Coxiella burnetii and Borrelia spp. in peripheral blood of dromedary camels in Fars, Iran: molecular characterization, hematological parameters, and acute-phase protein alterations

Background

Dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) are raised in extremely strict ecological conditions of deserts. Camels are vulnerable to many zoonotic infections. There are limited data on the occurrence of Q fever and borreliosis in camels, in Iran.

Aims

The current study was focused on the occurrence of Coxiella burnetii and Borrelia spp. infection in the blood samples of Iranian camels using molecular assays. Effect of the presence of these infections on various hematological factors and some acute-phase proteins (Hp, a1AGP, SAA) were also investigated.

Methods

Blood samples were collected from 113 clinically healthy camels to investigate the presence of the infections using nested PCR. Moreover, the sequence of positive samples was analyzed phylogenetically. Routine haematological tests were performed and the concentrations of acute-phase proteins were measured in serum using enzyme immunoassay.

Results

PCR result showed that 6.19% (95% CI: 2.53-12.35%) (7/113) of camels were positive for C. burnetii. In addition, sequencing results of the corresponding gene of the outer membrane protein (com1) revealed two different genotypes of C. burnetii agent in camels from Southern Iran. In the PCR assay, Borrelia spp. DNA was not detected in the samples. No significant difference was observed in hematological parameters or acute-phase proteins between positive and negative Q fever camels except for mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and red cell distribution width (RDW).

Conclusion

Clinically healthy camels might be very important reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens. Q fever is not considered a notifiable disease in camels of Iran, and clinical cases may scarcely be recognized by the healthcare system. Due to a lack of adequate information, additional studies on the molecular epidemiology and clinical pathology aspects of C. burnetii infection in Iran are needed.

The antibacterial activity of nasturtium officinale extract on common oral pathogenic bacteria

Background

The oral cavity is colonized by a myriad of microorganisms, some of which are proven to be detrimental to human health. There have been numerous efforts to control the population of pathogenic agents in the oral cavity, including the usage of natural phytochemicals obtained from medicinal plants. Nasturtium officinale has long been used in traditional medicine for the management of hypertension, respiratory infections, and hyperglycemia, and its effectiveness against some microbes has been reported.

Aims

To evaluate antimicrobial properties of a hydro-alcoholic extract of N. officinale against common oral pathogens namely Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Experimental laboratory study. Different dilutions of N. officinale hydro-alcoholic extract were the test solutions, the positive control was a bacterial suspension in sterile phosphate-buffered saline, whereas the negative control was the herbal extract only, without any bacterial inoculation. Hydro-alcoholic extract of N. officinale prepared in five different concentrations (105, 52.5, 26.25, 13.12, 6.56 mg.mL^-1) was tested separately against Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, and Staphylococcus aureus in a test of microdilution assay. Spectrophotometry was used to assess bacterial growth after 24 and 48 h.

Materials and Methods

The data of optical absorbance reads from spectrophotometry were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis followed by Least Significant Differences (LSD) post hoc.

Results

The highest growth inhibitory effect against S. mutans, E. faecalis, and S. aureus was observed at a concentration of 13.12 mg.mL^-1; for L. acidophilus and P. aeruginosa, the most significant inhibition was observed at a concentration of 105 mg.mL^-1.

Conclusion

N. officinale extract effectively inhibited the growth of the tested oral bacteria at different concentrations but was more effective against S. mutans, E. faecalis, and S. aureus and so may be effective in managing some oral microbial infections.

Effects of High-Pressure Carbon Dioxide on the Sensory and Chemical Properties of Dried Dates and Its Toxicity against Galleria mellonella (L.) and Plodia interpunctella (Hübner)

ABSTRACT

The use of chemical pesticides can have many detrimental side effects, including environmental pollution, and be a threat to human health. Carbon dioxide (CO2) treatment, a relatively new method for storage pest management, can replace harmful chemicals. Dates, an important food worldwide, contains many minerals, fiber, and a variety of vitamins and are an important dried fruit export from Iran annually. Thus, control of the pests of dried dates by using eco-friendly agents that do not affect quality features are critical. In this study, larval mortality of the Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella (Hübner)) and the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella (L.)), two key pests of stored products, especially dried dates, was studied after exposure to different CO2 pressures within 24 h. Mortality percentages of the third-instar larvae of both pests were increased with an increase in CO2 pressure. Sensory tests on the qualitative characteristics of the dates revealed that CO2 pressures did not affect their aroma, color, sweetness, sourness, crispness, firmness, and overall acceptance. The highest tested pressure (33.4 mol%) of CO2 also had no significant effects on the chemical properties of the date samples, including moisture content, pH, acidity, Brix value, reducing sugar, and total sugar. We conclude that atmospheric CO2 gas can provide a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method for controlling the insect pests of dried dates in addition to preserving their sensory and quality properties.

HIGHLIGHTS

Trigonella teheranica: a valuable source of phytochemicals with antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxic properties

Trigonella genus is a member of Fabaceae family, which is used as medicinal plant. The aim of this study was investigation of phytochemicals and some biological activities of Trigonella teheranica for the first time. The essential oils (EOs) of different parts (leaves, fruits and roots) were obtained and analyzed by GC-MS. Also, their chloroform and methanol extracts were prepared, too. The antimicrobial effects, antioxidant activities and cytotoxic effects against cancer (MDA-MB-231, MRC5 and HT-29) cell lines were investigated. N-hexadecanoic acid was the major compound of leaves and fruits EOs, and hexanal was abundant component of roots EO. The extracts showed stronger antibacterial effects than volatile oils against Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. All methanol extracts showed strong antioxidant effects, while the volatile oils, especially of leaves was the most effective in cytotoxic assay. Also, three derivatives of coumaric acid were isolated and identified from T. teheranica.

The effects of embryo splitting on Cdx2, Sox2, Oct4, and Nanog gene expression in mouse blastocysts

Background

Embryo splitting is utilized in reproduction biotechnology. The blastomeres resulting from the splitting of an embryo in two-, four- or eight-cell stages can develop into separate embryos that are genetically similar to the other blastomeres.

Aims

The present work studied the effects of splitting on embryo pluripotent gene expression (Cdx2, Sox2, Oct4, and Nanog) in mice.

Methods

Two-cell embryos were isolated from stimulated mice. The embryos were grouped into "split" and "non-split" groups. The zona pellucida was removed from the split group and the blastomeres were distributed before being co-cultured with mouse embryo fibroblasts to the blastocyst stage. Normal (non-split) blastocysts were co-cultured in the same way. The 3.5-day-old blastomeres were collected as the control group. For molecular evaluation, real-time PCR was conducted to analyze changes in Cdx2, Sox2, Oct4, and Nanog gene expression. Moreover, the blastocyst formation rate, overall blastocyst rate, and the number of newborns were statistically analyzed.

Results

The findings showed that embryo splitting increased blastocyst formation, overall blastocysts, developmental potential embryos, and the number of infants. Furthermore, the split and non-split (control) groups showed equal expression of pluripotent genes (Cdx2, Sox2, Oct4, and Nanog) in the molecular analysis.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that the growth and developmental potency of sister blastocysts derived from split two-cell stage mouse embryos are the same as those of normal blastocysts. So, there are no significant differences in gene expression between the split and non-split groups.

Statin therapy in hepatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 9 studies with 195,602 participants

Background

Conflicting data suggest that statins could cause hepatitis in certain group of patients, while improving prognosis in patients affected by some chronic liver diseases. Therefore, we aimed to quantify the potential protective role of statins on some main liver-related health outcomes in clinical studies on patients affected by hepatitis.

Methods

We applied fixed-effects or random-effects meta-analyses with inverse variance weighting to calculate pooled estimates and confidence intervals (95% confidence intervals [CI]). We calculated the odds ratios (OR) and 95% CI for the targets of mortality and hepatocellular carcinoma, fibrosis, and cirrhosis.

Results

Nine studies (N: 195,602 patients) reported data on mortality of patients affected by chronic viral hepatitis, six studies (N: 72,960) reported data on the risk to develop hepatocellular carcinoma, two studies on fibrosis progression (N: 9678) and two studies (N: 85,205) on cirrhosis development. Statins reduce the risk to develop hepatocarcinoma (OR (95% CI) = 0.47 (0.28, 0.81), p=0.005) (Figure 1), liver fibrosis (OR (95% CI) = 0.55 (0.34, 0.87), p<0.001), and cirrhosis (OR (95% CI) = 0.59 (0.55, 0.62), p<0.0001). There was also no significant link between statin therapy and alanine (Figure 2) and aspartate aminotransferases levels. Moreover, statin therapy is associated with a significant reduction in mortality but only in studies longer than 3 years (OR (95% CI) = 0.38 (0.17, 0.85), p=0.006).

Conclusion

Long-term treatment with statins seems to be safe in patients affected by hepatitis, while significantly improving their prognosis. Extensive education should be continued in order to avoid discontinuing statin therapy in patients with liver diseases.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1Figure 2

High-Pressure Carbon Dioxide Use to Control Dried Apricot Pests, Tribolium castaneum and Rhyzopertha dominica, and Assessing the Qualitative Traits of Dried Pieces of Treated Apricot

One of the new ways of warehouse pest control is the carbon dioxide treatment, which had no residues on the target products. In the present research, at first, CO₂ gas was applied to control two important pest species infesting dried apricots. Dry apricots infested with adults of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) or Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) were exposed to CO₂ gas pressures correspond to 9.1, 16.7, 23.1, 28.6, and 33.4 mol% for 24 h. The results showed higher mortality rates with increasing the gas pressures in all the experiments. The minimum and maximum losses of the pests were determined at concentrations of 9.1 and 33.4 mol%, respectively. Evaluation of CO₂ gas effects on the quality characteristics of dried apricots showed no impacts on the color, brittleness, hardness, sweetness, sourness, and general acceptance of products. CO₂ gas treatments at the concentration of 33.4 mol% showed no significant influences on the chemical features of dried apricots, including pH, acidity, Brix, humidity percentage, reducing sugar, and total sugar. It was concluded that CO₂ gas had the potential to control T. castaneum and R. dominica in warehouses of dried apricots, without any significant impacts on product qualities.

Anosmia as a prominent symptom of COVID-19 infection

According to WHO recommendations, everyone must protect themselves against Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which will also protect others. Due to the lack of current effective treatment and vaccine for COVID-19, screening, rapid diagnosis and isolation of the patients are essential (1, 2). Therefore, identifying the early symptoms of COVID-19 is of particular importance and is a health system priority. Early studies from COVID-19 outbreak in China have illustrated several non-specific signs and symptoms in infected patients, including fever, dry cough, dyspnea, myalgia, fatigue, lymphopenia, and radiographic evidence of pneumonia (3, 4). Recently, a probability of association between COVID-19 and altered olfactory function has been reported in South Korea, Iran, Italy, France, UK and the United States (5-8). However, to our knowledge, the definite association between COVID-19 and anosmia has not been published.

Molecular identification of mutations conferring resistance to rifampin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide among Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from Iran

Here, we aimed to determine the susceptibility of 70 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates obtained from different regions of the country to 8 anti-tuberculosis (anti-TB) drugs and possible underlying mechanisms causing resistance to rifampin, isoniazid, and pyrazinamide. The susceptibility of 70 isolates of M. tuberculosis to anti-TB drugs was tested using proportion method. Strains showing resistance to the first line anti-TB drugs were subjected to PCR amplification and sequencing of the rpoB, katG, ahpC, pncA genes, inhA promoter and oxyR-ahpC intergenic regions to detect resistance conferring mutations. Overall, 77.1% and 77.1% of isolates were resistant to at least one of the tested first- and second-line drugs, respectively. Within the rpoB gene the highest rate of mutation was found in codons 531(450) (56.3%), and 533(452) (12.5%). Also, codons 315 (42.4%) of katG, positions -48, -72 and -77 of oxyR-ahpC (total= 3, 9.1%) and -15 of inhA promoter region (33.3%) were the most altered positions in isoniazid resistant isolates. Only a single mutation was detected for pncA among resistant isolates. High prevalence of resistance to essential anti-TB drugs among M. tuberculosis strains isolated from retreated tuberculosis cases is alarming issue necessitating immediate action to prevent the spread of drug resistant isolates in the country.

Simultaneous removing of Pb2+ ions and alizarin red S dye after their complexation by ultrasonic waves coupled adsorption process: Spectrophotometry detection and optimization study

Funthenalized chitosan (CS) was composited with mesoprous SBA-15 and characterized via. different techniques such as FT-IR and FE-SEM. Subsequently, this new material was applied for simulations ultrasound-assisted adsorption of Pb²⁺ ion and alizarin red S (ARS) dye after their complexation. Efficient conventional variables in adsorption process such as initial ARS and Pb²⁺ concentration, adsorbent mass and sonication time were studied by small central composite design (CCD) and optimized with desirability function approach. Lack of fit testes and model summary statistics for linear, 2FI, quadratic and cubic models were investigated and according to the insignificant lack of fit and maximizing the R-squared (R²), adjusted R-squared and the predicted R-squared quadratic model was selected for other step analysis for removal of ARS dye, while, for Pb²⁺ ions 2FI model was selected as best model. Quadratic model ANOVA for ARS dye removal shows the F-value parameter (683.91), very low p-value model (<0.0001) and p-value lack of fit (0.0568) that implied this model was highly significant. Also, 2FI model ANOVA for Pb²⁺ ions removal shows the F-value parameter (282.51), very low p-value model (<0.0001) and p-value lack of fit (2.05). According to desirability function approach maximum removal percentage of ARS (87.61%) and Pb²⁺ ions (83.54%) was shown at optimum of condition that were set as at: 25 and 25mgL^-1, 0.028g and 11.8min for initial ARS and Pb²⁺ ions concentration, adsorbent mass and sonication time, respectively. Finally, it was found that the equilibrium and kinetic of adsorption process follow the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model, respectively. From the Langmuir isotherm, maximum monolayer capacity (q_max) was obtained 50.25 and 57.14mgg^-1 for ARS and Pb²⁺ ions removal, respectively.

Association of beta 2 adrenoceptor gene polymorphisms in Malaysian hypertensive subjects

The sympathetic nervous system plays a major role in blood pressure regulation. Beta 2 (β2) adrenoceptor gene polymorphisms have been associated with hypertension in different populations with conflicting results. We examined the association of three common polymorphisms, Arg16Gly, Gln27Glu, and Thr164Ile, of the β2 adrenoceptor gene in Malaysian hypertensive subjects. A total of 160 hypertensive and control subjects were recruited. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and anthropometric measurements were obtained from each subject. Biochemical analyses of lipid profiles were conducted with an autoanalyzer. DNA samples were extracted from blood and buccal cells. Genotyping was accomplished with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. SBP, DBP, body mass index, and biochemical factors all differed significantly between case and control subjects (P < 0.05). The genotype frequencies of Arg16Arg, Arg16Gly, and Gly16Gly were 22.5, 70, and 7.5% among cases and 33.1, 63.1, and 3.8% among controls, respectively. The genotype frequencies of Gln27Gln, Gln27Glu, and Glu27Glu among cases were 41.1, 50, and 1.9% compared to 77.5, 20.6, and 1.9% among controls, respectively. In this study, the Gln27Glu polymorphism was significantly associated with Malaysian hypertensive subjects (P < 0.05). Therefore, the Gln27Glu polymorphism of the β2 adrenoceptor could be a risk factor associated with hypertension among Malaysians.

Study the Expression of ompf Gene in Esherichia coli Mutants

The outer membrane porin proteins are the major factors in controlling the permeability of cell membrane. OmpF is an example of porin proteins in Esherichia coli. In normal growth condition a large amount of this protein is synthesised, but under stress condition, such as the presence of antibiotics in environment its expression is decreased inhibiting the entrance of antibiotics into cell. The expression of ompF is inhibited by antisense RNA transcribed from micF. In normal condition the expression of micF is low, but in the presence of antibiotics its expression is increased and causes multiple resistances to irrelevant antibiotics. The aims of this research were to study first, the intactness of micF and then quantify the expression of ompF in ciprofloxacin and tetracycline resistant mutants of E. coli. For this purpose the 5' end of micF was amplified and then sequenced. None of these mutants except one and its clone has a mutation in this gene. Then the relative expression of ompF in these mutants was quantified by real time PCR. There was no significant difference between ompF transcription of mutants and wild type strain. Based on this study and previous study it is concluded that low to intermediate levels of resistance to ciprofloxacin and tetracycline does not decrease ompF transcription.

A comparison of tissue-engineered bone from adipose-derived stem cell with autogenous bone repair in maxillary alveolar cleft model in dogs

This study was designed to compare bone regeneration of tissue-engineered bone from adipose-derived stem cell and autogenous bone graft in a canine maxillary alveolar cleft model. In this prospective clinical trial, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were isolated from subcutaneous canine adipose tissue. Undifferentiated cells were incubated with a 3mm×3mm×3mm hydroxyapatite/beta-tricalcium phosphate scaffold, in specific osteogenic medium for 21 days. Four mongrel dogs were prepared by removal of two of the three incisors bilaterally and a 15mm defect in bone was created from crest to nasal floor. After healing, repair was followed by a tissue engineered bone graft from adipose-derived stem cells on one side and corticocancellous tibial auto graft on the other side. Bone regeneration was evaluated by histomorphometry on days 15 and 60 after implantation. The data were analysed with descriptive and t test methods (α=0.05). Bone formation on the autograft sides was higher than on the stem cell sides at 15 and 60 days, 45% and 96% versus 5% and 70%, respectively. Differences between the two groups at 15 and 60 days were significant (p=0.004 and 0.001, respectively). Although autograft is still the gold standard for bone regeneration, tissue engineered bone may provide an acceptable alternative.

Should post kidney transplantation hyperlipidemia considered a risk factor for graft function?

BACKGROUND

Hyperlipidemia is a common problem after kidney transplantation.

OBJECTIVE

To uncover the real impact of post kidney transplantation hyperlipidemia on graft function and survival, and to determine whether it is just a biochemical phenomenon after using immunosuppressant or a part of disease pathology.

METHODS

330 kidney transplants were managed in Sina Hospital Kidney Transplantation Unit affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran from September 1994 till February 2010. The demographic characteristics of the patients, causes of chronic kidney diseases, history of pretransplantation dialysis, pretransplantation comorbidities (e.g., hypertension, diabetes mellitus [DM], hyperlipidemia and coronary artery disease), rejection episodes, status of infection with cytomegalous virus [CMV], post-transplantation DM, hyperlipidemia, ischemic heart disease [IHD], and graft and patient survival were recorded. A serum creatinine level >2 mg/dL was considered as "graft deterioration," and return to dialysis as "graft loss." According to the presence or absence of post kidney transplantation hypercholesterolemia (>200 mg/dL) or hypertriglyceridemia (>200 mg/dL), the patients were classified into "hyperlipidemic" or "non-hyperlipidemic." The presence of clinical or paraclinical coronary artery disease was also determined in both groups.

RESULTS

The incidence of hyperlipidemia elevated from 8% to 50% before and after transplantation. 2.7% developed clinical IHD. 13% of hyperlipidemics and 22% of non-hyperlipidemics developed graft deterioration. Among hyperlipidemics with deteriorated grafts 40% had premorbid diseases, 68% had CMV infection and 82% had hypertension. Only 22% had previous acute rejection and 27% received deceased kidney transplant.

CONCLUSIONS

post kidney transplantation hyperlipidemia is just an associated phenomenon secondary to the use of immunosuppressant medications, which have no obvious impact on renal graft function and can be easily controlled by instituting dietary modifications and use of modern antilipid medications. Post kidney transplantation CMV infection and hypertension are considered as the main threatening risk for renal graft-even more dangerous than acute or chronic rejections.

A comparative study on the effect of lidocaine and furosemide on urinary output and graft function after renal transplantation

PURPOSE

Renal transplantation is an ideal treatment for patients with chronic renal failure. It was demonstrated that despite the adhesion to surgical and anesthetic principles, urinary output is not satisfactory after transplantation. It seems that microvascular spasm of renal vasculature is responsible for this phenomenon. We designed a study to investigate whether lidocaine injection into renal artery can relieve vasospasm and subsequently improve output and graft function better than furosemide.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a randomized clinical trial, from July 2002 to November 2003, 100 consecutive patients who were referred to our center for kidney transplantation were recruited in this study. After obtaining written informed consent, they were divided blindly into two groups. In group 1, lidocaine was injected into renal artery, before arterial anastomosis, and group 2 received furosemide as the conventional intervention. Urine volume within 1, 4, and 24 postoperative hours and serum creatinine levels in the first three weeks were recorded and compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Urine volumes at 1, 4, and 24 hours after transplantation were higher significantly in lidocaine group (P <0.001). Serum creatinine levels were lower significantly in the first postoperative day and also 21 days after transplantation in group 1 (P <0.001).

CONCLUSION

Comparing to furosemide, it seems that lidocaine can cause a more effective vasodilation in renal arteries of kidney allograft, resulting in a better diuresis. This may have a role in the betterment of graft function.

Brain injury: the uncertainties of using complementary therapies

The use of complementary therapies is fast growing in the UK, but their place within health care is still unclear. This study explored the views of families using a specific complementary therapy in the care of their brain-injured children, and of professionals involved in the care of the children. The findings revealed an interesting comparison of views about the use of complementary therapies and attitudes towards their use.