Assessment of the ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus to create biofilms during wound healing in a rat model treated with carboxymethyl cellulose/carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogel containing EDTA.

The primary objective of this study was to develop a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) hydrogel containing ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) as the materials for wound healing. CMC and CMCS solutions were prepared with a concentration of 4% (w/v). These solutions were made using normal saline serum with a concentration of 0.5% (v/v). Additionally, EDTA with the concentrations of 0.01%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, and 2% (w/v) was included in the prepared polymer solution. The analysis of the hydrogels revealed that they possess porous structures with interconnected pores, with average in size 88.71 ± 5.93 µm. The hydrogels exhibited a swelling capacity of up to 60% of their initial weight within 24 h, as indicated by the weight loss and swelling measurements. The antibacterial experiments showed that the formulated CMC/CMCS/EDTA 0.5% hydrogel inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Moreover, the produced hydrogels were haemocompatible and biocompatible. At the last stage, the evaluation of wound healing in the animal model demonstrated that the use of the produced hydrogels significantly improved the process of wound healing. Finally, the findings substantiated the effectiveness of the formulated hydrogels as the materials for promoting wound healing and antibacterial agents.

Antibiotic resistance assessment and multi-drug efflux pumps of Enterococcus faecium isolated from clinical specimens.

INTRODUCTION: Enterococcus faecium is a major cause of community and hospital-acquired infections. Due to limited options for infection with fluoroquinolones-resistant Enterococci, novel therapeutics are urgently needed. Efflux pumps are contributed to fluoroquinolones resistance phenotype in this bacterium and novel inhibitors that target these efflux pumps could be effective in patients. In this research, the possible synergistic effect of an efflux pump inhibitor (EPI), thioridazine, with ciprofloxacin was investigated against clinical isolates of E. faecium. METHODOLOGY: A total of 88 isolates of E. faecium from clinical specimens were studied from August 2017 to September 2018. Conventional phenotypic and molecular methods characterized all the isolates. Standard susceptibility tests and molecular assays determined the antibiotic resistance profiles and the frequency of efflux pump genes. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to ciprofloxacin (CIP) in the presence and absence of thioridazine were measured by the micro-broth dilution method. RESULTS: The highest antibiotic resistance rate among E. faecium isolates was related to ciprofloxacin (96.8%), levofloxacin (94.3%), and imipenem (90.9%), respectively. The highest frequency of efflux pump determinants was related to efmA (60, 68%), followed by emeA (48, 54.5%), and efrA and/or efrB genes (45, 51%). The efflux pump inhibitor showed ≥ 2-fold decrease in the MIC value of ciprofloxacin in 48.2% of the isolates. CONCLUSIONS: Efflux pump inhibitor genes efrAB, efmA, and emeA are common among the E. faecium clinical isolates. Our results supported the administration of thioridazine, as an efflux pump inhibitor, in fluoroquinolone-resistant E. faecium infections due to its synergistic effect with CIP.

Molecular Detection and Characterization of the Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus haemolyticus Isolated from Hospitalized Patients and Healthcare Workers in Iran.

Background: The present study is aimed at surveying the antibiotics resistance profile, biofilm formation ability, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) types, and molecular epidemiology of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus haemolyticus isolated from hospitalized patients and healthcare workers in four teaching hospitals in Iran. Methods: In total, 43 Staphylococcus epidermidis and 12 Staphylococcus haemolyticus were isolated from hospitalized patients, and 19 Staphylococcus epidermidis and 7 Staphylococcus haemolyticus isolated from healthcare workers were included in the present study. The antimicrobial resistance profile of isolates was determined using the disk diffusion method. Moreover, the resistance of isolates to methicillin was identified using the cefoxitin disk diffusion test. The microtiter-plate test was used for quantifying biofilm formation. Moreover, the frequency of icaA and icaD genes was determined using PCR assay. The molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant isolates was determined using SCCmec typing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis methods. Results: Among all coagulase-negative staphylococci isolates, the highest resistance rate (81.5%) was seen for cefoxitin and cotrimoxazole. All of the isolates were susceptible to linezolid. Out of the 66 mecA-positive isolates, the most common SCCmec type was the type I (n = 23; 34.8%) followed by type IV (n = 13; 19.7%). Using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) assay, 27 PFGE types including 14 common types and 13 singletons were obtained among 51 methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE) isolates. Moreover, among 12 methicillin-resistant S. haemolyticus (MRSH) isolates, 8 PFGE types were detected, of which 5 PFGE types were singletons. Conclusion: The high rate of resistance to antibiotics as well as the possibility of cross-infection shows the importance of a pattern shift in the management and controlling programs of coagulase-negative staphylococci, especially in healthcare centers. Clinical trial registration. The present study is not a clinical trial study. Thus, a registration number is not required.

Drug Resistance and Biofilm Formation in Candida Species of Vaginal Origin.

Background: Candida species are normal vaginal flora in healthy women, which can cause vulvovaginal candid-iasis (VVC). The formation of biofilm is a cause of drug resistance in Candida species of vaginal origin. We aimed to specify Candida species cause VVC, detect their biofilm-forming ability, and antifungal susceptibility pattern. Methods: Overall 150 vaginal samples were collected from suspected cases of referring to Bahar Hospital of Shahroud, Iran between Jan 2018 and Jan 2019. Samples were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA), Chrome gar Candida and Corn meal agar (CMA). PCR-RFLP was performed to confirm the identification. Bio-film formation of the identified species was measured by the Crystal Violet method. The susceptibility to fluconazole, clotrimazole, and miconazole was determined based on the CLSI document M27-A3. Results: Of 50 women (33.3%) were suffering from VVC. C.albicans was the predominant species isolated in this study (n=39, 78%) followed by C. glabratia (n=11, 22%). In addition, in 25 (50%) of positive samples, bio-film formation was determined. The mean MIC of fluconazole and clotrimazole for C. albicans was 5.02 µg/mL and 3.92 µg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the mean MIC related to these drugs for C. glabrata was 12.45 µg / mL and 4.1µg / mL, respectively. The mean diameter of miconazole inhibition zone for C. albicans and C. glabra isolates was 25.13 mm and 24.5mm, respectively and all of them were susceptible to this drug. Conclusion: C.albicans was the predominant Candida species isolated from patients with VVC and also was the predominant biofilm producer species.

The Inhibitory Effect of Thioridazine on adeB Efflux Pump Gene Expression in Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Isolates Using Real Time PCR.

Background: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the antimicrobial effects of berberine and thioridazine, as well as their effect on the gene expression of the AdeABC efflux pump system in Multidrug-Resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) isolates. Methods: This study was carried out in five MDR clinical isolates of A. baumannii and a sample of standard strain (A. baumannii PTCC1797). The effect of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of berberine, thioridazine, and ciprofloxacin alone and their combination on A. baumannii was evaluated by broth microdilution method. Also, their effect on the expression of adeB efflux pump gene was evaluated using real time PCR method. Results: The MIC of thioridazine, berberine, ciprofloxacin+thioridazine, ciprofloxacin+ berberine, thioridazine+berberine, and ciprofloxacin+thioridazine+berberine on MDR A. baumannii isolates was 64, 256, 128, 256, 128, and 128 µg/ml, respectively. The results showed that treatment of strains with thioridazine alone and in combination with berberine and ciprofloxacin significantly (p<0.05) decreased the expression of adeB efflux pump gene. Conclusion: Due to the inhibitory effects of thioridazine on bacterial isolates and adeB efflux pump gene, this compound can be used as a potential antimicrobial agent against MDR A. baumannii.

Dose-dependent effects of oleuropein administration on regulatory T-cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: An in vitro approach.

INTRODUCTION: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that is identified with chronic inflammation and progressive destruction of the joints. The defective activity of regulatory T cells (Tregs) plays a crucial role in RA development. Oleuropein (OLEU) is the most common polyphenolic compound in olive leaf extracts with numerous pharmacological activities. In this study, the potential effects of OLEU in shifting CD4+ T cells toward Tregs are evaluated in patients with RA. METHODS: 32 healthy controls (HC) and 45 RA patients were included in two groups. The immunoturbidometric technique was used to measure serum levels of c-reactive protein (CRP) and rheumatoid factor (RF). Isolated CD4+ T cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of HC and RA patients were cultured with appropriate concentrations of OLEU. The cytotoxicity effects of OLEU were determined using the MTT assay at 24, 48, and 72 h. The percentage of CD4+CD25 + FoxP3 regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) and the expressions of IL-10 and TGF-ß were evaluated by flow cytometry and immunoassay techniques after treatment of cells with different concentrations of OLEU for 24 h. The serum levels of RF and CRP in patients with RA were 11.8 ± 5.32 IU/ml and 6.36 ± 5.82 mg/l, respectively. RESULTS: OLEU had a dose-dependent effect on the CD4+ T cells via increasing the frequency of CD4+CD25 + FoxP3 Tregs (p = 0.0001). Moreover, it induced the production of IL-10 (p = 0.0001) and TGF-ß (p < 0.01) in both HC and RA patients. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that OLEU may have immunomodulatory effects by inducing Tregs, and it might help in developing a novel nutrition strategy for management of autoimmune diseases such as RA.

Evaluation of Couple's Sexual Function after Childbirth with the Biopsychosocial Model: A Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: After childbirth, sexual dysfunction refers to a chain of psychiatric, physiological, social changes and a couple's experiences. The purpose of our Systematic Review (Syst.Rev.) is to evaluate available high-quality evidence and construct a Bio Psycho Social (BPS) model of couple's sexual function after childbirth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search was done with MeSH terms in databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Science direct. A total number of 9 Syst.Rev. were evaluated from 2009 to 2019 years. The quality of extracted articles was evaluated based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist of contents using two qualified reviewers. Data synthesis was performed using the thematic analysis. RESULTS: Biopsychosocial Model of Postpartum Couple's Sexual Function (BMPCSF) is proposed as a developmental process similar to Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Systems Model. Studies showed a significant relationship among the type of childbirth, trauma of perineum, breastfeeding, mood swings, fears, changes in the self-body image, spousal support, and Postpartum Sexual Dysfunction (PSD). Hence, the evidence about male sexuality in the postpartum period doesn't seem sufficient. CONCLUSIONS: The information from this study will help health policymakers develop the appropriate guidelines to inform couples and healthcare professionals about the BPS changes after childbirth and PSD. Besides, BMPCSF can be used in postpartum sexual counseling to improve sexual health and marital relationships. We propose comprehensive original study on couples' postpartum sexuality, especially men's conduct, emphasizing socio-cultural factors.

Predicting the Relation between Biopsychosocial Factors and Type of Childbirth using the Decision Tree Method: A Cohort Study.

Background: With the growing rate of cesarean sections, rising morbidity and mortality thereafter is an important health issue. Predictive models can identify individuals with a higher probability of cesarean section, and help them make better decisions. This study aimed to investigate the biopsychosocial factors associated with the method of childbirth and designed a predictive model using the decision tree C4.5 algorithm. Methods: In this cohort study, the sample included 170 pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy referring to Shahroud Health Care Centers (Semnan, Iran), from 2018 to 2019. Blood samples were taken from mothers to measure the estrogen hormone at baseline. Birth information was recorded at the follow-up time per 30-42 days postpartum. Chi square, independent samples t test, and Mann-Whitney were used for comparisons between the two groups. Modeling was performed with the help of MATLAB software and C4.5 decision tree algorithm using input variables and target variable (childbirth method). The data were divided into training and testing datasets using the 70-30% method. In both stages, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were evaluated by the decision tree algorithm. Results: Previous method of childbirth, maternal body mass index at childbirth, maternal age, and estrogen were the most significant factors predicting the childbirth method. The decision tree model's sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 85.48%, 94.34%, and 89.57% in the training stage, and 82.35%, 83.87%, and 83.33% in the testing stage, respectively. Conclusion: The decision tree model was designed with high accuracy successfully predicted the method of childbirth. By recognizing the contributing factors, policymakers can take preventive action.It should be noted that this article was published in preprint form on the website of research square (https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-34770/v1).

Antifungal activities of quince seed mucilage hydrogel decorated with essential oils of Nigella sativa, Citrus sinensis and Cinnamon verum.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Candidiasis and pityriasis versicolor are opportunistic fungal infections that are caused by Candida spp. and Malassezia spp. yeasts. Conventional drugs like azole and amino derivatives are known to treat fungal skin diseases. However, drawbacks like long-term side effects and drug resistance lead to investigate on antifungal properties of phytochemicals as an alternative to available synthetic drugs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The herbal nano hydrogel was successfully synthesized from Quince Seed extract followed by ultrasonic treatment and it has been formulated using a mixture of essential oils. We evaluated the antifungal in vitro assay for a mixture of essential oils in combination with herbal nano hydrogel against Candida albicans and Malasezia furfur strains by micro dilution method. RESULTS: The results indicated that essential oils possess antifungal activity with the MIC value of 12.5 and 6.24 mg/ml against C. albicans and M. furfur, respectively. No fungicidal effect was reported for the herbal hydrogel before nanofabrication while it shown some antifungal activity after ultrasonic treatment for 5 and 10 minutes. As anticipated; the antifungal property of essential oil mixture was appreciably improved when it combined with herbal nano hydrogel where the highest level of inhibition was observed at concentration of 3.125 mg/ml for both strains. The loss in biological activity observed when the ultrasonic treatment on herbal nano hydrogel performed for longer time. CONCLUSION: The proposed plant-based nano formulation shown promising in vitro antifungal activities against C. albicans and M. furfur strains and its antifungal properties were comparable with commercially available agents like clotrimazole. The new formulation expected to be safe with minimum long-term side effects. Further investigations are underway to confirm the safety and the mechanism of the action of this new herbal formulation.

Oxidative stress associated with long term occupational exposure to extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields.

BACKGROUND: Occupational exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) may have harmful effects on biologic systems and has raised many concerns in the last decades. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of exposure to extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities. METHODS: This study was conducted on 115 power plant workers as the exposed group and 145 office workers as the non-exposed group. The levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (Cat), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured in the serum of all subjects. Exposure to ELF-EMFs was measured based on spot measurements and the IEEE Std C95.3.1 standard. RESULTS: The levels of MDA, SOD, and Cat in the exposed group were significantly higher than in the non-exposed group. However, the level of TAC was not significantly different between the exposed (2.45±1.02) and non-exposed (2.21±1.07) groups. The levels of MDA and SOD were higher among workers with higher exposure to electric fields than workers with low exposure. All oxidative stress indicators increased with increased exposure to magnetic fields, except TAC. CONCLUSIONS: The antioxidant system imbalance among power plant workers may be related to long term occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields.

The Effects of Antioxidant Vitamins on Proinflammatory Cytokines and Some Biochemical Parameters of Power Plant Workers: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Some epidemiological studies have suggested that exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) can affect the immune system. This study aimed to investigate the effects of antioxidant vitamin consumption on proinflammatory cytokines and biochemical parameters changes. In this randomized, controlled double-blinded trial study, power plant workers exposed to ELF-MFs were enrolled based on inclusion criteria. Ninety-one eligible subjects were randomly divided into four groups: the first group (400 units of vitamin E/day), second group (1,000 mg of vitamin C/day), third group (400 units of vitamin E and 1,000 mg of vitamin C/day), and control group. The intervention was conducted for 3 months. Proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and biochemical parameters (fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-c], total protein, and albumin) were measured among the participants' serums, before and after the intervention. The mean level of IL-6 in all vitamin-receiving groups, the mean level of IL-1ß in vitamin C and E&C groups, and the mean level of TNF-α in the vitamin C group, decreased significantly after intervention. The arithmetic means of the effect sizes for IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α were 0.71, 0.57, and 0.2, respectively. The level of HDL-c in the vitamin E and vitamin E&C groups and the level of triglyceride in the vitamin C group significantly increased after the intervention. Taking antioxidant vitamins can prevent an increase of proinflammatory cytokines induced by prolonged exposure to ELF-MFs. Bioelectromagnetics. 2021;42:18-26. © 2020 Bioelectromagnetics Society.

Investigating the prevalence of intestinal parasites with an emphasis on Strongyloides stercoralis infection in hospitalized patients: a regional report from Iran.

Intestinal parasitic infections such as strongyloidosis are more common among individuals with immune deficiency and sometimes accompanied by severe symptoms. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the prevalence of intestinal parasites with focus on strongyloidosis in hospitalized patients. A total number of 566 faecal samples were obtained from different wards and assessed by the use of direct smear, formalin-ether concentration, and agar plate culture procedures in order to find parasitic protozoa and helminthes. The findings revealed that 10.1% (n=57) of the examined samples were positive for intestinal parasites. The highest prevalence rate was related to Entamoeba coli (4.6%, n=26) and the lowest one was related to Strongyloides stercoralis (0.5%, n=3). In addition, Giardia lamblia prevalence rate was 3.2% (n=18) and the prevalence rate of Blastocystis hominis was 1.8% (n=10). The sensitivity of S. stercoralis diagnosis was equal for agar plate culture and formalin-ether concentration methods. This study demonstrated the significance of focus on intestinal parasites in hospitalized patients and highlighted the necessity of improving the insight in health care providers about the occurrence of parasitic infections especially strongyloidiasis in these patients.

The global prevalence of Daptomycin, Tigecycline, Quinupristin/Dalfopristin, and Linezolid-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci strains: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (MRCoNS) are among the main causes of nosocomial infections, which have caused major problems in recent years due to continuously increasing spread of various antibiotic resistance features. Apparently, vancomycin is still an effective antibiotic for treatment of infections caused by these bacteria but in recent years, additional resistance phenotypes have led to the accelerated introduction of newer agents such as linezolid, tigecycline, daptomycin, and quinupristin/dalfopristin (Q/D). Due to limited data availability on the global rate of resistance to these antibiotics, in the present study, the resistance rates of S. aureus, Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and CoNS to these antibiotics were collected. METHOD: Several databases including web of science, EMBASE, and Medline (via PubMed), were searched (September 2018) to identify those studies that address MRSA, and CONS resistance to linezolid, tigecycline, daptomycin, and Q/D around the world. RESULT: Most studies that reported resistant staphylococci were from the United States, Canada, and the European continent, while African and Asian countries reported the least resistance to these antibiotics. Our results showed that linezolid had the best inhibitory effect on S. aureus. Although resistances to this antibiotic have been reported from different countries, however, due to the high volume of the samples and the low number of resistance, in terms of statistical analyzes, the resistance to this antibiotic is zero. Moreover, linezolid, daptomycin and tigecycline effectively (99.9%) inhibit MRSA. Studies have shown that CoNS with 0.3% show the lowest resistance to linezolid and daptomycin, while analyzes introduced tigecycline with 1.6% resistance as the least effective antibiotic for these bacteria. Finally, MRSA and CoNS had a greater resistance to Q/D with 0.7 and 0.6%, respectively and due to its significant side effects and drug-drug interactions; it appears that its use is subject to limitations. CONCLUSION: The present study shows that resistance to new agents is low in staphylococci and these antibiotics can still be used for treatment of staphylococcal infections in the world.

The Role of the Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) in Infective Endocarditis; A Narrative Review from 2000 to 2020.

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are part of the microbiota of human skin and rarely linked with soft tissue infections. In recent years, CoNS species considered as one of the major nosocomial pathogens and can cause several infections such as catheter-acquired sepsis, skin infection, urinary tract infection, endophthalmitis, central nervous system shunt infection, surgical site infections, and foreign body infection. These microorganisms have a significant impact on human life and health and, as typical opportunists, cause peritonitis in individuals undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Moreover, it is revealed that these potential pathogens are mainly related to the use of indwelling or implanted in a foreign body and cause infective endocarditis (both native valve endocarditis and prosthetic valve endocarditis) in patients. In general, approximately eight percent of all cases of native valve endocarditis is associated with CoNS species, and these organisms cause death in 25% of all native valve endocarditis cases. Moreover, it is revealed that methicillin-resistant CoNS species cause 60 % of all prosthetic valve endocarditis cases. In this review, we describe the role of the CoNS species in infective endocarditis, and we explicated the reported cases of CoNS infective endocarditis in the literature from 2000 to 2020 to determine the role of CoNS in the process of infective endocarditis.

Generation of an engineered food-grade Lactococcus lactis strain for production of an antimicrobial peptide: in vitro and in silico evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Foodborne pathogens and their biofilms are considered as one of the most serious problems in human health and food industry. Moreover, safety of foods is a main global concern because of the increasing use of chemical food additives. Ensuring food safety enhances interest in discovery of new alternative compounds such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which can be used as bio-preservatives in the food industry. In this study, the most important antimicrobial peptides of camel milk lactoferrin (lactoferrampin and lactoferricin) were recombinantly expressed in the form of chimeric peptide (cLFchimera) in a food-grade L. lactis strain. P170 expression system was used to express secreted cLFchimera using pAMJ1653 expression vector which harbors a safe (non-antibiotic) selectable marker. RESULTS: Peptide purification was carried out using Ni-NTA agarose column from culture medium with concentration of 0.13 mg/mL. The results of disk diffusion test revealed that cLFchimera had considerable antimicrobial activity against a number of major foodborne bacteria. Furthermore, this chimeric peptide showed strong and weak inhibitory effect on biofilm formation against P. aeruginosa, S. aureus E. faecalis, and E. coli, respectively. Antioxidant activity and thermal stability of the chimeric peptide was determined. The results showed that cLFchimera had antioxidant activity (IC50: 310 µ/mL) and its activity was not affected after 40 min of boiling. Finally, we evaluated the interaction of the peptide with LPS and DNA in bacteria using molecular dynamic simulation as two main intra and extra cellular targets for AMPs, respectively. Our in silico analysis showed that cLFchimera had strong affinity to both of these targets by positive charged residues after 50 ns molecular dynamic simulation. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the engineered food-grade L. lactis generated in the present study successfully expressed a secreted chimeric peptide with antimicrobial properties and could be considered as a promising bio-preservative in the food industry.

The effect of vitamin E and C on comet assay indices and apoptosis in power plant workers: A double blind randomized controlled clinical trial.

Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields have been classified as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and this has raised some concern about its health effects on employees extensively exposed to these fields at thermal power plants. In this study, the effect of using vitamin E and C supplements have been examined on employees working at a thermal power plant. In this randomized controlled, double-blind clinical trial, 81 employees from different parts of the thermal power plant were enrolled between July and November 2017, and divided into four groups: Group 1 received vitamin E (400 units/day), Group 2: vitamin C (1000 mg/day), Group 3: vitamin E + C and Group 4: no intervention. DNA damage was measured in peripheral blood lymphocytes using comet assay and apoptosis, using flow cytometry. Based on the results, tail intensity and tail length in the vitamin E group, and all comet assay indices in the vitamin E + C and vitamin C groups (except DNA damage index) significantly decreased after the intervention, while the comet assay indices did not change significantly in the control group. None of the flow cytometry indices including early apoptosis, late apoptosis and necrosis changed after intervention in either group. The use of antioxidant vitamins such as E and C, can increase the activity of the non-enzymatic antioxidant defense system, and protect DNA from damage caused by exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields. But, taking these vitamins has no effect on apoptosis. It seems that consumption of vitamin E affected all investigated comet assay indices and can be probably considered as the best intervention.

Investigating the effects of vitamins E and C on oxidative stress and hematological parameters among power plant workers: A double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial.

The present study aimed to determine the effect of taking antioxidant vitamins including vitamins E and C in reducing oxidative stress levels and improving blood parameters. This double-blind randomized controlled trial study was conducted among the employees working in different parts of a power plant in Semnan, Iran, in 2017. A total of 91 employees were randomly allocated to four groups including vitamin E (400 units per day), vitamin C (1000 mg per day), vitamin E + C for 90 days, and control. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (Cat), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in plasma, and hematological parameters were measured in the participants before and after the intervention. A significant increase was seen in the mean level of SOD, Cat, and TAC in the vitamin-treated groups as well as a significant decrease in mean MOD in vitamin C and vitamin E groups after the intervention. In the intervention groups, the number of red blood cells, hematocrit, and the level of mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and MCH concentration significantly increased. After the intervention, the mean levels of MDA, SOD, and Cat in vitamin E group were significantly lower than the control group. The mean level of TAC decreased only in the vitamin C group compared to the control group. Taking vitamins E and C as nonenzymatic scavengers of free radicals appears to decrease lipid peroxidation and increase the level of antioxidant enzymes, which can be imbalanced by exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields in power plant employees. Furthermore, some hematological parameters can be improved by consuming these vitamins.

DNA damage from long-term occupational exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields among power plant workers.

Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) are not known as definite occupational carcinogens, but some studies have reported the genotoxic effects of these fields on cell lines. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of long-term occupational exposure to these fields on DNA damage. In this cross-sectional study, blood samples were taken from 102 thermal power plant workers as the exposure group and 136 subjects as the unexposed group. DNA damage was evaluated using alkaline comet assay and flow cytometry. Exposure to ELF-EMFs was measured based on spot measurements and the IEEE Std C95.3.1 standard. The indices of comet assay, tail DNA percent, tail factor (%), and damage index were significantly higher in the exposed group compared to the unexposed group. Increased exposure to magnetic fields enhanced comet assay indices, except tail length; while exposure to electric fields had no significant effect on such indices. The percentage of cells at early apoptosis and late apoptosis phases caused by exposure to magnetic fields, respectively, decreased and increased significantly. Long-term occupational exposure to ELF-EMFs can probably cause genotoxic effects.

Molecular phylodiagnosis of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato and Taenia hydatigena determined by mitochondrial Cox1 and SSU-rDNA markers in Iranian dogs: Indicating the first record of pig strain (G7) in definitive host in the Middle East.

Unawareness of canine parasitic diseases among at-risk hosts and an uncontrolled program of stray dog population have caused that zoonotic parasites received great attention in endemic regions of the Middle East. A total of 552 faecal samples were collected between December 2016 to January 2018 from stray (n = 408) and domestic (n = 144) dogs of Iran. All specimens were coproscopically observed following concentration and flotation techniques. Subsequently, the DNAs of taeniid eggs were extracted, amplified, and sequenced by targeting of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 and small-subunit ribosomal DNA markers. The overall prevalence of canine intestinal parasites found 53.6%. The following parasites and their total frequencies were identified: taeniid (10.5%), Dicrocoelium dendriticum (0.7%), Trichuris vulpis (1.2%), Capillaria spp. (2.3%), Blastocystis spp. (5.2%), Ancylostoma spp. (2%), Eimeria spp. (13.2%), Dipylidium caninum (2.3%), Toxocara canis (3.8%), Giardia spp. (8.5%), and Toxascaris leonina (3.6%). Stray dogs were characterized more likely to be poliparasitized and indicated a higher prevalence of taeniid (10.9%), T. canis (4.4%) Giardia spp. (10.1%) than domestic dogs (P > 0.05). Phylogenetic and sequence analysis of Cox1 and SSU-rDNA indicated a low genetic diversity (Haplotype diversity; 0 to 0.495) in E. granulosus sensu lato G1, G3, G7 genotypes, and Taenia hydatigena. The pairwise sequence distances between G7 isolates showed an intra-diversity of 0.7%-1.5% and identity of 98.5%-100%. The first occurrence of pig strain (G7) from Iranian dogs might have substantial implications in the drug treatment of infected dogs due to the shorter maturation time of G7 compared with G1 genotype. Thus, the preventive strategies should be noticed to determine the risk factors, the importance of applying the hygienic practices, and well adjusting deworming programs for the Iranian dogs and at-risk individuals.

Determination of antibiotic resistance pattern and virulence genes in Escherichia coli isolated from bovine with subclinical mastitis in southwest of Iran.

The aims of the present study were to investigate the prevalence of some virulence genes and also determine the antimicrobial resistance pattern of E. coli isolated from bovine with subclinical mastitis. The milk of 502 cows was collected from 8 dairy herds in the southwest of Iran. Conventional biochemical tests were used for identification of E. coli at the species level. Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of E. coli isolates were determined by disc agar diffusion method and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for detection of seven virulence genes including f17A, afaE-8, afaD-8, eaeA, cnf1, cnf2, and iucD. Seventy (13.94%) isolates of E. coli were identified in 502 milk samples. The highest rate of resistance was observed against tetracycline (18.6%), while none of the isolates were resistant to streptomycin. Eight (11.5%) out of 70 E. coli isolates carried at least one of the virulence genes. The afaD-8 was the most prevalent gene detected in 5 (7.1%) isolates. The afaE-8, iucD, and eaeA were detected in 3, 3, and 2 isolates respectively. Low prevalence of virulence factors may be indicating that most of the E. coli isolates originated from the commensal flora of cows and enter to the udders via environment contamination with feces.