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Alterations of the gut microbiome in cases of colorectal cancer (CRC) hint at the involvement of host–microbe interactions in the onset and progression of CRC and also, possibly, provide novel ways to detect and prevent CRC early. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the oral and fecal microbiomes of an individual can be suitable for CRC screening. Oral and fecal samples (n = 80) were gathered in Taleghani hospital, affiliated with Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran–Iran, from CRC stage 0 and I patients and healthy controls (HCs), who were screened for the first time. Microbial metagenomics assays were performed for studying microbiota profiles in all oral and fecal samples gathered. An abundance of top bacterial genera from both types of specimens (fecal and saliva samples) revealed a distinction between CRC patients and HCs. In saliva samples, the α diversity index was different between the microbiome of HCs and CRC patients, while β diversity showed a densely clustered microbiome in the HCs but a more dispersed pattern in CRC cases. The α and β diversity of fecal microbiota between HCs and CRC patients showed no statistically significant differences. Bifidobacterium was identified as a potential bacterial biomarker in CRC saliva samples, while Fusobacterium, Dialister, Catonella, Tennerella, Eubacterium-brachy-group, and Fretibacterium were ideal to distinguish HCs from CRC patients. One of the reasons for the heterogeneity of CRC may be the gastrointestinal (GI) tract microbiota, which can also cause systematic resistance to CRC. Moreover, an evaluation of saliva microbiota might offer a suitable screening test for the early detection of this malignancy, providing more accurate results than its fecal counterpart.

The current study aimed to remove aflatoxin from reconstituted milk by adding three probiotics, namelyAflatoxins are poisonous substances produced by certain kinds of fungi that are found naturally all over the world. They can contaminate food crops and pose a serious health threat to humans and livestock. Microbial detoxification is one method of eliminating aflatoxins, including aflatoxin M1.For this purpose, about 109 and 107 cfu/ml ofThe results showed that the highest amount of aflatoxin M1 removal was related toThe results revealed the possibility of using

The pathogenesis of celiac disease (CD) is significantly influenced by gut microbiota. Daily nutritional profile influences the diversity of gut microbiota. This study was aimed to compare the abundance of gut microbiota in CD patients compared to normal control (NC), and to investigate the impact of nutritional factors on their fecal microbiota diversity. In this study, a selected panel of intestinal bacteria was assessed in 31 confirmed CD patients adhering to gluten-free diet (GFD) for more than 6 months and in 20 NC subjects. Stool samples were collected from each participant, DNA was extracted, and absolute quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was carried out. The gut microbiota including Bacteroidetes, Bifidobacterium, Clostridium, Staphylococcus, Enterobacteiaceae, Firmicutes, and Lactobacillus were assessed. The quantities of fruits, vegetables, meat, liquids, sugar and gluten-free candy/bread consumption were evaluated using a questionnaire. The proportion of Bifidobacterium, Firmicutes, and Lactobacillus in CD cases was significantly lower than NC (P 0.005). Significant correlation coefficients between Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus (P 0.001), and also Firmicutes and Lactobacillus (P 0.001) were recorded. Moreover, a significant association between medium amount of meat and bean consumptions and low abundance of Lactobacillus and Firmicutes (P = 0.024 and P = 0.027, respectively), and also high amount of bean consumptions and low abundance of Lactobacillus (P = 0.027) in CD were observed. The results showed that meat and bean consumptions could reduce the beneficial bacteria including Firmicutes and Lactobacillus in CD patients. Therefore, changes in the gut microbiota abundance may contribute to dietary changes and unimproved CD symptoms.

COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2, is an international concern. This infection requires urgent efforts to develop new antiviral compounds. To date, no specific drug in controlling this disease has been identified. Developing the new treatment is usually time consuming, therefore using the repurposing broad-spectrum antiviral drugs could be an effective strategy to respond immediately. In this review, a number of broad-spectrum antivirals with potential efficacy to inhibit the virus replication via targeting the virus spike protein (S protein), RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro) and papain-like protease (PLpro) that are critical in the pathogenesis and life cycle of coronavirus, have been evaluated as possible treatment options against SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 patients.

Abnormal activation of Toll-like receptor (TLRs) signaling can result in colon cancer development. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of important TLRs in different histological types of colorectal polyps and evaluate their relationship with intestinal microbiota. The expression levels of TLR2, 3, 4, and 5 were analyzed in intestinal biopsy specimens of 21 hyperplastic polyp (HP), 16 sessile serrated adenoma (SSA), 29 tubular adenoma (TA), 21 villous/tubulovillous (VP/TVP) cases, and 31 normal controls. In addition, selected gut bacteria including Streptococcus bovis, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF), Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas spp., Lactobacillus spp., Roseburia spp., and Bifidobacterium spp. were quantified in fecal samples using absolute qRT PCR, and, finally, the association between TLRs and these gut microbiota- was evaluated by Spearman&rsquo, s correlation coefficient. Higher expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in VP/TVP and TA, and lower expression levels of TLR3 and TLR5 in all type of polyps were observed. The differences in TLR expression patterns was not only dependent on the histology, location, size, and dysplasia grade of polyps but also related to the intestinal microbiota patterns. TLR2 and TLR4 expression was directly associated with the F. nucleatum, E. faecalis, S. bovis, Porphyromonas, and inversely to Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Roseburia quantity. Furthermore, TLR3 and TLR5 expression was directly associated with Bifidobacterium, Roseburia, and Lactobacillus quantity. Our results suggest a possible critical role of TLRs during colorectal polyp progression. An abnormal regulation of TLRs in relation to gut microbial quantity may contribute to carcinogenesis.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a new coronavirus that was recently discovered in 2019. While the world is working hard to overcome and control the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it is also crucial to be prepared for the great impacts of this outbreak on the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It is predicted that inappropriate and too much use of antibiotics, biocides, and disinfectants during this pandemic may raise disastrous effects on antibiotic stewardship programs and AMR control all around the world. Furthermore, the use of certain antibiotics alone or in combination with antiviral agents or other medications for the treatment of secondary bacterial infections among COVID-19 patients may be regarded as a major factor that negatively affects host immune response by disrupting mitochondrial function and activity. Herein, we suggest that the current management strategies to control AMR and prioritize antibiotic stewardship schemes should be extremely highlighted in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak. The rising concerns about excessive use of antimicrobials and biocides and taking too much hygiene also need to be addressed during this pandemic due to their impacts on AMR, public health, and the environment.

Background The feces of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients contain tumor colonocytes, which constantly shed into the lumen area. Therefore, stool evaluation can be considered as a rapid and low‐risk way to directly determine the colon and rectum status. As long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) alterations are important in cancer cells fate regulation, we aimed to assess the level of a panel of cancer‐related lncRNAs in fecal colonocytes. Methods The population study consisted of 150 subjects, including a training set, a validation set, and a group of 30 colon polyps. The expression levels of lncRNAs were evaluated by quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR). The NPInetr and EnrichR tools were used to identify the interactions and functions of lncRNAs. Results A total of 10 significantly dysregulated lncRNAs, including CCAT1, CCAT2, H19, HOTAIR, HULC, MALAT1, PCAT1, MEG3, PTENP1, and TUSC7, were chosen for designing a predictive panel. The diagnostic performance of the panel in distinguishing CRCs from the healthy group was AUC: 0.8554 in the training set and 0.8465 in the validation set. The AUC for early CRCs (I‐II TNM stages) was 0.8554 in the training set and 0.8465 in the validation set, and for advanced CRCs (III‐IV TNM stages) were 0.9281 in the training set and 0.9236 in the validation set. The corresponding AUC for CRCs vs polyps were 0.9228 (I‐IV TNM stages), 0.9042 (I‐II TNM stages), and 0.9362 (III‐IV TNM stages). Conclusions These data represented the application of analysis of fecal colonocytes lncRNAs in early detection of CRC., The expression profile of fecal lncRNAs in the training set. (A) Hierarchical clustering of fecal lncRNAs expression pattern of training set. The hierarchical clustering was designed with 30 differently expressed lncRNAs in 30 colorectal cancer (CRC) cases and 30 healthy controls. The clustering of lncRNAs placed in entire samples. (B) Pairwise comparison of lncRNAs in the training set. Normal samples were considered as controls, and their expression level values were considered as 1. The Mann‐Whitney U test was used to assess the differences of LncRNAs level between groups. The relative expression was considered as significant when 2.

Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) is a cellular DNA receptor of the innate immune system which plays a pivotal role in inflammatory response. Recently, changing expression levels of TLR9 has been observed in a wide range of cancer cells; however, there is little information about colorectal polyps. Herein, we assessed the mRNA expression of TLR9 in different colorectal polyp types compared to normal group in order to investigate its expression level during CRC initiation. Fifty-four biopsy samples from colorectal polyp patients and from 20 healthy subjects were collected. The mucosal mRNA expression level of TLR9 gene was identified by real time PCR. Fold change of gene expression was evaluated by 2-ΔΔct method. There was a significant relationship between the lower expression of TLR9 gene in the polyp cases compared to normal individuals (P value = 0.0005), Also, decreased TLR9 mRNA expression was obtained in adenomas in contrast to hyperplastic and normal groups (P value = 0.0008). Based on the current results, we hypothesized that aberrant surface expression of TLR9 on tumor cells may promote the growth and invasion of colorectal polyps. Further, TLR9 modulation may have an important impact on the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Gut microbiota is the complex community of microorganisms that live in the digestive tracts of humans and other animals, including insects. The relationship between gut microbiota and human health is mutualistic and altered bacterial composi- tions in fecal and mucosal specimens of colon in patients with cancer compared to healthy subjects were observed. Thereby, studying the gut microbiota, their interactions with the host and their alterations in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients could be helpful to diagnose and treat the disease in earlier stages. In CRC research, the most common samples are feces and tumor tissues. Interestingly, scientists have quite different views regarding gut microbiota composition of feces and tissues. Some believe bacterial populations in feces and mucosa are completely distinct and differ in composition and diversity while some others declare similar variations. Actually, both types of specimens have some advantages and disadvantages in survey of gut microbiota. Fecal samples serve as a noninvasive approach for screening tests while mucosal associated samples are more powerful for identification of bacteria with adenoma and CRC initiation and growth. Here we have discussed the advantages and disadvantages of two type of specimens in CRC investigations and also discussed the similarities and differences of microbial composition between stool and tissue specimens.

Background: Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling has been implicated in colorectal cancer (CRC) development. Intestinal microbiota can affect the expression of TLRs, which may induce inflammatory responses and impair the gut homeostasis. Here, we aimed to evaluate certain intestinal microbiota related to TLRs expression in colonic tissues of adenomatous polyposis and CRC patients. Results: Fecal and colonic tissue samples were collected from normal controls (NC), adenomatous (AP) cases and (CRC) patients via colonoscopy for CRC screening during 2016 to 2018. Fecal samples were collected to analyze intestinal bacteria including Streptococcus bovis , Enterococcus faecalis , Bacteroides fragilis , enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) , Fusobacterium nucleatum , Porphyromonas gingivalis, Porphyromonas spp . and Roseburia spp . by real-time PCR. Gene expression of TLR2, TLR4 and TLR5 was examined in colonic tissues by qRT-PCR. Different abundant of gut bacteria were achieved in NC, AP and CRC groups. The genes expression of TLR2, TLR4 and TLR5 were significantly different in AP and CRC cases vs. normal group (P value

Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer, and presents a considerable disease burden, worldwide. Recently, the gut microbiota has been proposed as a potential risk factor for CRC, and even adenomatous polyps (AP). Here, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of selected gut bacteria as fecal bacterial biomarkers, in early detection of CRC and AP. Material and methods Fecal samples (n = 93) were collected from Taleghani Hospital, Tehran, Iran, between 2015 and 2017, from normal controls (NC), AP cases and CRC stage I patients, who were undergoing screening for colonoscopy. Absolute quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) assays were established for the quantification of bacterial marker candidates, in all cases and control groups. In order to evaluate the diagnostic value of bacterial candidates in distinguishing CRC from a polyp, receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was performed. Multiple logistic regressions were used to find the best combinations of the bacterial candidates, then, combinations were analyzed based on three methods, including linear combination, multiple logistic and factor analysis models. Results According to the logistic model, combination of Fusobacterium nucleatum , Enterococcus feacalis , Streptococcus bovis , Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) and Porphyromonas spp. showed improved diagnostic performance, compared to each bacterium alone, as area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) increases to 0.97, with 95% confidence interval. It was found that a simple linear combination was an appropriate model for discriminating AP and CRC cases, compared to the NC, with a sensitivity of 91.4% and specificity of 93.5%. Conclusion Our results indicated that based on fecal bacterial candidates, statistical simple linear combination model and ROC curve analysis, early detection of AP and CRC might be possible.

The easy, cost-effective and rapid techniques for investigating the role of gut microbiota have become imperative owing to their importance in various diseases such as colon cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. Here we developed an absolute real-time qPCR technique for quantification of intestinal bacteria in human fecal samples for further investigation of gut microbiota composition in patients. At first, regarding bacterial species present in human fecal samples, species were cultured in anaerobic culture media and incubated at 37Cͦ in an anaerobic chamber. The number of CFU was counted. Eight fold serial dilutions of the bacterial suspension were prepared. To generate a standard curve for bacterial species in real-time PCR, DNA was extracted from different serial dilutions. Subsequently, DNA from human fecal samples was extracted. Now bacterial strains were applied as standard curve in absolute q PCR procedure for quantification of bacterial population in test samples. Based on absolute real-time analysis, intestinal bacteria were precisely quantified. The specificity of the primer pairs was checked by conventional PCR and real-time PCR regarding dissociation curve analysis. The amplification was linear in the range of 101-108. Dissociation curves had correlation coefficient values between 0.98 and 101/888. The efficiencies were between 95/073 and 99/804%. The absolute real-time PCR technique described here may be used for evaluating intestinal bacteria regarding diseases prevention.

Aberrant activation of the WNT/CTNNB1 pathway is notorious in colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, we demonstrate that the expression of specific and crucial WNT signaling pathway genes is linked to disease progression in colonic adenomatous (AP) and hyperplastic (HP) polyps in an Iranian patient population. Thus, we highlight potential gene expression profiles as candidate novel biomarkers for the early detection of CRC. From a 12-month study (2016-2017), 44 biopsy samples were collected during colonoscopy from the patients with colorectal polyps and 10 healthy subjects for normalization. Clinical and demographic data were collected in all cases, and mRNA expression of APC, CTNNB1, CDH1, AXIN1, and AXIN2 genes was investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). CTNNB1 and CDH1 expression levels were unaltered in AP and HP subjects, whereas mRNA expression of APC was decreased in AP contrasted with HP subjects, with a significant\ud association between APC downregulation and polyp size. Although AXIN1 showed no changes between AP and HP groups, a significant association between AXIN1 and dysplasia grade was found. Also, significant upregulation of AXIN2 in both AP and HP subjects was detected.\ud In summary, we have shown increased expression of AXIN2 and decreased expression of APC correlating with grade of dysplasia and polyp size. Hence, AXIN2 and APC should be explored as biomarker candidates for early detection of AP and HP polyps in CRC.\ud \ud Keywords : Colorectal polyps, gene expression, WNT/CTNNB1 signaling, colorectal cancer, biomarker

Background: Campylobacter spp. are the common pathogens that infect human beings via food. These bacteria are vibrio and have been implicated in abortion. Serotyping is the best way for typing with Penner scheme. C. jejuni and C. coli have 65 serotypes. C. coli is common in birds and dogs. Due to high rate of prevalence of Campylobacter in red-meat, chicken-meat and egg-shell, a suitable method to detect their prevalence, the most common species and serotyping group was necessary. This article describes the prevalence of Campylobacter infection, common serotyping group in 330 samples of red- meat, hen-meat and egg-shell. Materials and Methods: With three methods: enrichment, selective Preston and Skirrow and filtration with membrane filters Campylobacter swere incubated. Bacterial species were identified with physiological and biochemical tests. Penner serotyping was defined with reference antiserum Ag-O and direct agglutination. Results: Prevalence of Campylobacter infection was 21(23%) in red meat, 33(27.5%) in hen meat and 38(31.6%) in eggshell. In egg-shell samples: C. jejuni 20, C. coli 14, C. lari 3 and C. concisus 1 case. In meat common Penner serotyping for C. jejuni O2 had the highest rate. In hen, common Penner serotyping: for C. jejuni O3 and in egg-shell for O1, O2 and O3 had the highest rate. Conclusion: Most infection of campylobacter was found in egg-shell; most common species in these three samples were C. jejuni, then C. coli and C. lari. No C. consicus was found in meat but it was found in hen and egg-shells. In common Penner serotyping for C. jejuni O2 and O3 were the most common and for C. coli in meat O49 and in hen and eggshell O 5 were the highest.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Early diagnosis of this neoplasm is critical and may reduce patients' mortality. MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNA molecules whose expression pattern can be altered in various diseases such as CRC.In this study, we evaluated the expression levels of miR-142-3p, miR-26a-5p (their reduced expression in plasma samples of CRC patients was previously confirmed), miR-4478 and miR-1295-3p (their reduced expression in stool samples of CRC patients was previously confirmed) in tissue samples of CRC patients in comparison to healthy subjects. To achieve this purpose, total RNA including small RNA was extracted from 53 CRC and 35 normal subjects' Formalin-fixed, Paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples using the miRNeasy FFPE Mini Kit. The expression levels of these four selected miRNAs were measured using quantitative Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR).We found that the expression levels of miR-4478 and miR-1295b-3p (two previously down-regulated fecal miRNAs) were significantly decreased in FFPE samples of CRC patients compared to healthy controls. On the other hand, no significant differences were seen in expression levels of miR-142-3p and miR-26a-5p (two previously down-regulated circulating miRNAs) in FFPE samples between these two groups.Regarding current findings, it may be concluded that to diagnose CRC patients based on the miRNAs approach, stool samples are more likely preferable to plasma samples; nevertheless, additional studies with more samples are needed to confirm the results.

Background: Leptospirosis is recognized as a re-emerging infectious disease; therefore, understanding the epidemiology of the disease is vital for designing intervention programs and diminishing its transmission. Recently, Multilocus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) is used for segregating and identifying Leptospira serovars. The method has potential application in investigating the molecular epidemiology of Leptospira. Objectives: The propose of this study was genomic identification of pathogenic Leptospires in Iran by MLVA. Materials and Methods: Leptospira serovars were obtained from National Reference Laboratory of Leptospira at Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Karaj, Iran. Serovars were cultured into the liquid EMJH medium and incubated at 28˚C for 7 days. DNA of serovars was extracted using the phenol-chloroform method. PCR was performed with 5 selected variable number tandem repeat analysis (VNTR) loci. The amplified products were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. The size of the amplified products was estimated by 100 bp ladder and sequencing analysis. Results: The saprophytic serovar showed no amplified fragments. PCR products in all pathogenic serovars were observed. The 12 reference serovars used for the development of technique displayed distinct patterns. Conclusions: Results showed that MLVA technique with its range of polymorphism is a good marker for identification of pathogenic serovars. Some VNTR loci are more powerful than the other ones with regard to differentiation. Serovars from the same geographical area have more genetic similarity than same serovars from different places. MLVA is a suitable technique for epidemiological survey.