Vol.9 No.4-14: Nano-Curcumin Mitigates Against Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticle-Induced DNA Damage and KIM-1, LCN-2 Gene Responses in Kidney Rats

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By: Haitham Hassan Abd1, and Harith Abdulrahman Ahmed2

1Department of Animal Physiology, Ministry of Education, Iraq

2PhD of Environmental and Public Health, Department of Environmental, Applied Science College, Al-Anbar of University/ Iraq.

ABSTRACT

Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles are regarded as an inorganic constituent found in natural bone and are primarily employed in tissue engineering because of their exceptional biocompatibility and bioactivity. Nevertheless, it remains uncertain whether they are safe for medical applications owing to their petite nano-scale particle size. From the previous studies, there was not enough data on nephrotoxicity and molecular changes induced by (high or low HAP-NPs) and the protection role of nano-antioxidants (CurNPs) in minimizing their toxicity. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of high and low doses of HAP-NPs on the kidney system in male rats. At the molecular level, these results presented that the gene expression level, high HAP-NPs alone caused a significant increase in both kidney Injury Molecule-1 (KIM-1) and Lipocalin-2 (LCN-2) genes also, caused a significant increase in oxidative DNA damage (8-OHdG). The presence of Curcumin nanoparticles minimized the toxicity of high or low HAP-NPs due to their antioxidant properties and scavenging abilities against active free radicals.

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Vol.9 No.4-13: Treatment with Leiurus quinquestratus scorpion venom ameliorates the histopathological changes of type-2 diabetic rats’ splenic tissues.

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By: Wesam Mohamed Salama*, Sabry Ali El-Naggar, Ghada Abd-Elhamid Tabl, Lamiaa Mohamed Mahmoud El Shefiey, Nabila Ibrahim El-Desouki

Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2-DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by tissue resistance to insulin action. Leiurus quinquestriatus venom (LQV) contains a variety of bioactive components that can be used for the treatment of various diseases. This study aimed to determine the ameliorative role of LQV on the histopathological changes in splenic tissues of T2-DM rats. Forty male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 10) as follows; Gp1 (Control group) was fed on a normal balanced diet. Gp2 (Diabetic group) was fed on a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks and then injected with streptozotocin (STZ) (30 mg/kg) i.p. Diabetic Gp3 and Gp4 groups had been injected with metformin (Met) (150 mg/kg) or LQV (1/10 of LD50), respectively. After two months of treatment, the total body weight relative splenic weight changes, and blood glucose. Also, histopathological and immunohistochemical investigations (CD-3 immunoreactive antibody) in splenic tissues were examined. The results showed that induction of T2-DM in rats led to a significant decrease in the total body weight (-38.56%), relative spleen weight (0.23 ± 0.03), and increase in the level of blood glucose (382.56 ± 2.77 mg/dL). In addition, several histopathological and immunohistochemical changes were observed in splenic diabetic tissues. The treatment of T2-DM rats with LQV led to an improvement in the total body weight of rats (4.07%), relative spleen weight (0.40 ± 0.02), decrease in the blood glucose levels (115.47 ± 1.07 mg/dL), ameliorated the histopathological and immunohistochemical changes occurred in splenic tissues of T2-DM rats.

Treatment-with-Leiurus-quinquestratus-scorpion-venom-ameliorates-the-histopathological-changes-of-type-2-diabetic-rats-splenic-tissues

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Vol.9 No.4-12: Assessment of Obstacles in the Learning Process among Nursing Students in the Faculty of Nursing at Helwan University

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By: Amany Mamdouh Mohammed Abdelhamid1,Lamiaa Ismail Zaki Keshk2, Noha Hussein Yassein Hussein 3

1. Clinical Instructor at Giza Health Directorate & Graduate Studies in Hospital Administration Diploma, Egypt.

2. Professor of Nursing Administration at the Faculty of Nursing, Helwan University, Egypt.

3. Lecturer of Nursing Administration at the Faculty of Nursing, Helwan University, Egypt.

ABSTRACT:

Background: learning obstacles describe problems that hinder learning and lead to learning deficits. Additionally, clinical education is an essential part of the nursing education program; Aim of the study: This study aimed to assess obstacles in the learning process among nursing students in the Faculty of Nursing at Helwan University. Research Design: A descriptive correlation design was utilized. Setting: This study was conducted at the Faculty of Nursing, Helwan University campus. Subjects: A convenient sample of (437) nursing students in 3rd & 4th grades. Data Collection Tools: Two tools were used to collect data in this study. The first tool was the Learning Process Obstacles Structured Interview Questionnaire. The second tool was the Learning and Clinical Environment Obstacles Structured Interview Questionnaire. Results: 61.6% of the studied nursing students perceived a mild level of learning process obstacles, and 57.9% perceived mild learning and clinical environment obstacles. Conclusion: There was a highly statistically significant relation between learning process obstacles and learning & clinical environment obstacles. Additionally, there was a highly statistically positive correlation between learning process obstacles and learning & clinical environment obstacles among the studied nursing students. Recommendations: Develop a nursing curriculum in which the nursing students are actively involved in their education and training plans. As well as arranging an advisory committee for the teaching staff and the clinical partners’ leaders to discuss how the academia and practice can work together optimally to improve the nursing students’ education, training, and experience.

Assessment-of-Obstacles-in-the-Learning-Process-among-Nursing-Students-in-the-Faculty-of-Nursing-at-Helwan-University

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Vol.9 No.4-11: Exploring the Biophysical Mechanisms of Taurine’s Effect on Myeloperoxidase Enzymatic Kinetics in Pre-Diabetic and Type 2 Diabetic Patients

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By: Suha A. Muneam1*, Nada.A. Muneam 2, Mihad Shakir N3.

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Al-Iraqia University/ College of Medicine -Baghdad, Iraq.

Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Al-Iraqia University/ College of Medicine -Baghdad, Iraq.

Department of Physiology, Al-Iraqia University/ College of Medicine -Baghdad, Iraq.

Abstract

Background: investigate the enzymatic activity of Myeloperoxidase (MPO) in pre-diabetic and diabetic individuals and explore the modulation of this activity by taurine supplementation, considering its potential anti-oxidative properties and the emerging evidence of its role in glucose metabolism. Methods: This case-control study was done at the Iraqi University College of Medicine. It used advanced spectroscopic techniques and kinetic modeling to measure the amount of MPO activity in the sera of people who were healthy, pre-diabetic, and diabetic. The Lineweaver-Burk plot derived from the Michaelis-Menten equation was used to ascertain the Km and Vmax of MPO. Taurine inhibition assays were also performed to understand its effect on MPO kinetics. Results: The data showed that MPO activity increased significantly from the control group to the diabetic group. This was in line with rising HbA1c levels and BMI, suggesting a link between MPO activity, glycemic control, and obesity. The gender distribution showed no significant deviation, suggesting that the observed enzymatic and metabolic alterations are not gender biased.

Conclusion: The pronounced elevation in MPO activity in diabetic individuals underscores the enzyme’s potential significance in glycemic diseases. The results mean that more research needs to be done on how taurine, which is known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, could improve MPO activity and possibly restore metabolic homeostasis, opening a new way to treat type 2 diabetes.

Exploring-the-Biophysical-Mechanisms-of-Taurines-Effect-on-Myeloperoxidase-Enzymatic-Kinetics-in-Pre-Di

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Vol.9 No.4-10: Whole Genome Sequence and Comparative Genomics Analysis of Citrobacter Freundii Isolate from Burn Skin

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BY: Namariq Al-Saadi1, Ohood A. Radhi2, Alabbas Alaa3, Ali Adnan Hashim4

1* Science Department, College of Basic Science, Misan University, Misan, Iraq.

1Al-Manara, College for Medical Sciences, Misan, Iraq

2Department of Basic Science, College of Nursing, University of Kufa, Iraq.

3Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Karbala, Kerbala, Iraq.

4Al-Manara, College for Medical Sciences, Misan, Iraq

Abstract:

Background: The emergence of resistance to numerous novel antibiotics, which serve as the ultimate resort for treating infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria that are resistant to multiple drugs, poses a significant risk to public health. The Citrobacter freundii strain obtained from the burned skin of an adult exhibited resistance to a broad range of antibiotics, including colistin. The genome features that underlie the antibiotic-resistance phenotype of this isolate was characterized using whole genome sequencing (WGS). Methods: Genome sequencing on the Illumina platform was performed on the provided DNA samples (reference order number HN00194138; Psomagen/USA). The assembled genome was assembled and annotated by PATRICS. Results: The average G+C content was 55.75 percent throughout the 113 contigs in the genome. There are 9,825 protein-coding regions (CDS) in this genome, along with 149 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes and 8 rRNA genes. There were 1,584 putative proteins annotated and 8,241 proteins with known functions. PATRICS can identify 1592 hypothetical proteins. Additionally, 2132 proteins were displayed together with 8233 protein assignments under functional proteins.

Conclusion: The Iraqi multidrug-resistant C. freundii strain has not been reported before. These genetic findings help explain C. freundii’s pathogenicity. Genomic analysis has helped us comprehend the probable resistance mechanism and the isolates’ phylogenetic link with public-domain draft genomes.

Whole-Genome-Sequence-and-Comparative-Genomics-Analysis-of-Citrobacter-Freundii-Isolate-from-Burn-Skin

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Vol.9 No.4-9: Circulating MicroRNA-34a as a Promising Marker for Early Detection of Heart Failure Diseases in Egyptian Patients

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BY: Mohamed Y. Nasr1; Ahmed M. Hassanain2; Wael A. El-Hakeem3; Hamdi M. Abo Alazm4,

 Randa A. Ghanoum2; Sabah F. El Abed1; Mohamed El-Shahat Ebaid1

1-Molecular Biology Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, University of Sadat City, Egypt.

2-Laboratory Department, National Heart Institute, General Organization for Teaching Hospitals and Institutes, Egypt.

3- Critical Care Department, National Heart Institute, General Organization for Teaching Hospitals and Institutes, Egypt.

4- Environmental Studies and Research Institute, University of Sadat City, Egypt.

Abstract:

Heart failure has been considered in the last few years as a major factor in global mortality. Heart failure is known as the reduced ability of the heart muscle to fill or/and to pump adequate blood. Finding a diagnostic biomarker is necessary to help in the early diagnosis of heart diseases. MicroRNAs are new biomarkers that have been used for early diagnosis of various diseases. The work aims to study miR-34a in patients with heart failure and assess its diagnosing role. In this work, a total of (120) subjects were divided into three groups as the following, the control group (n=20) of healthy individuals, group II (n=50) the patients with heart failure post myocardial infarction & group III (n=50) the patients with heart failure without myocardial infarction history. microRNA-34a expression showed high expression and significant elevation (P- value < 0.5) in group-II (31.67±11.8 fold) and group-III (27.31±12.4fold) compared with group-I (1.47±0.7 fold). Our results showed that microRNA-34a plays a critical role in patients with heart failure disease and can be used as a biomarker for the diagnosis of early stages of heart failure disease.

Circulating-MicroRNA-34a-as-a-Promising-Marker-for-Early-Detection-of-Heart-Failure-Diseases-in-Egyptian-Patients-1

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Vol.9 No.4-8: Mothers’ Perception toward their Children who Suffering from Cerebral Palsy at the Pediatric Outpatient in Minia University Hospital

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By: Hager Gad Al-Kareem Hussein (1); Dr. Sahar Mahmoud Sayed Ahmad El Awady (2), Dr. Aliaa Othman El Afandy (3)

1 Supervisor of the neurological care unit at Sadr El-Minya Hospital,

2 Assistant Professor of Community Health Nursing – Faculty of Nursing – Helwan University,

3 Assistant Professor of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing – Helwan University

Abstract:

Background: Cerebral Palsy (CP (is weakness or problems with using muscles and is caused by abnormal brain development or damage in the brain that affects a child’s ability to control muscles. Aim: This study aimed to assess mothers’ perceptions toward children who suffer from CP. Research design: A descriptive design was used. Sample: Convenient sample included 200 mothers who have children with CP. Setting: Pediatric outpatient clinic in Minia University Hospital. Tool of data collection: One tool an interview questionnaire that includes 5 parts, 1st part is demographic characteristics, 2nd part is the past medical history of mothers and children, 3rd part the mothers’ knowledge, 4th part: mothers’ reported practice, 5th part: Mothers’ attitude scale. Results: 50% of studied mothers had poor knowledge. 30% had average knowledge and 20% had good knowledge about CP. 88% had unsatisfactory reported practice and 12% had satisfactory reported practice. 67 % had a negative attitude, and 33 % had a positive attitude. Conclusion: Most mothers had poor total knowledge about CP, most had unsatisfactory total reported practices, and more than two-thirds had negative attitudes about CP. There is a statistically significant relation between mothers’ sociodemographic data, knowledge, reported practices, and attitudes. Recommendations: Provide an education program for mothers and design booklets about CP.

Mothers-Perception-toward-their-Children-who-Suffering-from-Cerebral-Palsy-at-the-Pediatric-Outpatient-in-Minia-University-Hospital

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Vol.9 No.4-7: International and national data on maternal, neonatal, and child mortality rates and policies to reduce the high in the Middle East and Morocco: a multilevel meta-analysis.

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BY: Abduladeem G.M. Al-Selwi1-3 and Amina Barkat1-2

1- Department: of Clinical epidemiology and medico-surgical sciences, Health and Nutrition Research Team of the Mother-Child Couple, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco.

2- National Reference Center for Neonatology and Nutrition. Rabat Children’s Hospital Ibn Sina, Rabat, Morocco

3-Taiz University in Yemen.

Abstract:

Introduction: Every year in the world, 530000 women die from causes related to maternity, 4000000 infants die in the neonatal period, and the same number of stillbirths are born, especially in the Middle East and Morocco, the millennium development goals of reduction.

Objective: a meta-analysis based on literature studies on the health status, maternal, and neonatal child, mortality, and its causes in the Middle East and Morocco.

Method: 617 articles in the databases (189, 177, 113,101, and 37 articles obtained in Scopus, Elsevier, PubMed, Google Scholar, and other engines).

Results: The maternal mortality rate recorded in Yemen is the highest, reaching 8.900% in 2019, the percentage was the lowest in all of Lebanon, Iran accounted for 0.023% in 2018. The neonatal mortality rate was the highest in Iraq it reached 32.10% in 2022, and the death rate was the lowest in Egypt at 5.00%. The child mortality rate was the highest in Syria (23.1%) in 2021, and Jordan had the lowest (6.7%) in 2022. The policies seek to reduce maternal, neonatal, and child mortality by increasing health awareness, health care quality, competencies of equipment, supplies, manpower, and media for education and recording epidemiological data. Morocco and Turkey, in 2030 seek to reduce MMR to 71 deaths per 100,000 births.

Conclusion: The health policies followed in the countries limit the rise of maternal, neonatal, and child mortality rates, hence the importance of conducting more studies and in-depth research and applying future policies and strategies to reduce the mortality rate.

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Vol.9 No.4-6: Detection of Candidemia in a Sample of Iraqi Neonates Admitted to the Neonates Intensive Care Unit (NICU) by Molecular Methods.

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BY: Mihad Shakir Nasif 1*, Azhar Abdul Fattah Al-Attraqchi 2, Areej Abdul Abass3

1Department of Physiology, Al-Iraqia University/ College of Medicine -Baghdad, Iraq.

2PhD in Department Microbiology Medical College/Al Nahrain University, Iraq.

3MbchB/CABP professor in pediatric medicine/pediatric department/Medical College/Al Nahrain University, Iraq.

Abstract:

Candidemia is a leading cause of sickness and mortality in neonatal care. Although current diagnostic methods are beneficial, a better knowledge of molecular pathways is necessary for enhancing detection. This study used molecular techniques to assess the incidence of candidemia in infants being treated in Iraqi NICUs. Using a cross-sectional experimental design, blood samples from newborns exposed to different risk factors were analyzed. The use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that targeted the ITS1 and ITS2 regions facilitated the identification of fungi. Several Cladosporium species, such as Cladosporium macrocarpum, Cladosporium allicinum, Cladosporium limoniforme, Cladosporioides, and Cladosporium tenuissimum, were found, which was unexpected. A phylogenetic study indicated the widespread distribution of these strains throughout Asia and North America. Cladosporium’s unexpected appearance necessitates a broadening of infection control measures and diagnostic perspectives in healthcare facilities. The findings of this research stress the need for constant vigilance and an all-encompassing approach to infection and diagnosis management in NICUs.

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Vol.9 No.4-5:Chemical composition and antifungal properties of Oregano essential oils against the Moroccan soil-born pathogen Fusarium culmorum

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By: Jamila Bouarda1,2, Mustapha Labhilili2, Ilyass Maafa3,4, Aicha El Aissami3, MohammedBenchachoˡ and Fatiha Bentata2*

ˡ Laboratory of Botanic, Biotechnology and Plant Protection, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science University Ibn Tofail, Kenitra, Morocco

2 Research Unit of Plant Breeding and Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources, National Institute for Agricultural Research, Rabat, Morocco

3Research Center in Plant and Microbial Biotechnologies, Biodiversity and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University of Rabat, Morocco

4International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Rabat 10080, Morocco

Abstract:

In our study, the application of Oregano was investigated in vitro against ten isolates of Fusarium culmorum the causative agent of wheat root rot in Morocco. The chemical composition of essential oils extracted by hydrodistillation from the aerial parts of Origanum onites and Origanum compactum was analyzed by GC. The major components of O. onites Eo were Carvacrol (29,7%) and p-cymene (22,48%) while Thymol (26,25%) was the predominant constituent in O. compactum EO. The results of the antifungal activity revealed that both oils have an inhibitory effect against all tested isolates. O. onites and O.compactum Eos inhibited the growth of all isolates tested by 100% at the concentration of 1 µL.mL−1 and 1.2 µL.mL−1 respectively. They have the potential to be used as antifungal agents for the control of wheat Rot root.

Chemical-composition-and-antifungal-properties-of-Oregano-essential-oils-against-the-Moroccan-soil-born-pathogen-Fusarium-culmorum

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