Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Year:2020 | Volume:38 | Issue:577|Papers Count:3

Background: This study aimed to compare the antimicrobial and antioxidant effects of sesame oils produced by traditional (Ardeh method), industrial, and cold press methods. Methods: 30 samples of sesame oil (12, 12, and 6 samples by traditional, cold press, industrial methods, respectively) were collected from Isfahan, and Ardakan cities in Iran. The antimicrobial effect of the samples was measured by agar diffusion method, and then by minimum inhibitory concentration. Antioxidant capacity of oils was measured using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) method. Moreover, data analysis was performed using ANOVA, one-sample t, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney tests. Findings: Zone of inhibition was caused by 100% of the samples, and the highest antimicrobial effect was observed in the traditional method on Bacillus cereus. The zone of inhibition of all samples showed statistically significant difference compared with positive control (kanamycin antibiotic) (P < 0. 050). The results of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus showed that the MIC level against Bacillus cereus was 500 μ l/ml in cold press and traditional sesame oil, and more than 500 μ l/ml in industrial sesame oil. The lowest MIC was obtained from the cold press sesame oil in 125 μ l/ml on Escherichia coli. Antioxidant capacity was observed in all oil samples. However, three of the oil production methods did not show a significant difference. Conclusion: All sesame oil samples with different production methods have antimicrobial effect on important microorganisms in food hygiene, and have antioxidant effects as well.

Background: Considering the importance of on-time diagnosis of pancreatic fistula in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), the aim of this study was determining the efficiency of inserting two drains (right and left) in patients who underwent Whipple surgery to early diagnosis of pancreatic fistula by measuring the level of amylase in drains. Methods: In this cross-sectional study in Alzahra hospital in Isfahan, Iran, during the years 2015-2016, all patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with inserting two drains according to surgeon's viewpoint were followed postoperatively for one year. They were evaluated for presentation of pancreatic fistula by measuring the level of amylase in drains. Findings: According to International Study Group for Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPF) classification, out of 111 patients, 41 (36. 9%) had pancreatic fistula. Based on the level of amylase in right and left drain, 61% and 58. 5% had pancreatic fistula, respectively. In the right drain, the type of fistula was type A in 21 cases (84%) and type B in 4 cases (16%). In the left drain, the type of fistula was type A in 21 cases (87. 5%) and type B in 3 cases (12. 5%). The type of fistula was not significantly different in terms of the left and right drainage discharge (P = 0. 640). Conclusion: It seems that inserting two drains after Whipple surgery could predict pancreatic fistula; but there was not statistical difference between one or two drains.

Background: Nowadays, the prevalence of onychomycosis caused by non-dermatophyte molds is increasing. As Aspergillus is the most common etiologic agents of the disease, this study was performed to evaluate the susceptibility of clinical isolates of Aspergillus as the cause of onychomycosis to itraconazole, voriconazole, and amphotericin B. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 50 Aspergillus strains isolated from the patients with onychomycosis referred to diagnostic laboratories of university hospitals in Mashhad, Iran. According to the phenotypic and molecular analysis of Aspergillus isolates, the most frequent species was Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) with 34 cases. The drug susceptibility test was performed according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute-M38-A2 (CLSI-M38-A2) protocol, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the drugs was determined. Findings: From 50 patients with dystrophic nails, 13 were men and 37 were women. 15 patients had fungal infection of fingernails, and 33 patients had fungal infection on toenails; 2 patients had both infections of finger and toe nails. 14. 7% of A. flavus isolates with MIC > 2 μ g/ml to amphotericin B were considered as resistant clinical isolates. The sensitivity to itraconazole and voriconazole was 100%. MIC90 of amphotericin B, itraconazole, and voriconazole were obtained by broth microdilution method for A. flavus species as 4, 0. 25, and 1 μ g/ml, respectively. Significant difference was observed in MIC between itraconazole and amphotericin B (P < 0. 050). Conclusion: All Aspergillus species are susceptible to itraconazole and voriconazole, and these two drugs are more effective than amphotericin B on Aspergillus species. Due to the different susceptibility of these species to antifungal agents, it is necessary to perform drug susceptibility testing in order to select the appropriate drug.