Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) causes up to 40% mortality in humans and is difficult to treat. ARDS is also one of the major triggers of mortality associated with coronavirus-induced disease (COVID-19). We used a mouse model of ARDS induced by Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), which triggers 100% mortality, to investigate the mechanisms through which Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) attenuates ARDS. SEB was used to trigger ARDS in C3H mice. These mice were treated with THC and analyzed for survival, ARDS, cytokine storm, and metabolome. Additionally, cells isolated from the lungs were used to perform single-cell RNA sequencing and transcriptome analysis. A database analysis of human COVID-19 patients was also performed to compare the signaling pathways with SEB-mediated ARDS. The treatment of SEB-mediated ARDS mice with THC led to a 100% survival, decreased lung inflammation, and the suppression of cytokine storm. This was associated with immune cell apoptosis involving the mitochondrial pathway, as suggested by single-cell RNA sequencing. A transcriptomic analysis of immune cells from the lungs revealed an increase in mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes following THC treatment. In addition, metabolomic analysis revealed elevated serum concentrations of amino acids, lysine, n-acetyl methionine, carnitine, and propionyl L-carnitine in THC-treated mice. THC caused the downregulation of miR-185, which correlated with an increase in the pro-apoptotic gene targets. Interestingly, the gene expression datasets from the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of human COVID-19 patients showed some similarities between cytokine and apoptotic genes with SEB-induced ARDS. Collectively, this study suggests that the activation of cannabinoid receptors may serve as a therapeutic modality to treat ARDS associated with COVID-19.
Chitinase-3-like 1 protein (YKL-40) is a glycoprotein primarily produced in the arthritic joint and plays a crucial role in inflammatory processes. The aim of the study is to establish the role of YKL-40 as a biomarker for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared to proinflammatory biomarkers and disease activity. The study included 58 patients and 18 control. Diseases activity score (DAS-28) and clinical disease activity index (CDAI) were measured. Serum level of YKL-40, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1B (IL-1β), erythrocyte sedimentation (ESR), rheumatoid factor (RF), C-reactive protein (CRP), and anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) were assessed. The results showed that the median serum YKL-40 level which was 5.42
... Show MoreThe present study aimed to try to find natural substances stimulate the production of bacteriocin, as well as "for detection of bacteriocin producing isolates. Two hundred and eighty ( 280) bacterial isolates, gram negative only, were collected from 760 different pathogenic samples, consist: (Urinary tract infection, septicemia, Vaginal inflammation and diarrhea). The isolated bacteria are: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia Pseudomonas aeruginosa,, Salmonella typhi, Enterobacter cloacae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Serratia liquefaciens, Citrobacter freundii, Proteus mirabilis and Serrattia odorifera. Cup assay method was used to detect bacteriocin production. Loc
... Show MoreThis paper presents a complete design and implementation of a monitoring system for the operation of the three-phase induction motors. This system is built using a personal computer and two types of sensors (current, vibration) to detect some of the mechanical faults that may occur in the motor. The study and examination of several types of faults including (ball bearing and shaft misalignment faults) have been done through the extraction of fault data by using fast Fourier transform (FFT) technique. Results showed that the motor current signature analysis (MCSA) technique, and measurement of vibration technique have high possibility in the detection and diagnosis of most mechanical faults with high accuracy. Subsequently, diagnosi
... Show MoreBackground: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most endocrine disorder common effect (5-10) % in women at reproductive age. Thyroid dysfunction with PCOS is both representing parts of the endocrine system; this link leads to problems of ovulation and pregnancy. Aims: to investigate the prevalence of thyroid disorder in PCOS woman, and associate the outcome with obesity. Patient and method: This study was conducted in Al-batol Teaching Hospital in Baquba City /Iraq. The results reviewed included 63 women: 45 PCOS were diagnosed on the basis of Rotterdam criteria, 18 as control, aged 17- 44 year. The samples have been collected at second day of menstrual cycle, to test fT3, fT
... Show MoreThe research work was conducted to investigate the effect of oral administration of water extract of black pepper at doses of (1, 5) mg/kg body weight for two weeks daily by determining the genotoxic effect (mitotic index), evaluation of immunological effect (IgG, IgM, IgA, C3, C4) and measuring fertility hormones (follicles stimulation hormone/FSH, lutenising hormone/LH) levels with histopathological examinations of female albino swiss mice ovaries in comparison with control (normal saline). A clear effect in increasing mitotic activity was reveled for both doses in comparison with control. Results also showed a significant increase in the value of the all immunological parameters at both doses in comparison with control. Also obvious rais
... Show MoreDue to the increasing number of people with in Iraq, it has become necessary to treat seriously this problem, which was not considered significantly to the best of researcher knowledge. Thus, the current research aims to construct a scale to measure the physical down syndromes, which distinguish them from others. It consisted of (39) items. The researcher has presented some related literature that addressed the current problem
The photooxidative degradation process of plastics caused by ultraviolet irradiation leads to bond breaking, crosslinking, the elimination of volatiles, formation of free radicals, and decreases in weight and molecular weight. Photodegradation deteriorates both the mechanical and physical properties of plastics and affects their predicted life use, in particular for applications in harsh environments. Plastics have many benefits, while on the other hand, they have numerous disadvantages, such as photodegradation and photooxidation in harsh environments and the release of toxic substances due to the leaching of some components, which have a negative effect on living organisms. Therefore, attention is paid to the design and use of saf
... Show MorePurpose: This research seeks to provide a point of view based on the creation of sustainable value to the customer of the banks in the context of total quality management and relationship marketing. It aims to develop a model to measure the value of sustainable customer peduncular under total quality management PAL (administrative leadership, involvement of employees, continuous improvement, process improvement, staff training), through the mediation of relationship marketing and objective dimensions (administrative leadership, involvement of employees, continuous improvement, improving processes , staff training), and to explore any of the variables and dimensions more influential in the creation of sustainable value to the cust
... Show MoreBackground: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has become the treatment of choice for elective cholecystectomy.Objectives: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of early LC for AC and to compare the results with delayed LC.Methods: A prospective study done from April 2011 to October 2013, 88 patients with diagnosis of AC were divided randomly into two groups according to the mode of treatment; (early group n=40) treated by early LC within first 72 hours or (delayed group, n=48) initial conservative treatment for 4-6 weeks, followed by delayed LC.Results: There was no difference between the two groups (early & delayed LC), operating time (early 80min, delayed70min), conversion rate (early 7.5%, delayed 6.25%),postoperative complicatio
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