Medical Laboratory Journal

Assessment of awareness about safe blood transfusion practices among nurses in a tertiary care center in North Kerala

Sebina Asmi

Background: Blood transfusion is a potentially life-saving procedure that has many consequences and complications. Most of the complications are due to clerical and technical problems. Hence, the proper knowledge and skills of the personnel involved in blood transfusion are critical. Nurses are an integral part of blood transfusion procedures. Our study aimed to evaluate nurses' knowledge about safe blood transfusion practices in a tertiary care center in North Kerala.
Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study of 113 registered nurses involved in a blood transfusion procedure in a tertiary care center in North Kerala. The knowledge of the nurses was evaluated by using a questionnaire comprising 20 questions, of which 10 questions were about theoretical knowledge and 10 were about practical knowledge. Scores>75%, between 50% and 75%, and <50% were considered as good, fair, and poor knowledge, respectively.
Results: In our study, 44.25% of the nurses showed fair knowledge, and 32.7% had poor knowledge of knowledgebased questions. Moreover, 48.6 % had fair knowledge, and 14.16% had poor knowledge of practice-based questions. No statistically significant association was found between nurses' years of experience and theoretical and practical knowledge. A statistically significant association was found between the place of work and theoretical and practical knowledge. Many of the nurses lacked proper knowledge regarding the key aspects of blood transfusion.
Conclusion: We recommend more training programs to improve the knowledge and skills of the nurses to ensure the quality and safety of blood transfusion.

Histological evaluation of the liver, kidney, and testes of adult male Wistar rats exposed to heavy metals-contaminated waterways

Akinpelu Moronkeji

Background: Human activities continually impact the environment negatively. Some activities are particularly linked to river pollution, and this constitutes a major problem in certain regions of Nigeria. This is a result of economic development, anthropogenic human activities, and agricultural practice that have the potential for adverse health effects. This study evaluated the effect of heavy metals acquired from the waterways on the vital organs of experimental rats.
Methods: Seventy (70) adult male Wistar rats, average weighing between 150-180g, were divided into seven groups of ten animals, each selected by simple randomization. Pooled sampled water and water containing the highest average concentration of singly and combined heavy metals noted in the waterways from three geological zones in Kwara state, Nigeria, were respectively given to the Wistar rats within the treatment groups ad libitum for 65 days. The kidney, liver, and testes were harvested and processed for paraffin embedding, and the effect of the heavy metals was histologically assessed.
Results: Histological staining revealed variable histopathological alterations in the kidney, liver, and testes of rats in the treatment groups in comparison to the control group.
Conclusion: Increased levels of heavy metals in waterways can adversely affect the organs when used for household purposes. Activities in these water bodies must be checked by regulatory agencies, and laws to discriminate against the dumping of waste in water bodies should be enforced.

The impact of the sputnik v vaccine on antibody responses in the general population of Golestan province, Iran

hamidreza joshaghani

Background: Although public health interventions have slowed the spread of SARS CoV 2 infections, the worldwide pandemic of COVID 19 is progressing. Thus, effective and safe vaccination against SARS CoV 2 is an important tool for controlling the COVID 19 pandemic. Now in the early stages of COVID 19 vaccination, vaccinated individuals are interested in using antibody tests to confirm vaccination success and estimate the time of protection. Here, we assessed anti spike IgG responses in the general population 2 weeks after the second dose of the Sputnik V vaccine.
Methods: This study included blood samples of 67 individuals without a previous SARS CoV 2 infection taken 14 days after the second dose of the Sputnik V vaccine. Anti spike IgG responses were assessed with an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Results: Anti spike IgG was detected in 55 (82.1%) of 67 samples 14 days after the second dose of the Sputnik V vaccine. Antibody levels were significantly lower in males than in females, and 9 (75%) of 12 seronegative individuals were males.
Conclusion: Vaccination resulted in detectable anti spike IgG in 82.1% of individuals, and gender may be an important factor in the humoral response.

The effects of a special training program on cytochrome p450 gene expression and reactive oxygen species levels in patients with coronary artery bypass surgery

Alireza Barari

Background: Significant economic consequences can lead to various problems and complications, including medical complications. Coronary artery disease (CAD), a serious health threat with increasing prevalence, is a major cause of death and mortality worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a special training program on cytochrome P450 (CYP) gene expression and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in patients with coronary artery bypass surgery.
Methods: This semi-experimental study was conducted on 16 patients who underwent coronary artery surgery in Babol City, Iran. The patients were selected using a random sampling method and divided into 2 groups: experimental and control groups. The experimental group engaged in an exercise program consisting of 3 sessions per week for a duration of 8 weeks. The expression levels of CYP and ROS genes were measured by the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. The analysis was performed by comparing covariances and means.
Results: ROS gene expression levels significantly decreased in the experimental group than in the control group (P=0.003). However, there was no significant difference in P450 levels between the experimental and control groups (P=0.99).
Conclusion: Special exercises reduced ROS expression and increased P450 expression in patients who had coronary bypass surgery. There is a probability that special exercises, can effectively prevent heart damage by increasing antioxidant capacity and reducing ROS.

Plasmid-Mediated colistin resistance in Escherichia coli isolated from neonatal dairy calves without prior consumption of colistin: A threat to public health

Gholamreza Hashemi tabar

Background: Colistin is the most significant last-line antibiotic for the treatment of multidrug-resistant infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria, especially the Enterobacteriaceae family. The emergence and rapid spread of the plasmid-mediated resistance gene, mcr-1 (mobilized colistin resistance), in some isolates of Escherichia coli in recent years provoked public health concerns since it has been shown that mcr-1 with other resistance genes, such as ESBLs (extended-spectrum beta-lactamases) and carbapenemases, could be carried on a single plasmid concurrently. The excessive consumption of colistin, particularly in the livestock industry, and the transmission of these resistant bacteria from livestock to humans may potentially increase the risk of the spread of resistance in humans. Therefore, this study aimed to detect the prevalence of mcr and carbapenem resistance genes among neonatal calves in Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran.
Methods: In the current study, 200 fecal samples from healthy and diarrheic neonatal calves (≤35 days old) were collected in Mashhad (190 E. coli strains were isolated). Antibiotic susceptibility to ceftazidime, cefepime, cefixime, meropenem, colistin, and ciprofloxacin was examined. The double-disk diffusion method (ceftazidime + ceftazidime/clavulanic acid) was performed on Mueller-Hinton agar (MHA) media to phenotypically distinguish the ESBL producers. Afterward, the Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was used to detect colistin resistance genes (mcr-1, mcr-2, mcr-3, mcr-4, and mcr5), NDM-1 (New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1), and OXA-48 as carbapenemases.
Results: The results of the resistance rate to antibiotics were cefepime, ceftazidime, cefixime, meropenem, and colistin. Based on the findings, 33.7% were phenotypically ESBL producers, 4.21% harbored mcr-1, and no NDM-1 or OXA-48 was detected. Among the mcr-1-positive isolates, 5 strains showed the ESBL phenotype.
Conclusion: The results highlight the need for continued monitoring of antibiotic resistance in livestock and the potential for transmission to humans. The findings also underscore the importance of responsible antibiotic use in both human and animal health to mitigate the spread of antibiotic resistance.

Effect of high-intensity interval training on omentin-1 serum levels, gene expression, and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic rats

Kayvan Khoramipour

Background: Omentin-1 plays an important role in insulin function. Despite numerous studies, the effect of interval training on this adipokine is still vague. This study aimed to elucidate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on serum glucose, insulin, insulin resistance (IR), omentin-1 serum levels, and gene expression in the visceral adipose tissue in type 2 diabetic (T2D) rats.
Methods: In an experimental study, 20 male rats (8-10 weeks, weight: 250-270 g) were randomly divided into 2 groups: diabetic control (N=10) and diabetic training (N=10). The training protocol was 30 minutes of HIIT (1-min run, 2-min rest) performed 5 days a week for 4 weeks. Fasting blood glucose, insulin resistance, omentin-1 serum level, and gene expression were measured in the visceral fat 48 hours after the last exercise for both groups.
Results: The HIIT resulted in lower serum glucose and insulin resistance (P = 0.001), higher serum omentin-1 levels (P = 0.001), and higher visceral fat gene expression (P = 0.004) in the training group compared to the control group.
Conclusion: Lower serum glucose and insulin resistance and higher omentin-1 serum levels and gene expression in the training group can prove the effectiveness of HIIT training in T2D, although further research is required.

Hepatitis B virus in cervicovaginal lavage samples of pregnant women in Gorgan city, north of Iran

Alijan Tabarraei

Background: The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major public health problem worldwide. Vertical and horizontal transmission of HBV could affect neonates and partners. This transmission can vary in populations. Also, high-risk behaviors and clinical records affect the transmission of this virus. Due to the lack of information on vaginal discharge related to HBV in the north of Iran, we aimed to assess the presence of HBV in pregnant women's vaginal secretion referred to Sayyad Shirazi Hospital in Gorgan City, north of Iran.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 315 cervicovaginal lavages from pregnant women. Viral DNA was extracted, and the gene fragments of the virus were checked by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Clinical, demographic, and behavioral data were entered into SPSS version 16. The chi-square tests were used to determine any association between categorical data.
Results: Hepatitis B virus DNA was detected in 2.2% (7/315) of samples. The age range of patients was from 14 to 43 years. Anal sex (P = 0.043) and not using a condom (P = 0.047) were significantly associated with HBV-positive cases. Abortion, unusual discharge, and some other clinical and demographic information showed no related statistical correlation.
Conclusion: The results showed a similar rate of infection in the general Iranian population. In pregnant women, the risk of HBV transmission and chronic HBV can be critical in newborns; therefore, it is strongly recommended to conduct screening and provide management for women during pregnancy.

The effect of swimming and silymarin on placental growth factor in pregnant rats exposed to cadmium

Monireh Khalili

Background: Exercise and dietary supplements can partially mitigate the negative effects of cadmium. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of swimming and silymarin on placental growth factor (PLGF) in pregnant mice exposed to cadmium.
Methods: Seventy-two 8-week-old pregnant Wistar rats (weighing 20 ± 200 g) were divided into 9 groups, with 8 rats in each group. Cadmium chloride at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight was fed to rats by drinking a water solution. Silymarin (100 mg/kg body weight) was injected subcutaneously 3 times a week. The exercise program during pregnancy consisted of 60 minutes of swimming per day, conducted for 5 days a week. The microscopic sections of samples were taken 2 days after birth using the usual method of tissue sectioning. A 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey post hoc test at the error level of 0.05 were used to analyze the data.
Results: The PLGF index in the cadmium group showed a significant decrease (P < 0.001) compared to the cadmium + silymarin and cadmium + silymarin and swimming groups. However, swimming training alone had no effect on PLGF index (P = 0.162).
Conclusion: Cadmium significantly reduced PLGF levels in neonatal lung tissue, and regular swimming endurance exercises and silymarin supplementation inhibited the effects of cadmium chloride.