Higher virulence gene diversity was found among pyelonephritis UPEC isolates in comparison to cystitis UPEC isolates, showing that UPEC strains that cause pyelonephritis need more virulence factors.

Background:Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), as the most important cause of UTI, are associated with a number of virulence factors.Objectives:The current study aimed to investigate the virulence associated determinants as well as their patterns of antibiotic resistance in UPEC isolated from hospitalized patients with UTI.Materials and Methods:A total of 150 E. coli isolates were collected from patients with UTI from December 2012 to June 2013 in Kashan, Iran. Antimicrobial susceptibility screening of 12 antibiotics was determined using disk diffusion method. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay was used to detect virulence-related genes in UPEC strains. The purified PCR products were sequenced.Results:Of the total 150 UPEC isolates, 111 (74%) were multidrug-resistant. High resistance was observed against ampicillin (81.3%), nalidixic acid (71.3%), cotrimoxazole (64.7%) and ciprofloxacin (61.3%), respectively. Eighty-four out of the 150 isolates showed resistance against the extended spectrum cephalosporins. Totally, virulence genes were detected in 126 (84%) UPEC isolates .The PCR results identified the traT gene in (74%), PAIs markers in (61.3%) and the pap gene in (16.6%) of the isolates.Conclusions:The traT gene and PAI markers were highly prevalent among UPEC strains isolated from patients in Kashan, Iran; therefore these determinants could be used as targets for prophylactic interventions. Also there was a high level of resistance against the antibiotics commonly used for urinary tract infection treatment. To reach better therapeutic outcomes, treatment regimens have to be modified.

Glioblastoma is one of the most common brain tumors with high invasion and malignancy. Despite extensive research in this area and the use of new and advanced therapies, the survival rate in this disease is very low. In addition, resistance to treatment has also been observed in this disease. One of the reasons for rapid progression and failure in treatment for this disease is the presence of a class of cells with high proliferation and high differentiation, a class called glioblastoma stem‐like cells shown as being the source of glioblastoma tumors. It has been reported that several oncogenes are expressed in this disease. One important issue in recognizing the pathogenesis of this disease, and which could improve the treatment process, is the identification of involved oncogenes as well as molecules that affect the reduction of the expression of these oncogenes. Melatonin regulates the biological rhythm and inhibits the proliferation of malignant glioma cells due to antioxidant and anti‐apoptotic effects. Melatonin has been considered in biological processes and in signaling pathways involved in the development of glioma. The aim of this review is to investigate the effects of melatonin on signaling pathways and molecules involved in the progression of glioma.

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