Molecular Genetics and its Applications in Forensic Sciences

The way to medico legal identification was open at the end of the twenty‐first century by the “digital fingerprinting” represented by the multifactorial phenotypical trait, determined by both polygenic and environmental factors, followed by group‐specific antigens, or with specificity for blood and tissue, and ending with the DNA molecule in use today. Because of this aspect, the framework of modern forensic medicine includes a new field, that of forensic genetics, that mostly involves working with investigations that have human genotype identification as a goal

An Ethical Dilemma in SARS-Cov-2 Pandemic : Who Gets the Ventilator?

Since the current pandemic is an emergency situation worldwide, there’s a shortage of mechanical ventilators, intensive care unit (ICU) beds, and other medical equipment. Due to new disease and insufficient medical data, it is difficult to ensure access to life-saving treatments for people with various vulnerabilities. From an ethical point of view, the current guidelines and recommendations, as incomplete as they are, suggest the utilitarian principle that the allocation of life-saving treatments is based on assessing patients' chances of survival

Preliminary Remarks Regarding the Prevalence of ESBL-Producing Strains of E. coli and K. Pneumoniae, Isolated from Cows with Clinical Endometritis

ESBL-producing organisms pose unique challenges to clinical microbiologists, clinicians, infection control professionals and antibacterial-discovery scientists. Although the prevalence of ESBLs is not known, it is clearly increasing, and in many parts of the world, 10-40% of strains of E. coli and K. pneumoniae express ESBLs (Rupp and Fey, 2003).The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of ESBL-positive strains of E. coli and K. pneumoniae in cows with clinical signs of endometritis that were treated exclusively with Oxytetracicline for both diseases of the genital area as well as other bacterial infectious diseases.The study population included 35 Romanian Black Pied cows with clinical signs of endometritis within a farm in North Eastern of Romania. The samples were harvested using sterile cotton swabs that have been further microbiologically processed. For the phenotypic confirmation of the isolated ESBL strains, were used the combined disk test (CLSI, 2014) and the Oxoid Brilliance chromogenic ESBL Agar medium. The taxonomic classification of the isolated colonies was carried out by testing some minimal biochemical characteristics by using the MIU and TSI tests.A total of 47 bacterial strains were isolated from uterine secretions, derived from the 35 cows included in this trial. From the total of 47 isolated bacterial strains, 17 belonged to E. coli and K. pneumoniae species, from which, 6 of them were confirmed as being ESBL-positive.In this preliminary study, by phenotypic methods was confirmed a prevalence of 35.3% for the ESBL strains of E. coli and K. pneumoniae, which requires further research to confirm by molecular biology the identification of ESBL resistance genes, but also for the plasmids encoding these gene transmission

Evaluation of the antimicrobial effect of the two substances used in otitis externa in dogs

Otitis externa is about 20% of diseases in dogs. Correct evaluation of the type of otitis is a very important and essential in successful management of this disease. Study was conducted on a total of 36 dogs with specific signs of otitis externa, examined and selected according to strict criteria in two private medical offices. Diagnostic methods used clinical examination, otoscopic exam and complementary cytological examination on ear secretions. Cytological examination revealed cultures of Malassezia pachydermatis, Staphylococcus spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The objective of the study it was the two comparative assessment topical antimicrobials selected by the same composition of active substances used in the treatment of otitis externa and otitis media of dogs - Easotic® and Mitex®. Easotic administered in the form of sprays, spray daily (1 ml) for 5 days, and Mitex administered in the form of drops, 3-5 drops of 2 times/day, a period that varied between 7-10 days. Throughout the study was evaluated the efficacy, following the elimination of ear secretion by decreasing the number of microorganisms, eliminate erythema and pain sensitivity. The results revealed a beneficial therapeutic effect under the action both of substances, but it was advantage Easotic treatment because of the ease of administration, the short period of use and quick efficacy

The Prevalence of Esbl-Producing Strains of E.coli, Isolated from Calves with Colibacilosis - Preliminary Remarks

The animals producing food have become an increasing reservoir of extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae. The calves and cows are exposed to a greater quantity of antibiotics, but the data concerning the prevalence of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae are not enough, in comparison with other species of animals used for human consumption, such as birds (Hordijk et al., 2013).The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli involved in some episodes of colibacilosis in calves. Faeces samples were collected from 33 calves with the age ranging between 1-2 weeks and that presented clinical signs of colibacilosis. The samples were collected in a sterile medium for the taxonomic isolation and identification of the etiological agent involved, the ESBL screening being conducted subsequently using the ESBL Agar Oxoid Brilliance chromogenic medium. The phenotypic confirmation of the ESBL-producing strains was conducted in accordance with the CLSI (2014) standard through the combined disc method. Following the tests conducted, out of the 33 strains of isolated E. coli, 9 (27, 27%) were phenotypically confirmed as being ESBL strains.The studies that were previously conducted on the dairy farms have pointed out that the young calves rapidly acquire bacterial strains resistant to antibiotics that are often ESBL strains (Hordijk et al., 2013). The prevalence obtained by us, as well as an insufficient quantity of information concerning the antimicrobial resistance on this segment of species of animals used for the human consumption, support conducting a more thorough study, as well as the identification of ESBL resistance genes, but also of the plasmids that encode the transmission of these genes

Comparative evaluation of three testing methods for detection of mediated resistance MBL in pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates

Metallo – β – lactamase (MBL) producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa have been reported to be important cause of nosocomial infections. The appearance of MBL genes and their spread among bacterial pathogens is a matter of concern with regard to the future of antimicrobial therapy. The present study was undertaken to determine which method is better to use in laboratory for detecting MBL producing P. aeruginosa. A total of 182isolates of P. aeruginosa from human and animals, 125 from human and 57 from animals, (burns, pus, urine, blood cultures, etc.), collected between 2013 and 2015 were subjected to susceptibility testing against various antibiotics by disc diffusion test according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines 2015. Imipenem resistant isolates were selected for the detection of MBL production by E-test strips for screening MBL, double disc method (IPM and IPM+EDTA) and EDTA solution application on microcaps IPM. The positive results have been based on inhibition zone around imipenem discs impregnated with EDTA as compared to those without EDTA confirmed MBL production and for E-test strips the strains were positive those that have developed around area with EDTA solution. The double disc method (IPM and IPM+EDTA is most effective way to use in laboratory to determine early producer P. aeruginosa MBL, having 2 advantage: first is the low cost for materials (MH agar and microcaps) and the technique is very easy to be applied

MicroRNAs expression profile in chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity in non-small cell lung cancer using a co-culture model

Clinical application of chemotherapy in lung cancer is constrained by side effects, notably cardiotoxicity, the mechanisms of which remain elusive. This study assessed the potential of specific microRNAs (miRNAs) as biomarkers for chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity in lung cancer. We employed two lung adenocarcinoma cell lines (Calu6 and H1792) and ventricular normal human cardiac fibroblasts (NHCF-V) in single and co-culture experiments. Functional tests were conducted using 100 µM carboplatin and 1µM vinorelbine doses. The effects of carboplatin and vinorelbine, both individually and in combination, were evaluated at cellular and molecular levels 48h post-therapy for both mono- and co-cultures. miR-205-5p, miR-21-5p, and miR-30a-5p, modulated by anticancer treatments and influencing cardiotoxicity, were analyzed. Vinorelbine and carboplatin treatment promoted apoptosis and autophagy in lung cancer cells and cardiac fibroblasts more than in controls. Western blot analyses revealed BCL2 and p53 protein upregulation. Using qRT-PCR, we investigated the expression dynamics of miR-21-5p, miR-30c-5p, and miR-205-5p in co-cultured cardiomyocytes and lung cancer cells, revealing altered miRNA patterns from vinorelbine and carboplatin treatment. Our findings underscore the intricate relationship between chemotherapy, miRNA regulation, and cardiotoxicity, highlighting the importance of cardiac health in lung cancer treatment decisions