The Association of Human Cytomegalovirus Infection of Male Genital Tract and Male Infertility

الخلفية: الفيروس المضخم للخلايا واسع الانتشار بين الناس وله القدره على الانتقال جنسيا. لها تاثير على عملية تكوين الحيامن والانتقال بواسطة الخلايا المنويه , اذ لا توجد تفاصيل كافيه لتشخيصها لكون نسبة وجودها في السائل المنوي قليله. الهدف: للتحري عن الاصابات الفيروسيه المشتركه في الجهاز التناسلي الذكري للذكور العقيمين وعلاقتها مع حالات العقم في الذكور طرق العمل: تقنية الاليزا وتفاعل البلمره المتسلسل استخدمت لتشخيص100 عينه مصل وسائل منوي، جمعت على طول فترة 8 شهرا من الذكور المشخصين والمصابين بالعقم.عن طريق التحري عن مضادات HCMV (IgM, IgG)  في المصل وكذلك تحديد HHSV (DNA) في السائل المنوي. النتائج: 100 عينة سائل منوي ومصل استحصلت من الذكور المصابين بحالات عقم بالاضافه الى  مجموعة السيطره خلال فترة 8 اشهرمن تموز 2016الى شباط2017 .عينات السائل المنوي والمصل اخذت وشخصت في  مختبرات مستشفى كمال السامرائي في بغداد للعقم ومن العيادات الخارجيه. الفحوصات الحديثة اشركت في دراستنا لتحديد نسبه HCMV  في السائل المنوي للذكور العقيمين وتقييم اثر الفيروس على معلمات السائل المنوي. اظهرت النتائج ان من بين 100 اصابة فيروسيه فان 24/100 (%0 .24) تعود الى  , IgM 86/100 (% 0 .86) الى IgG موجبه بالنسبه لفيروس HCMV. اما مجاميع السيطره فان النتائج كانت (% 0.1) موجبه بالنسبه لاضداد HCMV IgM. بينما (%0. 20) لاضداد HSMV IgG ,باستعمال طريقة الاليزا. اظهرت نتائج RT-PCR ان من بين100 عينه هناك 24/100 (%0.24) موجبه الى HCMV,اما مجاميع السيطره فان النتائج كانت 7 (%0.7) موجبه بالنسبه  HCMV. الاستنتاجات: باستخدام تقنيات حساسه للتشخيص ،تمكنا من تحديد نسب عاليه للاصابات الفيروسيه المساهمه بالامراض المنتقله جنسيا في السائل المنوي والمصل للذكور العقيمين.Background: The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a widely distributed virus among humans and is included within the sexually transmitted viruses. Because of its low detection rate in semen, the impact of HCMV on sperm formation and its vertical transmission within the sperm cells have not been studied sufficiently.                                                                                                      Objectives: To investigate the association of viral infections present in the lower genital tract of males and relationship among males infertility. Methods: ELISA and RT-PCR technique of 100 semen and serum specimens, collected over 8 months from males investigated for infertility, were retrospectively assessed, by screening anti-human Herpes Simplex Virus (HCMV) IgM and IgG in the serum and detection of HSV DNA in seminal fluid.                                                                                         Results: One hundred seminal fluid and blood samples were taken from men and investigated for infertility over a period of 8 months from July 2016 to February 2017. The seminal fluids and serum of patients mentioned to the laboratory from the fertility clinics of Kamal AL-samarai hospital and outer clinics. The investigations were conducted to find the HCMV detection rate in the seminal fluid of infertile men and to evaluate the impact of the viral infection on the major sperm parameters. Blood and seminal fluid were collected from 100 infertile males. The results were shown that 24/100 (24.0%) were positive for IgM and 86/100 (86.0%) were positive for IgG of HCMV. In case of the control group, results were (1.0%) positive for anti-HCMV IgM antibodies, while (20.0%) positive for anti-HCMV IgG antibodies in a control group, using ELISA test.                            The PCR showed that out of 100 samples 24 (24.0%) gave positive results for HCMV patients, while 7 (7.0%) positive for HCMV in the control group. Conclusions: Using sensitive procedures for assays, seminal samples of asymptomatic infertile patients showed an unexpectedly high incidence of the sexually transmitted pathogens.                                                 &nbsp

Different inflammatory mechanisms in lungs of severe and mild asthma: crosstalk of NF-kappa-B, TGFâ1, Bax, Bcl-2, IL-4 and IgE

Objective: To examine differences in the apoptotic, inflammatory, allergic and immunological features in the lungs of adults with asthma. Material and methods: Thirty‐six patients with mild asthma (MA), 16 with severe asthma (SA) and 20 healthy volunteers (HVs) were enrolled. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was processed into cell‐free fluid for enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay detecting soluble TGFβ1, IL‐4 and IgE and BALF lymphocytes for immunocytochemical staining of cellular Bax, Bcl‐2 and nuclear factor‐Kappa‐B (NFκB). Results: Cellular NFκB expression was higher in SA than in MA and HVs, while extracellular TGFβ1 was high in both the SA and MA groups but low in the HVs. Bcl‐2/Bax ratio was higher in SA than in MA and in MA than in HV groups and correlated significantly with NFκB level. Interestingly, the levels of IgE and, to a lesser extent, IL‐4 were higher in MA than in SA and both were much higher than in HVs, and were inversely correlated with NFκB level in the SA group and with TGFβ1 level in the MA group. Conclusions: NFκB has a central role in the perpetuation of persistent inflammation in SA and might induce apoptosis via Bcl‐2. The SA group appears not associated much with allergen‐based IgE and IL‐4 reactions as efficiently as in MA. This was supported by the lower levels of IgE and IL‐4 in SA compared to MA. TGFβ1 appears to be associated with asthma pathogenesis, especially allergen‐based MA

Novel approach of using a cocktail of designed bacteriophages against gut pathogenic E. colifor bacterial load biocontrol

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to explore new approaches of animal biocontrol via biological control feed. METHOD: White rats were subjected to 140 highly lytic designed phages specific against E. coli. Phages were fed via drinking water, oral injection, and vegetable capsules. Phage feeding was applied by 24 h feeding with 11d monitoring and 20d phage feeding and monitoring. Group of rats received external pathogenic E. coli and another group did not, namely groups A and B. RESULTS: Phage feeding for 20d via vegetable capsules yielded the highest reduction of fecal E. coli, 3.02 and 4.62 log, in rats group A and B respectively. Second best, feeding for 20d via drinking water with alkali yielded 2.78 and 4.08 log in rats groups A and B respectively. The peak reduction in E. coli output was 5–10 d after phage feeding. Phage control declined after 10(th) day of feeding. CONCLUSIONS: The use of cocktail of designed phages succeeded in suppressing flora or external E. coli. The phage feed biocontrol is efficient in controlling E. coli at the pre-harvest period, precisely at the 6(th)-8(th) day of phage feeding when the lowest E. coli output found

The association of Human Herpes virus simplex 1 and 2 infection of male genital tract and male infertility

Objectives: To investigate the association of viral infections present in the lower genital tract of males and relationship among male infertility.Methods: ELISA and RT-PCR technique of 100 semen and serum specimens, collected over 8 months from males investigated for infertility, were retrospectively assessed, by screening anti-human Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) IgM and IgG in the serum and detection of HSV DNA in seminal fluid

Thermal properties variation of Malaysian yellowtail catfish during precooling process and numerical verification

Malaysian yellowtail catfish, which is widely consumed in Malaysia, was investigated to determine the thermal properties and their variation during precooling process. These properties encompassed thermal conductivity, specific heat and thermal diffusivity. The moisture, fat, protein, carbohydrate and ash contents of the fish muscle were determined in a fresh fish. Mathematical formulae, which correlated between the constituent values and the thermal properties, were used to determine these properties and their variation with temperature. The results were compared with the existing literature of other fishes. Slight differences were noticed, however, the results were still within the common range of fish thermal properties values. The differences may be attributed to the different growing conditions. Models correlated between the thermal properties and temperature variations were developed which are the basic requirements of solving heat transfer problems related to precooling process. These models were used in conjunction with Ansari’s empirical equation to predict temperature history at the midpoint of preassumed slab subjected to precooling process. When a typical real slab was tested experimentally in the precooling process, similar experimental temperature history at the mid point was observed

Detection of Vibrio cholerae in raw cockles (Anadara granosa) by polymerase chain reaction

Aimed of this study was to determine the presence of Vibrio cholerae in cockles (Anadara granosa) from different coasts in Malaysia and to measure the biosafety of V. cholerae in raw cockles at wet market in Malaysia using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in combination with the most probable number (MPN) method. A total of 100 samples from 4 different wet markets in the West and East were examined for the presence of V. cholerae. The prevalence of V. cholerae between the two coasts was not significant different. In fact, the 74% of samples from West coast area was found positive while the 69% for samples collected in the East coast. West coast samples showed a prevalence of 60% for the wet market A=, 64% for B=, 88% for C= and 84% for the market D); East coast samples showed the same percentage with 72% for the wet markets E, F and H, followed by wet market G with 60%.With the MPN-PCR method, using 80 samples of raw cockles obtained from 4 wet markets, the occurrence of V. cholerae detected was of 95%. The frequency of V. cholerae in raw cockles obtained from wet market I and L was higher (100%) compared to other wet market (Wet market B=, 90%; Wet market C=, 95%).The density of V. cholerae detected in all samples ranged from 24000 MPN/g, but most of the samples (24 samples) were in category >24000 MPN/g concentration. V. cholerae was present in raw cockles in higher number. Hence, these results demonstrate the presence of pathogenic V.cholerae in cockles harvested and reveal the potential risk of illness associated with their consumption. This study will be the first biosafety assessment of V. choleare in raw cockles in Malaysia and it will provide significant insights about Malaysian scenario

Methods for precise molecular detection of probiotic microflora : using adjusted molecular biology protocols, primer sets and PCR assays.

Lactobacillus sp. is probiotic bacteria for which many detection methods were envisaged. However, culture-based methods failed to achieve specific detection of this bacterium due to its presence in mixed bacterial complex communities. The PCR assay was optimized to detect and quantify Lactobacillus sp. specifically in complex microbial community of mixed bacteria. Four DNA extraction methods, DNA integrity, primers specificity and optimized PCR procedure were all tested. It was shown that extracted genomic DNA using Wizard® Genomic DNA Purification Kit showed the highest yield, quality and performance in gel electrophoresis. Moreover, the specificity of the primer set, Lacto-16S-F /Lacto-16S-R, specific for Lactobacillus sp. was checked and found highly specific. In conclusion, the best DNA extraction protocol, working specific primer set and working PCR assay were achieved for achieving efficient, specific and reliable molecular-based, culture-independent, method of detection of lactobacillus sp. in PCR-suppressor highly protein-complex environment of mixed bacteria community

Tumor markers of bladder cancer : the schistosomal bladder tumors versus non-schistosomal bladder tumors.

Background: The aim of this study is to comparatively elucidate the underlying molecular pathways and clinicopathological criteria in schistosomal bladder tumor (SBT) versus non-schistosomal bladder tumor (NSBT). Methods: This study explored the role of p53, p16, bcl-2, ki-67, c-myc, Rb and EGFR, by using Immunohistochemistry assay, in 45 SBT and 39 NSBT patients in comparison with 16 schistosomal chronic cystitis (SC), 28 non-schistosomal chronic cystitis (NSC), and 20 normal control (CTL) subjects. The studied markers in SBT and NSBT were correlated with different clinicopathological criteria namely, tumor histopathology, grading, invasiveness, stage, and presentation of the disease. Results: SBT was associated with high grade invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) while NSBT was associated with lower grade less invasive transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). The expression of p53, bcl-2, c-myc, and EGFR was higher in SBT than in NSBT while Rb was higher in NSBT than in SBT. However, p16 and ki-67 were not different between SBT and NSBT. The profile of molecular markers in SC was similar to NSC except for EGFR which was higher in SC than in NSC. Both SC and NSC showed higher level of p53, bcl-2, ki-67, and EGFR than in CTL group while p16, Rb, and c-myc were not different. p53 was associated with high grade SCC in both SBT and NSBT. Bcl-2 was associated with high grade invasive tumors in SBT and NSBT. P16 was associated with low grade, late stage, and recurrent SBT and high grade, invasive, late stage, and recurrent NSBT. Rb was associated with SCC in SBT, invasive tumors in NSBT, and late stage and recurrent presentation in both SBT and NSBT. C-myc was associated with high grade, invasive, and late stage SBT and SCC, high grade, invasive, and late stage NSBT. EGFR was associated with invasive SCC in SBT and invasive, high grade, and late stage TCC in NSBT. ki-67 was associated with invasive SBT and high grade late stage NSBT. Conclusion: SBT and NSBT showed distinct molecular profile of tumor development and progression which can be taken into consideration in fine adjusting the anti-cancer therapy for SBT and NSBT

Novel Epstein-Barr virus immunoglobulin G–based approach for the specific detection of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Purpose This study was designed to find a reliable Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) immunoglobulin (Ig) G–based diagnostic/screening test for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) able to demarcate between the NPC-related seropositivity of EBV IgG antibodies and that of other head and neck cancer (HNCA) and control groups. The NPC-associated immunosuppression affects EBV IgA much more than IgG, leading to inconsistent detection of NPC using EBV IgA antibodies. Materials and methods One hundred twenty-two HNCA patients, 42 NPC, 66 laryngeal carcinoma, and 14 hypopharyngeal carcinoma and 3 groups of 100 control subjects were enrolled in this study. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to find a specific cutoff value for the NPC-related seropositivity of EBV IgG antibodies. Results NPC group showed higher serum level of EBV IgG antibodies than control and other HNCA groups (P .05). The new cutoff value, mean + 2 SDs of the seropositives group of control subjects who had already been grouped by the traditional cutoff value, proved successful. It succeeded to demarcate between the NPC-related EBV IgG seropositivity and that issued from the persistent, latent, or reactivated EBV infection in the population (P < .05). The sensitivity/specificity of NPC detection by the new cutoff-based ELISA kit, 76.19% and 86%, was close or higher than that of EBV IgA antibodies. Conclusion EBV IgG-based ELISA could be used for the diagnosis of NPC using a new cutoff threshold that excludes the population baseline of EBV IgG seropositivity

Antioxidant research in Asia in the period from 2000-2008.

Problem statement: Plant antioxidants are natural plant products that inhibit the adverse effects of the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) produced in plants. Thus, antioxidants enable plants to survive. Depending on this principle, human beings started using some plants' parts to cure from diseases many centuries ago, even before the discovery of microbes or disclosing the etiology of many human diseases. Shed light on the importance of diet and natural products that have proved of great health impact on human traditionally and scientifically, disclosing the central role of natural antioxidants in this matter. Moreover, this review tried to give an overview on the research has so far done in Asian countries particularly in the field of natural antioxidants during the period 2000-2008. Therefore, the aim of this review is to present a comprehensive index for the antioxidant property of herbs and plants that have been traditionally used as well as experimentally proved beneficial in these countries. Approach: We had compared Asian and other nation's diet in the popularity of the traditional medicine and the type of daily meal in respect to their antioxidants contents and valuable health promoting effects. Many literatures had been collected using online search engines and the main library of University Putra Malaysia. The gathered data had been arranged alphabetically in a table depending on the plant's scientific name, common name, the used part(s) and the family name. Results: The research had shown that there were seventy-six plants with proved antioxidant activity which had been well studied by Asian scientists in the chosen period of time. Conclusion: The antioxidant components of the natural products constitute the major source of human health promotion and maintenance. The nature is still the perfect source for health promotion and for the supplementation of safe drugs. Great attention is mandatory from all the scientists around the world to explore many underestimated plants with highly effective antioxidant activity