Length‐weight relationships for five Clupeiformes species from the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea

Length‐weight relationships (LWRs) were determined for five Clupeiformes species representing three families collected from the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea. These are the first references on length‐weight relationships for two of these species (Ilisha megaloptera and Sardinella sindensis). A new maximum length record was obtained for one species (Ilisha melastoma).     

Evaluation of the binding effect and cytotoxicity assay of 2-Ethyl-5-(4-methylphenyl) pyramido pyrazole ophthalazine trione on calf thymus DNA: spectroscopic,calorimetric, and molecular dynamics approaches

With advances in new drug therapies, it is essential to understand the interactions between drugs and target molecules. In this study, we applied multiple spectroscopic techniques including absorbance, fluorescence, circular dichroism spectroscopy, viscosity, thermal melting, calorimetric, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to study the interaction between 2-Ethyl-5-(4-methylphenyl) pyramido pyrazole ophthalazine trione (PPF) and calf thymus DNA (ct DNA) in the absence or presence of histone H1. PPF exhibits a high binding affinity towards ct DNA in binary and ternary systems. In addition, the result for the binding constant was observed within the range 10⁴ M⁻¹ achieved through fluorescence quenching data, while the values for enthalpy and entropy changes for ct DNA–PPF and (ct DNA–H1) PPF complexes were measured to be −72.54 kJ.mol⁻¹, −161.14 J.mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, −85.34 kJ.mol⁻¹, and −19.023 J.mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, respectively. Furthermore, in accordance with circular dichroism spectra, the inducement of ct DNA structural changes was observed during binding of PPF and H1 in binary and ternary system forms. The essential roles of hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces throughout the interaction were suggested using thermodynamic parameters. According to the obtained data, the interaction mode of ct DNA–PPF and (ct DNA–H1) PPF complexes was intercalation binding. Suggested by the MD simulation study, the ct DNA–H1 complex caused a reduction in the stability of the DNA structure in the presence or absence of ligand, which demonstrated that PPF as an intercalating agent can further distort the structure. The information achieved from this study will be very helpful in understanding the effects of PPF on the conformational state of ct DNA in the absence or presence of the H1 molecule, which seems to be quite significant for clarifying the mechanisms of action and its pharmacokinetics.     

microRNAs: Key players in virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is known as one of the major health problems worldwide. Pathological analysis indicated that a variety of risk factors including genetical (i.e., alteration of tumor suppressors and oncogenes) and environmental factors (i.e., viruses) are involved in beginning and development of HCC. The understanding of these risk factors could guide scientists and clinicians to design effective therapeutic options in HCC treatment. Various viruses such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) via targeting several cellular and molecular pathways involved in HCC pathogenesis. Among various cellular and molecular targets, microRNAs (miRNAs) have appeared as key players in HCC progression. miRNAs are short noncoding RNAs which could play important roles as oncogenes or tumor suppressors in several malignancies such as HCC. Deregulation of many miRNAs (i.e., miR-222, miR-25, miR-92a, miR-1, let-7f, and miR-21) could be associated with different stages of HCC. Besides miRNAs, exosomes are other particles which are involved in HCC pathogenesis via targeting different cargos, such as DNAs, RNAs, miRNAs, and proteins. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the role of miRNAs and exosomes as important players in HCC pathogenesis. Moreover, we highlighted HCV- and HBV-related miRNAs which led to HCC progression.     

Ultrastructure and protein composition of the oocyte envelope in the whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri, Desmarest, 1823, Sciaenidae, Perciformes)

The organization, time‐course deposition and protein composition of the oocyte envelope in the whitemouth croaker, Micropogonias furnieri, were analyzed at different stages of oocyte maturation. Adult females were sampled in the Uruguayan coast of the Río de la Plata during three annual periods. Morphological organization and temporal deposition were assessed by histology and electron microscopy. Protein composition was analyzed using gel electrophoresis, followed by MALDI‐TOF‐MS. Oocyte envelope deposition starts in lipid‐yolk oocytes, reaching maximum width in fully grown oocytes when it shows a three‐layer organization. In mature oocytes, the envelope becomes narrower than in the previous stage and loses its trilaminar structure. In envelopes from fully grown oocytes, one‐dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed five bands; mature oocytes showed only three bands. Following two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis, 14 major polypeptides were detected in envelopes from fully grown oocytes. Considering that morphological and biochemical results obtained from samples of the three annual periods were remarkably similar, data reported here might provide a useful baseline to assess the future impact of pollutants on the oocyte envelope and reproductive success of whitemouth croakers inhabiting the geographic area.     

Hepcidin Peptide Inhibitor as Cardioprotection by Targeting Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Type 1 Diabetic

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - Hepcidin peptide is the dominant regulator of systemic iron metabolism. Studies suggest a dual role of hepcidin in neuronal iron load...     

Evaluation of Lovastatin Effects on Expression of Anti-apoptotic Nrf2 and PGC-1α Genes in Neural Stem Cells Treated with Hydrogen Peroxide

Reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress are associated with various cell processes, including cell survival and apoptosis. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington's disease (HD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). In the present study, we evaluated the effects of lovastatin chemoprotection against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in bone marrow stromal cell-derived neural stem cells (BMSC-derived NSCs) and whether it has protective effects. BMSC-derived NSCs were pretreated with different doses of lovastatin for 48 h and then exposed to 125 μM H₂O₂ for 30 min. Using MTT, TUNEL assay, and real-time RT-PCR, we evaluated the effects of lovastatin on cell survival, apoptosis, and PGC-1α and Nrf2 expression rates in pretreated BMSC-derived NSCs compared to control groups. Results showed that apoptosis rate in the lovastatin-pretreated BMSC-derived NSCs was significantly decreased compared to the control group. Our findings suggest that lovastatin protects NSCs against oxidative stress-induced cell death, and therefore, it may be used to promote the survival rate of NSCs and can be a candidate for treatment of oxidative stress-mediated neurological diseases.     

Study of the inhibitory effect of Quercus Coccifera's aqueous extract on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa In vitro

The use of therapeutic herbs has become of great importance these days due to the increase in drug resistance. From a long time ago the Venus'' navel plant has been used to treat infections. In this study the antibacterial effect of the aqueous extract from the Quercus coccifera (jaft) herb, under laboratory conditions. This study was carried out experimentally. After collecting the Venus navel herb, it was dried in a warm dry environment away from direct sunlight in the shade. The alcoholic extract was prepared using a standard method. Clinical samples of staphylococcus aureus and pseudomonas aeruginosa were acquired from Ilam''s health care institutes. The inhibitory effect of the extracts was analysed in the Mueller Hinton using the disk diffusion method for both bacteria. Then MIC and MBC of the extracts was determined using the Macro broth dilution method. At its highest concentration the aqueous extract had an inhibition zone of 27.2 and 23.7 mm on staphylococcus aureus and pseudomonas aeruginosa consecutively. The MIC and MBC for staphylococcus aureus were 10 and 12.5 µg/ml and for pseudomonas aeruginosa they were 10 and 17.5 µg/m consecutively. The results of this study show the strong antimicrobial effect of jaft''s aqueous extract on staphylococcus aureus and pseudomonas aeruginosa and if more studies are based on this topic it could be a substitute for common antibiotics.