The Association between Interleukin-10 Gene Polymorphisms and Hepatitis B Virus: Evidence in Iran

Background and Aim: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a human carcinogenesis agent. Interleukin 10 (IL-10) is a key anti-inflammatory cytokine, and single nucleotide polymorphisms in IL-10 gene promoter are correlated with infections caused by HBV. This research intended to assess the prevalence and genotype of HBV as well as the association between the polymorphisms of -819 and -1082 in the IL-10 gene with HBV in individuals with HBV infection in Qom Province, Iran Methods: In this cross-sectional research, 360 individuals with chronic HBV infection and control group were involved between July 2018 and March 2019. HBV diagnosis was evaluated using ELISA and nested PCR assays. To determine polymorphisms in the IL-10 gene promoter in HBV positive and control samples, an allele-specific polymerase chain reaction technique was employed. Results: The constructed phylogenetic trees for the HBsAg gene revealed that all sequences under study belong to genotype D and also, the majority of HBV samples presented similar sequences to the Iranian samples. Genotype frequencies of TT, TC and CC (polymorphism -819) were 82.2%, 11.6% and 6.1% for patients and 85%, 10.5% and 4.4% in control groups, respectively. Also, frequency of genotypes of AA, AG and GG (polymorphism -1082) were 45%, 43.8% and 11.1% for patients and 42.2%, 46.1% and 11.6% in control groups, respectively. Conclusion: Here, we found no association among IL-10 gene polymorphisms in control and HBV-infected groups. However, more studies about the frequency of chronic HBV infection are necessary to be conducted. *Corresponding Author: Mohsen Zargar; Email: [email protected] Interleukins-10 Gene Polymorphism and Hepatitis B Virus: Evidence in Iran. Arch Med Lab Sci. 2021;7:1-7 (e7). https://doi.org/10.22037/amls.v7.3355

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori and its cagA gene in patients with gastric cancer or peptic ulcer at an Iranian medical center

Background: Iran has a high incidence rate for gastric cancer among the Middle East countries. In addition to gastric cancer, peptic ulcer is also life-threatening; thus, investigating the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and other risk factors are essential. The present study was aimed to assess the frequency of H. pylori and the cagA-positive strains in patients with gastric cancer or peptic ulcer at a teaching hospital in Qom, one of the most populated cities of Iran. Materials and Methods: The presence of H. pylori was investigated in gastric cancer and peptic ulcer biopsy specimens using the standard culture method. PCR analysis was performed to detect the presence of the cagA gene. Results: The frequency of H. pylori isolates among 86 investigated biopsies was 20 (23.2%). Likewise, the rate of H. pylori was the highest when samples were examined from patients with gastric cancer (25.8%), while it was 21.8% when obtained from peptic ulcer patients. The frequency of the cagA gene in H. pylori isolates was 9 (56.2%), as confirmed by PCR. Conclusion: Our results indicated that H. Pylori infection and its virulent strains are frequent and widely spread in Qom city. The cagA gene was present in almost half of H. pylori isolates from peptic ulcer or gastric cancer patients. Therefore, it is necessary to screen it in all cases with H. pylori infection for early detection of gastric cancer

«Design for All» in Social Research on Persons with Disabilities

[EN] Social studies on disability have increased in number and importance in Spain and other countries over the last few years. Nevertheless, the majority of the available sources and studies do not adequately represent this heterogeneous group, which currently makes up about 9 per cent of the Spanish population. The implementation of social measures requires representative sources and studies containing relevant information. The aim of this paper is to identify the main diffi culties involved in designing and developing social research methods concerning persons with disabilities, and offer proposals and recommendations in order to advance towards a more inclusive social research using the concepts of accessibility and design for all.[ES] Los estudios sociales sobre la discapacidad han aumentado en número e importancia en España y otros países durante los últimos años. Sin embargo, la mayoría de fuentes de información y estudios disponibles no recogen de manera adecuada la realidad de un colectivo muy heterogéneo, que supone en la actualidad aproximadamente el 9 por ciento de la población española. La implementación de medidas sociales requiere de fuentes y estudios representativos que aporten información precisa acerca de estas personas. El objetivo de esta nota es identifi car las principales difi cultades que se plantean a la hora de diseñar y llevar a la práctica metodologías de investigación social adecuadas hacia las personas con discapacidad, así como ofrecer propuestas y recomendaciones para avanzar hacia una investigación social más inclusiva, mediante los conceptos de accesibilidad y diseño para todos.Trabajo realizado en el marco de los proyectos de investigación: “Qualitative Tracking with Young Disabled in European States. Quali-TYDES” (European Science Foundation, 09-ECRP-032) e “Innovación oculta: cambio de paradigma en los estudios de innovación” (Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, FFI2011-25475).Peer reviewe

Fabrication of silver nanoparticles doped in the zeolite framework and antibacterial activity

Using the chemical reduction method, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were effectively synthesized into the zeolite framework in the absence of any heat treatment. Zeolite, silver nitrate, and sodium borohydride were used as an inorganic solid support, a silver precursor, and a chemical reduction agent, respectively. Silver ions were introduced into the porous zeolite lattice by an ion-exchange path. After the reduction process, Ag NPs formed in the zeolite framework, with a mean diameter of about 2.12–3.11 nm. The most favorable experimental condition for the synthesis of Ag/zeolite nanocomposites (NCs) is described in terms of the initial concentration of AgNO3. The Ag/zeolite NCs were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence, and Fourier transform infrared. The results show that Ag NPs form a spherical shape with uniform homogeneity in the particle size. The antibacterial activity of Ag NPs in zeolites was investigated against Gram-negative bacteria (ie, Escherichia coli and Shigella dysentriae) and Gram-positive bacteria (ie, Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) by disk diffusion method using Mueller–Hinton agar at different sizes of Ag NPs. All of the synthesized Ag/zeolite NCs were found to have antibacterial activity. These results show that Ag NPs in the zeolite framework can be useful in different biological research and biomedical applications

Nano silver-coated polypropylene water filter: I. manufacture by electron beam gun using a modified Balzers 760 machine

As adequate freshwater supplies decrease steadily, novel technologies are required for water purification. Nanotechnology, a new scientific frontier, promises to revolutionize innovation in many industries. Advancements in nanotechnology are being applied in the water-purification industry to keep harmful bacteria out of drinking water. Due to its bactericidal properties, nano silver is used in many products as an antibacterial. This study aimed to produce a nano silver-coated water-treatment polypropylene filter via the physical vapor deposition method using the Balzers 760 machine equipped with an electron beam gun ESQ 110. The Balzers machine was modified in order to enable coating of the cylindrical filters in a homogenous manner. The nano silver particles were made by electron beam bombardment of the silver metal, which were subsequently deposited on the polypropylene filter evenly. The thickness of the nano layer coated on the filter was about 55.0nm in average, as revealed by the microprocessor unit of the Balzers machine during the coating process. The thickness of the nano layer and the chemical composition of the produced filters were studied by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and the X-ray diffraction technique. The filter system produced in this work has the potential to be used as an efficient and cost-effective water treatment method. The inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry (ICP/MS) studies revealed that there was no nano silver particle present in the filtered water sample. Hence, there is no risk of contamination of drinking water with the silver nano particles upon application of the manufactured filters. This is the first report on the manufacture of nano silver-coated cylindrical polypropylene filter using the electron beam gun technique

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles in montmorillonite and their antibacterial behavior

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were synthesized by the chemical reducing method in the external and interlamellar space of montmorillonite (MMT) as a solid support at room temperature. AgNO3 and NaBH4 were used as a silver precursor and reducing agent, respectively. The most favorable experimental conditions for synthesizing Ag NPs in the MMT are described in terms of the initial concentration of AgNO3. The interlamellar space limits changed little (d-spacing = 1.24–1.47 nm); therefore, Ag NPs formed on the MMT suspension with d-average = 4.19–8.53 nm diameter. The Ag/MMT nanocomposites (NCs), formed from AgNO3/MMT suspension, were characterizations with different instruments, for example UV-visible, PXRD, TEM, SEM, EDXRF, FT-IR, and ICP-OES analyzer. The antibacterial activity of different sizes of Ag NPs in MMT were investigated against Gram-positive, ie, Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and Gram-negative bacteria, ie, Escherichia coli, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, by the disk diffusion method using Mueller-Hinton agar (MHA). The smaller Ag NPs were found to have significantly higher antibacterial activity. These results showed that Ag NPs can be used as effective growth inhibitors in different biological systems, making them applicable to medical applications

Synthesis and cntibacterial activity of silver/montmorillonite nanocomposites

Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) were successfully synthesized into the interlayer space of Montmorillonite (MMT) by chemical reduction method. AgNO3 and NaBH4 were used as a silver precursor and reducing agent, respectively. The properties of Ag/MMT nanocomposites were studied as a function of the AgNO3 concentration. The UV-vis spectra of synthesized Ag-NPs showed that the intensity of the maximum wavelength of the plasmon peaks increased with increasing AgNO3 concentration. The crystalline structure of the Ag-NPs and basal spacing of MMT and Ag/MMT were also studied by Powder X-Ray Diffraction (PXRD). The antibacterial activity of Ag-NPs was investigated against gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and K. pneumonia) and gram-positive bacterium (Staphylococcus aureus) by disk diffusion method using Muller-Hinton Agar (MHA) at different sizes of Ag-NPs. The smaller Ag-NPs were found to have significantly higher antibacterial activity. These results showed that Ag-NPs can be used as effective growth inhibitors in different biological systems, making them applicable to medical applications such as in surgical devices

New trends on microbiological water treatment.

Silver nanoparticle-decorated porous polypropylene filter is prepared by physical vapor deposition method using a modified Balzers 760 coating machine. Silver nanoparticles were generated by electron beam bombardment of the silver metal. A 45nm layer of the silver nanoparticles were subsequently deposited on the polypropylene filter homogenously. The nano silver-coated filters were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The antibacterial efficiency of the nano silver-coated filters was evaluated using a custom- made experimental set up and the membrane filter method. A zone of inhibition test was also performed to compare the bactericidal effect of coated versus non-coated filters. At a flow rate of 3L/hr, the output count of Escherichia coli was zero after 6.5 hours filtration when the input water had a bacterial load of 103 colony-forming units (cfu) per milliliter. The inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry (ICP/MS) results showed that the 45nm layer of the silver nanoparticles are stable on the water filter and are not washed away by water flow even after 6.5h filtration

Complete removal of pathogenic bacteria from drinking water using nano silver-coated cylindrical polypropylene filters.

An attempt was made to investigate the removal of Escherichia coli bacteria from drinking water using nano silver-coated polypropylene water filter. For the production of nano silver filters, a modified Balzers 760 machine equipped with an electron beam gun was used. The nano-silver particles were made by electron beam bombardment of the silver metal, which were subsequently deposited on the polypropylene filters evenly. The thickness of the nano layer coated on the filters was 35.0 nm. The nano silver-coated filters were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The antibacterial efficiency of the filters was evaluated using the membrane filter method. At a flow rate of 3 l/h, the output count of E. coli was zero after 7 h filtration when the input water had a bacterial load of 103 colony-forming units (cfu) per milliliter. The inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry (ICP/MS) results showed that the 35 nm layer of the silver nanoparticles were stable on the water filter and were not washed away by water flow even after 72 h