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.

Detection-of-Candidemia-in-a-Sample-of-Iraqi-Neonates-Admitted-to-the-Neonates-Intensive-Care-Unit-NICU-by-Molecular-Methods.

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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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Vol.9 No.4-4: MiRNA-122 association with TNF-α in some liver diseases of Egyptian patients

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By: Ahmed Abdelhalim Yameny1, Sabah Farouk Alabd1, and Magda Ahmed M. Mansor2

1Molecular Biology Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute (GEBRI), University of      Sadat City, Egypt

2Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Egypt

Abstract:

Background:  Due to the high frequency of HCC, ongoing research is needed to find precise, non-invasive biomarkers for early identification and follow-up that will improve prognostic results. Patients and methods: this study was conducted on 90 patients with liver diseases and 25 healthy control G1, patients divided into 4 groups, (G2) 25 patients with HCV infection, (G3) 25 HCC+HCV infection, (G4) 25 patients with HBV infection, (G5) 15 patients with HCC + HBV. Results: Serum miR-122 and TNF-α levels were increased in HCV and HBV infection significantly with p-value >0.001*compared to the control group, and their levels decreased when developed into HCC but still higher than the healthy subjects significantly with p-value >0.001. For discriminating HCV from HCV+HCC the cut-off for miR-122 was >7.1 at sensitivity 100%, specificity 100%, and the AUC was 1.0 (Excellent) P-value <0.001, also the sensitivity and specificity for TNF-α 72%, and 60% respectively with cut off >12.1 and AUC of 0.745 (Good) p-value 0.003. For discriminating HBV from HBV+HCC the cut-off for miR-122 was ≤6.4 at a sensitivity of 86.67% and specificity of 96%, and the AUC of miR-122 was 0.99 (Excellent) P-value <0.001, also the sensitivity and specificity for TNF-α 93.33%, and 48.0% respectively with cut-off ≤15.73, TNF-α has AUC of 0.527 (fair) it was not significant p-value 0.780.

MiRNA-122-association-with-TNF-α-in-some-liver-diseases-of-Egyptian-patients

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Vol.9 No.4-3:Green Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles Using Coffee Arabica: Larvicidal and Biochemical Study

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By: Yousef Abdulwahab1,3 , Ahyar Ahmad1,*, Isra Wahid2, Paulina Taba1

1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Hasanuddin University,  Makassar, Indonesia.

2Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University,  Makassar, Indonesia.

3Department of Biology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Taiz University, Taiz, Yemen.

Abstract

Aedes aegypti is a major problem in transmitting dangerous diseases to humans, including dengue fever. Therefore, this study aimed to synthesize copper nanoparticles from Coffee arabica and use them in the control of this dangerous insect. To confirm and characterize the formation of copper nanoparticles ultraviolet spectrophotometer, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction methods were used. To study the toxicity of copper nanoparticles on some biochemical parameters in the body of the insect, the amount of glucose, total protein, and metabolic enzymes such as aspartate transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were analyzed. The results indicated that the highest mortality rate in Aedes aegypti larva was 96.3 % at a concentration of 100 ppm, and LC50 and LC90 were 5.7 and 36. 5%, respectively. It also showed that the lowest rate of emergence of pupae is 3.75 % at a concentration of 100 ppm, and the lowest rate of emergence of an adult insect is 2.5 % at a concentration of 50 ppm. Biochemical analyses indicate a significant decrease in the amount of total protein, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase enzyme, but a significant increase in the amount of glucose and aspartate transferase enzyme was observed. Based on the obtained results, copper nanoparticles are considered a strong and promising candidate for controlling Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae and inhibiting their developmental stages.

Green-Synthesis-of-Copper-Nanoparticles-Using-Coffee-Arabica-Larvicidal-and-Biochemical-Study-1

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Vol.9 No.4-2: Interconnection between oxidative stress and type 2 diabetes mellitus

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By: Vaishali S. Pawar1*, Ajit Sontakke2, and Satyajeet K. Pawar3

  1. MD Biochemistry, Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, KVV(DU), KIMS, Karad, Maharashtra, India. 
  2. MD Biochemistry, Professor & HOD, Department of Biochemistry, KVV(DU), KIMS, Karad, Maharashtra, India.
  3. MD Microbiology, Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, KVV(DU), KIMS, Karad, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) are two important biomarkers used in the context of diabetes mellitus (DM) to assess oxidative stress and damage. This study aimed to compare TAC and MDA levels in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals and find out the correlation between them. Estimation of TAC and MDA levels was done in a total of 200 individuals (100 non-diabetic and 100 diabetic individuals) by using standard spectrophotometric methods. This case-control study was done from May 2022 to Dec 2022 in a tertiary care hospital. For statistical analysis, version 20 of SPSS software was used. MDA and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels were significantly higher (P=0.000) and TAC levels were significantly lower (P=0.000) in diabetic than non-diabetic individuals. A significant negative correlation was observed between MDA and TAC in both groups. No significant correlation was found between MDA, TAC, and FPG levels. With the rise in the duration of diabetes significant increase was found in MDA and FPG levels. Also, there was a significant decrease in TAC levels. The combination of increased MDA levels, elevated FPG levels, and decreased TAC with increasing duration of diabetes indicates a state of heightened oxidative stress in DM patients.

Interconnection-between-oxidative-stress-and-type-2-diabetes-mellitus

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Vol.9 No.4-1:Integrating Morphological and Molecular Approaches for Identifying Pediculus humanus capitis and Assessing the Resistance to Certain Pediculicides

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By: Shaymaa H Mahmoud1*, Wafaa A Shehata2 and Salwa F Oshiba 3

1 Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt

2 Department of Dermatology, Andrology and STDs, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt

3 Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt

Abstract

Infestations of head lice continue to be a serious public health issue, notably in Egypt. For the implementation of efficient management measures, accurate species identification and researching their treatment approaches became crucial. So, the purpose of this research was to examine the morphological structure of Pediculus humanus capitis (P. h. capitis) using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as a foundational study for further investigation into the function of sensory structures and their significance in the host choice. As well as it aimed to study the evolutionary relationships between P. h. capitis populations through the analysis of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences, subsequently investigating the host’s pediculicide resistance. Participants from Menoufia Governorate, Egypt provided head lice sample specimens. SEM analysis provided detailed insights into the external morphology of P. h. capitis, elucidating its features. The resulting COI sequences of Egyptian lice were investigated comparing them with those in different countries.In addition, molecular assessment of topical preparations of pediculicides (malathion, permethrin, phenothrin, and ivermectin) and garlic oil was performed after one and three weeks of treatment of the lice-infested individuals. Acetylcholine esterase (AChE), glutathione-s-transferase (GST), and cytochrome P450 (CYP450) gene expression were used to evaluate the efficacy of anti-lice preparations. The results of this study revealed that SEM of P. h. capitis indicated morphological features that could help in further studying the functions of sensory structures. In addition, phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Egyptian samples clustered together with head lice populations from Asia and Africa.  Also, it was noticed that increased transcriptional levels of CYP450, AChE, and GST genes in malathion, permethrin, and phenothrin-treated groups suggested some level of resistance to these agents. While ivermectin and garlic oil were recommended at the same time as efficient substitutes. In conclusion, the COI gene sequences of P. h. capitis in Egypt are phylogenetically related to other countries. Additionally, molecular analysis revealed that several of the regularly used pediculicides result in resistance in the infested individuals.

Integrating-Morphological-and-Molecular-Approaches-for-Identifying-Pediculus-humanus-capitis-and-Assessing-the-Resistance-to-Certain-Pediculicides

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