Navid Omidifar

Background: Heyndrickxia sporothermodurans is a highly heat-resistant, spore-forming bacterium associated with spoilage of ultra-high-temperature (UHT) milk. The persistence of its spores after UHT processing necessitates effective strategies for controlling subsequent germination and outgrowth. Methods: In this study, the antimicrobial activity of Zataria multiflora essential oil (EO) was evaluated against H. sporothermodurans strain Ab.359 TZ (NCBI accession number PX916884), isolated from local UHT milk in Fars Province, Iran. EO composition was determined by GC–MS, and its effects on vegetative growth, spore germination, and population dynamics were assessed in broth and UHT milk over five days. EO concentrations were expressed as volume/volume (v/v). Results: GC–MS analysis revealed thymol (32.51%) and carvacrol (32.17%) as the major EO components. The minimum inhibitory concentration was 0.09% (v/v). EO treatment caused an initial reduction in vegetative-cell counts and delayed subsequent population recovery and sporulation, while its effects in the UHT milk model included suppression of spore outgrowth and overall bacterial population recovery during the experimental period. Complete inhibition of spore germination was not observed. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that Z. multiflora EO can suppress vegetative proliferation and spore-associated population dynamics of H. sporothermodurans strain Ab.359 TZ under the experimental conditions used. Further studies are required to evaluate its sensory acceptability, long-term efficacy under relevant storage conditions, and suitability for potential application in dairy products. Graphical Zataria multiflora essential oil (EO), rich in thymol and carvacrol, effectively suppresses vegetative growth and delays spore germination of Heyndrickzxia sporothermodurans Ab.359 TZ, a heat-resistant, spore-forming spoilage organism isolated from UHT milk and registered in NCBI. The EO markedly reduces bacterial population dynamics in UHT milk by inhibiting early vegetative proliferation, limiting sporulation, and partially restraining spore outgrowth over storage time. These findings highlight the potential of Zataria multiflora EO as a natural preservative strategy to control spoilage-associated microbial dynamics and extend the shelf life of UHT milk.

This study presents a novel green-synthesized iron oxide nanostructure (ION) using Citrullus colocynthis extract (CCE) and functionalized with 8-hydroxyquinoline (8HQ) to enhance antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities. IONs were synthesized via CCE-mediated reduction or chemical coprecipitation, coated with 8HQ, and characterized by FE-SEM, EDAX, and FT-IR. The antimicrobial efficacy was assessed against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans through CLSI-guided MIC/MBC assays, while cytotoxicity was evaluated on MCF7 and Hep-G2 cancer cells using MTT assays. Results demonstrated that CCE-ION exhibited enhanced antimicrobial activity compared to chemically synthesized ION. The MIC values for CCE-ION were 125 µg/mL for P. aeruginosa, 250 µg/mL for E. coli, 500 µg/mL for S. aureus and C. albicans, and 1000 µg/mL for E. faecalis, with corresponding MBC values of 250, 250, 500, 500, and 1000 µg/mL, respectively, indicating strong bactericidal and fungicidal properties. FE-SEM analysis confirmed spherical nanoparticles (35–40 nm) with balanced iron oxide and organic composition. The 8HQ@CCE-ION nanocomposite exhibited significant cytotoxicity, with IC₅₀ values of ≈ 489 µg/mL against MCF-7 cells and ≈ 183 µg/mL against Hep-G2 cells (compared to ≈ > 500 µg/mL and ≈ 450 µg/mL for free CCE, respectively), achieving > 80% cell death at 250 µg/mL and highlighting enhanced cellular uptake and synergistic effects. This eco-friendly nanoplatform successfully integrates CCE’s natural bioactivity with 8HQ’s metal-chelating properties, achieving significant pathogen viability reduction at MIC doses while offering promising anticancer potential. The dual-functional approach positions 8HQ@CCE-ION as a potential therapeutic candidate for drug-resistant infections and cancer treatment.

Despite numerous studies on the impact of stress on post-in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinical outcomes are contradictory and researchers recommend the nee

Introduction: Genetics plays a crucial role in determining individual susceptibility to dental caries. Certain beta-defensin 1 ( DEFB1 ) gene variants may be linked to oral diseases. One of the most prevalent problems with oral health is dental caries. Between 60% and 90% of schoolchildren and the vast majority of adults suffer from dental caries. This study aimed to examine the genetic association between the DEFB1 gene variants rs11362 and rs1799946 and dental caries in a case–control study. Methods: The study included 202 participants, of whom 119 demonstrated high dental caries, while 83 acted as controls with low dental caries. Most of them were referred to the Medical University’s Dental Clinic in Shiraz, Iran. Following the acquisition of written and informed consent, genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood. Tetra‐primer ARMS–PCR was employed to identify the DEFB1 promoter region polymorphisms rs11362 and rs1799946. Results: Allelic, genotypic, and haplotypes frequencies did not differ between the case and control groups, according to the genotyping results. Conclusion: To find the dental caries‐vulnerable loci in our case and control groups, more studies with a bigger sample size are essential. Furthermore, functional research is necessary to elucidate how these variations affect DEFB1 expression.

Background: Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is the most prevalent cyanotic congenital heart defect. Pulmonary regurgitation (PR) is a common sequela following most surgical repairs for TOF. Tadalafil might reduce pulmonary vascular resistance after Tetralogy of Fallot total correction (TOFTC). Objectives: This study evaluated the efficacy of tadalafil in reducing PR volume and improving heart function among TOFTC children with severe PR, using transthoracic echocardiography, particularly focusing on changes in N-terminal pro-b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). Methods: The present study was conducted on TOFTC patients consecutively between September 2019 and August 2020 at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. M-mode and two-dimensional (2D) Doppler echocardiography were performed, and NT-proBNP levels were measured in 20 patients before and one month after tadalafil administration. SPSS version 23.0 was utilized to analyze all results. Results: The patients' ages ranged from 25 to 128 months. The mean age and weight of the patients were 67.9 ± 34.5 months and 21.1 ± 6.9 kg, respectively. Tadalafil administration did not significantly improve Doppler and tissue Doppler parameters; however, it increased the pulmonary valve pressure gradient and velocity-time integral. Additionally, tadalafil had no significant effect on improving NT-proBNP levels. The Spearman correlation test did not show any significant correlation between the pulmonary valve pressure gradient and velocity-time integral with age, weight, and NT-proBNP. Conclusions: Tadalafil increased the pulmonary valve pressure gradient and velocity-time integral in TOFTC patients with severe PR; however, it did not affect NT-proBNP levels or tissue Doppler parameters.

Background: Bacterial infections are the leading cause of death in newborns. The growing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics is a major concern. In this study, we identified isolates from blood cultures in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a major referral hospital in Shiraz in southwest Iran and determined antibiotic resistance patterns. Methods: All newborns admitted to the NICU were evaluated in a four-year study. The blood samples were cultured using a BACTEC system. From May 2015 to March 2020, 5937 blood culture samples were analyzed. The antibacterial sensitivity test was conducted using the disk diffusion method, following the guidelines of Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) 2018. Results: In this study, 507 isolates were obtained from 5937 specimens. The most commonly isolated gram-negative bacteria were Acinetobacter (8.7%), Escherichia coli (5.7%), Klebsiella (1.6%), Enterobacter (1.4%), and Pseudomonas (0.9%). Among the gram-positive bacteria, coagulase-positive staphylococci (51.1%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (15.4%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (10.2%), non-hemolytic streptococci (2.4%), alpha-hemolytic streptococci (1.4%), and Streptococcus pneumonia (1.3%) were the most frequently isolated bacteria. Of the 318 Staphylococcus aureus isolates, 88.5% were resistant to methicillin. Conclusion: Staphylococcus, with a high frequency in the NICU, can be an alarm for medical centers. Also, in dead infants, the most observed bacterial infection was Acinetobacter infection, which requires the serious attention of the hospital infection control unit.

Key Clinical Message: This case highlights the diagnostic pitfalls that can occur when evaluating complex cystic renal masses. Distinguishing epidermoid cysts from renal cell carcinoma is difficult but imperative to guide conservative management when appropriate, avoiding unnecessary nephrectomy. Renal epidermoid cysts are extremely rare, with only 12 cases reported in the literature. Their radiographic features often resemble cystic renal cell carcinoma, frequently prompting unnecessary nephrectomy. A 64‐year‐old man with a history of nephrolithiasis presented with left flank pain and hematuria. Imaging revealed a complex cystic renal mass suspicious for renal cell carcinoma. Following left radical nephrectomy, histopathology examination revealed a benign epidermoid cyst. Renal presentation of epidermoid cyst poses unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Possible pathogenesis includes ectopic epidermal implantation during embryogenesis or squamous metaplasia following chronic irritation or deficiency. Radiographic distinction from concerning entities like renal cell carcinoma is difficult but imperative to avoid extensive surgery. This case highlights the diagnostic pitfalls and management considerations for renal epidermoid cysts. Additional study of clinical and imaging factors that distinguish epidermoid cysts from renal cell carcinoma can guide conservative management when appropriate, avoiding unnecessary nephrectomy for benign disease.

Recent breakthroughs in the field of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have opened up unprecedented opportunities for the development of specialized bioactive CNT‐polymers for a variety of biosensor applications. The incorporation of bioactive materials, including DNA, aptamers and antibodies, into CNTs to produce composites of bioactive CNTs has attracted considerable attention. In addition, polymers are essential for the development of biosensors as they provide biocompatible conditions and are the ideal matrix for the immobilization of proteins. The numerous applications of bioactive compounds combined with the excellent chemical and physical properties of CNTs have led to the development of bioactive CNT‐polymer composites. This article provides a comprehensive overview of CNT‐polymer composites and new approaches to encapsulate bioactive compounds and polymers in CNTs. Finally, biosensor applications of bioactive CNT‐polymer for the detection of glucose, H₂O₂ and cholesterol were investigated. The surface of CNT‐polymer facilitates the immobilization of bioactive molecules such as DNA, enzymes or antibodies, which in turn enables the construction of state‐of‐the‐art, future‐oriented biosensors.

Background: The aggregation of clonal plasma cells causes plasma cell neoplasms, which vary in severity and clinical outcomes. The present research focused on the epidemiological, clinical, immunologic, and cytogenetic characteristics of plasma cell neoplasms. Methods: In this five-year retrospective cross-sectional study, demographic information such as age and sex, calcium elevation, renal insufficiency, anemia, and bone lesion (CRAB) characteristics, as well as laboratory data including bone marrow and peripheral blood film results, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and cytogenetic study outcomes were collected at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics software (version 20.0). Descriptive statistics were reported as numbers, percentages, and mean +/- SD. Results: 417 newly diagnosed plasma cell neoplasm patients were confirmed by bone marrow or other tissue biopsy tests. 279 patients were men (66.9%). The most prevalent age group was 60-64 years old (18.46%). Plasma cell myeloma (PCM) affected 355 (85.13%) patients, while monoclonal gammopathy of Solitary plasmacytoma was seen in 56 (13.42%) patients. At the time of diagnosis, 119 (33.52%) of 355 PCM patients were asymptomatic, whereas 236 (66.47%) patients had at least one CRAB symptom, 55 (15.49%) had two or more, and 14 (3.94%) had three or more. There were 7 (1.97%) cases of amyloidosis. Cytogenetic abnormalities were found in 51.28% (40/78) of the patients. Twenty-one individuals (52.5%) were hyperdiploid with multiple trisomy, while 19 (47.50%) were not. Conclusion: When diagnosed, Iranian PCM patients might have more advanced disease. PCM was more prevalent in young adults, and hyperdiploid was the most common cytogenetic finding in this investigation.