Azam Haddadi

Bio: Azam Haddadi is an academic researcher from Islamic Azad University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Medicine & Biology. The author has an hindex of 5, co-authored 20 publications receiving 403 citations.

Biofilm formation in clinical isolates of nosocomial Acinetobacter baumannii and its relationship with multidrug resistance

Abstract: Objective To check biofilm formation by Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) clinical isolates and show their susceptibility to different antibiotics and investigate a possible link between establishment of biofilm and multidrug resistance. Methods This study was performed on clinical samples collected from patients with nosocomial infections in three hospitals of Tehran. Samples were initially screened by culture and biochemical tests for the presence of different species of Acinetobacter. Identifications were further confirmed by PCR assays. Their susceptibilities to 11 antibiotics of different classes were determined by disc diffusion method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. The ability to produce biofilm was investigated using methods: culture on Congo red agar, microtiter plate, and test tube method. Results From the overall clinical samples, 156 specimens were confirmed to contain A. baumannii. The bacteria were highly resistant to most antibiotics except polymyxin B. Of these isolates, 10.26% were able to produce biofilms as shown on Congo red agar. However, the percentage of bacteria with positive biofilm in test tube, standard microtiter plate, and modified microtiter plate assays were 48.72%, 66.66%, and 73.72%, respectively. At least 92% of the biofilm forming isolates were multidrug resistant. Conclusions Since most of the multidrug resistant strains produce biofilm, it seems necessary to provide continuous monitoring and determination of antibiotic susceptibility of clinical A. baumannii. This would help to select the most appropriate antibiotic for treatment.

Detection of tetracycline resistance genes, aminoglycoside modifying enzymes, and coagulase gene typing of clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus in the Southwest of Iran.

Abstract: Objective(s): The aim of the present study was to determine the aminoglycoside modifying enzymes (AMEs) encoded genes, tetracycline resistance genes, and the coa based typing of Staphylococcus aureus isolates in the Southwest of Iran. Materials and Methods: Antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates was carried out by agar disk diffusion methods. Two sets of multiplex PCR mixture were used for detection of AME genes and tet genes. All of the isolates were typed with the coagulase gene typing method. Of the 121 isolates, 29.75% and 47.93% were resistant to at least one aminoglycosides and tetracyclines, respectively. Results: The aac(6')-Ie-aph(2'') was the most frequent gene (97.22%), and aph (3')-IIIa and ant (4')-Ia genes were detected in 61.11% and 11.11% of aminoglycoside resistant isolates, respectively. The tetK and tetM genes were detected in 82.75% and 56.9% of tetracycline resistant isolates, respectively. Overall 31.4% of isolates were MRSA. Totally 17 distinct coa gene RFLP patterns, numbered C1 to C17, were observed. The C5 was the most frequent coa type with 31 isolates. Conclusion: The aac(6')-Ie-aph(2'') and aph (3')-IIIa genes were the most important genes contributing to aminoglycosides resistance, while resistance to tetracyclines was mediated by tetK and tetM genes. Interestingly all S. aureus with C5 as the most prevalent coa-type were resistant to at least one of the aminoglycoside antibiotics and tetracycline simultaneously. Moreover, 30 out of 31 isolates with this coa type were MRSA, indicating the importance of the C5 coa-type in MRSA strains and also in isolates that were resistant to aminoglycosides and tetracycline.

BRIEF COMMUNICATION ARISING: Gut hormone PYY3-36 physiologically inhibits food intake

Abstract: Food intake is regulated by the hypothalamus, including the melanocortin and neuropeptide Y (NPY) systems in the arcuate nucleus. The NPY Y2 receptor (Y2R), a putative inhibitory presynaptic receptor, is highly expressed on NPY neurons in the arcuate nucleus, which is accessible to peripheral hormones. Peptide YY3-36 (PYY3-36), a Y2R agonist, is released from the gastrointestinal tract postprandially in proportion to the calorie content of a meal. Here we show that peripheral injection of PYY3-36 in rats inhibits food intake and reduces weight gain. PYY3-36 also inhibits food intake in mice but not in Y2r-null mice, which suggests that the anorectic effect requires the Y2R. Peripheral administration of PYY3-36 increases c-Fos immunoreactivity in the arcuate nucleus and decreases hypothalamic Npy messenger RNA. Intra-arcuate injection of PYY3-36 inhibits food intake. PYY3-36 also inhibits electrical activity of NPY nerve terminals, thus activating adjacent pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons. In humans, infusion of normal postprandial concentrations of PYY3-36 significantly decreases appetite and reduces food intake by 33% over 24 h. Thus, postprandial elevation of PYY3-36 may act through the arcuate nucleus Y2R to inhibit feeding in a gut–hypothalamic pathway.

Biosurfactants: Multifunctional Biomolecules of the 21st Century

Abstract: In the era of global industrialisation, the exploration of natural resources has served as a source of experimentation for science and advanced technologies, giving rise to the manufacturing of products with high aggregate value in the world market, such as biosurfactants. Biosurfactants are amphiphilic microbial molecules with hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties that partition at liquid/liquid, liquid/gas or liquid/solid interfaces. Such characteristics allow these biomolecules to play a key role in emulsification, foam formation, detergency and dispersal, which are desirable qualities in different industries. Biosurfactant production is considered one of the key technologies for development in the 21st century. Besides exerting a strong positive impact on the main global problems, biosurfactant production has considerable importance to the implantation of sustainable industrial processes, such as the use of renewable resources and “green” products. Biodegradability and low toxicity have led to the intensification of scientific studies on a wide range of industrial applications for biosurfactants in the field of bioremediation as well as the petroleum, food processing, health, chemical, agricultural and cosmetic industries. In this paper, we offer an extensive review regarding knowledge accumulated over the years and advances achieved in the incorporation of biomolecules in different industries.

Contributions of biosurfactants to natural or induced bioremediation

Abstract: The number of studies dedicated to evaluating the influence of biosurfactants on bioremediation efficiency is constantly growing. Although significant progress regarding the explanation of mechanisms behind biosurfactant-induced effects could be observed, there are still many factors which are not sufficiently elucidated. This corresponds to the fact that although positive influence of biosurfactants is often reported, there are also numerous cases where no or negative effect was observed. This review summarizes the recent finding in the field of biosurfactant-amended bioremediation, focusing mainly on a critical approach towards potential limitations and causes of failure while investigating the effects of biosurfactants on the efficiency of biodegradation and phytoextraction processes. It also provides a summary of successive steps, which should be taken into consideration when designing biosurfactant-related treatment processes.