Prevalence, and virulence determination of listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from clinical and non-clinical samples by multiplex polymerase chain reaction

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, and virulence factors of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from various samples by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (MPCR). Methods: A total of 617 isolates were obtained and MPCR was employed for detection of the inlA, inlC, and inlJ genes. Results: L. monocytogenes was detected in 46 (7.45) of the 617 specimens. inlA, inlC, and inlJ were detected in 100, 76.26, and 71 isolates, respectively. Conclusions: This study validated MPCR in the analysis and rapid detection of L. monocytogenes. The role of the genes in pathogenesis of the strains can also be affirmed. © 2016, Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical. All rights reserved

An integrated cell atlas of the lung in health and disease

Single-cell technologies have transformed our understanding of human tissues. Yet, studies typically capture only a limited number of donors and disagree on cell type definitions. Integrating many single-cell datasets can address these limitations of individual studies and capture the variability present in the population. Here we present the integrated Human Lung Cell Atlas (HLCA), combining 49 datasets of the human respiratory system into a single atlas spanning over 2.4 million cells from 486 individuals. The HLCA presents a consensus cell type re-annotation with matching marker genes, including annotations of rare and previously undescribed cell types. Leveraging the number and diversity of individuals in the HLCA, we identify gene modules that are associated with demographic covariates such as age, sex and body mass index, as well as gene modules changing expression along the proximal-to-distal axis of the bronchial tree. Mapping new data to the HLCA enables rapid data annotation and interpretation. Using the HLCA as a reference for the study of disease, we identify shared cell states across multiple lung diseases, including SPP1 + profibrotic monocyte-derived macrophages in COVID-19, pulmonary fibrosis and lung carcinoma. Overall, the HLCA serves as an example for the development and use of large-scale, cross-dataset organ atlases within the Human Cell Atlas. </p

An integrated cell atlas of the lung in health and disease

Single-cell technologies have transformed our understanding of human tissues. Yet, studies typically capture only a limited number of donors and disagree on cell type definitions. Integrating many single-cell datasets can address these limitations of individual studies and capture the variability present in the population. Here we present the integrated Human Lung Cell Atlas (HLCA), combining 49 datasets of the human respiratory system into a single atlas spanning over 2.4 million cells from 486 individuals. The HLCA presents a consensus cell type re-annotation with matching marker genes, including annotations of rare and previously undescribed cell types. Leveraging the number and diversity of individuals in the HLCA, we identify gene modules that are associated with demographic covariates such as age, sex and body mass index, as well as gene modules changing expression along the proximal-to-distal axis of the bronchial tree. Mapping new data to the HLCA enables rapid data annotation and interpretation. Using the HLCA as a reference for the study of disease, we identify shared cell states across multiple lung diseases, including SPP1+ profibrotic monocyte-derived macrophages in COVID-19, pulmonary fibrosis and lung carcinoma. Overall, the HLCA serves as an example for the development and use of large-scale, cross-dataset organ atlases within the Human Cell Atlas

Evaluation of 25-hydroxy vitamin d and 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin d levels in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Introduction. Dysregulated vitamin D metabolism is one of the most important issues in chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD). Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) receive large amounts of calcitriol, i.e., 1,25 �dihydroxy vitamin D 1-25(OH)2D, for suppression of parathyroid hormone (PTH). The aim of this study was to evaluate the 1-25(OH)2D status in maintenance hemodialysis patients and its correlation with 25(OH) D level and calcitriol consumption and to determine whether the usual practice of administrating large amounts of calcitriol for suppression of PTH may lead to toxic serum levels. Methods. One hundred and fifty-six maintenance hemodialysis patients were enrolled. Demographic data, comorbid conditions and history of medication use (cumulative and current doses) were retrieved from Hemodialysis Data Processor Software previously designed for our center. Predialysis serum samples were measured for serum levels of 25(OH)D and 1-25(OH)2D accompanying by markers of mineral bone metabolism and inflammation. Results. Of 156 patients, 66% were male and the mean age was 56.5 ± 16.3 years. There was no significant correlation between serum level of 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D (r = 0.12, P &gt; .05). Only current ingestion of vitamin D was correlated with both 25(OH) D (r = 0.324, P &lt; .001) and 1,25(OH)2D serum levels (r = 0.334, P &lt; .001). There was no significant relationship between current or cumulative calcitriol consumption and 1,25(OH)2D serum level. 1,25(OH)2D/25(OH)D ratio which, represents the degree of vitamin D hydroxylation efficiency was 0.9 pg/ng (expected value in no CKD &gt; 2.2 pg/ng). Conclusion. Calcitriol consumption was not correlated with increased serum 1,25(OH)2D level and the practice of hyperparathyroidism treatment with calcitriol may be safely continued, though we are not yet aware of the 1,25(OH)2D status at the cellular level. © 2021, Iranian Society of Nephrology. All rights reserved

Emergence of Acalitus phloeocoptes (Acari: Eriophyoidea) in relation to duration and type of cold exposure.

The plum bud gall mite, Acalitus phloeocoptes (Nalepa) is an important pest in Miandowab region (West Azerbaijan province, Iran). The feeding activity of these mites create galls around buds that lead to tree death after few years and made fruit decrease of the host plants. Early in the spring, overwintering females migrate from the galls toward new buds where they inhabit and feed. The controlling of this pest is depended to the investigation on its biology that must be done. Regarding the study of the mite emergence in relation to duration and type of cold exposure, on early January 2017, 100 number of 1/2 year old plum branches in an orchard at Miandowab were marked with ribbon tapes as field-wintered group and another 100 branches were brought to the laboratory and stored in refrigerator with constant 3°C as laboratory-stored group. From 30 February to 24 March 2017, 12 branch sections were removed from laboratory cold-storage and 12 branches were collected from the orchard at two weeks intervals. Selected branches had the similar diameter and gall size. Three branches selected for each sides including north, south, east and west. A stickyband trap was placed near the gall on each branch and branches were placed at 15°C and 13:11 (L: D) h photoperiod. Traps were replaced on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 14, 21 and 28 days after trap placement, and captured mites were counted using magnification 10 of Leitz LABORLUX S microscope until no more mites were trapped. For each time by cold-storage combination, the cumulative distribution of the proportion of mites trapped was calculated for each branch. The number of days of median emergence for each branch in a sample was estimated by linear interpolation to the x-axis. The mean number of days to median emergence was then calculated for each time by cold storage combination, and a comparison between means for emergence from laboratory-stored and field-wintered branches at each collection date was made using MSTATC software. In general the mean time of 50% emergence of mites from field-wintered branches (4.3 days) was more than that in laboratory-stored branches (3.8 days), but this difference between the two groups of branches was not significant. This time was almost constant in field-wintered group (3.7–4.1 days), but there were more variation in laboratory-stored branches (3.3–5.1 days)

Plum bud gall mite survival in different sides of host tree.

The plum bud gall mite, Acalitus phloeocoptes (Nalepa) is a pest of Rosaceae plants. The feeding activity of this mite create galls around buds. Adult A. phloeocoptes overwintering females survive in the hardened galls as the infective population for the next year. After the serious damages observed in plum trees of Miandowab region, sampling was done and the pest identified as A. phloeocoptes. No economic damage was disclosed in Iran before and it seems the mites spread very fast and the problem grows every year. So this mite biology must be investigated. Regarding the study of the survived mites in different side branches, on early January 2017, 100 branches of one or two years old in four sides including north, south, east and west of each plum trees of an orchard were marked with ribbon tapes as field-wintered group and another 100 branches were brought to the laboratory and stored in constant 5°C as laboratory-stored group. From 30 February to 24 March 2017, 12 branch sections were removed from laboratory cold-storage and 12 branches were collected from the orchard at two weeks intervals. A sticky-band trap was placed near the gall on each branch and branches were placed at 15°C and 13:11 (L: D) h photoperiod. Traps were replaced every 24 hours and captured mites were counted using magnification 10 of Leitz LABORLUX S microscope until no more mites were trapped. Finally the total mites captured in each branch counted and a comparison between means for total emerged mites from the two group branches of different sides at each collection date was made using MSTATC software. The mean number of total mites emerged from field-wintered branches (592) was more than that in laboratory-stored branches (111). It shows that the mites better survived in the field and constant 3°C is fatal for them. The comparison between means for total emerged mites from branches of different sides showed significant difference between them. The south side branches had more emerged mites (mean = 483.1) and the north and west branches grouped as the sides with lowest emerged mites (respectively 321.1 and 261.2). It was predictable and the more worm condition of the south branches in cold regions such as Miandowab were more favourable condition for the overwintering females, because in this region there are many winter days with sub-zero minimum temperatures that will kill many of them

Putative type II toxin-antitoxin systems in Listeria monocytogenes isolated from clinical, food, and animal samples in Iran

Listeria monocytogenes is known as a major food-borne pathogen causing a severe life-threatening disease, listeriosis, in susceptible patients. This bacterium has special features that facilitate its survival in different conditions and cause resistance to antibacterial agents and biocides. Toxin-antitoxin (TA) system has a potential to be introduced as an antibacterial target because of its participation in cell physiology, including stress response, antiphage activity, biofilm formation, and resistance to antibiotics. In this study, after the identification of 6 genes of 3 TA pairs (lM/E-lM/F, lM/S-lM/B and ydc/D-ydc/E) via existing databases, the presence and expression level of these genes were investigated by PCR and q-PCR techniques, respectively. The result of RT-qPCR revealed that identified genes were expressed in different strains and ydc (maz) increased under thermal stress. It seems that the products of these genes play an important role in the physiology and survival of the bacterium especially in heat stress. Presence of 6 detected TA genes in all of the tested isolates demonstrated that TA system could be an antibacterial target in L. monocytogenes; however, more research is needed to explain the actual role of these genes. © 201

Corrigendum to �Prevalence of Premature Stop Codons (PMSCs) in Listeria monocytogenes isolated from clinical and food samples in Iran� Gene Rep. volume 17 (2019) 100451 (Gene Reports (2019) 17, (S2452014419300937), (10.1016/j.genrep.2019.100451))

The authors regret . The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused. © 2019 Elsevier Inc