ABSTRACT
Objectives: Organ-specific hemosiderosis and iron overload complications are more serious and more frequent in some patients with beta thalassemia major [BTM] compared with others. We investigated whether coinheritance of HFE H63D or C282Y gene mutations in patients with BTM contributes to the phenotypic variation of iron overload complications and assessed the correlation of cardiac and hepatic hemosiderosis with plasma ferritin levels
Methods: We studied 60 patients with BTM with a mean age of 17.5+/-9.1 years from the Northwest of Iran. HFE gene mutations were analyzed using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Cardiac and hepatic hemosiderosis was assessed using T2[asterisk]magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]. Ferritin levels were measured using the enzyme immunoassay method
Results: Ferritin levels showed a strong inverse correlation with hepatic T2[asterisk]MRI values [r = -0.631, p =0.001] but a poor correlation with cardiac T2[asterisk]MRI values [r = -0.297, p = 0.044]. The correlation between cardiac T2[asterisk]MRI values and hepatic T2[asterisk]MRI values was poor and insignificant [r = 0.287, p = 0.058]. Genotype and allele distribution of HFE H63D and C282Y mutation did not differ significantly between patients with and without hepatic or cardiac hemosiderosis [p > 0.050]. However, carriers of HFE 63D allele had significantly higher ferritin levels compared with non-carriers [1 903+/-993 vs. 992+/-683, p < 0.001]
Conclusions: Cardiac T2[asterisk]MRI values showed a poor correlation with hepatic T2[asterisk]MRI values and ferritin levels. Accurate assessment of cardiac iron overload in patients with BTM can only be done using the T2[asterisk]MRI technique. Additionally, HFE H63D is a significant determinant factor for elevated ferritin levels in BTM patients
ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: Propolis is one of the most important bee products used as a natural antibiotic alternative for industrial antibiotic production in order to reduce unnecessary usage of antibiotics. The chemical structure of this natural product in different regions of the world is different. The solvent used for extraction of propolis can have a significant impact on its antimicrobial activity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of ethanol and oil extracts of propolis produced in Kurdistan Province on Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus mutans and Entrobacter aerogenes
Material and Methods: After collecting propolis from different parts of Kurdistan Province, ethanol and oil extracts were prepared. Minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] and minimum bactericidal concentration [MBC] for the three above mentioned strains of bacteria were determined by using broth dilution method
Results: Use of alcoholic solvent [96% ethanol and dimethyl sulfoxide] resulted in a greater mean diameter of growth inhibitory zone in comparison to oil extract [p<0.01]. Inhibitory concentrations [MICs] of alcoholic extract of propolis for Staphylococcus epidermidis PTCC1435, Streptococcus mutans PTCC1683 and Enterobacter aerogenes PTCC1221 were 0.16, 0.32 and 0.65 mg/ml respectively. The MBCs, were 0.65, 1.31and 1.31 mg/ml respectively. The MICs of oil extract of propolis for Staphylococcus epidermidis PTCC1435, Streptococcus mutans PTCC1683 and Enterobacter aerogenes PTCC1221 were 2.62, 1.31 and 1.31 mg/ml and the MBCs for each of the above mentioned bacteria were 2.62
Conclusion: Propolis showed significant antimicrobial effects in our study therefore, it can be used in the food and pharmaceutical industries
ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus can cause food poisoning and digestive disorders in human beings. Propolis has been known as an antimicrobial agent against bacteria. The aim of this study was to determine the in-vitro antimicrobial activity of propolis extract on bacterial strains
Material and Methods: In this study, we evaluated antibacterial effects of propolis alcoholic extract on Staphylococcus aureus [ptcc1112], Bacillus cereus [ptcc1247] and Pseudomonas aeruginosa [ptcc1707] for three times, by means of paper disc method [determination of inhibition zone diameter] and broth dilution, determination of minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] and minimum bactericidal concentration [MBC]. Using SPSS software, statistical analysis was performed by DUNCAN test
Results: The results showed that the antibacterial activity and inhibition diameters for Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa [in a propolis extract concentration of 5.25 mg / ml] were respectively 18.66 +/- 0.58, 18, 14.33 +/- 0.58, respectively. S. Aureus had the highest sensitivity and Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed the highest resistance to alcoholic extract of propolis. The minimum inhibitory concentrations [MIC] for Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus cereus were 0.656, 0.656 and 2.62 mg/ ml respectively and the lethal concentrations [MBC] for Clostridium sporogenes, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, were 0.656, 0.656 and 2.62 mg/ ml respectively
Conclusion: The alcoholic extract of propolis had inhibitory and antibacterial effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus cereus. Considering organoleptic effects of propolis extract, it can be used as a preservative in food
ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: In recent years, the production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases [ESBLs] among clinical isolates of bacteria in particular E.coli has been on the rise. Production of beta-Lactamase in E.coli has caused many problems in the treatment of the patients. The CTX-M-2 gene is one of the several factors producing resistance due to ESBL. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility to beta-lactam antibiotics and investigation of the CTX-M-2 gene level in E. coli isolated from urine samples
Material and Methods: In this study, 260 UTI samples were collected from medical centers in Sanandaj and 100 E.coli isolates were collected and confirmed by biochemical tests. Then susceptibility test to 11 selected antibiotics were performed by disk diffusion method and the ESBLs producing strains were identified by the combined disk method. Using PCR method, ESBLs positive strains were examined for the presence of CTX-M-2 gene
Results: The results of the phenotype tests showed that out of 100 E.coli strains, 27 [27%] were ESBLs producing. Also, PCR showed that among these 27 strains, 2 [7.4%] strains contained CTX-M-2 gene
Conclusion: Considering the high rate of resistance to the third generation cephalosporins, careful antibiogram tests is an inevitable necessity before prescribing antibiotics for the treatment of infections caused by ESBLs producing organisms