Possible role of Helicobacter pylori infection via microvascular dysfunction in cardiac syndrome X

Recently, some investigators have reported seeing microvascular dysfunction in patients with cardiac syndrome X (CSX). In addition, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a bacterium causing chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers, has recently been associated with CSX. Yet the mechanism(s) by which H. pylori infection leads to CSX is poorly understood. We propose a link between H. pylori and microvascular dysfunction infection in the development of CSX

The effect of curcumin on biochemical and hematological indices of red blood cells during and after taking ecstasy in male Wistar rats

Background: The using of ecstasy pills or 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) has severe damage to various systems of the body, including blood cells. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of curcumin (turmeric extract) on red blood cells and its hematological and biochemical indices with and after taking ecstasy. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 adult male rats were divided into five groups: group1; control without MDMA and Curcumin, group 2; received MDMA, group 3; received MDMA and curcumin, group 4; received MDMA for 15 days, then 15 days later, no drug injection and group 5; received MDMA for 15 days, then injection of curcumin for 15 days later. The blood samples were collected and then, blood smears were prepared to assess morphology of red bleed cells mean values morphology of red blood cells. Results: The mean of red blood cell levels were significantly lower in MDMA recipient groups than in the control group. By using curcumin during and after taking ecstasy the level of red blood cells and hemoglobin were significantly decreased compared with that in the control group. Also, red blood cells were significantly decreased in the curcumin recipient groups compared with the MDMA groups. The total bilirubin levels in 2 and 4 groups which received MDMA alone, as well as in 3 and 5 groups received MDMA with curcumin were significantly higher than those in the control group. Conclusion: The effect of curcumin during and after taking ecstasy is likely due to a high digestive absorption of MDMA by curcumin or non-metabolizing of MDMA when using curcumin

Effects of Red Grape Juice Consumption on High Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol, Apolipoprotein AI, Apolipoprotein B and Homocysteine in Healthy Human Volunteers

It has suggested that grape juice consumption has lipid- lowering effect and it is associated with a decreased risk of heart disease. We aimed to evaluate the effects of red grape juice (RGj) consumption on high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), apolipoprotein AI (apoAI), apolipoprotein B (apoB) and homocysteine (Hcy) levels in healthy human volunteers. Twenty six healthy and nonsmoking males, aged between 25-60 years, who were under no medication asked to consume 150 ml of RGj twice per day for one month. Serum HDL-C, apoAI, apoB and plasma Hcy levels were measured before and after one month RGj consumption. HDL-C levels after RGj consumption were significantly higher than the corresponding levels before the RGj consumption (41.44 ± 4.50 and 44.37 ± 4.30 mg/dl; P<0.0001). Also, apoB was significantly increased after RGj consumption (149.0 ± 22.35 and 157.19 ± 18.60 mg/dl; P<0.002). But apoAI levels were not changed significantly before and after of RGj consumption (154.27 ± 21.55 and 155.35 ± 21.07 mg/dl; P>0.05). Hcy levels were decreased after RGj consumption (7.70 ± 2.80 and 6.20 ± 2.30 µmol/l; P<0.001). The present study demonstrates that RGj consumption can significantly increase serum HDL-C levels and decrease Hcy levels. These findings may have important implications for the prevention of atherosclerosis in healthy individuals

BAY 11-7082: An Anti-inflammatory Drug for COVID-19

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a new coronavirus named by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses. COVID-19 patients have high mortality due to respiratory failure from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) induced by SARS-CoV-2. The abnormal activation of P21-activated kinase (PAK1, RAC/CDC42-activated kinase 1) is reported in COVID-19. The PAK1 induces nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation as well as inflammatory pathways through its stimulation. BAY 11-7082 {(E) 3-[(4-methylphenyl)-sulfonyl]-2-propenenitrile is one of the therapies that inhibit inflammation via mentioned signaling pathway, therefore, we suggest that this drug can potentially be effective in treating COVID-19

Determinants of First College Major Choice among Yarmouk University Students and Estimating their Scaling Values Using Three Scaling Methods محددات اختيار التخصص الجامعي الأول لدى طلبة جامعة اليرموك وتقدير قيمها التدريجية باستخدام ثلاثة أساليب تدريج مختلفة

Abstract: The study aimed at determining the determinants of first college major choice for Yarmouk University students, and estimating their scaling values using three different scaling methods, and determining the extent of agreement among these methods. To achieve the purpose of the study, (165) male and female students from the university colleges volunteered to determine the determinants primarily, and two equivalent samples with regard to gender and college type were used to collect the scaling data. The first consisted of (120) male and female students studying a major which is their first choice, the second consisted of (120) male and female students studying a major differs from their first choice. The scaling values on importance scale were estimated using the Law of Comparative Judgments, Direct Estimation and the Law of Catogerical Judgments. The results showed that the most important major choice determinants are: opportunities to obtain work, secondary school exam scores mean, personal desire, and admission opportunities. Also, it was found that there was a consistency among scaling methods in ranking the determinants on the importance scale. ملخص: هدفت الدراسة إلى تحديد أبرز محددات اختيار التخصص الجامعي الأول لدى طلبة جامعة اليرموك، وتقدير القيم التدريجية لأهميتها باستخدام ثلاثة أساليب تدريح مختلفة وتحديد درجة التوافق بين هذه الأساليب في ترتيب المحددات على سلم الأهمية. ولتحقيق غرض الدراسة تم استخدام عينة أولية تكونت من (165) طالبا وطالبة تطوعوا من كليات الجامعة لتحديد المحددات بصورة أولية، وتم استخدام عينتين متكافئتين من حيث الجنس ونوع الكلية، تكونت الأولى من (120) طالباً وطالبة يدرسون تخصصًا هو خيارهم الأول، وتكونت الثانية من (120) طالباً وطالبة يدرسون تخصصًا مختلفا عن خيارهم الأول، لغرض جمع البيانات من أجل تقدير القيم التدريجية لأهمية المحددات باستخدام كل من قانون الأحكام المقارنة والتقدير المباشر وقانون الأحكام الفئوية. وأظهرت النتائج أن أبرز المحددات هي: فرص الحصول على العمل، معدل الثانويــة العامة، الرغبــة الشخصيــة، فرص القبول في التخصص. وتبين وجود توافق بين أساليب التدريج المستخدمة في ترتيب المحددات على سلم الأهمية

Lack of significant association between Helicobacter pylori infection and homocysteine levels in patients with cardiac syndrome X

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases such as cardiac syndrome X (CSX), which includes chest pain, positive exercise stress test and normal angiography. Also, elevation of homocysteine (Hcy) level is associated with CSX, as it can severely disturb vascular endothelial function. We aimed to elucidate whether the infection of H.pylori affect the level of Hcy in CSX. Methods: Eighty-eight patients with CSX (32 men, 56 women; mean age: 53.8 &#177; 11.9) and 97 healthy controls (36 men, 61 women; mean age: 45.7 &#177; 7.3) were enrolled. Plasma samples were tested for the presence of IgG antibody to H.pylori using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method. Hcy levels were measured enzymatically. Results: Plasma Hcy concentration in CSX patients is higher than control group (13.1 &#177; 2.6 vs. 11.8 &#177; 2.5 mmol/L; p = 0.002). There was no significant difference between Hcy in H.pylori+ and H.pylori&#8211; individuals in CSX group (13.1 &#177; 2.7 vs. 12.2 &#177; 0.6 mmol/L; p = 0.554) and between two groups in controls, respectively (12.1 &#177; 2.2 vs. 11.4 &#177; 2.9 mmol/L; p = 0.148). Conclusions: Although there is Hcy level increase in H.pylori+ CSX patients and controls comparing to H.pylori&#8211; subjects, but other factors may affect on Hcy level, too. (Cardiol J 2012; 19, 5: 466-469

Distribution of Blood Groups in Patients with Angiographically Defined Coronary Artery Disease in Iranian Community

In the past, the relationship between coronary artery disease (CAD) and been studied extensively. The ABO blood group has a significant effect on homeostasis and is therefore associated with adverse cardiovascular events. This study aimed to determine the distribution of ABO blood group and rhesus (Rh) status (ABO/Rh) in patients with different severity of CAD in Iranian community. A total of 1,236 CAD patients undergoing angiography were evaluated and their ABO/Rh blood type was determined in a study center between February 2005 and December 2010. Of the 1,236 records, only 1,046 medical documents recorded the number of involved vessels. The patients were classified according to the number of significantly affected stenotic vessels into single vessel (1VD), two vessels (2VD), and three vessels (3VD) disease subgroups. A substantially different ABO/Rh blood groups distribution was seen in the examined samples (O: 29.7%, A: 39.7%, B: 22.2%, AB: 8.3%, Rh positivity: 89.2%). The ABO/Rh blood group phenotype distribution in CAD patients with 1VD, 2VD, and 3VD was as follows: 37.5%, 41.3%, and 41.5%, respectively, for group A; 24.1%, 20.5%, and 20.6%, respectively, for group B; 31.2%, 26.8%, and 30.2%, respectively, for group O; 7.1%, 11.4% and 7.7%, respectively, for group AB (p = 0.26), and 88.7%, 90.5%, and 87.6%, respectively, for Rh positivity, (p = 0.47).&nbsp; In addition, no significant correlation was not found among the ABO/Rh blood group distribution and the number of vessels involved, however, according to the different distribution of ABO/Rh blood group in CAD patients and healthy population, ABO/Rh might have an unknown role in CAD patients. Keywords: Coronary artery disease, Blood group, Stenosis, Vessel, Rhesus

Gold nanoparticle-based strategies against SARS-CoV-2: A review

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has been an immense threat to global public health and has also had a negative socioeconomic impact worldwide. However, although the pandemic is now under control, it has demonstrated that society is unprepared to use analysis methods that are applicable to various types of viruses nor apply new therapies to prevent infections, considering the extensive time needed for vaccine development. The use of nanomaterial-based diagnostics and therapeutics can provide essential strategies for both virus detection and treatment. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are the nanomaterials most commonly used to enhance virus detection because of their bioconjugation, high plasmon resonance, and excellent electrical, optical, and catalytic properties. The present review outlines the recent advances reported in the literature regarding using AuNPs for their antiviral activities with respiratory viruses, analysis techniques such as AuNP-assisted polymerase chain reaction, biosensors (electrochemical, piezoelectric, and optical), lateral flow analysis, nucleic acid assays, and gene and vaccine therapy. Finally, as a potential antiviral treatment, this review provides in vitro and in vivo toxicity results of AuNPs for respiratory viruses, as well as those related to their toxicity in humans, to evaluate their use as a future antiviral treatment

Association of Helicobacter Pylori Infection with Endothelial Dysfunction in Metabolic Syndrome

Background: Metabolic risk factors play a critical role in metabolic syndrome (MetS), and endothelial dysfunction is important in its development. On the other hand, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has an essential role in MetS. The goal of present study was to evaluate the effect of H. pylori infection on endothelial dysfunction in MetS patients. Methods: Based on the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria, 80 MetS patients (59 females and 21 males, mean age: 48.94 ± 10.00 years) were selected. Plasma samples were assayed for H. pylori IgG using the ELISA method. Endothelial function was also evaluated by measuring plasma concentrations of endothelin-1 (ET-1), E-selectin, and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) using ELISA method. Also, NO2– and NO3– concentrations were measured by Griess method. Results: Fifty patients (62.5%) had H. pylori infection. Plasma concentrations of ET- 1, NO2–, and NO3– were significantly higher in MetS patients with positive H. pylori infection than in MetS patients with negative H. pylori infection (ET-1: 2.92 ± 2.33 vs 1.9 ± 1.4 pg/ml; P = 0.037; NO2–:19.46 ± 7.11 vs 15.46 ± 4.56 μM; P = 0.003; NO3–: 20.8 ± 10.53 vs 16.85 ± 6.03 μM, P = 0.036). However, plasma concentrations of ICAM-1 and E-selectin did not show any significant difference in the two groups. Conclusion: The results showed a relationship between H. pylori infection and endothelial dysfunction. H. pylori infection can lead to atherosclerosis by causing chronic inflammation and affecting the factors contributing to the MetS

The Effect of Chronic Ethanol Consumption on Sexual Motivation and Behavior of Adult Male Wistar Rats in the Copulatory Phase

Background: The interaction of ethanol consumption and sexual behavior has been evaluated over the past three decades; however, some studies have assessed how ethanol consumption affects the general behavioral aspects of the copulatory cycle patterns in male rats. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of chronic ethanol consumption on adult male Wistar rats' sexual motivation and behavior alteration in pre-copulatory, copulatory, and executive phases of the copulatory cycle. Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to two groups (control and ethanol treated groups). After 42 days of treatment, male rats were given access to adult female rats for 2 hours and their sexual behavior were recorded in a fully dark room using an infrared camera. Findings: Chronic ethanol consumption caused a significant increase in anogenital sniffing and mounting, intermission, and ejaculation latencies periods, as well as a significant decrease in the sexual activity index (SAI) and copulatory efficiency (CE) compared to the control group. Conclusion: It is suggested that chronic ethanol consumption suppresses sexual behavior and reduces male rats' tendency toward sexual interaction with female rats as manifested by the enhanced latency periods in the copulatory phases and reduced SAI of ethanol treated animals