Sporadic regional re-emergent cholera: a 19th century problem in the 21st century

Cholera, caused by Vibrio cholerae, is a severe diarrheal disease that necessitates prompt diagnosis and effective treatment. This review comprehensively examines various diagnostic methods, from traditional microscopy and culture to advanced nucleic acid testing like polymerase spiral reaction and rapid diagnostic tests, highlighting their advantages and limitations. Additionally, we explore evolving treatment strategies, with a focus on the challenges posed by antibiotic resistance due to the activation of the SOS response pathway in V. cholerae. We discuss promising alternative treatments, including low-pressure plasma sterilization, bacteriophages, and selenium nanoparticles. The paper emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary approaches combining novel diagnostics and treatments in managing and preventing cholera, a persistent global health challenge. The current re-emergent 7th pandemic of cholera commenced in 1961 and shows no signs of abeyance. This is probably due to the changing genetic profile of V. cholerae concerning bacterial pathogenic toxins. Given this factor, we argue that the disease is effectively re-emergent, particularly in Eastern Mediterranean countries such as Lebanon, Syria, etc. This review considers the history of the current pandemic, the genetics of the causal agent, and current treatment regimes. In conclusion, cholera remains a significant global health challenge that requires prompt diagnosis and effective treatment. Understanding the history, genetics, and current treatments is crucial in effectively addressing this persistent and re-emergent disease.

Antimicrobial potential of natural deep eutectic solvents

Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) are a new class of green solvents, which can solubilize natural and synthetic chemicals of low water solubility. NADES are mixtures of two or three compounds of hydrogen bond acceptors and hydrogen-bond donors. Many NADES' components are of natural origin and therefore NADES are presumed to be non-toxic and often exhibit antimicrobial activity. This work aimed to investigate the potential antimicrobial effect of menthol, capric acid, and Solutol™, and their associated eutectic system on two Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633), two Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 8739 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027) and one fungus (the yeast Candida albicans ATCC 10231). The results obtained showed a stronger antimicrobial effect for the NADES when compared to their individual components and that they exhibit a promising antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans and good activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. NADES exhibited no observable antimicrobial activity against spore-forming B. subtilis.

A review of the antiviral activity of Chitosan, including patented applications and its potential use against COVID-19

Chitosan is an abundant organic polysaccharide, which can be relatively easily obtained by chemical modification of animal or fungal source materials. Chitosan and its derivatives have been shown to exhibit direct antiviral activity, to be useful vaccine adjuvants and to have potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. This thorough and timely review looks at the recent history of investigations into the role of chitosan and its derivatives as an antiviral agent and proposes a future application in the treatment of endemic SARS-CoV-2.

Plasma apolipoproteins A-I, A-II, B, C-II, C-III, and E levels in young Kuwaiti male survivors of myocardial infarction

Plasm levels of lipid, lipoprotein, and apolipoprotein (APO) A-I, A-II, C-II, C-III, and E were analyzed in 180 young survivors of myocardial infarction (MI) ages 28 to 45 years and in 200 sex-and age-matched normal healthy subjects to assess the importance of apolipoprotein concentrations in comparison with lipoproteins in MI patients. In comparison with control subjects, MI patients showed marked increases in the following parameters: total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), very low density (VLDL) triglycerides, and cholesterol, and LDL-TG, apo B, apo C-III and apo E. There were no significant changes in levels of HDL3; cholesterol, apo A-II and apo C-II in these patients compared with their controls. Levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL), HDL2 cholesterol, and plasma apo A-I were markedly decreased in the young MI survivors' group demonstrated that the better discriminating lipoproteins and apolipoproteins in MI patients in descending order were HDL2 cholesterol, apo C-III, apo B, apo A-I, VLDL triglycerides and HDL cholesterol discriminated between patients and controls. Results indicate that measurement of apo C-III, B and A-I beside HDL2 cholesterol were shown to be of potential use in differentiating normal controls from patients with MI.

Lipoproteins and apolipoproteins in young male survivors of myocardial infarction

Plasma and lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoproteins (apo) A-I, A-II, B and phospholipid concentrations were measured at 10 days and 4 months after myocardial infarction (MI) in 60 young Kuwaiti male MI survivors below the age of 40 years. Controls were matched for age, relative weights, smoking, dietary habits and physical activities. The young MI survivors had significantly higher levels of total and LDL-cholesterol, and ratios of LDL/HDL- and LDL/HDL2-cholesterol. Total VLDL and LDL triglycerides, and phospholipids were also elevated in MI survivors compared to controls. Similarly, plasma and LDL-apo B as well as the ratios of apo B/apo A-I were higher in the MI group. There was no significant change in the levels of VLDL and HDL3-cholesterol and of apo A-II in these patients compared to their controls. Concentrations of HDL- and HDL2-cholesterol and of plasma and HDL apo A-I were significantly lower in the young MI survivors compared to the control subjects. The better discriminating lipoproteins and apolipoproteins in MI patients in descending order were HDL2-cholesterol greater than apo B greater than apo A-I greater than VLDL-triglyceride greater than HDL-cholesterol greater than LDL/HDL2-cholesterol greater than triglycerides. The data indicate that measurement of HDL2-cholesterol, apo B and apo A-I may be useful indicators in assessing coronary artery disease risk than triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol.

Lipoproteins and apolipoproteins in young nonobese Arab women with NIDDM treated with insulin

The effects of insulin on the lipid values of nonobese non-insulin-dependent diabetic (NIDDM) Arab women requiring insulin was investigated to find whether these patients have the same coronary artery risk factor related to lipid levels. In this study, 55 NIDDM women on insulin therapy (mean age 28 +/- 8.1 yr and duration of disease 5 +/- 1.2 yr) and 70 control subjects (matched for sex, age, and body mass index) were studied for their plasma levels of lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins. Concentrations of total cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), LDL TG, high-density lipoprotein triglyceride (HDL TG), phospholipid, glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbAtc), apolipoprotein B (apoB), LDL-apoB, and apoB/apoAl were significantly elevated in diabetic women compared with control subjects. There was no significant change in the levels of apoAll in plasma and lipoprotein fractions. Concentrations of HDL cholesterol (chol), HDL2-chol, HDL3-chol, plasma apoAl, HDL2-apoAl, HDL3-apoAl, and HDL-apoAl were significantly lower in diabetic women than in control subjects. There was no significant correlation between glucose or HbAtc and most of the lipids, lipoprotein lipids, and apolipoproteins measured. Despite normal body weight and insulin therapy, abnormalities in lipids, lipoprotein lipids, and apoB persisted in NIDDM patients compared with control subjects. Our data may favor an enhanced affinity toward atherosclerosis in these patients.

The effect of adrenergic agents on the activities of glycerol 3-phosphate acyltransferase and triglyceride lipase in the isolated perfused rat heart

Glycerol 3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) activity and triglyceride lipase (TGL) activity were measured in homogenates from hearts perfused with adrenergic agonists and antagonists. Perfusion with adrenalin or the beta-agonist isoprenaline produced an increase in TGL activity and a fall in GPAT activity. These changes could be imitated by incubation of heart homogenates with cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The alpha 2-agonist clondine produced the opposite effect, thus it increased GPAT activity and decreased TGL activity. Methoxamine, an alpha 1-agonist, had no effect on TGL activity but reduced GPAT activity. Continuous perfusion of the beta-antagonist atenolol reduced TGL activity to half that found in controls but also reduced GPAT activity. No change was seen on continuous perfusion of alpha 1- or alpha 2-antagonists. Changes in GPAT activity were localized mainly in the microsomal enzyme. These changes are consistent with both enzymes being regulated via a cyclic-AMP dependent protein kinase system and via alpha-adrenergic mechanisms.