Gala Stoyanova | Tehran University of Medical Sciences (original) (raw)

Papers by Gala Stoyanova

Research paper thumbnail of Effects of 24-week add-on treatment with ciclesonide and montelukast on small airways inflammation in asthma

Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 2013

Background: Eosinophilic inflammation of the small airways is a key process in asthma that often ... more Background: Eosinophilic inflammation of the small airways is a key process in asthma that often smolders in treated patients. The long-term effects of add-on therapy on the persistent inflammation in the small airways remain unknown. Objective: To examine the effects of add-on therapy with either ciclesonide, an inhaled corticosteroid with extrafine particles, or montelukast on small airway inflammation. Methods: Sixty patients with stable asthma receiving inhaled corticosteroid treatment were enrolled in a randomized, open-label, parallel comparison study of 24-week add-on treatment with ciclesonide or montelukast. Patients were randomly assigned to 3 groups: ciclesonide (n = 19), montelukast (n = 22) and no add-on as controls (n = 19). At baseline and at weeks 4, 12 and 24, extended nitric oxide analysis; pulmonary function tests, including impulse oscillometry; blood eosinophil counts; and asthma control tests (ACTs) were performed. Results: A total of 18 patients in the ciclesonide group, 19 in the montelukast group and 15 in the control group completed the study and were analysed. With repeated-measures analysis of variance, ciclesonide produced a significant decrease in alveolar nitric oxide and a significant improvement in ACT scores over time. Montelukast produced significant decreases in alveolar nitric oxide concentrations and blood eosinophil counts over time and slightly improved ACT scores, whereas no such changes were observed in the control group. Alveolar nitric oxide concentrations with ciclesonide and reactance area at low frequencies with montelukast produced greater improvements over time compared with control. Conclusions: Ciclesonide add-on therapy and montelukast add-on therapy may act differently, but both separately can improve small airway abnormalities and provide better asthma control.

Research paper thumbnail of Incidence of virulence determinants in clinical Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis isolates collected in Sardinia (Italy)

Journal of Medical Microbiology, 2003

Enterococci are widely distributed in the environment; within the human body, they are normal com... more Enterococci are widely distributed in the environment; within the human body, they are normal commensals of the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract and vagina. In recent years, enterococci have become one of the most frequent causes of acquired nosocomial infections worldwide. The molecular mechanism of virulence of these bacteria is still not completely understood. The aims of this work were to characterize phenotypically 47 isolates of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium collected in Sardinia (Italy) by their abilities to adhere to different epithelial cell lines (Vero and Caco-2 cells) and to associate their phenotypes with the presence of known virulence genes detected within their genomes by PCR. The following genes were amplified: AS (aggregation substance), esp (surface protein gene), ace (accessory colonization factor), efaA (E. faecalis endocarditis antigen) and gelE (gelatinase). The virulence genes were detected in E. faecalis isolates only, with the exception ...

Research paper thumbnail of Association of eosinophilic inflammation with esophageal food impaction in adults

Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 2005

Research paper thumbnail of Antimicrobial susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates obtained from patients in Canadian hospitals: CANWARD 2008–2011

Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease, 2012

Broth microdilution (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute) was used to evaluate the antimi... more Broth microdilution (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute) was used to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility of 1549 Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates collected in Canada between January 2008 and October 2011. The percentage of isolates susceptible was as follows: amikacin 92.0%, ceftazidime 83.5%, ciprofloxacin 74.3%, colistin 93.4%, gentamicin 76.8%, meropenem 82.7%, and piperacillin-tazobactam 83.6%. Antimicrobial susceptibility did not change significantly between 2008 and 2011, with the exception of increasing susceptibility to gentamicin (P < 0.0001).

Research paper thumbnail of On Two Cases with Autosomal Dominant Hyper IgE Syndrome: Importance of Immunological Parameters for Clinical Course and Follow-Up

Case Reports in Immunology, 2020

Autosomal dominant hyper-IgE syndrome (AD-HIES) is a rare disease described in 1966. It is charac... more Autosomal dominant hyper-IgE syndrome (AD-HIES) is a rare disease described in 1966. It is characterized by severe dermatitis, a peculiar face, frequent infections, extremely high levels of serum IgE and eosinophilia, all resulting from a defect in the STAT3 gene. A variety of mutations in the SH2 and DNA-binding domain have been described, and several studies have searched for associations between the severity of the clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, and the type of genetic alteration. We present two children with AD-HIES–a girl with the most common STAT3 mutation (R382W) and a boy with a rare variant (G617E) in the same gene, previously reported in only one other patient. Herein, we discuss the clinical and immunological findings in our patients, focusing on their importance on disease course and management.

Research paper thumbnail of Incidence of virulence determinants in clinical Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis isolates collected in Sardinia (Italy)

Journal of medical …, 2003

Enterococci are widely distributed in the environment; within the human body, they are normal com... more Enterococci are widely distributed in the environment; within the human body, they are normal commensals of the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract and vagina. In recent years, enterococci have become one of the most frequent causes of acquired nosocomial infections worldwide. The molecular mechanism of virulence of these bacteria is still not completely understood. The aims of this work were to characterize phenotypically 47 isolates of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium collected in Sardinia (Italy) by their abilities to adhere to different epithelial cell lines (Vero and Caco-2 cells) and to associate their phenotypes with the presence of known virulence genes detected within their genomes by PCR. The following genes were amplified: AS (aggregation substance), esp (surface protein gene), ace (accessory colonization factor), efaA (E. faecalis endocarditis antigen) and gelE (gelatinase). The virulence genes were detected in E. faecalis isolates only, with the exception of esp, which was found in both species. The phenotypic and genotypic results were also compared with the susceptibility of isolates to various antibiotics.

Research paper thumbnail of Effects of 24-week add-on treatment with ciclesonide and montelukast on small airways inflammation in asthma

Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 2013

Background: Eosinophilic inflammation of the small airways is a key process in asthma that often ... more Background: Eosinophilic inflammation of the small airways is a key process in asthma that often smolders in treated patients. The long-term effects of add-on therapy on the persistent inflammation in the small airways remain unknown. Objective: To examine the effects of add-on therapy with either ciclesonide, an inhaled corticosteroid with extrafine particles, or montelukast on small airway inflammation. Methods: Sixty patients with stable asthma receiving inhaled corticosteroid treatment were enrolled in a randomized, open-label, parallel comparison study of 24-week add-on treatment with ciclesonide or montelukast. Patients were randomly assigned to 3 groups: ciclesonide (n = 19), montelukast (n = 22) and no add-on as controls (n = 19). At baseline and at weeks 4, 12 and 24, extended nitric oxide analysis; pulmonary function tests, including impulse oscillometry; blood eosinophil counts; and asthma control tests (ACTs) were performed. Results: A total of 18 patients in the ciclesonide group, 19 in the montelukast group and 15 in the control group completed the study and were analysed. With repeated-measures analysis of variance, ciclesonide produced a significant decrease in alveolar nitric oxide and a significant improvement in ACT scores over time. Montelukast produced significant decreases in alveolar nitric oxide concentrations and blood eosinophil counts over time and slightly improved ACT scores, whereas no such changes were observed in the control group. Alveolar nitric oxide concentrations with ciclesonide and reactance area at low frequencies with montelukast produced greater improvements over time compared with control. Conclusions: Ciclesonide add-on therapy and montelukast add-on therapy may act differently, but both separately can improve small airway abnormalities and provide better asthma control.

Research paper thumbnail of Incidence of virulence determinants in clinical Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis isolates collected in Sardinia (Italy)

Journal of Medical Microbiology, 2003

Enterococci are widely distributed in the environment; within the human body, they are normal com... more Enterococci are widely distributed in the environment; within the human body, they are normal commensals of the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract and vagina. In recent years, enterococci have become one of the most frequent causes of acquired nosocomial infections worldwide. The molecular mechanism of virulence of these bacteria is still not completely understood. The aims of this work were to characterize phenotypically 47 isolates of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium collected in Sardinia (Italy) by their abilities to adhere to different epithelial cell lines (Vero and Caco-2 cells) and to associate their phenotypes with the presence of known virulence genes detected within their genomes by PCR. The following genes were amplified: AS (aggregation substance), esp (surface protein gene), ace (accessory colonization factor), efaA (E. faecalis endocarditis antigen) and gelE (gelatinase). The virulence genes were detected in E. faecalis isolates only, with the exception ...

Research paper thumbnail of Association of eosinophilic inflammation with esophageal food impaction in adults

Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 2005

Research paper thumbnail of Antimicrobial susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates obtained from patients in Canadian hospitals: CANWARD 2008–2011

Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease, 2012

Broth microdilution (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute) was used to evaluate the antimi... more Broth microdilution (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute) was used to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility of 1549 Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates collected in Canada between January 2008 and October 2011. The percentage of isolates susceptible was as follows: amikacin 92.0%, ceftazidime 83.5%, ciprofloxacin 74.3%, colistin 93.4%, gentamicin 76.8%, meropenem 82.7%, and piperacillin-tazobactam 83.6%. Antimicrobial susceptibility did not change significantly between 2008 and 2011, with the exception of increasing susceptibility to gentamicin (P < 0.0001).

Research paper thumbnail of On Two Cases with Autosomal Dominant Hyper IgE Syndrome: Importance of Immunological Parameters for Clinical Course and Follow-Up

Case Reports in Immunology, 2020

Autosomal dominant hyper-IgE syndrome (AD-HIES) is a rare disease described in 1966. It is charac... more Autosomal dominant hyper-IgE syndrome (AD-HIES) is a rare disease described in 1966. It is characterized by severe dermatitis, a peculiar face, frequent infections, extremely high levels of serum IgE and eosinophilia, all resulting from a defect in the STAT3 gene. A variety of mutations in the SH2 and DNA-binding domain have been described, and several studies have searched for associations between the severity of the clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, and the type of genetic alteration. We present two children with AD-HIES–a girl with the most common STAT3 mutation (R382W) and a boy with a rare variant (G617E) in the same gene, previously reported in only one other patient. Herein, we discuss the clinical and immunological findings in our patients, focusing on their importance on disease course and management.

Research paper thumbnail of Incidence of virulence determinants in clinical Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis isolates collected in Sardinia (Italy)

Journal of medical …, 2003

Enterococci are widely distributed in the environment; within the human body, they are normal com... more Enterococci are widely distributed in the environment; within the human body, they are normal commensals of the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract and vagina. In recent years, enterococci have become one of the most frequent causes of acquired nosocomial infections worldwide. The molecular mechanism of virulence of these bacteria is still not completely understood. The aims of this work were to characterize phenotypically 47 isolates of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium collected in Sardinia (Italy) by their abilities to adhere to different epithelial cell lines (Vero and Caco-2 cells) and to associate their phenotypes with the presence of known virulence genes detected within their genomes by PCR. The following genes were amplified: AS (aggregation substance), esp (surface protein gene), ace (accessory colonization factor), efaA (E. faecalis endocarditis antigen) and gelE (gelatinase). The virulence genes were detected in E. faecalis isolates only, with the exception of esp, which was found in both species. The phenotypic and genotypic results were also compared with the susceptibility of isolates to various antibiotics.