Association of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 protein and oxidative stress indicators in women with preeclampsia: A case-control study

Background: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) protein is one of the factors associated with oxidative stress and dyslipidemia disorders. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the lipid profile, PCSK9 levels, and oxidative stress in preeclampsia. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted at Sina hospital in Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran from August 2020-May 2021. The average maternal age of included participants was 30 yr with 30 preeclampsia and 30 healthy pregnant women. After clinical examination, the fasting blood samples were collected, and the serum PCSK9 protein concentration, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase activities, and glutathione levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Total antioxidant capacity, total oxidant status, and malondialdehyde levels were determined manually. Results: The average maternal age of participants were 29.97 ± 4.75 and 31.23 ± 5.85 yr, respectively. The concentrations of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), PCSK9, total antioxidant capacity, and malondialdehyde levels were higher in the preeclampsia group compared with control (p < 0.02). Total oxidant status, glutathione levels, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase activities were lower in the cases group compared with the control group (p < 0.01). The PCSK9 variable had a significant negative association with antioxidant parameters; however, a significant positive association was observed between PCSK9 level and parameters of LDL-C. Conclusion: PCSK9 is associated with increased serum levels of LDL-C and oxidative factors in pregnant women that increase the risk of endothelial damage and hypertension in preeclampsia. Key words: PCSK9, Hypercholesterolemia, Oxidative stress, Preeclampsia

Application of predictive degree day model for field development of sandfly vectors of visceral leishmaniasis in northwest of Iran

Background & objectives: Temperature plays a significant role in insect’s development where arise in temperature, accelerates the insect’s metabolic rates, increases egg production and makesblood feeding more frequent. It also shortens the time period required for the development ofpathogens within insects. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is one of the most important vector-bornediseases transmitted by different sandfly species. In this study, a phenological model was used toestimate the number of generations, peak activity and temporal variability of sandflies in the mainVL foci in northwest Iran.Methods: Development requirements of different life stages of a Phlebotomus papatasi laboratorycolony were measured and were subjected to the formula for calculation of accumulated degree day(ADD) for field sandflies using the online soft (UC IPM), using horizontal cut-off method andsingle triangle model. Sandflies population dynamics was monitored in the field during the seasonalactivity in the region and its association with the ADD was tested using SAS software.Results: Populations of sandflies accommodated well with the amount of accumulated degree days(ADD) in the region. During the seasonal activity, a total of 639 ADD were produced which wasenough to support one complete life cycle and growth of the next generation up to late larvalinstar. Larvae of the second generation hibernate through winter and the first adult populationappears in the mid to late June of the next year when they receive at least 182 ADD from thebeginning of the spring. The highest population density of sandflies was observed in early August,followed by a rapid decrease in early September, with the adult population disappearing completelyin late September. This is the first degree day model related to sandflies in the most important VLfoci of Iran.Interpretation & conclusion: Further studies in various regions with variable climate arerecommended in order to better estimate and understand the development time, population dynamicsand activities of the vectors which in turn could be used in proper implementation of effectivevector control programmes

Upwind responses of Anopheles stephensi to carbon dioxide and L-lactic acid: an olfactometer study.

Excretion of carbon dioxide and L-lactic acid through exhalation and perspiration provides olfactory signals to mosquitoes which allow them to find and bite humans; however, mosquito species differ in this regard. This study investigated upwind responses of Anopheles stephensi, mysorensis form, an important malaria vector in Asia, to carbon dioxide and L-lactic acid under laboratory conditions. While a minimal dose of carbon dioxide (90 ppm) activated the mosquitoes, 10 times this amount suppressed them. L-lactic acid alone did not produce a significant effect by itself, but addition of 6 microg/min of L-lactic acid to a range of 90 to 410 ppm carbon dioxide resulted in attraction. The results provide further support for the hypothesis that CO2 plays an important role in the host-seeking behaviour of zoophilic mosquitoes, and suggests that L-lactic acid might play a more critical role than CO2 in the attraction of An. stephensi

Graphene as Single Layer of Carbon Atoms: Perusal on Structure, Properties and Applications

ABSTRACT Graphene, has been studied intensively in the last few years due to its unique characteristics. Graphene is a crystalline allotrope of carbon. In graphene, carbon atoms are densely packed in a regular -bonded atomic-scale chicken wire (hexagonal) pattern. Graphene a single layer of carbon atoms, combines several exceptional properties, which makes it uniquely suited as a coating material: transparency, excellent mechanical stability, low chemical reactivity, Optical, impermeability to most gases, flexibility, and very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Graphene is a material that can be utilized in numerous disciplines including, but not limited to: bioengineering, composite materials, energy technology and nanotechnology, biological engineering, optical electronics, ultrafiltration, photovoltaic cells.Graphene is undoubtedly emerging as one of the most promising materials because of its unique combination of superb properties, which opens a way for its exploitation in a wide spectrum of applications ranging from electronics to optics, sensors, and biodevices. Also Graphene-based nanomaterials have many promising applications in energy-related areas. This review aims to provide an overiew of graghene structure, properties and some applications

Effect of garlic (Allium sativum) on lipid profiles, antioxidant activity and expression of scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) in liver and intestine of hypercholesterolemic mice

Garlic is one of the medicinal plants, which has shown many useful effects, including Antioxidant activity, hypolipidemic and hypocholesterolemic effects, anti-hypertensive and anti-diabetic effects. Scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) is a cell-surface receptor which mediated selective cholesterol ester uptake from the HDL particle. SR-BI also has an important role in cholesterol absorption in the intestine.  Animals were randomly divided into three groups (n=8); group 1:  received chow + cholesterol (2%) + cholic acid (0.5%), group 2: chow + 4% (w/w) garlic extract + cholesterol (2%) + cholic acid (0.5%), and group 3: chow only. After one-month mice were sacrificed, blood was collected; lipid profile and blood glucose were determined enzymatically as well as mRNA and protein levels of SR-BI were determined by RT-PCR and westernblot respectively. Compared with hypercholesterolemic control, garlic extract significantly decreased total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, Very Low-Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (VLDL-C) and  atherogenic index (all of them P<0.05). The activity of  Super oxide dismutase(SOD), glutathione (GSH)  and catalase levels were markedly increased in garlic-treated animals compared with hypercholesterolemic animals (p<0.05). The plasma levels of MDA markedly reduced in garlic group compared with hypercholesterolemic group. Intestinal SR-BI mRNA and protein were significantly decreased in garlic extract mice treatment compared with hypercholesterolemic control. Levels of liver SR-BI protein significantly reduced in hypercholesterolemic group (P<0.05). In conclusion, garlic extract markedly reduced TC, LDL-C, TG, VLDL-C and atherogenic index, as compared with the hypercholesterolemic control group. On the other hand garlic extract led to down-regulation of SR-BI protein and mRNA in the intestine of mice

Malpighian tubules are important determinants of Pseudomonas transstadial transmission and longtime persistence in Anopheles stephensi

Background: Pseudomonas is a genus of bacteria commonly found in investigations of gut microbes in malaria mosquitoes. Among those mosquitoes is the dominating malaria vector in Asia, Anopheles stephensi, where Pseudomonas is a prevailing bacterium and natural inhabitant of its breeding places. In order to explore the reason for finding Pseudomonas so frequently, an investigation of its localization and transstadial properties was undertaken.Methods: A Pseudomonas isolate from Anopheles stephensi was transformed successfully with an endogenous plasmid modified to express green fluorescent protein (GFP). Subsequently, the Pseudomonas-GFP was added to the laboratory larval breeding place of Anopheles stephensi and taken up by the larvae. After 24 hours, the larvae were cleaned and moved to a bath with double-distilled water. Also, female adults were fed sugar solution containing Pseudomonas-GFP. The Pseudomonas-GFP was traced in the alimentary canal of larvae, pupae and adults.Results: Fluorescent microscopy and PCR assays showed that the Pseudomonas bacteria underwent transstadial transmission from larvae to pupae and then to adults. In blood-fed female mosquitoes, the bacteria increased in numbers and remained in the mosquito body for at least three weeks after eclosion. In addition to the midgut, the Malpighian tubules of both larvae and adult mosquitoes were colonized by the bacteria. Also Pseudomonas-GFP that was distributed through sugar solution was able to colonize the Malpighian tubules of adult females.Conclusions: Colonization of the Malpighian tubules by Pseudomonas bacteria seems to be important for the transstadial passage from larvae to adult and presumably for the longevity of the bacteria in the adult mosquito. The existence of an entry point in the larval stage, and the long duration in the female gut, opens up for a possible use of Pseudomonas in mosquito paratransgenesis

Detection of icaAD gene and biofilm formation in Staphylococcus aureus isolates from wound infections

Wound infections are a common cause of staphylococcal infections. An ability of S.aureus is to adhere and form biofilm on host surfaces. Biofilm is an exopolysaccharide, a slime matrix around multiple layers of cells and is mediated by expression of the icaADBC operon. The present study evaluated the biofilm forming capacity and the presence of icaAD gene among S.aureus isolated from wound infections. Slime production assay was performed by cultivation on Congo Red Agar plate. In addition, Quantitative biofilm formation determined by microtiter plate assay PCR method used for detection of icaAD gene. Fifty strains were identified, 54 of the isolates produced black colonies on CRA plate, 52 were positive biofilm forming, and all strains carried the icaAD gene. Regarding the ability of Saureus to form biofifms helps the bacterium to survive hostile environments within the host, suggests that biofilm production is a risk factor for infection. It is important in rapid diagnosis and treatment biofilm forming strains, because biofilm formation may lead to increased antimicrobial resistance and create a significant impediment to wound healing

Prevalence Atopobium vagina in vaginal samples of symptomatic non-pregnant women

Introduction: Bacterial vaginosis is not a mono-factorial infection. A synergism of microaerophilic bacteria, Mycoplasma spp., and anaerobic bacteria such as Atopobium vaginae, Porphyromonas spp., Bacteroides spp., Prevotella spp., and others are involved in these infections. The aim of present study was to determine the prevalence of Atopobium vaginae in non-pregnant women suffering from bacterial vaginosis. Materials and Methods: A total of 102 non-pregnant women who referred to ShahidAkbarabadi hospital in Tehran were tested for bacterial vaginosis. In order to isolate Atopobiumvaginae the sample was cultured on Colombia agar containing Amphotericin B, Nalidixic acid and Colistin. Additionally, they were simultaneously cultured on blood agar plates containing fresh human blood and Amphotericin B under anaerobic conditions. After extraction DNA from colonies and vaginal specimens, PCR amplification was performed by using specific primers for detection of Atopobiumvaginae. Results: From a total of 102 women who referred to the hospital, 38 cases were confirmed for bacterial vaginosi. With PCR assay, 25 of these 38 cases (65) were positive for Atopobiumvaginae. Conclusion: This is the first report of isolation of Atopobiumvaginae in Iran. The results of this investigation points to a clear association of Atopobiumvaginae with bacterial vaginosis and Atopobiumvaginae should also be considered as a probable etiological agent. © 2016, Semnan University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved