Journal of Advanced Biomedical Sciences
Volume:11 Issue: 3, Autumn 2021

Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging outbreak which has involved almost all of the countries of the world now. While the main symptoms of the disease are known to be respiratory symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath, extrapulmonary symptoms have also been reported in many cases of COVID-19. Gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations including diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain and liver injury are amongst the most common extrapulmonary symptoms in COVID-19 patients.

We used Scopus, PubMed, and Google scholar databases for this review. The last search was run on November 21, 2020

Liver injury is mostly accompanied by an elevation in AST and ALT levels and a slight increase in serum billirubin levels that is observed in approximately 14.8-53.1% of COVID-19 patients.1-29% of COVID-19 patients present nausea and vomiting and 2 to 10% develop diarrhea. Abdominal pain is seen in about 2.2-6% of COVID-19 patients and most frequently seen in severely ill patients.

Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting and liver injury are the most common GI symptoms in COVID-19 patients while abdominal pain is not pretty common. There are no medications of proven efficacy to treat COVID-19 or its GI manifestations so far.

About half a century ago, perhaps few people thought that the development of a particular type of viral disease and the vaccination process would take nearly a year; however, it happened (successful or unsuccessful). The best tool to help researchers in this direction is the subsequent development of computer-based science and proprietary processes. As we all know, biological science is largely attributed to the development of computers and artificial intelligence in the identification, prevention, and treatment of various diseases. The different overlap between these two disciplines has always attracted the audience of its attributes in the interdisciplinary field. For a specific group of science students, one of the disadvantages is familiarity with how they work and how to distinguish between databases. Many databases for researchers have been developed online in their specific fields. Searching and using this series of data on the Internet has become a common practice, which means that for a professional researcher, this in itself turns into an advantage. However, some groups are interested in using these data and do not have the special information as experienced researchers. This article briefly attempts to introduce a simple ladder of biochemical science and biology based solely on cyberspace.

Infestation of humans with helminth parasites can reduce the severity of some auto-inflammatory symptoms in humans. This study was done to evaluate the impact of the somatic antigens extracted from Fasciola hepatica (as an indicator Trematode) ,and Teladorgasia circumcincta (as an indicator nematode) on the immune responses of NMRI mice challenged with sheep red blood cells (SRBCs).

The mice in treatment groups were intraperitoneally immunized with 1×109 SRBCs twice with 14 days intervals. Concurrent with the immunization, the mice received the extract of each of the parasites (50,100. And 150 µg of protein) or placebo, throughout the study on a daily basis. The specific cellular immune responses and the anti-SRBC antibody titers were detected by footpad thickness and, microhemagglutination test, respectively. Splenocytes were also monitored for cytokine production, proliferation rate, and respiratory burst.

The extracts of F. hepatica and T. circumcincta had an opposite effect on the change of the Anti-sRBC antibody level. The extract of F. hepatica caused a significant decrease in the antibody level whereas, extract T. circumcincta did not show any significant changes in the anti-SRBC antibody. Both extracts caused a significant decrease in the level of delayed-type hypersensitivity. However, the extract of F. hepatica caused a more profound reduction in the severity of delayed-type hypersensitivity. The level of IFN-γ in the splenocytes of immunized mice receiving the F. hepatica showed a more pronounced decrease than the immunized mice receiving the extract of T. circumcincta extract. IL-10 levels were only increased in the immunized mice that received the extract ofF. hepatica.

The extract of F. hepatica may have an immunosuppressive property, while the extract of T. circumcincta may have immunomodulatory properties.

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women around the world. Attempts to find alternative therapies continue due to therapeutic resistance, side effects, and the high cost of conventional treatments.

Hydro-methanolic extract of Ulva lactuca and Hypnea musiformis marine algae was prepared by maceration method. The phenolic content of these extracts was compared using the standard Folin-Ciocateu method and the antioxidant capacity was evaluated by the FRAP method. The cytotoxic effects of algae were compared using MTT assay and morphological changes were evaluated by an inverted microscope.

The phenolic content of Hypnea musiformis extract (12.46 ± 1.19 µg GAE/mg, P<0.0001), and its antioxidant activity (203.03 ± 27.87 µmol Fe2+/g, P= 0.007), was significantly higher than that of the alga Ulva lactuca. The cytotoxic effects of Hypnea musiformis extract were concentration and time dependent and had severe morphological changes on the cells. Algae extract of Hypnea musiformis (1000 µg/ml) inhibited 84.79 ± 4.66 of % cell proliferation after 72 hours of treatment. The IC50 value of cytotoxic effect of Hypnea musiformis and Ulva lactuca on MDA-MB-468 was respectively 701.2 and >1000 µg/ml after 72h incubation.

Hypnea musiformis had higher cytotoxic effects than Ulva lactuca on MDA-MB-468 cells, probably due to its higher phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. Therefore, it appears that a Hypnea musiformis alga is a better option to continue research on drug discovery of anticancer compounds.

The glyphosate-based herbicide has a prominent role in the toxic mechanism in living systems. Previous studies have shown that vitamin E can have a protective effect on cells against oxidative damage. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of vitamin E against the toxic potential of glyphosate (Gly) in the reproductive system of female rats.

 In this experimental study, 30 female Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=6), including control, glyphosate (50 mg/kg per day), glyphosate (500 mg/kg per day), glyphosate (50 mg/kg per day) + vitamin E (50 mg/kg per day), and glyphosate (500 mg/kg per day) + vitamin E (50 mg/kg per day). Glyphosate was administered orally, and vitamin E was administered by intraperitoneal injection. After 35 days, rats were euthanized, and embryo development, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, and catalase (CAT) activity were examined. Moreover, the levels of estrogen and progesterone were measured in the serum. Results were analyzed by SPSS software using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test.

 The glyphosate significantly decreased the percentages of fertilization, two-cell embryos, blastocysts, estrogen, and progesterone level as well as catalase activity and significantly increased MDA level in glyphosate-treated rats in comparison with controls (p<0.05). However, the results showed that vitamin E can reduce the toxicity of glyphosate administration in the mentioned parameters (p> 0.05).

 These results have shown that vitamin E can provide the antioxidant defense with potent preventive activity against glyphosate-induced reproductive toxicities.

 Selenium nanoparticles (Se -NPs) and selenium nanocomposites (Se -NCs) have different biological effects. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the effects of selenium nanoparticles and selenium nanocomposites (Se –NCs) on anxiety, food intake, and brain histology of rats. 

Thirty-two male adult Wistar rats were randomly and equally divided into four groups. The control group received saline, the Selenium powder group received 1 mg/kg /day selenium powder orally for 21 days, and the selenium nanoparticle group received three weeks of oral gavage of Se –NPs. The selenium nanocomposites group received three weeks of oral gavage of nanocomposites. Finally, cumulative food consumption and anxiety-like behaviors were assessed, and, after that, rats were bled and sacrificed for further biochemical and histopathological investigations.

Oral administration of Se powder at a dose of 1 mg/kg /day for 21 days had no significant effect on the brain superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activities. There was also no significant change in the levels of brain glutathione concentration (GSH), brain MDA, and behavioral parameters. Selenium nanoparticles also showed no significant alterations in brain biochemical parameters, behavioral effects, and brain histology. The oral administration of Selenium nanocomposites significantly increased brain superoxide dismutase, catalase, and reduced glutathione content and had positive effects on behavioral parameters.

 The present study showed that Se -NCs have behavioral effects and could induce significant biochemical changes in brain oxidative status.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a significant cause of nosocomial infections. This bacterium survives in difficult conditions by forming biofilms in hospital equipment and causes severe infections. On the other hand, the emergence and spread of carbapenem resistance among bacteria and biofilm production is a current health concern. There are controversial findings about the relevance of this issue. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between biofilm formation and carbapenem resistance among clinical isolates.

A total of 160 isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae were collected. Molecular methods were used to detect resistance genes. Subsequently, the ability to produce biofilms in isolates with resistance genes was assessed. Finally, the correlation of biofilm formation among resistant isolates was calculated using χ2 test.

79 imipenem-resistant isolates were obtained. 46 isolates (66.66%) containing VIM gene, 36 isolates (52.17%) containing OXA-48 gene,  five isolates (7.24%) containing NDM gene,  Six isolates (8.69%) containing gene IMP and  five isolates (7.24%) also  had KPC gene. The results showed a significant correlation between the ability to form biofilms and the presence of carbapenem-resistant genes.

Increased carbapenem resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates and its association with biofilm formation is severe warning for basic measures to combat this phenomenon.

Apelin is a newly discovered member of adipocytokines that acts as an endogenous ligand for the G-coupled receptor for the protein orphan (APJ). This study aimed at investigating the beneficial effect of troxerutin (TRO) on apelin-13 and its receptor mRNA expression in the ovary of high-fat diet (HFD) fed rats.

40 three-week old female Wistar rats received control diet (CD) or HFD for 8 weeks. After mating, pregnant animals were divided into 4 subgroups: CD, CD +TRO, HFD, and HFD + TRO. Respective diets continued to the end of lactation. CD +TRO and HFD +TRO groups received troxerutin (150 mg/kg/day, P.O.) during pregnancy. After weaning offspring, animals in the maternal group were sacrificed. Then blood samples and ovarian tissue samples were collected for further evaluation.

The results indicated that HFD significantly increased serum apelin-13 in HFD dams, which was reversed by TRO treatment. Also, analysis showed that ovarian mRNA expression of the apelin receptor markedly down-regulated in the HFD group compared to control groups. It was also revealed that treatment with troxerutin in the HFD group could significantly increase apelin receptor mRNA expression in comparison with the both CD and HFD groups.

Troxerutin treatment in obese pregnant mothers can affect the function of the reproductive system by modulating the serum apelin 13 and the expression of its receptor gene.

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder that causes unpredictable, recurrent seizures. Increased oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Oxidative stress and epilepsy have negative effects on the reproductive system and cause infertility. Antioxidants are effective in reducing infertility disorders. SaturejaedmondiBriq is known as a powerful antioxidant that can reduce the effects of oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Satureja edmondi on reproductive parameters in pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced epileptic and normal male rats.

A total of 48 Wistar adult male rats, with an average age of 10 weeks and a weight range of 240-260g, were used in this experimental study. Animals were randomized into normal and kindled groups that were treated with 150 and 300 ppm S. edmondi essential oil. Treatment of animals lasted 4 weeks. At the end of the study, the rats’testes were removed following anesthesia. The testes were weighed, and sperm parameters were measured according to the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Data were analyzed by one‐way ANOVA test, and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

This study showed that sperm parameters, including sperm count, sperm viability, and progressive sperm motility significantly decreased in epileptic rats compared to normal rats (p≤.001). These parameters significantly increased at 150 and 300 ppm doses of S. edmondi essential oil in the Kindled groups) p≤.001 (. Sperm parameters significantly increased at 300 ppm dose of S. edmondi essential oil in normal groups (p≤.001). Moreover, changes in testis weight were not significant in the treatment groups.

Satureja edmondi Briq, with abundant antioxidant compounds, improves the pathological changes induced by testicular oxidative stress in tic rats. S. edmondi as a good source of antioxidants can improve sperm parameters and reproductive potential in PTZ-induced epileptic male rats.

Meningitis is a medical emergency requiring immediate diagnosis and treatment. Bacterial and viral causative agents play a role in meningitis appearance to various degrees. Thus, effective vaccines and antimicrobial and supportive treatments need to be developed and monitoring should be performed in different regions for controlling this disease. Most previous studies have focused on a small number of bacterial agents, and the viral profile of this disease is not precisely monitored in Iran, especially in overpopulated regions. Moreover, limited new applied methods with high precision and sensitivity for the detection of meningitis agents indicate the necessity of determining meningitis agents by rapid molecular methods, which was the aim of the current study.    

Overall, 148 samples obtained from suspected meningitis patients from different age groups admitted to Tehran and Karaj hospitals were evaluated by new methods involving specific primers for 16s rRNA, PCR, and Real-time PCR tests. 

  It was found that viral infection, especially infection with human enterovirus, remains the main cause of meningitis in Iran, and Neisseria meningitides is the most common bacterial isolate detected in meningitis cases.

Despite the decreasing trend in meningitis incidence, according to World Health Organization recommendation, implementing an enhanced surveillance system to provide high-quality data on the epidemiological profile of meningitis per each region is necessary.

In recent studies visfatin has been introduced as a multifaceted protein that plays a role in pathogenesis of many disorders and disease such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of visfatin with fasting blood glucose, insulin resistance and body mass index in patients with type 2 diabetes / impaired fasting glucose (T2DM, IFG) compared to non-diabetic subjects.

This case control study was performed on 160 volunteers. 80 participants were categorized in type 2 diabetic group holding FBG ≥100 (mg/dl) and 80 participants were categorized in non-diabetic (healthy) group holding FBG 70-100 (mg/dl). Serum visfatin levels were measured using enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) and HOMA-IR equation was used for insulin sensitivity check.

The result was presented as mean+ standard deviation and p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Diabetic group showed a higher level of age in comparison with the non-diabetics. Meanwhile, the means of TG, FBG, BMI, WC, HC and HOMA were also significantly different between the two groups. Visfatin level was not different between diabetics and normal healthy controls. There was a positive correlation between visfatin and BMI in non-diabetics. Also, in diabetics there was a positive correlation between visfatin and BMI, HDL, Hip, insulin and HOMA-IR and a negative correlation between visfatin and FBG level.

Our study showed that there was an association between visfatin and BMI but not with type 2 diabetes. Also, there was a significant association between this adipokine and insulin resistance in diabetic and pre-diabetic patients which indicates the pathological role of visfatin in insulin resistance.

Glioblastoma Multiforme is a very aggressive primary brain cancer that has a median overall survival even if the treatment period is less than 1 year. Despite progress in glioblastoma diagnosis and treatment, the prognosis of patients with glioblastoma still remains poor. Recently, it has been detected that stem cell therapies are an effective method for brain tumor cell targeting. Also, the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activity of taurine against cancerous cells has been found.

In this study, we employed taurine as an anti-cancer drug and PDLSCs as a potential agent for improving anti-cancer drug efficiency. Then, we investigated their effect on the glioma tumor cells in in-vitro 2D cell culture and in vivo.

Taurine had the best apoptotic activity on the C6 glioblastoma cells at the concentration of 80 μM after 72h post-treatment. The obtained results showed that a combination of taurine/PDLSCs induced the expression of caspase-3, caspase-8, and IL-17Ra and down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 and IL-17Ra. Uses of taurine and PDLSCs suppress the migration of the cancerous C6 cells after 48h and show good potential in the suppression of GBM metastasis.

The taurine at concentration of 80µM has a strong potential in decreasing the viability of cancerous C6 Glioblastoma cells. Therefore, taurine and PDLSCs combination, due its therapeutic efficacy, has a considerable potential to be a successful method to glioblastoma brain cancer treatment.