Amygdalin potentiates the anti‑cancer efect of Sorafenib on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma and ameliorates the associated liver damage [2022-06-07]

The burden of cancer diseases is increasing every year, therefore, the demands to fgure out novel drugs that can retain antitumor properties have been raised. This study aimed to investigate the anti-tumor properties of amygdalin (Amy) against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) bearing mice and its protective properties against liver damage. Amy and the standard anticancer drug Sorafenib (Sor) were given alone or in combination to Swiss albino female mice that had been injected with EAC cells. Biochemical parameters of liver function (AST, ALT, GGT, total protein, albumin), tumor volume, oxidative stress [malondialdehyde, (MDA)] and antioxidative [superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione (GSH)] markers were measured. The hepatic expression of the antioxidantrelated gene [nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)], the migration-related gene [matrix metalloprotease 9 (MMP9)], and the angiogenesis-related gene [vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)] were evaluated by qPCR. The results revealed that EAC-bearing mice treated with Amy and/or Sor showed a decrease in the tumor burden and hepatic damage as evidenced by (1) decreased tumor volume, number of viable tumor cells; (2) increased number of dead tumor cells; (3) restored the liver function parameters; (4) reduced hepatic MDA levels; (5) enhanced hepatic GSH and SOD levels; (6) upregulated expression of Nrf2; (7) downregulated expression of MMP9 and VEGF, and (8) improved hepatic structure. Among all treatments, mice co-treated with Amy (orally) and Sor (intraperitoneally) showed the best efect. With these results, we concluded that the Amy improved the antitumor efect of Sor and had a protective role on liver damage induced by EAC in mice download attachment

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with chronic hepatitis C [2022-06-07]

Background: Association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and chronic hepatitis C (CHC) still remains controversial. This work is concerned with assessing the potential role of H. pylori in the progression of hepatitis C virus (HCV)- related chronic liver disease. Results: A total of 449 individuals constituted this study (200 individuals were used to validate the assay while 249 individuals were used to assess the correlation between H. pylori infection and CHC). H. pylori antigen was quantifed in serum samples using ELISA. As a consequence, our fndings showed that H. pylori positivity was increased signifcantly (P = 0.021) with liver fbrosis progression as it was found in 44.45% of fbrotic patients and 71.88% of cirrhotic patients. We demonstrated that patients with F4 were accompanied by a signifcant (P < 0.05) increase in the concentration of H. pylori antigen displaying 16.52-fold and 1.34-fold increase in its level over F0 and F1-F3, respectively. Patients co-infected with H. pylori and HCV are 3.19 times (219%) more likely to experience cirrhosis than those who are mono-infected with HCV. This suggests that the risk for developing F4 was found to increase upon H. pylori coinfection when compared to CHC mono-infected patients. Conclusion: The elevated levels of H. pylori-antigen in HCV/H. pylori co-infection suggest increased susceptibility of co-infected patients for promoting hepatic fbrosis progression download attachment

Screening of Occult Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Egyptian Blood Donors [2022-06-07]

Abstract Background: Although sensitive screening assays for hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) are available, special cases of post-transfusion hepatitis B virus infection still occur. The present study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of anti-hepatitis B core (anti-HBc) positivity and the presence of HBV-DNA in serum samples of healthy blood donors negative for both HBsAg and anti-HCV antibodies in Benha, Egypt. download attachment

Exploring the Relationship between Bowel Microbiota and Impaired Glucose Tolerance [2022-06-07]

Background and Aim: Because of the large number of genes found in the gut microbiome, it has recently been determined that numerous human microorganisms have significant implications for human health. Aim: The significance of gut bacteria in the development of T2DM was investigated in this study. Materials and Methods: Microbial species were extracted from fecal materials; they were identified and quantified using genomic spectrophotometric equipment, and certain biochemical parameters for Diabetes were quantified. Result: We observed a concentration of firmicutes, Bacteroides, and proteobacteria, with the Escherichia coli population predominating. Biochemical parameters reveal a several-fold raised value for some biomarkers in T2DM. In a paired sample test results gave significant differences for all tested pairs. Conclusion: Microbiomes can affect the gut environment and trigger alterations that embolden the development of T2DM, according to study findings download attachment

Biochemical and molecular characterization of Klebsiella species isolated from neoplastic patients under Irradiation therapy [2022-06-07]

Abstract---Neoplastic radiation therapy was able to alter the microbial flora of patients' bodies, as well as the microbial flora of radiationexposed workers, and provided control for possible infectious consequences. Klebsiella aerogenes was a non-fermentative aerobic gram negative bacteria that was widely distributed in nature, requiring species identification in up to 25% of cases in the lab. Antibiotic susceptibility of Klebsiella species multi-resistant isolates is common, and all isolates were characterized in all cases of clinically significant infections caused by these organisms. Only 15 isolates showed significant antimicrobial activities against at least one of the tested indicator bacteria. Vancomycin is an anti-Klebsiella species antibiotic to which resistance is rarely seen, their use should be reserved for the treatment of species infections resistant to all other antibiotics, the emergence of widespread antibiotic-resistant bacteria enhanced the need for new sources of antimicrobial agents, and isolate SHM4-1 was active against all of them, with IC60 values of 3.3 and 1.1 g/ml against HCT-116 and HepG-2 cell lines, respectively. It was genotypically identified as a species with the PKS 4 biosynthetic gene cluster present. To enhance the production, mannitol, ammonium sulphate, pH 7, 2% inoculum size, and 2 days at 37°C were utilized. This permitted separation of one active antimicrobial molecule to homogeneity using HPLC, and NMR structure elucidation revealed that this chemical was a carbapenemase derivative download attachment

Proinflammatory Cytokines in Plasma of Patients with Typhoid Fever and Resistance to Therapy [2022-06-07]

TYPHOID fever a food-borne disease caused by Salmonella species, is a worldwide prevalent disease. In endemic areas, children are at highest risk owing to weaning from passively acquired maternal antibody and lack of acquired immunity. Several studies have been done to clarify the pathogenesis and underlying immune aspects of typhoid fever. The Objective is to study the changes of some proinflammatory cytokines in plasma of children and adults with typhoid fever and resistance to therapy. This study included 128 cases from which 34 consecutive children and adult admitted to Benha Fever Hospital with proven diagnosis of typhoid fever patients with typhoid fever resistant to combined therapy with Ciprofloxacin and Cefotax in addition to Zithrokan and Zantac have higher plasma levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha. Toxic look, constipation and splenomegaly may be considered as indicators of drug resistance. Study of changes in the levels of some cytokines may offer a new dimension in the assessment of the clinical efficacy of antimicrobial therapy download attachment

Changes in tryptophan and phenylalanine in chronic HCV patients treated with direct acting antiviral (sofosbuvir) [2022-06-07]

Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection represents a global public health challenge, and new drugs have been authorized for its treatment. The current study aimed to detect the change in blood levels of tryptophan and phenylalanine with the recent therapy direct-acting antiviral (sofosbuvir). Methods: This case-controlled study was conducted on HCV patients including 40 treated with direct-acting antiviral (sofosbuvir), 40 untreated underestimations of full medical history, and laboratory tests involved ELISA assay and real-time (RT) PCR technique as well as measuring tryptophan and phenylalanine by HPLC-UV, in addition to 20 apparently healthy subjects served as a control group. Results: There is a high statistical significant decrease in tryptophan and increase in phenylalanine in treated cases than untreated cases and control groups. This study showed that phenylalanine at the cutoff of 2.13 μg/ml had 96. 9% sensitivity and 62.5% specificity among treated cases; also, tryptophan at the cutoff of 8.53 ng/ml had 81.2% sensitivity and 75% specificity to predict severe depression. There is a statistically significant increase in tryptophan and decrease in phenylalanine in mild/moderate than very severe depression. Conclusion: Direct-acting antiviral (sofosbuvir) causes a decrease in tryptophan levels and increase in phenylalanine levels that as a result leading to depressive symptoms as adverse effects, so advising by dietary supplements of tryptophan for patients treated from chronic HCV by direct-acting antiviral (sofosbuvir) download attachment

Plant Extracts as Inhibitors of Foodborne Pathogenic Bacteria [2022-06-07]

RECENT interest in natural materials, especially plant extracts, has increased as natural food preservatives following the rise of antimicrobial resistance, as well as the bad reputation of industrial preservatives of consumers. This study aims to evaluate the potential use of plant extracts as an effective and safe alternative for food preservation. Also, it provides factors influencing anti-bacterial effect using meat-based and milk-based models. Ethanolic plant extracts produced extremely important antimicrobial effects via inhibiting the tested multi-drug resistant bacteria. Sumac (Rhus coriaria) found to be the most effective extract producing inhibition zones average 27mm, followed by clove, rosemary and lemon (24mm, 21mm and 18mm, respectively), Whereas black pepper showed intermediate activity (10-16mm). The aqueous extracts showed lower activity. The combination of sumac with clove and clove with rosemary produced additive effect in most cases, whereas, sumac with rosemary produced synergistic effect in all cases. On the other hand, combination of sumac with clove and rosemary produced antagonistic effect. The interaction or reaction of plant extracts with food components reduced the antibacterial effects of plant extracts; therefore, higher concentrations of used extracts were required to do the same effects in meat-based and milk-based models as in microbiological medium. The results indicated that plant extracts possessing antimicrobial activity can be used as ideal food preservatives after taken into account the reaction and interaction between food components and extract download attachment

Biological, serological and molecular identification of Xathomonas sp antibiotic resistance infecting fruit and vegetative crops [2022-06-07]

Antibiotics have been used for the control of plant pathogenic bacteria and it has become a problem in pathosystems. The current study aimed to detection plasmid curing in species of the genus Xathomonas antibiotic resistance isolated from citrus, almonds and beans. Methods: Common bacteria blight disease in citrus , almond and beans were detected by external symptoms and DASELISA .The casual against was detected and isolated on selected media by morphological and biochemical characteristics of the colonies, Indirect immunofluorescence assay, bioassay of leaf detached leaves and Hgene by PCR .The isolated bacteria were tested antibiotic sensitivity. Results: Typical symptoms of common blight disease Xanthomonas sp on citrus, almond and beans that, necrotic spots surrounded by chlorotic haloes, sunken and corky lesions with oozing gum. Bright yellow spots on the underside of leaves, followed by erumpent brownish lesions. Symptoms were recorded at late summer through to autumn 2017. The canker, chlorotic haloes and halo blight spots gave positive serological reaction with polyclonal antibodies specific Xanthomonas sp by DASELISA . Xanthomonas sp was isolated on YPGA medium and yellow pigment colonies from naturally infected citrus, almond and beans leaves. Xanthomonas sp isolates were identified which showed some differences of physiological and biochemical properties. Xanthomonas isolates inoculation of intact .immature leaves of Nicotiana tabacum cv samson showed 65–75% to fully expanded were preferred and the lesions develop 15–20 days. Three Xanthomonas sp isolates gave positive serological reaction with polyclonal antibodies specific Xanthomonas sp by DAS-ELISA. The Hgene sequence in the genome of Xanthomonas spp isolates suggested the original assignment of this isolates to the species X.citri, X.arboricola and X. campestris based on Hgene sequence X.campestris pv. campestris str. ATCC 33913. Phylogenetically sequence comparison confirmed that Xanthomonas spp isolates closest Hgene genetic homologues all belong to X. citri subsp. citri, X. arboricola and X. campestris pv. phaseoli. Antibiotics sensitivity of Xanthomonas sp isolates showed resistance against Penicillin G, Streptomycin and more resistance against, Sulphadiazole and Tetracycline. On the contrary Xanthomonas isolates after plasmids curing treatment showed sensitivity where formed inhibition zone with different area to Penicillin G, Streptomycin, Sulphadiazole and Tetracycline download attachment

The Lactobacillus brevis Prebiotic Pure Exo polysaccharide and its Nano crystalline Characterization, anti-colon cancer and cytotoxicity [2022-06-07]

The present work established that the exopolysaccharide taken from Lactobacillus brevis and its Nano crystalline form are very efficient as an anti-colon cancer. The produced exopolysaccharide and its Nano crystalline were preliminarily conformed by UV spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy and TEM. The UV analysis revealed the peak at 258 nm which corresponds to exopolysaccharide and shifted to 270 for Nano crystalline. The uniform spherical shape and size was detected by TEM. The exopolysaccharide and nano prebiotic exopolysaccharide were evaluated for its cytotoxicity on CACO2 and WI-38 was tested by MTT assay. The result indicated decrease in cell viability. The present study highlighted the possibility of utilizing exopolysaccharide and its Nano crystalline form from Lactobacillus brevis for human applications as it enhanced anti-colon cancer download attachment

Biochemical and molecular investigations on prime mechanisms of induced resistance in French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) [2022-06-07]

The prime mechanisms of induced resistance in French bean and soybean plants were investigated against three pathogenic fungi, namely Fusarium solani f. sp. phaseoli, Fusarium solani f. sp. glycine and Colletotricum lindemothianum. This latter fungal pathogen was chosen for a comparative purpose, as it represents a non related genus of the main fungal pathogens used in this study. The efficacy of the induced resistance was tested using four different incubation temperatures (20, 25, 30 and 35°C), in combination, with the use of the non pathogenic Fusarium, isolated from potatoes, served as an inducer or elicitor for 4 h and, subsequently, the challenged hypocotyls were inoculated with the pathogenic isolate of F. solani f. sp. phaseoli in all the pathosystems tested in this study. Among the tested cultivars, Nebraska was moderately resistant and Crowford was moderately susceptible to Fusarium infection, whereas the other tested cultivars were susceptible. randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting profiles characterized the tested cultivars and pathogens genomes, whereas SDS protein electrophoresis showed the newly induced proteins as a result of prime mechanisms of induced resistance download attachment

2022-06-04