[Expression of aap and icaR genes involved in biofilm production in clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus resistant to methicillin and gentamicin]

Backgrounds and Aim: Staphylococcus aureus biofilms are involved in a multitude of serious chronic infections. Production of biofilms is a defensive-invasive process controlled and regulated by the aap and icaR genes. The expression levels of these genes play an important role in the formation of biofilm. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of icaR and aap regulatory genes in clinical isolates of S. aureus resistant to methicillin and gentamicin

Materials and Methods: In this analytical study, among 285 samples, we detected 100 isolates of methicillin resistant and 82 isolates of gentamicin resistant S. aureus. Resistant strains were evaluated for the presence of biofilm regulatory genes. The expression levels of regulatory genes were measured by real-time PCR method. We used SPSS software 16 for statistical analysis and also REST 2008 V3 software for analysis of quantitative results

Results: Among 100 methicillin resistant and 82 gentamicin resistant isolates of S. aureus the highest expression levels of icaR and aap genes were detected in the smears obtained from the wounds and catheters. Moreover, a different pattern of gene expression was observed in multidrug resistant strains in comparison to the strains with lower rate of resistance. Also, there was a significant relationship between the presence and activity of regulatory genes and biofilm formation in different samples [p

Conclusion: Considering the frequency of biofilm producing strains of S. aureus in the smears from the catheters and wounds and also increased gene expression, appropriate therapeutic measures should be considered for methicillin and gentamicin resistant of S. aureus

[Fructosamine and glycated hemoglobin level in pregnant women with abnormal glucose challenge test]

Gestational diabetes is affected 3-12% of women and occurs at the final stage of second trimester. This study was done to determine the fructosamine and glycated hemoglobin level in pregnant women with abnormal glucose challenge test. This case - control study was carried out on 96 pregnant women with glucose challenge test [GCT]>140 mg/dl as cases and 96 pregnant women with GCT<140 mg/dl as controls. The serum fructosamine and glycated hemoglobin determined using ELISA and chemical methods, respectively. In pregnant woman with abnormal GCT, there was a significant correlation with glycated hemoglobin and fructosamine. The glycated hemoglobin correlation was more significant compared to fructosamine [0.63 to 0.24]. There was not significant correlation between GCT with fructosamine and glycated hemoglobin in individuals with normal GCT. The measurement of glycated hemoglobin is more accurate than fructosamine in pregnant women with abnormal glucose challenge test

relationship between random urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio and 24-hours urine protein in diagnosis of proteinuria in mild preeclampsia

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a random urinary protein / creatinine ratio is a clinically useful predictor of significant proteinuria [>/= 300 mg/24 hr] instead of 24- hours urine protein, among women with suspected preeclampsia. Women with suspected preeclampsia and gestational age of >/= 20 weeks were included in a prospective study. Patients with chronic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or preexisting renal disease were excluded. Protein/ creatinine ratio was obtained before 24-hours urine collection. Positive and negative predictive values and sensitivity and specificity of the protein/creatinine ratio for significant proteinuria [>/= 300 mg] were calculated, based on 24- hours urine total protein. 100 women were evaluated totally. Mean maternal and gestational ages were 27.3 years and 33.26 weeks, respectively. 73% of cases had significant proteinuria based on 24-hours urine collection. Good correlations were found between the protein/creatinine ratio in random urine samples and both the 24-hours urine protein excretion and the 24- hours urine protein/creatinine ratio in patients with mild preeclampsia [r=0.484, P<0.0001, and r=0.345, P<0.0001, respectively] .Receiver operator characteristic [ROC] analysis revealed an area under the curve of 0.944. The best cutoff value was of >0.18 which yields a sensitivity of 86.3%, a specificity of 100%, with a positive predictive value of 100%, and a negative predictive value of 73%. The random urinary protein .to- creatinine [P: C] ratio is strongly associated with the 24-hours total protein excretion. A cutoff value of > 0.18 is a good predictor of significant proteinuria .P: C ratio could replace the 24- hours urine collection as a simpler, faster, and more accurate method for the diagnosis of significant proteinuria