Journal of Advanced Biomedical Sciences
Volume:12 Issue: 2, Summer 2022

  The green synthesis of the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is an eco-friendly and straightforward synthesis method. This study aimed to investigate the green synthesis of AgNPs using Nasturtium officinale leaf extract and analysis of their antibacterial activity against some nosocomial pathogens.

The obtained AgNPs were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). In addition, the antibacterial activity of synthesized AgNPs and N. officinale leaf extract were performed against five bacterial strains (Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) by agar disk diffusion assay and minimum inhibitory concentration test.

The green synthesized AgNPs had significant antimicrobial activity against all studied bacteria. In addition, greater inhibition activity was observed against E. coli and P. aeruginosa rather than other bacteria.

The synthesized AgNPs revealed a special antibacterial effect against selected bacteria, compared to leaf extract of N. officinale. Identifying new antibacterial agents with profound efficacy against antibiotic-resistant opportunistic pathogens is essential. These data provide an eco-friendly and rapid green approach for AgNPs synthesis and the potential of AgNPs for use in drug development against nosocomial infections.

Decreased levels of physical activity during the COVID-19 epidemic can cause physical and psychological problems for the individual. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between physical activity and control coping styles in the face of the Covid-19 epidemic in Ahvaz, Iran.

This study is a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study and the research population includes females in Hamidiyeh Ahvaz, Iran, who were studying in 2019-2020. In this regard, 208 females were selected based on Cochran's formula and random sampling for participation in the study. Beck's physical activity questionnaires and Coping Styles Questionnaire in the face of the COVID-19 epidemic were used to collect data. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to establish statistical relationships.

The results only showed a significant relationship between social support coping style and physical activity (physical activity related to leisure time) (r= 0.142, p= 0.044). There was no significant relationship between physical activity (related to work, sport, leisure time and total) and any of the other coping styles (Confrontation, Avoidance, Self-control, Responsibility, Escape and avoid, Problem solving, Positive estimation) (p≥0.05).

During the COVID-19 epidemic, physical activity related to leisure time was positively associated with social support coping style but all other cases we did not observe a significant relationship between physical activity and coping styles with Covid-19.

Breast cancer is a phenotypically complex and diverse genetic disease caused by changes in the structure and expression of specific genes. Immune system factors are also involved in the etiology of this neoplasm. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of genetic changes (rs2243250 & rs2227284) on the interleukin 4 gene and body mass index on breast cancer risk in Iranian women.

From women referring to Shohada-Tajrish Hospital, 100 women with breast cancer and 100 healthy women were selected. After blood sampling and DNA extraction, the women’s genotypes were determined using the RFLP-PCR technique. The results were evaluated by SPSS software version 21 and chi-square and logistic regression tests.

Analysis of the results with different genetic models showed the effect of rs2243250 on breast cancer (p<0.05), but rs2227284 was not associated with breast cancer (p>0.05). People with the CC / TT genotype (polymorphism) were more likely to get breast cancer. Also, the increase in body mass index was significantly associated with both polymorphisms studied. Also, carriers of the TT genotype of rs2243250 polymorphism were more likely to develop breast cancer with aging.

Genetic alterations in the IL-4 gene and obesity probably contribute to breast cancer, and carriers of both genetic modifications (CC / TT) are more likely to develop breast cancer.

In recent years, the proliferation of microbial organisms has increased alarmingly, and the overuse of various antibiotics against microorganisms has increased drug resistance. On the other hand, the need to reduce health costs, the production of antimicrobials with low costs, and the basic needs of today's human society have become. This led to a large-scale study of new drugs against microorganisms and the use of nanoparticles as antibacterial agents were considered. This study aimed to use biocompatible carbon quantum dots(CQDs) nanoparticles instead of antibiotics resistant to gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms.

Fluorescent carbon quantum dots were extracted from natural lemon juice using the hydrothermal approach. Analyzes of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared(FT-IR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), photoluminescence(PL), transmission electron microscope(TEM), and energy-dispersive spectrometer(EDS). CQDs were investigated on ten types of microorganisms by the microwell dilution method. In this study, the minimal inhibition concentrations) MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration(MBC) was determined.

Fluorescent CQDs less than 5 nm in size were fabricated and confirmed by structural and microscopic analysis. This test showed that four microorganisms B. subtilis, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. pyogenes and C. albicans were resistant to the antibiotic nystatin and showed the highest sensitivity to CQDs, the lowest MIC and MBC for CQDs are 250 µg/ml and 1000 µg/ml.

In general, the results obtained from this study can claim that CQDs have antibacterial properties and can be introduced after further studies as candidates are used to treat or prevent a variety of infections caused by microorganisms.

Plants are reservoirs of bioactive compounds, which are known to be chemically balanced, effective and least injurious as compared to synthetic medicines. The current resistance and the toxic effects of the available drugs have brought the trend to assess the antileishmanial effect of various plant extracts and their purified compound/s. Alliums are rich sources of steroidal saponins, flavonoids, and sulphuric compounds of which steroidal saponins have recently received more attention due to their important pharmacological activities. Allium austroiranicum is a common edible vegetable in western regions of Iran, especially in "Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari" province, where it is named “Lopo” and is considerably used as a raw vegetable, flavoring agent, and as a medicinal plant.

The chloroform-methanolic extract was fractionated using MPLC, and the appropriate fractions were then subjected to isolation and purification of the constituents by HPLC. Structure elucidation was done using comprehensive spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR. Antileishmanial effects of the isolated compound against the promastigotes of Leishmania major were evaluated using MTT method.

Phytochemical investigation of chloroform-methanol extract of the plant resulted in the isolation and identification of a Nicotianoside C related steroidal saponin and its chemical structure was determined as (25S)-5α-Spirostan-1β,3β-diol-3-O-{α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-{α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)}-[β-D-glucopyranoside}. Investigation of in vitro antileishmanial activity of the isolated compound, in 10 and 50 and 100 μg/mL concentrations, exhibited significant leishmanicidal effects against the promastigotes of Leishmania major.

The results established a valuable basis for further studies about A. austroiranicum and anti-parasitic activity of steroidal saponins.

The prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogene) in milk and dairy products, the high complications and damage associated with zoonotic Listeriosis have led to this bacterium being considered as a risky infection for public health.

In the present descriptive and cross-sectional study, to investigate the prevalence of L. monocytogene, 100 samples of raw milk obtained from industrial farms in Lorestan province in winter and spring of 2019-2020 were collected and 16SrRNA and hlyA genes were detected using PCR reaction to identify Listeria genus and L. monocytogene species, respectively.

Based on the observed results, three samples (3%) were positive for Listeria genus, while no report of L. monocytogens species was observed.

The results of this study did not show evidence of the presence of L. monocytogenes in raw cow milk, which indicates the sanitation and desirable nutritional conditions in industrial farms. Therefore, due to the presence of Listeria (other species of Listeria) in raw milk, if you consume raw and unpasteurized milk, the risk of human infection with listeriosis should not be ignored.

The expression of neurotransmitters during cancer progression is one of the factors to consider. This study aimed to evaluate the possible expression changes in dopamine receptors (DRD1 and DRD5), in breast tumor tissue compared to healthy adjacent samples, and the effect of quercetin on the expression of these receptors.

Expression levels of DRD1 and DRD5 were evaluated in 20 breast tumors and healthy adjacent samples using qPCR. The RNA was extracted from all samples, followed by cDNA synthesis and real-time PCR. In vitro experiment was accomplished on breast cancer cell line, Hs578t. Cells were treated with quercetin and evaluated cell viability by MTT assay. DRD1 and DRD5 gene expression was performed in treatment cells compared to untreated control. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the significance.

The results showed that the DRD1 and DRD5 were unregulated in breast cancer tissue (p<0.01). For cellular experiment, MTT assays revealed that the quercetin induced a significant decrease in cell viability and proliferation in dose and time-dependent but it was not seen in a normal cell line (HDF). Hs578t cells showed a significant reduction of DRD5 in response to quercetin. DRD1 gene downregulation was indicated significant in 72h treatment.

The effect of quercetin on the expression of genes encoding DRD1 and DRD5 showed that this substance reduced the expression of these two genes in treated Hs578t cells compared to untreated cells in the same cell line.

Coronavirus disease 2019 spreads worldwide and needs detection systems capable of rapid diagnostic of this virus (SARS-CoV-2). The aim of this study is to design the homemade RT-PCR method for the Detection and phylogenetic analysis of this virus

The genes selected for diagnosis were E and M genes for this virus. PCR product was cloned in pTZ57R/T plasmid for preparation of positive control. In order to determine the sensitivity of this molecular method, the genes mentioned in the clone pTZ57R/T vector and the Limit of detection (LOD) the genes were determined and phylogenetic analysis was performed using partial E and M gene sequences.

PCR product was observed for E and M genes 156 and 547 bp on the Agarose gel. The LOD of the E and M gene was 60 and 82 copies. There was also a positive response to the samples of patients who were positive by other methods.

Since this virus is considered to be the cause of a pandemic in different countries all over the world, the present study is very important as a method of rapid and low-cost molecular diagnosis for monitoring this virus. Phylogenetic analysis is necessary for epidemiological studies for the control and prevention of the disease.

One of the side effects of radiotherapy can be damage to spermatogonial stem cells that ‎may lead to spermatogenesis disorders and sterility. Protective effects of curcumin on normal cells ‎against radiotherapy side effects have already been shown. In the current study, the protective effects of curcumin ‎on the spermatogonial stem cells against gamma radiation were ‎evaluated.‎

This study was done on 50 adult rats in 10 experimental groups. Four groups were ‎injected 0, 25, 50, or 100mg/kg of curcumin in 1ml olive oil for 15 days intraperitoneally, then exposed to radiation ‎at 2 Gy on the next day. Also, four groups were treated like above but without radiation; and two groups as control with and without radiation.  The day after radiation, all of the rats were euthanatized, their testes were removed, and they underwent enzymatic digestion to co-culture spermatogonial stem cells. After 12 days, the colonization of spermatogonial stem cells was assessed. ‎

There was a significant decrease in the colonization of spermatogonial stem cell proliferation ‎in groups that had taken radiation but not curcumin. There was a significant increase ‎ in the colonization of spermatogonial stem cells in the group which had taken radiation whit maximum curcumin compared with the other irradiated groups and ‎was similar to non-irradiated control animals. Colonization of spermatogonial stem cells in non-irradiated animals treated with curcumin had increased compared with control groups.‎

Injection of curcumin can protect spermatogonial stem cells against ‎radiation. Thus, curcumin may prevent sterility in men who undergo radiotherapy. ‎

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and limited treatment options for these infections is a challenging problem in the world. There is increasing interest in isolating bioactive molecules from actinobacteria and elucidating their antimicrobial mechanisms at the moment. The current study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial activities of a Nocardia strain (N4) that was previously isolated from the soil samples in Tehran, Iran. 

The cultural, morphological, and physiological characteristics of the strain were determined and the identity of the strain was confirmed using 16SrRNA gene sequencing. The strain was screened for antimicrobial metabolite production. The in vitro anti-microbial activity of the extracted metabolite was assessed by agar well diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentrations methods. Finally, the structure of the extracted metabolite was confirmed by HPLC and mass spectrometry methods.

The isolate shared 99% sequence similarity with Nocardia soli. The strain showed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities against some pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 700603, Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14028 and Shigella sonnei RI366) and fungi (Aspergillus niger ATCC 1015 and Aspergillus fumigatus ATCC 1022) in the agar well diffusion method. The ethyl acetate extract of the strain exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity against E. coli (MIC= 4.67±3.055 μg/mL) and K. pneumoniae (MIC=3.33±1.155 μg/mL). The metabolite showed high similarity with C21H28N7O14.

The current study confirmed the presence of a bioactive metabolite in strain N4, suggesting that this may be a promising candidate for discovering bioactive components with broad antibacterial activities against a variety of pathogensKeywords:

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by the chronic gastrointestinal inflammation. The two common forms of IBD are ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) that are distinguished by their location and depth of involvement in the diffuse inflammation of the colonic mucosa and affects the rectum (proctitis). A novel class of LncRNAs transcribed from ultra-conserved regions (UCRs) is a recently identified ultra-conserved region (T-UCR) transcript that is involved in the cellular function in a variety of pathways. However, the regulation of LncRNA uc.173 in IBD remains to be fully elucidated. In this study, we aimed to examine the expression of LncRNA uc.173 and Occludin genes in an Iranian population with inflammatory bowel disease.

This case-control study was performed on 33 inflammatory bowel disease patients including 13 Crohn's disease, 20 ulcerative colitis and 20 healthy controls. The mRNA levels of LncRNA uc.173 and Occludin genes were assessed using the quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction. The B2M was used as an internal control. The 2 -ΔΔCq method was used to determine the expression fold changes.

Statistically, the level of the LncRNA uc.173 gene expression between the UC and normal tissues increased significantly(P=0.0024). Also, the expression analysis revealed no significant difference between the samples of CD patients compared to the controls (P>0.05). In order to further evaluate the role of LncRNA uc.173 in IBD, the associations between the transcript levels of the LncRNA uc.173 and Occludin mRNA demonstrated significant difference in the CD tissue (R=0.59; P=0.002). In our study, the mRNA expression of Occludin gene did not show any changes in the IBD patients compared to the healthy controls.

The increased expression of LncRNA uc.173 in the tissues of UC patients may be considered as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker. Also, there was no correlation found between Occludin and LncRNA uc.173 expressions in the IBD patients' tissues.

The purpose of the present study was to calibrate and analyze the effects of Helianthus annuus (H. annuus) seeds extract on body weight and blood parameters of type-2 diabetic-mellitus (T2DM) patients.

Three-hundred cases of T2DM patients were involved in this study including 180 males and 120 females and divided into two groups (each with 150 members). The herbal extract of H. annuus with a concentration of 500mg/kg was subjected to group1 (case population), but group 2 received normal diet for three months. Gas Chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to analyze H. annuus compounds.

Major H. annuus fraction included chlorogenic acid (CGA) being 40%. The extract conferred significant decreasing effects on hypertension but not body weight and body mass index (BMI) values. The extract receiving group vs control group regarding the mean blood factors respectively included fast blood glucose (FBS) (39.2% vs 3.22%, p<0.0001), cholesterol (6.9% vs 3.22%, p=0.0237), triglyceride (5.4% vs 2.30, p=0.0113), and increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (22.3% vs 5.26%, p<0.001) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (1% vs 2.6%, p=0.0112).  

H. annuus major compounds included CGA (40%) contributed to the control of the hypertension, lipid profile and the blood factors among T2DM patients compared to those patients who received normal diet. More detailed investigations by participation of higher number of patients are required in this regard.