Ectopic growth of normal cells or debris originating from endometrium, the inner layer of female reproductive tube leads to endometriosis. The main symptoms are dyspareunia, dysmenorrhea, and sometimes chronic pelvic pain. Unfortunately, it has no cure or treatment, only symptoms relief medication or surgical removal. Endometriosis causes estrogen imbalance leading to intestinal bacterial estrobolome dysregulation and subsequent change in immune response. Our study aims to investigate the linkage between gut dysbiosis and immunological response in endometriotic mice. Balb/c mice were ovariectomized (OVX) 7 days before intraperitoneal transplantation of 2mm2 endometrial tissue from OVX donors to OVX- or intact ovary recipients. Colonic content was collected 2 weeks post transplantation for 16s rRNA pyrosequencing. Peritoneal exudate was collected and stained to determine the phenotype of infiltrating cells by flow cytometry. Results revealed a significant increase in the number of exudate cells, natural killer (NK) cells and myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in endometriotic mice. Phylogenetic taxonomy showed an increase in the biomass of the bacteria in endometriotic OVX mice in comparison with endometriotic nonovariectomized mice. However, the abundance of Phylum Tenericutes, Order Clostridiales, Dehalobacterium sp. and Anaeroplasma sp. were decreased. Collectively, endometriosis changed estrogen metabolism and gut microbiota which resulted in the immune modulation. (Supported by NIH P01AT003961, R01AT006888, R01MH094755, P20GM103641, R01AI129788 and R01AI123947 to PN and MN, and MoHESR to AKM).
Listeria monocytogenes represents a critical foodborne pathogen causing listeriosis, a severe infection with mortality rates of 20- 30%. This comprehensive review integrates cutting-edge research from 2015-2024 with Iraqi epidemiological data to address significant knowledge gaps in regional surveillance and global comparative analysis. Recent discoveries include five novel Listeria species in 2021, revolutionary whole genome sequencing (WGS) surveillance systems, and advanced understanding of RNA-mediated regulation. Iraqi prevalence data reveals concerning patterns with rates ranging from 3.5% to 93.8% across different sample types, substantially higher than global averages. Critically, Iraqi isolates demonstrate alarming antibiotic resis
... Show MoreThe main target of the current study is to investigate the microbial content and mineral contaminants of the imported meat available in the city of Baghdad and to ensure that it is free from harmful bacteria, safe and it compliances with the Iraqi standard specifications. Some trace mineral elements such as (Iron, Copper, Lead, and Cadmium) were also estimated, where 10 brands of these meats were collected. Bacteriological tests were carried out which included (total bacterial count,
Obesity is an escalating health problem in developing countries. One to ten children worldwide are overweight in a report showed by the International Obesity Task Force. Ghrelin, orexigenic peptide, has 28 amino acids, it is considered the greatest remarkable promotion in the last two decades for understanding the physiological changes of action regulating food intake and hunger. Obestatin is a 23-amino acid peptide nearly connected to ghrelin that secures from substitutio
... Show MoreThis study is carried out to investigate the prevalence of Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) infections in cattle using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting IS1111A transposase gene. A total of 130 lactating cows were randomly selected from different areas in Wasit province, Iraq and subjected to blood and milk sampling during the period extended between November 2018 and May 2019. ELISA and PCR tests revealed that 16.15% and 10% of the animals studied were respectively positive. Significant correlations (P<0.05) were detected between the positive results and clinical data. Two positive PCR products were analyzed phylogenetically, named as C. burnetii IQ-No.5 and C. burnet
... Show MoreOxidative stress plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of peripheral artery disease (PAD). This study aimed to investigate the effect of clopidogrel on oxidative stress in PAD patients. Seventy subjects were divided into three groups: PAD patients before treatment (B-PAD), PAD patients after treatment with clopidogrel (A-PAD), and healthy controls. Serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and oxidized protein were measured. SOD activities were also determined. The results showed that SOD activities, and SOD specific activities were significantly decreased in PAD patients compared to healthy individuals. After treatment with clopidogrel, SOD activities, and SOD specific activities were continuous
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