bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Transbronchial Needle Aspiration Samples from Sarcoidosis Patients for the Presence of Mycobacterium
Authors: Kiani Arda , Rouzpeykar Razieh , Idani Esmaeil , Varahram Mohammad , Kazempour-Dizaji Mehdi , Taghavi Kimia , Abedini Atefeh 
Published: August 2023

Background:
Tuberculosis (TB) and sarcoidosis are two chronic, systemic, and granulomatous diseases that have similar pulmonary and extrapulmonary manifestations. Given the similarities between the two diseases, it is suggested that the Mycobacterium genome may play a role in sarcoidosis. Identification of Mycobacterium species isolated from sarcoidosis patients optimizes the treatment process of patients. The present study investigates biopsy tissue samples from patients with sarcoidosis for the presence of Mycobacterium in the tissues.

Methods:
This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on all sarcoidosis patients referred to Masih Daneshvari Hospital during 2017–2018 (401 patients). All patients who were outpatients or hospitalized in the bronchoscopy ward of Masih Daneshvari Hospital underwent transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA). The cause of the TBNA procedure in patients was the presence of bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy in patients. Out of 401 patients with sarcoidosis, five patients showed positive smear or culture for Mycobacterium and were excluded from the study. Finally, 396 patients were included in the study.

Results:
The majority of participants in the present study were female (56.1%) with a mean age of 48.2 years and a mean ACE index of 73.4. Hypertension was found in16.2% of patients with sarcoidosis. 16.4% of patients had hyperlipidemia and 4.3% of patients had a history of ischemic heart disease. Redness of the eyes was seen in 13.1% of patients and 12.4% of the patients had diabetes. Also, 43.4% of the patients had skin lesions. Out of a total of 396 patients with sarcoidosis in the present study, 3.5% of the lymph and lung tissues of sarcoidosis patients (who were not infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis by clinical signs and culture) contained amplifiable MTB DNA.

Conclusion:
In the present study and many previous related studies, the Mycobacterium genome has been observed in lymph node samples of mediastinal nodes and lung tissue of sarcoidosis patients. One of the strengths of the present study, which can make the results very reliable, is the high sample size in this study. It is suggested that similar studies with the use of control groups in large samples, investigate the presence of the Mycobacterium genome and its type in sarcoidosis patients.
Therapeutic Management of Hypovitaminosis A and Zinc Deficiency in a Lactating Cow from a Small Dairy Herd in Muranga County, Kenya
Authors: Nguta Joseph Mwanzia 
Published: August 2023

Background:
Hypovitaminosis A and zinc deficiency were diagnosed in a 7-year-old Friesian cow from a small milking herd comprising of thirty Friesian cows in a zero grazing unit in Muranga County in Kenya, on Friday, November 15, 2019. The cow was weighing approximately 500 kilograms and had calved four months ago. The daily production of milk was tweny five litres. The cow had a history of sudden inappetance, reduced weight, sternal recumbency, convulsions and heavy lacrymation. Clinical examination revealed slight clouding of the cornea, and dilated pupils which did not respond to light. The menace response was almost absent but palperal and corneal reflexes were present. The cow was not apparently blind.

Methods:
The clinical examination of the skin revealed a fungal infection. Skin scrapings and hair from the lesions were examined for fungal species by direct microscopy in 10% KOH and lactophenol. Collected samples were inoculated on mycobiotic agar. The inoculum was incubated at 28°C for two to six weeks and examined for colony formation. Culture examination revealed Trichophyton verrucosum as the cause of dermatophytosis. Blood sample was taken from the cow into a vial containing heparin for spectrophotometric estimation of vitamin A and serum zinc concentrations.

Results:
Vitamin A and serum zinc concentrations were 5.12 μg/dl and 3.24 μg/L, respectively. The reference serum values for vitamin A are in the range of 15.4 to 32.3 μg/dl, while reference serum zinc levels are in the range of 6-12 μg/L for optimum physiologic functioning in dairy cattle. On the basis of history, clinical examination and significantly low serum vitamin A and zinc levels, the lactating friesian cow was diagnosed to be suffering from combined hypovitaminosis A and zinc deficiency. The dairy cow was therapeutically managed through administration of zinc sulphate orally, at a dosage rate of 1 gram per week for six weeks, administration of vitamin A at a dosage rate of 30,000 international units (IU), deep intramuscularly, once daily for seven days, and intramuscular administration of 3 mls of BelamylR, once daily for seven days. The body parts with lesions caused by T. verrucosum were treated through topical administration of zinc oxide ointment once daily for twenty one days. Following treatment of the lactating cow, significant improvement was observed in terms of disappearance of lachrymation, corneal clouding, sternal recumbency, skin lesions and convulsions. The appetite also returned to normal. All the other cows in the farm were supplemented with vitamin A and zinc. The client was also advised to include fresh napier and bermuda grass in the cattle diet, since they have been shown to contain adequate levels of beta carotene and zinc.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, zinc and vitamin A supplementation may be of benefit for recovery of cows from sternal recumbency and dermatophytosis.
Impact of Proinflammatory Cytokines
Authors: Al-Muhana Ismael Raheem , Ahmed Mohanad Mohsin , Al-Muhana Ishaq Raheem , AL-Hasan Baraa Akeel 
Published: August 2023

Background:
The cytokine storm and specific biochemical results were both observed during Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. The aim of this study was to see if there was any correlation between biochemical findings and cytokine levels.

Methods:
A total of 65 COVID-19 patients, including 32 males and 33 females with ages between (16 and 90 years) were enrolled in this study. Between December 2020 and February 2021, these patients were admitted to Al-Amal Specialized Hospital or ward of COVID-19 care in Al-Sader Hospital. These patients were classified into severe/critical (43 cases), mild/moderate (22 cases) according to the guidelines released by National Health World depending on SpO2 percentage. The biochemical indices were measured using FUJI DRI-CHEM NX500 automated clinical chemistry analyzer (FUJIFILM, Japan). The proinflammatory cytokine (interleukin-6 [IL-6], IL-1α, and IL-1β) were measured using ELISA technique.

Results:
IL-6 serum levels were negatively correlated with SpO2 (P = 0.002, R = - 0.372) and serum albumin (P = 0.034, R = - 0.301). IL-1α serum levels showed significant negative correlation with serum albumin levels (P = 0.039, R = - 0.259). Furthermore, a positive correlation found between IL-1β serum with serum levels of both AST and LDH (P = 0.049; R = 0.255; P = 0.054; R = 0.320 respectively).

Discussion:
Increased IL-6 serum levels have a direct impact on SpO2 percentage and serum albumin. Whereas the elevated levels of both IL-1α and IL-1β are a possible cause of acute inflammation and liver damage in COVID-19.

Conclusions:
This study further confirms the growing evidence on the direct role of proinflammatory cytokines in the biochemical changes shown in COVID-19.
“Asymptomatic” plasmodium falciparum Parasitemia and Micronutrient Deficiencies among Pregnant Women in Oyo State
Authors: Azeez Mufutau Mosunmade , Akinbo Frederick Olusegun 
Published: August 2023

Background:

Plasmodium falciparum parasitemia coupled with nutritional deficiencies, especially relating to micronutrients in pregnancy, may be a recipe for adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic P. falciparum infection and some micronutrient deficiencies among pregnant women in Oyo State.

Methods:
Three hundred and sixteen pregnant women aged 16–45 years and 100 apparently healthy nonpregnant women of the same age range serving as controls from the 3 senatorial districts of Oyo State were enrolled in this study after obtaining their consent. Blood samples were collected and examined for P. falciparum using RDT kit and Giemsa-stained film microscopy while the selected micronutrients – calcium, iron, copper, and zinc – were assayed with atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

Results:

P. falciparum was detected in 82 out of the 316 pregnant women studied representing a percentage prevalence of 25.95 while the prevalence rate was 1% (1 out of 100) among the nonpregnant control women (P < 0.0001). Factors that significantly impacted on P. falciparum prevalence were pregnancy status, age, gestational age, parity, and seasonal variations. Out of the 316 pregnant women studied, 27 (8.5%) and 35 (11.1%) were deficient in calcium and iron, respectively. However, 13 of the 82 parasitemic pregnant women (15.85%) had calcium micronutrient deficiency, with only 14 out 234 (5.98%) observed in nonparasitemic pregnant women (P < 0.0001). While 10 (12.19%) had iron deficiency among the parasitemic pregnant women, 25 (10.68%) had iron deficiency among the nonparasitemic pregnant women. The only parasitemic nonpregnant control out of the 100 had calcium and iron micronutrient deficiencies (100%) as against 24.24% and 20.24%, respectively, in nonparasitemic controls. Copper and zinc micronutrient deficiencies were not observed among the study subjects.

Conclusion:
Continuous health education with emphasis on compliance to dietary instructions and malaria prevention measures, monitoring parasitemic pregnant women till delivery, and including malaria testing in the routine laboratory tests for antenatal care are hereby advocated.
Evaluation of Biofilm Formation and Antibiotic Resistance Pattern in Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli Strains
Authors: Jomehzadeh Nabi , Ahmadi Khadijeh , Nasiri Zahra 
Published: August 2023

Background:
The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli strains, especially extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing strains, has become a global health concern. This study was aimed to determine the frequency of bla
CTX-M, bla
TEM, and bla
SHV genes among E. coli isolates from urinary tract infection (UTI) and evaluate their antibiotic resistance pattern.

Methods:
Totally 98 E. coli isolates were recovered from urine samples of UTI-diagnosed patients. Antibiotic resistance and ESBL production were evaluated by disk diffusion and combined disk methods according to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. The biofilm formation ability of isolates was assessed using the tube adherence method. ESBL-positive isolates were screened for bla
TEM, bla
CTX-M, and bla
SHV genes by polymerase chain reaction.

Results:
Among the examined isolates, 25 (25.5%) were detected as ESBL producers and harbored at least one of the studied genes. The bla
CTX-M was the predominant (44%) gene, followed by bla
TEM (24%) and bla
SHV (8%). The isolates revealed variable resistance levels to all antimicrobials, out of which 55.1% were conferred a high resistance rate to different antibiotic classes and considered MDR. Phenotypically, 42.85% of the isolates were biofilm formers, of which the majority (38%) formed moderate biofilms.

Conclusions:
This study showed that the ESBL-positive isolates were more resistant to some first-line antibiotics, and this highlights the necessity to control and monitor the prescribed antibiotics used for empirical treatment for UTI patients.
Screening the in-vitro Antibacterial Activity of Different Naturally Produced Coal and Coal Mediated Commercial Products on Clinically Isolated Pathogens
Authors: Shreya Shawda Shafiq , Islam Tamanna , Ishma Touhida , Polin Irin Sultana , Nazia Fahim Monwar , Acharjee Mrityunjoy 
Published: August 2023

Background:
The rise of microbial illnesses caused by drug-resistant microflora is one of the most serious public health concerns, therefore identifying novel antimicrobial agents is crucial in combating multidrug-resistant bacterial strains.

Methods:
Present Investigation designated to assess the microbiological status of some naturally produced coal and coal mediated commercial products collected from Barapukuria Coal Mine Dinajpur and different retailer in Dhaka city, respectively through conventional cultural and biochemical tests. Moreover, the anti-bacterial potential of both categories of coal samples was also aimed to be checked by the agar well diffusion method and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay.

Results:
Out of 10 samples, total viable bacteria was estimated at high range in all the samples excluding the charcoal. In case of specific bacteria, only Staphylococcus spp. was found in both types of samples while Klebsiella spp. was found in coal mediated commercial products. Both categories of samples showed their anti-bacterial activity with satisfactory range of zone diameter (9 mm–26 mm). However, the naturally produced coal was unable to show their anti-bacterial activity against Bacillus spp., Shigella spp. and Vibrio spp. through agar well diffusion methods. Meanwhile, the minimal concentration of all the samples was successfully quantified as MIC value at which the bacterial growth was retarded. In case of naturally produced coal, the lowest concentration 4 mg/ml was recorded for wooden coal powder against Escherichia coli while the maximum concentration was estimated at 34 mg/ml. Conversely, the MIC value was varied between 4 mg/ml to 24 mg/ml in case of coal mediated commercial products.

Conclusion:
The results of this study suggest that the naturally produced coal and coal-mediated products have excellent antibacterial characteristics which indicating their economic potential for treating various infectious disorders.
Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile and Plasmid Analysis of Micro-Organisms Associated with Ocular Infections
Authors: Unegbu Valentine Nnachetam , Anyamene Chris , Odibo Frederick 
Published: August 2023

Background:
This study was undertaken to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility profile and plasmid analysis of micro-organisms associated with ocular infections.

Methods:
Ocular specimens were collected from 500 patients. Subsequent identification was done based on morphology and biochemical tests. Susceptibility pattern of the isolates was done using the disk diffusion method. The presence of plasmids was determined using the agar gel electrophoresis technique. Plasmid curing was carried out by treating the MAR isolates with sodium dodecyl sulfate at concentration of 10%.

Results:
Conjunctivitis was the most prevalent ocular infection of 105 (39.8%). S. aureus was the most prevalent pathogen 63 (23.9%) followed by CoNS 36 (13.6%). S. aureus was 100% sensitive to vancomycin and chloramphenicol. CoNS was also 100% sensitive to ciprofloxacin, vancomycin, and chloramphenicol. K pneumoniae was 100% sensitive to gentamicin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid while N. gonorrhoeae was 100% sensitive to gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, and cefotaxime. The overall MAR bacteria was 38 (16.2%). Plasmid analysis revealed the presence of 1–3 plasmid bands of sizes 6.21–16.22 Kbp from the MAR isolates. Plasmid curing revealed that the gene coding for resistant seen in this study was plasmid mediated.

Conclusions:
The prevalence of ocular infection was high with conjunctivitis being the dominant. The dominant bacteria species were S. aureus and CoNS. The overall MAR bacteria proportion was relatively high. The presence of plasmids was responsible for the resistance of the isolates to antibiotics.
Her2neu Expression of Gastric and Lower Esophageal Carcinoma and its Correlation with Clinicopathological Findings in Tertiary Care Hospital in Eastern India
Authors: Chakraborty Dipsikha , Ghosh Sanchita , Jain Bhawna Bhutoria , Ghosh Saurav Kumar , Nandi Ayandip 
Published: August 2023

Background:
Gastric carcinomas are the fifth most common cancer worldwide and cause the second most common cancer-related deaths. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2/Neu)(c-erbB2) protein overexpression in gastric cancer has been correlated to poor outcomes and a more aggressive disease. Targeted therapy against HER-2/Neu has attracted much attention recently. Comprehensive data regarding Her2neu expression in gastric carcinoma in Southeast Asia shows highly variable results and often lacks standardization.

Aim/Objective:
In this study, we study the expression of HER-2/Neu marker in lower esophageal and gastric carcinoma and compare it with various clinicopathological parameters and are known to have prognostic significance.

Methods:
One hundred and fifty cases of gastric/gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas (intestinal type) were included in the study over 2 years, and immunohistochemistry was done to evaluate Her2neu expression. Scoring was done according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists guideline, and the finding was correlated with clinicopathological parameters.

Results:
The age of patients ranged from 41 years to 80 years. Gastric tumors were more common in the age group 61–70 years with mean age of 65.5 years. Gastric tumors are more common in males than females. (M:F = 3.16:1) Most common type of specimen received was partial gastrectomy (38%). Anorexia (46%) and pain abdomen (46%) were the most common presenting symptoms. Gastric tumors were common in tubular subtypes (76%) followed by mucinous subtypes (16%). Most common histopathological grading was moderately differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma (64%). Most gastric tumors were located at antropyloric area of the stomach (42%). The highest frequency of cases presented at an tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) stage that is pT2N2Mx (32.3%). Her2neu expression was found to be score 0 in most (62%) cases, only 10% of cancers were positive (3+), 14% were equivocal (2+), and another 14% were 1+ (negative). When we correlated clinicopathological parameters such as age, sex, tumour site, gross appearance, size, depth of invasion, TNM stage, Lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion etc. with HEr2neu expression; no statistically significant correlation was found.

Conclusion:
Overexpression of HER-2/Neu in gastric carcinoma can help to identify patients with reduced survival and to identify eligible candidates for targeted therapy. A larger sample size and follow-up for a longer period might shed more light on the role of the above markers in gastric carcinoma.
Comparing Pili Producing Gene (mtp-flp) in Susceptible and Resistant Dormant Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Strains with Active Clinical Isolates
Authors: Nasirzadeh Zahra , Farnia Parissa , Nowroozi Jamileh , Farnia Poopak , Velayati Ali Akbar 
Published: August 2023

Background:
Pili producing genes in different life cycles of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) were assessed. M. tuberculosis has two life cycles: dormant and active states. We aimed to assess the pili producing genes such as curli pili of M. tuberculosis (mtp) encoded by the mtp gene (Rv3312A) and fimbrial low-molecular-weight protein encoded by flp gene (Rv3656c) which were compared and analyzed.

Methods:
Two hundred M. tuberculosis isolates were investigated both at active and dormant states for production and expression of pili. The dormant M. tuberculosis was achieved by incubation in a sealed tube (modified Wayne method). The susceptibility of M. tuberculosis was evaluated on genes, rpob, inh, katg, and gyra by using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and single-strand conformational polymorphism methods. The PCR–restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to express pili genes mtp and flp and then the PCR products was digested using restriction enzyme Fnu4HI, XmaI, and MspJI and AciI, TagII, and HaeII, respectively. The transmission electron microscopy was also used to detect pili in different isolates. The result was compared and analyzed using H37RV as a gold standard.

Results:
The mtp and flp PCR products were 263 and 122 bp in the studied strains irrespective of M. tuberculosis different life cycles, respectively. The PCR products were analyzed on 8% Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), and in the 180/200 (20%), producing five fragments of 25,40,45,63,90 bp with the Fun4HI and two fragments of 126,138 bp with the XmaI and uncut with the MspJI for mtp gen were obtained at the dormant and active states of M. tuberculosis (P < 0.05). Similarly in flp gene producing three fragments of 22,35,65 bp with AciI and two fragments of 35.87 bp with TagII and two fragments of 38.84 bp with HaeII were obtained (P < 0.05). In contrast to genotyping analysis, the electron microscopy examination showed protruding of pili from M. tuberculosis, especially in dormant mycobacterium (15/100; 15%), that was multidrug resistance and extensive drug resistance isolates (P > 0.05).

Conclusion:
Pili were shown by electron microscopy, although at the gene expression, the insignificant difference was observed at the dormant strains in comparison to active states. Therefore, we may conclude that other genes might be involved in pili production of M. tuberculosis that needs further investigation. Although, the resistance phenomena might influence the pili producing gene expression that showed in our results.
Alpha-Pinene Preserves Human Dopaminergic SH-SY5Y Cells against 6-Hydroxydopamine-Induced Toxicity through its Antioxidant and Antiapoptotic Properties and Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Type A Signaling
Authors: Moshrefi Mandana , Pourrahimi Ali Mohammad , Abbasnejad Mehdi , Farjoo Mohammad Hadi , Esmaeili-Mahani Saeed 
Published: August 2023

Background:
Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders which is characterized by progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra. Therefore, drugs or natural agents that have suppressive effects on dopaminergic cell death may reduce the progression of such disorder. Here, the effect of natural product alpha-pinene was evaluated on 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced damage in SH-SY5Y human dopaminergic cell line as an in vitro model of PD.

Methods:
The cells were incubated by 150 μM 6-OHDA alone or accompanied with different concentration of alpha-pinene (10–180 μM). Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. The amount of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured by fluorescence spectrophotometry. In addition, the components of molecular apoptotic pathway such as cytochrome c release, Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 levels were measured by immunoblotting. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) antagonist, bicuculline, was used to find the role of GABA Type A (GABAA) receptors in the signaling of alpha-pinene.

Results:
The data showed that 6-OHDA produced cell damage, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, increased intracellular ROS and cytochrome c release, as well as increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase-3 activity. Moreover, alpha-pinene (70 μM) significantly inhibited cellular and molecular abnormalities. Blockage of GABAA receptor significantly suppressed the protective effect of alpha-pinene.

Conclusion:
The results suggest that alpha-pinene has a protective effect against dopaminergic toxicity, and at least in part, its antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties are probably involved in such protection.