International Journal of Medical Laboratory

A Literature Review of the Role of Candida albicans in the Occurrence and Development of Several Cancers

Mehdi Taheri Sarvtin — 2024-09-29

Candida albicans (C. albicans) is an opportunistic fungus that usually colonizes specific parts of the human body and tends to infect hosts with immunocompromised function, including cancer patients. Several studies have pointed to the direct or indirect involvement of (C. albicans) in oral, esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, colorectal, liver, breast, and skin cancers. So, this article reviews the relationship between C. albicans and various cancers and describes the mechanisms by which this fungus may be involved in the occurrence and development of these cancers. For this reason, keywords such as: "Candida," "cancer," "oral cancer," "esophageal cancer," "gastric cancer," "colorectal cancer," "pancreatic cancer," "liver cancer," "breast cancer," "skin cancer", "risk factors" and "epidemiology" were searched. Articles published in scientific databases, such as Google Scholar, PubMed/MEDLINE, Elsevier, and Scopus, were used. In these articles, it is mentioned that C. albicans may play a role in the occurrence and development of various cancers via several mechanisms, such as modulation of the immune system, induction of matrix metalloproteinases, over-expression of prognostic marker genes related to metastatic events, damaging mucosal epithelium, microbiome changes, activation of oncogenic signalling pathways, induction of chronic inflammation and production of carcinogenic metabolites including nitrosamine and acetaldehyde.

A Simple and Rapid Colorimetric Method for Methanol Determination Using Sodium Nitroprusside

Ali Bakhshi — 2024-09-29

Introduction: Methanol (CH₃OH) exposure can be highly toxic to humans, resulting in severe clinical manifestations and even deaths if left untreated. Therefore, it is vital to estimate the amounts of methanol quickly and accurately to avoid its adverse health impacts. The main goal of the current study was to develop a simple, fast, reliable, and cost-effective colorimetric method for determining methanol amounts in some alcoholic and non-alcoholic samples.

Materials and Methods: A sodium nitroprusside-based colorimetric method was established to detect methanol in hand sanitizers, alcoholic beverages, and herbal distillations. A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry apparatus was applied to evaluate the efficacy of the Kit.

Results: The naked eye saw the color change in the presence of methanol. The established method revealed a good sensitivity (0.077%) and accuracy for methanol determination in different samples. Besides, this colorimetric method was precise, with intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variations less than 10%. Notably, the recovery percentages were 96.5% to 108%, indicating the acceptable accuracy of the studied method. The quantitative detection of methanol was finally validated by comparing it with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry results.

Conclusions: This colorimetric method has great potential for methanol detection due to advantages such as good sensitivity, acceptable accuracy, and fast response time.

The Oncogenic Potential of IQ Motif-Containing GTPase-Activating Protein3 in Human Bladder Cancer: An In-Silico Analysis

Omid Abazari — 2024-09-29

Introduction: IQ motif-containing GTPase-activating protein3 (IQGAP3) contributes to the progression of bladder urothelial carcinoma (BLCA), but its mechanisms are not systematically specified. Due to the oncogenic potential of IQGAP3, the current in-silico study intended to elucidate IQGAP3's role in BLCA progression.

Materials and Methods: Many bioinformatics tools, including UALCAN, Kaplan–Meier plotter, TNMplot, cBioPortal, GeneMania, Enrichr, TIMER2, muTarget, and UCSC Xena, were applied in the current study.

Results: The IQGAP3 level was more pronouncedly raised in BLCA tissues than in normal bladder tissues, and its increased expression was related to the advanced stage and higher grade. Enhanced IQGAP3 expression could result from its genetic alteration. Moreover, the mutation in P53 and RB1 genes was robustly associated with increased IQGAP3 expression. Besides, IQGAP3 correlative genes were dominantly involved in the cell cycle. On the other hand, IQGAP3 upregulation influenced immune checkpoint levels in the tumor microenvironment.

Conclusion: The in-silico findings suggested that IQGAP3 overexpression could be a crucial biomarker in BLCA.

Molecular Investigation of Seven Respiratory Viruses in Patients with Acute Respiratory Tract Infections

Zahra Salavatiha — 2024-09-29

Introduction: Respiratory tract infection (RTI) is among the important factors that can threaten human health and is one of the most prevalent etiological agents of death, especially in young children. Viruses account for approximately 80% of various RTIs worldwide. Our study aimed to investigate the molecular prevalence of seven respiratory viruses in RTI. Our results can help develop appropriate public health strategies and treatment management of RTIs.

Materials and Methods: 120 respiratory samples were obtained from patients with flu-like manifestations from hospitals referred to the Iran University of Medical Sciences during 2020-2022. Nucleic acid extraction was performed, and then real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to analyze the specimens to investigate seven respiratory viruses.

Results: Of the 120 respiratory specimens collected from patients with RTI, viruses were identified in 41 (34.16%) samples, encompassing 24 (40.7%) females and 17 (27.9%) males. SARS-CoV-2 (n = 22, 18.3%) and Parainfluenza virus (n=18, 15%) were the predominant detected viruses in the present study, followed by respiratory syncytial viruses (n=1, 0.8%). Other viruses like Metapneumovirus, Adenovirus, Bocavirus, and Rhinovirus were not found in our study. We could not detect any co-infection in our analysis.

Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 and Parainfluenza-virus were the predominant viruses detected in our study, followed by respiratory syncytial viruses. Other viruses, such as Metapneumovirus, Adenovirus, Bocavirus, and Rhinovirus, have not been found in our study. We could not detect any co-infection in our consideration. This result can help develop appropriate public health strategies, targeting prevention and avoiding inappropriate treatment such as using unnecessary antibiotics.

Attitudes and Levels of Concern and Trust Towards COVID-19 Vaccination Among Patients Hospitalized at Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan, Iran

Mansooreh Momen–Heravi — 2024-09-29

Introduction: This study aimed to explore hospitalized patients' attitudes, concerns, and trust regarding Coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive-cross-sectional study was conducted on 128 patients hospitalized at Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan, Iran, in 2022. Participants were selected using simple random sampling. The questionnaire included questions about demographic information, attitudes towards vaccination (7 items), levels of concern (14 items), and trust (15 items). Data were analyzed using SPSS 26 software. Descriptive statistical analysis and chi-square tests applied.

Results: Fifty-three (41.4%) of cases had a history of two vaccinations. Sinopharm was used in 28.12% of patients. The average attitude score was 8.21 ± 2.88, significantly associated with age (p = 0.02), nationality (p = 0.01), education (p = 0.01), and vaccination history (p = 0.02). The mean concern score was 35.41 ± 11.87, significantly linked to gender (p = 0.01) and vaccination history (p = 0.02). The average trust score was 40.50 ± 13.64, significantly associated with age (p = 0.04), gender (p = 0.01), vaccination history (p = 0.01), hospitalization history due to COVID-19 (p = 0.03), and COVID-19 infection history (p = 0.03).

Conclusion: The vaccination rate among participants was acceptable. However, concerns about vaccination and its complications were the primary reasons for vaccine hesitancy. Given that vaccine acceptance across various community groups is as crucial as vaccine development, it is recommended that health organizations provide information on vaccine benefits and address concerns about potential side effects.

Significant Impact of let-7d MicroRNA on Breast Cancer Cell Lines Post-Radiation Treatment

Mahdieh Nejadtaghi — 2024-09-29

Introduction: Radiotherapy is a common treatment for breast cancer treatment, that induces DNA damage. These DNA damages are addressed through various repair pathways, which regulate the DNA repair systems and confer radio-resistance. Non-coding RNAs are a big proportion of genome transcripts without the potential to encode proteins. Related studies demonstrated that radiation affects the expression of non-coding RNAs. Let-7d, a tumor suppressor in numerous cancers, has some target genes that play a role in the DNA repair system.

Materials and Methods: Human breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 were cultured in a Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium. The exponentially growing cells were treated with some doses of X-rays. After radiation treatment and cell harvesting, RNA was extracted, and cDNA synthesis was done. The let-7d miRNA expression changes were calculated with real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Results: The results implied that radiation caused increased let-7d expression in breast cancer cell lines after radiation treatment. In addition, the results showed that 24 h after radiation, the expression of let-7d in the radioresistant cell line was higher than the radiosensitive one; 48 h after radiation, the expression of let-7d in the radiosensitive cell line was higher than the other one.

Conclusions: The results demonstrated that radiation treatment increased let-7d miRNA expression in both radiosensitive and radio-resistant breast cancer cell lines. Therefore, let-7d might be involved in the radiosensitivity of breast cancer.

Frequency of Blood Components Wastages and Related Factors in Fars Blood Transfusion Centers, Iran

Mojtaba Azadbakht — 2024-09-29

Introduction: Blood component waste is an important issue in all blood transfusion centers. Therefore, reducing and managing these wastages are a major concern in blood transfusion centers. The present study examined the causes and frequency of blood product wastage in blood transfusion centers of Fars Province from 2015 to 2020.

Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive and retrospective study, and the cause and frequency of red blood cell, platelet, plasma and cryoprecipitate wastage from 2015 to 2020 were evaluated. The data related to the blood product wastage were extracted from the comprehensive software of the Blood Transfusion Organization (Negareh). Then, it was analyzed using SPSS software version 25.

Results: The total amount of waste was equal to 164981 units. The highest percentage of wastage of products was in 2015 (8.12%), 2016 (7.15 %) and 2017 (6.75 %), respectively. The most discarded products were whole blood, cryoprecipitate and platelet, respectively. Also, the leading causes of waste included positive screening test results, expiration date, contamination, blood group incompatibility, and abnormal and bloody color, respectively.

Conclusion: The authors concluded that blood component wastage has a dropping pattern in this period. Proper management and continuous training of technical staff are important in reducing blood product wastage.

Evaluating the Effects of Ketamine on Serum Glutamate Dehydrogenase, Glutamine Synthetase and Asparagine Synthetase Levels in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder Before and After Ketamine Treatment

Eisa Taheri Tary — 2024-09-29

Introduction: It has been revealed that major depressive disorder (MDD)is a common and debilitating psychiatric disorder. Dysfunctional enzymes involved in neurotransmission glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), Glutamine synthetase (GS) and Asparagine synthetase (ASNS) may underlie the pathophysiology of MDD. The present project aimed to explore the effects of Ketamine on GDH, GS and ASNS in MDD patients. This study provides evidence of interactions between ketamine and GDH, ASNS and GS levels in patients with MDD.

Materials and Methods: Patients with MDD are referred to the psychiatric ward of Shaheed Yahyanejad Hospital for regular follow-up. Patients diagnosed with MDD were based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), structured clinical interviews, as well as the severity of depression based on clinical criteria determined by a specialist physician. Serum samples from MDD patients before and after ketamine administration were taken to examine the changes in GDH, ASNS and GS levels. In this project, 29 patients with MDD therapy were evaluated with ketamine (0.75 mg/kg).

Results: Our study showed that after administrating ketamine, the level of ASNS and Glutamate dehydrogenase GDH in patients with MDD was reduced compared to pre-treatment. However, the level of GS was increased compared to before treatment. The results show that ketamine occurs at the metabolism level in MDD patients. Also, our results demonstrated that GDH, ASNS, and GS levels can be measured to evaluate the effect of Ketamine on MDD patients.

Conclusions: Patient success has improved depression after two months of administrating ketamine. Marginally, more than 80% of patients diagnosed with MDD treated with ketamine showed complete remission. Current results may be helpful in understanding the mechanisms responsible for ketamine’s clinical efficacy.