In Vitro Investigation of Antifungal Activity of Allicin Alone and in Combination with Azoles Against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida</Emphasis> Species

Candidiasis is a term describing infections by yeasts from the genus Candida, and the type of infection encompassed by candidiasis ranges from superficial to systemic. Treatment of such infections often requires antifungals such as the azoles, but increased use of these drugs has led to selection of yeasts with increased resistance to these drugs. In this study, we used allicin, an allyl sulfur derivative of garlic, to demonstrate both its intrinsic antifungal activity and its synergy with the azoles, in the treatment of these yeasts in vitro. In this study, the MIC₅₀ and MIC₉₀ of allicin alone against six Candida spp. ranged from 0.05 to 25 μg/ml. However, when allicin was used in combination with fluconazole or ketoconazole, the MICs were decreased in some isolates. Our results demonstrated the existing synergistic effect between allicin and azoles in some of the Candida spp. such as C. albicans, C. glabrata and C. tropicalis, but synergy was not demonstrated in the majority of Candida spp. tested. Nonetheless, In vivo testing needs to be performed to support these findings.     

The effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-amino-butyric acid on resistance of cucumber against root-knot nematode, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Meloidogyne javanica</Emphasis>

In this study, the effects of β-amino-butyric acid (BABA) on root-knot nematode(Meloidogyne javanica) infection of cucumber and accumulation of total phenolic compounds, hydrogen peroxide and activity of some enzymes related to plant defense mechanisms, i.e., guaiacol peroxidase (GPOX), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), catalase (CAT) in cucumber roots infected with nematode were investigated. Results of this study show that treating the cucumber seedlings with the above elicitor significantly reduces the nematode infection level (the nematode galls, number of egg masses per plant and number of eggs per individual egg mass) compared to control. Additionally, treatment of cucumber roots by BABA and BABA + nematode, significantly increased peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and catalase activities in root tissues, 1 day after nematode inoculation in comparison to nematode inoculated plants as control and sterile water-treated plants. Enzyme activities reached to a maximum level at 4, 4 and 3 days after nematode inoculation, respectively. Additionally, the amount of H₂O₂, a product of oxidative stress, was significantly increased in the BABA and BABA + nematode treatments in comparison to control. Such increases have occurred in two phases and maximum levels of it were observed at 5 days after inoculation. Inoculation of cucumber plants by BABA also significantly increased accumulation of total phenol in comparison to control and maximum level of it was observed at 7 days after nematode inoculation. The results suggest that the inhibitory effect of BABA on the root-knot nematode (M. javanica) may be related to its ability to enhance defense responses in the cucumber roots.     

Immunofluorescent labeling of CD20 tumor marker with quantum dots for rapid and quantitative detection of diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Fluorescent semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are newfound nanocrystal probes which have been used in bioimaging filed in recent years. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic value of specific QDs coupled to rituximab monoclonal antibody against CD20 tumor markers for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). In current study rituximab-conjugated quantum dots (QDs-rituximab) were prepared against CD20 tumor markers for detection of CD20-positive cells (human Raji cell line) using flowcytometry. A total of 27 tumor tissue samples were collected from patients with DLBCL and 27 subjects with negative pathological tests as healthy ones, which stained by QD-rituximab. The detection signals were obtained from QDs using fluorescence microscopy. The flowcytometry results demonstrated a remarkable difference in fluorescent intensity and FL2-H + (CD20-positive cells percentage) between two groups. Both factors were significantly higher in Raji in comparison with K562 cell line (P < 0.05). Lot of green fluorescence signals was observed due to the selectively binding of QD-rituximab to CD20 tumor markers which overexpressed in tumor tissues and a few signals observed on the defined healthy ones. Based on these observations the cut-off point was 46.8 dots and the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 100%, 89.5%, 91.3%, and 100%, respectively (LR+, 9.52; LR−, 0). The QD - rituximab could be beneficial as a bioimaging tool with high sensitivity to provide an accurate molecular imaging technique for identifying CD20 tumor markers for early diagnosis of the patients with DLBCL.     

Identification of HCV genotypes in HCV infected blood donors

HCV infection is a leading cause of chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis of the liver. There are at least six major genotypes and more than 50 subtypes of HCV. The prevalence and distribution of HCV genotypes depend on geographical location. The aim of this study was to identify and compare the HCV genotypes in HCV infected blood donors and patients. In this cross-sectional study, 167 serum samples from 103 blood donors and 64 patients with hepatitis C were investigated for HCV genotypes. HCV genotyping was carried out using type-specific primers from the core region of the viral genome. The highest frequency was for genotype 1a, with 53 and 34 (51.5% versus 53.1%) of subjects in blood donors and patients respectively. Genotype 3a and 1b were the other frequent genotypes with 4 and 16 (3.9% versus 25%) and 39 and 10 (37.9% versus 15.6%) subjects, respectively. There was not any statistical significant association between the place of infection of the patients and genotype. The results of this study indicate that the distribution of genotypes in the two populations was similar. The dominant HCV genotypes between blood donors and patients were 1a, 3a and 1b respectively.     

Species delimitation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Epilobium</Emphasis> (sec. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Epilobium</Emphasis>, Onagraceae): morphological,molecular and palynological data

The genus Epilobium L. (Family Onagraceae) with about 200 species is taxonomically complicated due to wide inter-specific gene flow. There is no report on biosystematics of Epilobium species in Iran, therefore we studied 5 species of this genus using a combination of morphological, molecular (ISSR) and palynological data to delimit these species. All data revealed high degree of morphological and genetic overlap among the studied species. However, they could be separated when all studied features were used together. Morphological characters could delimit 3 species while genetic data separated them in two major groups. However, palynological data could delimit all five species studied. The species relationship was highly compatible in all three data sources used.     

Crataegus coriifolia sp. nov. (Rosaceae) from Iran

Crataegus coriifolia Sharifnia & Zarrinkolah is described as a new species from Iran. Its taxonomic relationships, ecology and distribution are discussed. An identification key to C. coriifolia and other two‐styled species of Crataegus occurring in Iran is provided.     

Intake of Dairy Products,Calcium, Magnesium,and Phosphorus in Childhood and Age at Menarche in the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

Purpose

Studies indicate that milk intake is associated with insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) concentrations and height in childhood, whether milk and other dairy products promote puberty remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate influences of pre-pubertal intakes of milk, yogurt and cheese on menarcheal age in Tehranian girls. The associations of total dietary calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and phosphorus (P) with menarcheal age were also examined.

Methods

This prospective study was conducted on 134 pre-pubertal girls, aged 4-12 years at baseline, who participated in the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS), and were followed for a median of 6.5 years. Dietary intakes were determined at initiation of the study using two non-consecutive 24-h dietary recalls and the age of menarche was documented during the follow-up. Logistic regression was used to calculate the risk of reaching menarche ≤ 12 years according to pre-pubertal levels of dairy or mineral intakes.

Results

The risk of earlier menarche was higher in girls with higher intakes of milk [OR: 2.28 (95% CI: 1.03–5.05)], Ca [OR: 3.20 (95%CI: 1.39–7.42)], Mg [OR: 2.43 (95% CI: 1.12–5.27)] and P [OR: 3.37 (95 % CI: 1.44–7.87) after controlling for energy and protein intake, interval between the age at study initiation and the age of menarche, and maternal age at menarche (Model 1). Girls in the middle tertile of cheese intakes had a lower risk of reaching menarche ≤ 12 years than those in the lowest tertile after controlling for covariates in model 1. These associations remained significant after further adjustment of BMI Z-score at baseline. The relationship of Ca, Mg, and P with menarche remained after further adjustment for height Z-score at baseline, whereas the association between milk and cheese intakes became non-significant.

Conclusions

Pre-pubertal intake of milk, but not cheese and yogurt, may hasten age at menarche.     

An in vitro assessment for evaluating the efficiency of β-d-mannuronic acid (M2000) in myelodysplastic syndrome

β-d -Mannuronic acid (M2000), a novel non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with immunosuppressive properties, has been previously shown to exhibit potential therapeutic effects on autoimmune diseases. Immunosuppression therapy has been a standard approach for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) for many years. We evaluated the effect of M2000 on isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with MDS. The PBMCs were isolated from 13 patients with MDS and 13 normal donors. The cells were then treated with low, moderate, and high doses of M2000 and diclofenac as a control group. The level of interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), IL-3, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) gene expression and the serum level of IL-6 and TNF-α production were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods, respectively. Our findings indicated a significant reduction in the production of IL-6 and TNF-α as inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, the level of G-CSF gene expression was significantly increased. In conclusion, M2000, a newly designed NSAID, has a remarkable effect on isolated PBMC in patients with MDS, which might bring a potential hope for its oral administrations in these patients.