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Background: Staphylococcus aureus can cause a variety of infectious diseases, mainly due to its ability to shift between the planktonic and the biofilm lifestyle. Biofilm infections present a serious problem in human medicine. Biofilm-associated protein (bap) and intercellular adhesin (ica) genes are involved in biofilm formation. Objectives: This study evaluated the effect of Thymus vulgaris and Cinnamomum verum essential oils on biofilm formation and expression of icaA, icaD, and bap genes in S. aureus strains. Methods: A total of 20 strains of S. aureus were isolated from the urine of patients. The susceptibility test was performed to determine the effect of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of thyme and cinnamon essential oils on strains by broth dilution method. The expression of icaA and icaD genes was determined by measuring the cognate messenger ribonucleic acid level using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: The biofilm formation of strains after treatment with the MIC of thyme essential oil was observed as 40% weak and 60% negative biofilms, and with the MIC of cinnamon essential oil as 25% strong and 75% moderate biofilms. Real-time PCR demonstrated that 60% of S. aureus strains treated with thyme and cinnamon essential oils showed a decrease in icaA gene expression. Moreover, 55% and 70% of the strains treated with thyme and cinnamon essential oils had reduced icaD gene expression, respectively. None of the strains of S. aureus had a bap gene. Conclusions: The present study showed that thyme and cinnamon essential oils reduce the expression of icaA and icaD genes, and cinnamon essential oil is more effective than thyme essential oil.

BACKGROUND: Postharvest diseases in fruits and vegetables are one of the major problems in storing them as a fresh agri-product. This study aimed to investigate the antifungal activity of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) aqueous extract against the Penicillium expansum and the Penicillium digitatum in apple and tangerine fruits as well as their postharvest decay during storage time. METHODS: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the molds, and the decay inhibition percentage (%DI) with the P.expansum for apple and P.digitatum for tangerine after treatment with licorice aqueous extract were measured. Additionally, the lesion diameter, titratable acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), pH, and organoleptic properties were determined. RESULTS: The growth of molds was almost inhibited at the concentration of 62.5 mg/mL. The ability of licorice aqueous extract to significantly control and reduce the growth of P. expansum in apple by 60 and 20 % after 7 days and 21 days of storage time was proved, respectively. Furthermore, significant differences in pH and TSS (p

The Gram negative bacterium Fibrobacter succinogenes lives anaerobically in the bovine rumen and secretes β-glucanase. Barley is a cheap food input for poultry production but it is low in nutrients due to its beta glucan content. Supplementing exogenous β-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.4) to broiler diets can decrease the viscosity of the intestinal content by hydrolyzing the β-glucan and enhancing nutrient digestibility. In the current study, β-glucanase enzymatic activity was assayed after extraction from bovine rumen fluid, and then its effect on broiler performance, carcass characteristics, duodenum microbial flora, hematological and immunological parameters was compared with a commercial enzyme. A total of 120 local broilers (GolpayeganiRoss hybrid) was allocated to 3 treatments with 4 replicates per treatment and 10 birds per replicate/pen. Over a 49-day experimental period, broilers were fed a basal diet (T1), basal diet with 10 IU of extracted β-glucanase and 20% barley (T2) and basal diet with 10 IU of commercial β-glucanase and 20% barley (T3). T2 significantly increased body weight gain and decreased feed intake over the whole experimental period. Treatments had a significant effect on hematological parameters except low density lipoprotein (LDL) concentration (P0.05) were associated with the T2. The same treatment also caused a significant increase in lactobacilli and Escherichia coli in the gastrointestinal tract. Consequently, enzyme addition had a positive effect on broiler performance without any adverse effects on humoral immunity parameters.

Aflatoxin M1 is a derivate of aflatoxin B1 and an important contaminant of milk and dairy products. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted on relevant Persian and English original articles in national and international databases with no time limits until 1 January 2018. In total 605 articles were found among which 70 articles met the inclusion criteria for meta-analysis. The prevalence (95% confidence interval (CI)) and mean concentration (95% CI) of aflatoxin M1 was found to be 64% (53-75%) and 39.7 ng/l (31.9-47.4 ng/l) in raw milk, 95% (89-98%) and 62.3 ng/l (40.6-84 ng/l) in pasteurised milk, 71% (56-84%) and 60.1 ng/l (30.9-89.3 ng/l) in sterilised milk, 59% (20-93%) and 5.5 ng/l (3.3-7.7 ng/l) in breast milk and 72% (61-81%) and 82.3 ng/kg (63.7-100.9 ng/kg) in dairy products. In general, 9% (4-16%) of milks and 10% (4-17%) of dairy products had aflatoxin M1 in concentrations exceeding the permitted level of Iranian standards (500 ng/l). Based on the maximum permitted aflatoxin M1 concentration in standards of Europe (50 ng/l), these percentages increase to 25% (18-32%) for milks and 18% (9-29%) for dairy products. According to the results, further control and preventive measures should be applied on livestock feeds because decreased aflatoxin B1 contamination at this level results in decreased aflatoxin M1 in milk and dairy products.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most important pathogens acquired from the hospital and community. Increasing the resistance of S. aureus to antibiotics is a major health concentration, and thus the study of antibiotic resistance in S. aureus is very important. The aim of this study is to determine the typing of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in the region of the ccrB gene by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Methods: One hundred and six S. aureus were isolated from urine, blood, sputum, wound, and the trachea of patients hospitalized in Tehran during (March-April) 2016. Antibiotic susceptibility test was done by the disk diffusion method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). In addition, molecular typing for staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (Sccmec) type I-V was performed in MRSA isolates, followed by conducting PCR-RFLP by restriction enzymes BsmI and HinfI in the ccrB gene area. Results: PCR and typing showed that type II SCCmec was 40% (n=20), followed by types III (28, 56%), IVc (12, 24%), I (11, 22%), V (9, 18%) IVa (7, 14%), and IVb (5, 10%). However, SCCmec type IVd was not observed in the isolates. Finally, after the amplification of ccrB gene and RFLP, all isolates the same as the typing method represented types I, II, III, IVa, IVb, and IVc while no type V was detected by this method. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrated that SCCmec (type I-IV) can be detected by PCR-RFLP in the ccrB gene, but this method identified no type V SCCmec in MRSA.

Background: Oral cancers are the 11th leading cancers worldwide, with an annual mortality rate of 500 across the world. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the awareness of dental students about prevention, early diagnosis and referral of patients with oral cancers in Tabriz Azad University in 2018. Methods: The present descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out in 2018 in dental students from the third to the sixth year of their studies in Tabriz Azad University using their self-reports. To this end, 153 dental students were randomly selected based on their education levels and included in the study. Data were collected using a standard questionnaire and analyzed by chi-squared test. Statistical significance was considered to be P

Background: Candida albicans can cause oral, vaginal, and cutaneous infections, as well as systemic candidiasis. It has been recently documented that molecular factors play significant roles in the pathogenesis of Candida albicans in various anatomical sites of the host. Objectives: The present study was designed to answer the hypothesis of whether PLB1 and HWP1 mRNA expression patterns are related to the progression of infection in different anatomical sites of the body. Methods: The experimental study was performed on 120 clinical isolates of C. albicans obtained from various sites of non-immune-compromised and immune-compromised patients. Initially, all samples were cultured on Sabouraud-dextrose agar and then CHROM agar Candida medium to isolate and obtain a pure colony of yeasts. Quantitative real-time PCR was carried out for the quantitative evaluation of HWP1 and PLB1 mRNA expression in all clinical samples. The frequency of the PLB1 and HWP1 genes among C. albicans strains isolated from four clinical sites was analyzed using Fisher’s exact test with a significance threshold of P < 0.05. Finally, data obtained from real-time PCR was interpreted using the comparative Ct method (∆∆Ct) by REST© software. Results: The HWP1 gene was detected at a higher frequency than the PLB1 gene in C. albicans strains. The HWP1 mRNA expression level of clinical samples was upregulated by 70, 83.3, 43.3, and 33.3% in four sites (oral, vaginal, BAL, and cutaneous sites), respectively. The PLB1 mRNA expression level of all samples was upregulated by 46.7, 53.3, 40, and 3.3% (P < 0.001) in four sites compared to the control group. Conclusions: The PLB1 and HWP1 genes were expressed predominantly in mucosal (oral, vaginal, and BAL) specimens. This clearly shows that the expression pattern of these candidate genes depends on the organ localization. Furthermore, the presence of samples with no expression of HWP1 and PLB1 genes mRNA confirmed the recent hypothesis that there is a meaningful relationship between the higher expression level of candidate genes mRNA and the presence of infections in a specific site of the body. However, more studies are required on larger samples to characterize the exact molecular mechanism of candidate genes involved in the severity of symptoms, as well as their contribution to the site of infection.

Aspergillus parasiticus is one of the most common fungi able to produce aflatoxins, which are naturally occurring carcinogenic substances. This study evaluated the effects of the safe yeast, Kluyveromyces lactis, on fungal growth, aflatoxin production and expression of aflR gene in A. parasiticus. Antifungal susceptibility was evaluated by exposing A. parasiticus to different amounts of K. lactis, and aflatoxin production was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. Expression of the aflR gene was determined by measuring the cognate aflR mRNA level by quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction assay. The growth of A. parasiticus was inhibited by 7 days of incubation at 30°C with a minimum population of 1.5 × 105 CFU/ml of K. lactis, which also suppressed expression of the A. parasiticus aflR gene, reducing the total production of aflatoxins by 97.9% and aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 by 97.8, 98.6, 98 and 94%, respectively. Accordingly, K. lactis could be considered as a potential biocontrol agent against toxigenic molds in food and animal feed.

Background Candida parapsilosis is one of the five common strains of yeasts involved in invasive candidiasis. The expression analysis of sterol biosynthesis pathway genes, which are associated with resistance, can assist the better understanding of antifungal resistance mechanisms. Method The antifungal susceptibility of 120 clinical C. parapsilosis isolates was examined. The changes in the gene expression related to resistance were analyzed. Results Eight strains were resistant to fluconazole (FLC), itraconazole (ITC), and amphotericin B (AMB). The regulation variations included increased mRNA levels of ERG3, ERG6, and ERG11 and decreased mRNA levels of ERG3 and ERG6 in response to FLC. ERG11 mRNA level increases in response to ITC and AMB. Conclusion The mechanism of resistance to azoles in C. parapsilosis is very similar to C. Albicans. This feature may help to design new treatment strategy for candidiasis.

The enzyme β-glucanase was extracted from Trichoderma reesei in bovine rumen fluid samples collected from a slaughterhouse and its effect was investigated in broilers. Data collected was broiler performance, carcass characteristics, duodenum microbial flora, hematological, and immunological parameters. β-glucanase activity was assayed through spectrometry and was approximately 0.434 IU per gram culture medium. In the current study, endoglucanase enzymes were extracted from Trichoderma reesei. A total of 160 local broilers (Golpayegan-Ross hybrid) were allocated to 4 treatments with 4 replicates per treatment. Over a 49-day experimental period, broilers were fed a basal diet (T1), basal diet plus 20% barley (T2), basal diet with 10 IU extracted β-glucanase and 20% barley (T3), and basal diet with 10 IU commercial β-glucanase and 20% barley (T4). The T3 treatment resulted in the greatest body weight gain at the end of experiment (P 0.01). No significant differences were for feed conversion (FCR; P 0.05). The highest cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and LDL cholesterol ratio was observed in the T3 treatment. The highest concentrations of immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1), immunoglobulin G2 (IgG2), and immunoglobulin M1 (IgM1) were observed in the T4 treatment. The T3 treatment resulted in the best response for all measured carcass characteristics. The highest levels of aerobic bacteria, lactobacilli, anaerobic bacteria, and E. coli were associated with the T4, T3, T4, and T1 treatments, respectively. It is concluded that β-glucanase supplementation can be used to overcome the anti-nutritive effects of water soluble barley non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) and consequently enhance broiler performance without any adverse effects on humoral immunity parameters.

Statement of the Problem: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the most prevalent ulcerative condition of the oral mucosa. Many studies have emphasized on immunologic factors as the reason of inducing RAS; however, the exact etiologic cause of RAS has not been identified yet. Vitamin D has an endocrine function and regulatory effects on the immune system. It has potential therapeutic effects on autoimmune diseases, psoriasis, and neoplasms. Vitamin D deficiency has been detected in some autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arteritis. Purpose: The aim of the present study was to compare the serum and salivary levels of vitamin D in patients with RAS and healthy individuals. Materials and Method: In this cross sectional study, patients with RAS, referring to the Department of Oral Medicine, Tabriz Faculty of Dentistry, were evaluated after taking medical history, clinical examinations, and completing an informed consent form. The serum and salivary vitamin D levels were compared between case (n=26) and control (n=26) groups. Results: The mean serum vitamin D levels in the case and control groups were 33.0.7±12.41 and 50.89±9.30 (ng/dL), respectively, with a statistically significant difference (P

Summary Objective The aim of this study was the detection of Aspergillus species and Mycobacterium tuberculosis together in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) using of multiplex PCR. Material and methods In this study, from September 2012 until June 2013, 100 bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens were collected from patients suspected of tuberculosis (TB). After the direct and culture test, multiplex PCR were utilized in order to diagnose Aspergillus species and M. tuberculosis. Phenol-chloroform manual method was used in order to extract DNA from these microorganisms. Aspergillus specific primers, M. tuberculosis designed primers and beta actin primers were used for multiplex PCR. Results In this study, by multiplex PCR method, Aspergillus species were identified in 12 samples (12%), positive samples in direct and culture test were respectively 11% and 10%. Sensitivity and specificity of this method in comparison to direct test were respectively 100% and 98.8%, also sensitivity and specificity of this method in comparison to culture test were respectively 100% and 97.7%. In this assay, M. tuberculosis was identified in 8 samples (8%). Mycobacterium-positive samples in molecular method, direct and culture test were respectively 6%, 5% and 7%. Sensitivity and specificity of PCR method in comparison to direct test were 80% and 97.8% also sensitivity and specificity of this method in comparison to culture test was 71.4% and 98.9%. Conclusion In the present study, multiplex PCR method had higher sensitivity than direct and culture test in order to identify and detect Aspergillus, also this method had lower sensitivity for identification of M. tuberculosis, suggesting that the method of DNA extraction was not suitable.

There are many economic factors related to credit crunch, which includes structure of banking system, private sector, investment and government. Among these factors structure of banking system in Iranian banking system known as the most important one. They consider it as a continuous decline in credit demand. However, number of economists minimized the important factors, which have reduced the ability of credit supply by banks. The credit crunch indicates reduction in credit demand and the weaknesses of balance sheets in banking system. Data analysis is also important to study the credit crunch, and this phenomenon would be develop at the state level, however, economic shock at the national level could decline bank capital. We aim to test the existence of credit crunch in Iranian banking system. We also examine the effective factors, which have significant impact on credit crunch. The purpose of this study is to investigate the main reasons of credit crunch in Iranian banking system including economic and balance sheet structures by GMM econometric model. In order to test credit crunch in Iranian banking system, we use dummy variable. In this case we consider credit crunch dummy variable by capital ratio as an effective variable on growth of loan. The multiplied credit crunch dummy by capital ratio is significantly negative and this result show that the capital ratio could be affected on credit crunch in Iranian banking system.

The importance of earnings volatility in banking system has long been accepted in the accounting and finance literature. Earnings volatility has an effect either through its relation to the discount rate or expected cash flows (earnings) in assessment models. Most of the studies have been focused on the relationship between cost of capital and earnings volatility. One established result is a positive relationship between earnings volatility and different measures in cost of capital. (J Money Credit Banking 29:300–313, 1997) state that large banks have more risky revenues than small banks; therefore, the degree of risky revenues is linked to bank size and type of bank. For this reason, we use Herfindahl-Hirshman index (HHI) and dummy variables for different types of banks in order to examine the relationship between earnings volatility and bank size in Iran.

Background and Purpose: The Fusarium species are among the most important fungi in the medical, veterinary and agricultural fields. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 172 strains of these fungi have been analyzed. The high molecular weight DNAs were extracted from 23 reference strains as well as from 149 isolated Fusarium species. Using the designed nucleotide primers from rDNA of Fusarium species, PCR analysis was performed for the amplification of ITS regions. Afterwards, the location of the effective endonuclease enzymes has been evaluated within approximately 930 bp of rDNA sequence. Results: Through the selected enzymes including; HhaI, MspI, TaqI and FaqI, the mentioned Fusarium species have been divided into 33 groups. The first three enzymes were able to classify Fusarium species into 23 groups of which 19 groups included one member, one group included two members and three groups included three members of the Fusarium species. This study also revealed the possibility in the identification of F. semitectum, F. solani complex, F. pseudograminearum, F. nisikadoi, F. coeruleum and F. acuminatum species by one unique enzyme. In addition, our study indicated the ability of the differentiation of F. Compactum from F. equiseti. Conclusion: As Compared to previous studies with more endonuclease enzymes and with limited in identifications, the ITS-RFLP patterns reported here an attempted to evaluate most of the Fusarium species successfully.

Recent studies indicated the inhibitory effects of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains isolated from different origins on both fungal growth and aflatoxin production. This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of Lactobacillus plantarum and L. delbrueckii subsp. Lactis on Aspergillus parasiticus ATCC15517 growth. Quantification of aflatoxin was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography technique. Quantitative changes in the expression of the aflR gene were analyzed by measuring the cognate aflR mRNA level with quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Our results demonstrated the inhibitory effect of LAB on A. parasiticus growth at 2 × 103 cfu/ml of L. plantarum and L. delbrueckii subsp. Lactis. Aflatoxin G2 production was significantly inhibited to lower than level of detection. The level of aflR gene expression was considerably decreased after the exposure of fungal cells with used LABs. Assessment of the used LABs on A. parasiticus revealed antifungal properties and effective ability to decrease aflatoxin production. Practical applications Fungi spoilage is widespread among different types of food that may result in huge amounts of waste and economical lost. In addition, side effects raised by using chemical additives as preservative, are a serious source of health concern. Therefore, natural agents such as lactic acid bacteria which are also commonly used as probiotics in recent years, could play a good role as inhibitors of fungal growth as well as mycotoxin production both in food and feed. Different media like dairy foods and so on, can be formulated with Lactobacillus plantarum and L. delbrueckii subsp. Lactis, to prevent Aspergillus parasiticus growth and mycotoxin excretion. LAB can be added to processed food during inoculation step and even for protection, they can be capsulated with edible materials to improve their efficiency.

Background: Resistance of pathogenic fungi to conventionally available antifungal agents has been increasing and has become a serious problem. On the other hand, nanoscience has emerged as a powerful tool capable of developing and designing new antimicrobial drugs. Objectives: The aim of this study was to test minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of silver (Ag-NPs) and selenium (Se-NPs) nanoparticles, both alone and in combination with antifungal agents fluconazole (FLU), itraconazole (ITR), and amphotericin B (AMB) on resistant C. parapsilosis strains. Methods: Eight C. parapsilosis strains resistant to antifungal agents (FLU, ITR, AMB) and the standard strain of C. parapsilosis (ATCC 22019) as a control were used in this study. The standard protocol of antifungal susceptibility testing for yeast was performed by the broth micro-dilution method described in the clinical and laboratory standards institute (CLSI) guidelines, document M 27-S4. Results and Conclusions: MICs of standard and resistant strains were different against nano compounds, both alone and in combination with antifungal drugs. The growth of yeast was inhibited by Ag-NPs at concentrations as low as 2 µg /mL (against FLCR1 and FLCR3) and 0.25 µg /mL (against ITRR2 and AMBR2). Antifungal activity testing of Se-NPs revealed that it can inhibit the growth of yeasts at concentrations as low as 4 µg /mL (against FLCR1 and FLCR3) and 0.5 mg/mL (against ITRR2, ITRR3 and AMBR1). The results demonstrated that Se-NPs had lower activity than Ag-NPs, but both (Se-NPs and Ag-NPs) had higher activity than common antifungal agents. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are required for this.

Recent investigations revealed the effects of herbal extracts on both fungal growth as well as aflatoxins production. In the present study, we tried to evaluate antifungal activity as well as antitoxin activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) extract. Strain American Type Culture Collection 15517 of Aspergillus parasiticus was used to perform antifungal susceptibility test according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute document M27-A3, and the rate of aflatoxin production was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography technique after exposure to different concentrations of licorice extract. Quantitative changes in the expression of the aflR gene were analyzed by measuring the cognate aflR mRNA level with quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction assay. Our obtained results demonstrated the inhibitory effect of licorice extract on Aspergillus parasiticus growth at 500 mg/mL of licorice extract. In addition, a significant decrease in aflatoxin production was revealed at the same concentration. However, the production of aflatoxin B1 was entirely inhibited in 10 g/mL of licorice extract. The level of aflR gene expression was significantly decreased after the exposure of fungal cells to 500 g/mL of licorice extract. Evaluation of the antifungal and antitoxin activity of licorice extract on Aspergillus parasiticus revealed its antifungal properties as well as its effective ability to decrease aflatoxin production. Practical Application Several classes of synthetic antifungal drugs are used today to treat fungal infections in humans and crops. However, this antifungal therapy is not always effective because of emerging of drug-resistant strains. Therefore, using effective natural antifungal agents with fewer side effects is a promising approach to combat fungal diseases either in medicine or in agriculture. In the present study, we introduced the licorice extract as a novel natural compound to inhibit the growth and production of aflatoxin in the filamentous fungi Aspergillus parasiticus and evaluated this natural herbal extract as an antifungal agent.

Background Ultraviolet (UV) radiation has quite diverse effects on various microorganisms. Malassezia sympodialis (M. sympodialis) has been recognized as an important member of superficial flora which commonly isolated from the human skin. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the UVA and UVB irradiation on antifungal susceptibility pattern of M. sympodialis and expression levels of related genes. Aims and objectives To evaluate the possible effects of UV lights on M. sympodialis, the possible changes in drug resistance pattern, and gene regulations related to resistance and pathogenicity of this species. Methods The M. sympodialis yeasts have been isolated from the skin of healthy individuals. The effect of ultraviolet irradiation was evaluated, under UVA (365 nm) and UVB (302 nm) sources separately, for 5, 20, and 30 minutes (min) at 15 cm. Then the in vitro activity testing of ketoconazole (KTC) against M. sympodialis was done. In addition, a quantitative Real Time PCR was performed for evaluation of the expression level of MSY001_1493 and Malas13 genes after UV exposure. Results M. sympodialis yeasts showed greater resistance (MIC50) when they were exposed to both UVA and UVB for 5 and 20 min. There were no differences between the MICs of samples which were exposed to the UV for 30 min in comparison to the normal sample, without UV exposure. The expression levels of MSY001_1493 and Malas13 genes distinctly increased after 5 and 20 min (P Conclusions The obtained results of the present study shows the importance of proper duration of UV radiation on reducing drug susceptibility and progress towards the pathogenicity of M. sympodialis. In addition, UV radiation could has effect on related gene expression, which could effect on the intensity of pathogenicity of this Malassezia species.

Background Thioredoxin (Trx) is a member of pan-allergen family which has been identified in some fungi. Due to cross-reactivity to human Trx, the Trx of Aspergillus fumigatus and Malassezia sympodialis (M. sympodialis) can lead to the exacerbation of severe atopic diseases. However, the role of Trx in pityriasis versicolor (PV) is unclear. Purpose To evaluate the role of Trx protein of M. sympodialis and M. globosa in PV. Methodology Using RNA-seq technology, the MGL-1781 gene was found to be highly expressed in M. globosa isolated from PV patients. Based on the protein BLAST analysis, this gene was predicted to encode the hypothetical Trx protein of M. globosa. The expression level of the MGL-1781 gene along with the Trx encoding gene of M. sympodialis (Mala s 13) were quantified using real-time PCR assay among isolates from pityriasis versicolor (PV) patients and healthy controls. Results We found that the expression of MGL_1781 and Mala s 13 genes were significantly different among M. globosa and M. sympodialis isolated from PV patients and healthy individuals. The expression mean of the MGL-1781 and Mala s 13 genes were 103.919 and 1074.365, respectively. Conclusion Our results indicated that the MGL-1781 and Mala s 13 genes may respectively contribute to the virulence of M. globosa and M. sympodialis in PV, which warrant further investigations in this area.

Background: Aflatoxins are highly toxic secondary metabolites mainly produced by Aspergillus parasiticus. This species can contaminate a wide range of agricultural commodities, including cereals, peanuts, and crops in the field. In recent years, research on medicinal herbs, such as Pistacia atlantica subsp. kurdica, have led to reduced microbial growth, and these herbs also have a particular effect on the production of aflatoxins as carcinogenic compounds. Objectives: In this study, we to examine P. atlantica subsp. kurdica as a natural compound used to inhibit the growth of A. parasiticus and to act as an anti-mycotoxin. Materials and Methods: In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing of P. atlantica subsp. kurdica for A. parasiticus was performed according to CLSI document M38-A2. The rate of aflatoxin production was determined using the HPLC technique after exposure to different concentrations (62.5 - 125 mg/mL) of the gum. The changes in expression levels of the aflR gene were analyzed with a quantitative real-time PCR assay. Results: The results showed that P. atlantica subsp. kurdica can inhibit A. parasiticus growth at a concentration of 125 mg/mL. HPLC results revealed a significant decrease in aflatoxin production with 125 mg/mL of P. atlantica subsp. kurdica, and AFL-B1 production was entirely inhibited. Based on quantitative real-time PCR results, the rate of aflR gene expression was significantly decreased after treatment with P. atlantica subsp. kurdica. Conclusions: Pistacia atlantica subsp. kurdica has anti-toxic properties in addition to an inhibitory effect on A. parasiticus growth, and is able to decrease aflatoxin production effectively in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, this herbal extract maybe considered a potential anti-mycotoxin agent in medicine or industrial agriculture.

Trichosporon species are known as the causative agents of cutaneous infections and are involved in systemic, localized, as well as disseminated mycoses particularly in immunocompromised patients. Here we report a case of tinea pedis infection caused by Trichosporon faecale in a healthy 29-year-old woman in the north of Iran. Macroscopic and microscopic characteristics using direct examination as well as culture method revealed the causative agent as Trichosporon species. Molecular analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region validated the initial result and indicated that this case of tinea pedis was caused by T. faecale. The patient was recovered after treatment with topical myconazole accompanied with oral fluconazole.

Background: Salmonella is one of the most widespread zoonotic enter pathogenic microorganisms found in the global food chain. Poultryand Poultry products have been identified as one of the important foodborne sources of Salmonella. Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) is a gold standard typing method for identification of Salmonella isolates during outbreaks and epidemiological investigations. Objectives: The aim of this study was to carry out molecular typing of Salmonella enterica spp. by PFGE technique. Materials and Methods: All 47 Salmonella isolates were serotyped and then subjected to PFGE. Total isolates were analyzed by means of the molecular technique XbaI PFGE. Results: In the current work, PFGE and serotyping were used to subtype 47 Salmonella isolates belonging to 22 different serotypes and derived from poultry. Thirty-nine PFGE patterns out of 47 isolates were obtained. The Discrimination Index (DI) by serotyping (0.93) was lower than PFGE (DI = 0.99). Conclusions: In conclusion, molecular methods such as PFGE can be used for epidemiological characterization of Salmonella serotypes.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic liver disease, with around 130 million infected people worldwide. HCV is recognized by Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which are key mediators of innate immune response. Up on activation of TLRs, anti-viral cytokines and pre-inflammatory are produced. Objectives: In this study, we compared the expression levels of two members of the TLR family (TLR3 and TLR7) that recognize viral RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) of patients with chronic HCV infection and healthy controls. Patients and Methods: In this case-control study, blood samples were collected from patients admitted to Blood Transfusion Research Center, Tehran, Iran. PBMC was isolated from blood of chronic HCV patients (n = 25) and age and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 25). RNA was extracted from PBMC and cDNA was synthesized from total RNA templates using reverse transcriptase. The relative level of expression was quantified by real-time PCR using Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as reference gene and the results were compared by Pfaffl method. Data were analyzed using non-parametric Wilcoxon test. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: In both groups, we had 13 males and 12 females with a mean age of 48.7 ± 16. TLR3 (6.23 ± 0.91 vs. 3.89 ± 0.85, P < 0.001) and TLR7 (1.48 ± 0.82 vs-1.33 ± 1.18, P < 0.001) expressions were significantly lower in patients with chronic HCV infection when compared with healthy controls. Conclusions: This study suggests that decrease in levels of TLR3 and TLR7 expression is a mechanism that may enable HCV to evade the host innate immune response.

Based on epidemiological studies, Aspergillus candidus has been demonstrated as an emerging fungal agent of toenail onychomycosis. Here we report a case of a toenail infection caused by A. candidus in a healthy 60-year-old woman. Based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the culture as well as nucleotide sequencing of 28S region, the causative agent was identified as A. candidus.

The introduction of RNA silencing machinery in fungi has led to the promising application of RNAi methodology to knock down essential vital factor or virulence factor genes in the microorganisms. Efg1p is required for development of a true hyphal growth form which is known to be essential for interactions with human host cells and for the yeast’s pathogenesis. In this paper, we describe the development of a system for presenting and studying the RNAi function on the EFG1 gene in C. albicans. The 19-nucleotide siRNA was designed on the basis of the cDNA sequence of the EFG1 gene in C. albicans and transfection was performed by use of a modified-PEG/LiAc method. To investigate EFG1 gene silencing in siRNA-treated cells, the yeasts were grown in human serum; to induce germ tubes a solid medium was used with the serum. Quantitative changes in expression of the EFG1 gene were analyzed by measuring the cognate EFG1 mRNA level by use of a quantitative real-time RT-PCR assay. Compared with the positive control, true hyphae formation was significantly reduced by siRNA at concentrations of 1 μM, 500 nM, and 100 nM (P

Trichophyton tonsurans is one of the dermatophyte fungi which invades the skin and hair of human. Several properties of this fungus have been investigated so far. However a few studies were carried out in the field of molecular biology of this fungus. In the present study, we tried to identify the Squalene epoxidase gene which is related to synthesis of ergosterol in this fungus.Pairs of 23 and 24 nucleotides primers were designed from highly conserved regions of the similar genes in other fungi. Mentioned primers were utilized in PCR by using isolated genomic DNA of T. tonsurans whereas the PCR fragments were then sequenced.Nucleotides (n = 558) have been sequenced from this new gene which encodes a polypeptide with 186 amino acids. Sequences comparison in gene data banks (NCBI, NIH) for this part of DNA and its deduced amino acid revealed significant homology with members of the eukaryotic Squalene epoxidase.