oil of Thymus vulgaris show suitable inhibitory effects against the growth of bacteria using well and disk diffusion methods. Regarding the antifungal effects, the MIC of essential oil of Thymus vulgaris is lower than the Cuminum Cyminum essential oil, which indicates the higher antifungal activity of the essential oil of Thymus vulgaris. This study has raised the possibility of using these essential oils as suitable antimicrobial compounds and alternatives for chemical preservatives in the food industry.

Abstract

      Background and Objective: Due to the continuous increase of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii strains around the world, decision making for an effective treatment of infections caused by this organism depends on the results of antimicrobial susceptibility tests. In this study, the validity of disk diffusion and E-test methods was assessed by their comparison with the reference method of microbroth dilution for three antibiotics of tetracycline, doxycycline and minocycline.

     Methods: Total of 68 A. baumannii isolates were obtained from patients hospitalized in the burn center of Shahid Motahari Hospital in Tehran, Iran. Susceptibility of the Acinetobacter isolates was evaluated using the disk diffusion, E-test and microbroth dilution methods, according to the guidelines of Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute.

     Results: Among the isolates, 82.3% were tetracycline-resistant (with minimum inhibitory concentration 50 (MIC₅₀) and MIC₉₀ of 32 and more than 32 µg/ml, respectively and 41.2% were doxycycline-resistant (with MIC₅₀ and MIC₉₀ of 4 and more than 32 µg/ml, respectively). Minocycline, with resistance of up to 13.3% (MIC₅₀ and MIC₉₀ of 1 and 8 µg/ml, respectively) showed the highest antimicrobial activity against the A. baumannii isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria was different depending on the type of methods used. No very major error was observed in any of the methods of susceptibility testing. Overall, the level of major and minor errors in the E-test was lower than the disk diffusion method.

     Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that minocycline has notably high antimicrobial activity against A. baumannii compared to other antibiotics of the tetracycline group.

ABSTRACT

       Background and Objective: The association of Triglyceride/High Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio with fasting serum insulin, which is an alternative method of insulin resistance (IR) measurement, is well-recognized. Thus, the measurement of TG/HDL-C ratio is useful to determine both IR and dyslipidemia, which itself is a characteristic of individuals with IR. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between TG/HDL ratio as an indicator of IR, with different fasting blood glucose levels.

      Methods: This case-control study was performed on 343 volunteers with no history of diabetes or use of blood glucose-lowering medications and fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels of less than 126 mg/dl. After sampling, the subjects were divided into three groups based on their FBS level. First group included healthy subjects with FBS of less than 100 mg/dl. Second group consisted of subjects with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and FBS of 110-100 mg/dl and a third group including those with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and FBS of 110-125 mg/dl.

       Results: The amount of TG/HDL-C ratio was 3.8 ± 2.8, 4.0 ± 2.1 and 5.4 ± 3.8 for the healthy group, individuals with IFG and IGT, respectively. The TG/HDL index was significantly different among the tested groups with no significant difference between healthy subjects and subjects with IFG. Moreover, there was a statistically significant difference between the IGT and IFG groups with healthy individuals.

       Conclusion: Considering the significant increase of the TG/HDL ratio in groups with impaired glucose, using this index can be helpful in evaluation of glycemic disorder.