Archives of Razi Institute最新文献

{"title":"Isolation, Molecular Characterization, and Antibacterial Activity of Actinomycetes Associated With Horsemint (<i>Mentha longifolia</i>).","authors":"Nemati Samaneh, Pourahmad Fazel, Nemati Mostafa","doi":"10.32598/ARI.80.6.3487","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32598/ARI.80.6.3487","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Actinomycetes, renowned for their antibiotic-producing capabilities, represent a promising avenue for the discovery of novel antimicrobial agents, especially amid the global challenge of antibiotic resistance. This study explored the endophytic actinomycetes associated with horsemint (<i>Mentha longifolia</i>), a medicinal plant known for its antimicrobial properties, to uncover potential sources of novel antibiotics.</p><p><strong>Materials & methods: </strong>Actinomycetes were isolated from horsemint samples collected in Ilam Province, Iran. Forty isolates were identified based on morphological and molecular analyses, including <i>16S rRNA</i> gene amplification. Antibacterial activity was evaluated against clinically relevant pathogens, including ESKAPE bacteria. Six isolates exhibited significant inhibitory effects, particularly against <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> and <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i>, with some also active against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Further analysis revealed the presence of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), including non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (<i>NRPS</i>) and polyketide synthases (<i>PKS-I</i> and <i>PKS-II</i>), in several isolates. Notably, strains such as <i>T35</i> and <i>T37</i> harbored all three gene types and demonstrated broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. Strain <i>B22</i>, containing the <i>NRPS</i> gene, showed significant inhibition of both drug-resistant and drug-sensitive pathogens. However, some isolates with BGCs exhibited no antibacterial activity, suggesting that gene expression and metabolite production are influenced by regulatory or environmental factors.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study highlights the untapped potential of <i>M. longifolia</i>-associated Actinomycetes as a source of bioactive compounds. The discovery of strains with robust antibacterial activity underscores their value in addressing the urgent need for new antimicrobial agents, especially in combating antibiotic resistance. These findings also emphasize the importance of plant-microbe interactions in natural product biosynthesis. Future work should focus on optimizing conditions for activating silent gene clusters and further characterizing the therapeutic potential of these bioactive compounds.</p>","PeriodicalId":8311,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Razi Institute","volume":"80 6","pages":"1497-1506"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13490668/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148787387","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Distribution of Mupirocin Resistance in Nasal Carriers of Methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> Among ICU Healthcare Workers and Patients in Rasht, Iran.","authors":"Alizadeh Pahlavan Pegah, Biglari Hanieh, Mojtahedi Ali","doi":"10.32598/ARI.80.6.3367","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32598/ARI.80.6.3367","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (MRSA) represents a significant public health concern, contributing to infections in both community settings and clinical environments. Healthcare professionals, in particular, demonstrate elevated rates of MRSA colonization. This research focused on assessing the resistance to mupirocin prevalence among nasal MRSA carriers in intensive care unit (ICU) healthcare workers.</p><p><strong>Materials & methods: </strong>Nasal swabs were obtained from hospitalized patients and healthcare staff, and <i>S. aureus</i> was identified through biochemical and microbiological tests. Antibiograms were conducted on isolated strains, employing a 30 μg cefoxitin disc for MRSA detection, while mupirocin resistance was identified using the disc-diffusion technique (Kirby-Bauer method). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for mupirocin, as well as the detection of the <i>mupA</i> and <i>mupB</i> genes, was accomplished by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 81 <i>S. aureus</i> isolates collected from nasal carriers, 20(24.69%) originated from ICU staff, while 61(75.31%) were from patients. MRSA constituted 77.7% (63/81) of the isolates overall. High-level resistance to mupirocin was detected in 34.56% (28/81) of isolates when tested with a 200 µg mupirocin disc, with the <i>mupA</i> gene detected in the same proportion of isolates. Notably, no low-level mupirocin resistance or <i>mupB</i> gene presence was identified in this study. Resistance rates to other antibiotics included rifampin (74.07%), penicillin (87.65%), amikacin (34.56%), gentamicin (56.79%), tetracycline (83.95%), erythromycin (100%), and clindamycin (100%). No resistance was observed for linezolid or Synercid.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study revealed higher mupirocin resistance among healthcare workers compared to patients, underscoring the need for regular screening of healthcare staff and comprehensive antibiotic resistance profiling to mitigate MRSA transmission within hospital settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":8311,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Razi Institute","volume":"80 6","pages":"1393-1400"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13490310/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148787624","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigation of <i>Listeria</i> Infection in the Aborted Fetuses of Small Ruminants in East Azerbaijan Province, Northwest Iran.","authors":"Khordadmehr Monireh, Sadri Hassan, Shirazi Jafar, Babazadeh Saeed, Jigari-Asl Farinaz, Nofouzi Katayoon, Skan-Dari Saba, Hamali Hossein","doi":"10.32598/ARI.80.6.3430","DOIUrl":"10.32598/ARI.80.6.3430","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Listeriosis, an important food-borne zoonotic disease, is caused by the member of Listeriaceae family. The aim of the present study was to detect the presence of <i>Listeria</i> infection in aborted fetuses and serum samples from adults with a recent history of abortion using serological, molecular, and pathological methods in East Azerbaijan Province.</p><p><strong>Materials & methods: </strong>A total of 62 aborted fetuses and 288 vaginal swabs were collected from sheep and goat flocks across nine cities. For molecular analyses, conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect the Listeria genome after extracting DNA from the abomasal contents of examined aborted fetuses. Histopathological examinations were also conducted on formalin-fixed tissue samples from the aborted fetuses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In microbiological study, the organism was isolated in 1.24% of abomasal contents, 2.43% of vaginal swaps, and 3.72% of the fetus's brain. Molecular analyses showed that <i>Listeria</i> infection was present in 41.93% (95% CI, 0.41%, 0.12%) of the aborted fetuses. Pathological examinations revealed white foci in the liver, lung, and myocardium, accompanied by severe hyperemia in the brain. In addition, microscopic studies indicated remarkable necrotic and inflammatory responses in the tissue sections, particularly in the brain (encephalitis), lung (pneumonia), liver (hepatitis), and heart (myocarditis).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In conclusion, the detection of <i>Listeria</i> infection in aborted fetuses at a much higher infection rate indicates that this infection plays a notable role in abortion among sheep and goats in East Azerbaijan. More importantly, it remains a major zoonotic diseases worldwide. Therefore, effective public health management strategies are crucial for its prevention and control.</p>","PeriodicalId":8311,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Razi Institute","volume":"80 6","pages":"1451-1458"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13490642/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148787722","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Effects of Dietary Lemongrass Oil (<i>Cymbopogon nardus</i>) and Selenium on Production Performances, Internal Organs, and Immune Organ Weights in Broiler Chickens.","authors":"Darmawan Arif, Sumiati Sumiati, Mutia Rita, Latifah Alya, Nainggolan Dodi Kurniawan, Prana Juniasa Isnanti, Humaira Adinda Najwa","doi":"10.32598/ARI.80.6.3455","DOIUrl":"10.32598/ARI.80.6.3455","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Raising broiler chickens in tropical countries faces challenges, primarily heat stress, which reduces feed intake, weakens immunity, increases infections and mortality, and impairs growth, ultimately leading to economic losses. This study evaluated the effect of dietary lemongrass oil and selenium on broiler production performance and internal organ weight.</p><p><strong>Materials & methods: </strong>A total of 288 Cobb strain broilers were allocated into 6 treatments with 6 replicates, using a completely randomized factorial design. Treatment included lemongrass oil (0 mL/kg, 2 mL/kg, 4 mL/kg) and selenomethionine (0 ppm, 0.4 ppm). Parameters measured were broiler production performances, internal organs, and immune organ weights.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The inclusion of 4 mL/kg lemongrass oil significantly reduced (P<0.05) feed intake, body weight, and body weight gain. The inclusion of 0.4 ppm selenomethionine significantly increased (P<0.05) the body weight and reduced the FCR of broiler chickens. The inclusion of 4 mL/kg lemongrass oil significantly reduced (P<0.05) the feed intake, body weight gain, and body weight, while significantly increasing (P<0.05) proventriculus weight. The combination of 4 mL/ kg lemongrass oil and 0.4 ppm selenomethionine significantly reduced (P<0.05) the weights of the ileum and gallbladder. The treatment did not affect (P>0.05) the weight of the ventriculus, heart, liver, duodenum, jejunum, cecum, colon, abdominal fat, thymus, lymph, and bursa of Fabricius.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The conclusion is that the inclusion of 0.4 ppm selenomethionine in the diet increases the body weight and feed efficiency, whereas inclusion of up to 4 mL/kg lemongrass oil in the diet reduces the broiler's production performances and the weight of the ileum and gallbladder.</p>","PeriodicalId":8311,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Razi Institute","volume":"80 6","pages":"1591-1602"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13498454/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148787577","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Expression Analysis of <i>PVT-1 lncRNA</i> and <i>TGF-β</i> in Colorectal Cancer and Non-cancerous Colorectal Polyps: A Case-control Study.","authors":"Aminzare Fatemeh, Mansoubi Sahar, Zare Tooranposhti Zohreh, Mohsenpour Mohaddeseh","doi":"10.32598/ARI.80.6.3686","DOIUrl":"10.32598/ARI.80.6.3686","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Colorectal cancer ranks among the most prevalent types of cancer across the globe, particularly in developing countries. Biomarkers like long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have a key impact in early detection and personalized treatment. This study aimed to compare the expression levels of <i>PVT-1 lncRNA</i> and <i>TGF-β</i> gene in colorectal cancer tissues and non-cancerous polyp tissues.</p><p><strong>Materials & methods: </strong>Fifty colorectal cancer tissue samples and fifty non-cancerous polyp tissues, confirmed by a gastroenterologist, were analyzed. RNA was extracted, cDNA was synthesized, and expression levels of <i>PVT-1 lncRNA</i> and <i>TGF-β</i> were quantified using real- time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Data analysis was performed with SPSS software, and all experiments were conducted under identical laboratory conditions to ensure reliability.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 50 participants (22 men and 28 women) were enrolled, with a mean age of 62.56±16.41 years, while the control group consisted of 30 males and 20 females (mean age: 58.41±11.13 years). Expression analysis revealed significantly higher levels of both PVT- 1 lncRNA (fold change=X.X, P<0.05) and TGF-β (fold change=X.X, P<0.05) in colorectal cancer tissues compared to controls. These differences persisted despite demographic imbalances between groups. ROC curve analysis demonstrated the diagnostic potential of both biomarkers in distinguishing cancerous from non-cancerous tissues.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our findings suggest that <i>PVT-1 lncRNA</i> and <i>TGF-β</i> may serve as promising molecular biomarkers for colorectal cancer, with potential diagnostic utility. Further validation studies are warranted to establish their role in clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":8311,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Razi Institute","volume":"80 6","pages":"1559-1566"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13498453/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148787676","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Tumor-associated <i>E. coli</i> Metabolites on Migration of Colorectal Cancer Cells.","authors":"Ignatova Nadezhda, Pryazhnikova Maria, Seliverstov Andrey, Abidullina Alina, Gamayunov Sergey, Shirmanova Marina, Druzhkova Irina","doi":"10.32598/ARI.80.6.3499","DOIUrl":"10.32598/ARI.80.6.3499","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Colorectal tumors have a close connection with the gut microbiome. A correlation between rearrangement in microbiome composition and disease progression has already been shown. However, the mechanisms underlying interactions between microorganisms and cancer cells, as well as the immediate effects of tumor-associated microbiomes on cancer cells, remain unclear.</p><p><strong>Materials & methods: </strong>In this work, we investigated the effects of metabolites produced by tumor-associated <i>Escherichia coli</i> strains on the migration of human colorectal cancer cell lines (HCT116, SW480 and HT29).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We identified differences in some biochemical enzyme activity of <i>E. coli</i> strains and in the spectrum of synthesized organic acids between tumor-associated strains and the probiotic <i>E. coli</i> M-17 strains. Most strains associated with colorectal cancer were unable to utilize sucrose. Specifically, tumor-associated <i>E. coli</i> produced more fumaric, malic and maleic acids, whereas the <i>E. coli</i> M-17 produced more short-chain fatty acids such as propionic, 2-oxobutyric, and α-ketoglutaric acids (AKGs). Upon exposure to metabolites from tumor-associated <i>E. coli</i> strains, HCT116 and SW480 cells showed an increased migration activity, whereas HT29 cells showed decreased migration activity in both 2D and 3D culture models. Immunocytochemistry assay revealed a decrease in E-cadherin in HCT116 and SW480 cells and focal adhesion kinase (FAK)- in HT29, which explains the different effects of <i>E. coli</i> metabolites on migratory capacity of colorectal cancer cells.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Therefore, these results suggest that the effect of tumor-associated <i>E. coli</i> strains on cancer cells migration depends on their innate type of migration and enhances FAK-dependent single-cell migration accompanied by the loss of E-cadherin in cancer cells with initially low FAK expression. In contrast, this effect was not observed in cancer cells exhibiting a collective migration phenotype.</p>","PeriodicalId":8311,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Razi Institute","volume":"80 6","pages":"1621-1632"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13498451/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148787691","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Toxocariasis in Children With Hypereosinophilia in Iran.","authors":"Raziani Yosra, Sepahvand Azadeh, Masoori Leila, Baharvand Parastoo, Mahmoudvand Hossein","doi":"10.32598/ARI.80.6.3403","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32598/ARI.80.6.3403","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Toxocariasis is a significant parasitic disease with a global distribution, caused by two nematodes <i>Toxocara canis</i> (a parasite of the dog's small intestine) and <i>Toxocara cati</i> (a parasite of the cat's small intestine). Eosinophilia, characterized by an elevation in peripheral blood eosinophil counts exceeding 10%, serves as a significant clinical marker for helminthic infections. This study aims to investigate the seroepidemiology of <i>T. canis</i> and its risk factors in children with hypereosinophilia in Lorestan Province, Western Iran.</p><p><strong>Materials & methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2021 to June 2023, involving a cohort of 300 children aged 2 to 15 years who presented with eosinophilia (>10%) and were referred to healthcare facilities in Lorestan Province. Children who were younger than 12 years (between 2-12 years), had blood eosinophil counts exceeding 10%, and consented to participate in this study were deemed to fulfill the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of toxocariasis was confirmed serologically by detecting human IgG antibodies utilizing commercially available anti-IgG-<i>Toxocara canis</i> kits. Demographic and some risk factors regarding the enrolled subjects, including gender, age, type of residence, consuming unwashed vegetables and fruits, and history of animal contact, were collected.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of a total of 300 children with eosinophilia, 35(11.7%) were identified as seropositive for toxocariasis. Specifically, female participants were less likely to contract toxocariasis than male children [P=0.002, OR=0.184 (0.052-0543)]. Additionally, individuals living in urban environments exhibit a 4.54-fold increased likelihood of contracting toxocariasis compared to their rural counterparts [P=0.010, OR=4.546 (1.433-9.419)]. Furthermore, individuals who did not consume unwashed vegetables demonstrated a reduced risk of toxocariasis infection [P=0.001, OR=0.016 (0.005-0.048)].</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings of our study indicated a significant seroprevalence of toxocariasis among children exhibiting eosinophilia in western Iran. This suggests that toxocariasis should be regarded as a potential etiological factor for eosinophilia, particularly in individuals with a history of consuming unwashed fruits and vegetables, as well as those residing in rural regions of Iran.</p>","PeriodicalId":8311,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Razi Institute","volume":"80 6","pages":"1429-1436"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13490309/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148787504","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Roles of Autophagy in Oxidative Stress.","authors":"Talebi Mehrdar Mahboobeh, Madani Rasool","doi":"10.32598/ARI.80.6.3391","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32598/ARI.80.6.3391","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved, lysosome-dependent, intracellular degradation process that is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis and adaptation to cellular stresses in eukaryotic cells. Oxidative stress refers to elevated intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that cause damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA. Oxidative stress has been linked to a myriad of pathologies. Autophagy can be involved in various biological processes such as programmed cell death, stress responses, removal of damaged organelles, and growth. The role of autophagy has been identified as a critical mediator in the pathological response to redox signaling. Autophagy is considered a main sensor of redox signaling. ROS are highly reactive molecules produced as byproducts of cellular metabolism, mainly by mitochondria. Mitochondrial ROS (mROS) can be beneficial or harmful to cells depending on their concentration and location. mROS at low physiological concentrations act as redox messengers in intracellular signaling, while overproduction of mROS causes oxidative damage to cellular components and ultimately leads to cell death. Hence, the balance of stress adaptation associated with autophagy and cell death is important for understanding pathogenesis related to redox signaling. Autophagy is an integral biological process critical for cellular and organismal homeostasis. It allows spatial reorganization and energy supply to cells through the regular destruction machinery of unnecessary or inefficient components. In this review, we focus on the basic mechanisms and functions of autophagy in response to oxidative stress and redox signaling in pathology.</p>","PeriodicalId":8311,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Razi Institute","volume":"80 6","pages":"1379-1392"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13490312/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148787633","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Isolation and Antibacterial Properties of Actinomycetesfrom Licorice (<i>Glycyrrhiza glabra</i>).","authors":"Sadeghian Sara, Pourahmad Fazel, Nemati Mostafa","doi":"10.32598/ARI.80.6.3459","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32598/ARI.80.6.3459","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Actinomycetes associated with the medicinal plant licorice (<i>Glycyrrhiza glabra</i>) were investigated for their potential to produce novel antibiotics, an area of growing importance in combating bacterial resistance.</p><p><strong>Materials & methods: </strong>In this study, a total of 75 actinomycete isolates were obtained from licorice plant samples collected in Ilam Province, Iran. These samples were carefully selected due to licorice's traditional use in herbal medicine, suggesting a rich microbial diversity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Molecular identification through <i>16S rRNA</i> gene amplification confirmed that 57 of the isolates belonged to the class Actinomycetia, within the phylum Actinomycetota. Further screening for biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) revealed that an impressive 96% of the isolates harbored genes for nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS). In contrast, only 28% and 17% of the isolates contained genes associated with polyketide synthase type I (PKS-I) and type II (PKS-II), respectively. Utilizing agar well diffusion assays, the study demonstrated that 16 isolates (28%) exhibited significant antibacterial activity against both drug-resistant and drug-sensitive strains of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>. Among these, two isolates, S12 and S14, showcased remarkable broad-spectrum antibacterial properties by inhibiting three members of the ESKAPE pathogen group.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The strong correlation between the presence of NRPS genes and antibacterial activity underscores the potential of actinomycetes associated with licorice as a promising source of novel antimicrobial compounds. These findings emphasize the importance of bioprospecting medicinal plant-derived microbiomes as a strategic approach to address the escalating global challenge of antibiotic resistance, paving the way for future research and development in antimicrobial therapies. Future research should focus on elucidating the genetic and metabolic networks that underpin these interactions to fully exploit their pharmaceutical potential.</p>","PeriodicalId":8311,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Razi Institute","volume":"80 6","pages":"1469-1476"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13490693/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148787307","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Imported Malaria in Qazvin Province, Iran: A Retrospective Study From 2008 to 2023.","authors":"Badri Milad, Modarresnia Leila, Asghari Ali, Olfatifar Meysam, Sgroi Giovanni, Najafpour Behzad, Bagheri Hadi, Nikkhahi Farhad, Karampour Amin, Vafae Eslahi Aida","doi":"10.32598/ARI.80.6.3461","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32598/ARI.80.6.3461","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Malaria remains a significant public health challenge worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions where it is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Although Iran has made substantial progress in malaria elimination, imported cases continue to pose a threat to these achievements. This retrospective study investigates the epidemiology of imported malaria cases in Qazvin Province, Iran, from 2008 to 2023.</p><p><strong>Materials & methods: </strong>Blood smears were collected from patients referred to health centers and the Vice-Chancellor of Health in Qazvin Province. The samples were stained using Giemsa and examined microscopically for the presence of <i>Plasmodium parasites</i>. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square (χ²) test to evaluate data distribution.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 41 malaria cases were recorded during the study period, with a significant predominance of males (97.56%). The highest prevalence of malaria was observed in the 21-30 age group, accounting for 39.02% of the cases. Among the identified species, <i>Plasmodium vivax</i> was the most prevalent, detected in 87.80% of the cases. Passive malaria cases constituted the majority (95.12%), with trophozoites being the most frequently observed stage of the parasite (43.90%). Afghan nationals represented the largest proportion of cases (73.17%), with a significant number of workers among the affected population (65.85%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings highlight the critical role of migration, particularly among workers from endemic regions, in sustaining imported malaria cases. These results underscore the need for targeted public health interventions focusing on migrant populations to prevent the re-establishment of malaria in areas where it has been eliminated. Enhancing surveillance systems, strengthening border health measures, and raising awareness among at-risk groups are essential steps to address the challenges posed by imported malaria. Maintaining these efforts is vital to sustaining progress toward malaria elimination in Iran and preventing its re-emergence due to imported cases. This study provides valuable insights into the epidemiological patterns of imported malaria, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures in regions transitioning toward malaria-free status.</p>","PeriodicalId":8311,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Razi Institute","volume":"80 6","pages":"1477-1486"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13490640/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148787670","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}