Antiphospholipid Antibodies in Women with Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection

Background: A variety of infections, including acute and recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), can trigger production of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL).  These antibodies in women can lead to recurrent pregnancy loss. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of aPL in recurrent UTI patients.Materials and Methods: A total 52 subjects who had positive urine culture and 50 healthy individuals as controls were evaluated for presence of lupus anticoagulant (LA), anticardiolipin, anti-β2 GPI(anti-2-glycoprotein I) autoantibodies  IgM and IgG and Interleukin-8 levels. Determination of lupus anticoagulant was done by Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT). Anticardiolipin and anti-β2 GPI autoantibodies were evaluated by ELISA method. Interleukin-8 values were also evaluated using ELISA method. Results: Escherichia coli (86.61%) and Proteus mirabilis (1.92%) had the highest and lowest frequency respectively. The prevalence of anti- β2 GPI IgG and IgM isotypes and anticardiolipin IgG and IgM isotypes or LA in UTI patients and healthy controls was 0.0%. There was significant association between neutrophil counts and IL-8 levels at the p < 0.01.Conclusion: Our results showed that in the UTI group and controls evaluated antiphospholipid antibodies were not present. The production of antiphospholipid antibodies is influenced by various genetic and environmental factors and chronic urinary tract infection alone is not the cause. This can affect the prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies in various populations. However, other factors, such as the type of antiphospholipid antibody, sampling season and methodology can affect the results

Association of IFN-γ and P2X7 Receptor Gene Polymorphisms in Susceptibility to Tuberculosis Among Iranian Patients

Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and P2X7 receptor are crucial for host defence against mycobacterial infections. Recent studies have indicated that IFN-γ, IFN-γ receptor 1 (IFN-γR1) andP2X7 gene polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). However, the relationship between IFN-γ and P2X7 polymorphism and TB susceptibility remains inconclusive in Iranian population. For this reason, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IFN-γ (G+2109A), IFN-γR1 (G-611A) and P2X7 genes (at –762, 1513 position) in patients (n = 100) were assessed using PCR-RFLP. Data were analysed with SPSS version 18. For the 2109 loci of IFN-γ gene, the frequency of mutant alleles between patients and controls were not statistically significant. However, there was a significant difference between the TB patient and controls for –611 alleles of IFN-γR1 (P = 0.01). Additionally, the frequency of P2X7 gene polymorphisms (SNP-762 and 1513) between patients and controls was statistically significant. In conclusions, our study revealed a significant association of IFN-γR1 and P2X7 genes polymorphisms with risk of developing TB in Iranian population

Crushing analysis of the industrial cage mill and the laboratory jaw crusher

Many research studies have been conducted on the liberation of locked minerals using a crusher and comparing this device with the other devices. This paper reviews the liberation of middle coal by different methods of crushing force. In the Tabas coal washing plant, particles of 0.5-50 mm size are processed through the heavy media method (using 3 Tri-flo separators) and particles of 0-0.5 mm size are processed using the flotation method (using 6 column flotation cells). A Tri-flo separator with a diameter of 700 mm and the capacity of 120 tons per hour is used for the cleaning of 6-50 mm raw coal particles. The study was conducted using a laboratory jaw crusher and a cage mill with a specific comminution ratio, both crushing forces were analyzed with the same distribution and mechanism of production of fines. In this study, grading and washability characteristics of a representative sample of middle product were reviewed and the dimensions of the ash were measured for each section. Intermediate product crushing using a laboratory jaw crusher and an industrial cage mill were conducted at up to 5 mm size and 50 percent of final speed. The amount of coal released after each section grading was determined by a sinking and floating test for size +0.5 mm and release analysis and ash testing for smaller dimensions of -0.5, these tests were conducted for each section product dimension. The results indicated that utilizing a cage mill is more effective than a laboratory jaw crusher, resulting in 11-percent more yield with 12 ash. The rate of fines produced through the laboratory jaw crusher is less than the industrial cage mill

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

Bacillus sp. strain QW90, a bacterial strain with a high potential application in bioremediation of selenite

Introduction: Selenium oxyanions are toxic to living organisms at excessive levels. Selenite can interfere with cellular respiration, damage cellular antioxidant defenses, inactivate proteins by replacing sulfur, and block DNA repair. Microorganisms that are exposed to pollutants in the environment have a remarkable ability to fight the metal stress by various mechanisms. These metal-microbe interactions have already found an important role in bioremediation. The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize a bacterial strain with a high potential in selenite bioremediation.Methods: In this study, 263 strains were isolated from wastewater samples collected from selenium-contaminated sites in Qom, Iran using the enrichment culture technique and direct plating on agar. One bacterial strain designated QW90, identified as Bacillus sp. by morphological, biochemical and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, was studied for its ability to tolerate high levels of toxic selenite ions by challenging the microbe with different concentrations of sodium selenite (100-600 mM).Results: Strain QW90 showed maximum Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) to selenite (550 mM) and the maximum selenite removal was exhibited at 30 degrees C, while the activity was reduced by 20% and 33.8% at 25 and 40 degrees C, respectively. The optimum pH and shaking incubator for the removal activity were shown to be 7.0 and 150 rpm at 50.7% and 50.8%, respectively. Also, the concentration of toxic sodium selenite (800 μg/ml) in the supernatant of the bacterial culture medium decreased by 100% after 2 days, and the color of the medium changed to red due to the formation of less toxic elemental selenium.Conclusion: This study showed that the utilization of enrichment culture technique in comparison to the direct plating on agar leads to better isolation of selenite resistant bacteria. Bacterial strain was resistant to high concentrations of selenite and also it reduced selenite to red elemental selenium. Therefore, this microorganism could be further used for bioremediation of contaminated sites

Evaluation of 4-Amino salicylic acid chelating effect on healing of manganese induced intoxications in male Wistar rat's liver

زمینه و هدف: قرار گرفتن انسان در معرض غبارات منگنز می تواند باعث بروز بیماری شبیه به پارکینسون به نام منگانیسم شود. برای کاهش عوارض حاصل، داروهای شلات کننده‌ی فلزات پیشنهاد شده‌اند. این پژوهش با هدف بررسی، قدرت شلات کنندگی داروی پاراآمینوسالیسیلیک اسید انجام شده است. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه تجربی بیست رات نر بالغ نژاد ویستار در چهار گروه پنج تایی طبقه بندی شدند (یک گروه کنترل و سه گروه آزمون) و طی دو دوره به ترتیب سالین-سالین، منگنز-سالین، سالین-پاراآمینوسالیسیلیک اسید و منگنز- پاراآمینوسالیسیلیک اسید دریافت نمودند. تزریق داخل صفاقی کلرید منگنز به میزان mg/kg8 وزن بدن حیوان به مدت یک هفته برای ایجاد مسمومیت و تزریق زیر جلدی یک سی سی پاراآمینوسالیسیلیک اسید با غلظت g/l5/1 پنج روز در هفته به مدت چهار هفته جهت درمان صورت گرفت. سپس سرم حیوانات برای بررسی فاکتورهای بیوشیمیایی و بافت کبد آنها برای بررسی تغییرات هیستوپاتولوژیک جداسازی و فیکس شدند. داده ها توسط آزمون های آماری آنالیز واریانس یک طرفه و سپس تست توکی تجزیه و تحلیل شدند. یافته ها: بررسی فاکتورهای بیوشیمیایی بیانگر افزایش معنی دار کلسترول در گروه دوم نسبت به کنترل و کاهش سطح کلسترول خون گروه چهارم نسبت به گروه دوم بود (01/0

Reduction of vancomycin resistance inVanAand VanBcontainingVancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) isolatesin presence of lactoferrin protein

چکیده زمینه و هدف : پروتئین لاکتوفرین(Lactoferrin(LF)) دارای اثرات ضدمیکروبی اثبات شده ای است. هدف از این مطالعه بررسی تأثیر لاکتوفرین روی حداقل غلظت مهاری) Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC))وانکومایسین در سویه های انتروکوک مقاوم به وانکومایسین دارای ژنهای مقاومت VanA و VanB بود. ﻣﻮﺍﺩ ﻭ ﺭﻭﺵﻫﺎ: در این مطالعه مقطعی ، پس از جداسازی و تشخیص265 سویه انتروکوک از نمونه های بالینی ، MIC وانکومایسین و تیکوپلانین سویه هابا روش تست اپسیلومتر ( Epsilometer test(Etest)) بدست آمد. نمونه های انتروکوک مقاوم به وانکومایسین Vancomycin Resistance Entrococcus(VRE)) ) ، با روش real time PCR ازلحاظ وجود ژنهای مقاوم به وانکومایسین VanA و VanB بررسی شد و سپس تأثیر لاکتوفرین را بر روی MIC آنتی بیوتیک وانکومایسین سویه های VRE مورد بررسی و بااستفاده از نرم افزارآماری SPSS نسخه 20 (version 20, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) و آزمون های آماری رگرسیون خطی و همبستگی پیرسون با سطح معنی داری P-value <0.05 آنالیز گردید. ﻧﺘﺎﻳﺞ: نمونه VanA در غلظت µg/ml) 2048)پروتئین لاکتوفرین MIC وانکومایسین را 85 و 80 برابر به ترتیب در روش تغییر یافته Etest و میکروتیتر کاهش داده و در نمونه VanB در غلظت µg/ml) 512) پروتئین لاکتوفرین MIC وانکومایسین را 10و 10.3 برابر به ترتیب در روش تغییر یافته Etest و میکروتیتر کاهش داده است. شاخص لاکتوفرین ارتباط همبستگی مثبت معنی داری را با کاهش MIC وانکومایسین نشان داد (001/0 Pvalue< و r=0.183 ). نتیجه گیری: غلظت های متفاوت پروتئین لاکتوفرین در شرایط آزمایشگاهی باعث کاهش مقاومت در سویه هایVRE دارای ژن VanA و VanB می شود ،پیشنهاد پتانسیل استفاده از این پروتئین به عنوان یک عامل کمکی به وانکومایسین وجود دارد

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Agricultural Residues using Indigenous Laccase producing Fungi (Albifimbria viridis) as Herbicides

Background and Objective: Discarded as wastes, parts of the agricultural products can be used for feed productivity as well as management of animal feed production. Production of various products is possible using appropriate processing. The objective of the present study was to use laccase of Albifimbria viridis in degradation of agricultural residues and to produce compounds with herbicide properties. Material and Methods: The fungi were isolated from agricultural soils. The isolates were identified using morphological detection and PCR amplification of the internal transcribed spacer. Supernatants were collected from semi-solid cultures and laccase activity was assessed using 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) substrate. This was carried out using n-hexane and degradation of the agricultural residues was investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results and Conclusion: Growth of the fungal isolate in culture media with tannic acid was studied using scanning electron microscopy. In total, the isolate produced 50 U ml-1 laccase. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses revealed production of oxime, methoxy-phenyl and 2-cyclopenten-1-one for tannic acids, o-guaiacol, tetradecane, hexadecane, octadecane, octadecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid and benzene, 1,3-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl) for sorghum seeds and 2-acetyl-5-methylfuran, phenol, 2-methoxy and benzene, 1,2-dimethoxy for wheat straw during fungal growth (0.73 mg ml-1). Results have shown that the laccase enzyme produced from Albifimbria viridis native strain is capable of hydrolytic cleavage of chemical pollutants from agricultural wastes for herbicide bioremediation. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest

Effects of Endurance Exercise Training on Cardiac Dysfunction Induced by Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking

Background: There is an increasing popularity of waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) in youth and even inathletes worldwide. Despite the existence of evidence of the harmful effects of hookah smoke on varioussystems of the body, especially the cardiovascular system, its simultaneous effect with exercise training hasnot been well studied. We assessed the effects of WTS exposure with/without swimming exercise on bloodpressure (BP), and heart histology and mechanical performance in male Wistar rats.Methods: The animals were divided into 4 groups of sedentary control (CTL), waterpipe tobacco smoking (S),mild endurance swimming exercise training (Ex), and waterpipe smoking plus exercise (S + Ex). Theduration of WTS and exercise was 8 weeks.Findings: BP and heart rate (HR) did not show a significant difference among the groups. WTS increased theTNF-α level of the heart (P < 0.05 vs. CTL) and cardiac tissue lesions (P < 0.05 vs. CTL), and reduced +dP/dtmax, -dp/dt max, and heart contractility indices (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, and P < 0.05, respectively, vs. CTL andEx groups). It also increased the Tau index (P < 0.05 vs. CTL; P < 0.01 vs. Ex groups) of the left ventricle.However, the combination of exercise and WTS reduced the TNF-α level, improved the heart activity ofsuperoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase enzymes, and prevented the negative effects of smoking on heartfunction and morphology.Conclusion: Mild exercise prevents WTS-induced left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction partly viaimprovement of antioxidants and attenuation of pro-inflammatory cytokines