Archives of Razi Institute
Volume:78 Issue: 1, Jan-Feb 2023

Anaerobic Porphyromonas gingivalis is a rod-shaped bacterium and is a primary agent of periodontal inflammation and thus periodontitis. This bacterium disturbs the normal flora of the oral cavity and causes dysbiosis. Databases including Google Scholar Scopus and PubMed were employed to find the evidence by using keywords like ‘Porphyromonas gingivalis,' 'Boolean network,' ‘inflammatory response and Porphyromonas gingivalis,' 'inflammation and Porphyromonas gingivalis. Only articles that reviewed the role of Porphyromonas gingivalis in oral inflammation were selected. Porphyromonas gingivalis promotes and reorganizes host immune systems against normal host flora, which causes a dysbiotic state. A reorganized immune system induces dysbiosis and periodontitis. Specifically, the role of the C5a receptor in the complement system is vital in this mechanism. P. gingivalis can change the metabolic pathways of phagocytic cells without impeding inflammation. Toll-like receptor and complement signaling are inverted by Porphyromonas gingivalis, which aids them in overcoming immunological responses. However, they sustain the inflammation process, which promotes dysbiosis. Instead of a subjective approach, a systems perspective is required to comprehend this intricate process. A Boolean network is a system approach that seems to be a better approach to understanding this complicated interaction process of Porphyromonas gingivalis with the immune system and inflammation. In short, attempts to understand the complex process using the Boolean network will ultimately help in the early detection of periodontitis, and immediate treatment can prevent soft tissue destruction and dentition loss.

The quick and advancing prevalence of the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 produced a global crisis surge with a profound impact on human health and worldwide economic constancy. The virus is known as one strain of coronavirus, which causes the respiratory infection responsible for the current pandemic of COVID-19. The virus spike protein has a high binding affinity to human ACE2, depending on crystallization analysis and biochemical interaction studies. Studies consistently reveal that rs2285666, a polymorphism found in ACE2, diverse significantly between Europeans and Asians, changing ACE2 expression. The alternating allele TT of rs2285666 SNP increased gene expression to 50%; thus, it may have a role in SARS-COV-2 infection vulnerability. This study aimed to investigate rs2285666 SNP association with SARS-CoV2 infection as a first report in the Iraqi population. Fifty (20 Male/30 Female) Covid-19 patients with severe symptoms with mean age (of 41.5±10.7) and 50 (20 Male/30 Female) healthy people as a control group with mean age (of 41.5±10.7) were included in this study. Sample of a patient tested as a mutant genotype (TT) by RFLP assay. The results reveal a MAF value of 0.3 for this gene in Iraqi samples, more than Europeans (0.2) and less than East Asians (0.55). The codominant model had significant OR of both alleles CT and TT (OR=4.26 & 6.7; P-value=0.012 & 0.023 respectively). In conclusion, there is an association between increased severity of SARS-Cov-2 infection and rs2285666 polymorphism of the codominant genotype model of the Iraqi population. However, several other factors may affect disease severity, such as ethnic group differences, sex, comorbidity, virus strain, and others.

The genus of Hottentotta sp. scorpion is one of the few medically important scorpions in Iran. This study assessed the genetic relationship analysis of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COXI) and 12sRNA genes and morphometric parameters among the population of Hottentotta sp in Khuzestan. Morphological analysis using the ANOVA T-test with a significance level of P-value less than 0.05 showed differences between the Hottetotta saulcyi and Hottetotta zagrosensis. However, this method was not able to distinguish between members of the same species. The amplification of gene fragments was done on 12srRNA (374 bp), and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COXI) (624 bp) from Hottentotta sp. collected from Khuzestan by PCR. Based on sequence 12srRNA, all H. saulcyi specimens (HS4, HS6 and HS7) except HS5 were included in cluster B. While two specimens of H. Zagrosensis (HZ6 and HZ1) with 99% bootstrap value were placed in cluster A. By using 12srRNA sequences, the highest genetic distance between the Khuzestan specimens was related to HS5 and HS7, which was calculated to be 16.7%. However, the amount of amino acid difference between HS5 and HS7 using the COXI sequence was 9.2%. The genetic distances of HS7 and HS5 with the only scorpion reference sequence, H. saulcyi, were 11.8% and 9.2%, respectively. Morphological data showed the separation of the two species, consistent with molecular phylogenetic trees. On the other hand, the genetic distance of specimens HS7 and HS5 with other members of the group as well as the scorpion reference sequence using the COXI gene, confirmed the possibility of an intraspecies difference that could not be proved by the morphological data alone.

The current study aimed to determine the causes associated with ocular infection in cats received at Baghdad veterinary hospital from March 2020 to April 2021. Forty cats (22 females and 18 males) were examined at a small animal clinic in Baghdad veterinary hospital from March 2020 to April 2021. The cats suffered from severe eyes infection (inflammation, lacrimation, redness and other ocular signs). On the other hand, ten healthy cats were examined and prepared for bacterial isolation as a control group. For bacterial isolation, sterile cotton swabs with transport medium were taken gently from the corneal and conjunctiva area of infected eyes. The swabs were placed in an ice box within 24 hours for laboratory culture. Sterile swabs with transport media were used in our study; swabs passed directly on the inferior conjunctival sac of the compromised eye avoiding contact with eyelashes and skin of eyelids. All swabs were inoculated on the following media (5% Sheep blood agar, MacConkey agar and Nutrient agar) at 37ºC for 24 to 48 h.ImmunoChromatoGraphy assay (ICG) of FCV on samples. The results showed that 50%of Mixed bacterial and FCV were the significant cause of isolates; also, it showed that  S. aureus was the most bacterial cause of eye infection; young females were mostly infected in February. In conclusion, the wide distribution of ocular infections in cats is due to different causes, especially with bacteria, including Staphylococcus spp. and virus (FCV). The seasonal variation between months plays a significant factor in the spreading of eye infections in the feline.

Aerobic vaginitis (AV) is a vaginal infectious condition characterized by abnormal vaginal discharge, high inflammatory response, signs of epithelial atrophy, an increase in aerobic bacteria of intestinal origin and a decrease in the normal flora, especially Lactobacillus spp.. It is one of the most common reproductive tract infections among women. This study aimed to analyze the antimicrobial susceptibility levels of the dominant bacterial species found in the vaginae of women infected with AV. A total of 89 high vaginal swabs (HVS) were collected from women aged (18-50) years old attending some hospitals and private gynaecology clinics in Baghdad City. All obtained swabs were cultured on different culture media, and the primary diagnosis was performed according to standard laboratory diagnosis protocols. To confirm the diagnosis and to determine the antibiotic susceptibility profile of bacterial isolates, VITEK 2 Compact Automated System GP and GN colourimetric identification cards and AST GN and AST GP cards were used according to Manufacturer Company constructions (BioMérieux / France). Out of 89swabs, ninety-five pathogenic strains were obtained, including 62 isolates (65.2%), Grampositive and 33 isolates (34.7%), Gram-negative bacteria. Staphylococcus spp. (46.3%) The most represented active strain was Escherichia coli (15.7%). All Gram-positive bacterial strains displayed the highest resistance rates (100%) toward penicillins and cephalosporins, while the highest sensitivity rates were toward daptomycin, followed by vancomycin and gentamicin (P=0.001). Gram-negative bacteria displayed the highest resistance rates toward penicillins, beta-lactam combination, monobactam and cephalosporins, while the highest sensitivity rates were toward amikacin followed by imipenem meropenem and gentamicin (P=0.001). It is worth mentioning that Gram-positive bacteria showed 100% sensitivity toward tigecycline. Thirty-eight (40 %) of all obtained bacterial strains were extensively drug-resistant XDR, 57 (60%) were multidrug resistance MDR and no pan-drug resistance PDR was reported. Gram-positive bacteria include 21% XDR and 44.2% MDR strains, while Gram-negative bacteria include 18.9% XDR and 15.7% MDR strains.

Selection based on genetic makeup became an important tool in genetic improvement. The development of molecular biology opened the way to study the genes of farm animals and genetically improve them. The aim of this study was to determine the Allele frequency and genotype distribution of the SCD1 gene and its relationship to milk production and its main components from fat, protein, lactose and non-fat solids percentage in Iraqi Awassi sheep. Fifty-one female Awassi sheep were used in this study. The genotype distribution of the SCD1 gene in the studied Awassi sheep sample was 50.98, 41.18 and 7.84% for each of the CC, CA and AA genotypes, and the discrepancy between these percentages were highly significant (P≤0.01), and the appearance of the C and A alleles with a frequency of 0.72 and 0.28 respectively, highly significant differences (P≤0.01) appeared in the total milk production according to the genotype. As for the milk components, it was found that there were significant (P≤0.05) differences in the percentage of fat and the percentage of non-fat solids. From the results of the current study, it can be concluded that the SCD1 gene can be adopted as an important indicator in developing genetic improvement strategies for Awassi sheep to maximize the economic return from breeding projects by selecting and cross-breeding the genotypes that achieved the best product performance.

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory consequence resulting from microbial infection, assessed as a worldwide healthcare issue. Sepsis can result in multiorgan dysfunction, including cardiac, renal, hepatic, and cerebral dysfunction. Cardiotoxicity can occur in humans and rodents during sepsis, leading to increased mortality. The current study aims to explore the possible cardioprotective effects of octreotide during sepsis-induced cardiotoxicity. This study was done with a total of forty male albino Swiss mice, aged 8-12 weeks and weighing 25-30 gm. These animals had free access to food and water. After two weeks of adaptation, mice were divided into four groups (n=10): 1) Normal group: healthy mice; 2) CLP group: mice underwent CLP operation; 3) Vehicle group: mice received DMSO. 4) Octreotide group: mice received octreotide (10 mg/kg) subcutaneously in 2 divided doses for 5 consecutive days. All groups underwent CLP operation on the 4th day, then sacrificed on the 5th day then blood, and tissue sampling was done. The Octreotide group demonstrated a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the myocardial levels of cardiac troponin-I as compared to the CLP group. Furthermore, the octreotide group demonstrated a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the serum level of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, & IL-1β) as compared to the CLP group. Additionally, the octreotide group showed a significant (P<0.05) elevation in the myocardial activity of SOD and a reduction in MDA level compared to the CLP group. Histologically, all mice in the CLP group showed a significant (P<0.05) cardiac tissue injury, while the octreotide groups showed a significant (P<0.05) reduced level of cardiac tissue injury. The results of the present study revealed that octreotide attenuates sepsis-induced cardiotoxicity through different protective effects; they include the anti-inflammatory effect through their ability to decrease serum levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6). Also, the anti-oxidant effect through their ability to decrease myocardial levels of MDA and increase the myocardial activity of SOD. Additionally, the direct cardiac protective effect through the lower level of cardiac troponin- I and the reduction of histopathological changes during sepsis-induced cardiotoxicity.

Mycotoxin is a class of poisonous secondary metabolites generated by filamentous fungi and found in agricultural commodities worldwide. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate how aflatoxin B1 affected hepatic cellular architecture and Matrix metalloproteinase expression in particular (MMP1 and MMP7) in the livers of experimental mice (IHC). A total of sixteen mice (four groups) were studied after being given pure aflatoxin B1 (9mg/kg B.W., 6mg/kg B.W., and 3mg/kg B.W.) (produced from Aspergillus flavus) or a control group (not treated). MMP1 and MMP7 expressions were also measured using the MMP1 and MMP7 expression assays (IHC). The degree of liver damage is related to the AFB1 concentration and the duration of exposure. IHC reveals a considerable rise in MMP1 and MMP7 expression in the livers of mice given a maximum concentration of 90% ((9 mg/B.W.) pure AFB1), which approached the toxin's effect toxic dosage. MMP1 and MMP7 expression were also increased by AFB1 at dosages of 60 and 30% (6mg/BW and 3mg/B.W., respectively), although not to the same extent as 90%. MMP1 was significantly more expressed than MMP7 compared to control, and AFB1 at 90, 60, and 30% concentrations caused changes in hepatic cellular architecture, organization, and liver tissue damage and dramatically increased MMP1 and MMP7 production in hepatic tissue following treatment. Increased levels of pure aflatoxin B1 will harm liver tissue and MMP1 and MMP7 expression. MMP1 was more substantially expressed than MMP7.

Fever is one of the most common diseases affecting humans, as it results from any disease or development and worsening of the disease for most people with widespread infections in the body. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate antibiotic resistance genes (CTX-M, Van A and Van B) of Enterococcus faecalis isolated from children with bacteremia by RT-PCR. A total of  200 children was enrolled in the study, 100 children with fever and 100 healthy children (not suffering from any problem); that is, they are a control group for the detection of antibiotic resistance genes (CTX-M, Van A and Van B) of Enterococcus faecalis by RT-PCR. The age of the two groups ranged from one to five years. Four ml of venous blood sample was collected from each child; the venipuncture area was sterilized first with alcohol at a rate of 70%, followed by medical iodine and then sterilized with alcohol again to avoid contamination with skin flora. The blood samples were cultured on media for isolating bacteria. Then, the resistant isolates of E. faecalis to Vancomycin and cefotaxime antibiotics were taken and kept in special nutrient agar media where the DNA of the bacteria was extracted using (Zymogene Extraction kit, Japan). The detection of the exact genes (CTX-M, Van A and Van B) was done using Real-Time PCR technology according to the protocol mentioned by the company (Sacace biotechnology, Italy). The study presented that 40% of children with fever have positive blood cultures compared with 5% in the control group, with a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.001). The study found that 32.5% of bacteremic children were due to S. aureus, 30%, 5%, and 4% were due to E. faecalis, E. coli,  P. aeruginosa and Klebsiella spp, respectively, with significant difference (P<0.01). The study showed that 91.67% of E. faecalis isolates were sensitive to Levofloxacin, 83.33% to Amoxiclav, 66.67% to Erythromycin, 58.33% to Amikacin, 50% to Ampicillin, 33.33% to cefotaxime and Ceftriaxone and 25% toward Vancomycin. From 9 isolates resistant to Vancomycin, the study presented that 88.89% of them were observed with Van A gene production as detected by real-time PCR (P<0.001). The study also showed that 77.78% were observed with Van B gene production as detected by real-time PCR (P<0.001). The study revealed that all E. faecalis isolates resistant to cefotaxime and Ceftriaxone were characterized by CTX gene production as detected by real-time PCR (P<0.001).

Human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7) is a T-lymphotropic virus isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells as beta herpes viruses. It is a highly prevalent virus since over 90% of adults are seropositive. The majority of primary infection occurs in early childhood, and its prevalence peaks at 60 % in 11–13-year-old. This study was designed to investigate the seroprevalence of HHV- 7 infections among apparently healthy children as well as child patients with fever and skin rash in the Diyala community and its association with certain socio-demographic variables. The current study is a cross-sectional study conducted in Diyala province-Iraq, extending from July 2020 to March 2021. A total of 180 child patients with fever and skin rash were included. Their age range was 1-14years. Additionally, 60 healthy age-matched children were enrolled as a control group. A special questionnaire was prepared for this study, including socio-demographic information, clinical notes and the results of a complete blood count. Human privacy was esteemed by obtaining parents' verbal approval. Blood specimen was aspirated from all study groups. Sera were separated and kept at -20 0C until tested. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits for the detection of anti-HHV-7 IgG were used (Mybiosource-China). Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) version 27, and the P value was considered significant wherever it was less than 0.05. The anti-HHV-7 IgG positivity rate in patients was 19.4%, and that in healthy individuals was 31.7%, with an insignificant difference (P=0.051). The highest HHV-7 IgG positivity rate was found among patients 1-4 years old, matching that in the healthy group with a statistically insignificant difference (P=0.675). The gender, residence and number of children/ family insignificantly affect the distribution of HHV-7 IgG in the control group. The mean±SD of hemoglobulin (Hb) concentration among participants with negative anti-HHV-7 IgG was insignificant compared to their positive counterparts (P=0.987). The mean±SD of total WBC count among those positive for anti-HHV-7 IgG was insignificantly higher than their negative counterpart (P=0.945). The mean±SD lymphocyte count in patients and healthy control positive for anti-HHV-7 IgG were insignificantly higher (P=0.241) and (P=0.344), respectively. Lastly, healthy control positive for anti-HHV-7 IgG had insignificantly higher lymphocyte count (P=0.710). About one-third of healthy children in our community were seropositive for anti-HHV 7 IgG antibodies that are most prevalent at 1-4 years old and are insignificantly associated with gender, residence, and the number of children per family. Furthermore, the HHV-7 infection is insignificantly associated with alterations of complete blood count parameters.

Hydatid disease is a parasitic infestation by a tapeworm of the genus Echinococcus sp., which has a global distribution. The current study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the crustacean aqueous extract of Portunuspelagicus for 2 weeks of treatment compared to mebendazole on hydatid cyst in laboratory mice male Balb / C strain. Mice were infected intraperitoneally with 2000 protoscolices. After 12 weeks of infection, each mouse was treated with mebendazole (50mg/kg) and the hot aqueous extract of p. pelagicus (8, 16 g/kg). Samples of infected organs (liver, spleen, and lungs) were examined under a microscope to evaluate the morphological and histopathological changes of hydatid cysts and tissues. The study confirmed macroscopically that there were a number of hydatid cysts of different sizes in the liver, spleen, and lungs, splenomegaly, and congestion of the lungs of the positive control group. The histological changes in the organs of the group treated with the crustacean extract were represented by the vacuolation of hepatocytes in the centrilobular area of the liver. At the same time, the lungs show intensive peri-bronchiolar inflammation, pulmonary vascular congestion, and in the spleen, the deposition of amyloid-like material in the white pulp, extramedullary hematopoiesis, While the histopathological changes in the organs of mice treated with mebendazole, were represented by the presence in the mild liver vacuolation of the centrilobular area. In contrast, the lungs show mild pulmonary vascular congestion and emphysema, and the spleen shows normal white pulp, the normal red pulp of mice. The aqueous extract Portunuspelagicus and mebendazole are effective in controlling the contamination in the intermediate hosts.

Due to its beneficial components, such as glycyrrhizin, licorice is regarded a medicinal and fragrant plant. This research was designed to investigate the efficacy of licorice essential oil as an alternative to chemical antibiotics on broiler production, carcass features, cellular and humoral safety, and numerous biochemical variables in broiler blood serum. A total of 160 day-old broiler chicks were assigned to four treatment groups using a totally randomized approach. Each treatment consisted of 4 replicates, with 10 chicks in each replication. The experimental treatments included a control group, a group receiving an elemental diet containing 0.1% licorice essential oil, a group receiving an elemental diet containing 0.2% licorice essential oil, and a group receiving an elemental diet containing 0.3% licorice essential oil. Broilers had ad libitum access to feed and water in accordance with a three-phase feeding schedule consisting of a starter, grower, and finisher diet. There was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) in body weight, feed intake, or feed conversion ratio between birds given the control or essential oil licorice at various stages of the experiment. However, birds receiving 0.1% licorice essential oil had a lower gallbladder relative weight and 0.3% licorice essential oil had less abdominal fat than the control group (P<0.05). Blood glucose, cholesterol, and LDL concentrations all fell considerably in licorice essential oil-treated birds relative to controls (P<0.05). The cellular immune response of birds fed licorice-containing diets did not differ from that of control birds (P>0.05), however there was a significant difference in the humoral immune response at 0.1% licorice essential oil compared to the control group (P<0.05). In overall, the results of this experiment demonstrated that incorporating licorice essential oil into a bird's diet improves its health and safety.

Phytic acid is a stored form of phosphorus in cereals, 65 to 70% of phosphorus in plant sources is phytate, and broilers are only able to use part of the phosphorus in plant sources. To meet the needs of chickens, it is necessary to use other artificial resources, which not only impose part of the cost of the breeding period because of its presence in the manure but is one of the factors polluting the environment. This study aimed to use different levels of phytase enzyme to reduce dietary phosphorus levels. 600 Ross 308 broilers were used in this experiment with five treatments and six replications, and in each replication, 20 chickens were used in a completely randomized design (CRD). Experimental treatments include 1) basal diet (control) 2) basal diet with 15% less phosphorus 3) basal diet with 15% less phosphorus + 1250 (FTU) phytase enzyme 4) basal diet with 15% less phosphorus + 2500 (FTU) phytase enzyme 5) basal diet with 15% less phosphorus + 5000 (FTU) phytase enzyme. The evaluated traits included weekly feed intake, weekly weight gain, feed conversion ratio, carcass characteristics, ash, calcium, and bone phosphorus. The use of phytase enzyme in different diets had no significant effect on food intake, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio (P>0.05). However, the use of phytase in different diets significantly affected the percentage of Gizzard, Heart, Liver, Proventriculus, and Spleen (P<0.05). The most changes were the increase in the ratio of feed intake and weight gain in the fourth week compared to the third week so that the changes in the ratio of feed intake ranged from 1.85 to 1.91, and this ratio for weight gain also ranged from 3.12 to 3.86 was recorded, and the lowest feed conversion ratio was obtained at the same age. The percentage of raw ash in broiler chickens was significantly increased by adding dietary phytase. The lowest amount of ash, calcium, and phosphorus belonged to the second group (diets with low phosphorus and no enzyme). The difference between the other groups and the control was not significant. Feed intake, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio with the addition of phytase enzyme were not affected by phosphorus reduction and had no significant effect on carcass characteristics. Environmental pollution can be prevented by reducing the level of dietary phosphorus and reducing excreted phosphorus.

Scientists have been paying attention to the life-giving properties of medicinal plants for many years. Among these plants is the eucalyptus plant. This plant has various compounds such as cineole and terpenes. It also contains compounds such as flavonoids, aliphatic aldehydes, sesquiterpene, quinotanen, catechins, salts, and vitamins. In the present study, the hydroalcoholic extract of Eucalyptus leaves with concentrations of 175, 350, and 700 mg/kg body weight, and spermatogenesis were studied in 40 adult Wistar rats in five groups of eight. Adult male mice received the extract at the above concentrations by gavage for 28 days. Control mice received only solvent and water, while control mice received no substance other than municipal tap water and normal food. After the last administration of the drug, the animals were weighed and anesthetized, and then blood samples were taken from their hearts. Concentrations of LH, FSH, and testosterone were measured by an ELISA kit. The results showed that body weight and testis, seminiferous tube diameter, Leydig cell diameter, epithelium thickness, number of Leydig cells, spermatogonium, spermatocytes, spermatids, sperm, and testosterone concentration increased significantly with the group. But no significant difference was observed in the concentration of FSH and LH hormones or the number of Sertoli cells. Therefore, it can be concluded that eucalyptus leaf extract may increase the proliferation of sex cells in the seminiferous tubules of rats.

Articular cartilage has constrained potential to restore. The mesenchymal stem cellular remedy has presented new treatment possibilities for this circumstance. The experiment aimed to verify the chondrogenic differentiation capacity of rat adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) in vitro inside the presence or absence of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β1). Rat's subcutaneous adipose tissue minced into a small piece (2-3 mm3) was aseptically collected from the subcutaneous fat under anaesthesia and then digested with collagenase type I (1 mg/mL). Spontaneous chondrogenesis occurred in both AD-MSCs pellet cultures and was similar in both TGF-β1 treated. The untreated pellet cultures were collected after 21 days. Histological assessment for evaluating the level of proteoglycan by alcin blue staining and immunohistochemistry for detecting the presence of collagen type II. A monoclonal antibody directed against collagen type II. Adipose-derived stem cells (AD-MSCs) isolated from rats were immunophenotyped for the expression of MSCs cell surface markers and was performed by Flow cytometer, which demonstrated AD-MSCs highly expressed CD73 (99.69±2.6%), CD90 (98.11±0.3%), and week expression CD44 (17.15±0.3%). The result of histological staining showed the presence of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the hyaline cartilage. This staining indicated a deposit of "acid mucopolysaccharides" in the proximity of the cells. Additionally, most cells are rounded cells stained positive for the presence of the cells encompassed by extracellular matrix (ECM), which were like chondrocytes as seen from the magnified view, lightly pink stained nuclei, and nuclear fast red stain. However, the immunohistochemistry method demonstrated that the presence of TGF-β1 decreased the levels of collagen type I and increased the levels of collagen type II. In conclusion, subcutaneous adipose tissue-derived stem cells can be used in cartilage tissue engineering.

Selenium is one of the compounds belonging to the trace minerals group, which needs less than 100 mg/day. This element is one of the main constituents of selenoproteins, and the function of selenoproteins is to help make DNA and protect cells from damage and infection. This experiment aimed to evaluate the effect of different sources of selenium on some mineral elements in the blood serum of lambs. This experiment was conducted using twenty 4-month-old lambs with an average weight of 37±2.2 kg, 4 treatments, and 5 replications in a completely randomized design (CRD). The treatments tested included control, sodium selenite, nano selenium, and VitEsel. The experiment duration was 30 days, and blood sampling of lambs was performed at the beginning of the experiment (zero), 15, and 30 days. Different sources of selenium significantly affected the concentrations of iron, copper, and zinc (P<0.05). Different sources of selenium in this experiment decreased the concentration of iron and copper and increased the concentration of zinc and plasma selenium in different periods (P<0.05). Using different sources of selenium changed the concentration of the studied elements and showed the difference in their bioavailability.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a collection of metabolic illnesses known as chronic hyperglycaemia. It is one of the most common chronic diseases caused by insulin functions or secretions deficiency, which may cause carbohydrate and lipoprotein metabolism to be disrupted. The pituitary-gonadal axis malfunctions, testicular tissue dysfunctions and poor quality of sperms are all symptoms of DM, which is one of the most common causes of reproductive abnormalities. The current study has been designed to demonstrate the impacts of treatment with Ginseng oil oxidative stress-induced physiological and histological alterations in the male reproductive system of rats with subcutaneous (s/c) injection alloxan. The study was done on 30 mature male Wistar rats randomly divided into three equal groups (n=10). The first group, which served as the negative control, the second group (positive control) injection with (s/c) a single alloxan dosage (120 milligrams per kilogram of body weight), the third group was given alloxan and treated with ginseng oil (0.5cc at dosage (5 g /kg body weight daily) for 30 days. The percentage of live sperms increased significantly (P≤0.05) in the group that was given Ginseng oil orally compared to the alloxan group, the percentage of dead sperms and sperm abnormalities dropped, and the total sperm count was decreased. In the rat testis, (s/c) given alloxan (120 mg/kg), aberrant spermatids were present with a decrease in the sperm numbers in the lumens of seminiferous tubules, as well as a division in the irregular germ cells. The current study concluded that Ginseng oil exerted an antioxidant effect on the male reproductive system of rats injected with subcutaneous (s/c) alloxan.

Both animal and human studies have documented cognitive and behavioural impairment after exposure to inhalational anaesthetics. Therefore, the current study was designed to demonstrate if the anaesthetics isoflurane and Sevoflurane can result in postoperative cognition dysfunction in normal and diabetic rats. Sixty male Wister rats aged 12 weeks were divided into 6 groups (n=10); group C (standard control), group CD (diabetic control), group S (sevoflurane anaesthesia), group I (isoflurane anaesthesia), group SD (diabetic sevoflurane anaesthesia) group ID (diabetic isoflurane anaesthesia). Animals were anaesthetized with either 2. 5% sevoflurane or 1.5% isoflurane, respectively, for 2h. 1 week later, animals were undergone cognitive tests in (a Morris water maze, T maze and open field arena), the animals were sacrificed, and hippocampus homogenates were studied for caspase 3 activity by western blot assay. Induction of type II diabetes in CD, SD and ID groups was carried out by feeding on a high-fat diet for 8 weeks before the start of the experiment. During the fourth week, Type II diabetes was induced in the experimental group by a single IP injection of 30 mg/kg STZ. Control (normal and diabetic) rats showed no change in long-term/reference memory, non-spatial working memory, exploratory activity or caspase 3 expression in the hippocampus homogenate. Anaesthesia with isoflurane in normoglycemic rats resulted in a significant decline in long-term/reference memory and non-spatial working memory, while exploratory activity and caspase 3 expressions in hippocampus homogenate showed no change to normal control rats. Both isoflurane and Sevoflurane in diabetic rats demonstrated a decline in long-term/reference memory, non-spatial working memory, exploratory activity and caspase 3 expression in hippocampus homogenate compared with normal control rats. Diabetes revealed significant post-anaesthesia cognitive dysfunction after anaesthesia with Sevoflurane or isoflurane in all the studied domains compared to standard control or diabetic control.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a current pandemic infection of the human respiratory system, which is caused by which caused by Sever Acute respiratory syndrome virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The infection was classified by World Health Organization (WHO) as a universal pandemic in February 2020; there have been 494.587.638 confirmed cases and 6.170.283 deaths. The present study investigated the molecular genetics of the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) gene in correlation to COVID-19 patients in the Kurdish population. Eighty-six individuals were clinically diagnosed with COVID-19 and control groups. After the genomic DNA extraction these participants the target 1, 2 and 8 exons of the ACE2 gene were amplified using the PCR technique, and then the Sanger sequencing technique was performed to analyze genetic variants of the ACE2 gene in 70 DNA samples of COVID-19 hospital patients at Emergency Hospital in Erbil city, Sarchnar Hospital in Sulaymaniyah city, Lalav Hospital in Duhok city and Wafa Hospital in Halabja city from Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The current study was designed into two groups control group and a patient group. The patient group was divided into two subgroups, severe and mild patients of different ages and genders. As a result, there were no mutations at the positions 1, 2 and 8 exons sequences, while single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected and identified three different types of mutation at intron position: twenty-six of c.12405 del T, two of c.12407 T>G, and two of c.12406 G>A in a total 86 participants. This result shows that genetic difference does not impact the COVID-19 infection severity among the Kurdish population regarding ACE2 gene polymorphism

This study aimed to determine the effects of Arginine silicate inositol complex (ASI; Arg=49.47 %, silicone=8.2 %, inositol=25%) supplementation on egg quality, shell strength, and blood biochemical traits of laying hens, as well as the effects of substituting inositol with varying concentrations of phytase on the traits as mentioned above. 90 Lohmann Brown laying hens, 26 weeks old, were randomly distributed in 6 treatments with 3 replicates (cage) and 5 birds per replicate. The isocaloric and isonitrogenic diets are used according to the age period requirements of the Lohmann Brown Classic management guideline. The treatments were as follows: 1ST treatment T1: received basal diet without additives, T2 received basal diet +1000 mg/kg arginine-silicate mixture (49.5±8.2 % respectively),T3 received basal diet +1000 mg/kg arginine-silicate- inositol (ASI) mixture (49.5, 8.2 , 25 % respectively), T4 received basal diet +1000 mg/kg arginine-silicate mixture (49.5±8.2% respectively) +500   FTU/kg, T5 received basal diet +1000 mg/kg arginine-silicate mixture (49.5±8.2% respectively) +1000   FTU/kg and T6 received basal diet +1000 mg/kg arginine-silicate mixture (49.5±8.2% respectively) +1000   FTU/kg +2000   FTU/kg. Results indicate a significant increase (P<0.05) in the relative yolk weight in T4, T5, and T6 (26.93, 26.83, 26.77%) compared to T1 (25.84%) and a significant increase (P≤ 0.05) in T4, T5 compared to T3 (26.02%), while no differences observed between T2 (26.17%) compared to other experimental treatments. The relative albumin weight significantly decreased (P≤0.05) in phytase supplementation treatments T4, T5, and T6 (63.21, 63.05, 63.22%) compared to T1, T2, T3 (64.99, 64.30, 64.08%), while a significant decrease (P≤0.05) observed in T3 compared to T1. The relative shell weight significantly increased (P≤0.05) in T3, T4, T5, and T6 (9.90, 9.86, 10.12, 10.02%), respectively, compared to T1, T2 (9.17, 9.53%) with a significant increase (P≤0.05) in relative shell weight in T2 compared to T1. The eggshell thickness significantly increased (P≤0.05) in T3, T4, T5, T6 treatments (0.409, 0.408, 0.411, 0.413 mm), respectively compared to T1, T2 (0.384, 0.391 mm). A significant increased (P≤0.05) was observed in eggshell thickness in T2 compared to T1. A significant increase (P≤0.05) was observed in the egg shell breaking strength in T3 and T5 treatments (59.40, 58.83) compared to T1 and T2 (46.20, 48.23). No significant differences were observed between T4 and T6 (53.90, 53.57) compared to other experimental treatments. Non HDL, calcium, and phosphorus levels in blood serum significantly increased (P≤0.05) in T3, T4, T5, and T6 treatments compared to T1 and T2 treatments.

Artemisia is a perennial wild shrub with large branches and compound leaves. Artemisia contains about 400 types, and its medical importance is due to the presence of many active substances and compounds such as volatile oils, alkaloids and flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, tannins, and coumarins. This study was designed to study the effect of the aqueous extract of the fruit of the Artemisia plant on the organs of the body, as well as to know its ability to activate the hepatic enzyme alanine transaminase (ALT/GPT). The fruit of this shrub was extracted using the measurement technique gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MASS) and organic solvent hexane and ethyl acetate in one to one ratio. It contained 21 compounds, a high percentage of their terpenes, essential aromatic oils, alkaloids, and phenolic compounds. The results showed a significant improvement in the enzyme (ALT/GPT) level after adding different concentrations of hot aqueous extract to the fruit of the Artemisia plant. The fruit of the Artemisia plant can be used to treat many diseases and improve the activity of liver enzymes.

PrRP, also known as prolactoliberin, is a bovine hypothalamic extract neurohormone that stimulates prolactin synthesis in a rat pituitary adenoma cell line and lactating rat pituitary cells. PrRP has been shown to control the intake of food and energy expenditure, but it may also have a role in stress sensitivity, reproduction, cardia productivity, secretion of endocrine components, and lately, neuroprotective characteristics, among others. The current study was performed to identify if prolactin-releasing peptide (PrRP) had any effect in increasing anxiety clinical features in rats as an animal model. The study included 114 Wistar handling-acclimated male rats (160 gm, 2 months old); divided randomly into three major groups. The rats were divided randomly into three major groups (38-control animals (38C), and 38-PrRP animals (38P), both were examined using the EPM test to test for stress-related signs, such as fear of height (5 mins duration for each rat). The maze was cleaned with water to eliminate the previous rat odor after the experiment for each rat was completed. The tests were performed between 13:00 to 17:00 of the day. Then, a week later, 38 (19-PrRP animals (19P) and 19-control animals (19C)) were examined using the SP test conducted between 13:00 to 16:00 of the day. Fifteen minutes before EPM, the 38C received intranasal 0.9%-10µl NaCl (per nostril), and 38P received intranasal 10-10mol/l-10 µl PrRP (per nostril), and the anxiety-related signs, such as time spent in open arms (less time means more anxious), during the EPM test were recorded. The 19P and 19C received 10-10mol/l-10µl PrRP and 0.9%-10µl NaCl, respectively, (intranasal, per nostril, and 15 minutes before the SP test, where a stranger rat was placed in a specific cage in front of each of the 19P and 19C animals in a separate cage, in which both cages provided visual and olfactory but no confrontational contact). The results showed that PrRP significantly (P˂0.05) decreased the time spent by the treated rats on the open arms. In addition, PrRP revealed significant (P˂0.05) decreases in the time spent close to the stranger rat, which means increased anxiety levels. The current findings revealed that prolactin-releasing peptide increases anxiety and decreases sociality in the studied male rats.

Endometrial and ovarian tumours are almost mechanistically affected by reproductive hormones. Ovarian cancer may be explained as metastatic or synchronous primary ovarian cancer, and the specific diagnosis is a challenge. This study aimed to investigate the mutations in fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) genes and investigated the association of these mutations with the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancers as well as with cancer grade and stage. Blood samples were collected from 48 endometrial and ovarian cancer cases and 48 healthy women. Genomic DNA was extracted, and PCR was done to amplify FTO exons 4-9. Sanger sequencing identified 6 different novel mutations submitted to DDBJ: p.W278G and p.G284G in exon 4, p.S318I and p.A324G in exon 5 and two mutations in intron 4. Other mutations were also detected in FTO gene sequencing results, rs112997407 in intron 3, rs62033438, rs62033439, rs8048254 and rs8046502 in intron 4. The novel p.W278G, p.S318I and p.A324G mutations were predicted to be damaging. We did not find a significant association for all variables with cancer risk or clinical stage and grade except for rs62033438 variants, which showed a significant association with cancer grade, especially AA genotype (OR= 15, 95% CI:1.32 -169.88, P= 0.03). In conclusion, the statistical analysis did not clarify whether FTO mutations are implicated in cancer. Further studies with more samples are recommended to provide a more accurate picture of the correlation between FTO mutations and endometrial and ovarian cancer susceptibility.

This study designed to investigate the protective effects of L-theanine on experimental Multiple sclerosis in mice. Frothy Male C57BL/6 mice were allocated into 4 experimental groups: control no treatment received a regular chew pellet, and the cuprizone (CPZ) group received a standard chew pellet containing 0.2% (w/w) CPZ. In group 3, mice were fed a regular diet and administered p.o. with L-theanine (50 mg/kg). In group 4, mice received a diet containing CPZ and were administered p.o. with L-theanine (50mg/kg). Finally, reflexive motor behavior and serum antioxidant levels were determined. Based on findings, CPZ significantly decreased ambulation score, hind-limb suspension, front limb suspension, and grip strength (P<0.05). The CPZ+L-theanine reduced the adverse effect of the CPZ on ambulation score, hind-limb foot angle, surface righting, and negative geotaxis (P<0.05). The CPZ+L-theanine increased front and hind-limb suspension, grip strength, number of the cross, and duration of a stay on the rotarod compared to the control animal (P<0.05). CPZ administration significantly elevated serum malondialdehyde (MDA) while superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and total antioxidant status (TAS) levels decreased compared to control mice (P<0.05). The CPZ+L-theanine leads to the cessation of MDA production while increasing SOD, GPx, and TAS levels (P<0.05). These results suggested L-theanine has a protective effect against CPZ-induced MS in mice.

The genus Ziziphora belongs to medicinal plants. It is often used as a stomach tonic, carminative, antimicrobial, and expectorant; the extracted essential oils can be used as a second line of defence against pathogens. This study aimed to determine the antioxidant activity of essential oils of Z. clinopodioides as well as antibacterial activity against foodborne pathogens (Bacillus sp., Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas sp.). The antibacterial activity of Z. clinopodioides essential oil was determined using the microdilution (M.D.) method in the nutritional broth medium and the agar disk diffusion assay. The result demonstrated that essential oil exhibit solid antibacterial properties against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Sequentially regarding MIC and MBC values, Escherichia coli was a higher level of resistance to the essential oil compared to Bacillus sp. Our findings suggested that the essential oil of Z. clinopodioides could be used as an antibacterial agent. The total antioxidant capacity of Z. clinopodioides leaves was assessed as ascorbic acid equivalents per gram of the leaves essential oil extract. The total antioxidant capacity was determined using ascorbic acid (y=0.1185x + 49.508, R²=0.3877). While the result of Z. clinopodioides was (y=0.1372x + 40.032, R²=0.4503).

Several studies have shown that Herpes simplex type 1 )HSV-1 (is one of the viruses resistant to medications, so potential antiherpetic agents need to be evaluated. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticles (Al2O3-NPs) on HSV-1 infection. Characterization of Al2O3-NPs was performed using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The MTT test was used to investigate the toxicity action of Al2O3-NPs on viable cells. Quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR)and TCID50 assays were used to achieve the antiherpetic performance Al2O3-NPs.Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was performed to determine the inhibitory impact of Al2O3-NPs on viral antigen expression, and acyclovir was utilized as a standard agent in all tests. HSV-1 subjected to Al2O3-NPs at the maximum non-toxic concentration (100 μg / mL) leads to a decrease of 0.1, 0.7, 1.8, and 2.5 log10 TCID50 in the infectious titer relative to virus control (P<0.0001). This concentration of Al2O3-NPs was correlated with 16.9%, 47.1 %, 61.2 %, 72.5 % and 74.6 % inhibition rates, calculated based on HSV-1 viral load compared to virus control. Our results have shown that Al2O3-NPs have a robust antiviral activity against HSV-1. This function demonstrates excellent potential for using Al2O3-NP in topical formulations for treating orolabial or genital herpetic lesions.

Neonatal sepsis can be defined as any systemic bacterial infection confirmed by a positive blood culture in the first month of life. This study evaluated the polymerase chain reaction as the diagnostic approach to identify neonatal sepsis instead of blood culture.   In this study, 85 blood specimens were collected from 85 patients with suspected septicemia; ages ranged between 1 to 28 days from both sexes (53 males and 32 females) from November 2014 to March 2015. From each neonate, a minimum of 1–3 ml of blood was collected by standard sterile procedures, 2 ml for blood culture, while 1 ml was used for DNA extraction. A minimum of 2 ml of blood is taken through venipuncture and injected into two or more "blood bottles" with specific media for aerobic and anaerobic organisms. The blood is collected using an aseptic technique. The recorded data showed that the bacterial culture was positive in 7.06% of patients versus 92.9%, revealing a negative bacterial culture. The most common types of bacteria isolated were three isolates of Klebsiella spp. (50.0%), followed by one isolate of Staphylococcus aureus (16.67%), one E. coli (16.67%) isolate, and one Enterobacter spp. (16.67%) isolate. Finally, molecular detection for bacterial sepsis was done using specific primers (16 sRNA, rpoB and its). It was found that 16 sRNA genes were present in 20% of samples, and rpoB gene was present in (18.8%). While its gene used for the detection of fungi revealed negative results in all samples.

In women of reproductive age, vaginal infection is a gynaecological condition with various health consequences. Bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, and aerobic vaginitis are the most prevalent types of infection. Although reproductive tract infections are known to impact human fertility, no consensus guidelines on microbial control in infertile couples undergoing in vitro fertilization therapy are currently available. This study aimed to determine the effect of asymptomatic vaginal infections on the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection in infertile Iraqi couples. Forty-six asymptomatic infertile Iraqi women were evaluated for genital tract infections by taking a vaginal sample on ovum pick-up for microbiological culture during their intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment cycle. Based on the acquired results, a multi-microbial community colonized the participant's female lower reproductive tract, and only 13 women achieved pregnancy compared to 33 who did not. Candida albicans was found in 43.5% of the cases, 39.1% Streptococcus agalactiae, 19.6% Enterobacter species, 13.0% Lactobacillus, 8.7% Escherichia coli, 8.7% Staphylococcus aureus, 4.3% Klebsiella, and 2.2% Neisseria gonorrhoeae. However, no statistically significant effect was observed on the pregnancy rate except for Enterobacter spp. and Lactobacilli. In conclusion, the majority of patients had a genital tract infection; Enterobacter spp. had a substantial negative influence on the pregnancy rate, and lactobacilli were highly related to positive outcomes in participating females.

The genus Marrubium, belonging to the family Lamiaceae, is highly praised in herbal medicine of different countries for having renowned healing properties. Herein, the anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenesis potential of Marrubium persicum methanol extract was evaluated in a mouse air pouch model of inflammation. Aerial parts of M. persicum were solvent extracted using the Soxhlet apparatus. Subsequently, air injections were performed (for 3 days) into the mice's backs to bring about an air pouch, while carrageenan was used to induce inflammation. The mice were divided into four groups, including; negative control (normal saline into the pouch), control (carrageenan), treatment and positive control (dexamethasone). The inflammatory markers were analyzed 48h after injecting carrageenan, and a haemoglobin assay kit assessed the quantification of angiogenesis in granulation tissue. M. persicum methanol extract at doses of 3.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 mg/kg represented significant decreases in inflammatory parameters. Compared to the control group, the optimum dose (3.5 mg/kg) lessened the myeloperoxidase (MPO) and angiogenesis activity, as well as haemoglobin levels. In sum, the methanol extract of M. persicum exhibited anti-inflammatory effects against carrageenan-induced inflammation, which could be related to its antioxidant and inhibitory effects on neutrophils’ infiltration.

The use of herbal remedies has played a crucial role throughout medicine, and human beings have always used these valuable resources to treat their health problems and diseases. Phoenix dactylifera (Palm) is one of the most famous medicinal plants. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the possible effects of date palm pollen supplementation on the heifer's puberty. This study was conducted in Najaf- Iraq, on 10 crossbred heifers 6 months old, from December 1st, 2021, to August 1st, 2022. The animals were divided randomly into two groups: T1 was supplemented with 2g of date palm pollen (DPP) plus the main ration, while T2 was supplemented only with the main ration. The results revealed a significant effect (P<0.05 and P<0.01) in T1 over T2, accelerating the heifer’s puberty and sexual maturity. The results also showed a significant effect (P<0.01) between T1 and T2 at the level of the hormones FSH, LH and estrogen in the age of puberty, as well as the presence of a significant difference (P<0.01) and (P<0.05) between T1 and T2 at the level of the hormones FSH and estrogen in the age of sexual maturity. The results also showed a significant effect (P<0.05) for T1 and T2 in weight at puberty and maturity. This study aimed to accelerate puberty and sexual maturity in the heifers.

Health specialists currently suggest low-cholesterol diets, suggesting that cholesterol in the form of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) reduces the risk of chronic atherosclerosis. The large volume of literature describes the biological roles of vitamin E and its application to preventing disease and improving the health and productive performances of farm animals. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of vitamin E (Alpha-tocopherol acetate) supplementation and melatonin implants on biochemical blood, lipid profile and muscle vitamin E content of Awassi male lambs fed by a high and normal diet in Iraq. The lambs were divided into teen groups as control normal energy diet T1 (NED) T2 (HED) concentrated lamb fattening feed. Two levels of melatonin (18 and 36 mg implant) were applied to T3, T4, T5, and T6 treatment and 2 levels of Vitamin E (Alpha-tocopherol acetate) diet 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg to T7. T8. T9 and T10, respectively. Results from the present study indicate that Vitamin E 200, 400 mg/lamb/day and melatonin implantation 18 mg, 36 mg/lamb/day significantly (P<0.05) increased total protein in serum while decreasing globulin level, glucose concentration in serum, melatonin implantation 36 mg/lamb and vitamin E 400 mg/lamb/day recorded significantly (P<0.05). The same effect on decreasing cholesterol concentration in serum 42.6mg\dl, 40.5 mg\dl, respectively, compared to non-treated groups. Vitamin E 200 mg/kg/lamb recorded the lowest AST level in serum, 43.3. Lambs implanted with Melatonin 36 mg/lamb and fed a high-energy diet (T8) resulted in a significant decrease of serum ALT activity (P<0.05) in comparison to other treated groups 12.7 U/L was achieved. Lambs fed a normal energy diet with vitamin E 200 mg/kg/lamb (T4) exceeded other treated groups, decreasing ALT serum levels by 9.35 U/L. Interestingly, muscle vitamin E concentrations for lambs received 200, 400 mg/lamb/day on the 2nd, 7th and 14th days of the storage period, and fed high energy diet (T10) or normal energy diet (T5) were significantly higher compared to control group (T1, T6).

In the migration and metastasis of cancer cells, it is necessary to rotate the focal adhesion (FA). MAP4K4 plays a vital role in the formation of cytoskeletal regeneration, but its role in regulating FA dynamics and cancer cell migration is not well understood. This present aimed to investigate the role of MAP4K4 in regulating FA dynamics and cell migration in the human breast cancer cell line. For this purpose, different variants, including MAP4K4 (wild type), partial active mutation kinase (MAP4K4-T178D), mutant with inactivated or reduced activity kinase (MAP4K4-T178A) and inactive kinase mutation (MAP4K4-K54R) was used in the evaluation. GFP-paxillin was also used as a marker in basal breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) in determining FA dynamics. Time-lapse and confocal microscopes were used to record FA dynamics and cell migration. The present study's findings showed that cells expressing MAP4K4-K54R, MAP4K4-T178D and MAP4K4-T178A type slowly down the FA turnover rates and had much larger FAs than those expressing WT MAP4K4 in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. Furthermore, inhibiting MAP4K4 strongly inhibited FA formation and reduced cell migration speed. In conclusion, MAP4K4 regulates FA dynamics and cancer cell migration, most probably through activating FA proteins and cytoskeleton.

Many infections produced by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae are the main cause of death and treatment restrictions worldwide. In K. pneumoniae, the efflux pump system is dangerous in drug resistance. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the involvement of the AcrA and AcrB efflux pumps in antibiotic resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from wound patients. During June 2021-February 2022, 87 clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumonia bacteria were obtained from wound samples patients consulted to the hospitals in AL-Diwaniyah province, Iraq. The disc diffusion method performed an antibiotic susceptibility test after microbiological/biochemical identification. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used to examine efflux genes' prevalence (acrA and acrB). The results showed that resistance to Carbenicillin 72 (82.7%), Erythromycin 66 (75.8%), Rifampin 58 (66.6%), Ceftazidime 52 (59.7%), Cefotaxime 44 (50.5%), Novobiocin 38 (43.6%), Tetracycline 32 (36.7%), Ciprofloxacin 22 (25.2%), Gentamicin 16 (18.3%), Nitrofurantoin 6 (10.3%) in Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates. The PCR procedure revealed that the occurrence of the acrA and acrB genes is 55 (100%) and 55 (100%), respectively. The findings of this investigation show that the AcrA and AcrB efflux pumps play a crucial character in antibiotic resistance in multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae bacterial isolates. As a result of the unintentional transmission of antimicrobial resistance genes, precise detection of resistance genes using molecular approaches is required to switch the extent of resistant strains.

Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) is an infection caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus. Antiviral medications used to treat MCV infections have several problems, including drug-resistant and toxicity. As a result, improving safe, innovative, and effective antiviral drugs is critical. Therefore the current study aimed to investigate ZnO-NPs effects on M. contagisum infection and molluscum contagiosum virus replication, among the main exciting viruses that menace human health. The antiviral activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) against MCV infection was investigated in this work. FESEM and TEM electron microscopy were used to examine the nanoparticles. The cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles was assessed using the MTT assay, and anti-influenza effects were detected using RT-PCR and TCID50. An indirect immunofluorescence experiment was used to investigate the inhibitory effect of nanoparticles on viral antigen expression. In all tests, acyclovir was employed as a control. Compared to virus control, post-exposure of MCV with ZnO nanoparticles at the highest dose but is not toxic (100 g/mL) resulted in 0.2, 0.9, 1.9, and 2.8 log10 TCID50 reductions in infectious diseases virus titer (P0.0001). This ZnO-nanoparticles level was accompanied by an inhibition percentage (17.8%, 27.3%, 53.3%, 62.5 %, and 75.9%), respectively, measured based on viral load compared with the virus control. Compared to the positive control, fluorescence emission intensity in virally infected cells that administrated ZnO nanoparticles was statically decreased. Our findings demonstrated that ZnO-NPs have antiviral effects against the MCV. This property indicates that ZnO-NP has a high potential for usage in topical formulations to treat facial and labial lesions.

Parasitic infections, especially helminthes infections of the gastrointestinal tract due to the latent symptoms, play a vital role in the growth and efficiency of ruminants. The current research was performed to determine the prevalence of haemonchosis in goats and the effect of some risk factors, such as age, sex, and months on the infection rate. Also, our study includes investigating the haematological and biochemical changes in the haemonchosis-infected goat, then utilizing the PCR technique to confirm the H. contortus diagnosis in goats. The result of the epidemiological study revealed that only 73 out of 693 examined goats were positive to infect with Haemonchus spp. at an infection rate of 10.53%. The incidence of Haemonchosis was related to climatic conditions, with the highest (23.07 %) and lowest (4.34 %) percentages occurring in October and June, respectively. Furthermore, the highest (14.01 %) and lowest (4.76 %) infection percentages were recorded in goats aged > 5 years and 9 months to 2 years old, respectively. According to sex, infection percentages were (14.24%) and (7.02 %) for females and males, respectively. Haematological and biochemical parameters results revealed that infected goats suffered from a gradual decline in Hb concentration, pocket cell volume, total erythrocyte count, total leucocyte count, lymphocyte, neutrophil, total serum protein and albumin, while eosinophil count was increased significantly. Also, serum enzymes ALP, ALT, and AST showed significant increases in infected goats. The result of PCR showed that specific primers (HcI-F, HcI-R) successfully amplify the ITS-2 rDNA gene with 295bp -long fragment to H. controtus. Due to the effect of age, sex and season on H. contortus infection, it is crucial to have control and prevention programs and treatment schedules in the herd.

Penicillium expansum is one of the most harmful post-harvest fungal pathogens. Aspergillus flavus is a saprotrophic fungal organism with broad distribution, producing mycotoxins that are toxic to humans and animals. This study aimed to investigate the antifungal activity of phenolic alcohol extract for the dry plants Oak (Quercus infectoria Oliv) and Bitter Melon (Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad). Three concentrations of phenolic alcohol extract of Oak and Bitter Melon (100, 200 and 300 mg/mL) have been prepared against two fungi, Penicillium expansum and Aspergillus flavus. The results showed that all three concentrations of phenolic extracts gave antifungal activity, and the percentage inhibition of diameter growth (PIDG) increased with increasing concentrations. The C. colocynthis extract gave the highest average of PIDG (38.29%), followed by Q. infectoria with an average of PIDG (34.13%) against P. expansum and A. flavus. The A. flavus fungus experienced more potent inhibition, with an average of PIDG (49.05%), than P. expansum, with an average PIDG of (23.37%). The results showed that the C. colocynthis extract gave the highest PIDG (70.7±3.90), followed by Q. infectoria with PIDG (31.1±3.335) at a concentration of (300 mg/mL) on P. expansum. While the results for phenolic extracts of C.colocynthis and Q. infectoria on A. flavus showed that the antifungal activity of C. colocynthis extract had the highest PIDG (72.09±4.10) followed by Q. infectoria with PIDG (62.49±3.63) at a concentration of (300 mg/mL). We concluded that the phenolic extracts of Q. infectoria galls and C. colocynthis fruit showed inhibitory activity against two toxin-producing fungi, P. expanisum and A. flavus.

Due to the pandemic of COVID -19 disease and the fact that the effective variables in the severity and control of the disease have not been established, numerous factors have been investigated, including the study of inflammatory factors. A cross-sectional study was carried out to investigate the proinflammatory cytokines in patients with COVID -19, conducted in Baghdad, Iraq. The age of the patients was above > (15) years old, with confirmed infection documented by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The subjects were 132 patients, 69 (52.3%) males, and 63 (47.7%) females. Patients were divided into three pathological groups: mild patients (45), moderate patients (34), and severe patients (53), each group was divided into four weeks according to symptoms onset date. The most common clinical symptoms were cough, fever, and headache, while sore throat, gastrointestinal symptoms, chest pain, and loss of taste and smell were less common in COVID -19 patients. Sandwich-Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay kits were used to evaluate levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α. The results IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly elevated in mild during the four weeks with (P=0.0071) and (0.0266) respectively, levels of IL-1β were increased with highly significant differences (P=0.0001) while levels of IL-8 were decreased with highly significant differences (P=0.0001) during the four weeks. In moderate patients, levels of (IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8) increased without significance (P=0.661, 0.074, 0.0651), respectively; in contrast, the levels of TNF-α increased with significant (P=0.0452) across four weeks. Severe COVID-19 patients showed significantly increased differences in levels of (IL-6, IL-8, and TNFα) (P=0.0438, 0.0348, 0.0447), respectively, while no significant differences in the level of IL-1β (P=0.0774). This study showed that investigating inflammatory factors in the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial in controlling and treating.

Epiglottitis is a rapidly progressive epiglottis infection leading to upper airway edema. This study aimed to detect the main causative agent, viral infection, by immunofluorescence antibody technique and PCR technique and bacterial infection detection by specific gene among young children suffering from epiglottitis. This study included 85 young children aged 10-15 years. The virus was identified on 85 blood samples using the CER test Human simplex virus Card test; the results revealed that 12 (14.1%) specimens were related to virus infection, and the sera of patients showed anti-IgM to HSV-1 antibodies. HSV-1 was detected in blood samples by qPCR technique. Eighty-five saliva samples were collected from young children suffering from epiglottitis. The samples were cultured for 18-24 hours at 37°C. They were then cultivated for 18-24 hours on various selective media at 37°C. The colony morphology, microscopically, and biochemical testing were used to identify Haemophilus influenzae as a first Identification. Out of 85 clinical specimens, 63 (74.1%) were positive culture, while 22 (25.9%) had no growth on culture media; out of 63 specimens, only 22 (34.9%) isolates belonged to Haemophilus influenzae by biochemical tests, while 41 (65.1%) related to other types of microorganisms. VITEK 2 was used to validate bacteria isolates from young children suffering from epiglottitis. The findings indicate that 22 (34.9%) isolates related to Haemophilus influenzae have been confirmed with an excellent ID message confidence level (94 to 99.8% likelihood percentage). This method is characterized by quick bacterial detection. DNA was taken from all suspected isolates previously identified as Haemophilus influenzae using the vitek2 technology, and traditional PCR was used to amplify specific hel gene for Haemophilus influenzae primers utilizing these DNA samples. After that, when compared to an allelic ladder, gel electrophoresis revealed that all 22 (100%) samples of Haemophilus influenzae produced 101 bp DNA fragments. For isolates previously identified as Haemophilus influenzae, molecular identification of the ompP gene was performed. The results showed that 12 (or 54.5 percent) of the 22 isolates tested positive for this virulence gene. When compared to an allelic ladder, the presence of (459 bp) bands indicated positive results. In addition, the bexA gene was molecularly detected in 22 Haemophilus influenzae isolates, showing that only 8 (36.3 percent) of the isolates had this gene. When compared to an allelic ladder, the presence of a (343 bp) band indicated positive results for bexA gene pathogenicity; in conclusion, HSV (1) and Hib were considered almost causative agents of epiglottitis in young children.

Vaccination can be a key step in controlling hydatid cyst infection in humans and livestock in endemic areas of the disease. The aim of the Present study was to determine some of the basal biochemical properties followed by prediction and screening of B-cell and MHC-binding epitopes of EgP29 protein in silico. Some of the basic physico-chemical properties along with antigenicity, allergenicity, solubility, post-translational modification (PTM) sites, subcellular localization, signal peptide, transmembrane domain, secondary and tertiary structures followed by refinement and validations were computationally determined for this protein. Also, B-cell epitopes were predicted and screened using various web servers, while MHC-binding and CTL epitopes were predicted using IEDB and NetCTL servers, respectively. The protein is a 238-residue, 27 kDa molecule, with high thermotolerance (aliphatic: 71.81) and hydrophilicity (negative GRAVY). There were several glycosylation and phosphorylation sites in the sequence, without a transmembrane domain and signal peptide. Moreover, several B-cell and MHC-binding epitopes were found in the EgP29 protein, which could be further used in multi-epitope vaccines. In conclusion, results of the present study can be a promising sign for achieving effective approaches to the preparation of a multi-epitope vaccines against echinococcosis. So, it is necessary that the effectiveness of the protein and its epitopes be evaluated in vitro and in vivo.

Amebiasis is caused by Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan that is found worldwide. The degree of pathogenesis of clinical isolates varies greatly. This study was aimed to molecular identification of E. histolytica in children using the nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR), and then, a genotyping of positive E. histolytica isolates using the quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay through targeting serine-rich E. histolytica protein (SREHP) gene. For this purpose, a total of 50 bloody diarrheic stool samples were collected from the children attended to the Al-Zahraa’ Teaching Hospital and Alkut Hospital for Gynecology, Obstetric and Pediatrics (Alkut, Wasit, Iraq) were subjected to the present study from September to December 2021. Firstly, the extracted DNAs that amplified using specific primers through targeting 18S rRNA gene and tested using nPCR assay were revealed an overall 48% (24/50) positive samples for E. histolytica. For genotyping, our results were detected an existence of four different genotypes (I, II, III and IV) with a significant prevalence of Genotype-II (54.17%) when compared to Genotype-I (20.83%), Genotype-III (12.5%) and Genotype- IV (12.5%). In addition, results of melting temperature of targeted genotypes were 84ºC, 83 - 83.5ºC, 82.5ºC and 81ºC for Genotype-I, II, III and IV, respectively. In conclusion, molecular amplification of 18S rRNA gene was revealed the large prevalence of E. histolytica among bloody diarrheic children of study areas; while, amplification of SREHP gene was reflected the widespread phenotypic variation of the Genotype-II suggesting the high ability of this genotype to spread infection in children. In different endemic areas as Iraq, the utilization of high-resolution genotyping methods showed the extremely polymorphic genetic structure of this parasite.

The poultry industry is one of the pillars of food security in the world, as it is relied upon to provide meat and eggs to meet the increasing food demands. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the effect of L-carnitine and methionine supplementation to the standard diets of broiler chickens in productive performance of broiler (Ross 308). One Hundred- fifty broiler chicks unsexed (Ross 308) with an initial weight with 43 g, were obtained from Al-Habbaniya hatchery (commercial hatchery). All the animals were within an average weight of 40 g (one-day old chicks). The experimental groups were as follows: the animals in T1 group received basal diet without any addition, the animals in T1 group received basal diet supplemented with lead acetate 400 mg/kg feed , the animals in T3 group received diet supplemented with carnitine 300 mg + lead acetate 400 mg, the animals in T4 group received basal diet supplemented with  methionine  100 mg + lead acetate 400 mg, the animals in T5 group received basal diet supplemented with methionine  100 mg + carnitine 300 mg + lead acetate 400 mg. Body weight gain and feed consumption were weekly recorded. Feed conversion ratio was also calculated. Results showed that Birds in (T5) fed diets with (carnitine + methionine) observed highest live body weights comparison with T3 (carnitine + lead acetate) and T4 (adding methionine+ lead acetate). Data of results showed no significant differences were recorded in body weight gain. Also, Results obtained increase with feed consumption for treatment T5, while birds in T1 and T4 recorded lowest means in feed consumed. However, birds in T4 and T5 observed best feed conversion ratio as compare with T1, T2 and T3. Therefore, it can conclude that addition carnitine and methionine enhanced broiler productive performance.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is proposed to play a significant role in pathogenesis of urinary bladder cancer (UBC). This role may be influenced by chemotherapy (mitomycin C; MMC) or immunotherapy (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin; BCG). A case-control study was conducted to determine IL-6 levels in serum of newly diagnosed cases (NDC) of superficial UBC, as well as in patients treated with MMC or BCG intravesical instillation. A total sample of 111 patients (36 NDC, 45 MMC and 30 BCG) was included, as well as a control group of 107 healthy controls (HC). IL-6 was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results revealed that median levels of IL-6 were significantly elevated in NDC group (15.8 pg/mL; P<0.001) compared to MMC and BCG groups (7.5 and 5.3 pg/mL, respectively) or HC (4.4 pg/mL); while, there were no significant differences between the latter three groups (MMC, BCG and HC). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that IL-6 is a very good predictor of UBC in NDC group versus HC (area under the curve=0.885; 95% confidence interval=0.828-0.942; P<0.001; cut-off value=10.5 pg/mL; Youden index=0.62; sensitivity=80.6%; specificity=81.3%). Logistic regression analysis confirmed this significance and IL-6 was associated with a higher risk of UBC (odds ratio=1.18; 95% confidence interval=1.11-1.26; P<0.001). In conclusion, this study indicated that IL-6 level was upregulated in serum of NDC of UBC. Further, IL-6 level was restored to normal levels after intravesical instillation of MMC or BCG.

New researches suggest that an early feeding approach has a long-term influence on chick growth performance and nutrient metabolism. The present study was designed to determine the effect of early feeding and the time of chickens transferring from the hatchery to the field on broiler chickens' productive performance and carcass traits. Two hundred twenty-five chickens, one-day-old of broiler chickens Ross 308 with a mean live body weight of 45 g, were used and were randomly distributed to five treatments by 45 chickens per treatment with three replicates (15 chickens per replicate). The experimental treatments were as follows: T1 (control treatment) – the chickens were transferred 24 hours after hatching to the field without feeding,  and in groups T2 to T5, the chickens were fed immediately and transferred to the field 24, 6,12,18 hours after hatching, respectively. The current results showed no significant (P>0.05) effects of the experimental treatments on final body live weight, weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio. In addition, the treatments' insignificant (P>0.05) effects on the weights of the carcass, abdominal fat, breast, thigh, back, wing, neck, heart, liver, and gizzard were found. It can be concluded that there was no evidence of a positive effect of early feeding and transporting duration after hatching on productive performance and carcass characteristics of broilers.

Brucellosis is endemic in Iraq, and annual surveys using advanced diagnostic assays are needed. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of human brucellosis in rural areas in Wasit province using ELISA and PCR. A total of 276 serum samples were randomly obtained from participants from rural areas in the Wasit province. The results showed that out of 276 serum samples tested by ELISA, 30.07% were positive. Significantly, mild infection was increased compared to moderate, severe and highly severe infections. To confirm the species of Brucella, seropositive samples were tested by PCR assay targeting the BCSP31 gene for Brucella spp. and the IS711 gene for B. abortus and B. melitensis. Molecular findings confirmed 30.12% positive samples to Brucella spp., including 28% and 44% positives to B. abortus and B. melitensis, respectively, whereas 28% positive samples to other undifferentiated species of Brucella. Association between seropositivity and demographic risk factors, age and gender, were reported to be significantly higher among individuals aged 21-40 (41.91%) and lowered among those aged £20 years (13.56%). For gender, a high nominal positivity rate was detected in females (36.07%) than in males (28.37%). Association between the degree of severity of the infection and demographic risk factors recorded that mild infection (75%) was increased among individuals of £20 years, while moderate and severe infections were elevated significantly in groups of 21-40 and 41-60 years. The highly severe infections appeared in those aged 21-40 years (15.91%). Regarding gender, mild and moderate infections were elevated significantly in males; whereas severe and highly severe infections were increased significantly in females. In conclusion, this study is the first random epidemiological study investigating the prevalence of human brucellosis in rural areas in Iraq. Undifferentiated species of Brucella were detected in PCR-positive results. The incorporation of molecular techniques for the diagnosis will help resolve the Brucella genus and detection the primary sources that play roles in the transmission of infection.

Malva parviflora is a leafy vegetable belonging to the family Malvaceae. Medicinal plants have had several vital chemical compounds, with some biological functions. Supplementation of these plants to the animals diets lead to significant betterments in the animals' productivity and health status. This study was designed to investigate the effects of Malva parviflora as a substitute for commercial premix carrier in the poultry diets to see the response on some of the productive and economic traits in broilers. 576 one day old Ross 308 chicks were randomly divided into eight groups with three replicate (24 bird /replicate) per group. Each group was subjected to the one of the following treatments: Tr 1. (Control) contained 2.5% of diet supplemented with homemade premix (with carrier Malva parviflora weed leaves meal), Tr 2. 2.5% provimi premix, Tr 3. 2.5% Turkis hpremix, Tr 4. Dutch premix, Tr 5. 50% homemade premix + 50% provimi premix, Tr 6. 50% homemade premix + 50% Turkish, Tr 7. Homemade premix + 50% Dutch 50% Tr 8. 25% from each four types premixes. Live body weight, feed consumption, feed conversion, growth rate، Production Index، economic indicator and mortality rate averages were measured to the 5 weeks of age. Result showed that there were significant differences (P<0.05) among treatments in weight gains at all periods. Treatment 1،26،5، 4 ،showed the highest weight gain at 5 weeks of age;however, Tr.3،7 showed the lowest value. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in the rate of feed consumption among treatments during the different periods. Birds in Tr.3 consumed the highest amount of feed compared with control, Also there was significant differences in feed conversion ratio among all treatment groups at all periods where, the highest value was found in (Tr.3), and the lowest value was recorded in Tr.1.At least there was large differences in cost of locally premix which recorded the cheapest and lowest value about 1300 U.S.A$ less in every ton compared with the commercial premixes.

Small ruminants theileriosis are widespread in Iraq andacute infections usually with hight mortality. However, the survived animals suffer from low production of meat and milk. Coinfection with more than Theileria sp. And/or Anaplasmosis could have an impact on the disease severity. The main finding was identifying T. lestoquardi, T. ovis , T. annulata, blood samples of infected sheep with a history of chronic theileriosis (n=48) and with acute  clinical theileriosis sign (n=24) were being collected from fields located in Babylon province (middle of Iraq) after chlinical examination and Polymerase chain reaction and real time PCR were performed for detection. Theileria. lestoquardi was the highest of these species within the acute and chronic cases. As well as, the load of this species in acute cases was significantly higher (P<0.01) to that in chronic. However, the load of T. ovis and T. annualta were similar in acute and chronic cases. Importantly, all these cases were coinfected with Anaplasma  phagocytophylum. This could be due to the infection of leukocytes meanwhile weakening of the animal’s immune system. Also, these parasites transmitted by the same tick-vector. The impact of this finding could help in disease prevention and diagnosis.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) have a considerable risk to public health in the world, due to its high ability to develop resistance to different classes of antibiotics. It has been discovered as a prevalent coinfection pathogen that causes sickness exacerbation in COVID-19 patients. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of P. aeruginosa from COVID-19 patients in Al Diwaniyah province, Iraq and to identify its genetic resistance pattern. 70 clinical samples were obtained from severe cases of patients (RT-PCR positive for SARS-COV-2 on a nasopharyngeal swab) who attended Al Diwaniyah Academic Hospital. 50 P. aeruginosa bacterial isolates were detected via microscopic examination, routine cultured and biochemical testing, then validated by the VITEK-2 compact system. VITEK reported 30 positive results, which later confirmed through molecular detection using 16s RNA specific for detection and a phylogenetic tree.20 isolates had positive PCR findings and 5 isolates submitted to GenBank with accession numbers OL314557.1, OL314556.1, OL314555.1, OL314554.1, OL314553.1.For antibiotic resistance genes, the number of the isolates containing blaOXA-1 and blaCTX-M 18 (90 percent) and 16 (80 percent) respectively. To study its adaptation in a SARS-CoV-2 infected environment, genomic sequencing investigations were undertaken with phenotypic validation. In conclusion, we demonstrate that multidrug resistant P. aeruginosa play an important role in in vivo colonization in COVID-19 patients and could be one of the causes of death of these patients which indicates the great challenge to clinicians in the facing of this serious disease.

Rotavirus (RV) is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in early childhood worldwide. Gastroenteritis is a preventable disease by the vaccine, and vigorous efforts were made to produce attenuated oral rotavirus vaccines. In recent years, despite the existence of three types of live attenuated rotavirus vaccines, several countries, such as China and Vietnam, have intended to produce indigenous vaccines based on rotavirus serotypes circulating among their population. In this study, the immunogenicity of homemade human-bovine reassortant RV candidate vaccine was tested in an animal model. Rabbits were randomly distributed into eight experimental groups with three animals per group. Afterward, three rabbits in each test group designated as P1, P2, and P3 were experimentally inoculated with the 106, 107, and 108 tissue culture infectious dose 50 (TCID50) of the reassortant virus, respectively. The N1 group received the reassortant rotavirus vaccine containing 107 TCID50+zinc. The N2, N3, and N4 groups received rotavirus vaccine strain, RV4 human rotavirus, and bovine rotavirus strain, respectively, and the control group received phosphate-buffered saline. It is noteworthy that three rabbits have been included in each group. The IgA total antibody titer was measured and evaluated by non-parametric Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The antibody titer produced in the studied groups did not significantly differ. The candidate vaccine showed immunogenicity, protectivity, stability, and safety. The findings of this study indicated a critical role of IgA production, which can induce immunity against a gastroenteritis viral pathogen. Regardless of purification, candidate reassortant vaccine and cell adapted animal strains could be used as a vaccine candidate for production.

Leptospirosis is a serious zoonotic infection and the most prevalence disease is in the tropical and subtropical region. The definitive diagnosis of Leptospirosis, caused by spirochetes of the genus Leptospira infection is already using culture methods, serological tests such as the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) and molecular detection methods (PCR) are possible.  In this study, we used multiplex PCR method for detection of pathogenic and non - pathogenic Leptospira based on lipL32 and 16S rRNA genes. All serovars were obtained from the Leptospira Reference Laboratory of Microbiology Department, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Karaj, Iran. The PCR product for the lipL32 and 16S rRNA genes was 272 bp and 240 bp respectively. The sensitivity amplification for the multiplex assay was 10-6 pg / μl for 16S rRNA gene and 10-4 pg / μl for lipL32 gene. The sensitivity for multiplex PCR was 10-3 pg / μl. The results supported the idea that multiplex PCR can be used to detect Leptospira samples. This method was also able to differentiate between saprophytic and pathogenic leptospires and was able to do so much easily than conventional methodologies. Due to the slow growth of Leptospira and the importance of time in diagnosis, molecular methods such as PCR are suggested.

Acetaminophen is a pharmaceutical synthesized non-opioid analgesic that belongs to the "aniline analgesics" class of medicine. Because it lacks a significant anti-inflammatory effect, it is not classified as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory therapeutic medication (NSAID). As an over-the-counter pain reliever and antipyretic, Acetaminophen is the active metabolite of phenacetin and acetanilide, but it is less toxic than either precursor. According to some medical studies, Acetaminophen toxicity can be treated with vitamin B12. Acetaminophen-poisoned Male Wister rats were the subject model of the current study, which examines the effects of vitamin B12 on their hepatic health. There were three groups of animals: Acetaminophen treated animals (750 ml/kg), vitamin B12-treated animals (0.63 g/kg), and a control group that received distilled water (750 ml/kg). All animals were given oral medication for seven days. On the seventh day, the animal was sacrificed. Plasma levels of Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), Caspase3, Malondialdehyde (MDA), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-) were measured in the cardiac blood samples. Vitamin B12 lowers liver enzyme levels in the blood, increases overall antioxidant levels, and compensates for tissue glutathione deficiency while lowering serum elevations. TNF-α and interleukin-6 levels are also reduced by caspase3. Acetaminophen-induced hepatic necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration were both considerably reduced by vitamin B12 supplementation. According to this study, vitamin B12 was found to have a protective effect against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity.

Rab5A and Akt pathways are reported to be responsible for the invasiveness of cancer cells, indicated by the fact that Rab5A activates the downstream Phosphoinositide-3-kinases (PI3K)/Akt signalling pathway, which results in promoting cancer metastasis. However, little attention has been given to the emerging role of Rab5A and Akt signalling pathways in regulating the direction of MDA-MB-231 cell migration. MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line was used as a model in this study because it is highly metastatic and motile. Time-lapse microscopy was used to examine the effect of Akt and Rab5A inhibitors on cell migration, proliferation and wound healing. Later, the cells were transfected with GFP-Akt-PH or GFP-Rab5A (used as a biosensor to detect Akt and Rab5A). Therefore, confocal time-lapse images were used to visualize Akt and Rab5A at the front and rear edges of the cells. The recorded data demonstrated that Akt and Rab5A inhibition reduced cell migration, proliferation and wound healing. The results of the current study also demonstrated that Akt localizes at the trailing edge while Rab5A localize more at the leading edge than the trailing edge of cells. This study suggests that Akt and Rab5A inhibition might regulate the direction of breast cancer migration.

Fascioliasis is a common human-animal disease that is reported in most parts of the world. Fascioliasis is also prevalent in different provinces of Iran. Since it has done no study on the excretory/secretory and somatic immunogenic antigens profiles of adult Fasciola in Iran, the present study was performed on the Fasciola spp. collected from Mazandaran province. For this purpose, the Fasciola worm was isolated from the liver of infected sheep, then its excretory/secretory and somatic antigens were prepared from adult worms. The protein of the samples was measured by the Lowry method. Then, somatic and secretory excretions were examined by SDS-PAGE and the protein profile of the two substances was determined. To evaluate the immunogenicity, the somatic and secretory excretions antigens of Fasciola spp. were injected into white rabbits and after boosting, the blood serum of the rabbits was collected and then Western blotting was performed on them and the results were evaluated. According to the results of Western blotting, 11 somatic antigen bands with a molecular weight of 149, 122, 99, 85, 75, 65, 50, 46, 40, 37, 30 kDa and 12 protein bands of excretory/secretory antigens with molecular weights of 100, 82, 75, 70, 58, 55, 47, 40, 38, 37, 30,25 kDa were observed in adult Fasciola spp. that immunogenic, which appear to have a protective effect or can be used to prepare a diagnostic kit.

Fusobacterium nucleatum is considered one of the main risk factors that play a key role in the promotion and progression of colorectal carcinoma. The main goal of this study is to find out the association between the prevalence of various subtypes of Fusobacterium nucleatum with inflammation and colorectal cancer progression, in addition to screening the positive ratio of the possession of the FadA gene. One hundred tissue samples were collected from healthy individuals and patients from colonoscopy and surgical operation biopsies. The patients were categorized into (Ulcerative colitis, precancerous colitis and colorectal carcinoma) according to their colonoscopy and histopathology examination reports. Molecular detection of Fusobacteriumnucleatum and FadA gene was performed via PCR and gel electrophoresis, and then phylogenetic analysis for Fusobacterium nucleatum was done using 16S rRNA partial sequencing based on specific primers. The results showed significant differences among the four groups regarding the prevalence of Fusobacterium nucleatum. The most prevalent subtype was Fusobacterium nucleatum subtype animalis, which constitutes 7 out of 17 samples. The ratio of the FadA-positive gene was 20% among the Fusobacterium nucleatum-positive cases. This finding suggested a strong correlation between Fusobacterium nucleatum and colon inflammation and cancer progression steps, and Fusobacterium nucleatum subtype animalis was the most prevalent subtype.

In December 2019, the onset of an unidentified disease known as pneumonia for an unknown reason occurred in Wuhan city, China. Liver dysfunction has occurred in COVID-19-infected patients. The current study investigated liver function abnormalities in COVID-19 infected patients and their relationship with age and sex. A cross-section study was designed and conducted at Al-Hakeem hospital in Al-Najaf city in Iraq. This study comprised 167 patients with SARS-CoV-2 confirmation using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Liver function test results were compared among different age groups and the two genders. The analysis of categorical variables was achieved via the Chi-square test. The differences in the continuous variables between both sexes were detected via Mann–Whitney U test. A statistically significant p-value was determined to be less than 0.05. IBM SPSS software (version 26) was utilized for data analysis. Among 167 patients with COVID-19 infection, 82 (49.1 %) had abnormal liver test and 85 (50.9%) were normal (P=0.816). No significant differences were noted in liver test abnormalities among the various age groups (P=0.784). The percentages of liver function abnormalities in males and females were (68.3 %) and (37.5 %) respectively. Significant differences were detected between males and females (P=0.001). The distribution of AST and ALT between males and females was shown to be significantly different (P=0.012) and (P=0.009), respectively. The ALP (U/L) and total bilirubin (mg/dL) median values between males and females were shown to be statistically insignificant. In our study, we estimated that the risk of liver function abnormalities was not significantly different among all age groups and infected males had a higher incidence of liver dysfunction with significant differences in serum AST and ALT levels between both sexes.

Metformin, an oral hypoglycemic drug, has traditionally been considered the standard therapy for hyperglycemia. Metformin's several modes of action include inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis, anti-glucagon activity, and insulin-sensitizing effect. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of Metformin on the liver, pancreatic, and kidney tissues of alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats. Twenty mature albino white male rats were allocated at random into two groups. Intraperitoneal injections of alloxan monohydrate were utilised to induce diabetic Mellitus type II in the first ten rats. The second group of rats were injected intraperitoneally with normal saline. Both groups were then separated into four subgroups: Group 1 consisted of non-diabetic rats that were only administered distilled water (control), Group 2 consisted of non-diabetic rats that were administered metformin at a dose of 1000 mg/kg/day, and Group 3 consisted of diabetic control animals that were administered alloxan intravenously and distilled water orally, but were not given any medications. After seven days of DM induction, diabetic rats were administered Metformin at a dose of 1000 mg/kg/day orally. After one month of therapy, the animals were slaughtered and their organs were harvested. Compared to the control group, the histological results of pancreatic tissue were normal in the treatment groups. In contrast, liver and kidney sections from non-diabetic control, non-diabetic, and diabetic animals given 1000 mg/kg/day of Metformin had normal histology. Still, both tissues of untreated diabetic control mice exhibited lymphocyte infiltration. Metformin has been found to have significant blood glucose lowering properties and the capacity to protect several organs from the negative consequences of diabetes.

Yeast-like fungi (YLF) of the genus Candida are unicellular microorganisms of relatively large size and rounded shape, aerobes, and belong to conditionally pathogenic microorganisms. The genus Candida includes approximately 150 species, which are classified as Deuteromycetes due to the absence of a sexual stage of development. This study aimed to identify virulence factors from Candida spp. isolated from oral and vaginal candidiasis. Fifty-eight oral and vaginal swab specimens were collected from patients, including (28) oral swabs from children and (30) vaginal swabs from different infected women. All isolates were subjected to direct examination, Morphological tests, Germ tube formation, growth at 45ºC, CHROM agar Candida culture, and VITEK 2 Compact system to ensure this diagnosis. (31) isolates were identified as Candida spp., including (21) (C. albicans (14), C. glabrata (1), C. guilliermondii (2), C. dubliniensis (3), C. parapsilosis (1)) were isolated from oral swabs and (10) isolates includedC. parapsilosis (4), C. albicans (6) were isolated from vaginal swabs. Moreover, these isolates had been detected to have some virulence factors, including phospholipase, esterase, proteinase, coagulase, hemolysin, and biofilm formation. Different species of Candida were isolated and identified from oral and vaginal. Phospholipase (Pz), Esterase (Ez), and Proteinase (Prz) were produced by 19 (61.29%), 16 (51.61%), and 26(83.87%), respectively, out of 31 isolates, whereas. All isolates produce coagulase enzyme except C. dubliniensis, which did not produce coagulase enzyme. All Candida spp. isolates produce hemolysin and biofilm formation in different percentages.

Candida tropical has been found as the most abundant pathogenic yeast species under the group Candida-non-albicans. Despite this, it is taxonomically related to C. albicans and has many of its pathogenic characteristics. Infection with Candida tropicalis is closely associated with many virulence factors encoded by multiple virulence genes. This study aims to diagnose C. tropicalis based on the presence of 18SrRNA and to detect many virulence genes. C. tropicalis isolates were collected from oral candidiasis patients. Children infected with oral thrush ranging in age from infants to 12 years old provided 150 samples. C. albicans (66.68 %), C. tropicalis (13.21 %), C. krusie (9.43 %), C. parapsilosis (7.55 %), and C. glarata were isolated as C. tropicalis types, according to the findings of the present study (2.83%). The presence of the 18SrRNA gene was confirmed in the isolates. All isolates were positive for cph1 and hwp1, while some were positive for sap1 (78.5%) and plb1 genes (71.4%). Using sequences and phylogenetic trees, it was determined that there was negligible genetic variation between local isolates and global strains. These virulence factor genes play a crucial role in developing infections.

Herbal medicines, such as plants and their constituents, have been used globally to treat and cure disorders since antiquity, long before the discovery of modern drugs. Some of these items require an addition to make them more appealing to consumers. This study is an in vitro evaluation of the antibacterial activity of tea (black and green tea aqueous extracts) against salivary Mutans streptococci, followed by an analysis of the effect of non-nutritive sweeteners on the antibacterial activity of these extracts against salivary Mutans streptococci. The examined bacteria were sensitive to various doses of black and green tea aqueous extract, with the inhibition zone expanding as the concentration of the extracts rose. At a dosage of 225mg/ml for black tea extracts and 200mg/ml for green tea extracts, all Mutans isolates were destroyed. In this trial, 1% stevia or sucralose did not inhibit the antibacterial activity of any tea extract, nor did 5% stevia inhibit the antimicrobial activity of black tea extract. In addition, this concentration inhibits the antimicrobial properties of green tea extracts. In this investigation, it found that increasing the content of nonnutritive sweeteners interfered with the antibacterial activity of black and green tea aqueous extract against salivary Mutans streptococci.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) result from genetic and environmental factors. The two clinical manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease are ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease (IBD). Numerous studies have demonstrated a link between immune system molecules' single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the incidence of IBD. The study aimed to examine the potential impact of the SNPs NOD2 rs2066844 and ATG16L1 rs2241880 in a group sample of Iraqi IBD patients. The AG genotype for rs2241880 was associated with an increased risk for CD (P=0.1) and a negative association with UC, whereas the AA genotype presents less in CD patients and a negative association with UC (P=0.89). For this SNP, the G allele was associated with the risk of CD but not for UC. For the rs2066844, there were no significant differences for NOD2 in both CD and UC, and associations between variation and diseases were not observed.

Gastrointestinal disease in calves may pose a significant threat to the livestock industry. Due to the increased rate of resistance to antifungal drugs and the side effects of these drugs, it is essential to find suitable alternatives, such as nanoparticles, with favorable antifungal effects and few side effects. This study aimed to determine the frequency of yeast causing diarrhea in calves and evaluate zinc oxide nanoparticles' antifungal effects on fluconazole-resistant isolates. Fecal samples from 94 calves (age: < three months old) with clinical signs of diarrhea were examined by standard microbiological and biochemical methods. The broth microdilution method evaluated the susceptibility of fungi to fluconazole and the antimicrobial activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles on drug-resistant isolates. Candida albicans (41.63%) were calves' predominant cause of diarrhea. In addition, 51.2% of the C. albicans isolates were resistant to fluconazole. All fluconazole-resistant isolates were eliminated when treated with 119 μg/ml of zinc oxide nanoparticles. The prevalence of diarrhea is relatively high in calves. Considering the predominance of drug-resistant Candida and the favorable in vitro effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles against these isolates, it is recommended to investigate the effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles on these isolates in vivo.