BioMed Target Journal

Toxicological Effects of Commonly Used Mosquito Coil Smoke on Liver and Lung Function in Rats

2024-01-08T10:42:53-07:00

The utilization of mosquito coils as a household-level strategy for mosquito control is widely practiced in malaria-endemic regions spanning Africa, Asia, and South America. However, the continuous application of mosquito coils has prompted significant apprehensions concerning environmental and health implications. This research aims to evaluate the potential hepatic and pulmonary toxicities associated with the inhalation of mosquito coil smoke in rat subjects over both sub-chronic and chronic durations. A questionnaire was used to make inquiries regarding the prevalent types and brands of mosquito coils employed, the manner in which they are used, the durations for which they are utilized. A total of twenty-four albino rats were categorized into three distinct groups: the control group and two exposed groups. These groups were subjected to distinct brands of mosquito coil smoke across two distinct exposure regimens – a sub-chronic exposure lasting 4 weeks and a chronic exposure spanning 12 weeks. Following the exposure periods, blood samples were collected for the analysis of serum-based and biochemical markers, including serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), bilirubin, serum bicarbonate, and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), oxygen saturation, C-reactive protein, total protein, and microscopic analysis of lung tissue and liver tissue. The histopathological analysis of lung tissue was appropriately included. However, the analysis of liver tissue was omitted. The results demonstrated a significant elevation in the levels of these biochemical markers among the exposed rats in comparison to the control group. Concurrently, a decrease in blood oxygen saturation was noted in the exposed rats when contrasted with the control group. Conversely, the serum concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, total protein, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) did not exhibit notable differences in relation to the control group. Additionally, microscopic analysis of lung tissue indicated the presence of histopathological lesions in the exposed rats, suggesting a detrimental impact of mosquito coil smoke exposure in a time-dependent progression.

Molecular Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 Variants in Vaccinated and Non-Vaccinated Patients of Erbil Province, Kurdistan Region-Iraq

2023-09-30T12:59:25-06:00

Multiple new SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) have emerged globally since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the virus continuing to evolve, more are expected. This emphasizes the need for rapid diagnostic methods for the detection of circulating lineages. Variants-specific real-time reverse transcription (rRT)-PCR method can be used as an alternative to genome sequencing, which is expensive and labored for identifying these variants, especially in settings with limited resources. We assessed the prevalence of various SARS-CoV-2 variants spreading in the Erbil province using a diagnostic screening RT-PCR-based method. A total of 144 SARS-CoV-2 positive samples were prospectively tested for known SARS-CoV2 variants using ViroQ® SC2 Variant rRT-PCR. Furthermore, the technique was validated using 25 SARS-CoV-2 negative nasal samples. Out of 144 SARS-CoV-2 positive samples, 118 (81.9%) were B.1.617.2 (Delta), 5 (3.5%) were Epsilon B.1.427/B.1.429, 1(0.7%) was Eta B.1.525, 2(1.4%) were SARS-CoV-2 Wild type, while 18 (12.5%) were undefined variant, and the delta strain was the most prevalent SARS-CoV-2 strain. Our study showed that variant-specific RT-PCR could be a useful tool for the rapid screening of SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Evaluating IgG Levels, Vaccination Effects, and COVID-19 Infection Severity in Renal Transplant Recipients

2023-12-19T00:40:46-07:00

Several studies have reported that different factors play an important role in the production of IgG after VOVID-19 vaccination. This study aimed at studying COVID-19 infection rates and severity in renal transplant recipients and vaccine responsiveness. comorbidity hemodialysis requirements, and immune suppression treatment regimens. In this cross-sectional study, IgG levels was measured in renal transplant recipients using automated benchtop immunoanalyzer Vidas at the Duhok Center for Kidney Disease and Transplantation. In this study group, only 30 individuals experienced the SARS-COVID-2 infection, with only three cases being severe. The most frequently reported symptoms of SARS-COVID-2 virus infection were fatigue (18/30) 60%, high temperature (17/30) 56%, headache (12/30) 40%, and poor endurance (11/30) 36.6%. The IgG titers were significantly different between the vaccinated 33.067 ± 2.5 versus unvaccinated individuals 23.916 ± 3.31with p value = 0.025. On the other hand, demographic characteristics of the cohort including: comorbidities, hemodialysis, different age groups, gender, infection/no-infection differences had no statistically significant impact on the IgG titers. Vaccination significantly increased the levels of protective IgG level in kidney transplant recipients. It is crucial to focus on increasing the acceptance of vaccination among kidney transplant recipients to prevent infections from other COVID-19 variants or pathogen outbreaks.

Evaluation of Melatonin and Antioxidant Levels in the Serum of Breast Cancer Patients

2024-02-25T10:41:34-07:00

Metabolites and antioxidants can be altered in patients with various diseases, particularly in those with cancer. This study aims to measure melatonin and total antioxidant levels in the serum of breast cancer patients and compare them with a healthy control group. Both groups had serum samples collected at 2:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Melatonin levels were determined using High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), while total antioxidant levels were assessed by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Levels of melatonin and total antioxidants differed between the groups. In the control group, the levels of melatonin and total antioxidants were considerably greater compared to the diagnostic group, with a p-value of 0.001. Melatonin and total antioxidant levels were consistently greater at 2:00 than at 9:00. The maximum melatonin levels recorded in the diagnostic and control groups were 39.3 pg/mL and 65.9 pg/mL, respectively. Melatonin levels varied based on the age of the participants, with higher amounts observed in younger participants compared to older people in both groups. The BMI affected the levels of melatonin, with a greater BMI leading to elevated melatonin concentrations. The diagnostic group had a total antioxidant level of 39.3 pg/mL, while the control group had a level of 65.9 pg/mL. The elevated levels of melatonin and total antioxidants in the control group indicate a healthy status. The research demonstrated a significant correlation between melatonin and antioxidant levels in breast cancer patients, with reduced melatonin levels and total antioxidant levels in the diagnosed group. Elevated BMI was linked to reduced melatonin levels.

Prevalence of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria among Patients Attending Diabetic Clinic at Fort Port Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda Patients

2024-03-18T02:01:28-06:00

The availability of high concentration of sugar in the blood of diabetic patients makes them more susceptible to developing bacterial infections which are asymptomatic commonly referred to as asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) than the non-diabetic patients. Diabetes patients with ASB have a much higher risk of developing diabetic complications than individuals without ASB. There is a paucity of data on the burden of ASB and antimicrobial susceptibility in diabetes patients in Uganda. Between March and May 2023, a cross-sectional study was carried out at the Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda outpatient diabetic clinic and 160 diabetes patients were recruited for the study. Mid-stream urine was taken for culture and sensitivity. Data analysis were performed using IBM SPSS version 20. A pie chart was used to display the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of common uropathogens described in frequency and percentages. The overall prevalence of ASB among the study participants was 11%. The most common uropathogen isolated was Escherichia coli, followed by Klebsiella and S. aureus. The most sensitive drug in all the isolates was Nitrofrantoin and resistant drug was Ampicillin. In conclusion, routine testing for ASB and treatment should be according to the antimicrobial susceptibility of diabetic patients.

Food Safety Knowledge and Practice in the Era of Dark Kitchens

2024-04-20T07:23:41-06:00

Online ordering and food product sales are well-tolerated in many countries. Post-COVID-19, the business of online food purchases has soared, and many home-based suppliers (dark kitchens) have become part of this endeavor. This practice could impact the quality and safety of the food products with the risk of adverse effects on human health arising from food-borne illnesses and spoilage. The knowledge and practice of a random sample of Mauritians on the quality and safety of locally produced processed food items was investigated. Factors that could influence the purchase of dark kitchens were also studied. Data was collected from 258 participants through a survey questionnaire in March 2022. Up to 99.2 % reported that food suppliers should adhere to hazard analysis critical control points and international standard operation to guarantee quality. The study indicated that 45% of the respondents purchased from dark kitchens. Inadequate scores for both knowledge and practice were noted. The correlation between knowledge and practice was moderate (τ = 0.088; p = 0.00). Furthermore, it was observed that dark kitchen' purchases were motivated by easy accessibility, food quality, and low prices. Food labels were reported as an important characteristic of food products in general. However, in practice, only 31% reported labels and 27.1% reported the site of preparation as an important factor when they decide on the site of purchase. The participants were aware of hygienic practices, the impact of unsafe food on their health and the importance of food standards. Yet, purchases from unchecked sources remain prominent. By fostering awareness and understanding, behavioral changes among individuals could be investigated, contributing to an overall improvement in public health and preventing food-related illnesses.

Efficient Machine Learning and Deep Learning Techniques for Detection of Breast Cancer Tumor

2024-03-21T12:47:55-06:00

The detection of cancer tumors is an essential component that has important consequences for the speedy involvement of medical professionals and the enhancement of patient outcomes. This review paper presents a complete study of the current body of research and methodology, as well as an in-depth assessment of the use of machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) in the detection of cancer tumors. In addition, the article gives a full analysis of the approaches involved. Machine learning and deep learning, which effectively handle ambiguity in the identification of malignant tumors, provide an alternative method for dealing with the complexity of brain tissue. This method is offered by a combination of machine learning and deep learning. The first part of the review draws attention to the significance of making an accurate diagnosis of breast cancer, highlights the limits of traditional diagnostic methods, and investigates the cutting-edge area of medical imaging technology. After that, it investigates the fundamentals of ML and DL and how they might be used to deal with the challenges that are inherent in the interpretation of complicated imaging data. In addition, the paper explores the ways in which models enhance the processes of feature extraction, picture segmentation, and classification in breast tumor detection systems.