Evaluation of the Relationship Between Bacterial Infection and Immunological Factors with Diabetic Foot Ulcer

Diabetes represent a chronic disorder that involve the decline in the levels of insulin produced by the pancreas due to many genetic and environmental factors. The disease involves the elevation of blood sugar in the circulation which may lead to vascular, neurological, ocular and renal complications. In addition, diabetic patients tend to develop ulceration due to wound infection swiftly in the lower limbs due to the reduce in the neurological sensation as well as to elevated sugar circulation which may greatly provoke wound infection and diabetic foot ulcerations. The current study aimed at isolation of the common causes of bacterial infection associated with diabetic foot ulcer as well as the assessment of IL-17 and IL-18 and in those patients and in control healthy group. The present study was conducted in Salah Aldeen province during the period from 1st of November 2023 to 15th of May 2024 and included 150 patients with diabetic foot infection who attended Salah-Alden Hospitals: (Tikrit Teaching Hospital, Balad General Hospital and private surgery clinics). Swabs and whole blood from patients with diabetic foot ulcer were taken and submitted to routine culture and identification of the causative bacterial infection followed by biochemical identification and antibiotics susceptibility test for the isolated microbe. The serum specimens from those positive bacterial isolates were submitted for IL17 and IL-18 ELISA assessment. IL-17, significant elevation P<0.05 of this cytokine was recorded in diabetic patients with foot ulcer with mean 21.94 pg/ml compared to control group. In the same way significant increase of IL-18 (P<0.05) was noted in diabetic patients with foot ulcer with mean 347.15 pg/ml in comparison to control group. In conclusion, diabetic foot ulceration is the result of in controlled elevation of blood glucose and bacterial infection with various pathogens can complicate the scenario, and the significant elevation of IL17 and IL18 in those patients can insight the role played by these cytokines in signaling the immune to recruit cellular and humoral response

Synthesis of Ag-Fe3O4 nanoparticles for degradation of methylene blue in aqueous medium

Fe3O4 known as magnetite is one of the oxides of iron which plays a major role in various fields of sciences. Fe3O4 was synthesized by precipitation method using NH3.H2O, FeCl2.4H2O and FeCl3.6H2O as precursor materials. For synthesis of 5% Ag-Fe3O4, the green synthetic method was used for immobilization of Ag nanoparticles on Fe3O4 using leaves extract of Calotropis gigantea plant. The synthesized Fe3O4 and 5% Ag-Fe3O4 were employed as catalyst in degradation of methylene blue. The photo catalytic activity of Fe3O4 was remarkably enhanced by doping of Fe3O4 with Ag nanoparticles. Advanced instrumental techniques including XRD, EDX, TGA and SEM were used for characterization of synthesized particles. The immobilization of Ag on Fe3O4 enhanced the photo degradation of methylene blue from 40 to 72% at 40 °C which confirms that 5% Ag-Fe3O4 is an active catalyst for treatment of dye contaminated water. Ag-Fe3O4 exhibited almost same catalytic activity in two successive cycles.   Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2020, 34(1), 123-134.  DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v34i1.1

Impact of PAI-1 4G/5G and C > G polymorphisms in acute ST elevation myocardial infarction and stable angina patients: A single center Egyptian study

Background: Many genetic factors, including polymorphisms in the genes regulating blood coagulation and fibrinolysis have been proposed as risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD). PAI-1 is the chief inhibitor of tissue plasminogen activator and urokinase plasminogen activator. PAI-1 has a crucial role in regulation of fibrinolysis.Aim of the study: Is to investigate the association between Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) 4G/5G, PAI-1C/G polymorphisms and CAD. In addition, studying the relation of these polymorphisms to the level of active PAI-1 in Egyptian patients presenting to a single tertiary center in Cairo.Subjects and methods: One hundred and forty-four patients were included in this study: 42 STEMI (ST elevation myocardial infarction) patients, 63 stable angina patients, and 39 as a control group. Detection of PAI-1 4G/5G and C > G polymorphisms was done using allele specific polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) respectively. Plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activity was detected using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results: In the studied CAD patients, PAI-14G/5G polymorphism showed 31.7%, and 68.3% for 5G/5G, and (4G/5G + 4G/4G) respectively; however for the control group, 5G/5G, and (4G/5G + 4G/4G) were detected in 21.6%, and 78.4% respectively (p value 0.59). The genotypic frequencies for PAI-1C/G in CAD patients accounted for 27% (CC), 73% (CG + GG); while in the control group these frequencies were 35.3%, and 64.7% respectively (p value 1.43).Conclusion: No significant association between PAI-1 4G/5G and C > G polymorphisms and the risk of coronary artery disease or the activity level of PAI-1 among the studied Egyptian population sample. However, STEMI patients showed significant presence of combined mutant allele of both genes more frequently.Keywords: Coronary artery disease, Plasminogen activator inhibitor, Genetic polymorphism, 4G/5G, C>

Optimization of engineered production of the glucoraphanin precursor dihomomethionine in <i>Nicotiana benthamiana</i>

Glucosinolates are natural products characteristic of the Brassicales order, which include vegetables such as cabbages and the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Glucoraphanin is the major glucosinolate in broccoli and associated with the health-promoting effects of broccoli consumption. Toward our goal of creating a rich source of glucoraphanin for dietary supplements, we have previously reported the feasibility of engineering glucoraphanin in Nicotiana benthamiana through transient expression of glucoraphanin biosynthetic genes from A. thaliana (Mikkelsen et al., 2010). As side-products, we obtained fivefold to eightfold higher levels of chain-elongated leucine-derived glucosinolates, not found in the native plant. Here, we investigated two different strategies to improve engineering of the methionine chain elongation part of the glucoraphanin pathway in N. benthamiana: (1) coexpression of the large subunit (LSU1) of the heterodimeric isopropylmalate isomerase and (2) coexpression of BAT5 transporter for efficient transfer of intermediates across the chloroplast membrane. We succeeded in raising dihomomethionine (DHM) levels to a maximum of 432 nmol g(−1) fresh weight that is equivalent to a ninefold increase compared to the highest production of this intermediate, as previously reported (Mikkelsen et al., 2010). The increased DHM production without increasing leucine-derived side-product levels provides new metabolic engineering strategies for improved glucoraphanin production in a heterologous host

Histopathology of Heart and Spleen as a Result of Chromium Exposure in Mice

Potassium dichromate (K2CR2O7) contains hexavalent chromium that was tested for cardiac and splenic histopathology and micro anatomical and morphometric analysis at sub-toxic chronic exposure in drinking water in mice at 50 ppm, 100 ppm and 200 ppm concentration. Its duration of exposure was 30 days. The forty animals were divided into 4 groups as Group I was designated as Control (Ctl) received free normal drinking water, other groups (Group II-IV) were Cr (VI)50 ppm, Cr(VI)100 ppm, Cr(VI)200 ppm received 50, 100 and 200 ppm chromium in drinking water respectively. The animals were sacrificed after 30 days of exposure to obtain the heart and spleen for histological preparation. The digital photographs obtained from selected slides were analyzed histo-anatomically. Considerable decrease in red pulp of spleen was observed in Cr(VI)50 ppm (8.07±0.76), Cr(VI)100 ppm (7.74±0.30) and Cr(VI)200 ppm (7.35±0.65) in a dose dependent manner as compared to Ctl (8.24±0.86). Relative cell abundance in red pulp of Cr(VI)50 ppm (0.81±0.13), Cr(VI)100 ppm (0.65±0.16) and Cr(VI)200 ppm (0.6±0.1) was decreasing as compared to Ctl group (1.47±0.20). However, interestingly white pulp of spleen was increased in Cr (VI)50 ppm (1.31±0.15), Cr(VI)100 ppm (1.47±0.10) and Cr(VI)200 ppm (1.72±0.15) in dose dependent manner as compared to Ctl (1.55±0.15). While heart tissue indicate variation in the mean cross sectional area (CSA) of the cardiac fibers along with damaged to end plates, merger of the adjacent fibers necrosis followed by fibrosis in the myocardial myometrium. The results shows clear impression that persistent low concentration (50 ppm)chromium exposure in drinking water can be dangerous to myometrium leading to congestive heart problems, cardiac failure, brady cardia along with many hematological implications

Microbial Fuel Cell Formulation from Nano-Composites

Petroleum and oil industry is a rich source of nonrenewable energy that ultimately results in threatening of ecosystem due to emission of greenhouse gases into the environment. In the current panorama of the energy demand, industries focus on alternate and renewable energy resources to meet energy gaps. Thus, an expedient fuel cell based on microbes can be valued as an economical and ecofriendly substitute of energy generator. These microbial fuel cells have commercialized platinum electrodes to generate cost-effective energy after oxidation of organic wastes catalyzed by biocatalyst. Nowadays, conventional carbon electrode as an anode is taking popularity in microbial fuel cell but displays poor performance. So, to improve the chemistry of electrodes, nano-composites fabricated from polar polymeric material as well as cost-effective oxides of metals are the raw material. In this chapter, green synthesis of nano-composites from conducting polymers and oxides of transition metals has been discussed. Anode modification by composite to treat wastewater as well as its role to generate electricity has been discussed briefly

Accuracy, precision, and safety of stereotactic, frame-based, intraoperative MRI-guided and MRI-verified deep brain stimulation in 650 consecutive procedures

OBJECTIVE: Suboptimal lead placement is one of the most common indications for deep brain stimulation (DBS) revision procedures. Confirming lead placement in relation to the visible anatomical target with dedicated stereotactic imaging before terminating the procedure can mitigate this risk. In this study, the authors examined the accuracy, precision, and safety of intraoperative MRI (iMRI) to both guide and verify lead placement during frame-based stereotactic surgery. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 650 consecutive DBS procedures for targeting accuracy, precision, and perioperative complications was performed. Frame-based lead placement took place in an operating room equipped with an MRI machine using stereotactic images to verify lead placement before removing the stereotactic frame. Immediate lead relocation was performed when necessary. Systematic analysis of the targeting error was calculated. RESULTS: Verification of 1201 DBS leads with stereotactic MRI was performed in 643 procedures and with stereotactic CT in 7. The mean ± SD of the final targeting error was 0.9 ± 0.3 mm (range 0.1-2.3 mm). Anatomically acceptable lead placement was achieved with a single brain pass for 97% (n = 1164) of leads; immediate intraoperative relocation was performed in 37 leads (3%) to obtain satisfactory anatomical placement. General anesthesia was used in 91% (n = 593) of the procedures. Hemorrhage was noted after 4 procedures (0.6%); 3 patients (0.4% of procedures) presented with transient neurological symptoms, and 1 experienced delayed cognitive decline. Two bleeds coincided with immediate relocation (2 of 37 leads, 5.4%), which contrasts with hemorrhage in 2 (0.2%) of 1164 leads implanted on the first pass (p = 0.0058). Three patients had transient seizures in the postoperative period. The seizures coincided with hemorrhage in 2 of these patients and with immediate lead relocation in the other. There were 21 infections (3.2% of procedures, 1.5% in 3 months) leading to hardware removal. Delayed (> 3 months) retargeting of 6 leads (0.5%) in 4 patients (0.6% of procedures) was performed because of suboptimal stimulation benefit. There were no MRI-related complications, no permanent motor deficits, and no deaths. CONCLUSIONS: To the authors' knowledge, this is the largest series reporting the use of iMRI to guide and verify lead location during DBS surgery. It demonstrates a high level of accuracy, precision, and safety. Significantly higher hemorrhage was encountered when multiple brain passes were required for lead implantation, although none led to permanent deficit. Meticulous audit and calibration can improve precision and maximize safety

Factor structure of Urdu version of the flourishing scale

Background: A great deal of research has been carried out on the assessment of the eudaimonic perspective of psychological well-being and the hedonic perspective of subjective well-being. The Flourishing Scale (FS) has been extensively used in research and practice, as it assesses the fundamental aspects of social psychological functioning. Nevertheless, the psychometric properties of Urdu versions of eudaimonic measures, such as the FS, have not yet been ascertained. The translation and validation of the FS in the Urdu language was not available, and hence this study was planned with the aim to validate the Urdu version of the FS. Methods: We assessed the psychometric properties of the FS in a sample of adults aged 18 years and above in Pakistan (N = 130) using exploratory factor analysis based on principal component analysis with varimax rotation and confirmatory factor analysis. Results: The exploratory factor analysis confirmed the unidimensional nature of the 8-item FS. We assessed that the Urdu version of the FS showed a high internal consistency reliability (α = 0.914) with a significant intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), p < 0.001). In our study, the Kaiser–Mayer–Olkin value was 0.915 with a chi-square test value (χ2) of 637.687, and Bartlett's test of sphericity was significant (df = 28, p < 0.001). The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) at test–retest for all domains were statistically significant (p < 0.001) and showed excellent agreement for all the items. The revised confirmatory factor analysis revealed a good-fit model, but with item 8—“People respect me”—removed due to its lower factor loading. Conclusions: The findings suggest that the FS is a psychometrically sound instrument for assessing social psychological functioning among adults in Pakistan. Therefore, the validated Urdu version of the FS may be used in future studies of well-being in clinical psychology and positive psychology

Revamping of Chronic Respiratory Diseases in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) endure an asymmetrically high burden of worldwide disease and death caused by chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs), i.e., asthma, emphysema, bronchiectasis, and post-tuberculosis lung disease (PTLD). CRDs are firmly related with indigence, infectious diseases, and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and add to complex multi-disease with great impact on the lives and livelihood of those affected. The pertinence of CRDs to health and demographic wellbeing is relied upon to increment in the long time ahead, as expectations of life rise and the contending dangers of right on time youth mortality and irresistible infections level. The WHO has distinguished the counteraction and control of NCDs as an earnest improvement issue and crucial for the sustainable development goals (SDSs) by 2030. In this review, we center on CRDs in LMICs. We examine the early life roots of CRDs, challenges in their avoidance, identification and administration in LMICs, and the pathways to resolve for accomplish valid widespread wellbeing inclusion