This work uses GC-MS to analyze the bioactive compounds of Salvia rosmarinus essential oils(SREO)and evaluates their antibacterial,antifungal,and insecticidal effects,as well as the major component,1,8-cineole.Chemica...This work uses GC-MS to analyze the bioactive compounds of Salvia rosmarinus essential oils(SREO)and evaluates their antibacterial,antifungal,and insecticidal effects,as well as the major component,1,8-cineole.Chemical analysis identified 16 compounds accounting for 99.19%of the oil’s total content,with 1,8-cineole(33.17%),camphor(16.53%),α-pinene(14.46%),and camphene(8.14%)as the major constituents.Antimicrobial activities were assessed against pathogenic strains using minimal inhibit concentration(MIC)and minimum bactericidal concentration(MBC)assays.SREO exhibited a minimum MIC of 0.128%against P.aeruginosa,while 1,8-cineole showed a minimum MIC of 2.06%against the same strain,highlighting the higher efficacy of the complete oil compared to the isolated compound.Conversely,for antifungal activity,1,8-cineole displayed a lower MIC(2.06%)against A.niger and P.digitatum compared to SREO(4.125%against A.niger).Regarding aphicidal activity,results demonstrated the lethal effects of SREO on M.persicae,with an even more pronounced impact observed for 1,8-cineole.At one dose of 40μL/L air,SREO and 1,8-cineole resulted in 100%insect mortality within 24 h of exposure.After 12 h of exposure to SREO at concentrations of 5,10,20,and 40μL/L air,the mortality rates were 20%,36.67%,70%,and 93.33%.1,8-cineole showed maximum efficacy,achieving complete(100%)mortality within 12 h at 40μL/L air.展开更多
Monoculture and intensive fertiliser use in the cultivation of Robusta coffee(Coffea canephora var.Robusta)and black pepper(Piper nigrum L.)have led to soil degradation and increased disease pressure in Vietnam's ...Monoculture and intensive fertiliser use in the cultivation of Robusta coffee(Coffea canephora var.Robusta)and black pepper(Piper nigrum L.)have led to soil degradation and increased disease pressure in Vietnam's Central Highlands.To identify key factors driving soilborne diseases and threatening sustainable production,a soil and root survey was conducted across three provinces:Gia Lai,Dak Lak,and Dak Nong.Soils were characterised by high clay content(51.2-62.0%),moderate silt(35.5-46.0%),and low sand(2.5-2.8%),with a notably low cation exchange capacity(7.72-8.04 cmol_(c) kg^(−1)).The soils were strongly acidic,with average pH values of 4.51 in coffee farms and 5.45 in pepper farms.Despite sufficient levels of nitrogen(N),phosphorus(P),and potassium(K),soilborne pathogens were widespread.Fusarium spp.were detected in all samples,Phytophthora spp.in 64-76%of black pepper farms,and plant-parasitic nematodes in 67-84%of farms,with Meloidogyne spp.predominant.Fusarium density increased with soil acidity in coffee plantations.In coffee,nematode density was positively correlated with N input,while in black pepper,N was negatively correlated with Phytophthora.Organic matter and available K were negatively associated with Fusarium in coffee but positively with Phytophthora in black pepper.These findings underscore the need for integrated management of nutrients and pathogens to sustain perennial crop production in the region.展开更多
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in researching and developing new antimicrobial agents from various sources to combat microbial resistance. Therefore, a greater attention has been paid to antimicrob...In recent years, there has been a growing interest in researching and developing new antimicrobial agents from various sources to combat microbial resistance. Therefore, a greater attention has been paid to antimicrobial activity screening and evaluating methods. Several bioassays such as disk-diffusion, well diffusion and broth or agar dilution are well known and commonly used, but others such as flow cy- tofluorometric and bioluminescent methods are not widely used because they require specified equip- ment and further evaluation for reproducibility and standardization, even if they can provide rapid re- sults of the antimicrobial agent＇s effects and a better understanding of their impact on the viability and cell damage inflicted to the tested microorganism. In this review article, an exhaustive list of in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods and detailed information on their advantages and limita- tions are reported.展开更多
Objective： This study examined the antimicrobial activity of Cannabis sativa, Thuja orientalis and Psidium guajava against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus （MRSA） and used a standardized purification pro...Objective： This study examined the antimicrobial activity of Cannabis sativa, Thuja orientalis and Psidium guajava against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus （MRSA） and used a standardized purification protocol to determine the presence and abundance of bioactive compounds in the leaf extracts. Methods： In vitro antimicrobial activities of the ethanolic extracts of C sativa, T. orientalis and P. guajava were tested against MRSA. The presence of bioactive molecules in these three leaves was evaluated using biochemical assays and high-performance thin-layer chromatography （HPTLC）. Results： Resistance to methicillin, penicillin, oxacillin and cefoxitin was observed in each of the clinical and nonclinical MRSA isolates. However, they were still vulnerable to vancomydn. Used individually, the 50% extract of each plant leaf inhibited MRSA growth. A profound synergism was observed when C sativa was used in combination with T. orientalis （1：1 ） and when P. guajava was used in combination with T. orientalis （1：1 ）. This was shown by larger zones of inhibition. This synergism was probably due to the combined inhibitory effect of phenolics present in the leaf extracts （i.e., quercetin and gallic acid） and catechin, as detected by HPTLC. Conclusion： The leaf extracts of C sativa, T. orientalis and P. guajava had potential for the control of both hospital- and community-acquired MRSA. Moreover, the inhibitory effect was enhanced when extracts were used in combination.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the relationship between triterpenoid saponin content and antioxidant,antimicrobial,and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of 70%ethanolic,butanolic,aqueous,supernate and precipitate extract...Objective:To investigate the relationship between triterpenoid saponin content and antioxidant,antimicrobial,and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of 70%ethanolic,butanolic,aqueous,supernate and precipitate extracts of Juglans regia leaves.Methods:Triterpenoid saponins of different Juglans regia leaf extracts were measured by the vanillin method.Antioxidant activity was evaluated against DPPH and ABTS free radicals.We also assessed α-glucosidase inhibitory and antimicrobial activities of the leaf extracts.Pearson’s correlation coefficient was evaluated to determine the correlation between the saponin content and biological activities.Results:The butanolic extract was most effective against DPPH with an IC50of 6.63μg/mL,while the aqueous extract showed the highest scavenging activity against ABTS free radical with an IC50of 42.27μg/mL.Pearson’s correlation analysis indicated a strong negative correlation (r=-0.956) between DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50) and the saponin content in the samples examined.In addition,the aqueous extract showed the best α-glucosidase inhibitory activity compared with other extracts.All the extracts had fair antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis,Escherichia coli,and Klebsiella pneumoniae except for the aqueous extract.Conclusions:Juglans regia extracts show potent antioxidant,antimicrobial,and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities.There is a correlation between saponin levels in Juglans regia leaf extracts and the studied activities.However,additional research is required to establish these relationships by identifying the specific saponin molecules responsible for these activities and elucidating their mechanisms of action.展开更多
Environmental pollution can have detrimental effects on crop yield and its consumers. The current study was designed to investigate the potential human health risks associated with the consumption of lettuce crop cont...Environmental pollution can have detrimental effects on crop yield and its consumers. The current study was designed to investigate the potential human health risks associated with the consumption of lettuce crop contaminated with toxic heavy metals and microbiological status. Irrigated water, soil and lettuce were analyzed by AAS technics for heavy metals including Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. Transfer factor (TF), daily intake of metals (DIM) and health risk index (HRI) were also calculated. Microbial analysis was carried out for the presence foodborne pathogens. The results showed that the heavy metals contents were higher in the soil than wastewater and the vegetables. Heavy metals ranged (mg·Kg-1) for Cd (1.27 to 2.93), Cr (7.28 to 7.38), Cu (0.91 to 1.70), Mn (0.29 to 6.60), Ni (1.74 to 2.16), Pb (1.32 to 1.69), Zn (3.08 to 3.79);and were higher than the WHO maximum limit permissible (ML) in vegetables. HRI TF values designated an enhanced bio-contamination. Microbial numeration revealed the presence of spoiler and pathogenic microorganisms. The lettuce tested was not safe for human use, especially for direct consumption by human beings.展开更多
Tomato fruit enormously consumed in Burkina Faso is a source of health risk due to its quality. The plant of tomato cultivated in most the industrially polluted area as Ouagadougou, accumulates significant quantities ...Tomato fruit enormously consumed in Burkina Faso is a source of health risk due to its quality. The plant of tomato cultivated in most the industrially polluted area as Ouagadougou, accumulates significant quantities of heavy metals and microorganisms and could be dangerous for consumption. The present study was conducted to investigate heavy metal and microbial contamination in soils wastewater and vegetables (tomato fruit) and to evaluate the possible health risks associated with the consumption of vegetables. Total concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Se and Zn were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Transfer factor (TF), daily intake of metals (DIM) and health risk index (HRI) were also calculated. Microbial quality was analyzed for the presence of foodborne pathogens. The pH involved from 6.50 ± 0.1 to 9.40 ± 0.12 respectively for Boulmiougou and Kossodo. The mean metal concentrations indicated that soils were strongly polluted followed by wastewater and vegetable. The range of the mean values (in mg · kg-1) exhibited by As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Se and Zn in tomato fruit was 17.80 ± 0.32, 2.71 ± 0.02, 11.57 ± 0.2, 203.41 ± 1.20, 15.13 ± 0.30, 53.18 ± 0.20, 38.56 ± 0.10, 109.13 ± 0.25 concerning samples of Boulmiougou and 3.47 ± 0.15, 2.78 ± 0.01, 22.11 ± 0.1, 242.85 ± 2.10, 14.86 ± 0.10, 132.19 ± 1.50, 33.23 ± 0.15, 146.43 ± 1.12 for Kossodo. Microbial count was below to acceptable limits for vegetable, but underlined the presence of spoiler and foodborne pathogens. However, the daily intake of metals (DIM) and the health risk index (HRI) values were found to be under to the prescribed maximum tolerable.展开更多
Objective:To study the chemical profile,antimicrobial properties,and synergistic effect with known antibiotics of essential oil extracted from the marine red macroalgae Centroceras clavulatum(C.Agardh)Montagne,collect...Objective:To study the chemical profile,antimicrobial properties,and synergistic effect with known antibiotics of essential oil extracted from the marine red macroalgae Centroceras clavulatum(C.Agardh)Montagne,collected in Morocco.Methods:The chemical composition of the oil was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.The oil was evaluated for antibacterial(Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Escherichia coli,Bacillus subtilis,Micrococcus luteus,Staphylococcus aureus,and Klebsiella pneumoniae),and antifungal activity(Candida albicans,Candida glabrata,Candida krusei,and Candida parapsilosis),by the disc diffusion method.The minimum inhibitory and minimum microbicidal concentrations of the oil were determined,as well as the synergistic effects of its application combined with the antibiotics ciprofloxacin and fluconazole,by the checkerboard method.Results:Thirty molecules were identified in the essential oil,comprising 96.27%of the total oil composition.Monoterpenes such as carvacrol(36.06%)were the most abundant compounds,followed by caryophyllene(14.67%),endo-borneol(9.04%),pyroterebic acid(3.23%)and caryophyllene oxide(3.13%).The oil exhibited a moderate antimicrobial activity with inhibition zone diameters ranging from 9.0 to 15.0 mm.The minimum inhibitory concentration values varied between 0.9 and 14.7 mg/mL,and Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli were the more sensitive bacteria with 0.9 and 1.9 mg/mL,respectively.The minimum microbicidal concentration values ranged from 0.4 to 14.7 mg/mL.A significant synergic action was observed when the oil was applied in combination with ciprofloxacin and fluconazole,with fractional inhibitory concentration index values ranging from 0.31 to 0.50.Synergy was found in 80%of the combinations and a 2 to 16-fold reduction of antibiotics MIC was observed.Conclusions:Our findings suggest that the essential oil of Centroceras clavulatum should be further appraised for its potential use in the management of multi-drug resistant microorganisms,with the purpose to restore the activity of standard antimicrobial drugs.展开更多
Biofilms are being engineered in-vitro to produce numerous commodities like biofertilizers, pharmaceuticals, biofuels and electricity, the efficacies of which rely on the biochemicals secreted by the biofilms i.e. ext...Biofilms are being engineered in-vitro to produce numerous commodities like biofertilizers, pharmaceuticals, biofuels and electricity, the efficacies of which rely on the biochemicals secreted by the biofilms i.e. extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). It has been shown that once EPS-biochemicals of developed biofilms are applied to an ecosystem, they can restore degraded complex ecosystem networks for improved ecosystem functioning and sustainability. Identification of the EPS biochemicals and understanding their contributions to the network interactions in particular, are at initial stage. In the present study, using Aspergillus niger, Nostoc sp., and gram (-) Stenotrophomonas maltophilia & gram (+) Bacillus subtilis as test fungal (F), cyanobacterial (C), and bacterial (B) counterparts, respectively we analyzed morphology and biochemical parameters of fungal-bacterial (FBBs), fungal-cyanobacterial (FCBs), cyanobacterial-bacterial (CBBs), and fungal-cyanobacterial-bacterial biofilms (FCBBs). Results revealed that the FCBBs produced the highest concentrations of lipids, proteins, and polysaccharides whereas FBBs generated the highest diversity of biochemicals. Bacterial type (i.e. gram + or -) and microbial composition in the biofilm affected the biochemical production. Ecologically and industrially important diverse biochemicals which are used individually as medicines, bioremediating agents and industrial chemicals in human society with certain adverse and beneficial effects were detected in the biofilm-EPS. However, in the nature, simultaneous action of those diverse biochemicals applied as biofertilizers has already shown a huge potential to restore the entire agroecosystems degraded due to farmers’ detrimental practices. This striking difference in utilization of the biochemicals and their enhanced effect when they act simultaneously needs further investigations for their better applications.展开更多
Microbes play a critical role in shaping immune development,with growing interest in how rhinovirus(RV)interacts with the host immune system,particularly in individuals with asthma and chronic obstructive pul-monary d...Microbes play a critical role in shaping immune development,with growing interest in how rhinovirus(RV)interacts with the host immune system,particularly in individuals with asthma and chronic obstructive pul-monary disease(COPD).Disruptions in microbial balance during RV infections can impair immune homeostasis and worsen disease outcomes.Recent studies emphasize RV-induced regulation of antiviral defenses,cytokine production,and immune tolerance.This review explores the interplay between RV,the immune system,and microbiota,highlighting the importance of these interactions in guiding effective therapies for respiratory in-fections.It advances existing literature by considering microbiota-mediated therapies as a novel approach to managing RV exacerbations in respiratory diseases like asthma and COPD.展开更多
Oncogenic viruses include both DNA and RNA viruses which contribute to cancer development by disrupting cellular regulation and interfering in the immune responses.These viruses do not directly cause cancer but instea...Oncogenic viruses include both DNA and RNA viruses which contribute to cancer development by disrupting cellular regulation and interfering in the immune responses.These viruses do not directly cause cancer but instead integrate their genetic material into the host genome thus,affecting cell cycle and tumor suppression.This deregulation also leads to impaired immune function and promotes tumor progression by disrupting the removal of infected cells.Generally,innate immunity consists of two important members,including mitochondria and cell deaths,which impact each other as well.Due to the close correlation between viruses,cell death pathways(apoptosis,necroptosis,and pyroptosis),and mitochondria(mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein and reactive oxygen species generation),targeting these immune system representatives may offer therapeutic strategies to control the progression of oncogenic viral infections.Some previous studies have covered the association of oncogenic viruses with mitochondria and cell death pathways,respectively,but mitochondria and cell death interact with each other,separately,and this interaction may play a role in the progression of cancer induced by oncogenic viruses.Hence,the purpose of this review is to discuss the relationship between cell death,mitochondria,and viral oncogenesis,focusing on the most surveyed oncogenic viruses’mechanisms of action.展开更多
BACKGROUND Treatment response to direct-acting antivirals(DAAs)is a challenging issue and the identification of non-responders patients is very important.AIM To evaluate the relation between baseline serum levels of h...BACKGROUND Treatment response to direct-acting antivirals(DAAs)is a challenging issue and the identification of non-responders patients is very important.AIM To evaluate the relation between baseline serum levels of hyaluronic acid(HA)and type III procollagen N-peptide(PIIINP)with direct-acting antivirals treatment failure in Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C.METHODS Hepatitis C patients(responders and non-responders to sofosbuvir/daclatasvir)were tested for HA and PIIINP using sensitive chemiluminescent immunoassay.RESULTS There were distinctly higher PIIINP(P=0.0003)and HA(P<0.0001)levels in non-responders than responders patients with a good ability for distinguishing non-responders from patients with sustained virological response(area under the curve=0.766 for HA and 0.684 for PIIINP).Logistic regression analysis revealed that the HA×PIIINP is the model with the highest predictive ability(area under the curve=0.809).Diagnostic performances were superior to each marker alone with good sensitivity(74.7%),specificity(74%),positive predictive(68.3%),negative predictive values(79.6%)and accuracy(74.3%).The multiplication of HA×PIIINP is correlated significantly(P<0.05)with elevated liver enzymes(r=0.212),decreased albumin(r=-0.26),elevated aspartate aminotransferase-platelet ratio index(r=0.223)and elevated fibrosis-4 score(r=0.216)scores.CONCLUSION These findings suggested the remarkable role of fibrogensis markers HA and PIIINP in the prediction of hepatitis C virus DAAs treatment response.Multiplying HA with PIIINP values increase the sensitivity to detect treatment success and thus may aim to improve treatment duration and the disease control.展开更多
This study highlights the regulatory potential antibacterial and antiradical of Origanum elongatum essential oil(EO),an endemic medicinal plant of Morocco used for its various properties.The chemical composition of th...This study highlights the regulatory potential antibacterial and antiradical of Origanum elongatum essential oil(EO),an endemic medicinal plant of Morocco used for its various properties.The chemical composition of the EO was characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS).The antibacterial activity against different agricultural phytopathogens was determined by disc diffusion and microatmosphere methods,as well as by the determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations(MIC)and minimum bactericidal concentration(MBC),while the antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH and FRAP assays.To complement the experimental analyses,a molecular docking approach was used to predict and elucidate the mechanisms of action of the identified bioactive com-pounds,both for their antioxidant and antibacterial properties.The GC-MS analysis revealed a chemical composition dominated by the major compounds:p-cymene-2-ol(25.31%),thymol(23.88%),andγ-terpinene(19.26%).Furthermore,antibacterial analyses performed using different methodological approaches(disc diffusion,microatmosphere,MIC,and MBC)showed significant inhibitory activity against all phytopathogens tested.Moreover,O.elongatum EO exhibited interesting antioxidant ability with an IC_(50) value of 168.251.14μg/mL for DPPH assay and EC_(50) value±of 164.221.04μg/mL for FRAP assay.Furthermore,in silico molecular docking demonstrated further insights into±the interactions between the oil’s active components and bacterial targets,supporting its mode of action.This in-depth characterization highlights the potential of O.elongatum EO as a natural alternative for the biocontrol of plant pathogens.It opens new perspectives for developing natural solutions to protect crops against plant diseases.展开更多
Microbiologically influenced corrosion(MIC) is a big threat to the strength and safety of many metallic materials used in different environments throughout the world. The metabolites and bioactivity of the microorgani...Microbiologically influenced corrosion(MIC) is a big threat to the strength and safety of many metallic materials used in different environments throughout the world. The metabolites and bioactivity of the microorganisms cause severe deterioration on the metals. In this study, MIC of pure titanium(Ti) was studied in the presence of a highly corrosive aerobic marine bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results obtained from electrochemical test showed that Ti was corrosion resistant in the abiotic culture medium after 14 d, while the increased corrosion current density(i_(corr)) obtained from polarization curves and the decreased charge transfer resistance(R_(ct)) from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS)indicated the accelerated corrosion of Ti caused by P. aeruginosa biofilm. For further confirmation of the above results, the surface of Ti was investigated using scanning electron microscopy(SEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy(CLSM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS). According to the XPS results, TiO_2 was formed in both abiotic and biotic conditions, while unstable oxide Ti_2O_3 was detected in the presence of P. aeruginosa, leading to the defects in the passive film and localized corrosion. Pitting corrosion was investigated with the help of CLSM, and the largest pit depth found on Ti surface immersed in P. aeruginosa was 1.2 μm. Ti was not immune to MIC caused by P. aeruginosa.展开更多
AIM:To test whether the status of positive cytomegalovirus(CMV) DNA detection adds to the predictive value of IL28B and to further categorize C/T allele carriers.METHODS:This study included 166 chronic hepatitis C(CHC...AIM:To test whether the status of positive cytomegalovirus(CMV) DNA detection adds to the predictive value of IL28B and to further categorize C/T allele carriers.METHODS:This study included 166 chronic hepatitis C(CHC) patients who received combined interferon and ribavirin therapy for 48 wk,84 spontaneous hepatitis C virus(HCV) resolvers who were positive for IgG anti-HCV antibody and negative for HCV RNA,and 100 healthy subjects who were negative for both HCV antibodies and RNA as controls.Genomic DNA from peripheral blood was used for IL28B rs.12979860 single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) and CMV DNA detection.A 139 bp fragment containing IL28B SNP was amplified in all subjects by polymerase chain reaction using a specifically designed primer.Then the IL28B rs.12979860 SNP was detected by restriction fragment length polymorphism(RFLP) genotyping.The presence of CMV DNA was tested by amplification of the gB1 gene using nested polymerase chain reaction.The role of CMV and IL28B rs.12979860 SNP genotypes in determining the response rate to combined interferon therapy and clinical status of patients were statistically analyzed.RESULTS:Current data showed that 67% of patients carrying the IL28B 12979860 C/C allele had a sustained viral response(SVR) while the genotypes C/T and TT were associated with lower SVR rates,50% and 48%,respectively.SVR rates for the C/C allele were lower than other HCV genotypes and/or other populations.Genotype CC was associated with the response to interferon(P = 0.025).Genotype C/C was reduced from 48% in controls to 14% in CHC patients suggesting its protective role against progression to chronicity.The majority of spontaneously cleared subjects(86%) were C/C,confirming its protective role.The C/T allele was present in 71% of CHC patients compared with 38% of controls,so the use of IL28B SNP genotyping only in these patients may be of little value as a predictor of response.CMV reactivation occurred in 40% of CHC patients.Co-infection with CMV seriously diminished the response to interferon(IFN) therapy,with SVR rates in C/C genotypes 87.5% in CMV-negative patients and 12.5% in CMV-positive patients(P < 0.0001).SVR rates among C/T carriers were reduced to < 50% in patients with positive CMV DNA while the non-response rate doubled.These data indicate that a supplemental assay for CMV viremia adds to the prognostic value of IL28B genotyping.CONCLUSION:The results suggest that both genetic(i.e.,spontaneous) and therapeutic(IFN-based therapy) arms are complementary in the battle against HCV.CMV DNA testing may be of value to better predict the response to IFN,particularly in IL28B C/T carriers.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the relationship between low molecular polypeptide-7 (LMP-7) gene polymorphism and response to interferon (IFN) therapy in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients. METHODS: LMP-7 polymorphism at c...AIM: To investigate the relationship between low molecular polypeptide-7 (LMP-7) gene polymorphism and response to interferon (IFN) therapy in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients. METHODS: LMP-7 polymorphism at codon 49 with nucleotide substitution from A to C was amplified in 104 chronic HCV patients of genotype 4. The amplicons were digested with restriction endonuclease Bsm I and the produced restriction fragment length polymorphism was analyzed. Patients received IFN + regional blood volume therapy for 48 wk and the frequency of thissingle nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was statistically correlated with treatment response. The exclusion criteria for these patients were stated by the national health program for treating viral hepatitis. Main exclusion criteria included co-infection with hepatitis B virus or schistosomiasis, thyroid dysfunction, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, history of long term drug or alcohol intake and autoimmune hepatitis. Multivariate analyses were done to correlate LMP-7 SNP plus several factors such as age, gender, weight, serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and alanine aminotransferase levels, liver activity, fibrosis score and viral load with response to therapy. RESULTS: The data presented in this study clearly demonstrated statistically significant differences between sustained virological response (SVR) (defined as the absence of HCV RNA levels in the patient's sera at least 6 mo after discontinuation of treatment) and non-response (NR) (where HCV RNA levels in the patient's sera never become undetectable for 6 mo during or after treatment). Variables were described as odds ratio with 95%CI. The data were considered significant if P values were ≤ 0.05; highly significant if P < 0.01 and very highly significant if P < 0.001. Current data showed that 91.7% of patients carrying LMP-7 C/C allele were associated with SVR, while the other two genotypes C/A and A/A were associated with NR patients, 83.3% and 64.3% respectively, showing that genotype CC was strongly associated with response to interferon (95%CI: 12.0719-134.6572, P = 0.0001). The majority of parameters recorded in SVR and NR patients included higher values of mean age (P = 0.004), alanine aminotransferase (P = 0.001), AFP (P = 0.001), body weight (P = 0.025), viral load (P = 0.025), higher fibrosis and histological activity index indices among NR vs SVR patients. Also, the multivariate statistical analysis of the different factors of fibro-sis score, liver activity grade, genotypes and alleles of LMP-7 gene polymorphism in responders and NRs of HCV patients in this study showed that HCV patients with A allele had a very highly significant association with the NRs, high fibrosis and higher liver activity, while the C allele had a very highly significant association with the responders, low fibrosis and lower liver activity (95%CI: 3.5800-13.2519, P = 0.0001).CONCLUSION: LMP-7 SNP is a candidate gene that should be considered when designing a mathematical model for predicting response to therapy and disease progression in HCV patients.展开更多
Algae are reported to be corrosive,while little is known about the role of the algae associated bacteria in the corrosion process.In the present study,Halomonas titanicae was isolated from a culture of an alga strain,...Algae are reported to be corrosive,while little is known about the role of the algae associated bacteria in the corrosion process.In the present study,Halomonas titanicae was isolated from a culture of an alga strain,Spirulina platensis,and identified through 16 S rRNA gene analysis.Corrosion behavior of 304L stainless steel(SS)coupons in the presence and absence of H.titanicae was characterized by using electrochemical measurements and surface analysis.The results showed that H.titanicae significantly accelerated the corrosion rate and decreased the pitting potential of 304L SS in the biotic medium.After removal of the corrosion products and biofilms,severe pitting corrosion caused by H.titanicae was observed.The largest pit depth after 14 d reached 6.6μm,which was 5.5 times higher than that of the sterile control(1.2μm).This is the first report revealing that an alga associated bacterium can induce microbiologically influenced corrosion(MIC),and a further concern is raised that whether algae play a role in the MIC process.展开更多
AIM To investigate the association of tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNFα)-G308 A polymorphism with different liver pathological changes in treatment-na?ve Egyptian patients infected with hepatitis C virus(HCV) genotype...AIM To investigate the association of tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNFα)-G308 A polymorphism with different liver pathological changes in treatment-na?ve Egyptian patients infected with hepatitis C virus(HCV) genotype 4.METHODS This study included 180 subjects,composed of 120 treatment-na?ve chronic HCV patients with different fibrosis grades(F0-F4) and 60 healthy controls. The TNFα-G308 A region was amplified by PCR and the different genotypes were detected by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The TNFα protein was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The influence of different TNFα-G308 A genotypes on TNFα expression and liver disease progression were statistically analyzed. The OR and 95%CI were calculated to assess the relative risk confidence.RESULTS Current data showed that the TNFα-G308 A SNP frequency was significantly different between controls and HCV infected patients(P = 0.001). Both the AA genotype and A allele were significantly higher in late fibrosis patients(F2-F4,n = 60) than in early fibrosis patients(F0-F1,n = 60)(P = 0.05,0.04 respectively). Moreover,the GA or AA genotypes increased the TNFα serum level greater than the GG genotype(P = 0.002). The results showed a clear association between severe liver pathological conditions(inflammation,steatosis and fibrosis) and(GA + AA) genotypes(P = 0.035,0.03,0.04 respectively). The stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that the TNFα genotypes(GA + AA) were significantly associated with liver inflammation(OR = 3.776,95%CI: 1.399-10.194,P = 0.009),severe steatosis(OR = 4.49,95%CI: 1.441-14.0,P = 0.010) and fibrosis progression(OR = 2.84,95%CI: 1.080-7.472,P = 0.034). Also,the A allele was an independent risk factor for liver inflammation(P = 0.003),steatosis(P = 0.003) and fibrosis(P = 0.014). CONCLUSION TNFα SNP at nucleotide-308 represents an important genetic marker that can be used for the prognosis of different liver pathological changes in HCV infected展开更多
Assisted natural remediation(ANR)has been highlighted as a promising,less expensive,and environmentally friendly solution to remediate soil contaminated with heavy metals.We tested the effects of three amendments(10%c...Assisted natural remediation(ANR)has been highlighted as a promising,less expensive,and environmentally friendly solution to remediate soil contaminated with heavy metals.We tested the effects of three amendments(10%compost,C;5 or 15%phosphate sludge,PS5 and PS15;and 5 or 15%marble waste,MW5 and MW15)in combination with microorganism inoculation(rhizobacteria consortium alone,mycorrhizae alone,and the two incombination)on alfalfa in contaminated soil.Plant concentrations of Zn,Cu,and Pb were measured,along with proline and malondialdehyde production.The microbiological and physicochemical properties of the mining soil were evaluated.Application of the amendments allowed germination and promoted growth.Inoculation with the rhizobacteria consortium and/or mycorrhizae stimulated plant growth.PS and MW stimulated the production of proline.Inoculation of alfalfa with the rhizobacteria-mycorrhizae mixture and the application of MW allowed the safe cultivation of the legume,as shown by the low concentrations of metals in plant shoots.Zn and Pb concentrations were below the limits recommended for animal grazing and accumulated essentially in roots.Soil analyses showed the positive effect of the amendments on the soil physicochemical properties.All treatments increased soil p H(around 7),total organic carbon,and assimilable phosphorus content.Notably,an important decrease in soluble heavy metals concentrations was observed.Overall,our findings revealed that the applied treatments reduced the risk of metal-polluted soils limiting plant growth.The ANR has great potential for success in the restoration of polymetallic and acidic mining soils using the interaction between alfalfa,microorganisms,and organomineral amendments.展开更多
Objective: To evaluate the susceptibility of Mycobacterium aurum and Mycobacterium smegmatis in vitro to the essential oils obtained from two medicinal plants: Thymus satureioides(T. satureioides) and Mentha pulegium(...Objective: To evaluate the susceptibility of Mycobacterium aurum and Mycobacterium smegmatis in vitro to the essential oils obtained from two medicinal plants: Thymus satureioides(T. satureioides) and Mentha pulegium(M. pulegium), and to study their chemical composition.Methods: The aerial parts of T. satureioides and M. pulegium(leaves and stems) were hydro-distillated using a Clevenger-type apparatus and essential oils were analyzed and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Antimycobacterial screening of essential oils was performed on the basis of the inhibition zone diameter by disc diffusion method against two mycobacterial strains whereas the minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal bactericidal concentration were determined by using the micro-dilution method.Results: Chemical analysis of their aerial part's essential oils gave as major compounds,borneol(34.26%), carvacrol(31.21%) and thymol(3.71%) for T. satureioides and R(+)-pulegone(75.48%), carvone(6.66%) and dihydrocarvone(4.64%) for M. pulegium.Thereafter their antimycobacterial effect evaluation, using the micro-dilution method,indicated that minimal inhibitory concentration values of T. satureioides essential oil ranged from 0.062% to 0.015%(v/v) and from 0.125% to 0.031%(v/v) for M. pulegium respectively against Mycobacterium aurum and Mycobacterium smegmatis.Conclusions: It is clearly evident from the results obtained that the Moroccan medicinal plants have great potential to be used as anti-tuberculosis agents. These findings may help scientists to undertake several research projects to discover useful natural product as new anti-tuberculosis drug.展开更多
基金funded by Researchers Supporting Project number(RSP2025R119),King Saud University,Riyadh,Saudi Arabia.
文摘This work uses GC-MS to analyze the bioactive compounds of Salvia rosmarinus essential oils(SREO)and evaluates their antibacterial,antifungal,and insecticidal effects,as well as the major component,1,8-cineole.Chemical analysis identified 16 compounds accounting for 99.19%of the oil’s total content,with 1,8-cineole(33.17%),camphor(16.53%),α-pinene(14.46%),and camphene(8.14%)as the major constituents.Antimicrobial activities were assessed against pathogenic strains using minimal inhibit concentration(MIC)and minimum bactericidal concentration(MBC)assays.SREO exhibited a minimum MIC of 0.128%against P.aeruginosa,while 1,8-cineole showed a minimum MIC of 2.06%against the same strain,highlighting the higher efficacy of the complete oil compared to the isolated compound.Conversely,for antifungal activity,1,8-cineole displayed a lower MIC(2.06%)against A.niger and P.digitatum compared to SREO(4.125%against A.niger).Regarding aphicidal activity,results demonstrated the lethal effects of SREO on M.persicae,with an even more pronounced impact observed for 1,8-cineole.At one dose of 40μL/L air,SREO and 1,8-cineole resulted in 100%insect mortality within 24 h of exposure.After 12 h of exposure to SREO at concentrations of 5,10,20,and 40μL/L air,the mortality rates were 20%,36.67%,70%,and 93.33%.1,8-cineole showed maximum efficacy,achieving complete(100%)mortality within 12 h at 40μL/L air.
基金funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research(ACIAR)project“AGB-2018-175:Enhancing smallholder livelihoods in the Central Highlands of Viet Nam through improving the sustainability of coffee and black pepper farming systems and value chains”and Deakin University.
文摘Monoculture and intensive fertiliser use in the cultivation of Robusta coffee(Coffea canephora var.Robusta)and black pepper(Piper nigrum L.)have led to soil degradation and increased disease pressure in Vietnam's Central Highlands.To identify key factors driving soilborne diseases and threatening sustainable production,a soil and root survey was conducted across three provinces:Gia Lai,Dak Lak,and Dak Nong.Soils were characterised by high clay content(51.2-62.0%),moderate silt(35.5-46.0%),and low sand(2.5-2.8%),with a notably low cation exchange capacity(7.72-8.04 cmol_(c) kg^(−1)).The soils were strongly acidic,with average pH values of 4.51 in coffee farms and 5.45 in pepper farms.Despite sufficient levels of nitrogen(N),phosphorus(P),and potassium(K),soilborne pathogens were widespread.Fusarium spp.were detected in all samples,Phytophthora spp.in 64-76%of black pepper farms,and plant-parasitic nematodes in 67-84%of farms,with Meloidogyne spp.predominant.Fusarium density increased with soil acidity in coffee plantations.In coffee,nematode density was positively correlated with N input,while in black pepper,N was negatively correlated with Phytophthora.Organic matter and available K were negatively associated with Fusarium in coffee but positively with Phytophthora in black pepper.These findings underscore the need for integrated management of nutrients and pathogens to sustain perennial crop production in the region.
文摘In recent years, there has been a growing interest in researching and developing new antimicrobial agents from various sources to combat microbial resistance. Therefore, a greater attention has been paid to antimicrobial activity screening and evaluating methods. Several bioassays such as disk-diffusion, well diffusion and broth or agar dilution are well known and commonly used, but others such as flow cy- tofluorometric and bioluminescent methods are not widely used because they require specified equip- ment and further evaluation for reproducibility and standardization, even if they can provide rapid re- sults of the antimicrobial agent＇s effects and a better understanding of their impact on the viability and cell damage inflicted to the tested microorganism. In this review article, an exhaustive list of in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods and detailed information on their advantages and limita- tions are reported.
基金Saaii Educational Foundation, Kanpur-209203,India,for their financial assistance
文摘Objective： This study examined the antimicrobial activity of Cannabis sativa, Thuja orientalis and Psidium guajava against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus （MRSA） and used a standardized purification protocol to determine the presence and abundance of bioactive compounds in the leaf extracts. Methods： In vitro antimicrobial activities of the ethanolic extracts of C sativa, T. orientalis and P. guajava were tested against MRSA. The presence of bioactive molecules in these three leaves was evaluated using biochemical assays and high-performance thin-layer chromatography （HPTLC）. Results： Resistance to methicillin, penicillin, oxacillin and cefoxitin was observed in each of the clinical and nonclinical MRSA isolates. However, they were still vulnerable to vancomydn. Used individually, the 50% extract of each plant leaf inhibited MRSA growth. A profound synergism was observed when C sativa was used in combination with T. orientalis （1：1 ） and when P. guajava was used in combination with T. orientalis （1：1 ）. This was shown by larger zones of inhibition. This synergism was probably due to the combined inhibitory effect of phenolics present in the leaf extracts （i.e., quercetin and gallic acid） and catechin, as detected by HPTLC. Conclusion： The leaf extracts of C sativa, T. orientalis and P. guajava had potential for the control of both hospital- and community-acquired MRSA. Moreover, the inhibitory effect was enhanced when extracts were used in combination.
基金supported by the Deanship of Scientific Research at Umm Al-Qura University(Grant code:22UQU4331128DSR77).
文摘Objective:To investigate the relationship between triterpenoid saponin content and antioxidant,antimicrobial,and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of 70%ethanolic,butanolic,aqueous,supernate and precipitate extracts of Juglans regia leaves.Methods:Triterpenoid saponins of different Juglans regia leaf extracts were measured by the vanillin method.Antioxidant activity was evaluated against DPPH and ABTS free radicals.We also assessed α-glucosidase inhibitory and antimicrobial activities of the leaf extracts.Pearson’s correlation coefficient was evaluated to determine the correlation between the saponin content and biological activities.Results:The butanolic extract was most effective against DPPH with an IC50of 6.63μg/mL,while the aqueous extract showed the highest scavenging activity against ABTS free radical with an IC50of 42.27μg/mL.Pearson’s correlation analysis indicated a strong negative correlation (r=-0.956) between DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50) and the saponin content in the samples examined.In addition,the aqueous extract showed the best α-glucosidase inhibitory activity compared with other extracts.All the extracts had fair antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis,Escherichia coli,and Klebsiella pneumoniae except for the aqueous extract.Conclusions:Juglans regia extracts show potent antioxidant,antimicrobial,and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities.There is a correlation between saponin levels in Juglans regia leaf extracts and the studied activities.However,additional research is required to establish these relationships by identifying the specific saponin molecules responsible for these activities and elucidating their mechanisms of action.
文摘Environmental pollution can have detrimental effects on crop yield and its consumers. The current study was designed to investigate the potential human health risks associated with the consumption of lettuce crop contaminated with toxic heavy metals and microbiological status. Irrigated water, soil and lettuce were analyzed by AAS technics for heavy metals including Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. Transfer factor (TF), daily intake of metals (DIM) and health risk index (HRI) were also calculated. Microbial analysis was carried out for the presence foodborne pathogens. The results showed that the heavy metals contents were higher in the soil than wastewater and the vegetables. Heavy metals ranged (mg·Kg-1) for Cd (1.27 to 2.93), Cr (7.28 to 7.38), Cu (0.91 to 1.70), Mn (0.29 to 6.60), Ni (1.74 to 2.16), Pb (1.32 to 1.69), Zn (3.08 to 3.79);and were higher than the WHO maximum limit permissible (ML) in vegetables. HRI TF values designated an enhanced bio-contamination. Microbial numeration revealed the presence of spoiler and pathogenic microorganisms. The lettuce tested was not safe for human use, especially for direct consumption by human beings.
文摘Tomato fruit enormously consumed in Burkina Faso is a source of health risk due to its quality. The plant of tomato cultivated in most the industrially polluted area as Ouagadougou, accumulates significant quantities of heavy metals and microorganisms and could be dangerous for consumption. The present study was conducted to investigate heavy metal and microbial contamination in soils wastewater and vegetables (tomato fruit) and to evaluate the possible health risks associated with the consumption of vegetables. Total concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Se and Zn were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Transfer factor (TF), daily intake of metals (DIM) and health risk index (HRI) were also calculated. Microbial quality was analyzed for the presence of foodborne pathogens. The pH involved from 6.50 ± 0.1 to 9.40 ± 0.12 respectively for Boulmiougou and Kossodo. The mean metal concentrations indicated that soils were strongly polluted followed by wastewater and vegetable. The range of the mean values (in mg · kg-1) exhibited by As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Se and Zn in tomato fruit was 17.80 ± 0.32, 2.71 ± 0.02, 11.57 ± 0.2, 203.41 ± 1.20, 15.13 ± 0.30, 53.18 ± 0.20, 38.56 ± 0.10, 109.13 ± 0.25 concerning samples of Boulmiougou and 3.47 ± 0.15, 2.78 ± 0.01, 22.11 ± 0.1, 242.85 ± 2.10, 14.86 ± 0.10, 132.19 ± 1.50, 33.23 ± 0.15, 146.43 ± 1.12 for Kossodo. Microbial count was below to acceptable limits for vegetable, but underlined the presence of spoiler and foodborne pathogens. However, the daily intake of metals (DIM) and the health risk index (HRI) values were found to be under to the prescribed maximum tolerable.
基金the Researchers Supporting Project number(RSP-2021/56)King Saud University,Riyadh,Saudi Arabia+2 种基金the Foundation for Science and Technology(FCT)the Portuguese National Budget for the UIDB/04326/2019 projectthe FCT Scientific Employment Stimulus(CEECIND/00425/2017).
文摘Objective:To study the chemical profile,antimicrobial properties,and synergistic effect with known antibiotics of essential oil extracted from the marine red macroalgae Centroceras clavulatum(C.Agardh)Montagne,collected in Morocco.Methods:The chemical composition of the oil was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.The oil was evaluated for antibacterial(Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Escherichia coli,Bacillus subtilis,Micrococcus luteus,Staphylococcus aureus,and Klebsiella pneumoniae),and antifungal activity(Candida albicans,Candida glabrata,Candida krusei,and Candida parapsilosis),by the disc diffusion method.The minimum inhibitory and minimum microbicidal concentrations of the oil were determined,as well as the synergistic effects of its application combined with the antibiotics ciprofloxacin and fluconazole,by the checkerboard method.Results:Thirty molecules were identified in the essential oil,comprising 96.27%of the total oil composition.Monoterpenes such as carvacrol(36.06%)were the most abundant compounds,followed by caryophyllene(14.67%),endo-borneol(9.04%),pyroterebic acid(3.23%)and caryophyllene oxide(3.13%).The oil exhibited a moderate antimicrobial activity with inhibition zone diameters ranging from 9.0 to 15.0 mm.The minimum inhibitory concentration values varied between 0.9 and 14.7 mg/mL,and Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli were the more sensitive bacteria with 0.9 and 1.9 mg/mL,respectively.The minimum microbicidal concentration values ranged from 0.4 to 14.7 mg/mL.A significant synergic action was observed when the oil was applied in combination with ciprofloxacin and fluconazole,with fractional inhibitory concentration index values ranging from 0.31 to 0.50.Synergy was found in 80%of the combinations and a 2 to 16-fold reduction of antibiotics MIC was observed.Conclusions:Our findings suggest that the essential oil of Centroceras clavulatum should be further appraised for its potential use in the management of multi-drug resistant microorganisms,with the purpose to restore the activity of standard antimicrobial drugs.
文摘Biofilms are being engineered in-vitro to produce numerous commodities like biofertilizers, pharmaceuticals, biofuels and electricity, the efficacies of which rely on the biochemicals secreted by the biofilms i.e. extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). It has been shown that once EPS-biochemicals of developed biofilms are applied to an ecosystem, they can restore degraded complex ecosystem networks for improved ecosystem functioning and sustainability. Identification of the EPS biochemicals and understanding their contributions to the network interactions in particular, are at initial stage. In the present study, using Aspergillus niger, Nostoc sp., and gram (-) Stenotrophomonas maltophilia & gram (+) Bacillus subtilis as test fungal (F), cyanobacterial (C), and bacterial (B) counterparts, respectively we analyzed morphology and biochemical parameters of fungal-bacterial (FBBs), fungal-cyanobacterial (FCBs), cyanobacterial-bacterial (CBBs), and fungal-cyanobacterial-bacterial biofilms (FCBBs). Results revealed that the FCBBs produced the highest concentrations of lipids, proteins, and polysaccharides whereas FBBs generated the highest diversity of biochemicals. Bacterial type (i.e. gram + or -) and microbial composition in the biofilm affected the biochemical production. Ecologically and industrially important diverse biochemicals which are used individually as medicines, bioremediating agents and industrial chemicals in human society with certain adverse and beneficial effects were detected in the biofilm-EPS. However, in the nature, simultaneous action of those diverse biochemicals applied as biofertilizers has already shown a huge potential to restore the entire agroecosystems degraded due to farmers’ detrimental practices. This striking difference in utilization of the biochemicals and their enhanced effect when they act simultaneously needs further investigations for their better applications.
文摘Microbes play a critical role in shaping immune development,with growing interest in how rhinovirus(RV)interacts with the host immune system,particularly in individuals with asthma and chronic obstructive pul-monary disease(COPD).Disruptions in microbial balance during RV infections can impair immune homeostasis and worsen disease outcomes.Recent studies emphasize RV-induced regulation of antiviral defenses,cytokine production,and immune tolerance.This review explores the interplay between RV,the immune system,and microbiota,highlighting the importance of these interactions in guiding effective therapies for respiratory in-fections.It advances existing literature by considering microbiota-mediated therapies as a novel approach to managing RV exacerbations in respiratory diseases like asthma and COPD.
文摘Oncogenic viruses include both DNA and RNA viruses which contribute to cancer development by disrupting cellular regulation and interfering in the immune responses.These viruses do not directly cause cancer but instead integrate their genetic material into the host genome thus,affecting cell cycle and tumor suppression.This deregulation also leads to impaired immune function and promotes tumor progression by disrupting the removal of infected cells.Generally,innate immunity consists of two important members,including mitochondria and cell deaths,which impact each other as well.Due to the close correlation between viruses,cell death pathways(apoptosis,necroptosis,and pyroptosis),and mitochondria(mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein and reactive oxygen species generation),targeting these immune system representatives may offer therapeutic strategies to control the progression of oncogenic viral infections.Some previous studies have covered the association of oncogenic viruses with mitochondria and cell death pathways,respectively,but mitochondria and cell death interact with each other,separately,and this interaction may play a role in the progression of cancer induced by oncogenic viruses.Hence,the purpose of this review is to discuss the relationship between cell death,mitochondria,and viral oncogenesis,focusing on the most surveyed oncogenic viruses’mechanisms of action.
文摘BACKGROUND Treatment response to direct-acting antivirals(DAAs)is a challenging issue and the identification of non-responders patients is very important.AIM To evaluate the relation between baseline serum levels of hyaluronic acid(HA)and type III procollagen N-peptide(PIIINP)with direct-acting antivirals treatment failure in Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C.METHODS Hepatitis C patients(responders and non-responders to sofosbuvir/daclatasvir)were tested for HA and PIIINP using sensitive chemiluminescent immunoassay.RESULTS There were distinctly higher PIIINP(P=0.0003)and HA(P<0.0001)levels in non-responders than responders patients with a good ability for distinguishing non-responders from patients with sustained virological response(area under the curve=0.766 for HA and 0.684 for PIIINP).Logistic regression analysis revealed that the HA×PIIINP is the model with the highest predictive ability(area under the curve=0.809).Diagnostic performances were superior to each marker alone with good sensitivity(74.7%),specificity(74%),positive predictive(68.3%),negative predictive values(79.6%)and accuracy(74.3%).The multiplication of HA×PIIINP is correlated significantly(P<0.05)with elevated liver enzymes(r=0.212),decreased albumin(r=-0.26),elevated aspartate aminotransferase-platelet ratio index(r=0.223)and elevated fibrosis-4 score(r=0.216)scores.CONCLUSION These findings suggested the remarkable role of fibrogensis markers HA and PIIINP in the prediction of hepatitis C virus DAAs treatment response.Multiplying HA with PIIINP values increase the sensitivity to detect treatment success and thus may aim to improve treatment duration and the disease control.
文摘This study highlights the regulatory potential antibacterial and antiradical of Origanum elongatum essential oil(EO),an endemic medicinal plant of Morocco used for its various properties.The chemical composition of the EO was characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS).The antibacterial activity against different agricultural phytopathogens was determined by disc diffusion and microatmosphere methods,as well as by the determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations(MIC)and minimum bactericidal concentration(MBC),while the antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH and FRAP assays.To complement the experimental analyses,a molecular docking approach was used to predict and elucidate the mechanisms of action of the identified bioactive com-pounds,both for their antioxidant and antibacterial properties.The GC-MS analysis revealed a chemical composition dominated by the major compounds:p-cymene-2-ol(25.31%),thymol(23.88%),andγ-terpinene(19.26%).Furthermore,antibacterial analyses performed using different methodological approaches(disc diffusion,microatmosphere,MIC,and MBC)showed significant inhibitory activity against all phytopathogens tested.Moreover,O.elongatum EO exhibited interesting antioxidant ability with an IC_(50) value of 168.251.14μg/mL for DPPH assay and EC_(50) value±of 164.221.04μg/mL for FRAP assay.Furthermore,in silico molecular docking demonstrated further insights into±the interactions between the oil’s active components and bacterial targets,supporting its mode of action.This in-depth characterization highlights the potential of O.elongatum EO as a natural alternative for the biocontrol of plant pathogens.It opens new perspectives for developing natural solutions to protect crops against plant diseases.
基金supportedfinancially by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.U1660118)the National Basic Research Program of China(No.2014CB643300)the National Environmental Corrosion Platform(NECP)
文摘Microbiologically influenced corrosion(MIC) is a big threat to the strength and safety of many metallic materials used in different environments throughout the world. The metabolites and bioactivity of the microorganisms cause severe deterioration on the metals. In this study, MIC of pure titanium(Ti) was studied in the presence of a highly corrosive aerobic marine bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results obtained from electrochemical test showed that Ti was corrosion resistant in the abiotic culture medium after 14 d, while the increased corrosion current density(i_(corr)) obtained from polarization curves and the decreased charge transfer resistance(R_(ct)) from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS)indicated the accelerated corrosion of Ti caused by P. aeruginosa biofilm. For further confirmation of the above results, the surface of Ti was investigated using scanning electron microscopy(SEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy(CLSM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS). According to the XPS results, TiO_2 was formed in both abiotic and biotic conditions, while unstable oxide Ti_2O_3 was detected in the presence of P. aeruginosa, leading to the defects in the passive film and localized corrosion. Pitting corrosion was investigated with the help of CLSM, and the largest pit depth found on Ti surface immersed in P. aeruginosa was 1.2 μm. Ti was not immune to MIC caused by P. aeruginosa.
基金Supported by Misr El-Khair Foundation,Cairo,Egypt
文摘AIM:To test whether the status of positive cytomegalovirus(CMV) DNA detection adds to the predictive value of IL28B and to further categorize C/T allele carriers.METHODS:This study included 166 chronic hepatitis C(CHC) patients who received combined interferon and ribavirin therapy for 48 wk,84 spontaneous hepatitis C virus(HCV) resolvers who were positive for IgG anti-HCV antibody and negative for HCV RNA,and 100 healthy subjects who were negative for both HCV antibodies and RNA as controls.Genomic DNA from peripheral blood was used for IL28B rs.12979860 single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) and CMV DNA detection.A 139 bp fragment containing IL28B SNP was amplified in all subjects by polymerase chain reaction using a specifically designed primer.Then the IL28B rs.12979860 SNP was detected by restriction fragment length polymorphism(RFLP) genotyping.The presence of CMV DNA was tested by amplification of the gB1 gene using nested polymerase chain reaction.The role of CMV and IL28B rs.12979860 SNP genotypes in determining the response rate to combined interferon therapy and clinical status of patients were statistically analyzed.RESULTS:Current data showed that 67% of patients carrying the IL28B 12979860 C/C allele had a sustained viral response(SVR) while the genotypes C/T and TT were associated with lower SVR rates,50% and 48%,respectively.SVR rates for the C/C allele were lower than other HCV genotypes and/or other populations.Genotype CC was associated with the response to interferon(P = 0.025).Genotype C/C was reduced from 48% in controls to 14% in CHC patients suggesting its protective role against progression to chronicity.The majority of spontaneously cleared subjects(86%) were C/C,confirming its protective role.The C/T allele was present in 71% of CHC patients compared with 38% of controls,so the use of IL28B SNP genotyping only in these patients may be of little value as a predictor of response.CMV reactivation occurred in 40% of CHC patients.Co-infection with CMV seriously diminished the response to interferon(IFN) therapy,with SVR rates in C/C genotypes 87.5% in CMV-negative patients and 12.5% in CMV-positive patients(P < 0.0001).SVR rates among C/T carriers were reduced to < 50% in patients with positive CMV DNA while the non-response rate doubled.These data indicate that a supplemental assay for CMV viremia adds to the prognostic value of IL28B genotyping.CONCLUSION:The results suggest that both genetic(i.e.,spontaneous) and therapeutic(IFN-based therapy) arms are complementary in the battle against HCV.CMV DNA testing may be of value to better predict the response to IFN,particularly in IL28B C/T carriers.
文摘AIM: To investigate the relationship between low molecular polypeptide-7 (LMP-7) gene polymorphism and response to interferon (IFN) therapy in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients. METHODS: LMP-7 polymorphism at codon 49 with nucleotide substitution from A to C was amplified in 104 chronic HCV patients of genotype 4. The amplicons were digested with restriction endonuclease Bsm I and the produced restriction fragment length polymorphism was analyzed. Patients received IFN + regional blood volume therapy for 48 wk and the frequency of thissingle nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was statistically correlated with treatment response. The exclusion criteria for these patients were stated by the national health program for treating viral hepatitis. Main exclusion criteria included co-infection with hepatitis B virus or schistosomiasis, thyroid dysfunction, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, history of long term drug or alcohol intake and autoimmune hepatitis. Multivariate analyses were done to correlate LMP-7 SNP plus several factors such as age, gender, weight, serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and alanine aminotransferase levels, liver activity, fibrosis score and viral load with response to therapy. RESULTS: The data presented in this study clearly demonstrated statistically significant differences between sustained virological response (SVR) (defined as the absence of HCV RNA levels in the patient's sera at least 6 mo after discontinuation of treatment) and non-response (NR) (where HCV RNA levels in the patient's sera never become undetectable for 6 mo during or after treatment). Variables were described as odds ratio with 95%CI. The data were considered significant if P values were ≤ 0.05; highly significant if P < 0.01 and very highly significant if P < 0.001. Current data showed that 91.7% of patients carrying LMP-7 C/C allele were associated with SVR, while the other two genotypes C/A and A/A were associated with NR patients, 83.3% and 64.3% respectively, showing that genotype CC was strongly associated with response to interferon (95%CI: 12.0719-134.6572, P = 0.0001). The majority of parameters recorded in SVR and NR patients included higher values of mean age (P = 0.004), alanine aminotransferase (P = 0.001), AFP (P = 0.001), body weight (P = 0.025), viral load (P = 0.025), higher fibrosis and histological activity index indices among NR vs SVR patients. Also, the multivariate statistical analysis of the different factors of fibro-sis score, liver activity grade, genotypes and alleles of LMP-7 gene polymorphism in responders and NRs of HCV patients in this study showed that HCV patients with A allele had a very highly significant association with the NRs, high fibrosis and higher liver activity, while the C allele had a very highly significant association with the responders, low fibrosis and lower liver activity (95%CI: 3.5800-13.2519, P = 0.0001).CONCLUSION: LMP-7 SNP is a candidate gene that should be considered when designing a mathematical model for predicting response to therapy and disease progression in HCV patients.
基金supported financially by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.U1660118 and 51871050)the National Environmental Corrosion Platform(NECP)of Chinathe Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of Ministry of Education of China(No.N180205021).
文摘Algae are reported to be corrosive,while little is known about the role of the algae associated bacteria in the corrosion process.In the present study,Halomonas titanicae was isolated from a culture of an alga strain,Spirulina platensis,and identified through 16 S rRNA gene analysis.Corrosion behavior of 304L stainless steel(SS)coupons in the presence and absence of H.titanicae was characterized by using electrochemical measurements and surface analysis.The results showed that H.titanicae significantly accelerated the corrosion rate and decreased the pitting potential of 304L SS in the biotic medium.After removal of the corrosion products and biofilms,severe pitting corrosion caused by H.titanicae was observed.The largest pit depth after 14 d reached 6.6μm,which was 5.5 times higher than that of the sterile control(1.2μm).This is the first report revealing that an alga associated bacterium can induce microbiologically influenced corrosion(MIC),and a further concern is raised that whether algae play a role in the MIC process.
文摘AIM To investigate the association of tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNFα)-G308 A polymorphism with different liver pathological changes in treatment-na?ve Egyptian patients infected with hepatitis C virus(HCV) genotype 4.METHODS This study included 180 subjects,composed of 120 treatment-na?ve chronic HCV patients with different fibrosis grades(F0-F4) and 60 healthy controls. The TNFα-G308 A region was amplified by PCR and the different genotypes were detected by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The TNFα protein was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The influence of different TNFα-G308 A genotypes on TNFα expression and liver disease progression were statistically analyzed. The OR and 95%CI were calculated to assess the relative risk confidence.RESULTS Current data showed that the TNFα-G308 A SNP frequency was significantly different between controls and HCV infected patients(P = 0.001). Both the AA genotype and A allele were significantly higher in late fibrosis patients(F2-F4,n = 60) than in early fibrosis patients(F0-F1,n = 60)(P = 0.05,0.04 respectively). Moreover,the GA or AA genotypes increased the TNFα serum level greater than the GG genotype(P = 0.002). The results showed a clear association between severe liver pathological conditions(inflammation,steatosis and fibrosis) and(GA + AA) genotypes(P = 0.035,0.03,0.04 respectively). The stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that the TNFα genotypes(GA + AA) were significantly associated with liver inflammation(OR = 3.776,95%CI: 1.399-10.194,P = 0.009),severe steatosis(OR = 4.49,95%CI: 1.441-14.0,P = 0.010) and fibrosis progression(OR = 2.84,95%CI: 1.080-7.472,P = 0.034). Also,the A allele was an independent risk factor for liver inflammation(P = 0.003),steatosis(P = 0.003) and fibrosis(P = 0.014). CONCLUSION TNFα SNP at nucleotide-308 represents an important genetic marker that can be used for the prognosis of different liver pathological changes in HCV infected
基金supported by PPR2/2016/42 project(CNRST Morocco)KAKENHI Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research(A)(15H02486)from Japan Society for the Promotion of Sciences+1 种基金Strategic International Collaborative Research Program by the Japan Science and Technology Agency(JPMJSC16C5)Grant for Promotion of KAAB Projects(Niigata University)from the Ministry of Education,Culture,Sports,Science,and Technology,Japan。
文摘Assisted natural remediation(ANR)has been highlighted as a promising,less expensive,and environmentally friendly solution to remediate soil contaminated with heavy metals.We tested the effects of three amendments(10%compost,C;5 or 15%phosphate sludge,PS5 and PS15;and 5 or 15%marble waste,MW5 and MW15)in combination with microorganism inoculation(rhizobacteria consortium alone,mycorrhizae alone,and the two incombination)on alfalfa in contaminated soil.Plant concentrations of Zn,Cu,and Pb were measured,along with proline and malondialdehyde production.The microbiological and physicochemical properties of the mining soil were evaluated.Application of the amendments allowed germination and promoted growth.Inoculation with the rhizobacteria consortium and/or mycorrhizae stimulated plant growth.PS and MW stimulated the production of proline.Inoculation of alfalfa with the rhizobacteria-mycorrhizae mixture and the application of MW allowed the safe cultivation of the legume,as shown by the low concentrations of metals in plant shoots.Zn and Pb concentrations were below the limits recommended for animal grazing and accumulated essentially in roots.Soil analyses showed the positive effect of the amendments on the soil physicochemical properties.All treatments increased soil p H(around 7),total organic carbon,and assimilable phosphorus content.Notably,an important decrease in soluble heavy metals concentrations was observed.Overall,our findings revealed that the applied treatments reduced the risk of metal-polluted soils limiting plant growth.The ANR has great potential for success in the restoration of polymetallic and acidic mining soils using the interaction between alfalfa,microorganisms,and organomineral amendments.
基金Supported by the Cooperation for Innovation in the Agro-Food Domain Project within the 7th Research and Development Framework Programme FP7-INCO-2013-9(Grant agreement number 609495)
文摘Objective: To evaluate the susceptibility of Mycobacterium aurum and Mycobacterium smegmatis in vitro to the essential oils obtained from two medicinal plants: Thymus satureioides(T. satureioides) and Mentha pulegium(M. pulegium), and to study their chemical composition.Methods: The aerial parts of T. satureioides and M. pulegium(leaves and stems) were hydro-distillated using a Clevenger-type apparatus and essential oils were analyzed and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Antimycobacterial screening of essential oils was performed on the basis of the inhibition zone diameter by disc diffusion method against two mycobacterial strains whereas the minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal bactericidal concentration were determined by using the micro-dilution method.Results: Chemical analysis of their aerial part's essential oils gave as major compounds,borneol(34.26%), carvacrol(31.21%) and thymol(3.71%) for T. satureioides and R(+)-pulegone(75.48%), carvone(6.66%) and dihydrocarvone(4.64%) for M. pulegium.Thereafter their antimycobacterial effect evaluation, using the micro-dilution method,indicated that minimal inhibitory concentration values of T. satureioides essential oil ranged from 0.062% to 0.015%(v/v) and from 0.125% to 0.031%(v/v) for M. pulegium respectively against Mycobacterium aurum and Mycobacterium smegmatis.Conclusions: It is clearly evident from the results obtained that the Moroccan medicinal plants have great potential to be used as anti-tuberculosis agents. These findings may help scientists to undertake several research projects to discover useful natural product as new anti-tuberculosis drug.
