Nonlinear Optical Investigation of Biochemical Analytes in Blood Serum via Z-Scan Technique

Background and Aims: Biomolecules' optical and nonlinear optical properties are widely used for different medical diagnoses and applications in biophotonic devices. These properties are essential in studying biological processes in living tissues. Aside from biomolecules' linear optical characteristics, their nonlinear optical characteristics have lately been considered. Materials and Methods: In this paper, the nonlinear optical responses of three biochemical analytes in blood serum, including glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol are examined using the laser-based Z-Scan technique. Hence, different laboratory samples of blood serum with various concentrations of biochemical analytes are taken from patients for this purpose. Results: The normalized transmission curves were taken and analyzed in a closed aperture configuration of the Z-Scan technique and led to evaluating the nonlinear refractive index (n2) as an indicator of nonlinear responses of samples. The results show significant nonlinear optical behaviors of the samples under a strong electrical field of the laser, which leads to the measurement of the nonlinear refractive index (n2) of the samples with an error of less than ̴ 0.5 × 10-8 cm2/w. It is found that the values of nonlinear refractive index (n2) vary proportionally as a function of their concentration in blood serum. Conclusion: The findings of this study imply that the above sample's nonlinear optical response and, probable, those of other biological tissues might be used in medical diagnoses. In addition, the Z-Scan technique might be considered as a complementary method with other conventional diagnostic procedures due to its simplicity and quick experimental approach.

Sensitization to Food and Aeroallergens in Patients with Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis, Eczema and Urticaria

Background and Aims: Allergic disorders such as asthma, urticaria, eczema, and allergic rhinitis are common worldwide, and allergens are the most common etiology and exacerbating factors. So, This study aimed to find the allergens in these patients with skin prick tests. Materials and Methods: All the allergic cases referred to an allergic clinic in the north of Iran were visited by an allergist and clinical immunologist. Based on patient history, physical examination, and diagnosis, we select food allergens and aeroallergens. A standard skin prick test was performed on all patients, and all data was then analyzed SPSS 20. Results: Two thousand one hundred and twenty-eight cases entered the study with a mean age of 27.65 ± 15.52 years old. 1235 (58.04%) females and 893 males (41.96%) participated in this study. Prevalence of allergic rhinitis, asthma, urticaria, and eczema were 717 (33.7%), 611 (28.8%), 550 (25.8%), and 250 (11.7%), respectively. The most common aeroallergens were Dermatophagoides farinae (75.9%), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (65.4%), feather (56.1%), and Candida (51.1%), respectively, in all patients. The most common food allergens were egg white (31.1%), cacao (29.7%), and egg yolk (28.9%), respectively, in all cases. Conclusion: Both aeroallergens and food allergens were the most common in all allergens by skin prick test. Therefore, it is important to find the relationship between sensitization and allergy.

Motivation and Intention to Future Donation among Blood Donors Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital Blood Bank in Kerala

Background and Aims: This study aims to identify the level of motivation among blood donors and their intention to donate again and suggest remedial measures to rectify de-motivating influences. Materials and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among donors to collect data on variables related to the objective. Results: Most donors were men aged 18-24 years, graduates, and employed. The statistical analysis indicated a significant correlation between socio-demographic variables and intention to donate. Fear is the major de-motivating factor, and waiting hours at the blood bank were rated as inconvenient. Conclusion: Recognition of the positive and negative motivation factors and measures to remove misconceptions of donors will go on a long way in the recruitment and retention of blood donors.

The Effect of Autophagy Induction in Oncolytic Reovirus Replication in Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Background and Aims: Oncolytic reoviruses can infect and kill malignant cells while sparing their normal counterparts. Reoviral infection can induce or activate autophagy, even though metformin can induce autophagy. Identifying and regulating the cellular pathways important for reovirus replication and oncolysis can improve targeted-biological therapies for cancer. Here, the autophagic process was triggered via metformin, and we investigated the effect of autophagy activation on oncolytic reovirus replication in mesenchymal stem cells as primary cells and L929 cell lines. Materials and Methods: Adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) and L929 cells were treated with metformin and reovirus type-3 strain Dearing (T3D). Twenty-four hours after infection, the viability of AD-MSCs and L929 cells were examined by MTT assay. Also, the effect of metformin-induced autophagy in the reovirus replication in these cells was determined by real-time polymerase-chain-reaction. Results: Our results show that treatment with metformin and reovirus reduced the viability of the cells compared to treatment with metformin or reovirus alone in both cells. Also, coadministration of metformin and reovirus significantly decreased the relative expression level of the Beclin-1 gene compared to treatment with metformin in both cells. However, the expression level of the reovirus L3 gene after treatment with metformin and reovirus in L929 cells increased significantly compared to AD-MSCs. Conclusion: Our data suggest that metformin-induced autophagy enhances reoviral replication in AD-MSCs and L929 cells. These findings represent the role of autophagy induction in facilitating reovirus replication and contribute to a better understanding of reovirus-host interactions.

The Relationship Between Salivary Candida Albicans Colony Count and Blood Group Antigens in Dentistry Students

Background and Aims: Candida albicans is the most prevalent opportunistic fungal species in the oral cavity. To date, several studies have been investigated the various factors associated with oral candidiasis. On the other hand, it has been proven that blood types antigens lead to some infectious factors. This study aimed to evaluate Candida albicans colonies in the saliva of dentistry students based on their blood type to detect a relationship between blood group and incidence of oral candidiasis. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 200 dentistry students were selected by a simple sampling method, including 100 individuals with blood type O and 100 with other blood types. The unstimulated salivary samples of all the participants were collected by spitting, cultured on Sabouraud medium, and then the isolated Candida albicans colonies were enumerated and recorded. Results: In the present study, samples comprised 77 males and 123 females, of whom 15.5% (31 individuals) carried colony-forming units > 40. The mean of Candida albicans colonies in the individuals' saliva with blood type O was 21.55, and it was 10.68 in the other groups. Besides, the differences were statistically significant (p = 0.024). There was no significant difference in Candida albicans colony count between O positive and O negative blood groups. Conclusions: The result of this study showed a significant relationship between the number of Candida albicans colonies of saliva and the individual’s blood type.

The Comparison of Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 Infection between Pediatric and Adults

SARS-CoV-2 causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is responsible for the recent pandemic in the world. It has been recently recognized as a challenge for public health and a significant cause of severe illness in all age groups. Young children and older people are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, children usually present mild symptoms compared to adult patients. The relationship between age, severity, and COVID-19 transmission is compared to determine whether there is any reasonable relationship between age and COVID-19. It should be mentioned that some risk factors may increase the probability of developing severe COVID-19 by advancing age, such as pathophysiological changes in the respiratory system, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 expression in the nasopharynx, and smoking. Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection is independent of age, but the mortality rate of COVID-19 depends on age.

TNF-α, iNOS Augmentation Due to Macrophages and Neutrophils Activity in Samples from Patients in Intensive Care Unit with COVID-19 Infection

Background and Aims: Cells and secreted molecules by the innate immune system are the essential factors in the pathogenesis and determining the severity of inflammation in COVID-19 patients. Severe inflammation results from increased activity of neutrophils, macrophages, and other cells with their products. Inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) increases the severity and pathogenesis of the disease caused by the virus. Phagocytes are armed with inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), that upon stimulation by proinflammatory cytokines augment an immune response against pathogens. Materials and Methods: Two groups of patients were included with COVID-19 infection from the intensive care unit (ICU, n=52) and (non-ICU-care, n=54). Blood samples were collected to measure cells and serum parameters, including lymphocytes, neutrophils, platelet counts, accompanied with C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, TNF-a and iNOS levels. Results: In the ICU group, increased white blood cells (p=0.048), decreased lymphocytes (p=0.0007), increased neutrophils (p=0.001), decreased platelets, increase serum levels for lactate dehydrogenase (p =0.0001), c-reactive protein (p=0.003), TNF-a (p=0.018), and iNOS (p=0.008) were statistically obtained. Positive correlations were calculated between TNF-a and iNOS (r=0.65, p=0.0002) and with c-reactive protein (r=0.52, p=0.003) and with lactate dehydrogenase (r=0.68, p=0.0001). Conclusion: Inflammation due to macrophages and neutrophils activity in COVID-19 patients and increased mediators correlate with disease progression. It seems that control of the cell activity and their inflammatory cytokines would be considered for therapeutic goals. Changing the polarization of inflammatory macrophages to anti-inflammatory macrophages with therapeutic applications could prevent the severity of the provocative course of the disease.

Clinical Presentations of Iranian Confirmed COVID-19 Patients at the Admission Time: A Preliminary Retrospective Study

Background and Aims: The current preliminary study aimed to assess the clinical symptoms of the 67 Iranian COVID-19 patients and investigate the possible beneficial effects of the naproxen compared to the standard therapeutic regimen. Materials and Methods: We assessed 67 COVID-19 patients. All COVID-19 cases were confirmed by computed tomography (CT) and real time-polymerase chain reaction tests. We evaluated the clinical symptoms of the patients at the admission time. Also, a group of 28 patients received naproxen besides their standard treatment. Clinical presentations, radiographic features, white blood cells (WBC) in peripheral blood, hemoglobin, platelets, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, blood urea nitrogen, lactate dehydrogenase, Albumin, and Creatine Phosphokinase were evaluated. Results: The patients' clinical symptoms show that cough (89.6%) was the most repeated signed at the admission time, followed by fever at 78.7%, fatigue at 70%, and myalgia at least 64.2%. Unilateral slight ground-glass opacity was the most abundant presentation by 64.1% in CT. The laboratory assessment in patients indicates that mean WBC was 6193 ± 3258 (x106/L), and mean lymphocyte was 27.8 ± 12%. The survival rate and the hospitalization days for patients with or without the Naproxen regimen were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The most common clinical symptoms in Iranian patients with COVID-19 at the admission time include cough, fever, fatigue, and myalgia. Based on the current study results, the survival rate and the hospitalization days for patients with or without Naproxen usage were not statistically significant. The laboratory parameters could not show any particular statistically significant differences.

Comparison of Blood Biochemical Markers and Anthropometric Parameters in Different Fatty Liver Grades

Background and Aims: Obesity and hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and malnutrition are among the causes of fatty liver disease. This study compares blood biochemical markers and anthropometric parameters in different grades of fatty liver. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 73 fatty liver patients were studied. The degree of fatty liver disease was divided into three grades on ultrasonography. Anthropometric parameters BMI, waist circumstance, height, weight in the fasting state were evaluated according to the standard protocols. The blood samples were taken and biochemical variables fasting blood sugar, serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), Serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), calcium, phosphorus, low density lipoprotein (LDL), cholesterol, triglyceride, and others were examined with photometric and HPLC methods. Results: Statistical analysis was significant between grades 1 and 3 of fatty liver (p = 0.006) and body mass index between grades 1 and 3 of fatty liver (p = 0.003). Comparing SGOT between different grades did not show any significant differences. However, comparing Bili Total indicated a significant difference between grades 1 and 2 and 1 and 3. Moreover, statistical analysis of qualitative variables, such as gender, hypertension, smoking, drug, alcohol, heart disease, stomach disease, and kidney disease, was not statistically significant between the three fatty liver groups. Median ± IQR had a significant difference for SGOT and Bili Total (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study showed the significance of BMI, waist circumstance, and bilirubin factors in different grades of fatty liver. Monitoring BMI, waist circumstance, and bilirubin factors will be useful for susceptible people to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

The Effect of Thymol on Renal Toxicity Induced by Mercury Chloride in Rats

Background and Aims: Mercuric chloride is highly toxic once absorbed into the bloodstream, especially the kidneys in which it is collected. Mercury chloride increases hydrogen peroxide and enhances the destruction of protective enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), leading to oxidative stress. Besides, thymol has anti-oxidant effects and can increase the activity of SOD and GPX. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of thymol on mercury chloride-induced toxicity. Materials and Methods: In this study, 30 rats, consisting of 6 groups of 5, were used. Control group receiving a single dose of 0.5 mg/kg mercuric chloride for 15 days, third, fourth, and fifth group received intraperitoneal injection of mercuric chloride at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg for 15 days plus thymol at a dose of 10, 30, 50 mg/kg. The sixth group received mercuric chloride at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg for 15 days plus thymol at 30 mg/kg per day for ten days. Results: Results showed a significant difference in the activity of catalase enzyme in kidney tissue samples test. According to the results of SOD, there is a significant difference between the group of corn oil and the group of mercury chloride and between the group of mercury chloride and the group that receives thymol at a dose of 10, 30, 50 mg/kg (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: It can be concluded that mercury chloride-induced kidney toxicity and thymol have anti-oxidant protective effects for SOD and GPX.