Novel targets in rectal cancer by considering lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network in response to Lactobacillus acidophilus consumption: a randomized clinical trial

We aimed to explore the lncRNA-miR-mRNA network in response to Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) consumption in rectal cancer patients. The candidate miRs were first taken from the GEO and TCGA databases. We constructed the lncRNA-miR-mRNA network using the high-throughput sequencing data. At last, we created a heatmap based on the experimental data to show the possible correlation of the selected targets. The expression levels of selected targets were measured in the samples of 107 rectal cancer patients undergoing placebo and probiotic consumption and 10 noncancerous subjects using Real-Time PCR. Our analysis revealed a group of differentially expressed 12 miRs and 11 lncRNAs, and 12 genes in rectal cancer patients. A significant expression increase of the selected tumor suppressor miRs, lncRNAs, and genes and a substantial expression decrease of the selected oncomiRs, onco-lncRNAs, and oncogenes were obtained after the probiotic consumption compared to the placebo group. There is a strong correlation between some network components, including miR-133b and IGF1 gene, miR-548ac and MSH2 gene, and miR-21 and SMAD4 gene. In rectal cancer patients, L. acidophilus consumption was associated with improved expression of the lncRNA-miR-mRNA network, which may provide novel monitoring and therapeutic approaches.

Prevalence and Expression of Genes of Type II Antitoxin Toxin Systems in Clinical Isolates of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Objectives: Antibiotic resistance of bacteria has been increasing in recent years and reports indicate that some bacterial strains are even resistant to the last treatment line. The survey of MazEF antitoxin-toxin genes in 84 strain of MRSA and and the antimicrobial effect of supernatants on the logarithmic growth stage of the bacteria. Methods: In this study, 84 strains of MRSA were collected. The patients included 48 males and 36 females with a mean age of 39 years.  The primers for Staphylococcus aureus type II antitoxin genes were designed. In the first step, using the mecA primer and PCR, the strains were genetically examined to confirm methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. In the next step, the frequency of MazEF antitoxin-toxin genes was examined. Results: All strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus had the F maz gene except one. The highest antibiotic resistance was related to the strains isolated from the wound and the lowest resistance was related to the strains isolated from the urine. the effect of the supernatant obtained in the death phase of Staphylococcus aureus was assessed and the antimicrobial effect of these supernatants on the logarithmic growth stage of the bacteria was measured. Conclusion: since previous studies showed the antimicrobial effect of this supernatant on many other bacteria, a type II system was suspected that was confirmed by the results.

Falsely undetectable TSH in a euthyroid patient

Background

Measuring thyroid hormone levels is essential and helpful in the diagnosis of thyroid diseases.

Case presentation

We had a patient with undetectable serum TSH level by the Siemens immunoassay, whereas by ELISA and Roche-Abott immunoassay, serum level of TSH was in the normal range.

Conclusion

If the result of TSH level revealed very low or undetectable through one specific method, it should not be considered necessarily as a symptom of hyperthyroidism. It is to be requested to measure by the other methods with other devices too.

Comparison of Helicobacter pylori Detection Methods: It's Association with Leukocytosis and Monocytosis

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori is a slow-growing micro-aerophilic gram-negative organism found in the stomach and duodenum. It is also associated with a number of stomach-duodenal diseases.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

There are invasive and non-invasive methods to detect Helicobacter pylori infections. In a 13-months period, 101 patients with clinical signs of infection confirmed by biopsy and Rapid Urease test as well as a culture were included in this study.

RESULTS

There were significant correlations between breath urease test, anti-Helicobacter pylori serum IgG and IgA as well as fecal Helicobacter pylori Ag with the gold-standard method, (P=0.001) Moreover, there was a significant correlation between Monocytosis (P= 0.05) and goldstandard method.

CONCLUSION

Based on studies conducted on patients with Helicobacter pylori infection, noninvasive diagnostics methods can be useful in the diagnosis of Helicobacter infections rather than evaluating anti-Helicobacter pylori serum IgM and also increased blood monocytes could be a reliable confirmation for detection. Furthermore, Monocytosis must be considered as a Helicobacter pylori infection at the first step in an area with a high infected percentage.

Detection of urinary Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium and human papilloma virus in the first trimester of pregnancy by PCR method

BACKGROUND

Miscarriage and preterm delivery are the most important challenges of pregnancy. Different bacterial and viral infection may cause miscarriage and preterm delivery. Among bacterial factors, Mycoplasma genitalium and Chlamydia trachomatis have the most important role and human papilloma virus (HPV) is the leading viral factor in this regard.

METHODS

First void urine samples were collected from 119 pregnant women who visited health centers for routine first-trimester screening (12-14 weeks gestation). About 10 ml of the sample was centrifuged at 3000×g for 20 min and 1-2 ml of the sediment was transferred to sterile microfuges and stored at - 20 °C until analysis. DNA extraction was conducted using A101211 kits imported by Pars Tous Biotechnology Company. The following commercial kits, imported by Pars Tous Biotechnology, were used for PCR.

RESULTS

There is no significant association between urinary isolation of C. trachomatis and miscarriage (P = 0.93) and there is no significant association between urinary isolation of M. genitalium and miscarriage (P = 0.80). Regarding HPV, since all urine samples were PCR-negative, comparison was not possible. C. trachomatis was isolated from the urine samples of 6.72% of the pregnant women who underwent first-trimester screening in health centers using PCR. Previous studies reported a mean chlamydia isolation rate of 3% from urine specimens collected from pregnant women in general. T test showed no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.10). Based on present study the mycoplasma isolation rate was 17.65% using PCR. Previous studies reported a mean mycoplasma isolation rate of 10% from urine specimens collected from pregnant women in general. T-test showed a significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.03).

DISCUSSION

First void urine samples in pregnant women may be an appropriate sample for detection of C. trachomatis and M. genitalium; however, it is not a good method for HPV isolation therefore vaginal or cervical discharge specimens should be used instead for detection of HPV.

Evaluation of urinary interleukin-8 levels in patients with spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND

Interleukins are a group of cytokines responsible for regulating inflammatory and infectious responses. Interleukin-8 plays an important role in chemotaxis and functioning of leukocytes and is locally produced in infected tissues; it is seen in abundance in the urine of individuals with Urinary Tract Infection.

MATERIAL & METHODS

Midstream sterile urine sampling was performed in different patients admitted to the Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) research center. The samples were tested to determine the level of IL-8 through the ELISA method. The commercial kit used for this study was an R & D kit built in Germany.

RESULTS

The mean level of IL-8 was 369.59 pg/ml and 75.42 pg/ml in male and female patients respectively. Among the 97 patients under study, 87 (89.7%) were IL-8 positive (>10 pg/ml) and 10 patients were IL-8 negative (<10 pg/ml). Among the 87 IL-8 positive subjects, 64 patients had no UTI symptoms, while 23 did.

CONCLUSION

SCI patients should have their urinary IL-8 levels measured on a routine and periodic basis, irrespective of their SCI severity or the presence or absence of UTI symptoms. The timely and effective diagnosis & treatment of UTI can prevent the irreversible complications caused by frequent UTI and resistance to treatment in this group of patients.

Urinary Tract Infection with Candida glabrata in a Patient with Spinal Cord Injury

Candida glabrata was thought to be a primarily non-pathogenic organism. However, with the ever-increasing population of immunocompromised individuals, it is considered to be an opportunistic pathogen. Patients with spinal cord injuries often using a long-term urinary catheter and are high risk for Urinary Tract Infections. This case report describes a patient with spinal cord injury (thoracic region) with a pure culture of Candida glabrata in a urine sample.

Survey of serum procalcitonin in cirrhotic patients

Procalcitonin (PCT) is a prohormone that has been used as a marker for the diagnosis of bacterial infections. The aim of this study was to survey PCT levels in patients with cirrhosis. Sixty-four patients with hepatic cirrhosis and 32 healthy blood donors were enrolled in this study. Serum PCT levels was detected using immunoluminometric assay. The rate of positive PCT was higher in patients with hepatitis C cirrhosis (92.8%) than the other groups. Among other cirrhotic patients, positive PCT levels were 77% for hepatitis B, 70% for cancer and 53.3% for unknown groups respectively. Serum procalcitonin levels were significantly higher in cirrhotic patients with bacterial infection (2.65±1.11 ng/ml) than those without infection (0.59±0.16 ng/ml, P=0.0001). PCT assay in cirrhotic patients may help diagnosis of sepsis and reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.