Antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties of oleuropein against Escherichia coli and fluconazole-resistant isolates of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata.

BACKGROUND: Side effects associated with antimicrobial drugs, as well as their high cost, have prompted a search for low-cost herbal medicinal substances with fewer side effects. These substances can be used as supplements to medicine or to strengthen their effects. The current study investigated the effect of oleuropein on the inhibition of fungal and bacterial biofilm in-vitro and at the molecular level. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, antimicrobial properties were evaluated using microbroth dilution method. The effect of oleuropein on the formation and eradication of biofilm was assessed on 96-well flat bottom microtiter plates and their effects were observed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Its effect on key genes (Hwp1, Als3, Epa1, Epa6, LuxS, Pfs) involved in biofilm formation was investigated using the quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) method. RESULTS: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal/bactericidal concentration (MFC/MBC) for oleuropein were found to be 65 mg/ml and 130 mg/ml, respectively. Oleuropein significantly inhibited biofilm formation at MIC/2 (32.5 mg/ml), MIC/4 (16.25 mg/ml), MIC/8 (8.125 mg/ml) and MIC/16 (4.062 mg/ml) (p < 0.0001). The anti-biofilm effect of oleuropein was confirmed by SEM. RT-qPCR indicated significant down regulation of expression genes involved in biofilm formation in Candida albicans (Hwp1, Als3) and Candida glabrata (Epa1, Epa6) as well as Escherichia coli (LuxS, Pfs) genes after culture with a MIC/2 of oleuropein (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that oleuropein has antifungal and antibacterial properties that enable it to inhibit or destroy the formation of fungal and bacterial biofilm.

Disseminated protothecosis: Case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Human protothecosis is an uncommon infection caused by Prototheca spp that rarely infects humans. AIM: Description of a rare disease and a review of its articles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reported a 24-year-old man who presented with red-brown papules and plaques on the trunk's lateral side. We reviewed the literature about disseminated protothecosis and reported our experience with a patient with protothecosis between 2021 and 2023. RESULTS: Overall, 54 cases of disseminated protothecosis were evaluated, 39 were due to P. wickerhamii, 12 were due to P. zopfii (22.2%), and three were due to Prototheca spp. We found that males were more affected (37 cases, 68.5%) than females (16 cases, 29.6%). The mean age of patients was 39.53 ± 22.48 years. However, disseminated protothecosis can affect people of any age (1-80 years). In contrast to P. wickerhamii, which causes blood, skin, brain, and gastrointestinal tract infections, P. zopfii was mainly found in the blood (7/22) and did not have a significant difference in the mortality rate (P = 0.11). DISCUSSION: Disseminated protothecosis is a rare disease in immunocompromised patients but is generally rarer in immunocompetent hosts. Several underlying disorders include immunocompromised patients, prolonged application of steroids, diabetes mellitus, malignancies, organ transplantation, AIDS, and surgeries. Amphotericin B has been the most effective agent for protothecosis and is reserved for visceral and disseminated infections. Regarding localized cutaneous types, excision or surgical debridement is used. CONCLUSION: Mulberry's appearance and appropriate cultural environments are helpful in diagnosing it.

Comparative trachea transcriptome analysis in SPF broiler chickens infected with avian infectious bronchitis and avian influenza viruses.

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and avian influenza virus (AIV) are two major respiratory infections in chickens. The coinfection of these viruses can cause significant financial losses and severe complications in the poultry industry across the world. To examine transcriptome profile changes during the early stages of infection, differential transcriptional profiles in tracheal tissue of three infected groups (i.e., IBV, AIV, and coinfected) were compared with the control group. Specific-pathogen-free chickens were challenged with Iranian variant-2-like IBV (IS/1494), UT-Barin isolates of H9N2 (A/chicken/Mashhad/UT-Barin/2017), and IBV-AIV coinfection; then, RNA was extracted from tracheal tissue. The Illumina RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) technique was employed to investigate changes in the Transcriptome. Up- and downregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected in the trachea transcriptome of all groups. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway and Gene Ontology databases were examined to identify possible relationships between DEGs. In the experimental groups, upregulated genes were higher compared to downregulated genes. A more severe immune response was observed in the coinfected group; further, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, RIG-I-like receptor signaling, Toll-like receptor signaling, NOD-like receptor signaling, Janus kinase/signal transducer, and activator of transcription, and apoptotic pathways were important upregulated genes in this group. The findings of this paper may give a better understanding of transcriptome changes in the trachea during the early stages of infection with these viruses.

Down-regulatory effect of Thymus vulgaris L. on growth and Tri4 gene expression in Fusarium oxysporum strains.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of Thymus vulgaris (T. vulgaris) essential oil on the fungal growth and Tri4 gene expression in Fusarium oxysporum (F. oxysporum) strains. The oil was obtained by water-distillation using a Clevenger-type system. The chemical composition of the essential oil was obtained by gas chromatography- mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and by retention indices. The antifungal activity was evaluated by broth microdilution assay. A quantitative real time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) assay was also developed specific for F. oxysporum on the basis of trichothecene biosynthetic gene, Tri4, which allowed discrimination from F. oxysporum. Results showed thymol (32.67%) and p-cymene (16.68%) as the main components of T. vulgaris. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values varied from 5 to 20 µg/ml with T. vulgaris (mean: 10.50 µg/ml), while minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values ranged from 8 to 30 µg/ml with mean value of 16.20 µg/ml qRT-PCR results revealed a downregulation from 4.04 to 6.27 fold of Tri4 gene expression of the fungi exposed to T. vulgaris essential oil. The results suggest that T. vulgaris oil can be considered potential alternative natural fungicide to the synthetic chemicals that are currently used to prevent and control seed-borne diseases.

Synergistic anticandidal activity of menthol in combination with itraconazole and nystatin against clinical Candida glabrata and Candida krusei isolates.

BACKGROUND: Candida glabrata (C. glabrata) and C. krusei are now emerging as serious hospital acquired infections in immunocompromised patients. Menthol, a terpenic compound, has been reported to have antifungal activity. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of menthol in combination with itraconazole or nystatin against C. glabrata and C. krusei isolates. METHODS: The effects of menthol along with itraconazole and nystatin, were evaluated by the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) M44-A and CLSI M27-A3 methods. The fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) was determined for menthol plus itraconazole and nystatin combinations using the checkerboard method. RESULTS: The mean of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of menthol, nystatin and itraconazole were 53.2, 2.30 and 1.50 µg/ml for C. glabrata isolates and 121, 1.08 and 0.38 µg/ml for C. krusei isolates, respectively. Menthol in combination with itraconazole or nystatin exhibited the synergistic effects against all species of Candida tested. FICI values for menthol plus itraconazole and nystatin combinations ranged from 0.250 to 0.561 and 0.139 to 0.623 for C. glabrata isolates, and 0.182 to 0.750 and 0.188 to 0.760 for C. krusei, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the potential use of menthol as an anticandidal agent, and it can be used complementarily with other conventional antifungal agents.

Chemical composition and antifungal activity of Satureja hortensis L. essentiall oil against planktonic and biofilm growth of Candida albicans isolates from buccal lesions of HIV(+) individuals.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Oral candidiasis is an opportunistic infection of the oral cavity which usually occurs in the immunocompromised individuals. Candida albicans (C. albicans) is the most common species of yeast responsible for oral candidiasis. This study investigated the effects of Satureja hortensis L. essentiall oil (EO) on the planktonic, biofilm formation and mature biofilms of C. albicans isolates from buccal lesions of HIV(+) individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MTT reduction assay, broth micro-dilution method and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed to determine the effect of mentioned EO on the C. albicans planktonic and biofilm forms. GC-GC/MS was used to detect the major active compounds of EO. RESULTS: Thymol (45.9%), gamma-terpinen (16.71%), carvacrol (12.81%) and p-cymene (9.61%) were found as the most abundant constituents. MIC values ranged from 250 to 400 µg/ml and MFC values ranged from 350 to 500 µg/ml. All C. albicans isolates formed biofilm on polystyrene plats but the quantity of biofilm mass (optical density) was different for the isolates ranging from 0.850 to 0.559 nm. The mean of biofilm formation by C. albicans isolates was reduced by 87.1 ± 3.7%, 73.6 ± 5.1%, 69.4 ± 5.3% and 67 ± 4.2% at 4800, 3200, 2400 and 1600 µg/ml, respectively. In sub-MIC concentration, SEM analysis revealed loosening of cells, deformity of three dimensional structures of biofilms and shrinkage in cell membranes of sessile cells. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the substantial anti-fungal activity showed by S. hortensis L. EO suggests exploitation of this oil as potential natural anti-biofilm product to deal with the problem of buccal cavity lesion associated with C. albicans.

In vitro evaluation of antifungal susceptibility and keratinase, elastase, lipase and DNase activities of different dermatophyte species isolated from clinical specimens in Iran.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the enzymatic activity of various dermatophyte species and their antifungal susceptibility profiles. A total of 60 dermatophyte isolates, including Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, Microsporum canis and Microsporum gypseum, were examined. Fungal isolates were analysed for the production of keratinase, lipase, elastase and deoxyribonuclease (DNase). A broth microdilution method was performed on the basis of M38-A2 Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. T. mentagrophytes, M. canis and M. gypseum isolates were capable of producing keratinase, lipase, elastase and DNase, while T. rubrum isolates were elastase negative. The highest mean diameter of the clear zone around the colonies (PZ) was associated with keratinase (PZ: 4.56 ± 1.29 mm), followed by lipase (PZ: 1.53 ± 0.90 mm), DNase (PZ: 0.65 ± 0.54 mm) and elastase (PZ: 0.22 ± 0.27 mm) (P < 0.05). The mean minimum inhibitory concentration 90 (MIC90 ) of all strains were as follows: itraconazole (MIC90 : 0.28 ± 0.31 µg ml-1 ), ketoconazole (MIC90 : 0.48 ± 0.51 µg ml-1 ), griseofulvin (MIC90 : 0.86 ± 1.00 µg ml-1 ) and fluconazole (MIC90 : 18.57 ± 20.10 µg ml-1 ). Dermatophyte isolates had higher keratinolytic activity than other enzymes. Itraconazole was the most effective antifungal drug and fluconazole had the poorest activity.

Factors in Etiology and Predisposition of Adult Tinea Capitis and Review of Published Literature.

BACKGROUND: Tinea capitis is a common fungal infection in children but is less frequently encountered in adults, especially in immunocompromised individuals. OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of tinea capitis in adults, the predisposing factors and causative species. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted over a period of 5 years, from 2010 to 2015, on cases of tinea capitis diagnosed in the Department of Dermatology and Mycology Research Center in Tehran, Iran. The information was collected from the patients including age, gender, location of the lesions, results of direct examination and culture, cause of immunosuppression and the prescribed treatment. RESULTS: Twenty-five (20.6 %) patients (10 men and 15 women) with a mean age of 45.28 years were affected by tinea capitis among a total number of 121 positive cases. Most of these adults (80 %) had a grade of immunodeficiency due to the underlying syndromes or diseases, and the rest were immunocompetent. Trichophyton species were isolated from 84 % of these adult patients, indicating Trichophyton violaceum (T. violaceum) as the most common fungal agent. Treatment with oral terbinafine or itraconazole was successful in all these cases. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that most cases affecting the adult population were caused by species of the genus Trichophyton. T. violaceum was the most common dermatophyte of adult patients. Thus, it is important to consider tinea capitis as a differential diagnosis in immunocompromised adults, even though it is considered to be rare in adults.

Differential Gene Expression of Heat Shock Protein 90 (Hsp90) of Candida albicans obtained from Malaysian and Iranian Patients.

BACKGROUND: Candida albicans (C. albicans) has several virulence factors, in particular heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), which is expressed by Hsp90 gene. The purposes of this study were to assess the expression of Hsp90 gene in clinical and control isolates of C. albicans obtained from different geographical regions (Malaysia and Iran), different temperatures (25°C, 37°C and 42°C) and mice with candidiasis. METHODS: C. albicans isolates were cultured onto sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA). The assessment of the expression of Hsp90 gene was performed using real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: The results showed a significant increase in the expression of C. albicans Hsp90 gene under high thermal shock (42°C) when compared to other temperatures tested (P-value = 0.001). The mean differences in the expression of Hsp90 gene at 37°C were 0.20 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.13-0.29) between Malaysian and Iranian controls (P-value = 0.040) and 0.47 (95% CI 0.27-0.60) between Malaysian and Iranian patients (P-value = 0.040). CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated that the expression of C. albicans Hsp90 gene varied between Malaysian and Iranian subjects, representing the efficacy of geographical and thermal conditions on virulence gene expression.

Comparative study of Microsporum canis isolates by DNA fingerprinting.

Microsporum canis is a zoophilic fungus and it is an important agent of dermatophytosis. Cats act as important reservoirs. Clinically, it is too difficult to differentiate dermatophytosis caused by various species, also this fungus loses its morphological characteristics easily because of subculture; so using of rapid and accurate laboratory techniques for identifying the dermatophytes is important, therefore, RAPD-PCR was applied for the differentiation of the isolates. In this study, 10 M. canis isolates were detected in cats, dog, human, fox and rabbit at the Mycology Research Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran. For running the RAPD-PCR, PCR set system and three random primers OPU 15, OPU 13 and OPA 04 were used. Then phylogenetic tree and similarity coefficient table were drawn. The results showed that there were some common bands between M. canis isolates. There were some specific bands for each isolates, as well. Our study showed, despite the typical morphology of the whole isolates, they were placed in different branches in molecular typing.

Antifungal susceptibility profile of yeasts isolated from the oral cavity of cats.

BACKGROUND: Microorganisms living in the oral cavity play an important role in health and disease of the host. Cats are susceptible to oral infections, and it is documented that fungi in the oral cavity could impact these infections. Antifungal resistance has been increasing in recent years. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to identify yeast isolates from the oral cavity of healthy cats and to evaluate their antifungal susceptibility pattern. METHODS: Oral specimens were collected from 60 cats and cultured at 37°C for 10 days. Yeasts were isolated and identified. Their antifungal susceptibility pattern was determined according to CLSI M44-A. RESULTS: Three yeast genera were isolated, including Candida spp (55.5%), Rhodotorula spp (33.3%) and Hanseniaspora spp (11.1%). Antifungal susceptibility profiling showed that, apart from a dose-dependent effect of itraconazole, Hanseniaspora spp was susceptible to all seven drugs studied. The Candida species were susceptible to all drugs except ketoconazole (sensitivity 80%) and caspofungin (sensitivity 40%). In R. glutinis and R. minuta, 100% sensitivity was observed for amphotericin B, posaconazole, ketoconazole and voriconazole. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that, in comparison with humans and other animals, cats have a different oral mycoflora in terms of species, number and diversity. However, these isolates have similar susceptibility patterns to those seen in isolates from other animals and humans. More studies should be done to further characterize the oral mycobiota of cats and its role in oral infections.

Evaluation of the antifungal activity of Zataria multiflora, Geranium herbarium, and Eucalyptus camaldolensis essential oils on Saprolegnia parasitica-infected rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) eggs.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate and assess the capability of Zataria multiflora, Geranium herbarium, and Eucalyptus camaldolensis essential oils in treating Saprolegnia parasitica-infected rainbow (Oncorhynchus mykiss) trout eggs. A total of 150 infected eggs were collected and plated on glucose-pepton agar at 24°C for 2 weeks. The antifungal assay of essential oils against S. parasitica was determined by a macrodilution broth technique. The eggs were treated with essential oils at concentrations of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 ppm daily with three repetitions until the eyed eggs stage. Of 150 eggs examined, S. parasitica (54.3%), Saprolegnia spp. (45%), and Fusarium solani (0.7%) were isolated. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of Z. multiflora, E. camaldolensis, and G. herbarium essential oils against S. parasitica were 0.9, 2.3, and 4.8 ppm, respectively. Zataria multiflora and E. camaldolensis at concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 ppm, and G. herbarium at concentration of 100 ppm had significant differences in comparison with negative control (p<0.05). The results revealed that malachite green, followed by Z. multiflora, E. camaldolensis, and G. herbarium treated eggs had remained the most number of final eyed eggs after treatment. The highest final larvae rates belonged to malachite green, E. camaldolensis, Z. multiflora, and G. herbarium, respectively. The most hatching rates were recorded with malachite green (22%), and then Z. multiflora (11%), E. camaldolensis (7%), G. herbarium (3%), and negative control (1%). Zataria multiflora and E. camaldolensis were more effective than G. herbarium for the treatment of S. parasitica-infected rainbow trout eggs in aquaculture environment.

Tinea capitis due to Microsporum vanbreuseghemii: report of two cases.

Two cases of dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum vanbreuseghemii are reported. A 7-year-old boy and his brother were examined for tinea capitis. Hair samples and skin scrapings were collected from each patient to microscopy and culture. Direct microscopic examination of the hairs using lactophenol revealed an ectothrix invasion. Cultures inoculated with portions of clinical material yielded M. vanbreuseghemii after 2 weeks. The identification of the fungi were based on colony morphology on mycobiotic agar, microscopic characteristic on slide cultures, biochemical reactions and hair perforation tests.

Immediate hypersensitivity and serum IgE antibody responses in patients with dermatophytosis.

BACKGROUND: The association of dermatophytes with atopic patients and improvement in allergic signs with antifungal treatment suggest a possible link between chronic infection and atopy. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine skin reactivity and serum IgE antibody responses in patients with chronic and acute dermatophytosis. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-three patients with chronic dermatophytosis, 35 patients with acute dermatophytosis, 41 atopic patients and 49 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. Sensitization to Trichophyton mentagrophytes (T. mentagrophytes), Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus antigens has been evaluated in patients by skin prick test (SPT) and by the presence of specific IgE antibody in enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Positive immediate hypersensitivity (IH) reactions were obtained in 95.1% of the atopic patients with chronic infection for T. mentagrophytes, representing a significant difference from other patient groups (P < 0.05). Specificanti-T. mentagrophytes IgE antibodies were detected in atopic patients with chronic (65.9%) and acute (50%) dermatophytosis, while none of the atopic subjects had positive IgE reactions to T. mentagrophytes. CONCLUSION: The results showed significant higher positive IH and specific anti-T. mentagrophytes IgE responses in atopic patients with chronic dermatophytosis than the other groups.

Targeted chitosan nanoparticles embedded into graphene oxide functionalized with caffeic acid as a potential drug delivery system: New insight into cancer therapy.

As a novel drug delivery technology, chitosan (CHI) nanoparticles are encapsulated in graphene oxide (GO) with caffeic acid (CA). The nanocarrier technique combines targeted drug delivery with molecular imaging to provide new cancer insights. Attachment of CA, an anticancer agent for controlled drug release, to functionalized graphene oxide (GON) utilizing 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) was followed by encapsulation of GO with folic acid (FA) attached CHI to produce this novel system. FT-IR was used to characterize and confirm the chemical production process. Brunau-Emmet-Teller (BET) analysis was used to validate multi-holes and nanometric dimensions (1-100 nm) and assess their drug administration use. Release and loading tests showed a pH dependence and implied CA hydrogen-bonding in GON. CA encapsulation and loading percentages are 86 % and 67 %, respectively. The acidic environment (pH 5.3) of tumor cells may produce a larger release of CA, and the release rate of CA maintains a constant trend, indicating the drug is released for more than a week (because the release rate has not reached zero). The proposed method provides a potential candidate for a novel drug delivery system in cancer therapy. The resulting nanohybrid system is a new way to combine biodegradable materials, that can be used in biomedical applications.

Inhibition of aflatoxin production and growth of Aspergillus parasiticus by Cuminum cyminum, Ziziphora clinopodioides, and Nigella sativa essential oils.

Aflatoxins are highly toxic and carcinogenic metabolites produced by Aspergillus parasiticus on food and agricultural commodities. Natural products may control the production of aflatoxins. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of the essential oils (EOs) of Cuminum cyminum, Ziziphora clinopodioides, and Nigella sativa on growth and aflatoxins production by A. parasiticus. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimal fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) of the EOs were determined and compared with each other. Determination of aflatoxins (AFB(1), AFB(2), AFG(1), and AFG(2)) was performed by immunoaffinity column extraction using reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography. The major oil components were α-pinene (30%) in C. cyminum, pulegone (37%) in Z. clinopodioides, and trans-anthol (38.9%) in N. sativa oils. In broth microdilution method, C. cyminum oil exhibited the strongest activity (MIC(90): 1.6; MFC: 3.5 mg/mL), followed by Z. clinopodioides (MIC(90): 2.1; MFC: 5.5 mg/mL) and N. sativa (MIC(90): 2.75; MFC: 6.25 mg/mL) oils against A. parasiticus (p<0.05). Aflatoxin production was inhibited at 0.25 mg/mL of C. cyminum and Z. clinopodioides oils, of which that of C. cyminum was a stronger inhibitor. C. cyminum EO caused significant reductions in values of 94.2% for AFB(1), 100% for AFB(2), 98.9% for AFG(1), 100% for AFG(2), and 97.5% for total aflatoxin. It is concluded that the EOs of C. cyminum, Z. clinopodioides, and N. sativa could be used as natural inhibitors in foods at low concentrations to protect from fungal and toxin contaminations by A. parasiticus.

Effects of Bunium persicum essential oil on the reduction of spore germination, growth, and expression of FUM1 and FUM14 genes in Fusarium verticillioides isolates.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Black Cumin of Kerman (Bunium persicum) is an Iranian plant that is commonly used as an antispasmodic, carminative, and antimicrobial substance. The present study aimed to assess different components of the essence of B. persicum and its effect on antifungal activity, spore germination inhibition, and expressions of FUM1 and FUM14 genes in Fusarium verticillioides strains. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The essence was extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed through gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. A broth microdilution method was used for the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). In addition, the expression of FUM1 and FUM14 genes of toxigenic F. verticillioides was assessed by using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. RESULTS: Based on the findings, most of the essence consisted of γ-terpinene (15.56%), propanal, and 2-methyl-3-phenyl (14.18%). The oil showed a good antifungal activity (mean MIC value: 2556.8 µg/ml) as well as the inhibition of spore germination and mycelial growth (P<0.05). The RT-PCR demonstrated that the expression levels of FUM1 and FUM14 of B. persicum-treated F. verticillioides were 0.43 and 0.53 folds lower than the control samples, respectively. CONCLUSION: These findings revealed that the essential oil of B. persicum has different components responsible for the inhibition of mycelial growth and spore germination of F. verticillioides as well as reduction of expressions of FUM1 and FUM14 genes involving fumonisin production.

Invasive aspergillosis promotes tumor growth and severity in a tumor-bearing mouse model.

Invasive aspergillosis increases in chronic immunosuppressive diseases such as cancer. There is little information about the mechanisms by which Aspergillus infection affects the immune regulation and microenvironment of cancer cells. Hence, this study was aimed at investigating the effect of invasive aspergillosis on immunosurveillance, metastasis, and prognosis of cancer in tumor-bearing mice. After implantation of mouse mammary tumor in BALB/c mice, they were infected with Aspergillus conidia intravenously. For comparison, groups of mice were experimentally infected with Aspergillus conidia or implanted with tumor cells separately. Seven days after Aspergillus infection, the serum levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) were measured by ELISA, and subsequently regulatory T lymphocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry. The survival of animals and mean tumor size were then determined. Our results indicated that tumor sizes in mice increased significantly after infection with Aspergillus conidia. Moreover, invasive aspergillosis enhanced the population of regulatory lymphocytes and level of TIMP-1. This study supports the idea that massive Aspergillus infection could stimulate tumor growth and increases the possibility of a bad prognosis. As a result, treatment of Aspergillus infection could be considered an important issue for efficient cancer therapy.

Effects of the arteriovenous fistula on pulmonary artery pressure and cardiac output in patients with chronic renal failure.

INTRODUCTION: Access to the vascular system is necessary in patients with chronic renal failure planned to undergo dialysis. One of the complications of end-stage renal disease patients is pulmonary hypertension (PHT). Temporary arteriovenous access closure and successful kidney transplantation causes a significant fall in cardiac output and pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), indicating the possibility that excessive pulmonary blood flow is involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. We attempted to study the relationship of PHT with arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation, as well as to assess the relationship between AVF flow and fistula characteristics. METHODS: Fifty patients were included in the study. Echocardiography was used to evaluate systolic PAP, cardiac output (CO), and ejection fraction (EF) before creating the AVF. After a follow-up interval of at least 6 months, a second echocardiographic assessment and a Doppler sonographic assessment of their fistula flow were carried out. Complete data were available for 34 patients. RESULTS: Study data were collected from 34 patients, 28 males and 6 females with a mean age of 52 yrs ranging from 15-78 yrs. The data showed a statistically significant positive correlation between fistula flow and PAP2 and PAP changes (p <0.05). Mean fistula flow was 1322 ml/min in patients without PHT and 2750 ml/min in patients with PHT. This difference (1428 ml/min) was statistically significant (p=0.03). We found a significant negative correlation between PAP1 and EF1 and PAP2 and EF2 (p <0.05). In addition, the mean EF2 in patients without PHT was 57% in contrast to 46% in patients with PHT. Mean fistula flow in radial fistulae (mean=422 ml/min, range: 370-474 ml/min) was significantly less than brachial fistulae (mean=1463 ml, range: 270-3300 ml/min) (p=0.03). Mean systolic PAP2 of 14.8 mmHg in transplanted patients was 5.9 mmHg less than those who were not transplanted (20.7 mmHg). Diabetes was the most common cause of renal failure and diabetics had a significant reduction in their EF (15.5%) compared with non-diabetic patients (1% reduction) (p=0.016). CONCLUSION: Fistula flow, PAP and EF of all patients should be checked at least 6 months after fistula creation. Patients with higher fistula flow rates and patients with diabetes mellitus need to be more closely observed. In addition, elderly patients with significant cardiac and other comorbidities may be more prone to develop symptoms after AVF creation.

Effect of microencapsulation on Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii viability in the gastrointestinal tract and level of some blood biochemical factors in wistar rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in an adequate amount, confer a health benefit on the host through the gut. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a widespread yeast found in nature. This microorganism has been used as a probiotic agent in recent years. In this study, the effect of microencapsulation on survival rate of S. cerevisiae var. boulardii in the simulated gastrointestinal tract medium and the impact of microencapsulated S. cerevisiae var. boulardii on some serum biochemical factors in a rat model was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 30 male wistar rats were divided into three groups (control, rats receiving microencapsulated S. cerevisiae var. boulardii, and rats receiving S. cerevisiae var. boulardii alone). The probiotic was gavaged at a dosage of 2 gr/kg BW for 8 weeks. Blood was collected from rats at the end of the treatment period and biochemical factors were measured using Mancompany kits. RESULTS: The results showed a significant increase in viability of microencapsulated S. cerevisiae var. boulardii in comparison with free S. cerevisiae var. boulardii (p<0.05). Weight of rats in probiotic treated groups was significantly higher in comparison with the control group (p<0.05). Moreover, probiotic treatment reduced mean levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, free blood sugar and liver enzymes in rats. CONCLUSION: Microencapsulation could increase the survival rate of yeast probiotics in the gastrointestinal tract; however, more studies are needed for better understanding of the exact effect of microencapsulation on probiotics' function.