Search

This study explores the prevalence of adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and investigates the potential of effective intracellular antibiotics as a therapeutic strategy for CRC patients with AIEC infections. Considering the pivotal role of integrons in bacterial antibiotic resistance, the frequency of class 1 and 2 integrons in AIEC isolated from CRC patients, in one of the referenced 3 gastroenterology clinics in Isfahan, Iran was examined. AIEC strains were isolated from the colorectal biopsies and their antimicrobial sensitivity was assessed using the disc diffusion method. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect intl1 and intl2. The multilocus sequence typing (MLST) method was utilized to type 10 selected isolates. Of the 150 samples, 24 were identified as AIEC, with the highest number isolated from CRC2 (33.4%) and CRC1 (29.16%), and the least from the FH group (8.3%) and control group (12.5%). int1 in 79.2% and int2 in 45.8% of AIEC strains were found and 41.6% of strains had both integrons. AIEC isolates with int1 exhibited the highest sensitivity to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (57.9%), while those with int2 showed the highest sensitivity to ciprofloxacin (63.6%). A significant association between resistance to rifampin and integron 2 presence in AIEC isolates was observed. Furthermore, a significant correlation between integron 1 presence, invasion, survival, and replication within macrophages in AIEC strains was identified. MLST analysis revealed ST131 from CC131 with integron 1 as the most common sequence type (ST). The emergence of such strains in CRC populations poses a serious public health threat. The distribution pattern of STs varied among studied groups, with pandemic STs highlighting the importance of examining and treating patients infected with these isolates. Comprehensive prospective clinical investigations are warranted to assess the prognostic value of detecting this pathovar in CRC and to evaluate therapeutic techniques targeting drug-resistant AIECs, such as phage therapy, bacteriocins, and anti-adhesion compounds, for CRC prevention and treatment.

‌ ∴ Introduction ∴ ‌The Iranian legal landscape is deeply rooted in Islamic principles, with the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran enshrining many principles that affirm the integration of the legal system with Islamic norms. This integration is explicitly emphasized in the constitutional provisions, notably article 1, clause 12 of article 2, and particularly article 4. However, the practical implementation of Islamic laws in the Islamic Republic of Iran is entrusted to various legal and executive systems, with the Guardian Council holding a significant role. This council, in accordance with articles 4 and 96 of the Constitution, assumes the responsibility of ensuring that the legal and executive systems align with Islamic principles.In every legal system, there exists a hierarchy of norms, necessitating the alignment of domestic regulations and laws with fundamental principles at the top of the legal hierarchy. In the context of the Islamic Republic of Iran, this alignment is particularly crucial when considering the approval of international treaties. The approval of such treaties in the country sets the stage for a confrontation between domestic and international legal systems. Any discordant interpretation of the foundations of these legal systems leads to distinct legal consequences for the nation. Therefore, understanding the relationship between domestic and international law in the Iranian legal system requires an examination of the Islamic perspective on the interaction between these two legal systems.‌ ∴ Research Question ∴ ‌This study seeks to address the following central question: How does the Iranian legal system, guided by the Islamic perspective, manage the relationship between domestic and international law in the context of the approval of international treaties?‌ ∴ Research Hypothesis ∴ ‌The hypothesis guiding this research is that the Islamic legal principles, as interpreted by the Guardian Council, emphasize the unity of domestic and international legal systems. Unlike contemporary legal systems, where distinctions between domestic and international laws are shaped by practical considerations, Islamic jurisprudence tends towards a unified legal system. This hypothesis is rooted in the understanding that the Islamic conception of state and governance differs significantly from modern concepts, resulting in a more unified legal framework.‌ ∴ Methodology & Framework, if Applicable ∴ ‌This research employs a descriptive-analytical approach, utilizing library-based data collection methods. The focus of the study is on examining the legal framework governing international treaties in the Islamic Republic of Iran, with specific attention to the perspectives articulated by the Guardian Council. By delving into the Council's interpretations of international treaties, this research aims to shed light on the compatibility of these treaties with Islamic legal standards. The chosen methodology allows for an in-depth exploration of the legal and religious foundations that influence Iran's approach to international agreements, emphasizing the importance of ensuring conformity with Sharia principles.In summary, this paper aims to elucidate the Guardian Council's role in evaluating the legal implications of international treaties in Iran, offering insights into how Islamic principles shape the nation's approach to both domestic and international legal frameworks.‌ ∴ Results & Discussion ∴ ‌International treaties and agreements, while fundamentally serving international interests, require integration and coherence with domestic laws according to each nation's legal system. In the Iranian context, international agreements remain independent until approved by the competent authorities in accordance with domestic laws. However, the shadow of their obligatory effects persists due to elements of international customary law, placing the nation's international commitments under its influence. Aligned with the principles of the Islamic Republic of Iran, where the sacred Sharia and the Constitution occupy the top tier of the legal hierarchy, ordinary laws and other domestic regulations occupy lower levels. Given the adherence to both domestic and international legal systems in the country's laws, international agreements cannot be exempt from this hierarchical structure. According to the Guardian Council's theories and its practices in reviewing international agreements, it emphasizes the necessity for international agreements to align with Sharia principles, akin to their conformity with ordinary parliamentary resolutions. Understanding these principles becomes doubly crucial when the subjects of international treaties concern private individuals subject to national laws. This is prominently observed in numerous judicial cooperation agreements, often incorporating criticisms and Sharia-based regulations from the Guardian Council in the examination of international documents.‌ ∴ Conclusion ∴ ‌In conclusion, international treaties and agreements in the Islamic Republic of Iran are subject to a meticulous evaluation process, guided by the principles articulated by the Guardian Council. The integration of these agreements with the domestic legal hierarchy underscores the unified approach that the Iranian legal system endeavors to maintain. The Guardian Council, guided by principles such as The “Negation of Domination” Rule [Nafy-e-Sabil], prohibition of referring to unjust rulers, rejection and acceptance of non-Islamic foreign laws, prohibition of usury, and the Sharia compatibility of pre-revolution treaties, has established a consistent pattern in its decisions. The study highlights the enduring significance of the Guardian Council's role in shaping Iran's international engagement, emphasizing the ongoing impact of its interpretations on various facets of international relations. As the Islamic Republic of Iran continues to navigate the global stage, the non-changing methodology of the Guardian Council in the realm of international documents signifies a steadfast commitment to its established approach. The study encourages ongoing scrutiny of the Guardian Council's influence in international agreements, anticipating that its decisions will continue to shape the nation's standing in the international arena for the foreseeable future.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic resulted in a scale-up of viral genomic surveillance globally. However, the wet lab constraints (economic, infrastructural, and personnel) of translating novel virus variant sequence information to meaningful immunological and structural insights that are valuable for the development of broadly acting countermeasures (especially for emerging and re-emerging viruses) remain a challenge in many resource-limited settings. Here, we describe a workflow that couples wastewater surveillance, high-throughput sequencing, phylogenetics, immuno-informatics, and virus capsid structure modeling for the genotype-to-serotype characterization of uncultivated picornavirus sequences identified in wastewater. Specifically, we analyzed canine picornaviruses (CanPVs), which are uncultivated and yet-to-be-assigned members of the family Picornaviridae that cause systemic infections in canines. We analyzed 118 archived (stored at −20 °C) wastewater (WW) samples representing a population of ~700,000 persons in southwest USA between October 2019 to March 2020 and October 2020 to March 2021. Samples were pooled into 12 two-liter volumes by month, partitioned (into filter-trapped solids [FTSs] and filtrates) using 450 nm membrane filters, and subsequently concentrated to 2 mL (1000×) using 10,000 Da MW cutoff centrifugal filters. The 24 concentrates were subjected to RNA extraction, CanPV complete capsid single-contig RT-PCR, Illumina sequencing, phylogenetics, immuno-informatics, and structure prediction. We detected CanPVs in 58.3% (14/24) of the samples generated 13,824,046 trimmed Illumina reads and 27 CanPV contigs. Phylogenetic and pairwise identity analyses showed eight CanPV genotypes (intragenotype divergence

Colloidal gas aphron (CGA) based fluid has become very popular in drilling in the last two decades, as it reduces formation damages significantly. In this study, sugarcane molasses (Mls) was used for the first time as a polymer in CGA-based to investigate its ability to improve the role of aphronized fluid as a drilling fluid. The results showed that increasing the concentration of Mls to 12% (v/v) in CGA-based fluid reduces the drainage rate and increases half-life to 10.6 min, resulting in enhanced stability of the aphronized fluid. Also, because of increasing Mls concentration from 1% to 12% (v/v), the yield and the initial gas hold-up decrease to 74% and 299.4 mL, respectively, indicating that the presence of Mls allows less air into the aphron system. Although the rheological properties were improved in this study, the gel strength did not change considerably. Furthermore, the results showed that by increasing the concentration of Mls, the average size of the bubbles decreases, and the particle-size distribution becomes more uniform. Finally, the API filtration test revealed that the higher the Mls concentration in the aphronized fluid, the lower the fluid loss, and at the Mls concentration of 12% (v/v), the fluid loss was estimated at 19.54 mL. A natural polysaccharide with high molecular weight, Mls can be used as a polymer in CGA-based fluid and, thus, improve its performance.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic resulted in a scale-up of viral genomic surveillance globally. However, the wet lab constraints (economic, infrastructural, and personnel) of translating novel virus variant sequence information to meaningful immunological and structural insights that are valuable for the development of broadly acting countermeasures (especially for emerging and re-emerging viruses) remain a challenge in many resource-limited settings. Here, we describe a workflow that couples wastewater surveillance, high-throughput sequencing, phylogenetics, immuno-informatics, and virus capsid structure modeling for the genotype-to-serotype characterization of uncultivated picornavirus sequences identified in wastewater. Specifically, we analyzed canine picornaviruses (CanPVs), which are uncultivated and yet-to-be-assigned members of the family Picornaviridae that cause systemic infections in canines. We analyzed 118 archived (stored at −20 °C) wastewater (WW) samples representing a population of ~700,000 persons in southwest USA between October 2019 to March 2020 and October 2020 to March 2021. Samples were pooled into 12 two-liter volumes by month, partitioned (into filter-trapped solids [FTSs] and filtrates) using 450 nm membrane filters, and subsequently concentrated to 2 mL (1000×) using 10,000 Da MW cutoff centrifugal filters. The 24 concentrates were subjected to RNA extraction, CanPV complete capsid single-contig RT-PCR, Illumina sequencing, phylogenetics, immuno-informatics, and structure prediction. We detected CanPVs in 58.3% (14/24) of the samples generated 13,824,046 trimmed Illumina reads and 27 CanPV contigs. Phylogenetic and pairwise identity analyses showed eight CanPV genotypes (intragenotype divergence <14%) belonging to four clusters, with intracluster divergence of <20%. Similarity analysis, immuno-informatics, and virus protomer and capsid structure prediction suggested that the four clusters were likely distinct serological types, with predicted cluster-distinguishing B-cell epitopes clustered in the northern and southern rims of the canyon surrounding the 5-fold axis of symmetry. Our approach allows forgenotype-to-serotype characterization of uncultivated picornavirus sequences by coupling phylogenetics, immuno-informatics, and virus capsid structure prediction. This consequently bypasses a major wet lab-associated bottleneck, thereby allowing resource-limited settings to leapfrog from wastewater-sourced genomic data to valuable immunological insights necessary for the development of prophylaxis and other mitigation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The marketing of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) within grocers is an obesogenic factor that negatively impacts children’s nutritional behavior, specifically for people from racial and ethnic minority groups, such as immigrants. We aimed to develop and employ a methodology that more precisely assesses the availability, price, and promotion of SSBs to young immigrant children within independently owned grocery stores. A case comparison design was used to explore the differences in the grocery store landscape of SSB marketing by conducting an enhanced Nutrition Environment Measures Survey-SSB (NEMS-SSB) within 30 grocery stores in the Hispanic and Latino enclaves in Southwest Detroit, in the Arab and Chaldean enclaves in North-central Detroit, and in Warren, Hamtramck, and Dearborn, in comparison with 48 grocers in Metro Detroit. Unsweetened, plant-based, and organic toddler and infant beverages, as well as questions about marketing, were added to the original NEMS to capture the promotion tactics used in marketing SSBs. NEMS-SSB scores revealed that, in the immigrant enclaves, there was a significantly higher availability of SSBs in grocery stores (−2.38), and they had lower prices than those in the comparison group (−0.052). Unsweetened, plant-based, and organic beverages were unavailable in 97% of all participating grocery stores across both groups. Signage featuring cartoon characters was the most frequent in-store SSB marketing tactic across both groups. Widespread SSB marketing toward toddlers within the grocery stores in immigrant enclaves could be linked with the higher early childhood obesity prevalence among the immigrant population. Our findings can assist local and national organizations in developing and implementing healthy eating interventions. This study must be repeated in other immigrant enclaves across states to provide comparable results.

This study explores the prevalence of adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and investigates the potential of effective intracellular antibiotics as a therapeutic strategy for CRC patients with AIEC infections. Considering the pivotal role of integrons in bacterial antibiotic resistance, the frequency of class 1 and 2 integrons in AIEC isolated from CRC patients, in one of the referenced 3 gastroenterology clinics in Isfahan, Iran was examined. AIEC strains were isolated from the colorectal biopsies and their antimicrobial sensitivity was assessed using the disc diffusion method. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect intl1 and intl2. The multilocus sequence typing (MLST) method was utilized to type 10 selected isolates. Of the 150 samples, 24 were identified as AIEC, with the highest number isolated from CRC2 (33.4%) and CRC1 (29.16%), and the least from the FH group (8.3%) and control group (12.5%). int1 in 79.2% and int2 in 45.8% of AIEC strains were found and 41.6% of strains had both integrons. AIEC isolates with int1 exhibited the highest sensitivity to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (57.9%), while those with int2 showed the highest sensitivity to ciprofloxacin (63.6%). A significant association between resistance to rifampin and integron 2 presence in AIEC isolates was observed. Furthermore, a significant correlation between integron 1 presence, invasion, survival, and replication within macrophages in AIEC strains was identified. MLST analysis revealed ST131 from CC131 with integron 1 as the most common sequence type (ST). The emergence of such strains in CRC populations poses a serious public health threat. The distribution pattern of STs varied among studied groups, with pandemic STs highlighting the importance of examining and treating patients infected with these isolates. Comprehensive prospective clinical investigations are warranted to assess the prognostic value of detecting this pathovar in CRC and to evaluate therapeutic techniques targeting drug-resistant AIECs, such as phage therapy, bacteriocins, and anti-adhesion compounds, for CRC prevention and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: COVID‐19 is an acute infectious respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the infection a global pandemic. The incidence, severity, and prognosis of this disease are likely to be different in children compared with adults. Herein we present 9 pediatric patients with COVID-19 infection in Iran. Case Presentation: We present 9 pediatric cases of COVID-19 admitted to different hospitals in Iran. Six patients were male. The youngest was two years old and the oldest one ten years. All children had at least one infected family member. Fever, chills, myalgia, cough, tachypnea, retraction, and crackle were common in all cases. None of our patients presented with diarrhea, vomiting, or a runny nose. Three cases had leukopenia and lymphopenia. COVID‐19 RNA was identified in three cases. In all cases, elevated C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were detected. Two cases had a high level of lactate dehydrogenase. All cases received supportive care and antibiotic therapy and were discharged within six days with a good general condition. Conclusions: COVID-19 pneumonia prognosis is good in children with no underlying diseases. Our patients recovered without the need for LPN/r, ribavirin, or mechanical ventilation.

Tissue engineering is nowadays a powerful tool to restore damaged tissues and recover their normal functionality. Advantages over other current methods are well established, although a continuous evolution is still necessary to improve the final performance and the range of applications. Trends are nowadays focused on the development of multifunctional scaffolds with hierarchical structures and the capability to render a sustained delivery of bioactive molecules under an appropriate stimulus. Nanocomposites incorporating hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HAp NPs) have a predominant role in bone tissue regeneration due to their high capacity to enhance osteoinduction, osteoconduction, and osteointegration, as well as their encapsulation efficiency and protection capability of bioactive agents. Selection of appropriated polymeric matrices is fundamental and consequently great efforts have been invested to increase the range of properties of available materials through copolymerization, blending, or combining structures constituted by different materials. Scaffolds can be obtained from different processes that differ in characteristics, such as texture or porosity. Probably, electrospinning has the greater relevance, since the obtained nanofiber membranes have a great similarity with the extracellular matrix and, in addition, they can easily incorporate functional and bioactive compounds. Coaxial and emulsion electrospinning processes appear ideal to generate complex systems able to incorporate highly different agents. The present review is mainly focused on the recent works performed with Hap-loaded scaffolds having at least one structural layer composed of core/shell nanofibers.

Introduction: Serum creatinine level is currently being used as an indicator to detect acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery, which is delayed and unreliable. Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the AKI in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery by measurement of urinary creatinine and plasma kidney injury molecule (KIM-1) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL). Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 96 patients undergoing CABG were divided based on their serum creatinine level of the fourth day after procedure into two groups of AKI (an increase of creatinine more than 0.3 mg/dl or more than 150 % of its baseline level) and non-AKI. In both groups urinary KIM-1 and urinary NGAL were measured on the first day of surgery (first 24 h). Results: No significant difference was observed in baseline creatinine between the two groups (P>0.05). However postoperative serum creatinine, creatinine changes, urinary NGAL and KIM1 showed significant difference between the groups (P

The preparation, characterization, and controlled release of hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoparticles loaded with streptomycin (STR) was studied. These nanoparticles are highly appropriate for the treatment of bacterial infections and are also promising for the treatment of cancer cells. The analyses involved scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Z-potential measurements, as well as infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Both amorphous (ACP) and crystalline (cHAp) hydroxyapatite nanoparticles were considered since they differ in their release behavior (faster and slower for amorphous and crystalline particles, respectively). The encapsulated nanoparticles were finally incorporated into biodegradable and biocompatible polylactide (PLA) scaffolds. The STR load was carried out following different pathways during the synthesis/precipitation of the nanoparticles (i.e., nucleation steps) and also by simple adsorption once the nanoparticles were formed. The loaded nanoparticles were biocompatible according to the study of the cytotoxicity of extracts using different cell lines. FTIR microspectroscopy was also employed to evaluate the cytotoxic effect on cancer cell lines of nanoparticles internalized by endocytosis. The results were promising when amorphous nanoparticles were employed. The nanoparticles loaded with STR increased their size and changed their superficial negative charge to positive. The nanoparticles’ crystallinity decreased, with the consequence that their crystal sizes reduced, when STR was incorporated into their structure. STR maintained its antibacterial activity, although it was reduced during the adsorption into the nanoparticles formed. The STR release was faster from the amorphous ACP nanoparticles and slower from the crystalline cHAp nanoparticles. However, in both cases, the STR release was slower when incorporated in calcium and phosphate during the synthesis. The biocompatibility of these nanoparticles was assayed by two approximations. When extracts from the nanoparticles were evaluated in cultures of cell lines, no cytotoxic damage was observed at concentrations of less than 10 mg/mL. This demonstrated their biocompatibility. Another experiment using FTIR microspectroscopy evaluated the cytotoxic effect of nanoparticles internalized by endocytosis in cancer cells. The results demonstrated slight damage to the biomacromolecules when the cells were treated with ACP nanoparticles. Both ACP and cHAp nanoparticles were efficiently encapsulated in PLA electrospun matrices, providing functionality and bioactive properties.

The RNA-binding protein HuD (a.k.a., ELAVL4) is involved in neuronal development and synaptic plasticity mechanisms, including addiction-related processes such as cocaine conditioned-place preference (CPP) and food reward. The most studied function of this protein is mRNA stabilization; however, we have recently shown that HuD also regulates the levels of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in neurons. To examine the role of HuD in the control of coding and non-coding RNA networks associated with substance use, we identified sets of differentially expressed mRNAs, circRNAs and miRNAs in the striatum of HuD knockout (KO) mice. Our findings indicate that significantly downregulated mRNAs are enriched in biological pathways related to cell morphology and behavior. Furthermore, deletion of HuD altered the levels of 15 miRNAs associated with drug seeking. Using these sets of data, we predicted that a large number of upregulated miRNAs form competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks with circRNAs and mRNAs associated with the neuronal development and synaptic plasticity proteins LSAMP and MARK3. Additionally, several downregulated miRNAs form ceRNA networks with mRNAs and circRNAs from MEF2D, PIK3R3, PTRPM and other neuronal proteins. Together, our results indicate that HuD regulates ceRNA networks controlling the levels of mRNAs associated with neuronal differentiation and synaptic physiology.