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Background: Iranian (Lahijan) black tea caffeine has been previously shown to have antifungal activity against Candida albicans. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the combination of caffeine and fluconazole (FLU) has an effective antifungal activity on a FLU-resistant (MIC >64mgL^-1) C. albicans PTCC5027. Materials and Methods: Caffeine from Lahijan black tea was extracted and its pharmacological effects against 20 clinical isolates of FLU-sensitive and resistant C. albicans was evaluated by Colony Forming Units (CFU) method. Furthermore, the synergistic effect of caffeine and FLU against PTCC-5027strain was investigated. Results: Our results indicate the antifungal efficacy of Lahijan black tea caffeine on C. albicans isolates and subsequent identification of caffeine in combination with FLU againstPTCC-5027 strain. The concentrations of caffeine causing 90% growth inhibition (MIC₉₀) for  PTCC-5027 strain, FLU-resistant and -sensitive C. albicans isolates were 25mgL^-1, 24.4mgL^-1 and 37.2mgL^-1,respectively. The combination of caffeine with FLU showed stronger antifungal activity against C. albicans PTCC5027. The addition of 12.5mgL^-1 caffeine to FLU 10-50 mgL^-1 (below MIC₉₀) inhibited the growth of C. albicans PTCC5027 by 99.3%–99.7%, the concentrations at which neither caffeine nor FLU alone affected the growth. Conclusion: It can be concluded that caffeine has antifungal effect on C. albicans and in combination with FLU can enhance the antifungal activity of FLU against C. albicans. The synergism of the combination of caffeine and FLU induces multiple antifungal effects, resulting in the use of lower doses of the FLU. It suggests that this can decrease the side effects of antifungal drugs.

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The present study investigates the impact of emotion, team characteristics, and team social responsibility on the team identification of the most popular teams in the Iran Pro League. To measure variables Wann and Branscombe (1993) Team Identification Scale, Lee et al. (2018) Sport Emotion Questionnaire (SEQ), Yoshida and James (2010) Team Characteristics, Lichtenstein et al. (2004) Social Responsibility, and Weimann-Saks et al. (2019) Second Screen Behavior were used. To assess content validity, five sports management researchers and the reliability of the Team identification was 0.62, second screen behavior 0.80, Team Social Responsibilities 0.91, Team Characteristics 0.67, and Emotion was 0.86. In the first part of the research, 350 fans of the most popular teams in the Iran Premier League participated using a quota homogeneous convenience sampling methodology. In the second part, 379 people were present to fit the team identification model for Persepolis F.C., 387 people for Esteghlal F.C., 335 people for Sepahan S.C., and 431 people for Tractor S.C. as samples. The findings showed that team identification impacts the second-screen behavior of fans. However, the effect of predicting team identification on each of the most popular teams in the Iran Pro League is different. In general, team identification is important in the new media space, i.e., social media, and a new form of behavioral consequences of fans, i.e., second screen behavior.

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Backgrounds: The fungal pathogen Candida albicans is a cause of biofilm formation in patients with oropharyngeal candidiasis. Saccharomyces boulardii is a nonpathogenic fungal probiotic that plays an important role in preventing or treating intestinal diseases. This research aimed to determine the inhibitory effect of S. boulardii probiotic yeast on biofilm formation capacity of C. albicans, which is one of the main virulence factors.
Materials & Methods: In this study, 33 oropharyngeal samples were collected from patients with suspected oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC). The inhibitory activity of S. boulardii against biofilm formation capacity of C. albicans was investigated by crystal violet-based staining (CVS) and MTT reduction reaction. The collected data were analyzed using student's t-test in SPSS statistical software.
Findings: In this study, the probiotic yeast S. boulardii reduced the pathogenicity and virulence of C. albicans in vitro. According to the results of CVS and MTT assays, a considerable reduction (p< .001) in the biomass and viability of C. albicans biofilms was observed after 48 hours of incubation in the presence of S. boulardii extract.
Conclusion: There was a significant association between S. boulardii extract concentration and biofilm formation in both CVS and MTT assays. Biofilm formation decreased with increasing S. boulardii extract concentration and incubation time in both methods compared to the control group.
 

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Patients afflicted by diabetes mellitus (DM) usually have more infections than those without DM. The course of the infections is also more complicated in this group of patients. One of the possible causes of increased infections prevalence is a deficiency in the immunity. Besides some decreased cellular responses in vitro, no disturbances in adaptive immunity in diabetic patients have been described. Different disturbances (low complement factor 4, decreased cytokine response after stimulation) in humoral innate immunity have been described in diabetic patients. In this research hydrogen peroxide (reactive oxygen mediator) and nitric oxide (reactive nitrogen mediator) in the neutrophil and macrophage culture of peritone in rats were evaluated against C.albicans. Via intravenous injection of streptozocin (65 mg/kg), a diabetic rat model was obtained. nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide assay was performed by the Griess and Walter-Ruch methods respectively. C.albicans colony count on SCC medium was also done in two groups of healthy and diabetic mice. Macrophages of the healthy group reacted to C.albicans severly compared to the diabetic group which significantly produced more nitric oxide (P0.028). Neutrophils of the healthy group produced more No compared to the diabetic group against C.albicans (P0.165). No considerable difference was observed in production of hydrogen peroxide by macrophages in two groups of healthy and diabetic mice. Neutrophils of the diabetic group produced more hydrogen peroxide compared to the healthy group (P1). There was no significant difference in C.albicans colony count between the two healthy and diabetic groups (P0.058). Although nitrogen and oxygen related factors are changed or reduced after diabetic induction, changes in other immune system factors cannot be undermined.

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Objective: Ajowan is an annual herbaceous essential oil of Carum copticom. The main components of the oil are Tymol, β-pinene, γ- terpinene and Sabinene.The fruit oil of Carum copticum has been reported to have several therapeutic effects including anti fungal, anti bacterial and anti viral,... Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungus and transforms into pathogenic form in favorable conditions, causing fungal diseases. Materials and Methods: In this study, essential oil and alcoholic extract of Carum copticum were gained and Microdilution Broth method were used for detection of minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicide concentration (MFC) of 11 clinical isolates of Candida albicans and Standard strain (PTCC50-27). Results: Results show that MIC for essential oil is 0.43 µg/ml, 0.87 µg/ml and for alcoholic extract is 3.51 µg/ml, 7.03 µg/ml, 1/75 µg/ml. Thus, it seems that Carum copticum could inhibit Candida albicans growth by a similar mechanism which occurs by Fluconazole (FLZ). In general, the results obtained in this study indicate that Carum copticum has potential values for growth inhibition of Candida albicans in vitro. Conclution: In recent years, systemic fungal infections due to Candida species have been received major consideration about inducing mortality in nosocomial patients because of increasing in immunocompromised disorders such as AIDS and hematological disorders as well as long term use of Phlebotomus perfiliewi transcaucasicus sandflies. Conclusion: This is the first report on natural infection of sand flies to L. donovani in the country and since the ecology and biology of L. donovani differs extensively from L. infantum, it is necessary to perform further studies to highlight the role of L. donovani in epidemiology of VL in the region and country.

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Objective: In this study the susceptibility of Candida albicans to inhibitory effect of polyphenols under varying time (24 and 48 hours) conditions were evaluated. Materials and Methods: Green tea leaf polyphenols were extracted and analyzed by chromatography. Among polyphenols, Catechin showed stronger antifungal activity against C. albicans PTCC-5027. Catechin's MIC90 (The concentration of Catechin causing 90% growth inhibition of tested strain of C. albicans) and MFC (The minimum antifungal susceptibility of Catechin) were determined by Macro dilution test and calculation after 24 and 48 hours. Results: The antifungal activity of Catechin was time dependent. Catechin's MIC for 0.5×10³, 1×10³ and 2×10³ cells/ml was 12.5, 25 and 100 mg/ml after 24h respectively. The results after 48h for 0.5×10³, 1×10³ and 2×10³ cells/ml were 6.25, 12.5 and 25 mg/ml respectively. Fluconazol was tested on C. albicans PTCC-5027 and the results indicated that this strain of Candida is fluconazol resistant. Data shown are from three separate experiments and were analysed statistically. Conclusion: C. albicans PTCC-5027 is fluconazol resistant, however green tea leaf polyphenols especially Catechin could inhibit the growth of this yeast at MIC and MFC concentrations. On the basis of the obtained results the green tea leaf contains effective antifungal components. Since the common and generic antifungal drugs possess some side effects and also there is an increasing drug resistance, it is hoped that consumption of herbal drugs may help to cure fungal diseases and to avoid the side effects of antimycotics as a good replacement.

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Objective: The secreted aspartic proteinases (Sap2) of Candida albicans has prominent role on Candida adherence, invasion, and pathogenicity. The aim of this study was cloning, expression and characterizing of Sap2 enzyme. Also in this study for the first time, the expression system P. pasturis was used for expressing the recombinant protein. Materials and Methods: C. albicans Sap2 gene was amplified by PCR with sticky ends, EcoR1 and SacII, and it was subcloned into the T/A vector. The sequencing of this gene was done with universal primers and then the Sap2 gene was cloned into pGAPZαA expression vector. The construct was transformed into P. pasturis yeast; the Sap2 gene integration into the yeast genome was accomplished by the homologous recombination. The expressed protein was confirmed by western blotting using monoclonal antibody against Sap2 protein. Finally, the recombinant protein was purified by Ni-NTA chromatography column, and the activity of the enzyme was confirmed. Results: In this study, we successfully amplified C.albicans Sap2 gene and subsequently integrated into the yeast pichia pasturis genome by homologous recombination. Moreover, we were able to identify a yeast clone secreting the recombinant protein. The optimum over expression of sap2 protein was obtained after 96 h, at 30ْ C. Conclusion: Expression of Sap2 gene in P. pasturis, in comparison to bacterial expression system, leads to a high-level expression, and also need for post translation modifications, that might be required for the activity of enzyme, is obviated in the yeast system. Based on our results, the purified acid aspartyl proteinase purified from P. pasturis was capable of degrading BSA as a substrate in-vitro. The recombinant Sap2 protein had maximum activity in an acidic pH.

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Objective: Fungal nail infection (onychomycosis) is a common disease in all communities consisting about 50 percent of nail disorders. Yeasts are one of the important causative agents of onychomycosis. Identification of the yeast species is important in the epidemiological and therapeutical point of views. The aim of the present study is the precise species identification of the pathogenic yeast isolated from fungal nail infections, using the DNA-based methods. Materials and Methods: The isolates were preliminary studied according to study of morphological characteristics. For species identification, the genomic DNA of each sample was extracted by boiling method and the ITS region of ribosomal DNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The amplified DNA was digested by the restriction enzyme MspI and each isolate was identified according to the electrophoretic patterns. A new enzymatic profile was used for final differentiation of Candida albicans and C. dubliniensis. A few of yeast isolates were identified by using ITS-sequensin. Results: C. albicans with the prevalence of 45.6% was the most common isolate, followed by C. parapsilosis with 22.5% and C. tropicalis with 21.8%. The less common species were C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. kefyr, C. lusitaniae, C. guilliermondii and C. pulcherrima that consisted 2.72%, 2%, 1.36%, 0.68% and 0.68% of the isolates, respectively. No C. dubliniensis was found among C. albicans isolates. Two isolates (1.36%) were identified as Trichosporon spp. The most common group of the patients was in the age range of 40-70 years old and the majority (83.2%) of the patients were women with finger nail infections. Conclusion: Although C. albicans is still the most prevalent isolates of nail candidiasis, the increasing number of non-albicans species is notable. The study showed that for identification of some rare species, the routine phenotypical approaches are not efficient and application of the ITS-PCR-RFLP can improve the level of differentiation up to 98%. The remaining isolates can be identified by more expensive methods such as sequencing.

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Objective: Dermatophytosis is one of the most common pandemic fungal infections that is a major health problem in cities and villages. This study aims to evaluate PCR sensitivity and accuracy in the detection of nail dermatophytosis compared to conventional direct and culture detection methods, and performs an assessment of Trichophyton rubrum in patients suspected of having nail dermatophytosis. Methods: This experiment was a descriptive-experimental study carried out on 71 nail samples obtained from patients with suspected nail dermatophytosis. All clinical samples of nails or chips were divided into three sections and each section underwent direct examination, culture and molecular tests. In the molecular test, we used fungal rRNA universal primers (ITS1 and ITS4) and Trichophyton rubrum-specific primers. Results: In this study, for the first time in Iran and based on a modified protocol, DNA was directly extracted from tissues of infected nails in less than five hours. Additionally a comparison of the results obtained from routine laboratory methods such as direct examination and culture with PCR verified the high sensitivity and accuracy of PCR compared to the other studied methods. Conclusion: PCR, as a rapid, accurate method, can be a good replacement for conventional culture and direct examination.

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Considering uncertainties in the design process is one of the most important factors to achieve reasonable and reliable results. In this article, a collaborative structure, which is a multidisciplinary design optimization, is combined with a robust design approach to design an optimum and robust launch vehicle, while considering the effects of uncertainties. First, a liquid-fuel vehicle is designed under two disciplines to send a 1200 kg mass to the 750 km orbit from the earth surface with 50.7◦ orbital inclination, using the collaborative structure. It should be said that the first discipline includes three subsystems that are engine design, geometry design and estimating the mass. Also, the second discipline includes three subsystems that are pitch program, aerodynamic calculations and trajectory simulation. Then, the optimum collaborative output is combined with the robust design in a multi-objective model to achieve the final vehicle configuration. The results show that the calculated mass of the first stage of the project using the collaborative robust design process is 3 tons heavier than the calculated mass using optimum collaborative design approach and the engines working time is increased. The overall size of the launch vehicle is increased too. The outputs of each subsystem have been evaluated and also, the overall results have been compared with another design process, i.e. MDF. This comparison shows the acceptable accuracy of the proposed approach.

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Objective: In recent decades, β-glucans have been used as important complementary and alternative medicines for numerous immunocompromised individuals and those with end stage of cancer terminal. The most active form of β-glucans is β(1,3)D-glucan and its  most common source is cell wall of Candida albicans. Recently it has been introduced as a nano particle design to be used as a carrier for drug delivery. The current study researches a rapid method for the extraction of β(1,3)D-glucans. Methods: The present study was conducted atTarbiatModaresMedicalUniversity in 2012. Candida solubilized β-glucans were obtained by oxidation of the cell wall with sodium hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide. The particle part could be solubilized by treatment with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and zymolyase digestion to extract β(1,3)D-glucan. The soluble fractions were lyophilized. We performed the Callose test to verify the presence of β(1,3)D-glucans. Solubilized fractions were dissolved in D2O and 1H-NMR spectra were measured. Results: The soluble β(1,3)D-glucan fraction which was derived from 1 g of dried Candida albicans germ tube weighed 190 mg. β(1,3)D-glucan was verified by the Callose test and ¹H-NMR test compared with Curdlan (standard). ¹H-NMR spectra verified the existence of β(1,3)D-glucan in the final product. Conclusion: In the present study, extraction of β(1,3)D-glucan by oxidation of the cell wall using sodium hypochlorite yielded more pure β(1,3)D-glucans in comparison with other extraction methods. Thus it might represent a rapid method of extraction.

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Inimitable properties of graphene sheets enable a variety of applications such as axially moving nanodevices. Axial velocity affects dynamical response of systems. In this study linear vibration of an axially moving two-layer graphene nonoribbon with interlayer shear effect is proposed using nonlocal elasticity theory. Based on this theory stress at a point is a function of strain at all other points of the body. Euler-Bernoulli theory is used to model the system due to nanoribbon thickness and length. It is assumed that the layers have the same transverse displacement and curvature and there is no transverse separation between layers surfaces. A shear modulus is imported in the potential energy expression in order to consider the interlayer shear effect due to weak Van der Waals forces. Governing equations are obtained using Hamilton’s principle and are solved by Galerkin approach. Results for clamped-free boundary conditions are presented and compared to other available studies. Results for pinned-pinned boundary conditions are presented and it is observed that increasing axial velocity causes divergence and flutter instabilities in the system. Effects of different shear modulus and nonlocal parameter on critical speeds are also proposed.

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Objective: Candida albicans (C. albicans) is an opportunistic yeast that can lead to pathogenesis in immunocompromised individuals and under suitable conditions. Medicinal plants ingredients such as camphor can reduce the expressions of genes involved in virulence of the fungi through their antifungal properties. The products of INT1 and EFG1 are implicated in inducing filamentous growth and adhesion of C. albicans to the host tissues. Both of these characteristics are very important in its virulence. The present study focuses on the evaluation of the effects of camphor on INT1 and EFG1 expressions at three time points of treatment (24, 48, and 72 hours) via real-time PCR. Methods: We prepared serial dilutions of camphor (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, and 512 mg/ml) and co-cultured them with 1.5×10³ cells/ml of a C. albicans ATCC 10231 suspension for 48 hours at 35⁰C. Next, we determined the MIC50/90 and MFC. C. albicans cells were treated with the MIC50 concentration of camphor for 24, 48, and 72 hours. RNA from C. albicans was extractedbefore and after treatment, back translated into cDNA, and analyzed with real-time PCR. Results:MIC50, MIC90 and MFC of camphor were determined at 16 mg/ml, 32 mg/ml and 64 mg/ml, respectively. Evaluation of gene expression changes in yeast showed that camphor reduced the INT1 gene expression about 87% at 24 hours, 97% at 48 hours, and 86% at 72 hours after treatment compared to the untreated sample. EFG1 expression reduced about 58% at 24 hours, 93% at 48 hours, and 49% at 72 hours after treatment with camphor. Conclusion: In recent years, advancements have been seen in herbalism due to the increased drug resistance and adverse effects of chemical drugs. These plants may efficiently act as antifungal agents. The results of this study have shown that the use of camphor can significantly reduce the expression of virulence genes INT1 and EFG1 in C. albicans.

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The animalsare used widely in Áḥmad Maṭar’s poems. He used the word dog more than other animals in his poems because has the semantic transformation and also different usages in Arabic literature. He introduced the word dog as a flexible word which is compatible with different meanings in poems. The poet has used this word in 50 elegies and repeated it 100 times which indicates he had a great recognition about the behavior and the characteristics of dog in Arabs’ thoughts. The ancient literary works and their cultural heritage have used this word for different and metaphorical meanings too. Since the disorganized political situation of the society in ÁḥmadMaṭar’s time was aligned with different meanings of the dog in Arab literature, he has used it many times. The proverbs which used this word have influenced his poems a lot. They have played an important role in his poems because these literary samples were compatible with his sharp tongue, especially the proverbs which used the word dog. We can see the influence of these proverbs on his poems obviously. He has used this word to criticize the political regime in Iraq and the world arrogance in an imperious way.
 The study sought in the framework of a descriptive-analytical approach and relying on statistics to indicate the functions of proverbs in some of the poems and to indicate the extent of his impression on them. The researchers also tried to reach the semantic evolution of the word of the dog by answering the following questions. What is the reason for the extensive presence of the word "dog" in the poetry of Ahmed Matar? How was the poet's vision of using the word "the dog" in his poetry? What are the semantic poles on which the poet's vision is centered? Is use of the word "the dog" consistent with the themes of his poetry?