Matcha tea (Camellia sinensis), a fine-powder green tea, has become popular worldwide for its claimed antioxidant and weight loss effects. Nevertheless, safety and authenticity of commercial matcha products, especially those from local sources, remain poorly controlled. This study was aimed to investigate potential hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects of a locally marketed matcha in an animal model. Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n= 12): a control group and three matcha extract treatment groups of low, moderate, and high doses (10, 20, and 30 mg matcha/kg/day), by gavage for two months. Biochemical markers, including urea, creatinine, pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha), hepatic enzymes (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase), were determined. The matcha extracts were subjected to the analysis of their chemical compositions by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Liver and kidney histopathological examination was carried out using routine staining procedures. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of toxic contaminants, including xylene and toluene, which are not naturally occurring constituents of authentic matcha. Biochemical results revealed dose-dependent increases in proinflammatory cytokines, hepatic enzymes, creatinine and urea were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in the treatment groups when compared to the control group. Histopathology demonstrated dose-related hepatic and renal degenerative and inflammatory changes. Overall, the local matcha product exhibited clear hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, and pro-inflammatory effects, likely associated with chemical contamination or poor product quality. These results emphasize the importance of strict quality control and thorough safety assessment in commercialized matcha products for human health

Bivalve molluscs (Bivalvia) are a group of invertebrates that can be found in freshwater and saltwater habitats. Due to their filter-feeding and sessile lifestyle, bivalve molluscs have been the subject of numerous studies to monitor their response to environmental changes, thereby developing potential early warning systems for aquatic pollution based on living organisms. Such systems often record the closing of bivalve mollusc shells as an indicator of the molluscs' reaction to changing environmental conditions. This study analysed the possibility of using the bivalve mollusc Pecten jacobaeus (Linnaeus, 1758) in a pilot early warning system. Four experiments were conducted on six specimens to study the reactions of P. jacobeus specimens to the presence of selected substances in the environment. Three specimens were assigned to both the experimental and control groups. In the first experiment, the reactions of the shellfish to gradually reduced salinity for twenty minutes were monitored. In the second experiment, the responses of the shellfish to an increase in the amount of alcohol in seawater for fifteen minutes were observed. In the third experiment, the reaction of the scallops to the addition of microplastics was monitored for twenty minutes. In the fourth, the responses to the addition of sunflower oil to seawater were monitored. A custom system utilising Hall sensors and an Arduino microcontroller was developed to monitor the opening and closing of the shells. The system registered each closing of the shells on a personal computer. The experiments recorded the reaction of the shellfish to a decrease in salinity and the presence of alcohol, which was manifested by the closure of the shells. No response to microplastics and oil was recorded in the experiments. This pilot study has demonstrated the potential of using the closure of scallop shells as an indicator of environmental changes.

SARS – CoV-2 is a pathogenic coronavirus which continuously evolves as changes in the genetic code occur during the replication of the genome. To monitor and detect this infection a combination of 3 parameters is used in Albanian Clinical Practice. Real-Time PCR analysis is the main standard for the identification of SARS-CoV-2- infection. Because of the limits in its utilization for large-scale screening, serological assays have been used for detecting SARS-CoV-2 presence, accompanied by the monitoring level of White blood cells, Red blood cells and CRP (C-reactive Protein) check. This study aims to choose and highlight the best methodology and its efficiency in COVID-19 diagnostics. Nasopharyngeal samples were collected from 1198 patients which were analyzed after with RT-PCR. After 90 of these patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus blood samples were collected from them to perform biochemical analysis. Only 55 of them were subjected to CLIA serological assay. As a result, 49 (89.1%) patients were positive only for IgG, 4 (7.3%) patients were positive for both antibodies IgG and IgM and only 2(3.6%) patients were negative for both antibodies, based on serological results. The level of CRP varied from X- to 25.09 mg/L ad the most affected group of immunological cells were monocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils along with red blood cells, hematocrit and hemoglobin. However, both molecular and biochemical assays had better performance 8-10 days after symptoms appearance, meanwhile, the serological assay was more predictable at least 10 days after symptoms appearance. In conclusion, the three methodologies used separately are limited in usefulness when diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection but a combination of them is the most effective way to diagnose this virus.

Rubella virus (RV) represents a notable pathogen on a global scale, leading to a relatively harmless illness referred to as rubella. In Albania, rubella has been recognized as an endemic disease since the early years, largely due to inadequate vaccination efforts and the virus's ability to spread rapidly through different interactions. Pregnant women who were not immunized against the rubella virus faced dire consequences, often leading to severe outcomes for their infants, including various congenital conditions such as Congenital Rubella Syndrome. The objective of this research is to conduct a serological surveillance of rubella in Albania between December 2023 and May 2024, examining IgG levels in serum samples and evaluating the overall immunological profile related to rubella infections. The study was conducted at the Institute of Public Health, Tirana where a total of 750 pregnant women from different cities were analyzed. Antirubella IgG antibodies were found in 716 pregnant women examined. The findings indicate that the prevalence of seropositivity reaches 95.46% in instances where antibody levels are at 10 UI/ml, whereas the rate of sero-negativity for IgG is recorded at 4.53% under the same antibody concentration. Updating vaccination initiatives is crucial to ensure that campaigns fulfill their designated aims. Special attention should be given to seronegative pregnant women, who require tailored preventive measures and thorough health education concerning rubella transmission and the sequelae associated with congenital rubella syndrome. Given the public health significance of Rubella, it is imperative that our nation's public health institutions thoroughly evaluate and determine the necessity of ongoing surveillance within the Albanian population, as well as enhance vaccination initiatives and immunization programs.

Fifty oral swabs (25 from Anbar and 25 from Salah Aldein) were collected from dogs of different ages, global strains, and different genders. Capnocytophaga canimorsus was diagnosed by PCR using the designed genes. The collected samples were first cultured on nutrient, blood, and MacConkey agar. Then the colonies were subcultured on brain heart infusion and blood agar supplemented with 2.5μg/ml trimethoprim and 2.5μg/ml amphotericin B. Gram staining and biochemical tests including catalase, oxidase and fermentation of glucose, maltose, sucrose, sorbitol and mannitol were performed. The isolate identification results showed that 22 strains (9 from Anbar and 13 from Salah Aldein) were likely Capnocytophaga spp. Action was taken. These putative Capnocytophaga spp. isolates. The PCR test was performed, and the results showed that 14 (6 from Anbar and eight from Salah Aldein) isolates were positive for the designed gene. In addition, the percentage results of C. canimorsus showed that 24% were from Anbar and 32% from Salah Aldein, while the other 36 dogs were negative for C. canimorsus, of which 19 (76%) were from Anbar, and 17 (68%) were from Salah Aldein. In conclusion, dogs are an essential carrier for C. canimorsus in Iraq.

Used clothing has been linked to the spread of disease from one buyer to another, posing a serious risk to the public health. In the current study, the used items were collected from three well-known marketplaces in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The objective was to isolate and identify Staphylococcus aureus, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), using culture-based and molecular techniques. Ninety-nine used items of fifteen distinct kinds were purchased from vendors. All analyzed samples had a prevalence of S. aureus, 22/90 (24.4%), with the highest load in men's sweaters (9.3×103 cfu/ml) and the lowest load in women's jackets (5.0×101 cfu/ml), according to colonial appearance on mannitol salt agar and CHROMagarTM Staphylococcus culture plates. In all, 22 isolates were selected for further molecular analysis. Of the 22 presumptive S. aureus isolates that were recovered from the current investigation, 20 isolates with the nuc gene were identified as S. aureus species, among them 6 isolates with the mecA gene were identified as MRSA. Based on the data acquired on antimicrobial susceptibility, the majority of MSSA isolates (71.43%) and all MRSA isolates (100%) were determined to be multidrug resistant (MDR) with a MARI value between 0.2 and 0.5. In situations when utilizing secondhand products cannot be completely avoided, it has become clear that these items should be well cleaned before use since they may harbor bacteria that cause skin and other illnesses.

The widespread distribution of proteinase inhibitors (PIs) in various plant parts has made them the most abundant class of defensive proteins. PIs restrict microbial developmental processes by attenuating respective proteases, making them a highly promising area of research. In our current investigation, we evaluated the bactericidal potential of a serine proteinase inhibitor (SPI), specifically the Cocculus hirsutus trypsin inhibitor (ChTI). Recombinant ChTI was expressed, purified using a Sepharose-4B affinity column, and utilized in bioassays against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Pre-incubation of bacterial trypsin-like proteinase (TLP) with 400 TIU/mg of ChTI resulted in TLP inhibition rates of 64%, 61.7%, and 56.4%, with IC50 values of 1.67 µg/ml, 1.74 µg/ml, and 1.90 µg/ml for Xanthomonas axonopodis, Escherichia coli, and Ralstonia solanacearum, respectively. Further evaluation against bacterial pathogens Leuconostoc citreum and Lactobacillius fructivorans, associated with postharvest tomato loss, indicated ChTI's potential in extending tomato shelf life. ChTI-treated tomatoes remained viable for over 20 days compared to 11 days for control fruits. Bacterial populations on treated fruits were significantly reduced, with ChTI inhibiting up to 49% and 36% of TLP for L. citreum and L. fructivorans, respectively. The inhibition pattern of bacterial proteinase was further confirmed through in-gel activity assays and bacterial cell mortality assays conducted by incubating live cells with ChTI. The study confirmed ChTI’s strong affinity for bacterial cell wall proteins, as demonstrated by affinity column purification, SDS-PAGE, and western blotting. Overall, the inhibitory properties of ChTI, demonstrated through bacterial bioassays, indicate its significant antibacterial activity and potential for post-harvest preservation.

Honey is a medicinal food that is widely utilized in traditional and complementary medicine. Amidst the contemporary challenge of antibiotic resistance, honey emerges as a promising natural antimicrobial agent. The efficacy of honey in therapy hinges on its mechanisms of antimicrobial activity. Therefore, this study investigated the non-peroxide antibacterial properties of honey sourced from Meliponula (Axestotrigona) ferruginea, a stingless bee species that is commonly managed in the African tropics. The findings reveal that stingless bee honey exhibits remarkable inhibitory effect against both resistant and susceptible bacterial strains. Notably, the studied honey samples retained a substantial portion of their antibacterial potency (89.9 - 98.7%) after the removal of hydrogen peroxide. Interestingly, the antibacterial activity of honey did not correlate with its total phenolic and flavonoid content, suggesting the influence of specific bioactive compounds rather than the overall phytochemical content. Stingless bee honey was most effective against Gram-positive bacterial strains, particularly Staphylococcus aureus. These results underscore the therapeutic potential of stingless bee honey for the management of pathogenic bacteria, including resistant strains. Future investigations should focus on elucidating the specific bioactive compounds present in stingless bee honey to bolster its clinical applications.

During intertidal stony shore surveys on the breakwaters at Faw city, Iraqi coast in November 2020, the cirriped Striatobalanus tenuis (Hoek, 1883) was recorded for the first time from the northwest of the Persian-Arabian Gulf attached on the bivalve Brachidontes sp. The morphological characteristics have been briefly discussed in the present paper.

A total of 83 specimens of Planiliza subviridis were collected from Khor Al-Zubair lagoon, northwest Arab Gulf, Iraq. These fishes were found infected with the copepod Ergasilus rostralis Ho, Javarajan & Radhakrishnan, 1992. Blood parameters: total leukocyte count (WBCs), total red blood cells (RBCs), haemoglobin content (Hb%) and haematocrit volume (PCV) were investigated for lightly (1-5 parasites/fish), mildly (6-10 parasites/fish) and heavily (> 10 parasites/fish) infected fish groups in comparison with uninfected fishes. Uninfected fishes had the highest values of all blood parameters, except WBCs. Hb%, PCV and RBCs significantly decreased in all infected groups when compared with the uninfected group. WBCs significantly increased in all infected fish groups in comparison with the uninfected fishes. WBCs insignificantly decreased in heavily infected group when compared with mildly infected fishes.