U-Pb geochronology of the Tsineng dyke swarm and paleomagnetism of the Hartley Basalt Formation, South Africa : evidence for two separate magmatic events at 1.93 – 1.92 and 1.88 – 1.84 Ga in the Kalahari craton

Robust geochronology and well-constrained paleopoles are the main tools for paleogeographic reconstructions. Through the completion of so called barcode diagrams (matching of coeval events of mafic magmatism between blocks) and determination of the apparent polar wander paths, these studies provide a better understanding of the position of continents and supercontinents in the past. The robust U–Pb baddeleyite age of 1922 ± 6 Ma for the RP353 dyke of the Tsineng Swarm in the western Kaapvaal Craton, obtained in this study, establishes a link between the Tsineng Dyke Swarm and the 1928 ± 4 Ma Hartley Basalt Formation, as well as ca. 1927 Ma dolerite sills intruding the Waterberg Group (Moshaneng dolerites). The comparison of barcode diagrams for the Kaapvaal and Zimbabwe cratons can constrain the timing of the collision between the two cratons to ca. 1.92 to ca. 1.88 Ga, though future studies are required to confirm this inference. Paleomagnetic data for 77 drill core samples from the Hartley Basalt Formation of the Olifantshoek Supergroup in western Kaapvaal Craton, provides a paleomagnetic pole (N°= 22.7, E°=328.6, α95=11.7) for the primary remanence direction. The new robust paleopole for the Hartley Basalt Formation fits well with in the existing Paleoproterozoic polar wander path of the Kaapvaal craton. Geochronology, paleomagnetism and geochemistry of the 1.93 – 1.92 Ga and 1.88 – 1.84 Ga rocks in the Kaapvaal Craton points towards two separate magmatic events.Geokronologi och paleomagnetiska studier är de viktigaste verktygen för paleogeografiska rekonstruktioner kring hur kontinenter fårhållit sig relativt till varandra under geologisk tid. Genom att jämföra s.k. polvandringskurvor och tidpunkter för storskaliga magmatiska händelser mellan olika krustala block (kontienter/kratoner) kan vi få en bättre förståelse av hur dessa block förhöll sig relativt till varandra under tidsperioder då superkontinenter existerade. I denna studie åldersbestämdes en diabasgång från Tsineng diabasgångsvärmen till 1922 ± 6 Ma (U-Pb metoden på mineralet baddeleyit). Denna gångsvärm återfinns i västra Kaapvaal, och denna ålder indikerar ett samband mellan Tsinenggångsvärmen och den tidigare daterade (1928 ± 4 Ma) Hartley Basalt Formationen samt talrika diabasgångar i Waterberg Group (ca 1927 Ma, ”the Moshanengdiabases”). Jämförelse av tidpunkter för basisk magmatism i Kaapvaal och Zimbabwe kratonerna indikerar att tidpunkten för kollisionen mellan de två kratonerna sannolikt skedde mellan ca 1.92 och ca 1.88 Ga. Paleomagnetisk data från 77 borrkärnsprover från Hartley Basalt Formationen i västra Kaapvaal kratonen, ger en paleomagnetisk pol (N°= 22.7, E°=328.6, α95=11.7) för den primära remanens riktningen. Denna nya och mera exakta paleopol för Hartley Basalt Formationen faller väl inom den befintliga polvandringskurvan för Kaapvaal för denna tidsepok. Geokronologi, paleomagnetism och geokemi av 1.93 – 1.92 Ga och 1.88 – 1.84 Ga bergarter i Kaapvaal kratonen pekar mot två separata magmatiska händelser för dessa generationer

Association of diverse bacterial communities in human bile samples with biliary tract disorders: a survey using culture and polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis methods

Bacterial infection is considered a predisposing factor for disorders of the biliary tract. This study aimed to determine the diversity of bacterial communities in bile samples and their involvement in the occurrence of biliary tract diseases. A total of 102 bile samples were collected during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Characterization of bacteria was done using culture and polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates was determined based on the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines and identity of the nucleotide sequences of differentiated bands from the DGGE gels was determined based on GenBank data. In total, 41.2 (42/102) of the patients showed bacterial infection in their bile samples. This infection was detected in 21 (4/19), 45.4 (5/11), 53.5 (15/28), and 54.5 (24/44) of patients with common bile duct stone, microlithiasis, malignancy, and gallbladder stone, respectively. Escherichia coli showed a significant association with gallstones. Polymicrobial infection was detected in 48 of the patients. While results of the culture method established coexistence of biofilm-forming bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus spp., and Acinetobacter spp.) in different combinations, the presence of Capnocytophaga spp., Lactococcus spp., Bacillus spp., Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Enterobacter or Citrobacter spp., Morganella spp., Salmonella spp., and Helicobacter pylori was also characterized in these samples by the PCR-DGGE method. Multidrug resistance phenotypes (87.5 ) and resistance to third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins and quinolones were common in these strains, which could evolve through their selection by bile components. Ability for biofilm formation seems to be a need for polymicrobial infection in this organ. © 2016 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelber

Perfection in creation from the perspective of the Quran: The necessity of the creation alterations

For downloading the full-text of this article please click here.Background and Objective: To meet the growing need for food and drugs to improve quality of life, new technologies (e.g. biotechnology and genetic engineering) have attracted politicians and food producers worldwide. Aberrant application of these technologies could cause irreparable consequences that can be life threatening. Changes of genetic entity for improvement and reconstruction of the creation for usage in modern world are main topic under consideration in these technologies. However, there are many controversies for their application in the world.Method: In this study, by reviewing the Quran, Hadiths, and articles, we tried to provide a discussion on limitations, justifiability or illegality of the creation change. The researchers observed all ethical issues in the study and declared no conflict of interests.Results: The provided data showed that change in the creation occurs naturally in the physical dimension, in contrast to the spiritual view, and seems to be allowable provided by the preserve of the entity of the creation.Conclusion: With respect to the ethical issue and nature of the creatures, manipulation of the creation for the sake of their improvement in function and activity toward normal status seems to be allowable.For downloading the full-text of this article please click here.Please cite this article as: Alebouyeh M, Esmaeili M. Perfection in creation from the perspective of the Quran: The necessity of the creation alterations. J Res Relig Health. 2019; 4(5):118- 128

5-Azacytidine Enhancing Expression of E-cadherin in Adenocarcinoma Cell Line

Introduction: In this study, we assessed the expression of E-cadherin in HT29 cell line treated with 5-Azacytidine and colorectal cancer patient in an Iranian population. E-cadherin expression promotes metastasis and prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). 5-Azacytidine, a DNA methyl transferase inhibitor, is a clinically used epigenetic drug for treatment of cancer including colorectal cancer, leading to genes activation involved in tumor suppression, especially E-cadherin. Materials and Methods: HT29 cell line treated with 5-Azacitidine and 40 polyps, 20 tumors and 40 adjacent normal tissues samples were enrolled in this study. Using the real-time PCR method, the expression levels of E-cadherin were examined in treated cell line and colorectal cancer tissue. Results: This study proves that 5-Azacytidine induces over expression of E-cadherin in adenocarcinoma cell line, while the expression levels of E-cadherin were not different in tumor and polyp than adjacent normal tissue. Conclusion: To conclude, 5-Azacytidine induces re-expression of E-cadherin in adenocarcinoma cell line. Thus, 5-Azacytidine as demethylation drug activated tumor suppressor gene as E-cadherin

Moral Challenges of Liberal Eugenics Based on the Principle of Justice

For a long time, human beings have been wishing to improve the genetic composition of their generation and clearing it of some disabilities and defects, and this concern has always been pursued in different ways in different eras. The existence of authoritarian and racist policies and discriminatory methods in the old Eugenics made it easy to rule that it was immoral, but it is somewhat difficult to judge the liberal and new Eugenics because one group, citing the scientific contexts and social contexts resulting from the advances in genetics and the values of liberal societies, dictates its moralization, while the other group, despite these contexts, still retains the relevant ethical challenges.One of these important challenges is the violation of the principle of justice, albeit in a different way than in the past. Injustice in the old Eugenics was discriminatory due to the imposition of a Eugenics program on a particular class, and the manifestation of injustice in the new Eugenics is that by prescribing that its benefits belong to certain classes, it is not possible for the public to benefit from it. The author of this article believes that various ethical challenges still exist in the liberal and modern Eugenics program with a focus on the principle of justice, and the present article seeks to identify, examine and analyze them from a point of view.The findings of this paper are that some of the ethical considerations related to the application of the principle of justice to Eugenics are:Although some solutions may be effective at some level, it is not possible to provide an absolute and general solution for all cases of breeding.Bioethical issues such as Eugenics due to their multifaceted nature, need the consideration of the requirements of various principles and some contextual considerations related to cultural and social conditions and indigenous and regional situations.It is necessary to have appropriate programs to eliminate the factors that incite immoral attitudes and prejudices against the disabled.Despite the context in which it has been made, advocates of liberal Eugenics themselves admit that the challenge of discrimination remains and have an unprecedented impact on genocide and the rise of racism.The well-being of individuals in society depends on the fair distribution of the benefits and resources of Eugenics in a fair social context, and the prescription and distribution of these resources in a society with defective and unjust structures will not have the desired effect

Analgesic effects of adding lidocaine to morphine pumps after orthopedic surgeries

Background: Opiate is used in patient-controlled intravenous analgesia pumps (PCIA) for controlling pain in post-surgical patients. Other drugs are remarkably added to opioid pumps to enhance quality, lengthen analgesia, and reduce side effects. Lidocaine, a local anesthetic which inhibits sodium channels, has anesthetic and analgesic effects when injected locally or intravenously. The objective of this study is to evaluate the analgesic effects of adding lidocaine 1 to different doses of morphine via IV pump to patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) after orthopedic surgeries. Materials and Methods: In a randomized clinical trial, 60 patients who had undergone orthopedic surgery of lower extremities were divided into three equal groups to control postoperative pain. Intravenous pump with 5 ml/h flow rate was used as the analgesic method. The solution consisted of lidocaine 1 plus 20 mg morphine for the first group, lidocaine 1 plus 10 mg morphine for the second group, and only 20 mg morphine for the third group (control group). Patients were checked every 12 h, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS), extra opioid doses, nausea/vomiting, and sedation scale were examined. Results: Pain score was lower in the first group compared to the other two groups. Mean VAS was 2.15 ± 0.2, 2.75 ± 0.2, and 2 ± 0.25 on the first day and 1.88 ± 0.1, 2.74 ± 0.3, and 2.40 ± 0.3 on the second day, respectively, in the three groups and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01 and -;0.05, respectively). Also, 10 of patients in the first group needed extra opioid doses, while this figure was 30 in the second group and 25 in the third group (P < 0.01). Nausea/vomiting and sedation scores were not statistically different among the three groups. Conclusion: Compared to lidocaine 1 plus 10 mg morphine or 20 mg morphine alone in PCIA, adding lidocaine 1 to 20 mg morphine decreases the pain score and opioid dose after orthopedic surgeries without having side effects

Evaluation of virulence factors and plasmid-related transmissibility among different isolates of Enterococci

The incidence of virulence factors among 114 Enterococcus faecalis and 35 Enterococcus faecium strains from different clinical specimens were compared with those isolated from control groups. A few of the isolates expressed two or more of the following traits simultaneously: hemolysin, aggregation substance, gelatinase, DNase, hemagglutinin and antibiotic resistance. The frequencies of hemolysin, aggregation substance, and gelatinase production in E. faecalis were much higher than those in E. faecium. However, no statistically significant differences were detected in the other traits. Two of the isolates showed total resistance to all of the antibiotics tested, and others displayed varied degrees of resistance pattern. The frequency of plasmid transfer was shown to be 10 -4- 10 -7 per donor among the isolated strains. The plasmid profile of the bacteria indicated that most of the isolates contained one or more plasmids with molecular weight ranging in 2 to 42 Mda regions. Resistance to gentamicin and tetracycline was the most observed antibiotic resistance pattern, and had the property of efficient inter-enterococcal spp. transfer by mating

A Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with Reduced Graphene Oxide and Gold Nanoparticles for Electrochemical Aptasensing Of Lipopolysaccharides from Escherichia Coli Bacteria

An electrochemical aptasensor is described for the voltammetric determination of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Escherichia coli 055:B5. Aptamer chains were immobilized on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) via reduced graphene oxide and gold nanoparticles (RGO/AuNPs). Fast Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the nanomaterials. Cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to characterize the modified GCE. The results show that the modified electrode has a good selectivity for LPS over other biomolecules. The hexacyanoferrate redox system, typically operated at around 0.3 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) is used as an electrochemical probe. The detection limit is 30 fg·mL−1. To decrease the electrochemical potential for detection of LPS, Mg/ carbon quantum dots were used as redox active media. They decrease the detection potentialto 0 V and the detection of limit (LOD) to 1 fg·mL−1. The electrode was successfully used to analyze serum of patients and healthy persons

Nitazoxanide and doxycycline sensitivity among metronidazole resistant helicobacter pylori isolates from patients with gastritis

Background: Antibiotic therapy should be done based on resistance characteristics of Helicobacter pylori strains to commonly prescribed antibiotics in areas with higher resistance rates. Objectives: This study examined antibacterial activity of nitazoxanide and doxycycline against clinical H. pylori isolates showing different metronidazole resistance levels. Methods: A total of 122 patients, who underwent endoscopy were enrolled in this study from 3 hospitals of Tehran, during November 2014 to July 2015. Helicobacter pylori isolates were obtained from gastric biopsies of the patients after culture in specific culture medium and characterization by both biochemical and molecular methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility to metronidazole was detected using the agar dilution method and minimum inhibitory concentrations of nitazoxanide and doxycycline were determined for metronidazole resistant strains. Results: From a total of 122 gastric biopsy specimens, 55 H. pylori strains were recovered (45). Thirty-three of these strains (60.0) were resistance to metronidazole. MIC50 and MIC90 values for metronidazole were 32 and 64 µg/mL, respectively. MIC50 and MIC90 values for doxycycline and nitazoxanide were measured as 4 and �8 µg/mL, and 8 and �32 µg/mL, respectively. Conclusions: Dominance of high level metronidazole resistance H. pylori strains among the studied patients questioned its usefulness for first-line therapy in Iran. Nitazoxanide and doxycycline showed superior activity against H. pylori strains in comparison to metronidazole, which should be considered for alternative therapies. © 2018, Kowsar Medical Publishing Company. All rights reserved