Azizollah Ebrahimi , Azimeh Babaaie , Mojtaba Boniadian , Sharareh Lotfalian ,
Volume 13, Issue 3 (May-Jun 2019)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives: Efflux-based systems may play a role in resistance to fluoroquinolones in Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria. Extracts of some medicinal plants contain molecules that can act as efflux pumps inhibitors. In this study, we aimed to evaluate antibacterial activities of ethanolic and chloroform extracts of Cinnamomum zeylanicum and their possible synergistic activity with ciprofloxacin against some Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria. We also analyzed the extracts for presence of efflux pump inhibitors against the examined bacteria.
Methods: Powdered dried leaves and branches of C. zeylanicum were extracted with ethanol (85%) and chloroform by the maceration method. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of the extracts alone or combined with ciprofloxacin and phenylalanine-arginine β-naphthylamide (an efflux pump inhibitor) were determined against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter bummani, Escherichia coli and Salmonella enteritidis using the double serial microdilution method.
Results: The extracts of C. zeylanicum inhibited the growth of all studied bacteria. Synergistic effects were noted between the extracts and ciprofloxacin against all tested bacteria other than P. aeruginosa. Ciprofloxacin efflux pumps in E. coli, S. enteritiditis and A. baumannii were inhibited by the extracts of C. zeylanicum.
Conclusion: The extracts of C. zeylanicum could be used as ciprofloxacin-potentiating agents against some Gram-negative pathogens.
Keywords: Anti-bacterial agents, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Bacterial pathogens, Efflux pumps.
Karolyn Sassi Ogliari, Monica Luiza Immig, Maria Laura Halon, Fabrízio Loth, Luiza Boni, Patrícia Grudzinski, Liziane Beckenkamp, Martina Fritsch,
Volume 16, Issue 4 (Jul-Aug 2022)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Semen cryopreservation is widely used in assisted reproduction techniques, and reliable semen analysis is essential to define the clinical practice. However, many parameters used for semen evaluation have high variability among technicians. Here, we describe a method of validating semen analysis prior to cryopreservation, comparing each operator’s results with an expert, and also analyzing inter-operator variability. As a second endpoint, we compare this method by analyzing semen parameters before and after cryopreservation.
Methods: Four professional trainees studied and practiced semen analysis according to the World Health Organization guidelines for one month, under supervision of an expert in the field. Next, microscopic results (sperm concentration, motility, vitality, and morphology) obtained by each team member were compared with the findings obtained by the expert.. Finally, analyzes of inter-operators were evaluated for the same parameters.
Results: The findings obtained by the operators and the expert did not differ significantly. Furthermore, in the inter-operator analysis, the morphology parameter differed significantly in the fresh semen sample, which was not observed in the post-thaw sample.
Conclusion: Our results indicated that the laboratory staff training for semen analysis was effective, ensuring the assessment of individual performance and uniformity among operators in sperm count parameters, producing consistent results.
