Molecular analysis of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 and non-O157 strains isolated from calves

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157 and non-O157 are food-borne pathogens and contaminants of foods of animal origin. This study was conducted to investigate the presence of virulence and integrase genes in STEC isolates from diarrhoeic calves in Fars Province, Iran. Five hundred and forty diarrheic neonatal calves were randomly selected for sampling. Rectal swabs were collected and cultured for isolation and identification of E. coli following standard methods. The isolates were analysed for the presence of class 1 integrons and bacterial virulence factors using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. Out of 540 diarrhoeic faecal samples, 312 (57.7%) harboured E. coli and 71 (22.7%) of them were identified as STEC: 41(69.5%) carried the stx2 gene, 21 (35.6%) carried the stx1 gene and 3 (5%) carried both. Twenty-six (44%) of the isolates showed the eaegene. Among the STEC isolates examined for susceptibility to eight antimicrobial agents, erythromycin and penicillin (96.8%) resistance were most commonly observed, followed by resistances to ampicillin (71.8%), tetracycline (62.5%) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (39%). Integrons were detected by PCR in 36% of the STEC tested isolates, 57 (89%) of which showed resistance to at least three antimicrobial agents. Our findings should raise awareness about antibiotic resistance in diarrhoeic calves in Fars Province, Iran. Class 1 integrons facilitate the emergence and dissemination of multidrug-resistance (MDR) among STEC strains recovered from food animals

Long non-coding RNAs and JAK/STAT signaling pathway regulation in colorectal cancer development

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the main fatal cancers. Cell signaling such as Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling substantially influences the process of gene expression and cell growth. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play regulatory roles in cell signaling, cell proliferation, and cancer fate. Hence, lncRNAs can be considered biomarkers in cancers. The inhibitory or activating effects of different lncRNAs on the JAK/STAT pathway regulate cancer cell proliferation or tumor suppression. Additionally, lncRNAs regulate immune responses which play a role in immunotherapy. Mechanisms of lncRNAs in CRC via JAK/STAT regulation mainly include cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, apoptosis, adhesion, and control of inflammation. More profound findings are warranted to specifically target the lncRNAs in terms of activation or suppression in hindering CRC cell proliferation. Here, to understand the lncRNA cross-talk in CRC through the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, we collected the related in vitro and in vivo data. Future insights may pave the way for the development of novel diagnostic tools, therapeutic interventions, and personalized treatment strategies for CRC patients

Adherence to HEI-2010 and odds of breast cancer according to the menopause status: Evidence from Middle Eastern Country.

BackgroundMajority of earlier studies have assessed the association between individual healthy eating index-2010 (HEI-2010) and the odds of breast cancer (BC). However, no study has been conducted on the effect of compliance with HEI-2010 and the odds of BC in the Iranian population with a large sample size. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the HEI-2010 and the odds of BC in the Iranian population.MethodThis population-based case-control study included 350 newly diagnosed cases of BC and 700 healthy controls randomly selected from adult women. HEI-2010 was examined using validated questionnaires. The adherence to HEI-2010 among the participants was divided into four categories. The general characteristics of the participants in the quartiles of the HEI score for categorical variables and continuous variables were evaluated using chi-square and one-way analysis of variance, respectively. Also, using logistic regression analysis, dietary intakes were evaluated in HEI score quartiles. Also, confounding variables were adjusted in different models.ResultPeople with the highest HEI score had 60% lower odds of BC (OR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.27, 0.57) than those with the lowest score among post-menopause women. After controlling for age and energy intake, individuals with the highest HEI score were 78% less likely to have BC compared with those with the lowest score (OR: 0.22; 95% CI: 0.14, 0.33). Adjustments for other potential confounders including demographic factors made the association stronger (OR: 0.21; 95% CI: 0.13, 0.32). This association remained significant even after taking BMI into model (OR: 0.27; 95% CI: 0.17, 0.43).ConclusionFinally, in this study we found an association between HEI-2010 and odds of breast cancer. This association was particularly seen in postmenopausal women. No significant association was found between adherence to HEI-2010 and odds of BC among pre-menopausal

The Association of cagA, vacA, babA2, babB and oipA of Helicobacter pylori with Risk of Gastric Carcinoma Development

Background & Objective: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), carried by more than half of the world population, is a major cause of chronic duodenal and gastric ulcers, gastritis and carcinoma. Colonization and toxin production include major virulence traits of H. pylori. The aim of this study was to assess the existence of H. pylori and virulence factors among patients with risk of gastrointestinal carcinoma (GC) in an Iraqi population. Materials & Methods: During May 2016- October 2020 in Babylon, Iraq, a total of 500 biopsy samples were obtained from gastric tissue of patients with GC, gastritis, duodenitis, duodenal ulcer and gastric ulcer and cultured onto the Brucella agar. H. pylori isolates were identified using conventional biochemical and molecular tests. Molecular identification was conducted by amplification of glmM gene using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The adhesin (babA2, babB and oipA) and toxin (cagA and vacA) genes were also amplified using PCR technique. Results: Among 500 biopsy samples, 269 (110 from males and 159 from female patients) H. pylori isolates were identified. The age range of patients was 14-69 years (mean age=47.34±7.23). The babA2 and babB genes were detected in 59.47% and 59.10% of isolates, respectively. Notably, babA2 was observed in 89% of GC and 64% of DN strains being significantly more associated with GC and DN (<0.0001 and 0.028, respectively). Furthermore, babB-positive strains were significantly (0.042) more associated with PG. The rate of cagA and vacA was 44.60% and 48.32%, respectively. The cagA was detected in 64.73% of GC, and 100% of PG and DN strains with a significant association. We detected the oipA in 58.36% of strains which was significantly associated with GC (74%, P=0.0001), PG (88%, p<0.0001) and DN (84%, p<0.0001) as compared to oipA-negative strains. Conclusion: The existence of H. pylori babA2, cagA and oipA virulence genes was associated with GC, DN and PG. As these genes play a crucial role in the development of gastric carcinoma, accurate control measure toward hindering the colonization of pathogenic strains is essential

COVID-19 and the potential of Janus family kinase (JAK) pathway inhibition: A novel treatment strategy

Recent evidence proposed that the severity of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients is a consequence of cytokine storm, characterized by increased IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-18, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma. Hence, managing the cytokine storm by drugs has been suggested for the treatment of patients with severe COVID-19. Several of the proinflammatory cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 infection recruit a distinct intracellular signaling pathway mediated by JAKs. Consequently, JAK inhibitors, including baricitinib, pacritinib, ruxolitinib, and tofacitinib, may represent an effective therapeutic strategy for controlling the JAK to treat COVID-19. This study indicates the mechanism of cytokine storm and JAK/STAT pathway in COVID-19 as well as the medications used for JAK/STAT inhibitors