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Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most important causes of nosocomial infection which due to extended spectrum-beta lactamases (ESBLs) and metallo-beta lactamase (MBL) producing strains is resistant to a wide range of antibiotics. The aim of this study was to detect ESBL and MBL producing P.aeruginosa isolated from patients and investigate the effects of methanol extracts of Zataria multiflora, Myrtus communis, and Peganum harmala on them. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, samples were obtained from 245 patients, referring to Shafa Hospital, Kerman, Iran. ESBLs producing strains were detected by double disk synergy test and phenotypic confirmatory test. In addition, E-test strips were used for MBL detection. P.aeruginosa MIC was determined for cefotaxime, ceftazidime, azteronam, imipenem, and meropenem. Methanol extracts of Zataria multiflora, Peganum harmala, and Myrtus communis plants were prepared by Agar perculation method. Results: Out of 245 patients referring to the burn unit, 120 P.aeruginosa isolates were detected from which 41 contained ESBL but they lacked MBL. 60% of isolates were resistant to cefotaxime, 66% to ceftazidime, 42% to azteronam, 3% to imipenem, and 5% to meropenem. Among the extracts, Zataria multiflora had the highest antibacterial effect on standard strains of P.aeruginosa in comparison with Peganum harmala and Myrtus communis. Conclusion: The prevalence of ESBL producing P.aeruginosa strains is high. In addition, noticing their high antibiotic resistance, utilization of herbs, such as Zataria multiflora may be considered an appropriate alternative for treatment however, more investigations are needed.

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Background: Leukemia is a malignant and progressive disease. Over-expression of inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs), such as survivin and its anti-apoptotic variants, including sur-ΔEx3, is the main cause of resistance to apoptotic effects of chemotherapy drugs. In the present study, the effects of CBX on apoptosis and expression level of survivin and sur-ΔEx3 and K562 cells (experimental model of chronic myeloid leukemia) were investigated. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, human K562 cells were cultured and exposed to CBX. Trypan blue exclusion test was used to evaluate growth inhibitory and viability effects of the drug. Fluorescent microscopy (acridine orange/ ethidium bromide double staining) and DNA electrophoresis were applied to the study of apoptosis. The expression level of survivin and sur-ΔEx3 was studied by semiquantative RT- PCR. Results: The results showed that after the 48 h treatment of K562 cells with 150 µM CBX, significant growth inhibitory and apoptotic effects (up to 50%) were induced. In addition, after 2-4 h of treatment with CBX (150 µM), down-regulation of survivin and sur-∆Ex3 were observed. However, the expression level of survivin and sur-ΔEx3 increased to the level of control cells with longer treatment times (6-12 h). Conclusion: Noticing the apoptotic and down-regulatory effects of CBX on survivin and sur-∆Ex3 expression, this drug can be used as a potential candidate for further studies on CML treatment, especially for inhibition of drug resistance in leukemia cells.

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Background: Morphine is one of the derivations of opium alkaloids. Contradictory reports exist on hyperglycemic and hypoglycemic effects of morphine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of opioid receptors involved in blood glucose changes in morphine-treated Balb/c mice. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was carried out on 8 groups of male Balb/c mice (n=6), including group1(morphine), group 2 (naloxone (morphine antagonist) + morphine), group 3 (naltrindole ( receptor antagonist) + morphine), group 4 (norbinaltorphimine ( receptor antagonist) + morphine), group 5 (CTOP ( receptor antagonist) + morphine), group 6 (saline), group 7 (saline + saline), and group 8 (saline + morphine). Blood samples were obtained from retro-orbital sinus at 0, 1, 2, and 3 hours after injection. Blood glucose level was measured by enzymatic technique. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. Results: The application of morphine resulted in significant hypoglycemia in comparison with the control group which was significantly compensated by naloxone compared to the morphine group. The application of naltrindole could significantly inhibit hypoglycemia induced by morphine compared to the control group, whereas norbinaltorphimine and CTOP failed to do so. Conclusion: Since naltrindole could compensate for hypoglycemia due to morphine, hypoglycemia caused by morphine is likely to be mediated by opioid receptors

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Background: Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most common causes of end stage renal diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory roles of rosmarinic acid in inhibition of diabetic nephropathy. Materials and Methods:In this experimental study, 40 male rats were uninephrectomized from the left flank. The rats were randomly divided into four groups of ten: Group1 (control), group 2 (control) including untreated diabetic rats, and groups 3 and 4 (treatment groups) that received rosmarinic acid 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively. Diabetes was induced in groups 2, 3, and 4 by subcutaneous injection of alloxan. After 8 weeks, serum malondialdehyde was measured. Kidney paraffin sections were prepared and stained by periodic acid Schiff method. Glomerular, intraglomerular mesangial, and glomerular capillary volumes were estimated by stereological methods. Data were analyzed by SPSS 13 software and Man-Whitney nonparametric test. Results: The level of serum malondialdehyde in treatment groups was maintained at the level of control group. Glomerular hypertrophy, mesangial expansion, and reduction of glomerular capillary volume in groups treated by rosmarinic acid were significantly inhibited compared with the untreated diabetic group, but the levels of these variables were significantly different from that of the control group. Conclusion: Rosmarinic acid significantly ameliorates glomerular hypertrophy, mesangial expansion, and glomerullar capillary volume in diabetic rats.

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Background: To date, several drugs have been proposed for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) however, none of them has resulted in complete remission. Therefore, many efforts are in progress to find new drugs with the capability of inducing apoptosis. Recently, anti-carcinogenic effects have been reported for a drug named carbenoxolone (CBX) on several cell lines. In the present study, the effects of CBX on NB4 cell line, as an experimental model of APL, were examined. Materials and Methods: In this trial, NB4 cell line was cultured and treated with different concentrations of CBX (50-250µM) in various time intervals (12-48 hours). Trypan blue exclusion test was used to evaluate growth inhibitory and viability effects of the drug on NB4 cell line. Fluorescent microscopy (acridine orange/ethidium bromide double-staining) and agarose gel electrophoresis DNA were used to study apoptosis. Results: CBX induced growth inhibition of NB4 cells so that growth inhibition rates of NB4 cells, after the 48 hour of treatment with 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 µM CBX were 32.65, 47.52, 60.73, 68.91, and 74.33%, respectively. Furthermore, the results of DNA fragmentation and fluorescent microscopy assays indicated that apoptosis is a major mode of cell death after treatment of NB4 cells with above concentrations of CBX. Conclusion: Noticing the growth inhibitory and apoptotic effects of CBX on human promyelocytic leukemia NB4 cells, it can be considered as a potential candidate for further studies on APL treatment.

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Background: Physalis Alkekengi is a perennial plant with a creeping and ryzumy stem belonging to the solanaceae family. This study investigates the possible effects of Physalis Alkekengi on plasma concentrations of some biochemical factors. Materials and Methods: Fifty male Wistar rats weighing an average of 190 ± 5 g were divided into five groups of ten: Control group without receiving any substances, control group with 2.0 ml/dl administration of the solvent, and three experimental groups receiving 0.4 (maximum), 0.2 (medium), and 0.1 (minimum) g/kg intra-peritoneal (IP) injections of the drug. The intra-peritoneal (IP) injection of the drug was done for 14 days and after this period, for conducting lab tests, blood sampling was done and the results were analyzed through ANOVA and Tukey test. Results: According to the results, protein and albumin plasma concentrations showed a significant increase (P<0.05) while creatinine plasma concentration, bilirubin, and urea nitrogen (BUN) did not reveal any significant changes. Conclusion: This family of plants contains significant amounts of glucocorticoids, such compounds are likely to increase liver and plasma proteins. In addition, due to the presence of compounds, such as physaline, vitamin C, and albumin, this extract is likely to increase blood pressure and, eventually, increase glomerulic refinement and diuretic properties therefore, the absence of significant increases in plasma concentrations of the substances produced by metabolism in plasma seems reasonable

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Background: Programmed death 1 (PDCD1), a negative T-cell regulator which induces peripheral tolerance, belongs to Ig super and CD28/CTLA-4 families. PD-1 gene induces negative signals in T-cells during interaction with its ligands. Thus the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between PD-1 polymorphism and the risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Iranian patients and healthy controls. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, genomic DNA was extracted from the whole blood samples using DNA purification kit (DNG-plus, Cinnagen, Iran). PD1.1G/A as a SNP located on promoter with position -536 were genotyped for 120 RA patients and 188 healthy controls through PCR-RFLP method. Association of genotypes and alleles frequency in the patients was compared with controls and analyzed using Chi-square test and 2×2 contingency table in SPSS software version 15.0. The diagnosis of RA patients and provision of their clinical information was done in Rheumatology Research Center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Results: The A allele of the PD1.1 polymorphism located on the promoter of PD-1 gene was significantly more frequent in Iranian RA patients than the controls (p=0.04). There were no significant differences in PD1.1G/G genotype (p=0.08), PD1.1A/A genotype (p=0.39), and PD1.1G/A genotype (p=0.16) between RA cases and controls. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed the presence of a significant relationship between the A allele of the PD1.1 (-536) of the promoter and susceptibility to RA in Iranian patients.

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origanum vulgare l.spp viride was used in ancient medicine and it was medicated for digestive disease, diabetes, remedy of trauma. While antimicrobial, ant diabetic, anticancer and antioxidant effect of this plant was proved but there is done no study for its effect on reproductive system. Therefore the purpose of recent study is surveying eventual androgenic effect of this plant on hormonal level of pituitary - gonadal axis in mature male vistar rats. Materials and Methods: recent study was done on five groups of male rats of vistar race and every group includes nine rats. The control group received no drug. The sham group received physiological serum and experimental groups of A, B and C were received the ethanolic extract of origanum vulgare l. with concentration of 40, 20, 10 mg/kg body weight respectively with gavaj for 14 days. Then levels of FSH, LH and TSH hormones in blood sample was measured with RIA method and obtaining result was compared between control group and other groups. Data was analyzed with SPSS software and statistical method of ANOVA and Tukey test. In this research, significant level was p<0.05. Results: in control group, sham group and A, B and C groups, respectively mean and standard deviation from average of plasma concentration for LH hormone based on mlU /ml were: 0.18±0.006, 0.183±0.017, 0.187±0.026, 0.241±0.012 and 0.284±0.027 And for FSH Hormone were: 0.321±0.025, 0.342±0.071, 0.372±0.026, 0.383±0.031 and 0.372±0.026 And for TSH hormone were: 5.28±0.683, 6.07±0.5, 6.09±1.94, 6.66±1.48 and 8.1±1.66. Conclusion: ethanolic extract of origanum vulgare leaf in maximum dose have androgenic effects and it can affect the activity of different levels of hypothalamic – pituitary – gonadal axis and increase the secretion of testosterone and gonadotropic hormones.

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Background: Bartter syndrome is renal tubular disorders that inhibit salt transport and increased renal salt wasting. Type II Bartter syndrome is caused by mutations in the KCNJ1 gene which encodes the inwardly rectifying ATP-sensitive potassium channel Kir1.1 (ROMK). They play a vital role in secretion of potassium into the tubule lumen. The effects of mutation at position 338 of ROMK2 (Kir1.1.b) was investigate. Materials and Methods: Site-directed mutagenesis was used to substitute of threonine for methionine at position 338 of ROMK2 (Kir1.1.b). M338T mutant ROMK2 expressed in oocytes of Xenopus laevis, and in a non-polarized mammalian cell line (MDCK). Two electrode voltage clamp and were used to measure oocyte ROMK-dependent currents. Confocal microscopy of EGFP-tagged ROMK2 determined express and distribution of these channels in MDCK cells. Results: The M338T mutant ROMK2 protein expressed in oocytes was functionally identical to wild type. Its cellular distribution was different in polarized and non-polarized MDCK cells. Conclusion: The M338T mutation is altered residue interactions within the carboxyl terminus of ROMK2 channels. Thus mistargeting of ROMK2 in vivo reduces the driving force for potassium secretion in the TAL and reduces salt reabsorption by this nephron segment.

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Background: The major aim of this study was synthesis and assay of antimicrobial activity of peptide D28 and its new analogues derivatives as dimeric peptides. Materials and Methods: Three antimicrobial peptides known as D28, Di-D28-Lys,Di-Cys-D28 including 20, 41, 42 residues were synthesized respectively. For peptide synthesis, solid phase peptide synthesis method using blocked amino acids with flourenyl methoxy carbonyl group and for peptide purification HPLC were used. Peptides compositions were confirmed by amino acid analysis and SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. Antimicrobial tests against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were performed as disk and well diffusion on plate and by adding to liquid broth culture (Broth macrodilution) in different concentrations. Results: Three required peptides (D28, Di-D28-Lys, Di-Cys-D28) successfully were synthesized. All three peptides were effective against S. aureus, but Di-Cys-D28 on the contrary to two other ones, showed no antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa. The inhibitory activity of Di-D28-Lys against P. aeruginosa was more than that of D28 peptide. Conclusion: Improvement of antimicrobial peptides activity through dimerization depends on the methods of dimerization and the strain of bacterium. Di-D28-Lys peptide in comparison with D28 and Di-Cys-D28 showed wide range and more antimicrobial activity. Therefore, Di-D28-Lys peptide could be a suitable antibiotic candidate for future studies.

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Background: Nucleostemin plays a critical role in controlling proliferation and self-renewal of stem cells and cancer cells. Thus, inhibition of nucleostemin expression could be a potent therapeutic approach in cancer treatment. In the present study, the effects of nucleostemin gene silencing in K562 cell line were studied. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, after transfecting NS-specific siRNA into K562 cells, changes in nucleostemin gene expression pattern were determined by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Trypan blue exclusion test, MTT assay, and fluorescent microscopy were used to evaluate the growth inhibition and apoptosis of K562 cells, respectively. Flow-cytometery was utilized for evaluating the effects of nucleostemin gene silencing on cell cycle. Results: The results showed the high expression of nucleostemin gene in K562 cells. NS-siRNA transfection into K562 cells at 200 nM inhibited the nucleostemin mRNA level up to 55% after 48 hours when compared to corresponding control cells. Forty eight hours after transfection, the cell growth decreased up to 33.7%. In addition, the silencing of nucleostemin induced G1 cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, fluorescent microscopy assays indicated that apoptosis occurred 48 hours after silencing nucleostemin gene expression. Conclusion: Noticing the potent growth inhibitory and apoptotic effects of nucleostemin siRNA in human myeloid leukemia K562 cells, silencing this gene can be a potential target for inhibiting K562 cells as the stem cell model of chronic myeloid leukemia.

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Background: Launaea acanthodes is used as a common medicinal plant in central regions of Iran. To investigate the probable hypoglycemic activity of hydro-alcoholic extract of L. acanthodes as well as its effects on serum level of insulin and biochemical factors in normal and hyperglycemic rats, the present study was carried out. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 24 male albino Wistar rats, weighting 250-300 g were randomly allocated into four groups (n=6) control, type 1 diabetic rats (STZ 55 mg/kg), type 1 diabetic rats treated by subcutaneous injection of 5 IU/kg insulin (STZ+insulin) and type 1 diabetic rats treated by injection (i.p) of 150 mg/kg hydro-alcoholic extract of L. Acanthodes (STZ+extract). The injection of insulin and extract were done every day from day 1 to day 21 of experiment. After that, all animals were kept up to day 30. Blood serum were collected and analyzed for the levels of glucose and biochemical factors (cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and HDL) measurements, in the 15th and 30th day of experiment. Results: The results showed significant decrease (p<0.001) in glucose level and significant increase (p<0.05) in insulin level in STZ+extract group, when compared with other hyperglycemic groups in 30th day of experiment. Conclusion: These results indicate that the hydro- alcoholic extract of L.acanthodes could be effective in the treatment of diabetes. It can be concluded that extract administration somehow induce insulin secretion probably through stimulation of remaining β cells or their hyperplasia in Langerhans islets. This effect can also be referred to flavonoides constituent and antioxidant property of extract, too.

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Background: Biochemical studies have shown that iron produces reactive oxygen species via Haber-Weiss and Fenton reactions. The goal of this study is to examine the role of iron in oxidation of human hemoglobin and its structural changes in erythrocytes. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, blood samples from healthy subjects were incubated aerobically with the iron containing metal catalyzed oxidation (MCO) system in the presence of 0.036, 0.7, 0.14, 0.28, 0.57, 1.14, 2.28, 4.55, 9.09, and 18.18 micromole of iron. Structural changes in Hb were followed by spectrophotometric analysis from 300 to 650 nm. In addition, carbonyl assay was performed for estimation of protein oxidation in globin chains. Results: Based on the results, oxy-Hb decreased up to 68% in iron-treated erythrocytes. Decrease in the absorbance ratio (A577, A542 wavelength) indicated the conversion of oxy-Hb to met-Hb. Also, met-Hb concentration was 4.7 fold of hemichrome. After 24 hours of incubation, oxyHb concentration decreased up to 50% and metHb concentration increased up to 85%. Moreover, increase in iron concentration resulted in significant carbonyl formation in hemoglobin. Conclusion: These findings indicate that Hb oxidation instead of its oxygenation leads to anemia and hypoxia. The findings of this study may be directly applicable to oxidation states during hemolytic diseases and iron treatment.

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Background: Brucellosis is one of the most common bacterial zoonotic infections in the world. The incidence of this infection is quite high and is endemic in several countries. According to WHO report, the prevalence of zoonotic and human brucellosis is on the rise in the Mediterranean region, the Middle East, and west Asian countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the usage of silver nanoparticles in treatment of brucellosis. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the activity of silver nanoparticles against Brucella meltensis 16M was determined by agar well diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of silver nanoparticles were determined by macrodilution method. Also, the antibacterial effect of silver nanoparticles was studied in mouse model. Results: The results showed that silver nanoparticles in low concentrations can kill Brucella melitensis 16M in laboratory conditions. MIC and MBC of silver nanoparticles were 4 ppm and 6 ppm in macrodilution method, respectively. The anti-brucella effect of silver nanoparticles was also observed in mouse model. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that silver nanoparticles can be used against brucellosis.

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Background: Brucellosis is caused by brucella which is a facultative intracellular pathogen invading both professional and nonprofessional phagosytic cells. Eucalyptus globulus is one of the most widely used medicinal plants in folk medicine throughout the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial effects of Eucalyptus globulus extracts on intramacrophage Brucella melitensis 16M. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, after preparing aquatic, ethanolic, and acetonic extracts of Eucalyptus globules, the effect of the extracts on intramacrophge survival of B. melitensis 16M obtained from cell culture of Balb/c mice peritoneal macrophages was studied. In order to do this, after lysis of macrophages, through preparation of serial dilutions and culture on Mueller Hinton agar medium, the number of colonies grown was counted. Results: The maximum antimicrobial activity of Eucalyptus globulus extracts on intramacrophage B. melitensis 16 M were in 1:40 dilution (21.62 mg/ml) of the aquatic extract, 1: 640 dilution (1.26 mg/ml) of the ethanolic extract, and 1:320 dilution (2.59 mg/ml) of the acetonic extract after 24h. Conclusion: Aquatic, acetonic, and ethanolic extracts of Eucalyptus globulus possess antimicrobial properties against intramacrophage B. melitensis 16M and ethanolic extract has the most effective antimicrobial activity on intramacrophage Brucella melitensis therefore, these extracts can be useful in treatment of brucellosis.

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Background: Brucella is a gram-negative intracellular bacterium. Since Brucella brings about health and socio-economic problems, its control is of primary importance. The common method of vaccination includes using live attenuated strains of this bacterium. This study was done to evaluate the immunogenicity of Brucella aburtus P39 gene in Balb/c mice. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, P39 gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and after extraction, it was sub-cloned to eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3. The intramuscular injection of the obtained plasmid to the Balb/c mice was done in three stages. After the last vaccination, immunologic tests, such as proliferative response in lymphocytes, IFN- assessment, IL-5, and determination of IgG2a and IgG1, were run. Results: The level of activation in splenic lymphocytes response was 3.6 and the measured IFN- was 3 ng/ml, whereas IL-5 was insignificant. IgG2a and IgG1 titers were 1.640 and 1.40, respectively. Conclusion: The findings of the immunological analysis show the appropriate immune response in Balb/c mice model after the injection of P39 gene containing plasmid. The immune system response was in Th1 form which decreased the number of bacteria in spleen. Therefore, P39 gene is of appropriate immunogenicity and DNA vaccination is efficient in the activation of cell immune response against this bacterium.

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Background: Human brucellosis is a significant public health concern in many countries, including Iran. Therefore, the development of new diagnostic techniques, with high sensitivity and minimum risk of laboratory infection are of great importance. PCR is one of the procedures which has these advantages. However, PCR efficiency is largely dependent on DNA extraction methods. In this study, we studied the efficiency of three different extraction methods of brucella DNA in serum samples. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, microbial suspensions were initially prepared in saline that its turbidity was equivalent to 0.5 McFarland. Human serum samples were spiked with certain concentrations of Brucella melitensis in vitro. DNA was extracted by three methods and tested by a genus-specific PCR method. Results: Our results showed that the cinneagen kit protocol detected brucella DNA in lower serum concentrations compared with the other protocols. Cinnagen kit could detect brucella DNA in ten-fold dilution in comparison with the other two methods. Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, cinnagen kit was the preferred assay method that yields a better sensitivity for isolation of brucella DNA in serum samples.

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Background: It has been indicated that there is a relationship between vitamin B12 status and cognitive functioning. Measurement of serum vitamin B12 is routinely performed in patients with memory loss during initial diagnosis. Noticing the role of cholinergic system and vitamin B12 on memory, the aim of this experimental study was to examine the effect of the interactions between vitamin B12 and nicotine on memory retention in passive avoidance learning in adult male rats. Materials and Methods: The present study was an experimental one. Drugs, including vitamin B12 (0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.05, 0.1, and 1 µg/rat) and nicotine (0.1, 0.5, and 1 µg/rat) were administrated after training session intracerebroventriculary (i.c.v.). The drugs were used (i.c.v.) in a volume of 1µl/rat immediately after the training session. The level of memory retention was evaluated by passive avoidance learning. Twenty-four hours after training, a retention test was performed to determine long-term memory. Statistical analysis was carried out using one-way ANOVA test. Results: The results showed that the administration of vitamin B12 and nicotine significantly increased memory retention in rats. Nicotine significantly increased the response to vitamin B12 in memory retention process. Conclusion: Vitamin B12 through interaction with cholinergic system acts in memory retention process.

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Background: TEM, PER, and VEB are extended-spectrum betalactamase (ESBL) enzymes that are capable of hydrolyzing penicillins, cephalosporins, and aztreonam. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ESBL producing E.coli and molecular evaluation of TEM, PER, and VEB β-lactamases among E.coli strains. Materials and Methods: A total of 200 clinical strains of E.coli were isolated from clinical specimens and their antibiotic susceptibility was determined by disk diffusion method. ESBL production was determined using the combined disk method with CAZ and CTX with clavulanic acid and alone. Minimum concentration inhibition (MIC) for CAZ and CTX with clavulanic acid and alone was determined by agar dilution method. Finally, PCR with specific primers was used for determining the presence of blaTEM, blaPER, and blaVEB genes. Results: Combined disk method confirmed 94 strains (47%) to be ESBL producing E.coli. Of the 94 ESBL producing strains, 36 samples had MIC=16, 44 samples had MIC between 32-256, and 10 samples had MIC≥512 for ceftazidime, whereas 8 samples had MIC=16, 68 samples had MIC between 32-256, and 21 samples had MIC≥512 for cefotaxime. The frequency of TEM was 44% however, blaPER and blaVEB genes were not detected by PCR among ESBL producing isolates. Conclusion:The results indicated that the high percentage of ESBL producing E.coli is 47% and PCR method showed a high frequency of TEM enzyme, but PER and VEB betalactamase were not found among them.

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Background: Candida albicans is the fourth common cause of chronic fungal infections that cause both mucosal and deep tissue infections. Nowadays, mortality and morbidity due to C .albicans infections via medical devices, such as catheter and implants, are increasing. Therefore, finding new methods of combating such infectious agents seems necessary. In this study antifungal effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles and photocatalyst TiO2 nanoparticles on C .albicans biofilms were investigated. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized and exposed to UV ray with 370 nm wavelength. Biofilms of C. albicans were developed on flat-bottomed 96-well microtiter plates, and antifungal effects of TiO2 and photocatalyst TiO2 nanoparticles were evaluated. Data were analyzed by t-test using SPSS software. Results: MIC50 of photocatalyst TiO2 nanoparticles was 1.9 µg/ml and its MIC90 was 2.74 µg/ml while MFC was determined to be 3.37 µg/ml. Biofilms inhibitory concentration of TiO2 nanoparticles, photocatalyst TiO2 nanoparticles, and fluconazole for susceptible strains were 5.14, 4.54, and 4 µg/ml, respectively. These values for the fluconazole resistant strains were 5.35, 4.88, and 8 µg/ml, respectively. Conclusion: Photocatalyst TiO2 nanoparticles showed a suitable antifungal property against C. albicans biofilms compared with fluconazole. Thus it can be a new strategy in prevention of fungal biofilms, especially those formed on the surface of medical devices.