bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of Secreted Aspartic Proteases (SAP) enzyme in the clinical isolates of Candida by Modified Stab Method
Authors: Padmanabhan Sujin , Palanimuthu Uma Maheswari , Raghavan Monica , Kumar Prem , Mohanram Kalyani
Published: June 2024

Mycoses has tremendously raised in the recent years, causing a wide range of infections in patients. Mycoses has occupied an important place during the COVID-19 pandemic. species is one of the major pathogens known to mankind which is quite usually not reported. One of the most important hydrolytic enzymes which is responsible for its pathogenicity is Secreted Aspartic Protease enzyme which degrades many human proteins such as albumin, hemoglobin, keratin and secretory Immunoglobin A.

The aim of the study is to detect the presence of Secreted Aspartic Proteases (SAP) enzyme in the clinical isolates of species.

To isolate species from clinical specimens. Phenotypic identification of species. Detection of SAP enzyme by Modified Staib’s Method. Clinical characterization based on the SAP enzyme production

Detecting the intensity of enzyme production by the organism helps in finding out the level of virulence exhibited which helps in clinically treating the patients with appropriate anti-fungal drugs designed to inhibit the enzyme. The detection of the Secreted Aspartic Protease enzyme was done by Modified Staib method using bovine serum albumin agar.

Current study observed that 72 isolates of species were cultured from various samples collected from the hospital setting and further testing was done to differentiate the species and to estimate their level of SAP enzyme production, out of which, 53 isolates (74%) were found to produce the enzyme in varied intensity levels,

The data of findings evolved from this study helps us to conclude that Secreted Aspartic Proteinase is one of the major virulence attributes of species.
Bacteriological profile of surgical site infections and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern at a tertiary care hospital, Western Gujarat
Authors: Mehta Krunal D , Patel Liyancy Prakash , Shingala Hitesh K.
Published: June 2024

Surgical site infection (SSI) is a frequently occurring repercussion of surgery. It results in mortality and morbidity post-surgery. The present study aims to isolate the organisms causing SSI and determine the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the isolates.

A total of 250 patient samples were included in the study, their demographic details obtained and processed as per Standard Microbiological Protocols. Antibiotic susceptibity of the positive cultures was performed using Modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method.

Out of the 250 samples, 102 (40.8%) samples showed positive culture growth. Positivity rates were higher in male patients (43.88%). The most prevalent Gram-negative isolate was (23.53 %), followed by (20.59%) and others. The only Gram-positive isolate was (21.57%). Most of the Gram-negative isolates were sensitive to imipenem, meropenem, ertapenem, ceftazidime-avibactam and aztreonam. Most of the gram-positive isolates were sensitive to linezolid and levofloxacin.

The current analysis found that was the most often related bacteria to SSI, followed by , , and other infections. Periodic analysis of the causative organisms and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern is necessary to confine the burden of SSI.
Bridging the gap: Analyzing discrepancies in knowledge, attitude, and practice of infection control among healthcare workers
Authors: Raval Payal , Patel Komal , Patel Purav , Chaudhari Devanshi , Shah Parul
Published: June 2024

Over the past decade, Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) have become a significant concern within Indian Tertiary Healthcare Centers. The effectiveness of infection control practices heavily relies on the diligence of healthcare workers, directly impacting the success of these measures. It's crucial to closely examine any disparities between ideal and actual practices to ensure optimal infection control outcomes.

To find any gap between ideal and actual infection control practices and analyze associated factors which is actually responsible for the that gap.

A cross-sectional study was carried out at a tertiary healthcare center in north Gujarat over six months, spanning from February 2023 to July 2023. The study included a total of 293 participants, comprising 61 doctors, 154 nurses, 33 paramedical staff, and 45 housekeeping staff. Data were collected using a pretested, structured, self-administered questionnaire covering different aspects of infection control practices. Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP)Scores of 70% or less were considered below average, scores between 71 and 80% average, 81 to 90% good and above 90% were very good.

KAP score is 98.8% in knowledge, 88.70% in attitude and 89% in self-reported practices. Cumulative KAP score was 92.16% which is under very good category. Around 88.52% (54 out of 61) of doctors, 69.48% (107 out of 154) of nurses, 78.78% (26 out of 33) of paramedical staff, 64.44% (29 out of 45) of housekeeping staff scored above 90% in KAP score which is under very good category.

Regular training, post training assessments and strict enforcement of infection control measures in hospitals can help to fill gaps in the knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported practices of healthcare workers regarding infection control.
Time optimization for simulation of PMD 3D camera
Authors: Lade Sangita Gautam , Pawale Sanjesh , Patil Aniket
Published: June 2024

This research aims to enhance the efficiency of simulating 3D cameras utilizing Photonic Mixer Devices (PMD) technology, crucial for applications in computer vision, robotics, and augmented reality. Despite their significance, the computational demands of simulating PMD 3D cameras present substantial challenges in time and resource management. This study proposes a novel approach to optimizing simulation time without sacrificing accuracy, achieved through advanced algorithms and parallel computing techniques. Through a comprehensive analysis of existing simulation methodologies, bottlenecks are identified, and tailored optimization techniques are implemented. The system is designed to simulate PMD sensors, wherein ray tracing precedes power calculation, essential for determining pixel radiance and irradiance. However, the inherent computational intensity of the sequential power calculation algorithm presents a challenge of speed, particularly for PMD sensor simulation reliant on fast-imaging technology. To address this issue, a parallel algorithm leveraging General Purpose Graphics Processing Units (GP GPUs) is proposed and implemented. Experimentation is carried out on Volta (GV100) Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) with varying block sizes from 32 to 1024 in the multiples of 32. Experimental results demonstrate significant speed enhancements, with a maximum speed up of 78% utilizing Volta GPU with a block size of 1024, thereby showcasing the efficacy of the proposed methodology.
Growth response of nursery raised cashew seedlings to light clay soil amended with inorganic fertilizers
Authors: Olufemi Aremu-Dele , Olalekan Sobowale Ibrahim , Abanum Nduka Beatrice , Edugie Ogbeide Christerbeth , Umar Salisu
Published: June 2024

This study aims to evaluate the performance of light clay soil amended with inorganic fertilizer in the early cashew seedling growth phase. The two month experiment was set up in a screenhouse at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria. The experiment was laid out in Complete Randomized Design. The first factor consists of cashew biotypes (large and medium) while the second factor includes 2 fertilizer combinations (Urea and Single-Super-Phosphate (SSP)). The treatments include Large + 0 (L0 as control), Large + 40kg/ha Urea + 30kg/ha SSP (L1), Large + 80kg/ha Urea + 60kg/ha SSP (L2), Medium + 0 (M0 as control), Medium + 40kg/ha Urea + 30kg/ha SSP (M1), and Medium + 80kg/ha Urea + 60kg/ha SSP (M2). We applied the treatments one month after sowing. One nut seed per nursery polythene bag was sown using a light clay soil growing medium. The physicochemical properties of the growing media were analyzed while data on seedling emergence, growth parameters, and % seedling survival were recorded. Data was analyzed using Analysis of Variance, and treatment means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 0.05% probability level. Seedlings with no fertilizer treatments, L0 (4.5) and M0 (4.0), had the best seedling vigour, while L2 (2.5) and M2 (2.0) had the lowest, respectively, in a 5-grade score. The control, jumbo, and medium biotypes recorded a survival rate of 100%, 33.33%, and 16.67%, respectively. The application of the inorganic fertilizers to the light clay soil used negatively influenced cashew seedling growth.
Secondary bacterial infections in post-COVID-19 mucormycosis cases: a retrospective study at Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, March 2020-April 2021
Authors: Meidani Mohsen , Miandoab Sepideh Zahak , Salami Amir , Jadidi Sajedeh , Sohrab Marjan , Ebrahimi Alavijeh Parvaneh , Ghaderkhani Sara , Koochak Hamid Emadi , Khaneshan Arezoo Salami
Published: June 2024

Background and Objectives: To explore the prevalence and characteristics of secondary bacterial infections among patients suffering from mucormycosis following COVID-19 infection.
Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, retrospective analysis from March 2020 to April 2022 at Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex in Tehran. The study included patients with histopathologically confirmed mucormycosis and documented secondary bacterial infections. We extracted and analyzed data from hospital records using SPSS software, version 26.
Results: The study comprised 27 patients, with a predominance of females (70.4%) and an average age of 56 years. The majority of these patients (63%) had pre-existing diabetes mellitus. The severity of their COVID-19 infections varied. Treat- ment regimens included immunosuppressive drugs and antibiotics. Rhinocerebral mucormycosis was the most common form observed. The predominant secondary infections involved the urinary tract, respiratory system, bloodstream (bacteremia), and soft tissues, with resistant strains of Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae being the most frequently identified microorganisms. Notably, cases of bacteremia and pneumonia exhibited a higher mortality rate. Ultimately, 55.6% of patients were discharged, while 44.4% succumbed to their infections.
Conclusion: Patients recovering from COVID-19 with mucormycosis are significantly susceptible to secondary bacterial infections, particularly those with diabetes mellitus or those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy. Such infections com- pound the morbidity and mortality risks in this vulnerable patient cohort.
Genetic and phenotypic of Pseudomonas aeruginosa sensitive to meropenem antibiotics after exposure to meropenem
Authors: Evendi Agus , Karuniawati Anis , Ibrahim Fera , Asmarinah .
Published: June 2024

Background and Objectives: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, drug-resistant, causes health infections. Resistance to the preferred therapy meropenem is a serious threat. This study aimed to analyze changes in meropenem minimum inhibitory concentra- tion (MIC), changes in ampC, mexA, and oprD gene expression, and the correlation between MIC and ampC, mexA, and oprD gene expression after meropenem exposure.
Materials and Methods: Ten isolates of P. aeruginosa from the Clinical Microbiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia were used. After the bacteria were shown to be sensitive to meropenem phenotypically, intrinsic resis- tance genes were detected using PCR. After meropenem exposure on Days 5 and 12, sensitivity testing was carried out with the concentration gradient method and RNA was detected using real-time RT-PCR.
Results: All P. aeruginosa isolates that were phenotypically sensitive to meropenem had the ampC, mexA, and oprD genes. An increase in MIC, an increase in ampC and mexA gene expression, and a decrease in oprD gene expression were observed after meropenem exposure. There was a very strong and significant correlation (p ≤ 0.05) between MIC and oprD gene ex- pression after Day 12 of meropenem exposure.
Conclusion: Although there were no significant differences in MIC and ampC, mexA, and oprD gene expression between Day 5 and Day 12, there was a very strong and significant correlation between MIC and oprD gene expression on Day 12 (p ≤ 0.05). This indicates that decreasing oprD gene expression has the potential to increase meropenem resistance in Pseudo- monas aeruginosa.
Antibiotyping, RAPD- and ERIC-PCR fingerprinting of Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates at a tertiary reference hospital in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
Authors: Fatmawati Ni Nengah Dwi , Aviana Felicia , Maharianto Ronny , Suwardana Gede Ngurah Rsi , Tarini Ni Made Adi , Sujaya I Nengah
Published: June 2024

Background and Objectives: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a healthcare-associated infections agent and could be an extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producer. Understanding the transmission of this bacterium in a hospital setting needs accurate typing methods. An antibiogram is used to detect the resistance pattern of the isolates. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus (ERIC)-PCR are rapid, technically simple, and easy-to-inter- pret DNA typing methods. This study aimed to evaluate the use of antibiotyping, RAPD-, and ERIC-PCR to investigate the heterogeneity of K. pneumoniae isolated from clinical specimens.
Materials and Methods: The antibiograms of 46 K. pneumoniae clinical isolates were determined by Vitek® 2 Compact. All isolates underwent RAPD-PCR using AP4 primer and ERIC-PCR using ERIC-2 primer. The dendrogram was generated using the GelJ software and analyzed to determine its similarity. The analysis of antibiogram and the molecular typing diver- sity index was calculated using the formula of the Simpson’s diversity index.
Results: About 71.7% of the isolates were ESBL-producers, and more than 80% of isolates were susceptible to amikacin, ertapenem, and meropenem. The antibiotyping produced 32 diverse types with DI = 0.964. In addition, the RAPD-PCR produced 47 different types with DI = 1, while ERIC-PCR was 46 (DI=0.999).
Conclusion: Antibiotyping, RAPD- and ERIC-PCR showed powerful discrimination power among the isolates, supported the diversity of K. pneumoniae isolates in current study. These combination could be promising tools for clonal relationship determination, including in tracking the transmission of the outbreak’s agent in hospital setting.
Virulence genes and pulsed- field gel electrophoresis profiles of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli isolated from different food samples and patients with acute diarrhea
Authors: Bonyadian Mojtaba , Haidari Farzad Isvand , Sami Masoud
Published: June 2024

Background and Objectives: Escherichia coli O157: H7 is one of the most important causes of hemorrhagic colitis, and hemolytic uremic syndrome. The present study aimed to isolate E. coli O157: H7 from foods and patients with hemorrhagic colitis, and identify Shiga toxin genes, phylogenetic comparison, and antibiotic resistance of the isolates.
Materials and Methods: In total 400 samples, including patients stool and food were taken in Isfahan-Iran province. Pheno- typic tests and PCR were performed to identify Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. The isolated strains were compared phyloge- netically by PFGE. Agar disk diffusion was performed to identify the antibiotic resistance of the isolates.
Results: Totally, 5 isolates of fecal samples were E. coli O157, but only 2 isolates carried H7 gene. Also, 9 isolates of E. coli O157 were isolated from food samples that 3 isolates were E. coli O157: H7. The isolates carried stx1, stx2, hlyA and eaeA genes. Also, E. coli non-O157: H7 identified from samples that contained stx1, stx2, hlyA genes. The highest susceptibility to imipenem and the highest resistance to ampicillin and ciprofloxacin were observed. There was a similarity of 100% between the E. coli O157: H7 strains isolated from patients and raw milk and minced beef samples.
Conclusion: Serotypes other than the O157 of E. coli are more prevalent in patients and food. The E. coli O157: H7 isolates from patients had 100% genetic similarity with minced meat and cow milk isolates, which indicates cattle are the most im- portant reservoir of this bacterium in Iran.
Oral inoculation of Enterococcus faecalis, DNA quantification and histopathological evaluation of gingival, heart and kidney tissue samples in rats
Authors: Khuda Fazle , Jayusman Putri Ayu , Baharin Badiah , Anuar Nur Najmi Mohamad , Sharma Anubhava , Nasruddin Nurrul Shaqinah
Published: June 2024

Background and Objectives: Enterococcus faecalis is known as common pathogen for endodontic infections and cause secondary and refractory pulp periapical periodontitis. The bacteria can opportunistically colonize periodontal pockets and presents a possibility of infection developing in other organs. This research will investigate the dissemination of E. faecalis from the gingival tissue to the heart and kidney.
Materials and Methods: Three groups were formed, consisting of twelve male Sprague Dawley rats: a control group des- ignated as 0-day, and experimental groups labeled as 7-days and 14-days. Periodontitis induced by concurrent infection with sterile wire 0.2 mm insertion and E. faecalis inoculation is performed into the gingival sulcus located between the maxillary right 1st and 2nd molar teeth area. After euthanasia, tissue samples around the maxillary gingiva, maxillary jaw samples, kid- ney and heart tissues were obtained for quantitative Real-Time PCR assay and histopathological analysis.
Results: Results showed at 7-days, there was an upregulation of E. faecalis gene expression in the gingiva, heart, and kidney samples as well as infiltration of the inflammatory cells at 7-days post induction, which consequently decreased at 14-days.
Conclusion: Thus, the study suggests dissemination of E. faecalis from gingival tissue to the heart, kidney which could be probable link between periodontal disease, heart, and kidney disease.
Blood and sputum microbiota composition in Afghan immigrants and Iranian subjects with pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Neamatollahi Ali Nour , Tarashi Samira , Ebrahimzadeh Nayereh , Vaziri Farzam , Zaheri Birgani Mohammad Ali , Aghasadeghi Mohammadreza , Fateh Abolfazl , Siada Seyed Davar , Bouzari Saeid
Published: June 2024

Background and Objectives: TB infection is one of the most challengeable epidemiological issues. Complex interactions between microbiota and TB infection have been demonstrated. Alteration in microbial population during TB infection may act as a useful biomarker. The present study examined the microbiota patterns of blood and sputum samples collected from Afghan immigrants and Iranian patients with active TB.
Materials and Methods: Sixty active pulmonary TB patients were enrolled in the study. Blood and sputum samples were collected. To detect phylum bacterial composition in the blood and sputum samples, bacterial 16S rRNA quantification by Real-Time qPCR was performed.
Results: A significant decrease in Bacteroidetes in Iranian sputum and blood samples of Afghan immigrants and Iranian TB active subjects were seen. While, sputum samples of Afghan immigrants showed no significant differences in Bacteroidetes abundance among TB active and control. Firmicutes were also presented no significant difference between sputum samples of the two races. Actinobacteria showed a significant increase in Iranian and Afghan sputum samples while this phylum showed no significant abundance in Iranian and Afghan TB positive blood samples. Proteobacteria also showed an increase in sputum and blood samples of the two races.
Conclusion: An imbalance in Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes abundance may cause an alteration in the microbiota compo- sition, resulting in dysregulated immune responses and resulting in the augmentation of opportunistic pathogens during TB infection, notably Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. Evaluation of human microbiota under different conditions of TB infection can be critical to a deeper understanding of the disease control.
Immunogenicity of mannan derived from Mycobacterium bovis as a promising adjuvant in vaccine BCG
Authors: Mardani Rajab , Alavi Ariana , Mousavi Nasab Seyed Dawood , Ahmadi Nayebali , Hossein Tehrani Mohammad Javad , Shahali Maryam , Doroud Delaram
Published: June 2024

Background and Objectives: Lipoarabinomannan is one of the components of the significant structural cell surfaces of my- cobacteria and serves as an immunostimulatory factor. TNF-α and IL-12 are two examples of the anti-bacterial inflammatory cytokines that are activated and induced during infection.
Materials and Methods: In this study, mannan was extracted and processed, and then Bulb/c female mice were used in three groups, one group was given BCG vaccine, the other group was given BCG vaccine with mannan adjuvant, and a non-injected group was used as a control group. Inflammatory factors interleukin-12, TNF-α, IgG and IgM were measured in mouse serum.
Results: The levels of the inflammatory factors interleukin-12 and TNF-α in the serum isolated from mice receiving the BCG vaccine with mannan adjuvant showed a significant difference compared to the group that received only the BCG vaccine and the control group [IL-12] and , with P≤0.05.The examination of the level of IgG immune factors in these three groups revealed a significant difference. The group that received the BCG vaccine with mannan adjuvant showed a marked contrast compared to the group that received only the BCG vaccine and the control group, with P≤0.05. The level of IgM was higher in the group that received the BCG vaccine alone compared to the adjuvant vaccine group and the control group, with P≤0.05.
Conclusion: Our results indicated that mice receiving the BCG vaccine with mannan adjuvant had significantly higher serum levels of IL-12, TNF-α, and IgG than the group receiving BCG alone
The chimeric UreB, FliD and Omp18 proteins for a sensitive and specific diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infections
Authors: Seyyedhamzeh Hassan , Farajnia Safar , Kargar Mohammad , Baradaran Behzad , Kafilzadeh Farshid
Published: June 2024

Background and Objectives: Helicobacter pylori is known as the main cause of gastrointestinal diseases including gastritis, gastric ulcer and stomach cancer. Serodiagnosis of H. pylori infection is a noninvasive and rapid method but the efficiency of this method is highly dependent to the antigens used. This study evaluated the efficacy of recombinant UreB-Omp18 and FliD for serodiagnosis of H. pylori infection.
Materials and Methods: The genes encoding for fliD, ureB, and omp18 was amplified by PCR and cloned into pET-22b and pET-28a vectors. The constructs were expressed in E. coli BL21 and purified by affinity chromatography. The antigenic properties and diagnostic potential of the recombinant proteins were analysed by immunoblotting and ELISA, respectively.
Results: The recombinant UreB-Omp18 and FliD with molecular weights of 48 kDa and 25 kDa were observed on SDS- PAGE and purified by the Ni-NTA column. The ELISA results showed that the sensitivity and specificity of recombinant UreB-Omp18 protein in serodiagnosis of H. pylori infection were 89% and 83%, respectively. Also, the sensitivity and spec- ificity of the recombinant FliD protein were calculated to be 91% and 76%, respectively.
Conclusion: The results indicated that the recombinant UreB-Omp18 and FliD could diagnose H. pylori infection with high sensitivity and specificity.
Antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of zingerone and niosomal zingerone against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)s
Authors: Larijanian Laleh , Shafiei Morvarid , Pirbalouti Abdollah Ghasemi , Ferdousi Atousa , Chiani Mohsen
Published: June 2024

Background and Objectives: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of nosocomial and community acquired infections. Nanoparticles are considered as proper tools to overcome the therapeutic problem of anti- microbial-resistant infections because of the drug concentration increment at the desired location and protection from enzy- matic degradation. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of zingerone and niosome containing zingerone against pre-formed biofilm of MRSA isolates.
Materials and Methods: 62 MRSA isolates cultured from patients with diabetic ulcers were investigated. Niosomes were synthesized and characterized by X- ray diffraction, zeta potential and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The size of niosomal particles measured by SEM and zetasizer.
Results: The surface charge of prepared niosomes was about -37 mV. The effect of the zingerone and noisome containing zingerone was evaluated against biofilms of MRSA isolates. Also, the antibiofilm activity of prepared niosomes on gene expression of MRSA biofilms was evaluated using Real Time PCR. Our results demonstrated that the niosome containing zingerone had a diameter of 196.1 nm and a -37.3-mV zeta potential. Zingerone removed one and three-day old biofilms of MRSA at the concentration of 1000 µg/ml, while the zingerone-laoded niosomes removed 1, 3- and 5-days old biofilms at the concentration of 250 µg/ml, 250 µg/ml, and 500 µg/ml.
Conclusion: The results indicated that niosome containing zingerone eliminated MRSA and its biofilms faster compared with free zingerone and it suggested that zingerone-encapsulated niosomes could be considered as a promising treatment against MRSA and its biofilms.
Screening and evaluation of the ruminal cellulolytic bacteria and their potential application as probiotics
Authors: Ghiasi Seyyed Ehsan , Gheibipour Maryam , Motamedi Hossein , Dar Mudasir A.
Published: June 2024

Background and Objectives: Rumen microbiologists are looking for new probiotics to improve the digestibility of livestock diets. This study intended to screen and evaluate the ruminal cellulolytic bacteria (CBs) and their potential application as probiotics.
Materials and Methods: Microbial culture and molecular techniques performed to isolate CBs from the rumen of camels, deer and rams. Their antibacterial and antibiogram tests were done using disc diffusion method. Their potential to degrade cellulose, starch, tannin and protein were investigated using clear zone halo, and spectrophotometric techniques. Bilious, saline, and acidic broth media were used to study the resistance of isolates in intestinal conditions.
Results: The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the strains belonged to Firmicutes and Proteobacteria phyla, Citrobacter murliniae, Ornithinibacillus bavariensis, C. braakii, and Bacillus subtilis. The highest cellulase (CAS) activity was recorded by C. murliniae Dez wildlife13A (2.98 UmL-1), whereas C. braakii Loot desert 111A (1.14 Uml-1) was produced the lowest enzyme. The isolates were highly resistant to synthetic conditions of intestine (pH 2.5-3.5, bile 0.3-2%), as well as tolerated higher concentrations of NaCl (up to 10%). They effectively inhibited standard pathogen strains, and showed sensitivity to the used antibiotics.
Conclusion: This study reports the cellulolytic O. bavariensis Tabbas desert 32A for the first time from the rumen, which will have potential biotechnological applications.
Epidemiological and phylogenetic assessment of human respiratory syncytial virus among pediatric patients presenting acute respiratory infections in Shiraz, Iran during 2015-2016
Authors: Mojarrad Saber , Movaghar Nahid Tavakoli , Edalat Fahime , Letafati Arash , Jahromi Zahra Kargar , Moattari Afagh
Published: June 2024

Background and Objectives: The pediatric population worldwide bears a significant morbidity and death burden due to acute respiratory infections (ARIs). Human Orthopneumovirus, sometimes referred to as the Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (HRSV), is one of the main causes of ARIs in infants. The main goal of this study was to identify the genetic diversity of HRSV strains that were circulating in the Iranian population at a certain time of year.
Materials and Methods: Two hundred youngsters less than 12 years old with acute respiratory infections had samples taken from their throat and pharynx secretions. Then, external and hemi-nested PCR were employed, using specific primers target- ing the G gene region to detect HRSV. Subsequently, nine randomly selected positive samples were subjected to sequencing. The results were then compared with reference strains cataloged in GeneBank, and phylogenetic tree was constructed using Chromes and MEGA7.
Results: Out of 200 samples, 34 were identified as containing HRSV. Subgroup A was predominant, accounting for 61.76% of cases, followed by subgroup BA (35.29%) and subgroup B (2.94%). Phylogenetic analysis revealed five samples associ- ated with subtype B and four with genotype A. Genomic analysis showed three samples under the GA2 subgroup and one under GA1 for subtype A, and four samples in subgroup BA and one in GB2 for subtype B.
Conclusion: In this study, subgroup A strains, particularly genotype GA2, exhibited a higher prevalence compared to sub-group B strains during the specific period under investigation, shedding light on the genetic landscape of HRSV in this region.
Concomitant tuberculosis and aspergillosis in patients with COVID-19: a case report
Authors: Sasani Elahe , Khodavaisy Sadegh , Salehi Mohammadreza , Bagheri-Josheghani Sareh , Abdorahimi Mahsa , Manshadi Seyed Ali Dehghan , Abdollahi Alireza , Salami Amir , Sohrabi Marjan , Khaneshan Salami
Published: June 2024

Coexisting pulmonary aspergillosis and tuberculosis in a post-COVID-19 patient is rare. Here, we are going to report a case of combined pulmonary aspergillosis and tuberculosis in a 51-year-old female who was previously diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia. The patient was treated with voriconazole and anti-tuberculosis agents.
An Increased Need to Identify Protective Factors for Sexual Assault
Authors: Mohammadi Mohammad Reza , Salmanian Maryam
Published: June 2024

The Article Abstract is not available.
A Comparison of Effectiveness of Attention Process Training (APT) with Parenting Management Training (PMT) in Reducing Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: Nadermohammadi Moghadam Mehriar , Bakhshi Parisa , Azarkollah Anita , Moulai Behnam , Molavi Parviz
Published: June 2024

Objective: Child-oriented psychotherapies, such as Attention Process Training (APT), target ADHD symptoms directly, whereas family-oriented interventions, like Parent Management Training (PMT), address its functional impairments. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of APT and PMT in treating ADHD symptoms.
Method: This research was a randomized controlled trial in which 45 children (26 females and 19 males, with a mean age of 8.47 ± 1.66 years) with ADHD were selected conveniently and assigned randomly to one of three groups (PMT = 15, APT = 15, and CTRL = 15). The groups had no significant differences in ADHD severity. The PMT children were managed with parenting techniques. Children in the APT group practiced attention techniques, while children in the control group did not receive any intervention. Ritalin was prescribed to all the children in the three groups. The score on the Conners Parenting Rating Scale-Revised: Short form was the outcome variable.
Results: Both interventions decreased ADHD symptoms severity more than the control group. Howver, the reduction in the APT group was more than in the PMT group (P-value < 0.001). The scores of 40% of the APT group and 80% of the PMT group did not fall below the cut-off point. In the APT group after the intervention, the inattention subscale was significantly lower than the hyperactivity subscale, while in the PMT group, the hyperactivity subscale was lower. The effect sizes of APT and PMT were 2.18 and 2.09, respectively.
Conclusion: For ADHD, psychological interventions are crucial in addition to medication. According to the results of this study, APT is more effective for inattention symptoms, while PMT is more effective for hyperactivity symptoms. When selecting psychotherapy, the subtype of ADHD should be taken into account. Treatment sessions must also be completed according to intervention protocols.
Serum Vitamin D, Mania and Depression-Related Scores: A Comparison among Mixed Bipolar, Mania, and Healthy Subjects
Authors: Astaneh Ali Nazeri , Jafari Neda , Sadighi Gita
Published: June 2024

Objective: Manic and mixed episodes of bipolar disorder are important episodes of this disorder. The aim of the current study was to assess serum vitamin D (SVD) levels in patients with mania and mixed bipolar disorder, compared to healthy subjects.
Method: The current cross-sectional study was conducted on 75 subjects, including healthy subjects (n = 25), patients with acute-phase mania (n = 25), and patients with mixed bipolar disorder (n = 25). The SVD levels were measured in all of the enrolled subjects. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), and Clinical Global Impression- Severity (CGI-S) were used to assess disease activity in patient groups. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 18. For statistical analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA), independent-sample t test, Pearson correlation, and Chi-square tests were utilized. P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Results: The results showed that the mean of SVD was significantly lower in mania and mixed bipolar patients compared to healthy subjects (P < 0.05). In addition, the number of subjects with SVD ≥ 20 ng/ml was higher in the healthy group compared to the patient groups (P < 0.05). Also, SVD was negatively correlated with the CGI-S (r = -0.311; P = 0.028), YMRS (r = -0.464; P = 0.001), and HDRS (r = -0.393; P = 0.005) in the total patient subjects.
Conclusion: Prevalence of low SVD was considerably high in mania and mixed bipolar patients compared to healthy subjects. Additionally, meaningful negative correlations were found between SVD and disease activity-related variables including the HDRS, YMRS, and CGI-S.
The Profile of Self-Harm and Suicide in Iran Considering Gender Differences: A Multicenter Study Affiliated with the National Trauma Registry of Iran
Authors: Ramezani Zahra , Rahimi-Movaghar Vafa , Zafarghandi Mohammadreza , Fakharian Esmaeil , Saeed-Banadaky Seyed Houssein , Sadeghi-Bazargani Homayoun , Mohammadpour Yousef , Rad Reza Farahmand , Sadeghian Farideh , Isfahani Mehdi Nasr , Rahmanian Vahid , Ghadipasha Amir , Shahidi Mohammad , Piri Seyed Mohammad , Naghdi Khatereh , Salamati Payman
Published: June 2024

Objective: The main objective of this study was to determine various characteristics and outcomes of self-harm and suicide in men and women with data obtained from the National Trauma Registry of Iran (NTRI).
Method: This retrospective multicenter study using data from the NTRI included all patients who went to the emergency department (ED) due to self-harm and suicide, considering the NTRI's specific inclusion criteria, from September 2016 to January 2023. We evaluated patients regarding demographics and clinical characteristics, various outcomes, and factors influencing in-hospital death. Statistical analyses were conducted using the STATA software version 15.0. The chi-square test was used to compare the distribution of variables between men and women. Also, the logistic regression models were applied to assess the predictors of in-hospital death.
Results: Self-harm and suicide cases were gathered from eleven geographically diverse hospitals across the country, and our study included 511 men and 347 women out of 50,661 registered trauma cases. Among them, 443 men (86.7%) and 267 women (76.9%) were between 18 and 49 years old (P < 0.001). Single women constituted 130 (37.3%) of the female cases, while single men were 313 (61.6%) of the male cases (P < 0.001). The three most common methods among our patients were poisoning with 234 (45.8%) of men and 245 (70.6%) of women cases, stab/cut with 208 (40.7%) of men and 54 (15.6%) of women cases, and fall with 16 (3.1%) of men and 26 (7.5%) of women cases (P < 0.001). The risk of death in patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 3 to 8 was 46.22 (95% CI = 18.66 to 114.45) times more than patients with a GCS score of 13 to 15.
Conclusion: Data on self-harm and suicide traumatology were gathered from eleven hospitals in Iran. Our findings indicated differences in the distribution of age and marital status between genders. Moreover, both genders used similar methods for self-harm and suicide, and gender did not affect the outcome.
Validation of the Indonesian Version of the Inventory of Statements About Self-Injury (ISAS) Questionnaire
Authors: Liza Rini Gusya , Yaunin Yaslinda , Yanwirasti . , Rita Rauza Sukma , Yanis Amel , Syafrita Yuliarni , Jamsari . , Mariko Rinang
Published: June 2024

Objective: This current study aimed to validate the Indonesian version of the Inventory of Statements About Self-Injury (ISAS) questionnaire, which provides a better understanding of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) disorders.
Method: The study used a cross-sectional design and involved 314 adolescents and young adults in high school or university. A stratified sampling method was used. All participants filled out the ISAS questionnaire. Data were analyzed for content validity, construct validity, item discrimination value, and internal consistency (Croncbach’s α). The translation process was carried out using forward and back-translation methods.
Results: The ISAS questionnaire consists of section I, the behavioral scale, and section II, the functional scale. For content validity, Aiken's V coefficient obtained for both scale sections I and II is in the range of 0.917 – 1. This result shows that all items on the scale have very good validity. Confirmatory Factor Analyses were carried out using Lisrel 8.80 software on section II, resulting in several goodness of fit values that were not good enough (χ2 = 457.68; P < 0.000; df = 64; χ2 / df = 7.151, RMSEA = 0.130) and several other values that are quite acceptable (CFI = 0.95; SRMS = 0.057; NFI = 0.95; GFI = 0.83). The factor loading from section II ranges from 0.43 - 0.91. The item discrimination value using the corrected item-total correlation of section I is in the range of 0.031 - 0.837 and section II ranges from 0.290 – 0.854. The reliability analysis values in section I and II of the ISAS are α = 0.527 and α = 0.966, respectively.
Conclusion: This is the first study to have validated the Indonesian version of the ISAS questionnaire. The Indonesian version of the ISAS questionnaire is considered a valid and reliable instrument to assess NSSI disorders.
Validity and Reliability Assessment of the Complete Persian Version of the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Auto-Questionnaire in an Iranian Population
Authors: Sadr Seyed Saeed , Harami Roya Vaziri , Samimi Ardestani Seyed Mehdi , Dehghani Shaghayegh
Published: June 2024

Objective: The Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego – Auto-questionnaire (TEMPS-A) assesses five affective temperaments and has been translated into 32 languages. A 35-item short version is available in Persian, but the complete version is not yet translated. This study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of the complete Persian version of the TEMPS-A in an Iranian population.
Method: This descriptive study translated the TEMPS-A questionnaire from English to Persian using a standard forward-backward method. The translation was evaluated for face and content validity by 10 psychiatry specialists, with quantitative content validity assessed through content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI) calculations. The Persian TEMPS-A was completed twice, with a two-week interval, by 30 individuals out of the 319 medical staff of Imam Hossein Hospital in Tehran, Iran, who participated in the study, and its reliability was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha. The questionnaire was then distributed to the entire sample (n = 319) for the analysis of temperament frequencies and statistical indices by a statistician.
Results: The Persian version of the TEMPS-A, consisting of 110 items across five factors (depressive, cyclothymic, hyperthymic, irritable, and anxious), demonstrated excellent reliability with Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.910, 0.909, 0.911, 0.910, and 0.909, respectively. The questions related to cyclothymic and hyperthymic temperaments exhibited the highest and lowest correlation coefficients with the general scale, respectively. Most subscales in the Persian TEMPS-A version showed correlation coefficients ranging from 0.28 to 0.68. An ANOVA with Cochrane's test revealed a significant difference in the mean scores of the questionnaire items (P < 0.001), with a grand mean score of 1.73 across all questions.
Conclusion: The Persian version of the TEMPS-A, consisting of 110 items, showed good internal consistency and a strong correlation with the original version. This suggests that it is suitable for use in temperament studies among the Iranian population.
Investigating Cortical Complexity in Mixed Dementia through Nonlinear Dynamic Analyses: A Resting-State EEG Study
Authors: Pallathadka Harikumar , Gardanova Zhanna R. , Al-Tameemi Ahmed Read , Baqir Al-Dhalimy Aiman Mohammed , Kadhum Eftikhaar Hasan , Redhee Ahmed Huseen
Published: June 2024

Objective: Dementia is a broad term referring to a decline in problem-solving abilities, language skills, memory, and other cognitive functions to a degree that it significantly disrupts everyday activities. The underlying cause of dementia is the impairment or loss of nerve cells and their connections within the brain. The particular symptoms experienced are contingent upon specific regions of the brain affected by this damage. In this research, we aimed to investigate the nonlinear dynamics of the mixed demented brain compared to healthy subjects using electroencephalogram (EEG) analysis.
Method: For this purpose, EEG was recorded from 66 patients with mixed dementia and 65 healthy subjects during rest. After signal preprocessing, sample entropy and Katz fractal dimension analyses were applied to the preprocessed EEG data. Analysis of variance with repeated measures was utilized to compare the nonlinear dynamics of brain activity between dementia and healthy states and partial correlation analysis was employed to explore the relationship between EEG complexity measures and cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms of patients.
Results: Based on repeated measures ANOVA, there was a significant main effect between groups for both Katz fractal dimension (F = 4.10, P = 0.01) and sample entropy (F = 4.81, P = 0.009) measures. Post hoc comparisons revealed that EEG complexity was significantly reduced in dementia mainly in the occipitoparietal and temporal areas (P < 0.05). MMSE scores were positively correlated with EEG complexity measures, while NPI scores were negatively correlated with EEG complexity measures, mainly in the occipitoparietal and temporal areas (P < 0.05). Moreover, using a KNN classifier, all significant complexity measures yielded the best classification performance with an accuracy of 98.05%, sensitivity of 97.03% and specificity of 99.16% in detecting dementia.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated a unique dynamic system within the brain impacted by dementia that results in more predictable patterns of cortical activity mainly in the occipitoparietal and temporal areas. These abnormal patterns were associated with patients' cognitive capacity and neuropsychiatric symptoms.
Application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in Children and Adolescents Psychotherapy: An Umbrella Review
Authors: Tayyebi Gooya , Alwan Nathera Hussin , Hamed Ameera Fares , Shallal Alhan Abdulhasan , Abdulrazzaq Thaiba , Khayayi Reyhane
Published: June 2024

Objective: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based psychological intervention that has gained increasing attention in recent years. While extensively studied for its effectiveness in adult populations, there has been growing interest in exploring the application of ACT in children and adolescents psychotherapy. This umbrella review aims to provide an overview of the current literature on the use and efficacy of ACT in children and adolescents, as well as to highlight potential considerations and future directions for research.
Method: A comprehensive search was done in scientific databases, including Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Sciences, using keywords related to ACT, children, adolescents, and psychotherapy. Relevant articles were included, with a focus on systematic reviews and meta-analysis.
Results: Our findings indicate consistent effectiveness for ACT and related interventions across various delivery formats, including in-person, group, and internet-based approaches, in reducing symptoms of internalizing and externalizing problems, as well as improving overall quality of life among children and adolescents. However, two articles comparing ACT with traditional cognitive behavioral therapy did not demonstrate superiority. Additionally, when comparing internet-based and in-person delivery modes, the included studies did not show significant differences between the two types.
Conclusion: ACT shows promise as an effective therapeutic approach in children and adolescents psychotherapy. However, more research is warranted to establish its specific techniques and adaptations for different age groups and presenting problems. Additionally, future research should explore the feasibility and effectiveness of delivering ACT in varied settings.
Identifying the Opinions of Students, Professors and Educational Managers Regarding the Factors Affecting the Improvement of the Quality of Education in Hamadan University of Medical Sciences
Authors: M Sarvi , M Seidi , H Emad Momtaz , N Mahdavi , M Afshari
Published: June 2024

Introduction: Considering the importance of the quality of education in universities on the growth and development programs of the country, this study aimed to explain the opinions of students, professors, and educational managers regarding the factors affecting improving education quality at Hamadan University of Medical Sciences.
Method: This qualitative study used conventional content analysis to understand the experiences of students, professors, and managers at Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. Participants were selected through purposeful sampling with diversity in considering faculty, educational group, level, age, and gender. The interviews in person included in-depth interviews with 20 students, 8 professors, and 3 educational managers. The responses were analyzed using the Graneheim and Lundman model.
Results: The factors affecting the improvement of education quality from the students’ perspective were determined in four main contexts: the professor’s teaching method in class, modern teaching techniques, appropriate interactions between professor and student, and the availability of educational infrastructures. The effective factors from the educational managers’ perspective were identified in two prominent contexts: the professor’s teaching in class and appropriate interactions between professor and student. The effective factors from the professors’ perspective were identified in four main contexts: professors’ motivation, empowering professors, professors’ and students’ characteristics.
Conclusion: Improving the quality of education depends on appropriate interactions between professors and students, professors’ teaching methods, modern teaching techniques, and educational infrastructures. Also, the motivation and empowerment of professors and the characteristics of professors and students play a significant role in this field. Therefore, to improve the quality of education, educational managers must pay attention to these factors.