BackgroundBacteria are able to form biofilm on the biotic and abiotic surfaces which helps to protect themselves from deleterious conditions, predation, desiccation, and exposure to antibacterial substances. About 80% of bacterial infections are caused by those bacteria living in the biofilm. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a gram-negative, non-fermentative bacillus, and the ubiquitous bacterium is an important opportunistic pathogen notorious for biofilm formation and is remarkably resistant against most antibiotics multiple front-line antibiotics, which significantly contributes to eradication failure. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the anti-biofilm formation activity of Ag@PPEs gainst P. aeruginosa bacteria.MethodsAn aqueous extract of black pomegranate peel was used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs@PPE). The characteristics, anti-biofilm formation and cell toxicity of AgNPs@PPE were examined in vitro.ResultsAbsorbance at λmax 372 nm which is related to the surface plasmon resonance, confirms the AgNPs@PPE formation. XRD pattern showed the face-centered qubic (fcc) crystalline structure of AgNPs. TEM images showed that spherical AgNPs size is ranged between 32 and 85 nm. The AgNPs@PPE showed inhibition effect against P. aeruginosa biofilm formation at 0.1 to 0.5 mg/ml concentrations. Cell toxicity assay showed that at 400 µg/ml, AgNPs@PPE were safe without a significant toxicity in L929 cell line.ConclusionThese data indicate that co-treatment of PPE and AgNPs@PPE significantly decreased the biofilm formation rate. Furthermore, no significant toxicity of AgNPs@PPE was shown against L929 cell line at 400 µg/ml concentration.

Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis is a common gynecological finding among the women worldwide. Objectives: In this study determine of prevalence rate of vulvovaginal candidiasis and identification of Candida species was investigated.

Bacteria are capable of evolving high doses of the drug in various infections by forming biofilms. Perhaps, biofilm regulator genes have different frequencies in β-lactam producing non-fermentative Gram-negative Bacilli (NFGNB). In this study, we investigated the role of biofilm operons of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii on the prevalence of different β-lactamase enzymes. One-hundred twenty (120) nosocomial NFGNB isolates were collected from different clinical samples of patients. PCR method was used for the amplification of resistance genes. Isolates were collected, including 50 isolates (41.66%) of P. aeruginosa and 70 isolates (58.33%) of A. baumannii. The distribution of ESBL, AmpC, KPC, and MBL β-lactamase enzymes in P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii isolates were 64%, 58%, 38%,44%, and 57.14%, 60%, 32.85%, 34.28%, respectively. The frequency of csuABC, pgaABC operon in A. baumannii were as follows: pgaA (45.71%), pgaB (32.85%), pgaC (42.85%), csuA (34.28%), csuB (32.85%), csuC (41.42%), and ompA (38.57%). Further, the prevalence of pslABC and pelABC operons in P. aeruginosa isolates were as follows: pslA (58%), pslB (58%), pslD (60%), pelA (64%), pelB (38%), pelC (44%), and algD (68%). This study revealed that the abundance of biofilm regulator genes in NFGNB strains is affected by different β-lactamase enzymes.

Background and Objectives: Candida albicans is one of the most common fungal pathogens that can form biofilm, particularly on surface of medical devices. In recent years, C. albicans has shown increased resistance to antifungal agents. In this experimental study, we aimed to study effects of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 nanoparticles or SPION) on biofilm formation by C. albicans. Methods: First, the SPION were synthesized by chemical co-precipitation. The formation of nanoparticles was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and Xray diffraction. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of SPION were determined. Then, antibiofilm effects of the nanoparticles were investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Finally, data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 at significance level of 0.05. Results: According to the results of X-ray diffraction, the SPION had a mean diameter of about 70 nm. MIC and MFC values of SPION against C. albicans were 100 ppm and 200 ppm which reduced biofilm formation by 87.2% and 100%, respectively. SPION showed significant inhibitory effects on C. albicans growth and biofilm formation. Conclusion: Based on the findings, SPION may be considered as a novel family of fungicidal compounds. However, further studies are necessary to evaluate the safety of these nanoparticles for treatment of fungal infections in humans.

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This research was conducted to monitor the aflatoxigenic fungi and aflatoxin contamination of walnut in the Hamedan province. For this purpose, 40 samples were analyzed. Aspergillus, Alternaria, Rhizopus, Cladosporium, Fusarium, yeast, and some different bacteria were isolated from walnuts. Aspergillus is the most frequent genus. Aspergillus flavus was predominantly isolated. HPLC was used for evaluation of aflatoxin contamination of walnut samples. Aflatoxins G1 (AFG1), B1 (AFB1), G2 (AFG2), and B2 (AFB2) were produced by 20 isolates. AFG1 and AFB1 were being predominant at concentration ranges of 1.7-18.2 and 0-8.2 ngg, respectively. Highest levels were found in one sample that was highly contaminated with Aspergillus flavus/Aspergillus parasiticus. Methyl beta cyclodextrin also was performed for detection of aflatoxigenic Aspergillus isolates. The results showed that only 31.6% (p < 0.05) of A. flavus and A. parasiticus isolates were able to produce aflatoxin. A significant difference was shown between shielded and unshielded walnut in aflatoxin contamination. The content of aflatoxin in most of the walnut samples did not reach to maximum tolerable limit for aflatoxin B1 in EU standard (p > 0.05). Thus, systematic and continues monitoring of walnuts is recommended.

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Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a new class of biomarkers that involved in many biological processes and gene expression. The present study examined the effects of eight weeks of high intensity interval training (HIIT), endurance and resistance training on the expression of miRNA-210 and serum Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) level in young male athletes. Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 40 young male athletes randomized into four groups including HIIT, endurance (EN), resistance (RES) trainings for eight weeks and also control groups. The HIIT program was consisted of 6-8 running sprints (30-60 seconds) with a 3.5-4 min recovery. Endurance training was included on 40-30 minutes of running at 75-70% heart rate reserve. Moreover, resistance training was a circuit training program consisting of three sets of 8-6 repetitions including chest press, curls, leg press, hack press and leg extension at 80-75% of one-repetition maximum (1RM). Blood samples were taken 24 hours pre and post intervention. Finally, the results were analyzed using one way analysis of variance and paired samples t test.Results: Serum miRNA-210 expression and HIF-1α concentration were significantly increased following to three types of training (P<0.05). However, the amount of the observed increases were significantly higher in HIIT group rather than both EN and RES groups (P<0.05) with no significant difference between EN and RES groups (P>0.05). Conclusion:All three training protocols increased Serum miRNA-210 expression and HIF-1α concentration with better efficiency of HIIT proposing it as an effective training method in this area.