Medical Laboratory Journal
Volume:13 Issue: 5, Sep-Oct 2019

Emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively-drug resistant (XDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains could complicate antipseudomonal chemotherapy. Dissemination of resistance genes, such as β-lactamases encoding genes by horizontal gene transfer can lead to development of multi-drug resistance in P. aeruginosa. The purpose of this study was to investigate the latest resistance patterns in MDR and XDR strains and evaluate Ambler class A β-lactamase gene distribution in P. aeruginosa clinical isolates.
            

One hundred molecularly and biochemically identified P. aeruginosa strains isolated from different clinical specimens were tested for sensitivity to 17 antibiotics using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. PCR was performed to detect bla TEM-1, bla SHV-1, bla REP-1 and bla VEB-1 genes. Results were analyzed using SPSS and NTSYSpc softwares. 
            

Based on the results of antibiogram, the highest rate of resistance was observed against amikacin (100%), aztreonam (83%), ceftazidime (55%), cefepime (55%) and netilmicin (48%). In addition, the frequency of MDR and XDR isolates was 95% and 5%, respectively. The blaSHV-1, bla TEM-1, bla PER-1 and bla VEB-1 genes were detected in 31%, 24%, 13% and 10% of the isolates, respectively.
            

Antibiotic resistance to β-lactam antibiotics and frequency of β-lactamase genes were relatively high in the study area. We also found that a significant proportion of XDR strains with different antibiotic resistance profile is isolated from tracheal specimens.
          

Vitamin D is an essential secosteroid that plays a crucial role in the homeostasis of a few mineral elements, particularly calcium. Since vitamin D deficiency and thyroid diseases are two important global health problems, we aimed to investigate a possible relationship of vitamin D and calcium levels with hypothyroidism in an Iranian population.
           

This case-control study was conducted on 175 subjects with hypothyroidism (75 males and 100 females) and 175 euthyroid controls (85 males and 90 females) who were referred to a laboratory in Gorgan, Iran. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, calcium, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (free T3) and thyroxine (total T4) were measured in all participants.
           

Vitamin D and calcium were significantly lower in patients with hypothyroidism (P<0.0001). Free T3 and calcium levels differed significantly among hypothyroid patients based on their vitamin D status (P<0.0001), but vitamin D levels were within sufficient range in all groups. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between free T3 with vitamin D (r= 0.337, P<0.0001) and calcium (r= 0.361, P<0.0001) levels.
            

Our results suggest that there may be a relationship between decreased vitamin D levels and thyroid function parameters.
        

Esophageal cancer is the eighth most common type of cancer in the world. Considering the adverse effects of anticancer drugs and the emergence of chemotherapy resistance, plant-derived extracts and their constituents could be a valuable source of novel anticancer drugs. In this study, we investigated cytotoxic effects of Juniperus excelsa leaf extract on esophageal cancer cell line KYSE-30 and healthy fibroblast cells (HU02 cells).
            

KYSE-30 cells and HU02 cells were cultured in DMEM medium. The cells were treated with different concentrations (1, 10, 100, 500 μg/ml) of the J. excelsa leaf extract for 24 and 48 hours. The cytotoxic effects of the extract were assessed using the MTT assay. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 19) and GraphPad Prism 5.
            

According to results of the MTT assay, the Juniperus excelsa’s leaf extract exerted significant cytotoxic effects on esophagus cancer cell line (KYSE-30) and healthy fibroblast cells (HU02) in a time- and dose-dependent manner (P<0.05).
            

The J. excelsa leaf extract has cytotoxic effects against KYSE-30 esophageal cancer cells while causing lesser toxicity on healthy fibroblast cells. Our findings suggest that the potential anticancer effects of this extract should be further exploited in future studies.
           

Aging is a multi-agent phenomenon due to prolonged inflammation and stress. CD33 or Siglec3 is a membrane receptor that acts against aging by inhibiting inflammatory reactions. The aim of this study was to evaluate a possible relationship between CD33 copy number and lifespan of an Iranian population.
            

The study included 50 individuals with cancer or Alzheimer's disease as the case group and 50 members of a family over 70 years old as the control group. Blood samples were collected and transferred to the laboratory. CD33 copy number was calculated using the QX100 Droplet Digital PCR system. A number of CD33 single-nucleotide polymorphisms including rs3865444, rs273634 and rs3852865 were genotyped using specific primers and the PCR method.
            

The mean number of CD33 copies among the case group (7.78) was significantly lower (P<0.05) than control group (12.72). In the case group, the mean number of CD33 copies was 7.83 among men and 7.73 among women. In the control group, the mean number of CD33 copies was 12.73 among men and 12.71 among women.
            

CD33rSiglecs counteract random molecular damage, which is the main driver of aging. Therefore, the CD33rSiglec gene number may be correlated with longevity. Our results indicate that there may be a link between reduced CD33rSiglec copy number and development of diseases.
          

Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is necessary for the prevention and treatment of a variety of life-threatening injuries and diseases. However, viral contamination of these products is a great threat to recipients. Screening donors for GB virus C by nucleic acid testing is not routinely implemented worldwide. The aim of the present study was to evaluate prevalence of GBV-C RNA in whole blood/red cell components.
             

In this cross sectional pilot study, we collected 153 units of packed RBCs from blood banks of two public hospitals in Gorgan (northeast of Iran), between October and November 2014. The samples were screened for the presence of GBV-C RNA in plasma by nested RT-PCR using specific primers targeting highly conserved regions of 5' UTR of GBV-C. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 18).
             

Overall, 48 (31.37%) whole blood or red cell components were positive for GBV-C viremia. The GBV-C RNA was detected in 31/88 citrate phosphate dextrose-adenine 1 (CPDA1) RBC, 16/50 washed RBC and 1/13 reduced-leukocyte RBC. However, whole blood CPDA1 was negative for GBV-C viremia. Direct sequencing of PCR products confirmed GBV-C contamination.
             

Transmission of GBV-C infection was observed in blood products. Thus, efforts should be made to develop new strategies for assuring blood transfusion safety.
            

In this study, nanosilica modified with HS-SiO2 thiol groups was utilized as adsorbent for solid phase extraction, as a fast and reliable method of preconcentration and separation of very small quantities of selenium ions from water and blood samples.
            

The samples included four natural water samples and one biological sample (blood serum) prepared in volumes of 25, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 ml. The samples were analyzed by solid phase microextraction, using thiolated-nanosilica (as adsorbent), ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry and atomic absorption spectroscopy.
            

Optimized conditions for preconcentration of a 25 ml 0.2 mg/l selenium solution were pH 5, 40 mg of adsorbent, sample-adsorbent mixing time of 15 minutes and 5 ml of 2N sulfuric acid as detergent. The volume limit and concentration factor were 400 and 80, respectively. Limit of detection and relative standard deviation of the method were 0.46 μg/l and 0.9%, respectively.
            

This study is the first to successfully utilize thiolated nanosilica for measuring low selenium levels. Thiolation of the absorbent increases selenium adsorption by thiolated-silica compared to SiO2.
       

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. It is well established that low level of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) is a strong and independent risk factor for CAD. Apolipoprotein M (apoM) is a component of HDL, which is involved in pre-β-HDL formation and cholesterol efflux to HDL. It is believed that resistance and aerobic exercise can significantly reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, especially by increasing serum levels of HDL-C. However, little is known about effects of these activities on HDL-apoM levels. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of circuit resistance training at different intensities on HDL-associated apoM levels in young untrained men.
           

Forty-five age- and weight-matched healthy untrained men were randomly assigned to a control group (n=10) and four training groups: 20% 1-repetition maximum (1RM) (n=9), 40% 1RM (n=8), 60% 1RM (n=7) and 80% 1RM (n=8). The subjects performed circuit resistance training consisting of barbell bench press, underarm flab, seated barbell curl, triceps exercise with chains, lying leg curl, squats, hyperextension, abs workout, sit-ups and quadriceps workouts (30 seconds each) in three bouts without rest between stations and with active rest (3 minutes) between sets or bouts. The training protocol was carried out for 45 minutes per session, three sessions a week, for five weeks. Venous blood samples were taken 48 hours before the first exercise session and 48 hours after the last training session. After separating plasma, HDL-associated apoM was measured using commercial ELISA kits. SPSS 16 was used for analysis of data using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test at significant level of 0.05.
           

After the training intervention, the exercise groups had higher apoM levels in total HDL and HDL-2 compared to the control group (P>0.05). However, no significant difference in HDL-associated apoM level was observed between the study groups.
           

The results of this study indicate that various intensities of circuit resistance training can alter HDL-associated apoM levels. The decreased HDL-3-associated apoM level could indicate increased rate of apoM transfer to HDL-2, which could potentially prevent development of atherosclerosis and CAD by enhancing the antioxidant effects of HDL.
       

Exercise is a strong physiological stimulus that can affect apoptosis in the lungs by altering a number of extracellular and intracellular signaling pathways. The present study examined effects of regular aerobic exercise and vitamin D on expression of Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3 in lung tissues of male rats exposed to hydrogen peroxide.

Forty-eight adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into six groups of eight, including 2 x H 2 O 2, 2H 2 O 2, Vit D (2HD), 2H2O2 + Regular Exercise Training (2HE), 2H2O2 + D3 + E (2HDE) ; Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and control (C). Subjects in the training groups performed aerobic exercise for eight weeks. Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3 expression in the lung tissues was measured using RT-PCR.

Bcl-2 expression in the exercise (P = 0.004) and vitamin D (P = 0.006) groups increased significantly compared to the control groups. Bax, Bcl-2 and caspase-3 expression was significantly lower in the exercise group and vitamin D supplementation group compared to the control group. On the other hand, concurrent exercise and vitamin D significantly reduce Bax expression but had no significant effect on Bcl-2 and caspase-3 expression.

Our results demonstrate that regular aerobic exercise along with vitamin D supplementation may play a role in reducing apoptosis in lungs following severe oxidative stress.