Bacterial Microbiota-derived Extracellular Vesicles in Children With Allergic Airway Diseases: Compositional and Functional Features

Samra Mona Salem,임대현,Han Man Yong,지혜미,김윤근,김정희 대한천식알레르기학회 2021 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.13 No.1

Purpose: Bacterial extracellular vesicles (EVs) play crucial roles in bacteria-host interactions. Due to their cargo, EVs are considered fingerprints of the parent cell, which are detectable in body fluids. We studied the composition and function of bacterial microbiota-derived EVs genes in urine to evaluate whether they have specific characteristics concerning allergic airway disease. Methods: Subjects were from elementary school surveys and classified into 3 groups according to questionnaires and sensitization to aeroallergens: the allergic airway group (AA, n = 16), atopic controls (AC, n = 7) and healthy controls (HC, n = 26). The bacterial EVs were isolated from voided urine samples, their nucleic acid was extracted for 16S ribosomal RNA pyrosequencing and then characterized using α-diversity, β-diversity, network analysis, intergroup comparison of bacterial composition and predicted functions, and correlation with total immunoglobulin E (IgE), eosinophils% and fractional exhaled NO. Results: The compositional α-diversity was the highest in AA, while functional α-diversity was the highest in HC. AA had a distinct clustering with the least intersample variation. Klebsiella, Haemophilus, members from Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae, and the pathways of sphingolipid and glycerolipid metabolism, and biosynthesis of peptidoglycan and lysine were the highest in AA and positively correlated with total IgE or eosinophil%. Genetic information processing function contributed to 48% of the intergroup variance and was the highest in AA. Diaphorobacter, Acinetobacter, and the pathways of short-chain fatty acids and anti-oxidants metabolism, lysine and xenobiotic degradation, and lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis were the lowest in AA and negatively correlated with total IgE or eosinophil%. The bacterial composition and function in AC were closer to those in HC. The bacterial network was remarkably dense in HC. Conclusions: The bacterial microbiota-derived EVs in urine possess characteristic features in allergic airway disease with a remarkable correlation with total IgE and eosinophil%. These findings suggest that they may play important roles in allergic airway diseases.

Physiology and Gene Expression Analysis of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Exposed to Combined-Virus and Drought Stresses

Samra Mirzayeva,Irada Huseynova,Canan Yüksel Özmen,Ali Ergül 한국식물병리학회 2023 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.39 No.5

Crop productivity can be obstructed by various biotic and abiotic stresses and thus these stresses are a threat to universal food security. The information on the use of viruses providing efficacy to plants facing growth challenges owing to stress is lacking. The role of induction of pathogen-related genes by microbes is also colossal in drought-endurance acquisition. Studies put forward the importance of viruses as sustainable means for defending plants against dual stress. A fundamental part of research focuses on a positive interplay between viruses and plants. Notably, the tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) and tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) possess the capacity to safeguard tomato host plants against severe drought conditions. This study aims to explore the combined effects of TYLCV, ToCV, and drought stress on two tomato cultivars, Money Maker (MK, UK) and Shalala (SH, Azerbaijan). The expression of pathogenrelated four cellulose synthase gene families (CesA/Csl) which have been implicated in drought and virus resistance based on gene expression analysis, was assessed using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction method. The molecular tests revealed significant upregulation of Ces-A2, Csl-D3,2, and Csl-D3,1 genes in TYLCV and ToCV-infected tomato plants. CesA/Csl genes, responsible for biosynthesis within the MK and SH tomato cultivars, play a role in defending against TYLCV and ToCV. Additionally, physiological parameters such as “relative water content,” “specific leaf weight,” “leaf area,” and “dry biomass” were measured in dual-stressed tomatoes. Using these features, it might be possible to cultivate TYLCV-resistant plants during seasons characterized by water scarcity.

Thermo-pneumatic pumping in centrifugal microfluidic platforms

Abi-Samra, Kameel,Clime, Liviu,Kong, Ling,Gorkin III, Robert,Kim, Tae-Hyeong,Cho, Yoon-Kyoung,Madou, Marc Springer-Verlag 2011 Microfluidics and Nanofluidics Vol.11 No.5

Infrared controlled waxes for liquid handling and storage on a CD-microfluidic platform

Abi-Samra, Kameel,Hanson, Ryan,Madou, Marc,Gorkin III, Robert A. Royal Society of Chemistry 2011 Lab on a chip Vol.11 No.4

<P>A novel active valving technique, whereby paraffin wax plugs in microchannels on a centrifugal microfluidic platform are actuated using focused infrared (IR) radiation is demonstrated in this report. Microchannels were simultaneously or sequentially opened using a stationary IR source by forming wax plugs with similar or differing melting points. The presented wax plugs offer key advantages over current active valving techniques, including a less involved fabrication procedure, a simpler actuation process, and the ability to multiplex experiment with active valves. In addition, a new technique for automated liquid reagent storage and release on the microfluidic disc platform, based on the formation and removal of a wax layer, is demonstrated. Overall, the techniques presented in this report offer novel methods for liquid handling, separation, and storage on the centrifugal microfluidic disc platform.</P> <P>Graphic Abstract</P><P>Novel fluid handling and storage techniques for the centrifugal microfluidic disc platform based on non-contact actuation of paraffin wax plugs <I>via</I> infrared radiation. <IMG SRC='http://pubs.rsc.org/services/images/RSCpubs.ePlatform.Service.FreeContent.ImageService.svc/ImageService/image/GA?id=c0lc00160k'> </P>

Electrochemical velocimetry on centrifugal microfluidic platforms

Abi-Samra, K.,Kim, T. H.,Park, D. K.,Kim, N.,Kim, J.,Kim, H.,Cho, Y. K.,Madou, M. Royal Society of Chemistry 2013 Lab on a chip Vol.13 No.16

The Impact of Using Some Participatory E-learning Strategies in Developing Skills of Designing and Producing Electronic Courses for A sample of Umm Al-Qura University Students and their Innovative Thinking

Emad Mohammed Samra International Journal of Computer ScienceNetwork S 2023 International journal of computer science and netw Vol.23 No.3

The current research aims to reveal the impact of using some participatory e-learning strategies (participatory product - classroom web simulation) in developing cognitive achievement, electronic course design skills, and - skills list - Torrance test of innovative thinking). The tools of innovative thinking among a sample of Information Science students. To achieve the objectives of current research, the researcher designed an educational website to train students to produce electronic courses via the web, according to the two participatory e-learning strategies. The researcher used a set of tools represented in (achievement test research and experimental treatment were applied to a sample of the Faculty of Computer students at Umm Al-Qura University. The results found that both participatory product strategy and web simulation have an imact on developing learning aspects discussed in the research. As for which of the two strategies had a greater impact than the other, it turned out that the web simulation strategy had a greater impact than the participatory product strategy in developing these aspects.

Novel Synthesis of Mannosamine Conjugated Magnetic Nanoparticles for Purification and Stabilization of Human Lysosomal β-mannosidase

Zahoor Qadir Samra,Muhammad Amin Athar 한국생물공학회 2009 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.14 No.5

Abstract Human β-mannosidase (MANB) was purified to homogeneity directly from lysosomes by using mannosamine conjugated magnetic (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles, DE-52 cellulose, and sephadex G-200 chromatography. Fe₃O₄nanoparticles were synthesized and utilized ammonia to attach the amino group on the nanoparticles. The particles were covalently attached with Dmannosamine by cross linker glutaraldehyde and confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. In FTIR analysis, the peaks appeared at 2,356.6 cm−¹ for −N = CH linkage and at 3,378.4 cm−1, 3,664.9 cm−¹ for −OH groups confirmed the conjugation of Dmannosamine with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Results showed a single band of 97 kDa of purified MANB in SDS-PAGE. The isoelectric point was 4.5 and the Km and Vã~ñ values were 2.51 mM and 0.315 μM/min/mg, respectively. The purification fold was 329 with 68% yield. The optimal activity was at pH 5.0 and 75% activity was stable in 20% glycerol at 4oC. The enzyme activity was inhibited by Ni²+, Zn²+, Cd²+, Cu²+, Mo²+, Ag+¹, iodoacetate, SDS, DMF, DMSO, ethanol, and acetone; slightly reduced by Pb²+, Co²+, EDTA, DTT, and β-mercaptoethanol. The activity was not affected by Mg²+, Mn²+, Sn²+, Ca²+, Fe³+, PMSF, Triton X-100, D-mannosamine, D-mannose, D-mannitol, D-glucose, and D-fructose. The homogeneity of MANB enzyme was further confirmed by 2D-PAGE and immunoblot. This is the first novel report of conjugation of Dmannosamine with Fe₃O₄nanoparticles for purification of human MANB enzyme Abstract Human β-mannosidase (MANB) was purified to homogeneity directly from lysosomes by using mannosamine conjugated magnetic (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles, DE-52 cellulose, and sephadex G-200 chromatography. Fe₃O₄nanoparticles were synthesized and utilized ammonia to attach the amino group on the nanoparticles. The particles were covalently attached with Dmannosamine by cross linker glutaraldehyde and confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. In FTIR analysis, the peaks appeared at 2,356.6 cm−¹ for −N = CH linkage and at 3,378.4 cm−1, 3,664.9 cm−¹ for −OH groups confirmed the conjugation of Dmannosamine with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Results showed a single band of 97 kDa of purified MANB in SDS-PAGE. The isoelectric point was 4.5 and the Km and Vã~ñ values were 2.51 mM and 0.315 μM/min/mg, respectively. The purification fold was 329 with 68% yield. The optimal activity was at pH 5.0 and 75% activity was stable in 20% glycerol at 4oC. The enzyme activity was inhibited by Ni²+, Zn²+, Cd²+, Cu²+, Mo²+, Ag+¹, iodoacetate, SDS, DMF, DMSO, ethanol, and acetone; slightly reduced by Pb²+, Co²+, EDTA, DTT, and β-mercaptoethanol. The activity was not affected by Mg²+, Mn²+, Sn²+, Ca²+, Fe³+, PMSF, Triton X-100, D-mannosamine, D-mannose, D-mannitol, D-glucose, and D-fructose. The homogeneity of MANB enzyme was further confirmed by 2D-PAGE and immunoblot. This is the first novel report of conjugation of Dmannosamine with Fe₃O₄nanoparticles for purification of human MANB enzyme

The use of remote sensing indices for detecting environmental changes: a case study of North Sinai, Egypt

Rasha M. Abou Samra,Samah M. A. El-Barbary 대한공간정보학회 2018 Spatial Information Research Vol.26 No.6

This study aims to identify environmental changes during the last 25 years in northern Sinai, Egypt. In the present research, various remote sensing indices were applied to detect environmental changes. To achieve this purpose, two Landsat TM (dated August 1990) and Landsat 8 (dated August 2015) images were used. Using remote sensing and GIS software, the two images were classified into six land use/land cover classes. The results revealed that, for the study duration from 1990 to 2015, the study area underwent an increase in vegetation cover and urban areas of approximately 4.11% and 1.21%, respectively. In addition, the land cover class with the highest salinity and the area enveloped by water bodies decreased by approximately 1.35% and 6.33%, respectively. Furthermore, sand aggregations increased in the eastern region of the entire study area but decreased in the western region. Within the study period, a serious land cover changes has happened due to reclamation and development projects.

Current Asthma Prevalence Using Methacholine Challenge Test in Korean Children from 2010 to 2014

Woo Hyeonjin,Samra Mona Salem,Lim Dae Hyun,Kim Jeong Hee 대한의학회 2021 Journal of Korean medical science Vol.36 No.19

Background: Most epidemiological studies depend on the subjects' response to asthma symptom questionnaires. Questionnaire-based study for childhood asthma prevalence may overestimate the true prevalence. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of “Current asthma” using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire and methacholine challenge test in Korean children. Methods: Our survey on allergic disease included 4,791 children (age 7–12 years) from 2010 to 2014 in Korean elementary schools. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) was defined as provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (PC20) ≤ 16 mg/mL. “Current asthma symptoms” was defined as positive response to “Wheezing, current,” “Treatment, current,” or “Exercise, current.” “Current asthma” was defined when the subjects with “Current asthma symptoms” showed BHR on the methacholine challenge test or had less than 70% of predicted FEV1 value. Results: The prevalence of “Wheezing, ever,” “Wheezing, current,” “Diagnosis, ever,” “Treatment, current,” “Exercise, current,” and “Current asthma symptoms” was 19.6%, 6.9%, 10.0%, 3.3%, 3.5%, and 9.6%, respectively, in our cross-sectional study of Korean elementary school students. The prevalence of BHR in elementary school students was 14.5%. The prevalence of BHR in children with “Wheezing, ever,” “Wheezing, current,” “Diagnosis, ever,” “Treatment, current,” and “Exercise, current” was 22.3%, 30.5%, 22.4%, 28.8%, and 29.9%, respectively. BHR was 26.1% in those with “Current asthma symptoms.” The prevalence of “Current asthma” was 2.7%. Conclusions: Our large-scale study provides 2.7% prevalence of current asthma in Korean elementary school children. Since approximately one third of the children who have “Current asthma symptoms” present BHR, both subjective and objective methods are required to accurately predict asthma in subjects with asthma symptoms.

Shape factors of cylindrical permeameters

Silvestri, Vincenzo,Samra, Ghassan Abou,Bravo-Jonard, Christian Techno-Press 2011 Geomechanics & engineering Vol.3 No.1

This paper presents an analytical solution for steady state flow into a close-ended cylindrical permeameter. The soil medium is considered to be uniform, isotropic, and of infinite thickness. Laplace equation is solved by considering rotational symmetry and by using curvilinear coordinates obtained from conformal mapping. The deduced shape factors, which are compared to approximate relationships obtained from both numerical and physical modelling, and idealizations involving ellipsoidal cavities, are proposed for use in field measurements. It is shown that some of the shape factors obtained are significantly different from published values and show a much higher dependence of the rate of flow on the aspect ratio, than deduced from approximate solutions.