Recent advances in aptamer discovery, modification and improving performance.

Aptamers are nucleic acid (Ribonucleic acid (RNA) and single strand deoxyribonucleic acid (ssDNA)) with a length of approximately 25-80 bases that can bind to particular target molecules, similar to monoclonal antibodies. Due to their many benefits, which include a long shelf life, minimal batch-to-batch variations, extremely low immunogenicity, the possibility of chemical modifications for improved stability, an extended serum half-life, and targeted delivery, they are receiving a lot of attention in a variety of clinical applications. The development of high-affinity modification approaches has attracted significant attention in aptamer applications.

Prediction of aptamer affinity using an artificial intelligence approach.

Aptamers are oligonucleotide sequences that can connect to particular target molecules, similar to monoclonal antibodies. They can be chosen by systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX), and are modifiable and can be synthesized. Even if the SELEX approach has been improved a lot, it is frequently challenging and time-consuming to identify aptamers experimentally.

The role of serum circulating microbial toxins in severity and cytokine storm of COVID positive patients.

The emergence of Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is a global problem nowadays, causing health difficulty with increasing mortality rates, which doesn't have a verified treatment. SARS-CoV-2 infection has various pathological and epidemiological characteristics, one of them is increased amounts of cytokine production, which in order activate an abnormal unrestricted response called "cytokine storm". This event contributes to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which results in respiratory failure and pneumonia and is the great cause of death associated with Covid-19.

Identification of two major direct repeat unit clusters, 8i and 11ce, among methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains: the emergence of novel dru types and repeats.

Background: The changing epidemiology and decreasing susceptibility to first-line antibiotics, such as vancomycin and linezolid, leave clinicians with few therapeutic options for MRSA infections. This study aimed to conduct an epidemiology study and characterize MRSA isolates.

Methods: A total of 150 MRSA isolates were collected from clinical specimens.

Effect of the temperature of sodium hypochlorite on the cyclic fatigue resistance of ProTaper Gold rotary files.

Background: Instrument fracture is one of major challenges during root canal treatment. In order to reduce such errors, it seems necessary to investigate the effects of potentially impactful factors. One of such factors could be the temperature of an agitator.

Exotoxin-Based Immunotoxins: Over Three Decades of Efforts on Targeting Cancer Cells With the Toxin.

Cancer is one of the prominent causes of death worldwide. Despite the existence of various modalities for cancer treatment, many types of cancer remain uncured or develop resistance to therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, almost all chemotherapeutics cause a range of side effects because they affect normal cells in addition to malignant cells.

Molecular epidemiology of bla gene-producing uropathogenic Escherichia coli among Iranian kidney transplant patients: clonal dissemination of CC131 and CC10.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the phylogenetic characterization and virulence traits of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) isolated from kidney transplant patients (KTPs) as well as non-KTPs and analyze the clonal distribution of Extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs)-producing UPEC containing bla gene.

Methods: To this end, we determined virulence marker and the phylogenetic characterization of UPEC in non-KTPs (n = 65) and KTPs (n = 46). The non-KTPs were considered the control group of the study.

Comparison of the Prevalence of Microbial Surface Components Recognizing Adhesive Matrix Molecules (MSCRAMMs) among Isolates in a Burn Unit with Non-Burning Units.

Background: () is one of the most important pathogens in burn infections colonized in the nose and increase the risk of infections.

Methods: Overall, 85 isolates were isolated from clinical and nasal hospitalized patients and health care workers (HCWs) in a burn unit and non-burn units in Isfahan from June 2016 and September 2016. Genes encoding penicillin-binding protein 2a A) and adhesive surface proteins, including fibronectin-binding proteins (,), fibrinogen binding protein (), laminin-binding protein(), collagen binding protein (), elastin binding protein intracellular adhesion operon (A and D) were detected using PCR method.

Molecular Typing of Community-acquired Methicillin-Resistant Isolated from 2- to 6-year old Children by Staphylococcal Protein A and Typing in Isfahan, Iran.

Background: Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) has become a considerable public health concern in the entire world due to the rapid spread of this bacterium in human community; also the epidemiology of MRSA has changed, as the isolation of MRSA strains from healthy and non-healthy patients. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the genetic diversity and antibiotic resistance profile of community-acquired (CA)-MRSA nasal carriage in the Iranian samples.

Materials And Methods: A total of 25 CA-MRSA were isolated from the anterior nares of 410 healthy preschool children.

Characterization of Plasmid-Mediated Quinolone Resistance and Serogroup Distributions of Uropathogenic among Iranian Kidney Transplant Patients.

Introduction: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most frequent infections in kidney transplant patients (KTPs). This infection is mainly caused by uropathogenic (UPEC). Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) was also increasingly identified in UPEC.

Characterization of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Uropathogenic Among Iranian Kidney Transplant Patients.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and the presence of ESBLs among the uropathogenic (UPEC) isolated from kidney transplant patients (KTP) and community-acquired urinary tract infections (UTIs) using phenotypic and molecular methods.

Materials And Methods: A total of 111 pure cultures of UPEC isolates were collected from 65 and 46 of non-KTP and KTPs with UTIs. The pattern and ESBL production of the strains were evaluated.

The Global Prevalence of Class 1 Integron and Associated Antibiotic Resistance in from Patients with Urinary Tract Infections, a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The present systematic review and meta-analysis study aimed to investigate the prevalence of class 1 integrons and their associated antibiotic resistance in uropathogenic A systematic search was conducted to identify studies meeting our inclusion criteria in the Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar electronic databases to the end of July 2019. Finally, 35 articles were selected for data extraction, and meta-analysis was performed using the metaprop program in the STATA, version 11.0, software.

Molecular Characterization Of Vancomycin-Resistant Among Inpatients At Iranian University Hospitals: Clonal Dissemination Of ST6 And ST422.

Purpose: Over the past two decades, enterococci have emerged as an important opportunistic pathogen causing life-threatening infections in hospitals. The purpose of the present study was to examine the prevalence of genes encoding virulence factor and molecular characterization of vancomycin-resistant strains isolated from hospitalized patients in Isfahan, the central city of Iran.

Patients And Methods: A total of 53 vancomycin-resistant isolates (VRE) obtained from clinical samples of hospitalized patients were characterized by phenotypic and genotypic methods, and 25 selected VRE isolates from internal and ICU wards were typed by multilocus sequence typing.

Preparation and preclinical evaluation of two novel Staphylococcus aureus capsular polysaccharide 5 and 8-fusion protein (Hla-MntC-SACOL0723) immunoconjugates.

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common pathogens in the hospital and the community. The emergence of broad-spectrum antibiotic resistance in S. aureus has made the treatment process more difficult.

Determination of surface proteins profile, capsular genotyping, and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of Group B Streptococcus isolated from urinary tract infection of Iranian patients.

Objectives: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is an important opportunistic bacteria that causes a wide range of infections including neonatal sepsis, meningitis, pneumonia, soft tissue and urinary tract infections (UTI). The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, surface proteins and capsular types of GBS isolates.

Results: 100 of UTI isolates were confirmed as GBS.

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of glycopeptide, aminoglycoside and macrolide resistance among clinical isolates of Enterococcus faecalis: a multicenter based study.

Objectives: Enterococcus faecalis as part of the normal floras of human gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts are an important cause of nosocomial infections. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of genes encoding antimicrobial resistance and genetic relatedness of clinical isolates of E. faecalis among Iranian hospitalized patients.

Endodontic and Surgical Management of Iatrogenic Root Injury Caused by Orthodontic Miniscrew Placement: A Case Report.

One of the potential serious complications, associated with the inter-radicular placement of an orthodontic miniscrew, is root injury. This article reports the endodontic and surgical treatments of an iatrogenic root perforation in a mandibular first molar caused by the placement of an orthodontic miniscrew anchorage. The 24-month follow-up showed a successful treatment outcome.

Molecular characterization and genotyping of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in nasal carriage of healthy Iranian children.

Purpose: Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) has become a considerable public health concern in both developed and developing countries due to the rapid spread of this bacterium around the world, also the epidemiology of MRSA has changed, as the isolation of MRSA strains is not limited to health-care settings or patients with predisposing risk factors. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the genetic diversity and antibiotic resistance profile of CA-MRSA nasal carriage in Iranian children.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2013 to March 2014.

Periopathogens in atherosclerotic plaques of patients with both cardiovascular disease and chronic periodontitis.

Background: Atherosclerosis and periodontitis are both chronic inflammatory diseases. Although a strong relationship between the two has already been established, the underlying mechanism is unknown. The present study was conducted aiming to detect the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A.

Genetic diversity of strains from a teaching hospital in Isfahan, Iran: The emergence of MRSA ST639- SCC III and ST343- SCC III.

Background And Objectives: is an important pathogen that can be colonized in the nose and increase the risk of spreading infections in hospitals. The present study aimed at determining the phenotypic and genotypic characterization of strains isolated from patients and healthcare workers (HCWs) from a teaching hospital in Isfahan, Iran.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 262 nasal swabs and 23 clinical isolates that were collected from a teaching hospital during February and April 2016.

Molecular characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage from hospitalized patients and medical staff in Isfahan, Iran.

Objectives: Nasal carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been accounted as one of the main risk factors for the development of complicated nosocomial infections. The present study aimed to determine nasal carriage rate, antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and molecular characteristics of MRSA isolates.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed within 6 months period from July 2015 at 3 hospitals of Isfahan, Iran.

Community Acquired Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Pneumonia in a Young Athlete Man: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Pseudomonas aeruginosaisa commonly known as nosocomial infection agent but rarely previously healthy people are infected by P. aeruginosa. Here we report Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) in a 27 year old male athlete.

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of macrolide resistance among isolates in Isfahan, Iran.

Background And Objectives: Macrolide, lincosamide and streptogramin B (MLS ) are noteworthy antibiotics for the treatment of infections. The purpose of this study, was to determine the phenotypic and genotypic characterization of macrolide resistance, among , isolated from clinical samples and nasal swabs.

Materials And Methods: Totally, 162 non-duplicate isolates were collected from clinical samples and nasal swabs, from patients and healthcare workers (HCWs), between March 2016 and September 2016, at four teaching hospitals in Isfahan.

Emergence of carbapenem resistant Escherichia coli isolates producing bla and bla-like carried on IncA/C and IncL/M plasmids at two Iranian university hospitals.

The emergence of carbapenem resistance among Escherichia coli is a serious threat to public health. The objective of this study was to investigate resistance genes and clonality of carbapenem resistant E. coli in Iran.

Molecular characteristics and antibiotic resistance pattern of Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage in tertiary care hospitals of Isfahan, Iran.

Carriage of S. aureus in the anterior nares seems to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of infection. This study aimed to determine the molecular characteristics and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of S.