Introduction and objective: Patients with candidiasis could be treated with antifungal drugs. Due to side effects and drug resistance, many studies have been conducted to investigate essential oils’ antifungal effects. The aim of the present study was to determine anticandidal activity of some essential oils.Materials and methods: In this study, the effect of thyme, pennyroyal and lemon essential oils on Candida isolated from vulvovaginal infection were investigated experimentally by using MICRO DILUTION method. Serial DILUTION of thyme (0.002-4%), pennyroyal (0.004-8%) and lemon (0.15-32%) essential oils accompanying to controls and also amphotericin B (0.008-16μg/ml) and fluconazole (1-2048μg/ml) were used.Results: Thyme’s essential oils had the most anti-candidal activity followed by pennyroyal. Candida albicans was the most sensitive species (0.008-0.062%). Thyme and lemon essential oils had the most (0.008-0.271%) and least (1-32%) anticandidal activities, respectively. The candidal growth was inhibited by amphotericin B at 1μg/ml; whereas the anticandidal activity of fluconazole was 29.647-978.824μg/ml. the effect of thyme essentia l oil was similar to amphotericin B.Conclusion: Because of the strong anti-candidal effects of thyme which was proved through in vitro tests in our study, it is proposed to do further research in the treatment of candidiasis with thyme experimentally.

Increasing prevalence of Candidasis with the emergence of non-albicans Candida spp. and acquiring antifungal resistance has showed routine antifungal susceptibility testing. In present work, Itraconazole (ITZ) susceptibility of 106 Candida strains of 8 different species isolated from clinical specimens of patient were studied by standard disk diffusion method (D.D) and the result were compared with results obtained form the broth MICRO DILUTION-based reference method (B.M.D).Susceptibility ranking to ITZ obtained with all yeasts tested was decreased from C.dubliniensis to C.parapsilosis, C.lusittani, C.kefyr, C.albicans, C.tropicalis, C.glabera and C.krusei. C.krusei and C.glaberata showed the highest rate (5.66%/7.54%) of S-DD/R among all species tested. In D.D and B.M.D method 85.85% and 86.79% of isolates were susceptible (S), whereas 10.37% and 7.54% showed dose-dependent susceptibility (S-DD), and 3.77% and 5.66% were resistant (R), respectively. A total correlation between D.D & reference methods was measured as 89.1 % (p<0.05).this data suggest The D.D method is a rapid, simple and reliable screening test for routine susceptibility testing use.

The present study was conducted in order to determine the proper extender for poultry semen among Beltsville, Ringer and milk and the comparison of various proportions of different extenders applied for DILUTION (semen-over-extender ratios 1:1 and 1:2) and its impact on fertility and semen storage period (non-storage or 24-hour storage). This study was carried out in the Isfahan Center for Breeding and Production of Native Hens. The study consisted of eleven treatments and each treatment included three roosters as replicate and 24 hens. Collected semen was diluted in 1:1 and 1:2 ratios by various extenders and insemination was conducted immediately or after a 24-hour storage period at 5 degrees of centigrade. The results indicated that following a 24-hour storage period, fertility declined and that the effect of various insemination periods on fertility proved to be significant (P<0.01). There was no significant difference between the 1:1 and 1:2 ratios for the extenders (P<0.05). Among the extenders, when using non-stored semen, employment of the1:1 Ringer extenders produced the highest fertility and there was no significant difference between the Beltsville and control extender. However, using milk as extender lowered the fertility. In conclusion, none of the applied extenders are proper for semen storage and application of Ringer as extender resulted in the highest fertility.

Introduction: Candida species have various degrees of susceptibility to antifungal drugs. Thus, detection of antifungal treatment by susceptibility testing methods as a routine test is quit crucial.Materials & Method: A comparison of the disk diffusion method (D.D) as screening test and the reference broth MICRODILUTION method (B.M.D) for fluconazole was performed according to national committee for clinical laboratory standards (NCCLS) with106 in one group of Candida spp. in Tehran. Result: In D.D and B.M.D 69.81% and 61.32% of isolates were susceptible(S), whereas 22.6% and 24.52% showed dose-dependent susceptibility (S-DD), and 15.09% and 14.15% were resistant (R), respectively. Susceptibility ranking to fluconazole obtained with all yeasts tested was C.dubliniensis » C.parapsilosis » C.lusittani » C.kefyr > C.albicans > C.tropicalis > C.glabera > C.krusei. Conclusion: C.krusei and C.glaberata showed the highest rate of S-DD/R among all species tested. A total correlation between two methods was measured as 94.34% (p<0.05). The D.D method is recommended as a rapid, simple and reliable screening test for detection of susceptibility and compatible with the gold standard method (B.M.D).

Introduction: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a form of anxiety disorders. PTSD typically follows an exposure to severe stress. It is characterized by a particular clinical syndrome, including re-experiencing symptoms and alterations in arousal, avoidance, cognition, and mood conditions. Recent evidences propose that MICRO-RNAs are crucial epigenetic players in mental disorders. It has been demonstrated that MICRO-RNAs are promising non-invasive biomarkers for different mental health disorders. It has been reported that the levels of MICRO-RNAs have been changed in psychotic diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and PTSD.Conclusion: MICRO-RNAs seem to play a role in pathophysiology of psychological diseases. In this article, we discussed the new findings suggesting a relationship between MICRO-RNAs and PTSD as well as the possible roles of MICRO-RNAs in diagnosis and treatment of this mental disorder.

Background and Aim: In this study, the effect of Myrtus extracts on 25 methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli ESBL strains isolated from patients were compared by two methods. Materials and Methods: 15 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and 10 Escherichia coli ESBL isolates were used in this study. Fresh Leaves of Myrtus were collected from the herbal medicine farm. Extraction was performed using a reflux distillation. The effect of concentrations 0. 195-100 MICROgrams per ml of Myrtus extract on clinical isolates was analyzed in disk diffusion method compared with MICRO broth DILUTION method and with MTT in 545 nm on an ELISA reader apparatus. Findings: Inhibition zone diameter for the minimum effective concentration of 50 MICROgrams per milliliter in all isolates of ESBL and MRSA were as 8± 1 mm and 11± 1. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was 6. 25mic/ml and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) was determined 12. 5mic/ml for E. coli ESBL. Furthermore, the amounts for MIC and MBC was determined as 12. 5 and 25 mic/ml, respectively for Staphylococcus aureus. Conclusion: The results of this study showed compliance of two methods in evaluation of drug-resistant clinical isolates. It was proved that the disk diffusion method could be determining range of effective concentration but MICRO broth method determines the effective concentration carefully. It is recommended that results obtained from disk diffusion not to be basis for final decisions in traditional medicine studies. Bacterial behavior in the broth and determination of the point of death greatly increases the accuracy of the results.

Using the potential of natural materials as special food additives for reducing the use of chemical preservatives in production of food stuff, considering their antiMICRObial properties, is of great importance. In this research, the in vitro antibacterial effects of Pelargonium graveolens essential oil on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia Coli, Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes were studied. To do so, 4ml of the essence was prepared using Clevenger. Afterward, MIC and MBC were determined. MIC of S. aureus and E. coli was equal to 62.5 ppm and this figure for S. enterica and L. monocytogenes was 125 and 31.25 ppm, respectively. The results showed that, comparing to gram-negative bacteria, the gram-positive bacteria were more sensitive to this essential oil. The most sensitive tested MICROorganisms were L. monocytogenes, S. aureus, E. coli, and S. enterica. Finally, we found that the use of some ornamental plants for inhibiting bacteria can be a helpful approach in future researches.

Background & Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the MICRO-shear bond strength of two kinds of resin-based cements with fluoride release with the usage of five adhesive systems to enamel and dentin. Materials & methods: Bovine flat enamel or dentin surfaces were used in this study. MICRO cylinders of resin cement with Xeno Cem Plus (XCP) or Panavia Fluoro Cement (PFC) were bonded to enamel or dentin as followed: XCP or PFC as instructions prior to the usage of their own adhesive systems, Xeno CF II+XCP, SE Bond+PFC, or Clearfil Liner Bond II (CLB) + PFC. After the storage in 37°c water for 24 hrs, MICRO-shear bond test was applied for all the test groups. The data were statistically analyzed using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). After two-way ANOVA, one-way ANOVA and multiple comparisons with Fishers PLSD test were made.Results: Are given as follow (enamel and dentin, mean±SD in MPa); XCP, 13.7±4.0 and 15.5±9.2; PFC, 23.7±10.6 and 15.0±7.3; XCP+XCF II, 35.4±11.5 and 17.1±4.0; PFC+SE, 54.2±9.8 and 41.7±12.0; PFCCLB, 31.39±3.09 and 15.09±4.35. ANOVA (α=0.05) analyze revealed the usage of SE Bond under PFC significantly increased the bond strength to both enamel and dentin. Bonding of Xeno CFII was only improved the bonding to enamel with the application of XCP.Conclusion: Light-cure adhesive systems significantly improve the bonding of current resin cements.

The growing worldwide demand for less polluting forms of energy has led to a renewed interest in the use of MICRO combined heat and power (CHP) technologies in the residential sector. The operation of MICRO CHP system results in simultaneous production of heat and power in a single household based on small energy conversion units. The heat produced may be used for space and water heating and possibly for cooling load if combined with an absorption chiller, the electricity is used within the house. In this paper, two typical MICRO CHP alternatives, namely, gas engine and fuel cell for residential buildings, are analyzed. For each facility, two different operating modes including minimum-cost operation and minimum-emission operation are taken into consideration by employing a plan and evaluation model for residential MICRO CHP systems. The analyses of results show that the fuel cell system is recognized as a better option for the examined residential building from both economic and environmental points of view. With the operation considering optimal economic benefits, annual energy cost is reduced by about 26%. On the other hand, annual CO2 emissions are reduced by about 9%.