Characterization of the type of response to different hcv antigens and quantification of viral load in newly diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma patients

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a blood born virus that is considered a major cause of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. HCV is thought to induce HCC either indirectly or directly by the effect of its viral proteins on different host cell proteins and signaling pathways.Objective: The aim of the study was to characterize the type of response to different HCV antigens, quantify HCV viral load, transforming growth factor- beta and miRNA 122 in patients with newly diagnosed Hepatocellular Carcinoma.Patients and methods: This study was done on three groups: the first group consisted of 40 newly discovered hepatocellular carcinoma patients with HCV infection. The second group consisted of twenty HCV infected patients with other types of cancer (other than HCC). The third group consisted of 20 healthy individuals served as a control group. Serum was separated for detection of the four parameters. Results: TGF-ß showed a very weak negative correlation with the miRNA 122 serum levels that is statistically non-significant. Results also showed that miRNA 122 may not be useful in differentiating between liver cirrhosis from HCC patients and it is associated with the severity of the disease rather than the viremia count. Conclusion: Study showed no correlation between the four investigated parameters (HCV antigens, HCV viral load, TGF-ß- serum levels of miRNA 122) in an attempt for early diagnosis of HCV induced HCC

Synthesis of Selenium Nanoparticles by Bacillus laterosporus Using Gamma Radiation.

Aim: This study shows the possible synthesis of Selenium Nanoparticles (SeNPs) in aerobic optimized conditions using Bacillus laterosporus (B. laterosporus) bacterial strain. Methodology: B. laterosporus was used to reduce selenium ions (selenite anions) to SeNPs by fermentation in Luria-Bertani Enrichment (EM) medium. Optimization of fermentation conditions using two-level full factorial design was performed. SeNPs were further characterized by UV-Vis., DLS, TEM, FT-IR, EDX and XRD analysis. SeNPs synthesis by Gamma irradiated B. laterosporus cells at different radiation doses was reported. Evaluation the probability of B. laterosporus to synthesis SeNPs by fermentation in skimmed milk aerobically. A microtiterplate assay was used to evaluate the ability of SeNPs to inhibit the biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Evaluating the antimicrobial activity of some antibiotic agents upon addition of SeNPs was performed. Results: B. laterosporus reduced the soluble, toxic, colorless selenium ions to the insoluble, non-toxic, red elemental SeNPs. Statistical analysis showed that the results were normally distributed. Temperature, incubation period and pH were significant factors in the fermentation process, in which the maximum SeNPs produced (8.37μmole/ml) was at temperature 37ºC, incubation period 48hr, pH7. The Gamma radiation exposure dose 1.5kGy gave the maximum SeNPs produced (10.01 μmole/ml). A pink color appear in the fermented milk revealing the formation of SeNPs-enriched milk. SeNPs inhibit the biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with a percentage reduction of 99.7%. SeNPs increase the antibacterial activity of fucidic acid by 13.6% and 28.5% against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus respectively. But with Gentamycin sulphate, no change in the antibacterial activity. Conclusion: SeNPs can be synthesized aerobically by the probiotic B. laterosporus bacterial strain. SeNPs can be incorporated in nutraceuticals and functional foods like milk also can be used to inhibit the bacterial biofilm formation and can be added to some antibacterial creams to enhance their antimicrobial activity.