Diagnosis and detection of VicK gene in Streptococcus mutans isolated from the saliva of patients with diabetic type 2 with tooth decay in the Iraqi population

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is gradually becoming more common in Iraq. Salivary changes and proliferation of specific bacterial communities cause oral disease that can adversely affect systemic conditions such as diabetes. Fifty saliva samples were collected from people with T2DM suffering from tooth decay and twenty-five people without T2DM suffering from tooth decay. The periodontal status, the extent of the root surface, and coronal caries were evaluated. Saliva was cultured for investigating Streptococcus mutans. The results showed that patients with type 2 diabetes had significantly more severe Periodontitis and a higher prevalence and magnitude of bacterial caries. Diabetic subjects had higher levels of Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and Random Blood Sugar (R.B.S.). The S. mutans diagnosis by PCR for Sanger Sequencing technique by using VicK gene sequences (1300bp). The PCR products of the isolate were submitted to Macrogen Company for sequencing. Selected seven isolates as new isolates registered in global gene bank as locally S. Mutans isolates in Bagdad city/Iraq and their accepted accession numbers include LOCUS MT603520, MT603521, MT603522, MT603523, MT603524, MT603525,and MT603526 of nucleotide sequence. The VicK genes isolates' phylogenetic trees revealed a genotype that was closely connected to other isolates in GenBank. Furthermore, gene sequencing demonstrated a success rate of 99 percent. resemblance to other isolates in the GenBank database The likelihood of a link between S. Mutans and dental carries was determined by these findings.

Evaluation of Procalcitonin and Interleukin-6 as a Marker of Bacterial Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a major clinical problem in a wide age range that is associated with a high morbidity rate. Due to issues such as low specificity and the inability to differentiate between different types of infection in current diagnostic methods, there is a need to introduce novel UTI markers. The present study was conducted to evaluate the utility of Procalcitonin (PCT) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as a marker of bacterial urinary tract infection. For this purpose, a cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2020 and February 2021 among 125 patients and 60 healthy volunteers (control) in Erbil Teaching Hospital. The concentration of PCT and IL-6 was quantified using the ELISA cloud immunoassay test. Between-group comparisons were assessed for the variables with analysis of variance. The results revealed that there was a significant difference between PCT levels in UTI patients (104.6±6.07) and control groups (54±2.24) (p <0.0001). The differences in IL-6 concentration in UTI patients (55.74±4.2) and control groups (24.56±2.4) were also significant (p <0.0001), implying that the level of both PCT and IL-6 increased due to bacterial infection in the urinary tract. As a whole, the findings of this study provide

The rs13075270 and rs13092160 polymorphisms of CCR1 and CCR3 genes on oral aphthous-like lesions in PFAPA syndrome

Fever is a common symptom of infection in children. Periodic fever syndromes are less common but more complex. One of these Periodic fever syndromes is PFAPA (periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, cervical adenitis) syndrome which is known as the most benign syndromes. The cause of this disease is unknown. Various factors, including environmental and genetic factors, are involved in the development of this disease. In this study, the association of rs13075270 and rs13092160 polymorphisms were investigated in CCR1 and CCR3 genes with susceptibility to this syndrome in the Chinese population. In this regard, 38 patients with PFAPA syndrome and 100 healthy individuals were selected. After DNA sampling and extraction, polymorphisms of CCR1 and CCR3 receptor genes were examined by the PCR-RFLP method. Findings were analyzed using SPSS software version 22 with a significant level of P <0.05. The frequency of T/T genotype rs13092160 polymorphism in the patient and control groups was 78.95% and 83%, respectively, C/T genotype was 21.05% and 17% (P = 0.421). The frequency of the C/C genotype was 0 in both groups. Regarding rs13075270 polymorphism, the frequency of T/T genotype in patient and control groups was 15.79% and 81%, C/T genotype was 78.95% and 18% and C/C genotype was 5.26% and 1%, respectively (P<0.05). Thus, in rs13075270 polymorphism, the C/T genotype was associated with the risk of PFAPA syndrome (P<0.05), but rs13092160 polymorphism did not show a significant difference between individuals with PFAPA syndrome and controls.

Mortality Risk factors and SOX2 and mTOR expression in Patients with Esophageal Cancer

Causes of mortality in EC patients are not confined to cancer-specific mortality but include various protein expressions of SOX2 and mTOR in Esophageal Cancer patients and their correlation with the clinical stage. Data about the risk factors and involvement of cancer-specific protein are still lacking. This study aimed to define the risk factors and association of SOX2 and mTOR expression in mortality in patients with EC. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to assess the risk factors for cancer-specific mortality and cardiovascular mortality in patients with esophageal cancer (EC). The expression rates of SOX2, as well as MTO, were checked in patients. The multivariate analysis revealed a high-risk EC mortality with age ≥ 65 years, black race, grade, stage, and sequence of treatment; radiation after surgery; radiation before and after surgery; Surgery both before and after radiation. While the cardiovascular mortality increased with age ≥ 65 years, adenocarcinoma type, grade, stage, and sequence of treatment. The expression rates of SOX2, as well as mTOR, were 75.5 percent and 86.8 percent in Esophageal Cancer, while were 10.7 percent and 7.5 percent in osteochondroma, respectively, which was statistically significant (P<0.05). Risk factors for cancer-specific mortality and cardiovascular mortality in EC patients include older age at diagnosis, male sex, non-married status, grade III of the tumor, the regional or distant spread of the tumor, no cancer-directed therapy. The expression levels of SOX2, mTOR, and the total survival time were related to the different stages. It shows an upward trend for the expression levels of mTOR and SOX2 in Esophageal Cancer tissues. The expression levels of SOX2 and mTOR are related to the clinical stage, metastasis, and prognosis.

The hematological and histological studies for the hepatoprotective-like effect of the hydromethanolic extract and the fractions of Viola serpens Wall.

Traditionally, Viola serpens has been used in the treatment of several human disorders including liver diseases without any scientific evidence. As the current therapies are not very effective and face challenges of unwanted effects and patient compliance, therefore more effective and safe agents are highly needed. The current study aimed to evaluate the hepatoprotective potential of the crude extract and subsequent fractions of the whole plant in the in-vivo model using various hematological and histopathological parameters followed by an HPLC study for the identification of phenolic compounds. Rabbits (1000-1200 g) were used in the study. Paracetamol (2g) was used to induce hepatotoxicity in experimental rabbits. The plant extract was used in two doses (150 and 300 mg/kg body weights) for eight days. The hematological parameters AST, ALT and ALP values were determined along with the histopathology of the liver. Phenolic compounds were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) Agilent-1260 infinity from their retention time, UV spectra and available standards while quantification was done taking the percent peak area. The doses 150 and 300 mg/kg body weight seemed to be more effective. The hematological values and the histopathological slides show the hepatoprotective effect of the plant. Regeneration indicated the presence of nuclei, nuclear cleaning, prominent nucleoli, RBC’s, central veins and plates of hepatocytes. The HPLC studies revealed the presence of a number of phenicol compounds. The crude extract and the subsequent fractions of the plant possess strong hepatoprotective activity, providing a scientific rationale for its uses in the treatment of liver toxicities.

The role of the Siglec-G ITIM domain during bacterial infection

Siglecs, membrane-bound lectins of the sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin superfamily, inhibit immune responses by recruiting tyrosine phosphatases (e.g., SHP-1 and SHP-2) through their cytoplasmic immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif (ITIM) domain. The role of Siglecs in infection has been extensively studied, but downstream signaling through the ITIM domain remains unclear. Here, we used a GST pull-down assay to identify additional proteins associated with the ITIM domain during bacterial infection. Gdi2 bound to ITIM under normal homeostasis, but Rab1a was recruited to ITIM during bacterial infection. Western blot analysis confirmed the presence of SHP-1 and SHP-2 in eluted ITIM-associated proteins under normal homeostasis. We confirmed the association of ITIM with Gdi2 or Rab1a by transfection of corresponding expression vectors in 293T cells followed by immunoprecipitation-western blot assay. Thus, ITIM’s role in the inhibition of the immune response during bacterial infection may be regulated by interaction with Gdi2 and Rab1a in addition to SHP-1 and SHP-2.

Knockdown of EIF3H inhibits the development and progression of pancreatic cancer by regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis in vitro

Nowadays, pancreatic cancer has been recognized as one of the most fatal malignancies worldwide, the molecular mechanism of which is still not fully understood. In this study, we aimed to uncover the fundamental functions of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3H subunit (EIF3H) in the development and progression of pancreatic cancer. Firstly, the results of immunohistochemical (IHC) staining revealed that EIF3H was highly expressed in pancreatic cancer. Moreover, lentiviruses were used to deliver shRNAs into pancreatic cancer cells for silencing EIF3H. Furthermore, the loss-of-function assays demonstrated that knockdown of EIF3H could inhibit the progression of pancreatic cancer cells by reducing proliferation capacity, promoting apoptosis, arresting cell cycle in G2 and suppressing cell migration. In summary, EIF3H may play a critical role in the development and progression of pancreatic cancer, which possesses the potential to act as a therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer treatment.

Effect of Qingre Jiedu Huoxue Huayu Recipe on blood stasis and toxin syndrome in patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome, serum Lp-PLA2, TNF- α, and PIGF expression level

The pathological basis of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) is severe coronary stenosis, unstable plaque erosion, and rupture, resulting in coronary blood flow reduction and myocardial ischemia, leading to acute thrombosis cardiovascular disease events. This subject intends to study the treatment of NSTE-ACS patients with blood stasis and toxin syndrome by Qingre Jiedu Huoxue Huayu Decoction, observe its clinical efficacy, and explore the effects of serum lipoprotein phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) and tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF- α), the effect of placental growth factor (PIGF) expression. In this study, 100 patients with blood stasis and toxin syndrome of NSTE-ACS treated in the cardiovascular department of Enshi National Hospital from August 2020 to August 2021 were selected as the research object. They were randomly divided into traditional Chinese medicine comprehensive treatment groups and conventional western medicine control groups, with 50 cases. The conventional western medicine control group was treated with hydroclopidogrel tablets orally, and the comprehensive treatment group of traditional Chinese medicine combined with Qingre Jiedu Huoxue Huayu formula orally. The patients in both groups were treated for four weeks. The results showed that after treatment, the practical clinical rate of the comprehensive treatment group was significantly higher than that of the conventional western medicine control group. After treatment, the TCM syndrome score, angina pectoris attack duration, and angina pectoris attack frequency, myocardial zymogram index level, serum Lp-PLA2 and TNF of the two groups were measured- α. The levels of PIGF were significantly lower than those before treatment. The decline of the above indexes in the comprehensive treatment group of traditional Chinese medicine was significantly better than that in the control group of conventional Western Medicine (P<0.05). The incidence of MACE events in the TCM Comprehensive treatment group was significantly lower than that in the conventional western medicine control group (P <0.05).

Comparison of pregnancy rates following fresh and frozen embryo transfer in women undergoing assisted reproductive techniques

Freezing embryos is the best way to increase fertility for women with ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome and women at risk for ovarian dysfunction. Due to the importance of freezing and pregnancy embryos, the present study was conducted to compare the fertility rate and the affecting factors following fresh embryos and frozen embryos in women treated with assisted reproductive techniques. In this study, 250 infertile women and IVF/ICSI candidates were studied. Embryos were used in fresh or frozen groups for transfer to the uterus. The expression of the caspase-3 gene was also examined for further evaluation. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 16 software, Chi-square, independent t-test, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Out of 250 infertile women, 96 (38.4%) became pregnant, of which 54 were in the fresh embryo group and 42 were in the frozen embryo group, which was not statistically significant (P=0.32). Infertility causes, number of embryonic cells and grading of transferred embryos, delivery complications, embryo implantation methods, number of produced embryos after delivery, and endometrial thickness were not significantly different between the two groups (P=0.53). The difference between the mean number of transferred embryos in the two groups was significant (P<0.05), which was no longer significant after excluding non-pregnant women, and in comparing with only pregnant women (P=0.36). The result of caspase-3 gene expression showed that there was significant differences between fresh embryos, healthy thawed frozen embryos, and destroyed thawed frozen embryos. But these results were totally different from the results of the Pregnancy rate section. Therefore, it is inferred that although caspase-3 genes are expressed in frozen embryos after thawing and are ready to destroy the embryo, there are probably a number of involved factors that prevent the activity of caspase-3 and do not allow the apoptotic process to occur. What these factors are and how they prevent this process needs further study.

Risk assessment of gastric cancer in the presence of Helicobacter pylori cagA and hopQII genes

Helicobacter pylori bacterium is one of the most common bacterial infections globally and is the leading cause of indigestion, gastric and duodenal ulcers, and gastric cancer. This bacterium can escape the antibacterial effects of stomach acid by adapting to the inner layers of the stomach. It combines with the natural sugars in the gastric mucosa. The compound is so effective that it makes bacterium resistant. For genes related to the pathogenesis of H. pylori, using the existence of genes such as cagA, hopQI, and hopQII, PCR is performed on some of these genes to amplify fragments of different lengths. One of the less-studied cases is that two or more pathogenic genes are simultaneously associated with H. pylori. This study examined the frequency of diseases and healthy individuals infected with H. pylori and cagA and hopQII genotypes. To diagnose H. pylori infection in healthy and stomach cancer patients, the PCR products are electrophoresed on the agarose gel after glmM gene amplification by PCR. To this aim, stomach tissue biopsies were used for patients, and saliva was used for healthy individuals. For this purpose, 150 gastric biopsy samples from stomach cancer patients and 150 saliva samples from healthy people were collected. Data showed a significant relationship between the coexistence of two genes, cagA and hopQII, and stomach cancer. 34.2% of patients and 10.1% of healthy individuals showed two genotypes, while other healthy people (89.9%) infected with H. pylori did not have this genotype. Therefore, the simultaneous presence of these two bacterial genes in human societies can be an essential biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of gastric cancer.