Archives of Medical Laboratory Sciences
Volume:8 Issue: 1, Winter 2022

 To investigate the association of adipose tissue transcript levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1 with various adiposity indices in obese women.

 Real-time PCR was carry out to investigate the mRNA expression level of the mentioned genes in VAT and SAT from all participants.

 The results presented higher mRNA levels of IL-6 and MCP-1 in SAT and VAT of obese women, compared to normal-weight women. As well, results showed a positive correlation of IL-6 and MCP-1 with HOMA-IR. Obesity indices including BMI, hip, and WHtR were considerably higher in the obese group in comparison with the control group. More importantly, we observed a positive correlation of mRNA expression of these pro-inflammatory factors in adipose tissues with some obesity indices.

 We have shown here that adipose tissue transcript levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly higher in obese participate than non-obese participants. In obese individuals, this proinflammatory molecules was significantly correlated with various obesity indices. These results suggest that targeting obesity and adipose tissue could prevent the high expression of cytokine.

 Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has affected most countries in the world. The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first reported in late December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and then spread around the world. In Iran, the first case with a definitive test was reported on February 20 in Qom province and a month later in March, the first case was reported in Mashhad. Hospital staff is among the most susceptible groups who are more likely to be infected due to direct contact with patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum prevalence of antibodies against COVID-19 in patients with or without clinical symptoms working in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of hospitals affiliated with Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.

 The present study is a cross-sectional study of sero-epidemiological type that was conducted to investigate the serological prevalence of COVID-19 in the period from August 25 to September 30, 2020, in Mashhad. A total of 300 serum samples were collected from the ICU staff of the hospitals affiliated with Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. Sero-prevalence and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for all individuals who were stratified by job title, COVID-19 risk of exposure, direct contact with patients, hospitals, and intensity of care. The significance level was set generally at p < 0.05. Data were analyzed using SPSS V.25.

 The total sero-prevalence of IgG N antibody was 30.67% in COVID-19 ICU healthcare workers. The most prevalence (35.21 %) was recorded in nurse assistances who have the most contact with patients. Among asymptomatic individuals, 17.1% showed to be positive without any symptoms which emphasize the risk of the virus spread from this population who are not aware of their infection. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were reported in the results. The significant difference indicates a statistically significant association with a p-value less than 0.05 (P-value=0.001).

 Our study showed that less contact with patients with COVID-19 results in a lower risk of infection. Also, there is a high percentage of positive people among the staff who did not show any symptoms of the disease.

Royal jelly (RJ) has a broad range of pharmaceutical activities, including antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-tumor, and anti-apoptotic. The current study aimed to investigate RJ impacts on cell survival by measuring the amount of telomerase enzyme, protein BCL2, and BAX in different tissues of rats.

In this study, male Wistar rats (n=21) were randomly divided into 3 groups; Group 1 was the control group. Group 2 and group 3 were treated with royal jelly at a concentration of 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg for 30 days, respectively. The contents of Bax, BCL-2, and telomerase in the tissues Brain, Liver, Kidney, and lymphocytes were measured using the ELISA method.

Telomerase increased in all the tissues involved in both treatment groups compared to the control group; however, the changes were not statistically significant. Although BAX and BCL-2 proteins showed irregular patterns, the ratio of BAX/BCL-2 declined in almost all the studied tissues with a significant decline in the rats’ liver and kidney treated with RJ at the dose of 300 mg/kg and in the lymphocytes of the group administered 150 mg/kg of RJ.

RJ appears to have potential anti-apoptotic effects on the rats’ tissues studied via regulating the levels of BAX, BCL-2, and telomerase proteins. Regarding telomerase, its levels increased in a dose-dependent manner in all involved tissues. Concerning the ratio of BAX/BCL-2, it is sensible to conclude that RJ tends to positively impact the cell survival rate at the dose of 300 mg/kg in the brain, Liver, and Kidney. Nonetheless, this ratio decreased more significantly at the dose of 150 mg/kg in lymphocytes, showing more potential to survive brain cells in this concentration.

 In humans, many diseases are associated with the accumulation of free radicals. Antioxidants can scavenge free radicals and minimize their impact. Therefore, the search for naturally occurring antioxidants of plant origin is imperative.

 Here, we aimed to investigate the antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties of methanolic extracts from Plantago major, Asperugo procumbens, Fumaria paviflora. Methanolic extract of P. major, A. procumbens, F. paviflora leaf is a potential source of natural antioxidants and serves as an effective free radical scavenger and/or inhibitor. Hence, of P. major, A. procumbens, F. paviflora might be a good plant-based pharmaceutical product for several diseases caused by free radicals.

 In this experiment, we examined different parts (leaf) of A. procumbens and found that methanolic extract of A. procumbens leaf, which contains large amounts of phenolic and flavonoid compounds, exhibited the highest antioxidant and free radical scavenging. A positive correlation (P-value < 0.005) was observed between phenolic content and free radical (DPPH) scavenging efficiencies.

 Methanolic extract of A. procumbens leaf is a potential source of natural antioxidants and serves as an effective free radical scavenger and/or inhibitor. Hence, A. procumbens might be a good plant-based pharmaceutical product for several diseases caused by free radicals.

 Apparent mineralocorticoid excess (AME) is an autosomal recessive disorder resulting from a deficiency of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11βHSD2) caused by mutations in the HSD11B2 gene. The mutated gene affects the enzyme activity which results in the rising of cortisol that can be associated with hypokalemia, severe low-renin mineralocorticoid, hypertension, and sodium retention. Few genetic variants, almost 40, have been reported in this gene and more genetic studies are necessary. In this study, we aim to investigate an Iranian patient suspected of being affected by AME.

 A 2.5-year-old girl from consanguineous parents was referred to Ali Asghar Children’s Hospital. She was born prematurely with a birth weight of 2.20 kg. Her chief complaint was fever, failure to thrive, polydipsia and polyuria. The initial diagnosis was cystic fibrosis (CF), but the results of the sweat test were normal. Other differential diagnoses were apparent mineralocorticoid excess syndrome type 2, Liddle syndrome, and Bartter syndrome type2. Biochemical tests performed on the patient’s free urine showed a high ratio, almost 12, of cortisol to cortisone. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed to find out the causative gene.

 WES showed a novel homozygous variant in the 11βHSD2 gene. According to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guideline, it was a vindicated uncertain significance (VUS), but using Sherloc refinement suggested that this transversion mutation is most likely to be pathogenic.

Influenza mainly involves the pulmonary system, but may cause damage to other organs like liver, kidneys, and bone marrow. It is essential to identify changes in the laboratory markers indicating inflammation and hepatic injury; and changes in white blood cell count in patients with flu. This study aimed to evaluate these laboratory markers and compare them in children and adults.

This retrospective study was performed in three university hospitals in Qazvin, Iran. Clinically available laboratory biomarkers including some inflammatory markers (e.g. CRP and ESR) , marker of hepatic injury (AST, ALT, ALP, billirubin, prothrombin time), and white blood cell count of 435 definite inflenza patients with positive influenza RT-PCR in 2018 and 2019 were collected from their medical records. The results were classified based on age (over 14 years of age in adults) and the normal range reported by the performing laboratory. Using SPSS software 25, data were analyzed by chi-square and pearson correlation coefficient test. P<0.05 was considered significant.

Leukocytosis was observed in 22.5% of adults and 1.0% of children, and the difference between the two groups was significant (p<0.001). ESR was increased in 91.6% of children and 86.9% of adults;CRP was elevated in 34.7% of adults while 80.5% of children showed elevation (p<0.001). The duration of hospital stay was significantly correlated with ESR (p<0.001, r= 0.177), and CRP (p= 0.002, r= 0.163).The increase in ALT was detected in 32.1% of adults versus 10.0% of children and AST in 38.6% of adults versus 10.0% of children. This increase in both liver enzymes was greater in adults compared with children (p<0.044 and p<0.013, respectively). 42.4% of adults, showed increased prothrombin time.

Leukocytosis, CRP elevation and increase in liver enzymes during influenza seems to be more pronounced in adults than in children. The results also showed a significant relationship between a hospital stay and the level of ESR and CRP.

Increased body temperature (fever) is a common clinical indicator of disease and can lead to altered metabolism and subsequently threaten life. studies have shown antimicrobial, analgesic/antipyretic effect for some Eucalyptus and Mentha species. Therefore, in the present study we assessed the effect of the combination of mint (Mentha), eucalyptus, evening primrose, and basil on lowering body temperature.

This experimental study was performed on 30 rats in five groups. A hydroalcoholic extract was prepared from each plants using ethanol as solvent and concentrated with a rotary apparatus. Then the extracts were combined in equal proportions. To induce fever, the brewer's yeast fever induction method was used by intraperitoneal injection of a 20% aqueous suspension. The febrile rats were then divided into groups receiving different doses of the mixed extract (200, 500, 750 mg/kg); normal saline and paracetamol were used in control groups. Rectal temperature was measured with a digital thermometer before injection and 6, 8, 12, and 16 hours after extract injection. The analysis of variance with repeated measurements was used to evaluate the effect of hydroalcoholic plant extracts on fever changes.

The mean fever in the intervention groups with all effective doses decreased over the hours, and the mean fever with a dose of 750 mg decreased more than in the other groups (P-value < 0.05). We had the lowest fever at a dose of 750 mg and a time of 16 hours (P-value < 0.05).

The results show that the combined extract can reduce body temperature in rats, and by increasing the effective dose, the recovery rate and temperature reduction are faster and more effective.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and inflammation play a crucial role in the progression of diabetic complications, including ovarian disorders. The current research investigated the potential impact of hydroalcoholic extract of ginger (Zingiber Officinale) on hyperglycemia-induced AGEs and inflammatory markers.

A total of 96 female Wistar rats were randomized into four groups (n=24 in each group) as follows: 1) control, 2) diabetes, 3) diabetes + 200 mg/kg ginger, 4) diabetes + 400 mg/kg ginger. Streptozotocin (STZ) - induced diabetic rats, as our experimental model for diabetes, orally received 200 or 400 mg/kg/day ginger extract for eight weeks. At the end of the treatment period, body weight, ovarian weight, serum AGEs level, ovarian RAGE, IL-1β, and TNF-α mRNA levels were measured.

At the end of the study, diabetic rats exhibited an obvious decrease in body weight (P < 0.01) and ovarian weight (P < 0.01) compared to normal rats. However, ginger supplementation (200 mg/kg) exhibited a significant increment in ovarian weight (P < 0.05) and body weight (P < 0.01). These changes were also more pronounced in the diabetic rats treated with 400 mg/kg ginger extract (P < 0.01). Serum AGEs (P < 0.001) and ovarian RAGE (P < 0.01), IL-1β (P < 0.01), and TNF-α (P < 0.01) mRNA levels were significantly elevated in diabetic rats compared with control group. Administration of the diabetic group with 200 mg/kg ginger extract significantly ameliorated the serum level of AGEs (P < 0.01) and the transcript levels of RAGE (P < 0.05), TNF-α (P < 0.01) and IL-1β (P < 0.05). The 400 mg/kg ginger extract dose remarkably alleviated AGEs (P < 0.001) in the serum and RAGE (P < 0.01), TNF-α (P < 0.01), and IL-1β (P < 0.01) in the ovary of diabetic rats.

The present study's findings revealed that daily administration of ginger extract reduces AGEs and the transcript levels of RAGE and inflammatory markers in the STZ- induced female rats.