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Volume 14 (3); September 25, 2024

Research Paper 

Anti-methanogenic effect of pyrogallol in Spirulina platensis – molecular docking and dynamics simulation on methyl-coenzyme M reductase

Sadid MM and Anam MS.

J. Life Sci. Biomed., 14 (3): 45-53, 2024; pii:S225199392400005-14

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.54203/jlsb.2024.5 

Abstract

Methane, along with carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides, is a key greenhouse gas contributing significantly to the global concern over climate change. This study investigated the anti-methanogenic properties of pyrogallol in Spirulina platensis using molecular docking and dynamics simulation on methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR). The Swiss ADME web server was used to identify pyrogallol's absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties. Molecular docking studies were conducted using UCSF Chimera with the Vina script as the executor. The docking results were further analyzed through molecular dynamics simulation using Gromacs-2024. ADME analysis indicated that pyrogallol meets Lipinski’s Rule of Five. Docking studies revealed that pyrogallol has a binding affinity of 4.6 kJ/mol with 2 hydrogen bonds and 1 hydrophobic interaction. Additionally, the MCR-pyrogallol simulation results showed fluctuating root mean square deviation (RMSD) values that stabilized at t = 26,200 until the end of the simulation with an average value of 2.50 nm. Moreover, the hydrogen bonds formed during the simulation fluctuated, with no bonds observed for more than 75% of the simulation time. The energy released during the simulation reached –300.24 kJ/mol with an average of –5.19 kJ/mol. In conclusion, the pyrogallol compound in Spirulina plantensis can potentially inhibit the MCR enzyme, thereby reducing methane production and mitigating the impact of climate change.

Keywords: Anti-methanogenic, methyl-coenzyme M reductase, molecular docking, pyrogallol, Spirulina platensis

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Review 

Current vaccine candidate of toxoplasmosis

Woldegerima E, Getachew F, Misganaw M, Mesfin Y, Belete D, Sisay T, Berhane N.

J. Life Sci. Biomed., 14 (3): 54-67, 2024; pii:S225199392400006-14

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.54203/jlsb.2024.6

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite belonging from the phylum Apicomplexa, known for causing toxoplasmosis. The disease has a global presence, affecting about one-third of the world’s population. The parasite infects various intermediate hosts, including humans and other warm-blooded mammals, with cats serving as the definitive hosts. Its life cycle is complex, featuring a sexual phase in the definitive host and an asexual phase in intermediate hosts. Toxoplasmosis can leads severe neurologic, ocular, and systemic diseases in neonates and immunocompromised individuals. In immunocompetent individuals, the infection is typically asymptomatic, forming dormant tissue cysts in immune-privileged sites such as the muscles and brain. During pregnancy, toxoplasmosis poses significant health risks, potentially causing severe birth defects or miscarriage, and a major concern for immunocompromised hosts. Current control measures are inadequate, highlighting the need for effective vaccines. The initial host defense against T. gondii occurs at the intestinal mucosa, where cytokines and chemokines released by intestinal epithelial cells facilitate the migration of inflammatory cells, including macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. Developing a vaccine that can enhance this mucosal immunity is crucial for preventing toxoplasmosis. Therefore, the development of vaccines against T.gondii is a promising alternative mechanism to prevent toxoplasmosis. This review aims to present the current status of vaccine candidates against Toxoplasma gondii.

Keywords: Vaccine, Candidate, Toxoplasmosis, Toxoplasma gondii

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Research Paper 

Maternal outcomes in pregnant women with COVID-19: impact of disease severity, timing of intervention, and SARS-CoV-2 variants

Alimova KP, Ibadov RA, Tyan TV, and Ibragimov SK.

J. Life Sci. Biomed., 14 (3): 68-76, 2024; pii:S225199392400007-14

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.54203/jlsb.2024.7 

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze maternal outcomes in pregnant women infected with COVID-19, focusing on the impact of disease severity, timing of medical intervention, and the effect of different SARS-CoV-2 variants. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 9,288 pregnant women diagnosed with COVID-19. Disease severity was classified as mild (30%), moderate (52%), severe (17%), and critical (2%). The study also examined the timing of medical care, with 41.6% of women seeking care within 7 days of symptom onset and 58.4% after 7 days. The average gestational age was 271.8 days, with the majority (93.8%) at full-term pregnancy. Results indicated that 88.2% of women continued their pregnancies during treatment, while 11.9% experienced pregnancy termination, including preterm deliveries and miscarriages. The study found a significant (p<0.01) association between COVID-19 severity and adverse outcomes, such as preterm birth and maternal mortality. Severe and critical cases demonstrated increased risks of uteroplacental insufficiency (52.1% and 85.5%, respectively), the need for intensive respiratory support, and ICU admission. The differences in outcomes between the Delta and Omicron variants are also highlighted. The Delta variant was associated with more severe disease and higher rates of complications, including a higher need for cesarean sections, compared to the Omicron variant. The overall 30-day survival rate was 98.05%, with a noticeable drop to 43.59% in critically ill patients. This study underscores the importance of early medical intervention and continuous monitoring in managing COVID-19 in pregnant women. The findings also emphasize the need to consider the variant-specific effects of SARS-CoV-2 on maternal and neonatal outcomes, which can guide clinical decision-making and improve the prognosis for both mother and child.

Keywords: COVID-19, pregnancy, maternal outcomes, SARS-CoV-2 variants, preterm birth, uteroplacental insufficiency, respiratory support, intensive care, maternal outcomes

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Review 

Resistance gene detection database for antimicrobial resistance investigations emphasizing on genomics and metagenomics techniques

Alemnew M, Gelaw A, Nibret K, Getu A, and Berhane N.

J. Life Sci. Biomed., 14 (3): 77-86, 2024; pii:S225199392400008-14

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.54203/jlsb.2024.8

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance poses a grave threat to global health where bacteria become resistant to antimicrobials, rendering them ineffective against infections. It leads to increased illness, death, and healthcare costs. The overuse and inappropriate use of antibiotics in both human medicine and animal agriculture are the primary drivers of antimicrobial resistance. Methods for identifying antimicrobial resistance genes include culturing bacteria with antimicrobial susceptibility test, polymerase chain reaction, and whole genome sequencing for genomics and Metagenomics samples. Newer methods like whole genome sequencing are faster and more accurate. Metagenomics is a powerful tool that can be used to study antimicrobial resistance in various environments. It can study culturable and non-culturable bacteria and used to study samples from humans, animals, and the environment. Resistance gene detection databases serves as a centralized repository of knowledge about resistance genes, mechanisms, and trends of antimicrobial. Databases categorize resistance information by genetic factors, mechanisms, specific drugs, and drug families. This review focuses on powerful and updated databases for detecting resistance genes, including: CARD, ResFinder with pointFinder, ResFinderFG v2.0, MEGARes v3.0 and NDARO. This review aims to examine the significance of antimicrobial resistance databases and techniques in combating antimicrobial resistance. It compares the advantages and disadvantages of different databases for storing and techniques for identifying antimicrobial resistance genes. Additionally, it inform researchers in evaluating antimicrobial resistance study methodologies and database choices based on antimicrobial resistance factors such as microorganism type, study setting, data type, resistance gene nature, resistance focus and novelty of resistance mechanisms. The primary aim of this review is to compare different powerful databases and techniques for identifying ARGs, an issue that hasn't been thoroughly covered in other reviews. These databases provide valuable resources for researchers studying antimicrobial resistance, offering a comprehensive collection of resistance gene sequences and annotations. This knowledge is essential for developing innovative strategies to combat AMR and ensure the ongoing effectiveness of antibiotics.

Keywords: Antimicrobial Resistance, Database, Metagenomics, Resistance, Resistance gène

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Volume 14 (2); June 25, 2024

Review  COVID-19

Review on the biosafety measures for the prevention and control of SARS-CoV-2 infections in healthcare settings

Alemnew M, Andualem B, Gelaw A, Kassa E, Nibret K, and Getu A.

J. Life Sci. Biomed., 14(2): 30-37, 2024; pii:S225199392300003-14

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.54203/jlsb.2024.3

Abstract

The novel corona virus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is a deadly respiratory disease. The major causes of the rise of new variants of SARS-CoV-2 are genetic mutations and recombination. The club-shaped spike (S) projections of glycoprotein on the virus's envelope has interaction with the host cell’s ACE2 (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2) receptors to enable the entrance of infectious virus particles. With-Corona’ is possible only when antiviral and vaccination are available. Disease prevention and control is based on new biosafety technologies and guidelines which improve ways to safely handle microbiological material. Corona pandemic is a serious biosafety event. Thus, biosafety is being valued worldwide and applied in medical field. This review presents the current biosafety standards of the COVID-19 pandemic in a comprehensive manner from a fragmented or wide variety of biosafety guidelines and articles available.

Keywords:

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Research Paper 

Morphometric study of peripheral blood in assessing the appropriateness of colloid use after mitral valve replacement

Ibadov RA, Ergashev SP, and Ibragimov SK.

J. Life Sci. Biomed., 14(2): 38-44, 2024; pii:S225199392300004-14

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.54203/jlsb.2024.4

Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate the morphological changes in erythrocytes following the administration of various solutions. Patients who underwent mitral valve (MV) replacement were divided into three groups: the first group received Hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), the second received gelatin solution (4% succinylated gelatin solution), and the third received 0.9% sodium chloride solution. Blood samples were collected at 90 minutes, 24, and 48 hours post-resuscitation (ICU), and before discharge. Healthy patients' blood served as the control. The express technique of the "thick drop" (EMTD) was used to assess erythrocyte shape shifts, measuring the ratio of normal and pathological forms within 10-15 minutes using a DN-300M microscope. Before using the solutions, the pathological forms of erythrocytes were significantly higher in all groups compared to the control group. The control group had over 89.8% discocytes, while the number significantly decreased in MV patients pre-operation. Post-treatment with HEC and Gelatin solution, the number of discocytes increased slightly, whereas the third group (sodium chloride) showed no significant change. The number of echinocytes and stomatocytes varied across the groups, with the third group showing minimal improvement. The findings indicated that HEC and gelatin solution improved the ratio of discocytes to pathological forms better than sodium chloride. The most promising plasma-stimulating agents for surgical patients, particularly those with heart disease, are colloids and balanced crystalloid solutions. Their composition closely mimics blood plasma, providing optimal hemodynamic stability and tissue perfusion, thus supporting better postoperative recovery and critical care management.

Keywords: Erythrocyte Morphology, Mitral Valve Replacement, Colloid Solutions, Crystalloid Solutions, Postoperative Hemodynamics

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Volume 14 (1); March 25, 2024

Research Paper

Enhancing metabolic health and exercise performance with zinc-enriched postbiotic supplementation: a nutritional intervention study

Cune J, Tintore M, Marti L., De Lecea C, and Marti A.

J. Life Sci. Biomed., 14(1): 01-08, 2024; pii:S225199392400001-14

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.54203/jlsb.2024.1

Abstract

In recent years, the focus on improving well-being through natural solutions, such as dietary adjustments to improve the composition and functionality of the microbiota, has gained prominence. This study explored the effects of a zinc-enriched postbiotic of whole-cell yeast strains (Saccharomyces boulardii ABB S3, Kluyveromyces marxianus ABB S8, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae ABB S6) on metabolic health and gastrointestinal well-being in resistance-training individuals. Over a 30-day period, 18 participants who experienced gastrointestinal discomfort and were not using other dietary supplements underwent evaluation. The intervention aimed to assess changes in serum zinc levels, protein metabolism indicators, and gastrointestinal health, using a repeated measures design for comprehensive data analysis. Results showed a significant increase in serum zinc levels and improvements in protein metabolism markers, alongside reduced gastrointestinal discomfort. These findings underline the efficacy of zinc-enriched postbiotic supplementation in enhancing metabolic health, and suggest that such targeted nutritional interventions can significantly benefit exercise performance and general well-being. The study's outcomes support the potential of incorporating postbiotics into dietary strategies for health maintenance, offering a promising direction for future research in nutritional science and the management of exercise-induced gastrointestinal symptoms.

Keywords: Dietary Supplements, Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Metabolic Diseases/prevention & control Postbiotics, Zinc/metabolism, Exercise Performance

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Research Paper

Comparing healthcare service utilization in insured vs. noninsured households in Rural Atsbi Womberta, Ethiopia

Abdelkadir KS and Hagos BS.
J. Life Sci. Biomed., 14(1): 09-29, 2024; pii:S225199392400002-14

DOI:  https://dx.doi.org/10.54203/jlsb.2024.2

Abstract

Community-based health insurance schemes (CBHI) in Africa are gaining attention due to high healthcare costs in developing nations, affecting 6% of individuals in extreme poverty. The World Health Organization emphasizes the need for sustainable health funding schemes to ensure access to health services. Ethiopia faces poor healthcare funding, making it one of the world's poorest nations. Tigray implemented community-based insurance as a pilot study in 69 rural communities since 2010. The objective of this study was compare differences in healthcare service utilization between community-based health insurance among insured and non-insured households in rural Atsbi-Wemberta district. A community-based comparative cross-sectional study with a qualitative approach was conducted on 172 households. Data was analyzed using SPSS, and inferential statistics were used to measure factors' association with outcome variables. A study in Kebelle revealed that the majority of respondents were female-headed, engaged in both insurance schemes, and had higher education levels. Marital status was also significant, with 89% living with their families. The majority were married, with 91.8% insured and 86.0% uninsured. Family size and income were significant factors, with high-salary households less likely to be members of the CBHI scheme. The study found that most participants considered themselves intermediate healthcare providers, with limited service due to affordability and segregation. The study suggests increasing healthcare service utilization by introducing CBHI to improve access to healthcare and promote good governance. However, the study faces criticism for unfairness and insufficient benefits for non-insured participants. Household were enrolled in CBHI (56.2%) were more probable to use health care service than households who were not enrolled (43.8%) (χ2=21.359, p<0.001). Community Benefits Insurance (CBHI) has increased healthcare utilization among insured households due to reduced illness costs and increased healthcare professional involvement. Factors like income, family size, and travel time contribute to higher utilization. However, challenges include lack of knowledge and community awareness.
KEYWORDS: Community, health insurance, health care service utilization, rural, Atsbi-Womberta.

Keywords: Enset, Bacterial wilt, Incidence, Prevalence, Severity

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Volume 13 (4); December 25, 2023

Research Paper 

Analysis of risk factors and outcomes of acute kidney injury in young children after cardiac surgery

Ismailov SI, Khaydarov AE, Mamasiddikov SM, Narziev MZh, Khamraev GM, Nosirov RN, Sobirov DM, and Mardonov ZhN.

J. Life Sci. Biomed., 13(4): 59-65, 2023; pii:S225199392300009-13

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.54203/jlsb.2023.9 

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analysis of risk factors and outcomes of acute kidney injury (AKI) in young children with congenital heart disease (CHD) after cardiac surgery. The study included 137 young children with CHD after various types of cardiac surgery. The stages of AKI and indications for peritoneal dialysis (PD) were determined based of Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines. The incidence of AKI in young children in the general group was 40.9% (n=56). Stage 1 AKI was diagnosed in 21.9% (n=29) of patients, stage 2 AKI in 12.4% (n=17), and stage 3 AKI in 7.3% (n=10) of patients. Peritoneal dialysis was performed in 11.7% (n=16) of children. The incidence of AKI development after radical correct transposition of the great vessels (TGV) was 55.5% (n=5), truncus arteriosus (TA) was 100%, pulmonary atresia (PA)=25%, tetralogy of Fallot (TF)=38.1%, total anomalous pulmonary vein drainage (TAPVD)=60%, partial anomalous pulmonary vein drainage (PAPVD)=37.5%, atrioventricular canal (AVC)=44.4%, double outlet of main vessels from the right ventricle (DOMV from the RV)=60% , interventricular septal defect with high pulmonary hypertension (VSD)=21.6%, and combined operations was 46.6%. The need for PD after TGV correction was 22.2% (n=2), after TA=100%, after TF=33.3%, after TAPVD=20%, after AVC=11.1%, after VSD=1.9%, and after combined operations was 13.3%. Risk factors for AKI in young children were: younger age, initial heart failure, type of operation, prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and aortic clamping (AC), low cardiac output syndrome, inotropic and vasopressor therapy, hyperlactatemia. The development of AKI led to increased length of stay in the intensive care unit, overall hospitalization and infant mortality.
Keywords: Acute kidney injury, Children, Risk factors, AKI outcomes, Peritoneal dialysis.

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Research Paper

Community based integrated enset bacterial wilt (Xanthomonas Campestris pv. musacearum) management through collective actions in central Ethiopia region

Temam B, Getahun M, Kebede M, Tsegaye Y.

J. Life Sci. Biomed., 13(4): 66-77, 2023; pii:S225199392300010-13

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.54203/jlsb.2023.10

Abstract

Enset ventricosum (Welw) Cheesman is an important food crop produced in southern part of Ethiopia and plays an important role in food security. However, the production of the crop is declines due to enset bacterial wilt disease caused by Xanthomonas campestris. Hence, the present study was designed with the aim of determining the epidemiology of bacterial wilt with the demonstration and dissemination of integrated disease management options in Mirab Azernet and Cheha district of central Ethiopia during the 2019-2021 growing season. Epidemiological information collected was using semi-structured designed questioners before and after intervention of integrated BW management. Natural epidemics of the disease showed a wide range of disease incidence at different plant growth stages. Based on a base line assessment, the average prevalence and incidence of three kebele in Cheha district were estimated to be 65.7% and 48.1% respectively, while the average prevalence and incidence of three selected kebele in Mirab Athernet were 52.8 and 36.9%, respectively. After intervention, the average prevalence of the disease was reduced to 5.6% in Mirab Azernet and to 10.1% in Cheha district. Sanitary control measures demonstrated the promising result in BW reduction. However, this traditional method of disease management option has not always the sustainable solution to alleviate the disease. To achieve a successful and sustainable bacterial wilt control measure, implementing IDM in enset farming community is the advisable approach to tackle the food insecurity of enset growers.

Keywords: Enset, Bacterial wilt, Incidence, Prevalence, Severity

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