Phylogenetic analysis of human pegivirus from anti-hepatitis C virus IgG- positive patients.

Human pegivirus type 1 (HPgV-1) is a non-pathogenic RNA virus in the Flaviviridae family that usually occurs as a co-infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV), though some evidence suggests it may play a role in certain cancers. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of HPgV-1 infection in Iraqi anti-HCV IgG-positive patients, the risk factors associated with this infection, and the genotype of local isolates of this virus. A total of 88 anti-HCV IgG-positive patients participated in this cross-sectional study. Viral RAN was extracted from whole blood samples, and cDNA was produced using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Two pairs of primers were used in nested PCR to amplify the virus genome's 5'-untranslated region (5'UTR). For direct sequencing, fourteen PCR products from the second round of PCR were chosen at random. A homology search was performed using the basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) program to identify the resultant sequencing. The phylogenetic tree of the local isolates and 31 reference isolates was constructed using MEGA X software to estimate the virus's genetic diversity and relatedness. Out of 88 patients included in this study, 27(30.68%) of patients were found to be positive for HPgV-1 RNA. The nucleotide homology between the 14 local isolates and the reference isolates. was found to be 87-97%. Phylogenetic analysis results in a tree with four main parts, which are distributed as follows: 10 local isolates are genotype 2; 2 are genotype 1; 1 is genotype 5, and 1 is genotype 6. We conclude that when compared to other countries, the infection rate of Iraqi anti-HCV IgG-positive patients with HPgV-1 is relatively high (30.68%). The most common HPgV-1 genotype in Iraq is genotype 2.

Effects of Lipoic Acid Supplementation on Activities of Cyclooxygenases and Levels of Prostaglandins E2 and F2α Metabolites, in the Offspring of Rats with Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes.

Background. Our aim was to evaluate the protective effect of lipoic acid (LA) on fetal outcome of diabetic mothers. Methods. Diabetes was induced in female rats using streptozotocin and rats were made pregnant. Pregnant control (group 1; n = 9; and group 2; n = 7) or pregnant diabetic (group 3; n = 10; and group 4; n = 8) rats were treated daily with either LA (groups 2 and 4) or vehicle (groups 1 and 3) between gestational days 0 and 15. On day 15 of gestation, the fetuses, placentas, and membranes were dissected, examined morphologically, and then homogenized, to measure cyclooxygenase (COX) activities and metabolisms of prostaglandin (PG) E2 (PGEM) and PGF2α (PGFM) levels. The level of total glutathione was measured in the maternal liver and plasma and in all fetuses. Results. Supplementation of diabetic rats with LA was found to significantly (p < 0.05) reduce resorption rates in diabetic rats and led to a significant (p < 0.05) increase in liver, plasma, and fetuses total glutathione from LA-TD rats as compared to those from V-TD. Decreased levels of PGEM and elevated levels of PGFM in the fetuses, placentas, and membranes were characteristic of experimental diabetic gestation associated with malformation. The levels of PGEM in malformed fetuses from LA-TD mothers was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those in malformed fetuses from V-TD rats. Conclusions. LA treatment did not completely prevent the occurrence of malformations. Thus, other factors may be involved in the pathogenesis of the diabetes-induced congenital malformations.

Diabetic hand syndromes as a clinical and diagnostic tool for diabetes mellitus patients.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease characterized by hyperglycemia with various complications including diabetic hand syndrome (DHS); a condition characterized by association of distinct entities; limited joint mobility (LJM), Dupuytren's disease (DD), flexor tenosynovitis (FTS) and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of these changes and their association to diabetes duration. We studied 142 type 2 and 45 type 1 DM patients and investigated the presence of these hand changes and peripheral neuropathy (PNP). The prevalence of LJM was 29.4%, DD was 17.6%, FTS was 10.7% and CTS 41.7% in all diabetics. The prevalence of CTS was more in type 2 DM (83.3%) as compared to type 1 DM (24.4%). Age and duration of diabetes were clearly related to these changes. A clear association between these changes and PNP was observed. The prevalence of CTS and hand changes was higher in type 2 diabetics. The association of DD and PNP suggests that common factors could contribute to their pathogenesis. Consequently, clinical examination for diabetic hand should not ignore it.

Smoking practices in Jordanian people and their impact on semen quality and hormonal levels among adult men.

Despite worldwide anti-smoking campaigns, cigarette smoking prevalence is increasing in the third-world countries. It is now regarded as the most important public health issue. Here, we study the current smoking situation and investigate the impact of cigarette smoking on semen quality and hormonal levels among adult people. Furthermore, we suggest various strategies to reduce smoking consumption among young individuals. Across-sectional data from 804 adult smoker subjects (male n = 530 and female n = 274) aged between 15 and 45 years were analyzed. One hundred and eleven males were agreed for further evaluation of their semen quality and hormones compared with 93 age-matched non-smoking males. This study showed that the majorfactors initiating smoking among women were friends' influence (49%), life pressures (16%) and parental imitation (14%). The major reasons in men was friends' influence (65%). Furthermore, 61% ofwomen and 89% of men smoke in public implying social acceptance oreven encouragement of this habit. This study also found that low-income Jordanians consume more tobacco materials than those in the middle- and higher income. Furthermore, smokers had significantly lower (p < 0.001) sperm concentration and motility values and higher (p < 0.001) serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels than non-smokers.

The levels of vascular endothelial growth factor-A and placental growth factor-2 in embryopathy associated with experimental diabetic gestation.

The objective of this study was to investigate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and placental growth factor-2 (PlGF-2) in fetal malformations associated with maternal diabetes. Diabetes was induced in female rats. Diabetic and control female rats were made pregnant. On Day 15 of gestation, rats were sacrificed and embryos and their placentas and membranes were dissected out of the uterine horns. Following morphological examination, embryos and their placentas and membranes were homogenized and used for assayed of VEGF-A and PlGF-2 levels. Embryos of diabetic mothers, exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) shorter crown-to-rump lengths, smaller weights, and heavier placental weights. Experimentally induced maternal diabetes was accompanied by decreased VEGF-A in embryos and associated structures. The levels of PlGF-2 in non-malformed embryos of diabetic gestation and their placentas were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the average of controls. These results might indicate defective vascularization with a consequent morphological or anatomical anomalies or more subtle biochemical or metabolic changes. In diabetic mothers, a statistically significant (P < 0.05) decrease was noted in the level of VEGF-A in plasma of diabetic rats with a small non-significant decrease in PlGF-2. Like many other diabetic complications, diabetes-induced embryopathies might have vascular origin and correcting the disturbances in these angiogenic factors might help decrease the incidence of malformation in diabetic gestation.