Both mature miR-17-5p and passenger strand miR-17-3p target TIMP3 and induce prostate tumor growth and invasion

MicroRNAs (miRNA) precursor (pre-miRNA) molecules can be processed to release a miRNA/miRNA* duplex. In the canonical model of miRNA biogenesis, one strand of the duplex is thought to be the biologically active miRNA, whereas the other strand is thought to be inactive and degraded as a carrier or passenger strand called miRNA* (miRNA star). However, recent studies have revealed that miRNA* strands frequently play roles in the regulatory networks of miRNA target molecules. Our recent study indicated that miR-17 transgenic mice could abundantly express both the mature miR-17-5p and the passenger strand miR-17-3p. Here, we showed that miR-17 enhanced prostate tumor growth and invasion by increasing tumor cell proliferation, colony formation, cell survival and invasion. miRNA target analysis showed that both miR-17-5p and miR-17-3p repressed TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 3 (TIMP3) expression. Silencing with small interfering RNA against TIMP3 promoted cell survival and invasion. Ectopic expression of TIMP3 decreased cell invasion and cell survival. Our results demonstrated that mature miRNA can function coordinately with its passenger strand, enhancing the repressive ability of a miRNA by binding the same target. Within an intricate regulatory network, this may be among the mechanisms by which miRNA can augment their regulatory capacity.     

Length scale parameter of single trabecula in cancellous bone

Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology - In this paper, the material length scale parameter of the modified couple stress theory for trabecular bones is studied. For this reason, experimental...     

Evaluation of collimators' response: round and hexagonal holes in parallel and fan beam

With regard to the different requirements, various collimators are widely employed within nuclear medicine systems in order to evaluate the metabolism of organs as well as improve the contrast of images and better diagnosis. In this study, Fan Beam (FB) and Parallel Beam (PB) collimators in the shapes of round and hexagonal holes have been investigated and compared based on the Geometric Efficiency (G), Geometric Resolution (R(c)), Total Resolution (R(t)), FWHM and Scatter and Penetration (S?+?P) components using the Monte Carlo simulation. Calculations demonstrated that the G was improved with the increase in the distance between point source and collimator face (z). In contrast, the G was reduced with an increase in the angle of slant hole. In the FB collimator, the R(c) and R(t) were increased when the increase in the hole angle and/or the distance. The simulated results indicated in both collimators with the increase in z, a) the FWHM was increased as well as the peak of the PSF curve was decreased, and b) the S?+?P amounts decreased, but in the distinct z, the FWHM of the FB collimator is better than that of the PB collimator. It is shown that the results were in agreement with the ADAC company data. Also, Benchmark for measuring ADAC company demonstrated the calculated and simulated amounts of the R(c) and R(t) with round and hexagonal holes shapes had maximum and minimum average relative differences equal to?-7.6% for PB and 1% for FB, respectively.     

The Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Genetic and Metabolic Profiles in Patients with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: a Randomized,Double-Blind,Placebo-Controlled Trial

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of probiotic supplementation on genetic and metabolic profiles in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) who were not on oral hypoglycemic agents. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 48 patients with GDM. Participants were randomly divided into two groups to intake either probiotic capsule containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus fermentum (2 × 10⁹ CFU/g each) (n = 24) or placebo (n = 24) for 6 weeks. Probiotic intake upregulated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (P = 0.01), transforming growth factor beta (P = 0.002) and vascular endothelial growth factor (P = 0.006), and downregulated gene expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (P = 0.03) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of subjects with GDM. In addition, probiotic supplementation significantly decreased fasting plasma glucose (β, − 3.43 mg/dL; 95% CI, − 6.48, − 0.38; P = 0.02), serum insulin levels (β, − 2.29 μIU/mL; 95% CI, − 3.60, − 0.99; P = 0.001), and insulin resistance (β, − 0.67; 95% CI, − 1.05, − 0.29; P = 0.001) and significantly increased insulin sensitivity (β, 0.009; 95% CI, 0.004, 0.01; P = 0.001) compared with the placebo. Additionally, consuming probiotic significantly decreased triglycerides (P = 0.02), VLDL-cholesterol (P = 0.02), and total-/HDL-cholesterol ratio (P = 0.006) and significantly increased HDL-cholesterol levels (P = 0.03) compared with the placebo. Finally, probiotic administration led to a significant reduction in plasma malondialdehyde (P < 0.001), and a significant elevation in plasma nitric oxide (P = 0.01) and total antioxidant capacity (P = 0.01) was observed compared with the placebo. Overall, probiotic supplementation for 6 weeks to patients with GDM had beneficial effects on gene expression related to insulin and inflammation, glycemic control, few lipid profiles, inflammatory markers, and oxidative stress.

     

On-demand release of ciprofloxacin from a smart nanofiber depot with acoustic stimulus

Herein, an antibiotic-loaded electrospun scaffold with improved drug delivery via acoustic stimulation has been developed. Ultrasound stimulus with an intensity of 15 W/cm², duty-cycle of 50% and duration of 10 min was repeatedly applied to ciprofloxacin loaded alginate fibers. Ultrasonication with the aforesaid conditions increased drug release from scaffold probably due to disturbance of ionic crosslinks of alginate network. Scaffolds exposed to acoustic stimulus revealed higher antibacterial activity compared to those with no stimulus. Interestingly, antibiotic release radically increased and antibacterial function improved as ultrasound perturbed scaffold framework, but scaffold integrity was regained once the ultrasound probe was retracted.     

Static magnetic field improved growth and astaxanthin production in Haematococcus lacustris via the regulation of carbohydrate accumulation,H2O2 level,and antioxidant defense system

Journal of Applied Phycology - This study assessed a culture system using a static magnetic field (SMF) for improving biomass and astaxanthin production in Haematococcus lacustris. Different...