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.

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

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.

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.

Novel Association of WNK4 Gene, Ala589Ser Polymorphism in Essential Hypertension, and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Malaysia

With-no-lysine (K) Kinase-4 (WNK4) consisted of unique serine and threonine protein kinases, genetically associated with an autosomal dominant form of hypertension. Argumentative consequences have lately arisen on the association of specific single nucleotide polymorphisms of WNK4 gene and essential hypertension (EHT). The aim of this study was to determine the association of Ala589Ser polymorphism of WNK4 gene with essential hypertensive patients in Malaysia. WNK4 gene polymorphism was specified utilizing mutagenically separated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method in 320 subjects including 163 cases and 157 controls. Close relation between Ala589Ser polymorphism and elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) was recognized. Sociodemographic factors including body mass index (BMI), age, the level of fasting blood sugar (FBS), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglyceride (TG) in the cases and healthy subjects exhibited strong differences (p < 0.05). The distribution of allele frequency and genotype of WNK4 gene Ala589Ser polymorphism showed significant differences (p < 0.05) between EHT subjects with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and normotensive subjects, statistically. The WNK4 gene variation influences significantly blood pressure increase. Ala589Ser probably has effects on the enzymic activity leading to enhanced predisposition to the disorder.

Association of ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter A1 Gene Polymorphisms in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus among Malaysians

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex polygenic disorder characterized by impaired insulin resistance, insulin secretion, and dysregulation of lipid and protein metabolism with environmental and genetic factors. ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) gene polymorphisms are reported as the one of the genetic risk factors for T2DM in various populations with conflicting results. This study was conducted based on PCR-HRM to determine the frequency of ABCA1 gene by rs2230806 (R219K), rs1800977 (C69T), and rs9282541 (R230C) polymorphisms Malaysian subjects.

METHODS

A total of 164 T2DM and 165 controls were recruited and their genotypes for ABCA1 gene polymorphisms were determined based on the real time high resolution melting analysis.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference between the subjects in terms of age, BMI, FPG, HbA1c, HDL, LDL, and TG (P < 0.05). There was a significant association between HOM of R219K (P = 0.005), among Malaysian subjects; moreover, allele frequency revealed the significant difference in A allele of R219K (P = 0.003). But, there was no significant difference in genotypic and allelic frequencies of C69T and R230C polymorphism.

CONCLUSION

R219K polymorphism of ABCA1 gene can be considered as a genetic risk factor for T2DM subjects among Malaysians.

Association of insertion/deletion polymorphism of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene among Malay male hypertensive subjects in response to ACE inhibitors

INTRODUCTION

Several studies show that the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene has been associated with hypertension in various populations. The present study sought to determine the association of the I/D gene polymorphism among Malay male essential hypertensive subjects in response to ACE inhibitors (enalapril and lisinopril).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 72 patients with newly diagnosed hypertension and 72 healthy subjects were recruited in this study. Blood pressure was recorded from 0 to 24 weeks of treatment with enalapril or lisinopril. Genotyping of the I/D polymorphism was carried out using a standard PCR method.

RESULTS

Statistically significant association of the D allele of the ACE gene was observed between the case and control subjects (p < 0.01). There was a decrease in blood pressure in the patients carrying the DD genotype (SBP=18.5±8.1 mmHg, DBP=15.29±7.1 mmHg) rather than the ID (SBP=4.1±3.3 mmHg, DBP=9.1±3.5 mmHg) and II genotypes (SBP= 3.0±0.2 mmHg, DBP 0.11±6.1 mmHg) of the ACE gene.

CONCLUSION

Patients carrying the DD genotype had higher blood pressure-lowering response when treated with ACE inhibitors enalapril or lisinopril than those carrying ID and II genotypes, suggesting that the D allele may be a possible genetic marker for essential hypertension among Malay male subjects.

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.

Analysis of MTHFR and MTRR Gene Polymorphisms in Iranian Ventricular Septal Defect Subjects

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is one of the most common types of congenital heart defects (CHD). There are vivid multifactorial causes for VSD in which both genetic and environmental risk factors are consequential in the development of CHD. Methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) are two of the key regulatory enzymes involved in the metabolic pathway of homocysteine. Genes involved in homocysteine/folate metabolism may play an important role in CHDs. In this study; we determined the association of A66G and C524T polymorphisms of the MTRR gene and C677T polymorphism of the MTHFR gene in Iranian VSD subjects. A total of 123 children with VSDs and 125 healthy children were included in this study. Genomic DNA was extracted from the buccal cells of all the subjects. The restriction fragment length polymorphism polymerase chain reaction (PCR-RFLP) method was carried out to amplify the A66G and C524T polymorphism of MTRR and C677T polymorphism of MTHFR genes digested with Hinf1, Xho1 and Nde1 enzymes, respectively. The genotype frequencies of CC, CT and TT of MTRR gene among the studied cases were 43.1%, 40.7% and 16.3%, respectively, compared to 52.8%, 43.2% and 4.0%, respectively among the controls. For the MTRR A66G gene polymorphism, the genotypes frequencies of AA, AG and GG among the cases were 33.3%, 43.9% and 22.8%, respectively, while the frequencies were 49.6%, 42.4% and 8.0%, respectively, among control subjects. The frequencies for CC and CT genotypes of the MTHFR gene were 51.2% and 48.8%, respectively, in VSD patients compared to 56.8% and 43.2% respectively, in control subjects. Apart from MTHFR C677T polymorphism, significant differences were noticed (p < 0.05) in C524T and A66G polymorphisms of the MTRR gene between cases and control subjects.

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.