[Effect of orexin in ventromedial and lateral hypothalamus on aromatse gene expression and 17-beta estradiol concentration]

Previous studies have investigated the effects and importance of orexin and estradiol on food intake. In this study the effects of orexin on estradiol release by the ventromedial hypothalamus [satiety center] and lateral hypothalamus [feeding center] have been investigated. Forty adult male rats, divided to two groups, the control group [consisting of 10 rats] and an experimental group [consisting of 30 rats], were canulated in the lateral area and ventromedial nucleus steriotaxically. After two days recovery, 1, 2 and 4 micrograms of orexin were injected into the lateral area and ventromedial nucleus. After two hours, tissue of the lateral area and ventromedial nucleus were removed and concentrations of estradiol and aromatase were measured by radio-immuno assay and RT-PCR, respectively. Results of RT-PCR showed that orexin-A [1, 2, 4 microg] augmented aromatase gene expression in the VMH and LH.17-beta estradiol measurement showed that 1, 2 and 4 microg orexin infusion increased estradiol levels significantly in VMH and LH, especially the 2 and 4 microg doses, observations suggesting that the neurons secreting estradiol exist in the VMH and LH

Susceptibility of Candida species isolated from immunocompromised patients to antifungal agents

This study was carried out from October 2003 to March 2007 to investigate susceptibility patterns to antifungals of Candida strains isolated from 410 immunocompromised patients in Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran. Patients were checked for systemic candidiasis. Fungal colonization was determined and clinical samples collected from those patients with clinical signs of infections were examined. The carbohydrate assimilation patterns of all 354 isolates were studied. Susceptibility of the isolates to antifungal agents was determined using the reference broth microdilution method. Candida Candida albicans was the species most often isolated. Voriconazole was highly active against all the isolates. Major resistance to itraconazole was observed in all Candida spp. Regular investigations into antifungal resistance in medical centres is highly recommended as this will result in more efficient management of invasive candidiasis in immunocompromised patients

Molecular identification and in-vitro susceptibility andida albicans and C. dubliniensis isolated from immunocompromised patients

Yeasts are increasingly implicated in serious systemic infections. The aim of this study was to identify Candida albicans and C. dubliniensis from isolates of immunocompromised patients and evaluate the in vitro antifungal activities of them against antifungal agents. One hundred and seventy eight C. albicans were isolated by routine methods from 403 immunocompromised patients. All isolated C. albicans were inoculated on CHRO Magar Candida medium. The carbohydrate assimilation patterns of all the isolates were studied, using the API 320 system. To identify C. albicans and C. dubliniensis, PCR was done by specific primers. The susceptibility test for the isolates was performed by a broth microdilution assay, according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute. Of 178 isolates C. albicans, six were C. dubliniensis with PCR assay, and 7% were resistant to amphotericin B, 4.6% to fluconazole, 7% to itraconazole, 1% to nystatin, 2.3% to voriconazole, and 7% to ketoconazole. Non of the C. dubliniensis isolates were resistant to the six anti-fungal agents. It would be convenient to carry out antifungal susceptibility studies in order to establish the in-vitro activities of antifungal agents against local isolates and also to detect shifts toward resistance as early as possible