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Background: Activation of inflammatory processes after a heart attack is necessary, but if it continues too long, it will facilitate the recurrence of myocardial infarction. Endurance training plays an important role in improving inflammation and the condition of heart attack patients. Accordingly, the present study aimed to investigate the acute response of sports rehabilitation with electrical stimulation on CA-125 and Cys-C in myocardial infarction rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study with a control group of 50 Wistar rats (8 weeks old, weighing 220±30g) were randomly divided into 5 healthy groups: infarction, infarction-exercise rehabilitation, infarction-electrical stimulation and infarction-exercise rehabilitation-stimulation were electrically divided. Myocardial infarction was induced by subcutaneous injection of Isoproterenol (150 mg/kg) 24 hours apart in groups. The intervention groups underwent endurance training (treadmill at 20 m/min for 1 hour) and electrical stimulation (foot shock device with 0.5 mA for 20 minutes) for one session. Serum levels of CA-125 and Cys-C were assessed by ELISA immediately after the intervention. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc at the significance level of P

Background: Doxorubicin (Dox) is an anthracycline antibiotic that is widely used as a chemotherapy agent. However, the benefit of this agent is limited due to its side effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of high intensity interval training and crocin consumption on oxidative stress in liver tissue of male rats under chronic induction of doxorubicin. Materials and Methods: In the present experimental study, 40 Wistar male rats were placed in groups: Healthy control (saline), doxorubicin (control) (2mg/kg in 7 doses), doxorubicin and crocin (2mg/kg), doxorubicin training, and doxorubicin, crocin and training. The training groups ran in 80-90% of maximum speed for 8 weeks, 5 days a week, with 2-minute intervals. The level of malondialdehyde, activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes in liver tissue was measured. Results: Doxorubicin significantly increased malondialdehyde levels and reduced the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase in the liver tissue in the groups receiving doxorubicin compared to the healthy control group (P

Background and Aim: Personality and stress are associated with irritable bowel disease. The aim of this study was to compare personality characteristics and coping strategies between the patients with irritable bowel syndrome and normal individuals. Material and Method: In this cross sectional study we selected 200 people (100 irritable bowel syndrome patients and 100 normal individuals) on the basis of convenient method. We used two questionnaires including the NEO- Five Factor personality Inventory and LazarusFolkman coping Questionnaire for data collection. Data were analyzed by t-test and Mannwhitney U Test. Results: The results showed that the mean scores of neuroticism factor in the patients with irritable bowel syndrome were higher than those in the normal individuals. While the mean scores of extraversion and conscientiousness factor in the normal subjects was higher than those in the patients with irritable bowel syndrome. There were no significant differences between the two groups in openness and agreeableness. Data showed that normal individuals compared to the patients with irritable bowel syndrome, used more problem- oriented coping styles. There were no significant differences between the two groups in regard to the escapeavoidance variable. Conclusion: The results showed that IBS was affected by personality characteristics and coping strategies. Study of these factors can have many applications in the fields of research, etiology and treatment of this disease.

Yalda Malekzadegan,1 Elham Rastegar,1 Melika Moradi,1 Hamid Heidari,2 Hadi Sedigh Ebrahim-Saraie31Department of Bacteriology and Virology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; 2Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran; 3Razi Clinical Research Development Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, IranBackground: Quinolones are a family of synthetic antimicrobial agents with a broad antibacterial activity commonly used as a suitable therapy in patients with urinary tract infection (UTI). In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of quinolones resistance and the presence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes among Escherichia coli isolates.Methods: This study was performed on a collection of 121 E. coli isolates derived from patients with UTI. Antimicrobial susceptibility to nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, norfloxacin, and ofloxacin was specified by the disk diffusion method. The presence of PMQR genes was determined by PCR method.Results: Antibiotic susceptibility results showed that the highest and lowest resistance rates were against nalidixic acid (71.9%) and norfloxacin (44.6%), respectively. The molecular results showed that 40 (33.1%) and 15 (12.4%) of the isolates were positive for qnrS and qnrB genes, respectively. Meanwhile, 5 (4.1%) of the isolates were found positive for both genes, while none were found to be positive for qnrA gene. There was no significant association between the presence of qnr genes and higher antibiotic resistance.Conclusion: We found high levels of quinolones resistance (more than 40%) among E. coli strains isolated from patients with UTIs in the south of Iran. We further report the prevalence of PMQR genes among uropathogenic E. coli; however, it seems that these genes are not the main components of quinolone resistance in our region.Keywords: urinary tract infection, Escherichia coli, quinolone, antibiotic resistance

Somayeh Kiaei,1,2 Mohammad Moradi,2 Hossein Hosseini-Nave,2 Mahsa Ziasistani,3 Davood Kalantar-Neyestanaki2 1Department of Microbiology and Virology, Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran; 2Department of Microbiology and Virology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran; 3Pathology and Stem Cell Research Center, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Introduction: The emergence and spread of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains resistant to multiple antimicrobial agents are considered as a serious challenge for nosocomial infections. Materials and methods: In this study, 175 nonrepetitive clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae were collected from hospitalized patients in Kerman, Iran. Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), AmpC, and carbapenemase-producing isolates were recognized by phenotypic methods. The resistance genes including efflux pumps oqxA/oqxB, 16S rRNA methylase, ESBL, AmpC, and carbapenemase were detected by PCR-sequencing method. Molecular typing was performed by enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-PCR and multilocus sequence typing methods among blaNDM-positive isolates. Results: Thirty-seven (21.14%) isolates along with sequence types (STs): ST43, ST268, ST340, ST392, ST147, and ST16 were harbored blaNDM. ST43 in 2015 and ST268 during 2016–2017 were the most frequent STs among New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM)-positive isolates. We found the distribution of some isolates with blaNDM, blaCTX-M, blaSHV, blaOXA, blaTEM, blaCMY, rmtC, and oqxA/oqxB. Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-PCR represented seven clusters (A–G) plus four singletons among NDM-positive isolates. This study provides the first report of blaNDM-1-positve K. pneumoniae along with ST268 as well as the spread of nosocomial infections with six different STs harboring blaNDM-1 and other resistance genes in hospital settings especially neonatal intensive care unit. Conclusion: The dissemination of various clones of NDM-producing K. pneumoniae can contribute to increase the rate of their spread in health care settings. Therefore, molecular typing and detection of resistance genes have an important role in preventing and controlling infection by limiting the dissemination of multidrug-resistant isolates. Keywords: blaNDM, 16S rRNA methylase, MLST, ERIC-PCR

Maryam Moradi, Ali Foroutanfar Radiology Department, Medical School, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Background: Vitamin D deficiency, as a predisposing factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), is a subject of increasing interest. However, its role as a risk factor has not been proven. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and CAD. Materials and methods: Using a cross-sectional design, 180 patients who were candidates for coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) were selected. Serum levels of vitamin D were measured and compared with the results of CCTA (including calcium score, and presence and severity of coronary artery involvement due to atherosclerotic plaques). Results: The mean age of the participants was 60.5±10.6 years and the mean serum vitamin D level was 26.2±15.9 ng/dL (range, 3.5–83.2 ng/dL). Overall, 6.1% of the participants (n=11) had vitamin D deficiency, 56.1% (n=101) had insufficient levels of vitamin D, and 37.8% (n=68) had sufficient levels of vitamin D. The mean serum vitamin D level was significantly lower in patients with severe CAD (P=0.004). The serum vitamin D level in the “positive for CAD” group was 20.98 ng/mL, significantly lower than the level in the “negative for CAD” group (30.47 ng/mL; P

Prosopis juliflora is one of the suitable tree species used as vegetation cover for sand dunes fixation. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of P. juliflora afforestation and its canopy coverage classes on soil carbon (C) stock and nutrient status in sand dunes after 22 years since afforestation. We hypothesized that increasing the canopy coverage would result in higher soil C stocks and nutrient content. We selected two 10-ha afforested sand dunes with 25-50% and more than 75% canopy coverage, respectively, and a 10-ha non-afforested dune (control). At each site, 15 soil samples were taken at two depths (0-5 cm and 5-50 cm). The results indicated a strong increase in the topsoil C stock (from 0.54 to 4.49 tC ha-1 in control and afforested sites, respectively), while a lower change in subsoil C stock was detected (3.0 and 4.6 tC ha-1 in control and afforested sites, respectively). Although, different canopy classes resulted in no significant differences in soil C stock, significant differences were observed for all the soil physico-chemical properties that were studied.

Background: Due to rapid advances in modern technologies such as telecommunication technology, the world has witnessed an exponential growth in the use of digital handheld devices (e.g. smartphones and tablets). This drastic growth has resulted in increased global concerns about the safety of these devices. Smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other digital screens emit high levels of short-wavelength visible light (i.e. blue color region in the visible light spectrum). Material and Methods: At a dark environment, Staphylococcus aureus bacteria were exposed to the light emitted from common tablets/smartphones. The control samples were exposed to the same intensity of light generated by a conventional incandescent light bulb. The growth rate of bacteria was examined by measuring the optical density (OD) at 625 nm by using a spectrophotometer before the light exposure and after 30 to 330 minutes of light exposure. Results: The growth rates of bacteria in both smartphone and tablet groups were higher than that of the control group and the maximum smartphone/control and tablet/control growth ratios were observed in samples exposed to digital screens’ light for 300 min (ratios of 3.71 and 3.95, respectively). Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that investigates the effect of exposure to light emitted from digital screens on the proliferation of Staphylococcus aureus and its association with acne pathogenesis. Our findings show that exposure to short-wavelength visible light emitted from smartphones and tablets can increase the proliferation of Staphylococcus aureus.

Background: Drug resistance is widely believed to be an increasingly serious threat to global public health. We have previously reported that short term exposure of microorganisms to diagnostic ultrasound waves could significantly alter their sensitivity to antibiotics. In our previous studies, Klebsiella pneumoniae showed major differences in the sensitivity to antibiotics in exposed and non-exposed samples. This study was aimed at investigating the alteration of antibiotic resistance of Klebsiella pneumonia, after exposure to Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz electromagnetic radiofrequency radiation. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, three replicate agar plates were used for each test. The antibiotic susceptibility test was carried out using disc diffusion method on Mueller Hinton agar plates and the inhibition zones in both control and exposed groups were measured. A common Wi-Fi router was used in this study as the radiofrequency exposure source. Irradiated samples were exposed to Wi-Fi radiofrequency radiation for 3, 4.5 and 8 hours. Results: Statistically significant variations of sensitivity to antibiotics were found for all studied antibiotics after 4.5 hours of RF exposure, compared to non-exposed bacteria. Interestingly, the mean diameters of the inhibition zones after 3 hours of exposure were less than those exposed for 4.5 hours. Following this rise in the sensitivity to antibiotics, a fall was observed in the bacteria exposed for 8 hours for all studied antibiotics. Conclusion: The findings of this study show a statistically significant rise in the sensitivity of Klebsiella pneumoniae to different antibiotics after 4.5 hours of exposure to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi radiation, followed by a fall after 8 hours of exposure. These observations can be interpreted by the concept of non-linearity in the responses of Klebsiella pneumoniae to different antibiotics after exposure to electromagnetic radiofrequency radiation. As in this study a minimum level of effect was needed for the induction of adaptive response, these results also confirm the validity of the so-called “window theory”.

Effects of soil chemical properties on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) symbiosis with wild service tree (Sorbus torminalis L. Crantz) were examined for study the rates of root colonization at three forest sites: Kheiroud, Lalis, and Takrin in northern Iran. Soil characteristics including pH, available phosphorus (P), potassium (K), organic matter, total nitrogen, acid and alkaline phosphatase activities, CaCO3, spore density (SD) and AMF colonization of soil and root samples were analyzed. The study sites were investigated in spring and autumn to highlight the effects of soil chemical properties on AMF statues for better nurseries and reforestation management of this rare tree species in forests. Changes in soil pH, P, K, organic matter, total nitrogen, acid and alkaline phosphatase, CaCO3, SD, and AMF colonization of soil and root samples were analyzed at the study sites. K, pH, root colonization, SD and acid phosphatase activity showed no significant differences among sites in spring and autumn, while total nitrogen, P, organic matter and alkaline phosphatase activities showed significant differences among sites and seasons. AMF colonization rates were more than 51% and 32% of roots in spring and autumn, respectively. No correlation between root colonization and soil chemical parameters in spring and autumn were detected. There was no correlation between percentage of AM root colonization and SD nor other soil parameters in spring and autumn. SD and CaCO3 were significantly negatively correlated in spring and autumn. Despite differences in soil characteristics, the results showed that SD and root colonization were not significantly different among the sites. They also showed that wild service trees had strong symbiosis with AMF, while soil properties might not have a significant effect on this symbiosis. Therefore, colonized seedlings can be considered as an appropriated method for reforestation and conservation of this rare tree species.

We investigate an energy-efficient synthesis that merges the bio-templated technique and solid-state reactions to produce nano-structured lithiated polyanions. With the aid of bio-templates based on an M13 virus, the thermal budget of an annealing process can be reduced, and the nano-structured characteristics of the precursors are preserved in the product. This method enables us to successfully prepare monoclinic LiMnBO3 with an average particle size of 20 nm in a 1 h annealing process, showing improved electrochemical properties compared with the conventionally synthesized one. Thus, we consider that this bio-facilitated method can open up an environmentally-friendly pathway to produce nano-structured electrode materials with an enhanced performance.