Multiple Sclerosis (MS), is a common autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. Currently, there is no cure for MS, and most treatments involve the use of immunosuppressive drugs that can have adverse effects or increased toxicity. Cannabis, commonly known as marijuana, is a product of the Cannabis sativa, and for several centuries has been used as an alternative medicine in many cultures. Cannabis sativa produces over 421 chemical compounds, including about 80 terpenophenols named phytocannabinoids, and include both psychotropic THC and non-psychoactive CBD. In the currently study, we show that a combination therapy using THC and CBD results in amelioration of EAE, an animal model of MS, by reducing hind limb paralysis, decreasing immune cellular infiltration into the brain, and mitigating the presence of inflammatory biomarkers, including gram negative bacteria-associated lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Interestingly, the gut microbiome plays an important role in immune function and studies have shown that it is altered significantly in MS patients. Inasmuch, we performed 16S rRNA sequencing on experimental groups to investigate the gut microbiome composition after using a combination of THC and CBD compared to disease controls. Interestingly, we found that EAE mice showed increase in the mucin degrading bacterial species, Akkermansia municiphila, which was significantly reduced in disease mice treated with THC+CBD. Collectively, our data suggests that THC+CBD can ameliorate EAE by preventing accumulation of mucin-degrading bacteria that would lead to increased gut microbial dysbiosis.
Sequencing technologies have reshaped the study of the subgingival microbiome, but selecting the appropriate method remains challenging because of differences in resolution, cost, host DNA contamination, and computational complexity. This review compares 16S rRNA sequencing, full-length 16S, shotgun metagenomics, and metatranscriptomics with respect to taxonomic resolution, functional output, sample requirements, and analytical limitations. Key practical issues, including low microbial biomass, contamination control, and the choice of appropriate bioinformatic tools, are emphasized to help researchers avoid common pitfalls. A decision-making framework is provided to link study goals to suitable sequencing methods while outlining rea
... Show MoreThe human stomach is home to the Gram-negative bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which has been connected to several gastrointestinal disorders. There may be a link between H. pylori infection and the start of autoimmune disorders, according to recent research. This review examines the intricate connections between persistent H. pylori infection, immune system dysregulation, and their possible role in initiating autoimmune disorders. The study begins with a summary of H. pylori infection and its prevalence worldwide, emphasizing the mounting data that connects this bacterium to autoimmune disorders. Then, using experimental data from animal models and epidemiological research as support, it undertakes a thorough review of autoimmune di
... Show MoreStudies from our laboratory have shown that Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), an ingredient found in marijuana plant Cannabis sativa, can attenuate acute lung injury induced by Staphylococcus enterotoxin B (SEB). In the current study, we investigated the role of THC on the metabolism of SEB-activated lymphocytes. To this end, we determined metabolic potential of SEB-activated lymphocytes treated with vehicle or THC by performing the Cell Mito Stress Test. The oxygen consumption rate (OCR) in THC-treated cells was decreased when compared to vehicle-treated group whereas the extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) was similar in both the groups. Specifically, electron transport chain inhi
In this paper, the experiments were carried out in laboratory flotation cell treating solid fines. The effect of variables such as collector oil dosage, pine oil dosage and solid content of the feed slurry have been investigated on the flotation characteristics of low rank coal. Attempts have also been made to develop some empirical Eq. to predict the yield and ash content of concentrate with the operating variables, solids concentration, collector oil dosage, and pine oil dosage, to estimate the recovery at any operating conditions. The calculated results obtained from regression equation by correlating the variables with the yield and ash content of concentrate have been compared to study whether calculated values match closely with th
... Show MoreAnti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies (ANCA) are a heterogeneous group of autoantibodies with a broad spectrum of clinically associated diseases. The diagnostic value is established for Proteinase 3 (PR3)-ANCA as well as Myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA. To estimate the frequency of anti-neutrophile cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in sera from a group of Iraqi patients with some autoimmune diseases compared with a healthy control group. Serum samples were collected from one hundred patient, 47 males and 53 females; with age range of 16-70 years; 20 specimens from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 30 from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), and 50 from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A group of 40 apparently healthy b
... Show MoreIn this study, aromatic polyamide reverse osmosis membranes were used to remove zinc ions from electroplating wastewater. Influence of different operating conditions such as time, zinc concentration and pressure on reverse osmosis process efficiency was studied. The experimental results showed, concentration of zinc in permeate increase with increases of time from 0 to 70 min, and flux of water through membrane decline with time. While, the concentrations of zinc in permeate increase with the increase in feed zinc concentration (10–300 mg/l), flux decrease with the increment of feed concentration. The raise of pressure from 1 to 4 bar, the zinc concentration decreases and the flux increase. The highest recovery percentage was found is 54.
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