The biotoxic effects of heavy metals exposure in miners and non-miners

Since little is known about the comparison of the biotoxic effects of heavy metals exposure on biochemical and hematological parameters in miners and non-miners, the current study aimed to compare the effects of arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and copper (Cu) in both groups. Demographic information and blood samples were collected from all participants and measures of As, Pb and Cu were obtained using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. As and Pb mean concentrations in miners and Cu concentration were greater in non-miners. Miners also showed significantly higher level of RBC, HBG and HCT. In the adjusted model, cholesterol showed a positively association with Pb and Cu levels. Triglycerides, GGT, ALP, WBC and PLT positively and HDL-cholesterol negatively were associated with Cu. Creatinine was negatively associated with group variable. In conclusion, miners' high blood heavy metals concentrations can impact biochemical and hematological indices. These observations make monitoring of heavy metals necessary in miners.

Dietary antioxidants and liver enzymes in Rafsanjan, a Region in Southeast Iran

Oxidative stress has been considered the main contributor to liver injury. Dietary antioxidants would be expected to improve liver function. The hepatoprotective effects of antioxidants are controversial. In the present study, the associations of some dietary antioxidants and the levels of serum liver enzymes were examined. This cross-sectional study was conducted using the Rafsanjan Cohort Study (RCS) data as a population-based prospective cohort which is a part of the Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in IrAN (PERSIAN). A total of 9942 participants aged 35-70 years old were included in this study. Among this population, 4631 (46.59%) were male, and 5311 (53.42%) were female. Dietary intakes were collected by a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) with 128 items. Aspartate transaminase (AST), Alanine transaminase (ALT), γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured by a biotecnica analyzer. Dichotomous logistics regression models were used to investigate the association between the elevated liver enzymes and intake of dietary antioxidants using crude and adjusted models. In the adjusted model, in subjects with higher consumption of Se, Vit A, Vit E, β-carotene, α-carotene, and β-cryptoxanthin, the odds ratios of elevated ALP were decreased compared to the reference group (ORs 0.79 (0.64-0.96), 0.80 (0.66-0.98), 0.73 (0.60-0.89), 0.79 (0.64-0.96), 0.78 (0.64-0.95), 0.80 (0.66-0.98), and 0.79 (0.64-0.98), respectively). Subjects with higher consumption of Se, Vit A, Vit E, and provitamin A carotenoids (β-carotene, α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin) showed decreased odds of elevated ALP. These findings support the hypothesis that Se, Vit A, Vit E, and provitamin A carotenoids may be associated with improvements in ALP and act as suppressors against the development of liver injury.

Effects of Escherichia coli strain Nissle 1917 on immune responses of Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) to Newcastle disease vaccines

Abstract.

Background

The development of proper immune responses to Newcastle disease (ND) vaccines is important in controlling the disease. Escherichia coli strain Nissle 1917 (EcN) is involved in regulating the immune system.

Aims

The current study evaluated the effects of EcN on immune responses to ND live vaccines in Japanese quails.

Methods

A total of 150 one-day-old quails were divided into three equal groups. Groups A and B received 107 and 106 CFU/ml/day of EcN, respectively, sprayed on their diets, while group C received 1 ml/day of PBS. All birds were vaccinated with B1 and Lasota vaccines at 10 and 20 days of age, respectively. Serum samples were collected in order to assay the levels of IgA and certain cytokines, including IL4, IFN-α, and IFN-γ, as well as antibody titers to NDV by HI and ELISA methods.

Results

No significant difference (P>0.05) was observed in serum IgA and IFN-α levels among the groups. However, concentrations of IFN-γ and IL-4 in 42-day-old chicks in group A were significantly (P<0.05) higher than in both other groups. After 15 days of the second vaccination, the mean HI titer following NDV was significantly higher in group A than group C. Groups B and C showed significantly lower HI titer than group A after 22 days of the second vaccination. Mean ELISA titer to NDV was significantly (P<0.05) higher in group A than in groups B and C after 22 days of the second vaccination.

Conclusion

It seems that the spraying of 107 CFU/ml/day of EcN on quail diets enhances the immune response to NDV vaccines by increasing serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-4.

Antibiotic Resistance Pattern and Detection of mecA Gene in Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Iranian Hamburger Samples

Background: Among the bacteria that cause food poisoning, Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common causes of food poisoning worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of S. aureus strains in Iranian hamburgers, analysis of their antibiotic resistance pattern, and molecular detection of mecA gene in isolated strains. Methods: A total of 100 Iranian handmade (traditional) and packaged (factory-made) hamburger samples were investigated for the existence of S. aureus. The pattern of antibiotic resistance and the presence of mecA genes were investigated by disk diffusion and molecular methods, respectively. Data were statistically analyzed by SPSS software v. 24. Results: The prevalence of S. aureus isolated in handmade hamburgers was significantly (p=0.008) higher than packaged ones. Most of 39 isolated S. aureus strains were susceptible to ciprofloxacin (31 isolate), chloramphenicol (27 isolate), and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (37 isolate). The highest antibiotic resistance was observed for penicillin G followed by oxacillin and tetracycline. All isolates were found susceptible to vancomycin and gentamicin. Six S. aureus isolates which were evaluated for methicillin-resistance, contained the mecA gene. Conclusion: The high presence of the S. aureus in Iranian hamburgers and the remarkable antibiotic resistance emphasize the need for policies which enforce hygienic practices within the food industry and fast food outlets.

Identification and characterization of probiotic lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditional persian pickled vegetables

Background: The pickle, a traditional fermented product, is popular among Iranians. Much research has been conducted worldwide on this food group. Due to a lack of related data in Iran, this study was conducted to isolate and identify dominant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in pickles and salted pickles. Materials and methods: Seventy samples were collected from different regions of Iran. The isolated bacteria were identified as LAB by Gram staining and catalase by using MRS agar. Then, those strains were identified at the species level by physiological tests (e.g., gas production from glucose, arginine hydrolysis, CO2 production from glucose in MRS broth, carbohydrate fermentation) and growth at temperatures of 15°C, 30°C, and 45°C in MRS broth for 3 days. The probiotic characteristics of these bacteria were studied using acid and bile tolerance. The corresponding results were verified using PCR analyses of the 16S rDNA region. Results: 114 presumptive lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with Gram-positive and catalase-negative properties were obtained from the samples. The results revealed that all isolated bacteria were identfied as Lactobacillus (L.) plantarum, L. brevis, L. pentosus, L. casei, L. paracasei and Leuconostoc mesenteroides. The predominant LAB in these pickles was L. plantarum, which was isolated from most of the samples. Among the 114 LAB, 7 isolated species have probiotic potential. Six out of seven were recognized as L. plantarum and one remained unidentifiable by biochemical testing. PCR analysis and sequencing of the 16S rDNA region using 27f and 1522r primers showed that all of the probiotic strains were L. plantarum. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the dominant LAB in traditional Persian pickled vegetables are L. plantarum, L. brevis, L. pentosus, L. casei, L. paracasei, and Leuconostoc mesenteroides. Moreover, L. plantarum was recognized as a probiotic species in pickled vegetables. The raw data obtained from this study can be used in the pickling industry to improve the nutritional value of products.

The experience of community health workers training in Iran: a qualitative study

Background

The role of Community Health Workers (CHWs) in improving access to basic healthcare services, and mobilising community actions on health is broadly recognised. The Primary Health Care (PHC) approach, identified in the Alma Ata conference in 1978, stressed the role of CHWs in addressing community health needs. Training of CHWs is one of the key aspects that generally seeks to develop new knowledge and skills related to specific tasks and to increase CHWs’ capacity to communicate with and serve local people. This study aimed to analyse the CHW training process in Iran and how different components of training have impacted on CHW performance and satisfaction.

Methods

Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. Training policies were reviewed using available policy documents, training materials and other relevant documents at national and provincial levels. Documentary analysis was supplemented by individual interviews with ninety-one Iranian CHWs from 18 provinces representing a broad range of age, work experience and educational levels, both male and female.

Results

Recognition of the CHW program and their training in the national health planning and financing facilitates the implementation and sustainability of the program. The existence of specialised training centres managed by district health network provides an appropriate training environment that delivers comprehensive training and increases CHWs’ knowledge, skills and motivation to serve local communities. Changes in training content over time reflect an increasing number of programs integrated into PHC, complicating the work expected of CHWs. In-service training courses need to address better local needs.

Conclusion

Although CHW programs vary by country and context, the CHW training program in Iran offers transferable lessons for countries intending to improve training as one of the key elements in their CHW program.

Effect of zinc ion on peroxidase activity of serum in cow

In this study, for clarifying some possible mechanism of zinc toxicity, the effect of increasing amounts of Zn2+ ion on peroxidase activity was investigated in vitro in serum of cow. The H2O2-mediated oxidation of o-dianisidine was used to assess the peroxidase activity. Results show that after preincubation of serum with 0.2-20 mM Zn2+ concentration for 5 min, peroxidase activity was inhibited compared to the control and decreased rapidly with increasing metal concentrations. The enzyme was completely inhibited after 5 min preincubation in 30 mM Zn2+. When the preincubation of serum and Zn2+ was prolonged to 30 and 60 min, the enzymatic activity decreased more rapidly with increasing metal concentration. Extended exposure of the enzyme to lower concentrations of the metal brought about the same effect as shorter exposure to higher metal concentrations.

BIAS: Bioinformatics Integrated Application Software

MOTIVATION

We introduce a development platform especially tailored to Bioinformatics research and software development. BIAS (Bioinformatics Integrated Application Software) provides the tools necessary for carrying out integrative Bioinformatics research requiring multiple datasets and analysis tools. It follows an object-relational strategy for providing persistent objects, allows third-party tools to be easily incorporated within the system and supports standards and data-exchange protocols common to Bioinformatics.

AVAILABILITY

BIAS is an OpenSource project and is freely available to all interested users at http://www.mcb.mcgill.ca/~bias/. This website also contains a paper containing a more detailed description of BIAS and a sample implementation of a Bayesian network approach for the simultaneous prediction of gene regulation events and of mRNA expression from combinations of gene regulation events.

CONTACT

hallett@mcb.mcgill.ca.

Expression of interleukin-6 and interleukin-6 receptors in human granulosa lutein cells

Cytokines are important regulators of reproductive functions. Significant amounts of interleukin-6 (IL-6) have been detected in the serum and ascites of patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). These findings suggest the involvement of IL-6 as a mediator in the pathogenesis of OHSS. This study was performed to analyse IL-6 and IL-6 receptor (IL-6-R) expression in human granulosa lutein cells (GC). GC were cultured after isolation from follicular fluid. IL-6 concentrations in follicular fluid and serum from individual patients and GC supernatants were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We found detectable concentrations of IL-6 in serum and follicular fluid of all patients. Expression of IL-6 in GC was shown immunocytochemically. IL-6 mRNA was detected in GC by in-situ hybridization. Gene expression for IL-6 and IL-6-R in GC was demonstrated using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. IL-6 significantly inhibited human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG)-induced progesterone secretion of GC. The results of our study suggest that IL-6 is expressed in HGC and that this cytokine is able to modulate GC function via its specific receptor. This is the first report that describes the precence of IL-6-R in human granulosa lutein cells.

Enhancement of uptake of lipopolysaccharide in macrophages by the major outer membrane protein OmpA of gram-negative bacteria

Monoclonal antibodies (MAb) to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and to the major outer membrane protein OmpA from Proteus mirabilis were generated and used to monitor the kinetics of uptake in macrophages of LPS as well as LPS bound to OmpA. Uptake was measured by a modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in a microtiter culture system. The MAb were of various immunoglobulin G subclasses and showed strong reactivities with their antigens. Four hybridoma clones recognizing LPS and three recognizing OmpA from P. mirabilis 19 were selected for the present study on the basis of reactions in ELISA and Western blot (immunoblot) analyses. In the uptake assay, it was possible to differentiate between antigen on the cell surface and antigen which had been internalized. Uptake of LPS by macrophages was relatively rapid during the first 4 h of culture and then progressed more slowly over the remaining 24-h observation period. The level of detection of LPS in this assay system was in the nanogram range. When macrophages were pulsed with LPS for 30 min and subsequently washed to remove antigen not bound to the cells, the amount of LPS detectable on the macrophage surface decreased progressively for 3 h after the pulse, which indicated internalization of the antigen. Thereafter, LPS rose to an increased level on the cell surface. The rate of uptake of LPS was more rapid when it was in complex with OmpA. When the fate of OmpA was monitored in the same LPS-protein complexes by use of MAb to OmpA in a pulse experiment, the level of protein measured on the cell surface decreased after an initial rise, which again indicated internalization, but the protein did not reappear on the cell surface in a form detectable with the MAb. Compared with the LPS monitoring system, detection of OmpA associated with macrophages was weak, although the MAb to OmpA reacted strongly with the protein in the ELISA and Western blot analyses.